A Confluence of Circumstances

A bad night at cards. A deal falls through. A persistent flu. All of these small circumstances and more lead to several changes in the back-story of P&P, and result in an entirely different first meeting. How might this change the story for our dear couple?

London, March, 1811

The Honorable Percy Witherspoon stepped quickly out of his friend's rented carriage and took in the building in front of him with eager anticipation. His "friend" hid his smirk as he led the young fool into the gambling hell for a night of cards, drinking, and debauchery. He had no funds of his own left, but it had been a simple thing for him to get the wet-behind-the-ears boy to spot him for the night. He had Percy convinced that he was gifted at cards. It was an easy enough thing to do. Simply lose all night when the only stake was coppers.

Tonight they would be playing for pounds and the older man intended to walk away from the table with as much of the young pup's inheritance as time and skill would allow.

Only the night did not go the way that either of them had hoped. Percy Witherspoon did, in fact, lose a great deal of money before his older brother arrived and dragged the boy off by the ear, but George Wickham was not the happy recipient. In fact, by the end of the night he not only lost the money that Percy spotted him, but had to sign vowels for over two-hundred more. And before dragging his younger brother off, the Honorable Stephen Witherspoon made it quite clear that they would not be covering one farthing of George Wickham's vowels.

George did not return to his London hovel that night. He suspected that there were several money lenders looking for him, the type who employed less-than-gentle means for extracting what was owed. Instead he stole a horse and aimed it North, away from the sprawling city.

London, April 1811

Mrs. Gardiner looked up from her embroidery with interest as the front door opened. She was pleasantly surprised to see her handsome husband bustling in out of the heavy downpour. "Edward! I had not expected you home until much later. Was your meeting canceled?"

After the maid had taken his dripping coat and topper, he broke propriety and pulled his lovely wife into his arms. "I'm afraid so, Madeline." Edward noted that the maid had retired before he released his wife and continued softly, "It seems that the Baron's youngest lost a fortune at the gaming tables. The monies which were meant to fund our project are now going to cover the young fool's debts."

"Oh! I'm so sorry to hear that, Dear. I know that you've been enthusiastic about this textile mill. Is there no other way?"

"Actually, there was a third man interested in participating in the deal. Tell me, would you be interested in seeing your old childhood home?"

"Truly?! I know that we've spoken of taking a trip to the Lake District next year with Lizzy...?"

"My potential investor is in Derbyshire, so I thought that perhaps we might take a journey this summer. Of course that would make another vacation the following summer prohibitive?"

"Let us write to the Bennets. If they could host the children, then Lizzy could still accompany us. I should like to introduce the dear girl to Lampton and the beauties of Derbyshire."

"Well then, let us begin writing!"

Darcy House, London, May 1811

Mrs. Thomas, the Darcy Housekeeper in Town, waited tensely as young Mr. Darcy divested himself of his outer garments. "Sir, may we speak in private?"

Darcy's eyes narrowed in concern at seeing her agitated state, so he nodded, "My study?"

"That would do sir. Michael, please see that nobody bothers us," she commanded.

It was clear to Fitzwilliam Darcy that Michael was prepared for the order, which suggested that this was a serious matter and she did not want eavesdroppers. He wanted to push for information, but took his cue from her behavior and chose to wait. Once they were safely ensconced in his study though, he demanded, "What has you so disturbed, Mrs. Thomas? Is there something wrong with my sister?"

"That is precisely the problem, Sir. Or rather my concern is about her companion, Mrs. Younge."

Darcy had only recently hired Mrs. Younge as his sister's companion. Georgiana was but fifteen, but this last year he had needed to withdraw her from her ladies academy due to illness. But when she had shown signs of recovery and he had brought up the idea of sending her back, she had begged him not to. Up until that point he had not known how lonely and miserable she had been there. So he had hired Mrs. Younge to be her companion."

"I am surprised that you have complaints about her, Mrs. Thomas. She came to us highly recommended."

"That may be, Mr. Darcy, and it is not my place to question your choices. But Sir, your sister has relapsed somewhat. She is unwell, yet three of my maids and I myself have heard Mrs. Younge pressing her to take that Ramsgate trip that you planned for her. When Miss Darcy hinted that she might have to delay, her companion became quite sharp with her... and sir, there is another concern..."

"Well, out with it, Mrs. Thomas."

