Dear Darcy,
I apologise for not writing on the occasion of your engagement, but Mother has been engaged in an interminable tantrum since we heard the news and I thought it would be prudent not to. Our uncle barely managed to prevent her rushing to Hertfordshire to harass your now wife. Seeing a letter arrive from you would have renewed her ire. Besides, I wanted to be certain you were married before I took action and had my own news to share, and with your marriage I also feel I can speak freely to you for the first time.
I did not feel I could have refused if you had asked me to marry you, but I have never wished to marry at all. Truly, I am pleased you have made your own happiness, even if no one else in the family is. You deserve it.
As I am legally the owner of Rosings, and do not feel our Fitzwilliam cousins are deserving, I have made the decision to make my heir a cousin on the de Bourgh side. He is a second son without an estate of his own, and he is already married, so I will not find myself in the same conundrum again. I plan to have him and his family move in by the end of the year and take over management as soon as they are settled. You may be needed to answer a few questions by post during the transition, but you can consider yourself absolved of all responsibility. I thank you for all you have done for us these four years.
My mother is displeased, as she wanted Rosings to stay in the Fitzwilliam side, but she would be displeased with any outcome. She has completely washed her hands of you. I hope the loss of her letters and invitations will not be too much punishment. It is your choice whether to correspond with me, but know that I bear you no ill will. Congratulations on your marriage, and give my regards to Mrs Darcy.
Your cousin,
Anne de Bourgh
#
Dear Darcy,
Congratulations on your marriage. As promised I will ensure the family shows unity and defends your choice to outsiders. You will need to make some public appearances this autumn and my wife will assist yours if required. Please call on us when you return to London.
Henry Fitzwilliam
#
Darcy,
I have heard your news and wish to congratulate you. I must apologise for how our last conversation went. I truly do like Mrs Darcy and was only concerned about the impact the match would have on the family. It seems my father has everything under control. I hope we can meet for a drink when you are next in town. Enjoy the honeymoon.
Richard
#
Dear Darcy,
You old son of a gun! It seems like yesterday you were about to travel to Hertfordshire to court the former Miss Bennet and now you are already married. You make this whole thing look easy. Do tell me your secrets over port someday. Or perhaps Mrs Darcy should give advice to Caroline.
You and your wife are always welcome at Netherfield when you visit her family, if Longbourn is a bit crowded for you. Currently I am enjoying my time here with Mr Allen, whom I believe you know, and other friends Mr Herrington and Mr White. White has become rather friendly with Miss Lucas after being in company a few times. It seems Netherfield has become some sort of matchmaking hub. I shall have gentlemen queueing to request their turn to stay here and meet the famous beauties of Hertfordshire. Should I charge a fee, do you think? I may have stumbled upon a business opportunity.
Please pass on my congratulations to Mrs Darcy and the entire Bennet family. I hope to see you this summer in Hertfordshire or autumn in London at the latest.
Bingley
#
"That is quite a collection of letters," Elizabeth said as soon as she finished reading. She and Darcy were on the settee together in their shared sitting room.
"What are your thoughts?" asked her husband.
"Oh, Mr Bingley most definitely should charge a fee to gentlemen using Netherfield to find wives. In fact, you owe him retroactively."
Darcy laughed. "Anything else?"
"Yes, I am quite cross with Charlotte for sending me a letter only yesterday without mentioning this Mr White! I believe I owe Mr Bingley for that information, as well. I shall demand to know everything when I respond to her."
"Do you recall that there were three other letters besides Bingley's, my love?"
"But his was the most interesting!" She glanced through them again. "I am surprised that my biggest supporter in your family is Miss de Bourgh. I do not believe she ever spoke two words directly to me in my five week trip."
Darcy sighed. "She has had an unhappy life under Lady Catherine's thumb. I am pleased she has made this decision to benefit Rosings and herself, though I am certain my uncle blames me as much as my aunt does for the perceived loss to the Fitzwilliams."
"He certainly does not hide his disapproval, though it seems the Colonel wants to make amends for whatever transpired between you. I am glad for that."
Darcy scowled. "I suppose I will reconcile with him, if you wish me to."
"It will hardly be the last time anyone questions your choice in marrying me. You will have no friends left if you hold a grudge against them all."
"I can forgive insults towards myself far easier than ones against you, Elizabeth."
She smiled gently and kissed him. "You must grow accustomed to it. In a year or two everyone will forget I was ever Miss Nobody from Nowhere. We will survive until then."
"You are correct as always." He pulled her into his lap and they sat comfortably for a few minutes.
"It is time to meet the others," Elizabeth said, glancing at the clock. "Poor Jane longs to go riding, as she has had no opportunity since before her marriage, but sitting with me to watch all of you must be enough while she is carrying a child."
