A Wonderful Life

by katriaine

In which Caroline wrote a letter and Charles grew up. It's Christmas and some characters get somewhat redeemed.

This story started out as a drabble in a Christmas drabble thread over at AHA but it swelled out of the bowl into a seven-chapter story.

A WONDERFUL LIFE

"Oh but Louisa, you will love the next passage," Miss Bingley tittered. "I told Miss Bennet that Charles is practically engaged to Miss Darcy."

"That ought to have an effect," Mrs. Hurst said.

"Listen, this is what I wrote next," Miss Bingley said, and read on. "Mr. Darcy is impatient to see his sister, and to confess the truth, we are scarcely less eager to meet her again. I really do not think Georgiana Darcy has her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments, and the affection she inspires in Louisa and myself is heightened into something still more interesting from the hope we dare to entertain of her being hereafter our sister."

In the usual course of things, Darcy would have thought it beneath his dignity to eavesdrop but hearing Georgiana's name mentioned had given him pause enough to make an exception.

Miss Bingley was not done. "I do not know whether I ever before mentioned to you my feelings on this subject, but I will not leave the country without confiding them, and I trust you will not esteem them unreasonable. My brother admires her greatly already; he will have frequent opportunity now of seeing her on the most intimate footing; her relations all wish the connection as much as his own; and a sister's partiality is not misleading me, I think, when I call Charles most capable of engaging any woman's heart. With all these circumstances to favour an attachment, and nothing to prevent it, am I wrong, my dearest Jane, in indulging the hope of an event which will secure the happiness of so many?"

"Well, that should quell her pretensions," Mrs. Hurst said. Miss Bingley started sealing her letter, and Darcy took it as his cue to make an entrance.

"Pray let me deliver that letter for you, Miss Bingley." He took it from her and promptly delivered it to the fire.

"That letter was the outside of enough, Miss Bingley," he said. "I did not think that you would stoop so low as to start false rumours that could ruin my sister's reputation. My sweet, shy little sister who has always been kind to you and who is not even out - and you would threaten her good name so callously. "

"That is not my intention," Miss Bingley said hastily. "I am only trying to save Charles from a fortune hunter."

"You wrote to Miss Bennet about an engagement that has not taken place, about an attachment that does not exist. Should that become public information it might force their hand. But perhaps it was your intention?"

Miss Bingley waved that objection away. "Oh, I am sure that the Bennets have no connections worth speaking of and cannot spread the story to anyone worth caring about."

"Be that how it may, you should not have written any of that."

"It would end her hopes once and for all. I thought we agreed that a clean break would be the best thing for both Charles and her."

"I would not call it a clean break if it involves you lying about my sister."

"What did I say that was not true? I am sure our brother admires Miss Darcy greatly."

"So, her relations all wish the connection as much as his own, Miss Bingley?" he inquired. "Which relations would that be? Perhaps her uncle who has several political matches in mind for Georgiana? Her aunts who have splendid plans for her come-out and who have already made lists of titled bachelors who might suit? Perhaps my cousin, Georgiana's other guardian, who is rather unimpressed by Bingley's indecisive character and lack of direction?"

"They would come to view the suitability of the match the way we do, I am sure, once they see what good friends you and my brother are and how well everyone would deal together."

"According to whom? At present my sister is not even out yet, she is very shy and not thrilled about the idea of courting anyone, and if she has said two words together to Bingley in the last year it would greatly surprise me. Bingley has not expressed any interest in courting her, and frankly, if he did, I would have to decline the honour as he appears to be a rather inconstant lover. And if you would start rumours about Georgiana I am sure you understand why we would not prefer to have you as a sister, Miss Bingley."

"Well but if you have other preferences…" Miss Bingley started.

"Yes," Darcy said. "I trust you understand why your acquaintance with Miss Darcy must be at an end. She will not be at home if you call, and I would prefer if you never presume to mention her name again. I shall see Mr. Bingley at the club, I am sure."

"But Mr. Darcy!"

"I shall be leaving Netherfield as soon as my trunk can be loaded in the carriage."

