This is the beginning of a rewritten ending - the original has been uploaded into a different story, for anyone who wants to read that. I have made a minor edit to the last chapter, but not anything huge. I hope nobody minds too much.
I hope you like this - as always, any comments, criticisms or corrections are always welcome. :)
Oh, and as you have probably noticed, this chapter is done in letters - all the later ones will return to normal.
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Miss Darcy to Miss Elizabeth Bennet
Matlock house,
I have just arrived in London - Richard was kind enough to invite me to visit my Aunt and Uncle in London since it was late when we arrived and we do not know if my brother still resides in Town. Rest assured I shall endeavour to ensure that my brother and Mr Bingley have indeed set off to return to you as soon as may be - and travel back to Hertfordshire myself if I can, for I find society there infinitely superior to that in London, whatever certain ladies of our acquaintance might say. Forgive me, that was rude; it is only that Miss Bingley gloated for the entire carriage ride that she had saved both of our brothers from the most unfortunate attachments, I confess it was hard to keep my countenance at such remarks - and then she asked me to remain with them in town - I found it almost impossible to decline in a truly civil manner - it was then that Richard announced that I had promised to visit my Aunt and Uncle Fitzwilliam upon my return to London.
In truth, there was no such promise, but I am glad to be here - my family is so good to me and Aunt Helen - Lady Matlock - is clearly delighted by my presence. I believe she quite worried that when I was raised only by my brother I would turn out quite wild. She is determined that I shall come out soon - and though I have demurred a little - I do not have the heart to tell her that I do not wish to come out this next year, and perhaps not even the year after that; I am still young after all.
Since writing the above I can give you the delightful news that my brother and Mr Bingley have both departed London - a day since, so we must have passed them on the road - and while our housekeeper could not confirm their destination I'm sure we both know well enough. My Uncle and Aunt have extended their invitation for my stay indefinitely - most kindly - but I have written to Netherfield none the less and hope to reside there for Christmas. Much as it might distress many, I know my brother well enough to know that he should not wish to be parted from you at that time - I only hope you do not mind me being so forward as to mention it.
Now I must only wonder if my Aunt shall permit me to send this express so that it might arrive before the gentlemen have a chance to call.
Yours faithfully,
Georgiana Darcy
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Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Miss Darcy
Longbourn,
I am more than glad to hear that you have found a comfortable residence in London, and you must send my thanks to your Aunt that she should limit your unnecessary spending - you needn't send post express for my sake. Besides, I am quite certain it would not do for a young lady to bankrupt her brother through hasty correspondence. As for your depiction of a certain lady, much as I suppose I should chide you, I cannot quite find it within myself to do so. Even Jane struggled to excuse her behaviour - she says that it shows that Miss Bingley cares deeply for her brother; I am inclined to think the opposite - for how could anyone who had seen Jane and Mr Bingley together suppose it would be better for either to separate them?
As for your other information, I fear you might have been greatly misinformed for neither Mr Bingley or your brother have arrived at Netherfield - you must believe me on this at least - had they come into the neighbourhood again, there would not be a family among Meryton who had not heard the news within the day. In fact, so certain of the veracity of your word I waited several days on reciept of you letter to send my own, in case there had been some misfortune upon their journey.
Jane bears the absence of Mr Bingley with grace, but I can see that she worries nonetheless - however much she might try to convince me that there must be a simple explanation for his absence. My mother seems to have realised our worries for she hardly mentions the gentlemen - although she sets off into Meryton everyday to speak to her sister - Mrs Phillips - and Lady Lucas, for between the two of them she is sure to hear of everything of note which might happen in our small part of the world.
Mary misses you greatly and wished that I might write a great to you on her behalf - I hope you do not mind that instead I bid her write her own message which I have enclosed for your perusal. Lydia and Kitty are always about these days, determined to distract Jane and I from our thoughts I believe. I cannot say that I am unhappy with their interference - but I am glad I can see it for what it is now. So recently I would have discounted their attempts to cheer us up for merely their silliness and childishness. It is nice to spend more time with my sisters and try to learn more about the young women they are suddenly turning into.
My mother calls, so I should bid you adieu. I hope you will not find it to forward of me, if I were to acknowledge that I should be happy indeed were you - and your companions - to Christmas at Netherfield.
Yours etc,
Elizabeth Bennet
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Miss Darcy to Miss Elizabeth Bennet
Matlock House,
I must be off shortly, so I apologise if this missive does not end up at a great length.
Your letter reached me just at the right time, for, when I read it, Richard himself was present - fortuitous indeed as he had some plans to leave London this very day. The mystery stopped him, and we were quick to make our way to my London house to ensure that we had not been mistaken about my brother having left London. On this point, we were not disappointed; my brother, and Mr Bingley did both leave London over a week ago, and they have yet to return.
On learning this, the question was only as to their destination. Richard and I were forward enough to search his study (I hope he does not take issue with the when he finds out) and we found a great quantity of letters he had written and addressed, and failed to send.
