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Epilogue–2

Mr. William Fitzroy-Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet

of Pembrook and Pemberley

Happy was the day when Mrs. Bennet finally married off her least favorite daughter to a wealthy man, with estates in both Salisbury and Derbyshire. For although the matron did not appear in this story, Mrs. Bennet's daughters still felt her presence in their lives, most notably the eldest.

Mrs. Collins continued to live a modest life in Hunsford being of service to her husband's parishioners, and rarely traveled the fifty miles of good road to visit her father's estate. Her value increased greatly when she produced the future heir of Longbourn and then a daughter within fifteen months of each other. Mr. Collins was filled with pride, but in truth, could not remember the events which brought his children into existence. His wife having plied him with such strong drink beforehand, he was embarrassed to admit, and only did so to himself, he had slept through the marital bed numerous times. Yet, he had fulfilled his duty, and was only slightly curious when visiting Mr. Bingley's Mercantile that his own children had the same blue-green eyes with flecks of gold as the shopkeeper.

It was upon one of these visits, as Mr. Collins was crossing the street, he realized young William Charles, had the same dimpled chin as Mr. Bingley as well. Stopping mid-road, he started to return to the shop, when unfortunate events with a carriage driver led to his demise. Mrs. Collins grieved the appropriate amount of time, within which she gave birth to her third child, another son she named Charles, and then married Mr. Bingley, who quickly sold his Mercantile, having himself been widowed after his wife had died giving birth to a stillborn son with black curly hair. They took up residence at Darcy's newly acquired estate near Meryton, Netherfield Park, so young William Charles could learn about his future estate.

The once mentioned Miss Bingley had remained in America, having married a man whose passion led him to explore the western frontier. He was kind to her young son, believing his father had been killed fighting old Boney. The new Mrs. Johnson did not dispute his beliefs and they lived a hard life on the plains of Nebraska far from the ballrooms the former Caroline Bingley of Grovesnor Square was accustomed to.

The younger Bennet girls left little significance to the story, and therefore it will only be said of them that they married well for their station (a minister, a minor country gentleman and a soldier in the regulars––you may assign to each girl the spouse you choose).

And what of Anne de Bourgh? The boisterous woman, who along with her own mother, had determined Mr. Fitzroy's true parentage quite early on in the story? After having been spurned by the viscount Lindley for a French Countess, much to his parent's horror, she married a young sea captain who himself had been spurned eight years previous. She and Captain Wentworth resided at Rosings most of the year.

Lady Catherine lived at Rosings and moved to the Dowager house, her threats from Wickham behind her, for after Darcy was shot in the duel, Wickham sustained similar injuries from a shot that came out of the opposite woods. Small footprints were found in the shrubbery, but a suspect was never apprehended.

Georgiana Wickham now a widow, returned to Pemberley with her new brother and his wife. She remained away from the public and reconnected with her Uncle Matlock. She sustained a mysterious burn about her face shortly when her husband lost his life, but doctors were not concerned, nor was her brother. She remarried at the age of twenty-three, following the advice of William, who she had grown to love as if she had known him all her life. She wed a man who, much like her brother, adored his wife. Their estate was only twenty-miles from Pemberley.

And what of our beloved couple? How did the adventure affect their lives? Darcy had immediately removed any evidence of Wickham in his home, rehiring all the servants and setting his estate to rights again. He also erected a monument to Clara Smith and her young son William before sending anonymous drafts from his account to the colonies for a family he would never know.

He and Elizabeth entertained his Fitzroy sister once a year, but not her husband who had angered Darcy so when in London. She had just departed on a crisp April day, and as they watched her carriage leave the gates, Darcy handed little Henry to Nanny Flora. "Elizabeth, walk with me?"

She smiled and asked the footman to send a maid to fetch her shawl and reticule. They walked through the meadow, the woods, and over a slight hill before coming upon a small pond, where they sat on the banks, with her head in his lap.

"Could you ever have imagined our life being one of such joy and contentment?" She asked reaching up to trace his cheek with her fingers.

"Yes, I could and I did. From almost the first moment I met you."

He leaned down and kissed her, and they sat for sometime in quiet happiness, before a chill caused them to rise and prepare to walk back to Pemberley. Searching for a snack her maid would have graciously put in her reticule to appease the hunger of the youngest Darcy growing the mistresses's belly, she instead pulled out a letter.

"William?" she asked, a question in her voice.

He shrugged as they kept walking and she opened it up to read aloud:

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Be not alarmed, Madame, that this missive should contain a repetition of those sentiments that last night were so disgusting to you…"

She immediately halted where she stood and faced him. "What is the meaning of this?"

His mouth agape, he could not respond, only reached out his hand for the missive. She willingly handed it over before crossing her arms and staring at him.

"How…?" he asked aloud, glancing over the pages and recognizing them from another lifetime.

"I do not know, but why would you write this?"

He saw her bottom lip begin to tremble, and he pulled her to him, before wrapping his arms around her. Thoughts spilled through his mind, but none were good enough to come from his mouth, yet he knew she was waiting, so he began.

"Elizabeth. You will not believe all of what I tell you from my past, but I will give you the consideration of explaining it the best I can. This letter was from the aftermath of dreams. I awoke from a most violent and bitter one where my life felt over, and you the owman in my dream, had refused my love."

"Refused your love? What kind of fool do you take me for!" An arched brow met his gaze, and he smiled at her.

"Before I knew you, I was a bitter man who thought unwell of others. I did not allow those outside of my sphere to feel my admiration or consideration. That is, until I met you. This letter is from a man who did not know himself, or what he most needed in his life. You have been the instrument of my happiness. You alone have brought me joy. It is because of you that I have a life worth choosing, and without you, I would not be the man I am.

"Now," he said. "Let us put aside this letter which has no bearing on our todays, or any of our yesterdays in the eight years of our marriage. We have three, almost four children who daily see the love we have for one another. We must burn this remnant of the past, and not remember it."

"Yes, because that does not give me pleasure!"

He smiled, and leaned down to kiss her. "Come, my love. Mrs. Rogers was making a fresh batch of apple bread."

"Then we musthurry before young Henry, Elsie and Thomas eat it all. You know how persuasive they can be with Cook."

"And with Mrs. Reynolds." They held hands and walked the remainder of the way to Pemberley, content to be united in this life. A life they both felt was worth choosing.

~The End~

***Hello, readers. I hope you enjoyed the story. Please leave a review with likes/dislikes or anything else you'd like me to know about the overall feel of the book to help me during editing. I really appreciate the feedback so far. I hope that in some small way, this helps you get through the crazy things going on in our world right now.