"Oh, but we must go to London with you," Miss Bingley said. "Charles took our carriage."

"I think not. Unfortunately my carriage is fully occupied," Darcy said. "I am sure Bingley will be back sooner or later. I thank you for the hospitality that you have shown me, and wish you good health, good luck, and merry Christmas."

"But Mr. Darcy, surely we shall meet again before Christmas."

"And happy new year," said Darcy. "I hope you will have a good summer, and a wonderful life."

Miss Bingley started protesting, although what she, or anyone could find objectionable about having a wonderful life, this author could not say.

"Mrs. Hurst," Darcy bowed. "My best wishes for your health and happiness."

PART II

Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley were surprised to see Darcy.

"I thought you would stay in Hertfordshire until December," Georgiana said.

"I thought so too but circumstances changed," he said. "I found it necessary to leave somewhat precipitously."

"Did the Bingleys return to town too?"

"Bingley is here but as far as I know, his sisters and Mr. Hurst are still at Netherfield."

"Oh, good," Georgiana said. "I hope nothing is wrong."

"Nothing dire," he said. "It depends on the perspective. But I need to tell you about Miss Bingley."

Georgiana looked apprehensive. "Miss Bingley? You have not, have you?"

"Look, I am sorry if you think of this as officious interference," Darcy said. "But I have come to tell you that as your brother and your guardian, I can no longer condone you having any relationship with Miss Bingley. I told the housekeeper that she is not to be admitted in as a caller, and I would not like you to correspond with her either."

"Oh, what happened?" Mrs. Annesley asked.

"She has started rumours about you, Georgiana."

"Oh no!" Georgiana was stricken. "What did she say?"

"Nothing about that, and I am not sure if she really said anything to anyone," Darcy said. "But she was about to send a letter implying that there is an attachment between you and her brother, to discourage a young lady in Hertfordshire that Bingley has been interested in."

"Why would she do that?"

"Miss Bennet is not rich and glamorous enough for Miss Bingley."

"Miss Bingley's aspirations have been noted," Mrs. Annesley said.

"I am sorry, Georgiana, I do not believe that Miss Bingley is really your friend," Darcy said apologetically. "I have no use for friends who would lie about me to strangers, and I do not think you should have either."

"What if someone believes it?" Georgiana was worried. "What if someone asks me about it?"

"Then you must brazen it out," said Mrs. Annesley. She tittered and adopted a bored voice. "Oh, who said so? Miss Bingley? Well, you must know she is a little... One feels so sorry for her, but of course she could not help it, the poor dear... And of course, Mr. Bingley is an absolute darling, but their family is from trade, you know... perfectly respectable, but not exactly old money. And how is your mother? How are your dear sisters? I have not heard from them in ages..."

"Oh, Mrs. Annesley, you should be on stage," Georgiana laughed. "But I am not sure I could do that."

"You can do whatever necessary, to shield yourself from gossip," Darcy said fiercely. "If Miss Bingley sees any ill effects from it, it is purely her own doing."

"And what about Mr. Bingley?"

"He has been my friend, and I hope that he is still my friend," he said. "But you are my sister and my priority. Bingley must bear some of the blame since he ought to have known what his sister is like and he has done nothing to check her behaviour. But I have seen enough of her unscrupulous actions that I could never trust her again."

"So you have cut off your acquaintance with Miss Bingley?"

"I do not want to make any public scenes, for Bingley's sake," Darcy said. "But she is no longer welcome to Darcy House or to Pemberley, and if she curries your favour I would ask you to discourage her, by any appropriate means."

"Thank goodness!" Georgiana exclaimed. "What a wonderful life!"

"What?" Darcy was confused.

"Merry Christmas to me! This must be the best Christmas gift this year!"

"How is this good news?"

"Miss Darcy has been terrified," said Mrs. Annesley confidentially, "that you and Miss Bingley would... you know."

"Oh no, surely not! I would never!" Darcy said, when it finally dawned upon him what Georgiana had feared.

"But Miss Bingley said..." Georgiana trailed off.

"Well," said Darcy. "It seems that Miss Bingley says a great many things that are not necessarily true."

