Epilogue
One year later…
Elizabeth glowered at her enlarged belly and rubbed her hand over the top. "Stop that, you," she scolded with a smile. "I know you're as eager to be born as your papa is to see you, but you mustn't continue trying to leave by kicking your way out."
"Talking to our son again, my love?" Darcy stood in the doorway, arms folded as he watched his wife with a hint of amusement on his lips.
"Our daughter seems to be a very active sort," she informed him.
Darcy laughed and crossed the room. "She takes after her dear mother, then."
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. "So long as I do not turn into my own mother, I shall be content with whatever child God decides to give us."
He finally let out the grin he'd kept at bay and leaned down to kiss her. She let out a low moan and returned his embrace with equal fervor.
True to his word, Darcy had spent the first two months of their married life courting Elizabeth. Spending time together, holding hands, and stealing a kiss or two finally led to a true marriage of mutual happiness and love for the both of them. The evidence of that love scandalized the servants on a daily basis.
Elizabeth sighed gently as Darcy moved behind her and kneaded her shoulders to work out the tense knots that had formed. "How goes your letter?" he asked.
She frowned, looking down at the paper that held only two lines of writing. Several crumpled attempts lay scattered around her feet, and a few were across the room, having been thrown there in a pique of frustration.
"If I have to tell Mama one more time that we will not be hosting a season for Lydia until she finishes school, I swear I shall never read her letters again."
Mrs. Bennet had been ecstatic when she heard the news that her two eldest daughters were to be married to the wealthy gentlemen of Netherfield. It was only when she was heard to lament that Mr. Hurst had died instead of his wife, else she'd have another daughter married, that Mr. Bennet finally responded.
The appalling behavior of both Mr. Wickham and Miss Bingley had caused Mr. Bennet to finally consider the very real dangers that existed in the world, especially to women who chose to act outside of propriety. Hearing his two youngest and silliest daughters giggle at the comments of their equally silly mother about a poor widow whose husband was murdered by her sister was the last straw.
Kitty and Lydia were immediately sent away to separate schools—partially funded, of course, by Darcy and Bingley—and special masters were hired for Mary. A companion was hired for Mrs. Bennet, as well, in an attempt to curb most of her excessive manner. While considerable improvements had been made in all four women over the last year, the latest letter from Mrs. Bennet showed there was quite a long way to go. A year of lessons could not overcome a lifetime of absurdity and inanity.
Fortunately for Mrs. Hurst, none of the comments made by the senseless Mrs. Bennet reached her ears. To her great relief, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, who could inherit the Hurst estate. Finally free of her pernicious sister, Mrs. Hurst mellowed into a loving mother who was content to live with her in-laws and raise her son outside of the immoral ways of the ton.
As for Miss Bingley, she returned to Hertfordshire as Mrs. Wickham, along with her new husband. The time on the journey to and from Gretna Green allowed Mr. Wickham to work his charms, and the vain woman became convinced that the elopement was the intent all along, due to her darling George's instant love for her from the day they met.
Tragically for the gullible young wife, her husband was immediately arrested upon their arrival at Netherfield. He was charged with the murder of Mr. Hurst, and Mrs. Wickham was named his accomplice. Their attempts to justify their actions held no sway over the judge, and it was only by Darcy's influence that they were transported to Van Diemen's Land instead of being sentenced to death by hanging.
As everything had happened in Hertfordshire, the scandal was minimal. Instead, word was put out that the couple eloped and chose to leave for either the Continent or the Americas—no one knew which—and soon the gossip moved on to another scandal.
In the end, Miss Bingley's actions resulted in unhappiness to no one but herself and Mr. Wickham. Whether that happiness was due to "that Eliza chit" gaining Pemberley, or actual feelings of remorse for her actions, no one will ever know for sure.
But one thing that was known by everyone was that the Darcys were the happiest couple in the world, all because of an attempted compromise.