The crowd was vast, enormous. There seemed to be no breathing space in the house. Darcy scanned the crowd, searching for his wife. His eyes finally rested on her beautiful face, smiling once again. A month has passed since the death of Wickham and she has slowly been recovering from her shock and rape. But she was smiling once again.
Elizabeth caught Darcy's eye and smiled even wider. Gathering up her skirts she rushed into his welcoming arms.
"I am so relieved to see you smile, my love." He whispered into her ear.
"It is all in the past now. We shouldn't dwell on it too much or it will consume us. Come, let us dance and be merry." She took his arm and laughing led him onto the dancing floor. He more than willingly followed her.
"When is Lydia coming?" he asked her.
"Lydia? I should think she will be here any moment now. I am sure she is eager to celebrate her wedding to William. Such an agreeable man! We shall have to congratulate them both!"
Soon, Lydia entered the ballroom with William by her side, both beaming. The crowd turned to look at them both and as they proceeded inside, a great applause erupted in the room. Lydia's eyes shone for the first time in so many years. Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
"Don't tell me love that you now regret our marriage?" William said laughing. Lydia tried to wipe the tears away, but they kept on coming.
"No, William, these are tears of joy. I have never been so happy in my life."
"Not so true, dear sister. I will never forget the gleam in your eye and the grin on your face the day the regiment came to our town." Elizabeth said. Lydia laughed.
"What? What regiment? I should hope there is no one else for you!" William said in mock-shocked voice. Then sweeping Lydia off her feet, he carried her away, both in hysterical laughter.