PART III

The butler showed Bingley in to Darcy's study. "Good to see you!" Bingley said. "But I did not know that you were planning to come back to London."

"It was a rather sudden decision," Darcy said.

"Hurst wrote to say that they are stranded in Hertfordshire without a carriage because you have returned to town."

"I am sorry for inconveniencing Mr. Hurst but I could recommend a good carriage maker if he wishes to purchase one of his own," Darcy said.

"Louisa wrote to me to say that I should speak with you as soon as I could, but about what, I am not sure," Bingley said.

"Fair enough, you need to know about some changes that are about to take place," Darcy said. "Although your sisters could have told you, just as easily."

"Caroline's letter was written in great distress and a little hard to understand but apparently you left because of a great misunderstanding and I should do something right now and fix things with you immediately," Bingley said. "And her friendship with Miss Darcy. What is going on? Is there a quarrel I should know about?"

"I have no quarrel with you, Bingley," Darcy said. "But your sisters are perfectly aware why I left."

"That sounds ominous," Bingley said.

"The thing is, Bingley, Miss Bingley used my sister for her own dishonest purposes, so I have told our servants that she is no longer welcome in any of my residences. I do not mean to cut her in public unless she makes it necessary but I have no plans to recognize her acquaintance from now on, and I could not support Georgiana keeping her friendship any longer."

"Oh," said Bingley. "Well. My goodness."

"It may seem dramatic," Darcy said, "but in my view it was necessary."

"But what on earth could have happened?"

"Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley did not tell you?"

"Not that I could understand," Bingley said.

"Well, your sisters do not favour your acquaintance with Miss Bennet."

"That much I do know."

"Right. But what you might not know is that after you left for London, Miss Bingley wrote a letter to Miss Bennet. She was going to tell her that you are not going to return to Netherfield because you are in town, courting my sister."

"Your sister? But why?"

"Because Miss Bennet does not know my sister and Georgiana was not there to contradict it or to defend herself, I assume."

"I mean, why would Caroline tell Miss Bennet that I am courting someone else?"

"She wants to discourage her wishes and make her think you are involved elsewhere."

"But why? That is simply not true." Bingley was quite confused.

"Yes but Miss Bennet does not know that."

"And now she thinks I am attached to Miss Darcy." Bingley slumped in his chair and hid his face in his hands. "This is a disaster."

"I am not sure what she thinks," Darcy said. "I burned the letter I know about, so Miss Bennet never read that one, but Miss Bingley might have written another, or told her in person if they have visited each other."

"Without a carriage, Caroline would never stoop so low as to walk to Longbourn," Bingley said.

"Yes but there are horses that she might ride, and the Bennets who are less afflicted by lack of mobility might have visited Netherfield."

"This is terrible," Bingley lamented. "What if Miss Bennet believes Caroline?"

"Well, supposing Miss Bingley told her that you will not return, you might prove her wrong easily enough," said Darcy. "If you return."

"Right," Bingley's countenance brightened, but only for a moment. "And if she told her that I am courting your sister?"

Darcy frowned. "I certainly hope Miss Bingley thought better of spreading false gossip about my sister," he said. "But that too might be proven wrong by your subsequent actions."

"If it is known in Meryton I would look like a scoundrel courting Miss Bennet."

"If it becomes necessary you might always contradict Miss Bingley openly," Darcy said. "But for Georgiana's reputation I would prefer to keep quiet if possible. She is entirely innocent in this and does not deserve to be mixed up in Miss Bingley's schemes."

"Of course," Bingley said, "I would not wish any harm to come to your sister."

"You may tell Miss Bingley that should she engineer some sort of scandal I would rather weather the gossip than let her get her way."

"Oh, do you think Caroline is that bad?"

"If she would make up lies about you and Georgiana she could do other things if it benefits her somehow."

Bingley looked grim. "I suppose this is about her insistence that I need to find a great society wife of a great society pedigree."

"I expect she would like Miss Bennet better if she had a great society dowry and great society connections," Darcy said. "A daughter of a duke would do tremendously well, for instance, or a granddaughter of an earl."