"Becky, an upstairs maid came to us from Pemberley, Sir. When she was on her half-day recently, she saw Mrs. Younge making up to a man... a tall, handsome one... and the thing is, Sir, that she swears that the man was Mr. Wickham."

Up until that moment Darcy had just assumed that there was a personality conflict or a conflict of wills between his housekeeper and his sister's companion. This was often the case since, like a governess, a companion was neither servant nor guest. But at the mention of his childhood friend turned bad, he was fully alarmed. In a clipped voice he demanded, "Please send Becky to me."

When Becky nervously stepped in a few minutes later, Mr. Darcy had already extracted the miniature that his father had kept in a case along with several others. A similar miniature rested in another case at Pemberley. Darcy had often considered throwing the pair out, but out of respect for his father and for his childhood friendship they had remained. Now he was thankful for his inaction. "Do not be afraid, Becky. I only wish to confirm what Mrs. Thomas has told me. Could you please describe Mrs. Younge's young man and then tell me why you think that he was George Wickham?"

"Yes Sir... Ya see... well my sister Abigail..."

Mr. Darcy suddenly remembered that another young maid, Abigail, had fallen with child six years prior, just around the last time that George Wickham had made an extended stay at Pemberley. When Darcy's father had refused to believe the girl's claim that George Wickham had promised her marriage and then left her in that state, Darcy had needed to quietly see to the girl's future. She was now married to a small landowner in Lincolnshire. Darcy fought not to scowl, lest he frighten the maid further. Instead he extended the miniature, "Was this the man that you saw, Becky?"

Becky looked and then frowned, her anger quite clear, "Yes Sir. 'Twas George Wickham alright. I'm as sure as the nose on my face."

That same afternoon Mrs. Younge angrily departed Darcy House, her scheme having been foiled. She was so angry that she did not notice the man following her discretely at a distance. An hour later, sitting in a tea house in Cheepside, the Bow Street detective confirmed the identity of the man who met her. He wasn't prepared when George Wickham shot a glance his direction, slapped Mrs. Younge hard, and ran. By the time the detective had entered the café, his quarry had slipped out of the back door and vanished.

Two days later Mr. Darcy bundled his sickly sister up into his finest carriage and they began their journey back to Pemberley.

Ashbourn, July 1811

"I must admit, my dear aunt, that my first views of the Peak District are all that you promised. I still love my own little hills, but I cannot deny that your county is very beautiful."

"Oh, Lizzy, this is only the beginning. True, Ashbourn and Dovedale are very pretty, but just wait until we go deeper into the peaks. There is not a lovelier place in the world than Lambton at this time of the year."

Mr. Gardiner added, "And the weather has been extremely kind to us too. When I was courting your aunt I think that it rained all but five days during the entire time! I had to romance her under the watchful eyes of her mother... and the baleful eyes of her father."

Elizabeth laughed while her aunt smiled in memory, "My father was not that terrible, Edward! He just wanted to make certain that you behaved yourself."

Her husband scoffed, "He raised wolfhounds, Lizzy. Big, mean, protective dogs as like to eat you as let you pet them. Whenever he wasn't in the room himself, there were the wolfhounds staring at me like tomorrow's breakfast lest I make any wrong move."

"It was one hound, Edward, and Cerberus was a dear, sweet pup."

Elizabeth laughed gaily, "He named the wolfhound after the beast of the underworld? I'm surprised that you even found the courage to continue your courtship, Uncle."

The man turned a loving eye on his wife and answered, "Some prizes are worth any danger, my dear niece."

Elizabeth turned away from the loving scene in front of her as the pair got lost in each other's eyes. She only hoped that someday a man would look at her in the same way.

That same night in a hovel nearby, three men leaned in to speak, "Are you certain about this one, Albert?" The first speaker was a small, dangerous looking man with a piece of his left ear missing.

"Sure as can be. Coachman says what the man is a big man in Town. Buys and sells stuff all over the world. 'As at least two warehouses chock full'a goods 'e sells 'em fer top coin." This one was large, with the look of a farmer down on his luck.

"He won't be carrying much with him," the third looked like a gentleman fallen on hard times. He was tall and handsome, but there was a mean, desperate look in his eyes, "But if we grab his wife, he'll deliver whatever we demand. Tell me about the girl."

"We don't have time for that, George. Stick to the doxies. They haven't told you no yet," the small man growled.

