It was strange feeling gratitude and betrayal at war within you, but that is exactly how Fitzwilliam Darcy was feeling after finding out it was his cousin Anne who had reveals Georgiana's near elopement to the papers. Sure she had expressed her regret at what she had done, and he could see it was genuine. She had apologized to both he and Georgiana once she had gained enough strength to do so, and to say he had been shocked was an understatement. Indeed he probably would have said and done many things he would have regretted had it not been for his sister's reaction.
Indeed, Georgiana had thrown her arms around Anne and proceeded to thank her profusely. When she explained her gratitude stemmed from the scandal delivering her into the loving care of the Bennets, it truly shown a new light on the situation. To think, it was this action that had cemented his bright future with Elizabeth, and given he and Georgiana a sense of having a large loving family, complete with living parents once again, was not something to take lightly.
It was his sister's next comment that really got him thinking though, when she spoke of her desire to marry a gentleman with a moderate estate and settle down in the country away from the pressures of the ton. Elizabeth had even told him she had heard their younger sisters, Kitty and Georgiana discussing families with estates around Pemberley who had sons of an age with them, so that the two could settle close to one another as well as him and Elizabeth. She said both had in mind a few who would make suitable husbands, but not for another four years or so. Apparently the two were wanting to make the most they could of being sisters before they settled down.
This information of Georgiana wanting a quiet life away from the ton is what had the sense of gratitude winning the war against the betrayal. While he knew Anne hadn't done what she did to be malicious, but rather as an act of desperation to avoid an unwanted marriage, it still hurt that she hadn't taken the effect it would have on him and his sister into account. Losing their standing in society was something that could take generations to recover from, and would have destroyed all that his ancestors had worked for. It wasn't until hearing Mrs Bennet's story and what happened to his own beloved that got him really thinking of he even cared about what the ton thought anymore.
The fact that men like the ones who hurt women he now cared deeply about, and were seen as quality individuals, while men like his future father in law were looked down on for not having been born into wealth and "class" made him sick.
No, from now on he would work to maintain what his family had built, but he would do it on his own terms.
"This is exquisite Mrs Gardiner, where did you ever find such fabric?" Aunt Susan asked as all the ladies congregated in the parlor to peruse the fabrics Aunt Gardiner had brought from London for Elizabeth's new wardrobe. Mr Darcy had written to her, with Georgiana's help, to explain what his future wife would require for the Derbyshire climate, and to request the bill be sent to him. She had even brought a few completed gowns as a gift from her and her husband, as her modiste had Elizabeth's measurements on file.
"They come directly from my husband's warehouses, he always gives me first pick for clothing for myself and our family." The woman spoke with a loving smile to the man sitting across the room visiting with the other men.
"In that case, I do hope I shall be considered family in a few days when the wedding takes place." The lady spoke with a teasing wink, but the response she got was quite serious.
"It is my understanding that you have adopted all of my nieces as your own, and indeed your niece and nephew, and potentially your own son will soon be joining the family through marriage. That makes you as good as my family should you so wish it." Mrs Gardiner spoke with a friendly smile.
No more could be said, for at that moment Miss de Bourgh entered the parlor, leaning heavily on the arm of Dr Preston, son of a world renowned herbologist. Said herbologist also happened to be Mr Bennet's longtime friend, and Mary's godfather. The room greeted the pair kindly, before going back to their own conversations, the ladies pulling Miss de Bourgh into conversation when she was situated with them while the good doctor crossed the room to join the gentlemen once he had seen her situated.
"Lizzy, this is not a color you would normally choose." Lydia spoke, looking enviously at a fine piece of pink muslin.
"I believe that to be because it is a part of the pile Fitzwilliam ordered for you Lydia." Elizabeth spoke with a mischievous smile, and watched as her sister processed her words. She made room for said gentleman on the settee as he moved to join the ladies to help impart the surprise he had been planning for weeks.
"Indeed, it can be very cold in Derbyshire, and I felt you all should be dressed appropriately for the Derbyshire winter if you are to join us for a few months there before Elizabeth and I must make an appearance in town." They had decided to only attend the later half of the season to give the scandal time to die down, and thought it would be wonderful idea to have her family travel with them to Pemberley to see what would be her new home.