"Very well, we shall go downstairs. I am enjoying having your family here more than I expected, but I do love stealing you away for a few moments when I can."
"It will not be the same hiding from only Georgiana instead of a crowd, will it?"
"No," he kissed the tip of her nose, "but that will not stop me."
#
Time passed in Derbyshire. First the Collinses departed, then a couple weeks later the Lucases and Bennets. Elizabeth wanted to remain cocooned with her husband at Pemberley for a while longer before visiting Hertfordshire for her other belongings and to give her farewells to her friends; so she and Darcy decided to visit Longbourn for a week or two on their way to the small season in London in September.
Elizabeth was quite certain that Derbyshire was her idea of heaven. Having missed the jaunt to the Peaks made by everyone else after their wedding, Darcy took her for a few days in July after a week-long visit from the Gardiners during their own tour. Georgiana insisted that she did not mind being left behind, as Mrs Annesley had returned and she would not dream of interfering in their new marriage.
Despite their sister's protestations the couple ensured they spent plenty of time with Georgiana. The two ladies became as close as sisters could be, to Darcy's great delight. When Darcy insisted they purchase what Elizabeth considered far too many clothes and accessories she greatly benefitted from the younger girl's assistance at shopping and reassurance that her wardrobe was just as large even without the ball gowns and other formal attire that Elizabeth required for London.
She worked with Mrs Reynolds to gradually take over management of the household and was pleased with having the work to occupy some of her time as well as the wonderful staff that made the transition easy. An even greater delight was all the hours she and her husband spent exploring the grounds. He showed her his favourite paths and they found places they particularly preferred to sit and read, take picnics, and generally bask in each other's company. He presented her with her own horse and taught her to ride that they may enjoy more of Pemberley's sizable property than they would have from walking alone. She found that riding was not so bad with such a companion.
No matter what they did each day, all Elizabeth cared about was being with her dear Fitzwilliam. She loved Georgiana, Pemberley, their staff and tenants, and the surrounding landscape; but all that paled in comparison with the man with whom she shared it all. He was her partner in activities and debates. He broadened her mind with his knowledge and experience, and was ever improving at teasing and making her laugh. He was her lover and her best friend. He was her favourite person in the entire world.
#
Time passed for Bingley as well. He recalled talking of giving up Netherfield shortly after his last return to London, when he was bitter about Miss Churchill, but now that he was here again he could not think of it. He once again began to consider purchasing it, but knew it was too important a decision to make in haste. He still had some time to decide what to do with the place at the end of his lease term. He considered asking for Darcy's opinion on the matter and immediately shook his head: it was his home, his life, and must be his own choice.
He was happier in the country than he had been over the winter in Town. Netherfield, though only leased, felt like his own, and he surveyed the property with pride. The surrounding area was lovely, with some wonderful views and a charming town in Meryton. The society was perhaps not so refined as his acquaintance in London but was welcoming and very friendly. He watched with pleasure as Mr White and Miss Lucas increased their friendship.
Gatherings involving the Churchill family were rather awkward at first, but made easier by Olivia's engagement to a wealthy gentleman she had met during her season in Town. Bingley was scrupulously polite to them all. He refused to fixate on any young lady in the neighbourhood as he was always wont to do before: not only was there no one who really tempted him, but he felt it would be bad form to behave that way in the same small neighbourhood twice. Actually, he reflected, it was bad form to do so at all until he was certain about marriage.
Throughout his summer in Hertfordshire there was nobody who could say he was anything other than what a young gentleman ought to be. He could see now that that had not always been the case.
Without any particular woman on whom to lavish his attention he found himself much more frequently conversing with the other landowners, and learned more about estate management to build on what he had already been taught by Darcy. As time passed he could contribute more to his meetings with his steward rather than passively listening to and automatically approving the other man's ideas. The sense of accomplishment this invoked in him helped solidify his notion that this was how he wanted to spend his life.
When the Bennets returned from Pemberley he felt a kind of kinship with them. He supposed it was due to his dear friend marrying into the family. He sought out Mr Bennet in particular for conversation and listened to Mrs Bennet boast about her three married daughters with an indulgent smile. When it seemed she was attempting to throw her youngest two girls at him he made sure to dance with and speak with them exactly as much as any other young lady present.
As the summer progressed he felt much satisfaction with his life. He had one sister well established and hoped to soon have the other married as well; he had a home he loved that was work he enjoyed; he had good friends and good neighbours whose company he appreciated. The only thing that was missing was a life partner with whom to share it all, but this, he knew, would come in its own time; when it was meant to be.