The tall man shot a glare at the other and held it until his smaller challenger turned away. Then he looked back at the big man, "The girl."

"She's a pretty'un. Dark, curly hair, pretty eyes. Real tasty."

"Then maybe I'll ransom the wife and keep the girl. Then, when I'm done with her we can make some coin selling her to Madam Lewis."

Albert looked enthused, but Timmons only scowled. He knew perfectly well that George wouldn't share and his action might very well lead to larger problems. But while George Wickham might be lazy where most things were concerned, he could also be deadly to those who crossed him. Not for the first time Timmons wondered if he shouldn't send a message to London so that one of the men looking for George could come and collect the man.

Pemberley, that same evening

The constable kneaded the brim of his hat while Fitzwilliam Darcy read the letter from Lord Banton, the aging magistrate. Then he folded it and fought back a sigh, "So he wants me to take over the search for these scoundrels?"

"Yes, Sir. Doctor says bursitis. His Lordship can't sit a horse for long in his condition and he... we feel that this cannot wait."

"Three robberies in two weeks, I should say not. Very well, meet me at dawn with your men and we will head towards Ashbourn." The Season was over and there should have been plenty of others to chase down these bandits, but most of the lords and lordlings in the area couldn't be bothered unless it directly effected them.

"As you wish, Mr. Darcy." The magistrate departed and Darcy strolled over to the music room where his sister, now recovered from her bout of flu, was playing one of his favorite pieces. While she continued, he sat back and closed his eyes to enjoy the music.

On the road towards Lambton

Elizabeth laughed as she pointed the dangerous looking instrument towards the roof of the carriage, "Is this an umbrella or a dueling sword, Aunt?"

Elizabeth was alone on the bench facing rearward while her aunt and uncle were seated together facing forward. Madeline Gardiner smiled and answered, "I just don't wish to listen to your mother scolding us when we return you home darker than a Moor, impertinent child. Since you won't keep your bonnet on, this is our only other option."

"But why did you buy one with such a sharp point?" Elizabeth asked, amused. She knew that her aunt wasn't too worried and that her mother would scold her, not her aunt, regardless of what she did right or wrong.

"It was the only one available at the shop, Niece, and given your propensity for wandering off into the wilds I thought it might afford you protection from the wild animals."

"Well, with this I should be more than able to fend off the largest of wild beasts. You don't suppose that a tiger has escaped from the Royal Menagerie, do you?"

"Impertinent child! Edward, I knew that we should have brought a different niece!"

Elizabeth grinned at her uncle, who nodded, "You are right. Lydia would have made a much better traveling companion."

Their banter might have continued on, but just then a deep voice yelled "Stop the carriage!"

Albert, the largest of the three robbers, was not the brightest of men. He liked the excitement and he liked weapons. They were loud and powerful and people respected him when he held one. This morning though he was a little too excited, so when George shouted his demand, Albert decided on the spur of the moment to punctuate the shout with a blast from his pistol.

It was an old weapon and not rifled. The one lead ball inside had been poorly shaped to begin with and became even less round after he jammed it in too roughly. And although Albert had meant to point the weapon skyward, in his excitement he pulled the trigger while it was still pointed towards the rear of the carriage.

Several things happened at once. The old pistol, loose after years of service and neglect and over-charged with powder, exploded in the big man's hands. The round left the barrel, but bits of powder and metal and a great deal of fire shot back to burn Albert's hand and face. His nag was struck as well, so the panicked beast lunged up, throwing the injured man to the ground and then surging forward to slam into Timmon's horse. Timmons was not unseated, but his horse also panicked and surged forward in a gallop, straight past the carriage.

George Wickham cursed, but the carriage had stopped, so he chose to continue with the robbery. He needed this prize and he wanted the girl.

Matters in the carriage were not good. The misshapen ball had been thrown off course, but Albert had been close enough that the lead still managed to do terrible damage. It blew easily through the rear wall of the carriage, grazing Madeline Gardiner along the temple and then continuing on through the cab and front of the roof to strike the hired driver right in the spine. When he slumped forward and dropped the reins, the horses ceased to pull.

Edward Gardiner had seen the spray of blood as his wife fell forward and he was trying desperately to rouse her or stop the bleeding. Elizabeth was just as alarmed, but her mind was alert enough to realize that there was still some manner of danger outside of their carriage. So when the door was thrown open and George Wickham led with his own pistol, he was suddenly met with terrible pain as the umbrella which had only moments ago been a source of amusement suddenly rammed into his face.

