Thank you again for your reviews! Some of you wished the ending wasn't so rushed. The problem is that I've got No Inspiration about how to write a Noce, Lovely and Conflictless courtship, and I trust your imagination would be better there than my words. :-)

Also, for the guest who wondered about Elizabeth not seeing the family ressemblance between Darcy and her aunt: first, since she wasn't looking for it, she could have missed it ... and second, well, this Elizabeth (as the Canon one in her way) isn't as observant as she wants to believe. ;-)

So, while I don't plan to expand the story, I did get inspired to write three vignettes, taking place before, during, and after the story. I hope it will provide a more satisfying conclusion for you!

In which a Breach is Created and, later, Mended

London, 1803

"Have you taken leave of your senses, Darcy? How could you agree to such an alliance?"

"Why should I not agree?"

"Because this is foolish, that is why!" his brother-in-law cried.

"Margaret has been disappointed by this young man's abandonment, but this is no reason for her to throw herself away on a tradesman! She should not even think about quitting the sphere in which she was brought up!" interjected Lady Catherine de Bourgh, sister of the former.

"If you wish for a marriage of convenience for her, you could consider one of my sons," continued the Earl of _.

"I agree! My sister would be horrified! I am the closest thing Margaret has to a mother now, but I can tell you that if you let her persist in this folly, we shall recognise neither she nor her husband."

Her brother nodded.

"Are you quite finished?"

Both siblings glared at their brother-in-law.

"I want Margaret to be happy," said George Darcy. "Gardiner is a good man, and he and Margaret are very much in love."

"Love," scoffed Lady Catherine. "How foolish."

"Come, Catherine. There is no making him see reason."

Lord _ strode away and, with a last look at her sister's husband, Lady Catherine followed. Their carriage was pulling away when their nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy, entered his father's study.

"Ah, son. I am afraid we shall not go to Rosings for Easter."

The young man shrugged. "Perhaps Aunt Catherine will stop hinting at an alliance between me and Anne. Was it truly Mother's wish?"

"Perhaps it was, but your mother passed away before seeing what her namesake had become. I wish that, when it comes to selecting your partner in life, you will choose someone who makes you happy."

"As Margaret did."

Mr Darcy sighed.

"What do you know about your sister's marriage?"

"I am not sure that—"

"Speak up, son."

"I know what is being whispered about and what caused my uncle and aunt to visit as soon as they could. It is said that Margaret had her head turned by Gardiner after having been let down by her former suitor, and now would not give him up. Since you neither knew nor found anything worse about him than his origins and occupation in life, you allowed her this mésalliance."

"Good. That is the story I want circulated. However, it is not the truth."

"Father?"

"I picked Gardiner for Margaret, after having ascertained he would take care of her and of her child."

"Her child?"

"You will be an uncle soon."

"What?"

"Gardiner, despite not being the father, has agreed to step in."

"What is in it for him?"

"Your sister's dowry. He is a very astute businessman; I have no doubt that he will use that money well."

"Was there no other man of our circle who could be considered?"

"Would you know of one who would have agreed to acknowledge the baby as his if it is a boy?"

His son, after some moments of reflection, reluctantly shook his head.

"Margaret wished to keep her child. This was the only way to do so without too many social consequences."

"I see," Darcy sighed, "but would not her marrying a man who lives by trade create a stir?"

"It would, and they will find doors closed to them for a time, which will be in their favour in the long term, as it will make it easier for people to not question the child's paternity. I do not care much for Society, but I hope that your uncle and aunt will calm down soon."

Pemberley, 1806

The family came out of the chapel, where men—and women—had been gathered to lay George Darcy to rest. Lady Catherine had neither spoken nor written to any of the Darcys in three years, but she still read their letters and, on learning the news, she had left Kent post-haste. Her brother and his sons had done the same. Her daughter, too delicate to withstand such a journey, had stayed at Rosings.

Darcy—now the Mr Darcy of Pemberley—was present, along with his sisters and the elder's husband. Lady Catherine had arrived just in time for the service and had not met them yet—indeed, she had not even had the possibility to greet anyone since she arrived.

And now, there they were, standing close together and looking warily at her and the Fitzwilliams.
Darcy appeared wan, Georgiana at the brink of tears, and Margaret did not seem to fare better. What was interesting was the fourth person of the group. He had an arm around Margaret and exchanged a couple words with Darcy, who appeared to listen to him and looked at him with respect. Interesting.

The Fitzwilliams were standing apart from them, and the situation seemed to be at a standstill. Lady Catherine suddenly saw that if nothing was said or done, there was no telling how long this breach would last. It had been three years, which was already too long. She had been the foolish one in shutting them out. The marriage was now a fact; there was no bemoaning it anymore. Of course, Margaret and her husband could not be paraded about in society, but what harm could there be in writing to her goddaughter or visiting her siblings? None, she was sure.

"Children."

The Darcys and Gardiners looked at her. Georgiana huddled closer to her brother, but Margaret stepped out of her husband's embrace and took a few steps. Lady Catherine opened her arms, and her niece fell into them.

"I am glad you are come, Aunt."

"There, child. Will you introduce me to your husband?"

Margaret stepped back and looked at her, as if searching to see if she were in earnest. Before she could answer, Darcy was at her side and suggested that everyone go to Pemberley House. The Earl declined, citing a need to return to his estate before nightfall. His sons were about to follow him when Lady Catherine spoke.

"If you will have me, I should like to stay a few days." On seeing Darcy nod, she turned and addressed her brother's sons. "You can ride with me later to London if you so wish."

"Catherine! My sons will not stay here while it is polluted by that cit's presence!"

The Viscount and the Colonel, whose allowance depended on the goodwill of their father, winced but dared not oppose him. They made their goodbyes to their aunt and cousins, including Mr Gardiner, and followed their father under Lady Catherine's disapproving glare.

The remaining party entered the house and gathered in a small drawing room which had been a favourite of Lady Anne. Introductions were made, and Lady Catherine, knowing that Margaret was now a mother, demanded to see the children.

Two little girls, one barely one-year-old, were brought down from the nursery. The eldest ran to Darcy as soon as she entered.

"Uncle Fizz, up!"

As her nephew complied, Lady Catherine enquired about her name. The little girl looked at her with curiosity as her mother answered.

"We named her Anne."

"As you should," approved Lady Catherine, before addressing Mr Gardiner. "The other is named after your mother, I presume?"

"I am afraid she is not, as Margaret was set on another name. This young lady is Catherine."

Her Ladyship, who would deny until her last breath that this was what broke down her remaining defences, nonetheless resumed her acquaintance with her niece, scolded her brother until he did the same, and often invited her family to Rosings during the summer.