That evening, Colonel Fitzwilliam informed the gentlemen of what news he had that he did not wish to share with the ladies present. "I trust, gentlemen, that you can judge what they ought to know and what they ought not."

Mr. Wickham had been shot by firing squad that day, as he was a member of the militia and therefore his crimes were handled by the military. The other soldiers who had assisted him in his perfidy were to be transported and were now in Newgate prison. Miss Bingley had pleaded her belly, so she was in prison as well, but kept in a cell separate from the other prisoners. She would be transported as well, but not until after the baby was born.

"Mr. Bingley will take the babe and raise it," said the colonel. "He plans to retire to the north, at least until the scandal is less talked about."

"That may take some time," said Mr. Darcy.

Ever since the newspapers had got wind of the matter late that afternoon, there had been crowds of reporters along with people who were simply curious outside the gates of both Darcy House and Melbridge House. Some were saying that Witting was really Darcy's baseborn half-brother, that Darcy or Witting were involved in the plot, and slandering Witting's name with all manner of crimes. It did not matter that none of it was true, for the papers would sell. He was past caring now, for there was nothing he could do to stop the speculation, so long as the papers said "might" and "sources say" instead of stating the rumours as fact. All that mattered was that Witting was improving, the villains were brought to justice, and that Elizabeth would soon be his wife.

Darcy did not keep any of the truth from Elizabeth, deciding that it was best to be entirely open with one another. She was glad that only Wickham was dead, for she did not think the others were irredeemable, if their stories were true.

Over the next week, Mr. Witting slowly improved. His arm was healing nicely, with no signs of further infection. Dinah attended him day and night, only sleeping when made to by the housekeeper.

Lord and Lady Melbridge arrived, along with Georgiana, eager to meet the young lady who had stolen Darcy's heart. At first, they were surprised to find that she was no great beauty nor did she have impeccable connexions, but soon Elizabeth's sparkling wit and fine eyes charmed them as well. Georgiana liked her immediately, but she gravitated much more towards Miss Lydia. The two girls quickly became bosom friends, proving the axiom that opposites attract.

Lady Catherine eventually learned of Lord Melbridge's whereabouts and again came to Melbridge House, only to find herself barred from the house. She ranted and raved at the butler, refusing to leave until she spoke to her brother. Lord Melbridge eventually complied, telling his sister exactly what he thought of her and her interference in his nephew's happiness. She left London in a huff, vowing that she would never invite any of them to Rosings again.

Six weeks later, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were wed on a beautiful Thursday morning. Everyone in attendance proclaimed that they had never seen a more beautiful bride. Colonel Fitzwilliam agreed, but with the condition that there would be a more beautiful bride several months later, for he offered for Miss Bennet that very day and was accepted. Mr. Witting was of a similar mind with Colonel Fitzwilliam, although his betrothed was already promised to him and their wedding was to take place in only a week. Mr. and Mrs. Witting would then retire to the house in the country that Mr. Witting had purchased with the money that Mr. Bingley had given to him as recompense for his pain and suffering. They even had enough money to pay for several servants of their own, making the fact that Witting was missing his arm much less important.

Mr. Bingley also assisted the Kings as he had promised, rebuilding the house and replacing their things. Mary King was so appreciative of his kindness and generosity that she eventually became his wife. The new Mrs. Bingley did not mind that her husband's nephew also was to live with them, for she adored the little fellow who she had immediately felt a fondness for.

Mr. and Mrs. Hurst were found to have known nothing of what Miss Bingley was doing, as they had been too busy with their marital strife. Mr. Hurst ended up in debtor's prison for a short while, but the new Mrs. Bingley took pity on him and paid his debt with the condition that he give up drink and cards. He agreed and from then on he and his wife lived much more happily.

Each of Elizabeth's sisters married eventually, except Lydia. She began to write novels under the pseudonym 'A lady'. Most of her stories were romances with touches of mystery and the gothic. She enjoyed some popularity and made enough income that many gentlemen were willing to overlook what they saw as an 'unladylike hobby' and offer for her. She rejected them all, preferring to live at Pemberley with her sister and not trouble herself with any man who was not related to her by either blood or marriage and who was not a fictional character.

After all, a single man in possession of a good fortune might be in want of a wife, but that does not mean the young ladies in the area are in want of him.

I know this ending is rushed. I need to go back and drastically edit everything, replot and rewrite everything. I first need to take a month or so away from the story before I start over. I know it will end up being very different from this story, but idk yet how. I hope you enjoyed this version, even though I know it is far from perfect.