George fell back in agony, dislodging the point that had just taken his left eye and scrambling back as far away as possible. Only his keen sense of self-preservation kept him cognizant enough to continue scrabbling into the ravine which lay behind him.

Fitzwilliam Darcy, the Constable, and four other men were riding down the road when they heard the gunshot. Without hesitation the group spurred forward at a gallop. When one man flew by on a panicked mare, two of the men peeled of to capture him. The remaining three continued on. As they turned the bend they saw the halted carriage. They also heard the cries of several people inside the carriage and moans of an injured man not far behind.

While the constable went to the man on the ground with the missing fingers and the blackened face, Darcy went to the carriage. Understanding that the occupants might be frightened, he called out, "We are with the constable. We are here to help."

A female voice sharply demanded, "How do I know you speak the truth. Put away any weapons and step where I can see you, or I'll do to you what I did to the other man."

Darcy raised his eyebrows, but gestured for his own man to take his weapon. "I'm handing my pistol to my footman. Please, are there any injuries?"

A man answered, his voice strained and desperate, "My wife! They shot my Madeline!"

Darcy stepped into sight, his hands up, only to see a young lady ready to skewer him with... an umbrella? True, it did have a rather nasty point which was already covered in blood and other matter. "Please, Miss, I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, of Pemberley. I am here with the constable. We have been trying to track down a band of highwaymen."

Elizabeth put down her umbrella and her eyes became pleading, "Please, Sir, we need a doctor for my aunt?" Even in her current state, Darcy was struck with her beauty, and especially those expressive eyes.

Within minutes the carriage was hurrying down the road as quickly as conditions and Madeline Gardiner's safety would allow. Darcy's footman rode ahead to get the doctor while Darcy rode directly to Pemberley to have rooms prepared. The constable and another man managed the two prisoners, with the barely-conscious Albert thrown across a horse. Little care was taken for the man's injuries.

In the ravine back where the attack had begun, George Wickham finally allowed himself to groan and curse at his injuries. His left cheek was flayed open and full of mud. He dared not touch his left eye, but he was almost certain that it was gone, or at least damaged to the point of uselessness. He knew that Albert and Timmons would almost certainly expose him, so despite his injuries he had to somehow get far away.

Two agonizing miles from where he started, he found Albert's injured nag caught in some brush. He wanted to kill the beast, but he needed the means to get farther faster, so he freed the animal and tried to climb on instead. The poor nag, already hurt and skittish, felt the weight of the saddle pressing down on her injuries and immediately surged forward.

George Wickham never even saw the tree limb which impacted his forehead and ended his life.

Pemberley, that same afternoon

Elizabeth paced outside of the guest room, wringing her hands. She was vaguely aware that she was in a very large, even palatial house, but the only thing she cared about was what might be taking place behind that closed door.

Mr. Darcy walked down the hall with an older woman. "Miss Bennet, may I introduce my housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds? She has seen to rooms for yourself and your uncle."

Darcy had felt the impact of the fierce young lady's defiant beauty at the moment he first saw her. Then he was equally struck by the way her expressive face turned to concern for her aunt. Now his earlier impressions were amplified as she regarded him tearfully, "Please, I must know how my aunt is? There was so much blood..."

Mrs. Reynolds wrapped a comforting arm around the young lady. Darcy was startled to realized that he wished that he could have been the one to comfort her. Thankfully the doctor opened the door just then. He looked tired, but also confident, "It is only a flesh wound, I am happy to say, though it struck along the temple, so it may be some time before the lady wakens."

Elizabeth repeated her earlier concern, "But there was so much blood, Doctor."

"Yes. I am afraid that head wounds are often like that. Be grateful that it was not enough to cause serious alarm. My nurse will remain with your aunt tonight to watch for any alarming symptoms, but she should make a full recovery. And when her hair grows back it will cover most of the scar.

"Now, both you and your uncle have also received a considerable shock. I cannot persuade the man to leave his wife's side, but I will demand that you, young lady, take a bath, change out of those clothes, and do your best to relax. Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Reynolds, I hope that you will see to that. One question: about the driver, God rest his soul. Do you know him and where he might have hailed from?"