Bingley scoffed. "If a daughter of a duke ever glanced my way I expect it was only because she mistook me for a footman."

"One would not particularly like to be noticed by some of them, anyway," Darcy said. "Family and dowry notwithstanding."

"Probably true... But you meant that Miss Darcy is the granddaughter of an earl."

"I dare say Georgiana and I have been Miss Bingley's closest connection to the peerage," Darcy said. "But if she would use Georgiana to further her ambitions dishonestly, all amity between them must be at an end."

"I understand," Bingley said defeatedly.

"I am sorry if it causes you any difficulty, but you must see that I could not allow my sister to be taken advantage of by people who would make up false rumours about her. If people thought that you were courting or engaged to Georgiana..."

"Right, I see." Bingley started getting angry. "I might be forced to offer for her, and she might be forced to accept."

"Not an ideal way to start a marriage, I suspect," Darcy said.

"I have the greatest respect for Miss Darcy but she is so young," Bingley said. "And I reckon she never thought of me that way at all."

"I could not condone of Georgiana marrying before she has had her come-out," Darcy said.

"And I like someone else – but does Caroline care?" Bingley said furiously. "What about Louisa? Is she also involved in the scheme?"

"I could not say what Mrs. Hurst thinks," Darcy said. "All I know is that when Miss Bingley read the letter aloud to her she did not seem surprised or outraged."

"It may be she does not really care unless it inconveniences her or Hurst," Bingley said. "She often finds it easier to go along with whatever Caroline says."

"It might be but nobody is really doing Miss Bingley any favours when they go along with whatever she says, no matter how ill-judged," Darcy said. "Perhaps it is not too late for her to learn that our words have consequences."

"Consequences!" Suddenly Bingley laughed. "If you read their letters you would think that they are in jail. A week stranded in Hertfordshire without a carriage is supreme torture, I'll have you know."

"Then I am glad that I left them there," Darcy said. "I mean, Netherfield Park is a fully furnished manor with servants and all the modern conveniences, and I never saw a single rat, but as long as they are suffering..."

"I have half a mind to spend Christmas in town and let them stew, waiting to be rescued," Bingley said. "But Miss Bennet is in Hertfordshire."

"You could write to her father," Darcy said.

"And say what?" Bingley asked.

He was quiet for a while, looking thoughtful. "I had all these visions, about the wonderful life that we might have. But Caroline said that Miss Bennet does not really care about me, but that her lack of fortune and her meddling mother would not allow her to decline my proposal, despite the coldness of her emotions."

"Oh," said Darcy. "Is that what Miss Bingley said?"

"What do you think?"

"What do you think? You have spoken with Miss Bennet more than I have."

"But do you think Caroline is right?"

"Should you not make up your own mind? I no longer consider Miss Bingley to be a trusted source."

"You think she lied about that too?"

"I cannot tell you," Darcy said. "But if you consider that she was willing to lie to Miss Bennet about you..."

Bingley straightened up.

"Then it is perhaps conceivable that she would lie to you, about her."

"Merry Christmas, Darcy," Bingley said. "I am off to Hertfordshire."

PART IV

The servants talk and the butcher's wife always knew all the interesting gossip in Meryton, so Mrs. Bennet had heard that Miss Bingley and the Hursts were stuck at Netherfield.

"We should invite them to dinner and send our carriage to get them. Lady Lucas would never think of doing that, so that will endear us to them."

"Unless they think that it is condescending," Mr. Bennet said.

"Oh, hush, why would they think that? It is a shame that Mr. Bingley is away but he will be glad that we showed hospitality to his relations."

So Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were sent out with the invitation. "It is the right thing to do, after you spent time at Netherfield, and they arranged the ball too."

But when the housekeeper showed them into a parlour and told them to wait, it was soon quite obvious that it was a bad time to call. They heard a crash and a yelp from the next room, as if some object had been thrown.

"You were supposed to fix things with Darcy!" Miss Bingley's voice carried.

"What would you have me do? He was rather angry at you."

"Mr. Bingley has returned!" Miss Bennet whispered.