That had been only part of the reason Fitzwilliam had ridden to town recently, the other part would come to light the day of the wedding.
Elizabeth was thankful to be an early riser the morning of her wedding. She and Jane were dressing together, their final time preparing for a big event together.
"You know dearest, I do believe this gown is more appropriate for your wedding, wouldn't you agree?" Elizabeth asked, pulling a lovely cornflower blue gown from the wardrobe where her own clothes had so recently hung. She and her Aunt Gardiner had purchased it for her sister, for this day.
"It is beautiful, and I shall happily wear it on my wedding day should you desire it dear sister." Jane smiled sweetly, clearly missing the point.
"Oh my dear Jane, you never were good at keeping secrets." She said with a fond smile. "Or should I say your betrothed is not good at keeping secrets." She was not at all surprised to see the shock on her sweet sister's face.
"Oh Lizzy, I would never wish to ruin your special day..."
"What nonsense is this, your happiness could never ruin mine; indeed it only amplifies is. However now is not the time for this, as if we are both to marry today there is much to do to prepare." She smiled brightly. "Now, Fitzwilliam has already procured a special license for you and Mr Bingley, indeed he rode to London the day after finding out your Mr Bingley had proposed. He even talked with him privately last night, and has his agreement to share our wedding day, but only if you wish it to be so." Elizabeth couldn't contain the smile, and practically beamed when she saw Jane's happy tears.
"I know it has always been our dream to have a double wedding, are you sure you don't mind sharing yours with me?" Jane asked sweetly, and was warmly embraced by her sister as an answer.
"Now come, Mama wanted to speak with me, now us, on something of great importance, according to her, and she asked that we be in her room before the other girls wake." Elizabeth informed her sister, and the two quietly crossed the hall to their mother's room, knocking quietly incase she were still asleep.
You can imagine their surprise when they heard shuffling on the other side of the door, and it was their father who answered the door in his nightshirt. "Ah, Lizzy, Jane, your mother and I...well we were...could you please come back and speak to your mother in a quarter hour. I will make sure she is awake and ready for you." His embarrassment was clear in his face, and only more pronounced when he noticed the confusion on Jane's face, and the bright blush on Elizabeth's.
"You mean you believe they were..." Jane trailed off after speaking to her sister once the two had returned to their room to await their chance to talk to their mother.
"Potentially making the long awaited heir? Yes, I do believe that is exactly what they were doing...though probably not right at that moment." Elizabeth said with a giggle, seeing her sister's face morph into a look of mortification. The fact that her father seemed relaxed until he saw who was at the door spoke volumes to her of how the night had gone for her parents, and most importantly for her mother.
This was only reenforced when her mother entered their room with a slight smile on her face, looking as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders after years of carrying the burden. "Lizzy, I am afraid this talk was just meant for you. Jane Dear, could you perhaps go wait in my room while Lizzy and I talk."
"I do believe it will be important for her to stay mama, for she and Mr Bingley have agreed to share this day with Fitzwilliam and I." Elizabeth informed their mother with a bright smile.
Elizabeth released the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding when the parson pronounced the couples man and wife. Turning to her now husband she saw a smile larger than any she had ever seen on his face. The journey out of the church and to the awaiting carriages was filled with cheers and well wishes for the happy couples, but both were so wrapped up in their new spouses that they would likely not remember any of it.
The wedding breakfast took place at Netherfield where the Countess and Earl had removed to once he had joined the family a few days before the wedding, as Longbourn had become quite crowded. It was also decided that the newly weds would also move to Netherfield to have a bit more privacy, as the Earl and Countess would be returning to London the following morning. Georgiana and the colonel had opted to stay at Longbourn as well as Anne and Lady Catherine, who had sent Mr Collins back to Kent when she saw what a fool he had been making of himself.
"Darcy old man, congratulations on finding such a treasure." Came a gentleman's voice and he turned from his conversation with Elizabeth and Miss Lucas to greet his old friend from Cambridge.
"Smythe, it was good of you to join us for the celebration." He spoke holding out his hand to his friend. He them proceeded to introduce the gentleman to the ladies, talk flowing easily between all of them.