This question distracted Elizabeth from protesting, just as it was intended to, "I'm afraid that I don't know much. My uncle hired him in London. From several conversations we had I know that he had a family with a grown up son and daughter. More than that I do not know. I'm ashamed to admit that I've been fixated on concern for my aunt this whole time."

"That is understandable," Darcy answered, "Perhaps once your uncle can spare a moment I will collect the details from him and write a letter. Until then, Miss Bennet, please allow Mrs. Reynolds to direct you to your room. Your luggage is there already and I believe that a bath should be waiting for you."

Elizabeth stepped out an hour later, clean and dressed more presentably. She stopped at her aunt's room, but it was dark and both her relatives were sleeping. The nurse looked up and nodded at her, but did not invite her in. Closing the door behind her, Elizabeth followed the sound of a pianoforte. Now that she was not as worried, she was becoming aware of the sheer size of this home. Home? This feels more like a palace! What is this place. He named it Pemberley, but it feels like what I had imagined St. James Court to be like.

She always liked to think that her courage rose at every attempt to intimidate her, but at the moment Elizabeth was feeling small. Thankfully she found the music room, where a pretty young lady was making marvelous music. The girl startled upon seeing Elizabeth, but then smiled shyly and stood. "Hello, Miss Bennet. My name is Georgiana Darcy. My brother spoke of your bravery. I could never be that brave. Oh! How is your aunt?"

Elizabeth's fears were lost with the tumble of words from the girl. She was tall, with a womanly figure, but her face was still that of a girl of younger years. "I am pleased to meet you, Miss Darcy. My name, as you already know, is Elizabeth Bennet. And thank you for asking. My aunt is sleeping. The doctor assured us that she would recover. As to being brave... I cannot imagine why your brother would have said so. I was quite frightened out of my wits."

"On the contrary, a deep male voice spoke up, making both girls turn to see Mr. Darcy standing in another doorway. "You bested a highwayman by yourself and I felt my own life at peril as you brandished your saber."

Elizabeth laughed and both Darcy's were charmed by the sound, "My saber, as you well know, Mr. Darcy, was nothing more than an umbrella with an unusually sharp point. Though I must admit that it did serve well in driving off at least one miscreant. I trust that they are all in custody now?"

Darcy tried to hide a grimace as he answered, "Yes. I have been informed only moments ago that the last of the highwaymen was apprehended." He chose not to inform the lovely Miss Bennet that her assailant was dead or his sister about the identity of that third person. "I am happy to reassure you that you should be safe for all future travel. This band only began plying their trade two weeks ago, so far as we know. And thanks to your help we have quickly ended their depredations."

Mr. Gardiner ate in his wife's recovery room while Elizabeth joined the brother and sister at dinner that night. Darcy tried not to pry too deeply, but he found himself wanting to know everything about this tiny, formidable young woman. He was shocked at how pleased he was when he learned that she was the daughter of a landed gentleman. He was less pleased to learn that the stylish couple in his guest room were in trade, but after Elizabeth spoke more about her favorite relatives he thought that they must be quite respectable.

Darcy also noticed that Miss Elizabeth seemed to be able to draw out his sister with consummate ease. By the end of the second course the two females were speaking as naturally as if they had been friends for a decade or more. And when they adjourned to the music room and Miss Bennet consented to play and sing, Darcy found himself becoming more and more enchanted.

Georgiana, for her part, liked "Lizzy" right away and her appreciation only grew. The young woman was four years her senior, but she treated her like an equal and never spoke down to her. It was clear by her conversation that she was highly educated and very intelligent, but she did not lord that education over her. Later, Georgiana was amazed to learn that Lizzy had never had a governess. Her entire education had been self-taught, with only a little guidance from her father. Georgiana also noticed that her brother, who was usually taciturn and even rude when faced with single young women, was actually enjoying himself at dinner with her new friend. It gave her pause and made her want to see where this might lead. She always hoped that her brother would choose a wife that she could cherish as a sister.

Madeline Gardiner woke the following day, though her head ached terribly and any light was torture. She tried to insist that her husband continue his journey to conclude his business, but Edward refused to leave her side. When Mr. Darcy learned of the issue, he offered to invite Mr. Gardiner's potential investor, a neighbor and fellow gentleman, to Pemberley, knowing that few would turn down such an opportunity. And after further discussions with Miss Bennet's uncle, Darcy decided to add himself to the project, should the other two agree. They did, of course, and soon papers were drafted and signed for a new textile mill.