I would detail the contents, but instead I have enclosed his letter to your father, and I hope this explains satisfactorily - suffice it to say, they have in fact headed to Ramsgate, where Richard and I hope to follow as soon as may be.
Yours in haste,
Georgiana Darcy
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Mr Darcy to Mr Bennet
Darcy House,
Dear Sir,
I hope you shall forgive me the presumption of writing to you; and hope to you might do me the honour of sharing the details of this missive with your eldest two daughters.
Our business in town has been greatly lengthened, and while we still intend to return to Longbourn, the delay may be considerably more than we - Mr Bingley and myself - had wished. Were I in your position, I know that such an explanation would never suffice, and as such, I will now disclose all.
Last Monday, when we had almost completed our business in town - we had intended to return to Netherfield on Tuesday - we received a visit from my Aunt Catherine; I gather that Lady Catherine de Bourg has already called upon you, and I would suggest that you do not allow her the pleasure should she attempt again; much as it saddens me, I do not believe that any interaction between your family and that relation of mine would end well for any of the parties involved.
My Aunt's visit should not have been notable for any reason beyond this were it not that it covered the visit of another man. My butler, who only joined the household 3 years ago, did not recognise him, so could only tell me that a strangely earnest man had visited and insisted that he must speak to me the following day; he did not leave his name. You can imagine that Mr Bingley and I had no hesitation in delaying our return by only one day - especially under such circumstances. The man however did not call the following day, but we received a letter instead apologising for the man's absence; it claimed the sender knew certain information worth a great deal to myself, to which I would be remiss to not attend. The note was signed only with "G. W." And you can imagine my reluctance to accept that the note could be from the villain to whom it must be attributed - a certain Mr Wickham. How he managed to escape the fate we thought we had so tightly bound him in I know not; Bingley and I have discussed means to ensure his compliance more thoroughly now - and for that purpose, any inspiration from yourself or my cousin would be greatly appreciated; I have written to Richard as well, but I fear that I am getting ahead of myself.
We received a second letter on Wednesday, suggesting a meeting place to discuss the happenings, I was informed that I should arrive alone, and on time. I arrived to the directed place, accompanied only by Mr Bingley - who would not be left behind - and even he remained away from myself. Mr Wickham must have considered this a breach of agreement for he did not appear to us, but upon our return to my London house, we found yet another note.
He since demanded that we meet with him in Ramsgate, although I have yet to see him at all; Mr Potts, our butler, has been seriously confused by all the comings and goings - the sight of which I think would amuse Miss Elizabeth most greatly. The details of his claims seem to relate to some proof of the occurrences between him and my sister this summer and he hinted about maligning the ladies of Longbourn as well - you can well imagine Mr Bingley's and my reaction to that. In what could be counted as a stroke of luck, I have yet to cancel my lease upon the house I took for my sister and Mrs Younge when they visited there, and as such Mr Bingley are to depart there posthaste. I don't know how long this matter is likely to continue on, but should you desire to help us solve this issue more permanently, we would be delighted to house you with us - simply send a note ahead to Ramsgate shortly.
I hope that you are all fairing well, and must emphasise how much Mr Bingley and myself regret how extended our absence from Netherfield is growing to be.
I remain,
Yours faithfully,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
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Miss Darcy to Miss Elizabeth Bennet
Ramsgate
How I wish you were here! Richard and I arrived yesterday and immediately set about trying to locate my brother and Mr Bingley - or at least Richard did; he refused to let me do the same - you can imagine my displeasure at that, but since my cousin seemed unhappy to bring me with him to Ramsgate in the first place I knew better than to argue too strongly. Nonetheless you must understand my need to remain awake until he, at least, returned; this drew so late in the night that I started to feel inconsiderate consoling myself with my music that it might disturb many servants of the servants we had already surprised by our unannounced arrival - and so I enclosed myself in one of the front rooms with a book, and tried to watch vigilantly for his return; it transpired that such forethought was quite unnecessary for their return was in fact quite noisy - Richard must have taken some footmen with him when he set off to find my brother, either that or I had not remained so quiet as I had thought and kept a great many of them awake, for when they returned there were a great many people running to and fro - in all honesty, even had I been asleep, I expect the commotion might have woken me.
Mr Bingley looked in a bad state, he had clearly suffered something, but what more worried me was his eyes - he looked so lost and shocked; Richard, for his part, looked so grim and determined I could hardly recognise my cousin in him; but, as for William... I hate to be dramatic and - well...
I have never seen him so pale. He lies there so still and lifeless. The doctor said that he believed he should be well but I have asked if we can bring our doctor from London anyway. The Doctor gave Laudanum to Mr Bingley as well - he said that Mr Bingley would need it to rest. Richard has not come down yet - he has sat up all night I believe - he has not left my brother's side, though he would not let me do the same. The house is so quiet and feels so empty; the servants have disappeared and Mrs Annesley is still recovering from our journey yesterday - she has never travelled very well.
I wish you could be here - I guess I would wish anyone could be here. Please write back soon, I am in sore need of your guidance. What can I do when my brother is so ill? when everyone is so changed?
Yours, as always,
Georgiana Darcy