Author's note: Sorry for the confusion in the chapters. I added a new chapter (chapter 80), so the former chapter 84 is chapter 85 (the same chapter).

PPP

After the confrontation with Mr. Gardiner, Darcy went to find Elizabeth in the garden to tell her what he had found out...

"…Elizabeth, I see you are very sad. Please, tell me what are you thinking?"

"I always suspected my Uncle Bennet was using Sandstone money to increase my cousins' dowries and pay for Mrs. Bennet's extravagances." She sighed, "I am sad because I feel like Mr. Bennet didn't care about Johnny and I, he only cared about Johnny's money. If we had been poor, what would have happened to us?"

Elizabeth began to cry, "Since my father died, and until you came back into my life, I feel like the only person who really loves me and I trust completely is Mary. I don't even fully trust my Aunt Gardiner because I know she's going to do whatever her husband tells her to do." She looked into his eyes, "That's why I could never turn my back on Mary. She was the one who was with me in the worst moments of my life, she comforted me for so many days, and that is impossible to forget…"

Darcy hugged her tightly, "I want to revise Longbourn and Sandstone's ledgers to find out how much money Mr. Bennett took from Sandstone for your cousins' dowries and other Longbourn expenses. You must decide if you want me to demand that your uncle return that money."

Elizabeth thought for a few moments and finally replied, "I want you to go through the ledgers to find out what has been spent all these years and what needs to be done to get Sandstone back to what it was when my parents were alive." she smiled slightly, "But on the other hand, my cousins' situation is critical and I don't want to take away the little dowry they have. They are not to blame."

He nodded and kissed her lips gently, "I want us to get married as soon as possible Elizabeth. I want to protect you and your brother. I don't want Mr. Gardiner to be your and Johnny's guardian anymore. I don't trust him; he's already shown that you and Johnny aren't his priority."

"I also want to marry you soon. I love you." She sighed, "I don't want Lydia and Mrs. Bennet to live in Sandstone. It's not fair that the woman who so many times unjustly accused my father of being a thief lives in his house, and it's also not fair that Georgiana's reputation is tarnished because my cousin is a fallen woman."

Darcy met her eyes, "You don't have to worry as I'm not going to let that happen. Unlike you, I have no problem denouncing your uncle, and he knows it…"

That same night before going to bed Elizabeth stopped by the nursery to see Johnny and saw that Mrs. Bennet was consoling him...

"Mommy, when is Uncle Bennet coming to see me? I miss him."

"Johnny, Uncle Bennet isn't coming to see you anymore. Uncle Bennet is dead."

"Just like my Papa?"

"Yes Johnny"

"Mommy, promise me you're not going to die. I do not want you to leave me."

Mrs. Bennet hugged him tightly, "I promise. I love you, my Johnny."

"Me too, Mommy."

The next morning Darcy had another confrontation with Mr. Gardiner, and subsequently, Mr. Gardiner talked to his sister...

"Fanny, I told you before, and I'm telling you again, Lydia must go far away to have her child. The child must be given up for adoption to preserve the reputation of her sisters. I'm going to lease a cottage far from Meryton for you to live with Jane and Kitty. After Lydia has her child, she can live with you."

"Why are you going to lease a cottage? I'm going to live in Sandstone with my daughters and Johnny. It is my Johnny's other estate."

"No, Fanny. You are not going to live in Sandstone. John and Mary are going to live with me in London until Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are married. Afterward, both Mary and John will live with them at Pemberley."

"You can't separate me from my son! I won't allow it."

"He is not your son Fanny; he is your nephew. In accordance with Mr. Thompson's will, I can transfer guardianship of Johnny to Mr. Darcy when he marries Elizabeth."

Fanny began to cry uncontrollably, she adored John, even more than Lydia. "Please Edward, don't separate me from Johnny. Please…"