Meanwhile Elizabeth began to fall in love with Pemberley and its master. During the day she spent time with her aunt and more time with Georgiana, but each morning she dressed in her walking clothes and hurried outside to explore one of the many trails of the large park. It was not unusual at all for the tall, handsome landowner to meet her outside and offer himself as an escort. A footman always followed to act as chaperon, but the pair, despite their natural and powerful attraction, always stayed within the bounds of propriety. Nevertheless, it was inevitable that the attractive, intelligent pair began to form strong feelings for each other.

Painful was the day that Madeline Gardiner was pronounced safe to travel. Edward could not afford to stay away from his business any longer and Madeline wanted to see her children. Georgiana was tearful when she said her goodbyes. She had grown to like the couple and to love Elizabeth. Darcy also exchanged heartfelt goodbyes with the couple and struggled to release Elizabeth's hand after helping her into the carriage. Both Darcys promised to keep in touch.

Meryton, September, 1811

Elizabeth was both pleased and surprised when her father accompanied the family to the Michaelmas Assembly that year. The past month had been unusually difficult for her. She still loved the area surrounding Longbourn, but whenever she closed her eyes she saw the woods and trails in Pemberley. And when she thought of those trails, or of the grand palace that had somehow seemed so welcoming near the end, she always saw the grand, handsome owner as well.

She and Georgiana kept up a regular correspondence, so she knew that the brother and sister had removed to London only the past week. Elizabeth had discussed the possibility of visiting her aunt and uncle, but her father had been unusually stubborn in refusing. "Stay here for a while, my dear girl. Who knows but you might be glad you did."

Elizabeth did not understand. Nor was she very enthusiastic about meeting the new neighbors at this assembly. The very last thing she desired was to be pressed into entertaining any single young men who might accompany the new master of Netherfield.

So when the music stopped and everyone turned to stare at the new arrivals, Elizabeth almost refused to look. But when she did, and saw a very familiar dark haired man and an equally familiar blond girl, it took her a moment or two to believe her eyes. If she broke propriety by rushing to greet the pair, few were offended... and she could not care less for the ones who were. "You're here! But how?"

Caroline Bingley was about to scold the impertinent girl for addressing the Darcys so casually, but then Georgiana wrapped the chit in her arms. Caroline moved to claim Mr. Darcy's arm, but he deftly avoided her grasp and stepped so that his sister and the country mushroom were between them. Then he addressed the girl, "Do I not also get a greeting as well, Miss Bennet?"

Elizabeth laughed and shocked everyone by reaching out a hand, then the tall man added to the shock of almost everyone by taking that slender hand in both of his, "Hello, Mr. Darcy. I am very pleased to see the both of you, though I cannot fathom how it came to pass?"

"Can you not? You are usually the most clever person in any room, after all. Mr. Bingley is one of my closest friends. When we learned that he had leased Netherfield, we decided to join his party. You may blame my imp of a sister for the idea of concealing our presence until this evening... though I did write to your father to make certain that you would still be in the area."

Elizabeth laughed in that way which made others, and especially the Master of Pemberley, smile. "That does explain why he would not allow me to hurry off to London. But you are both here now and I could not be more pleased."

"Well then, I hope that you have saved at least one set for me tonight?"

By this time Caroline Bingley was both alarmed and ready to explode. Thankfully Darcy had already alerted her brother, so Charles Bingley took her in hand before she could make a scene. She had the worst evening of her life that night, but neither the Darcys nor Elizabeth noticed.

The brother and sister had intended to extend their visit into the Christmas holiday, but Miss Bingley made their visit very difficult. Thankfully Charles, who found himself very enamored with Elizabeth's older sister, eventually chose to send his sister back to London. And when she continued to cause problems from their, he sent her all of the way back to their childhood home in Scarborough.

Happy was the day that Elizabeth surrendered her family name in exchange for that of Darcy. They were wed in November and returned to the area just in time so celebrate Christmas with the Bennets, a portion of the Bingleys, and the Gardiners. Madeline had fully recovered and, as promised, one had to really look to see the scar beneath her hair. Neither of the pair ever wanted such an experience again, but they were still pleased that their moment of tragedy resulted in happiness for their favorite niece.