"Why did you not bring him back here? How can I get him to propose if he insists on sulking?" Miss Bingley said petulantly.

"Well, I do not think you can," Mr. Bingley said. "He said that he is not going to allow you to call on Miss Darcy any more, which does not really sound like he would consider making you an offer."

"Could you not calm him down?"

"He seemed pretty calm to me," Mr. Bingley said. "He has lost his trust in you because he thinks that you are unscrupulous. I do not think he will change his mind easily."

"Ooh, Mr. Darcy has lost another friend due to his implacable resentment?" Miss Elizabeth whispered. "How shocking."

"And you just stood there and allowed him to say such terrible things about me? What a useless brother you are."

"Would you care to explain what, exactly, makes it my fault? You would not even know Darcy if it was not for your useless brother."

"If you did not make calf eyes at that hopeless provincial I would not have had to write that letter. I was only trying to rescue you from her clutches. And Darcy agreed that you should have better sense than to fall for a fortune hunter. Jane Bennet has no money, and no fashion but she has a vulgar mother and dreadful harpies for sisters."

"You are overwrought, try to calm down."

At that point, the housekeeper had managed to attract Mr. Bingley's attention and he soon came into the parlour, very flustered. "Miss Bennet! Miss Elizabeth! We did not know that you were waiting."

"That much is rather obvious," Miss Elizabeth said.

"I am sorry," Mr. Bingley said. "I do not know what you heard..."

"We heard quite enough, I think," Miss Bennet said.

"It is lovely to see you again," Mr. Bingley said.

"Our mother sent this message," Miss Elizabeth said, giving him a note. "She has invited your family to dinner. And she would have invited you too, I am sure, had she known that you had returned."

"Oh, we would be delighted to dine with you, just say when..." Mr. Bingley was nodding enthusiastically.

"No," Miss Bennet interrupted.

"What?" Miss Elizabeth asked.

"No, you are very sorry, Mr. Bingley, but sadly you must send your regrets," Miss Bennet said.

"What?" Mr. Bingley said.

"You wish to thank Mrs. Bennet for her kind invitation, but unfortunately you have just remembered that you have another engagement that prevents your attendance, and due to pressing family matters, none of your relations are free to dine with us either, not in the foreseeable future."

"What are you saying?"

"Our mother has invited you to dinner, but I think we all agree that it would be in everyone's best interests for you to decline the invitation." Miss Bennet's tone was rather frosty and her smile was lethal.

"But Miss Bennet..."

"Fortune hunters, harpies and vulgar mothers all have very delicate stomachs," Miss Bennet said coldly, "and insincerity gives them terrible indigestion."

"I am really sorry that you heard all that," Mr. Bingley said.

"I am not," Miss Bennet said. "They say eavesdroppers never hear anything good but I found it all extremely informative and educational. And I think you had better not call at Longbourn again."

"But I had planned to ask you for a courtship."

"Really?"

"Yes, I have been bewitched by you, and I wish to know you better."

"Well, I am sure you will get over it soon enough. Just ask your sisters or your friend, it seems like they will tell you why you should."

"It is true that my sisters are not happy about it," Mr. Bingley said. "At the time of the ball, before I went to London, I was talking about courting you, and Louisa, Caroline and Darcy all said that you might not care about me and might only accept a proposal because of financial concerns."

"Excuse me but how would they know?" Miss Bennet asked.

"Know what?" Mr. Bingley asked.

"When did I confide to them about my feelings? Would I reveal the state of my heart to your supercilious sisters? Supposing I cared about you, why would I tell your rude friend who insulted my sister before they were even introduced?"

"Right, well..."

"Why did you ask them, and not me? I am by far the better source for the information you were seeking, I would think."

Mr. Bingley looked stricken. "Of course you are right, Miss Bennet. I do not care about their opinions, I care about yours."

"How nice for me," Miss Bennet said scathingly.

"So, about our courtship...?"

"There is no courtship," Miss Bennet said. "What a wonderful life we would have, if your snide sisters hated your wife. Nobody wants to be insulted at the breakfast table."

"We would not have to live with my sisters."

"Regardless," Miss Bennet said. "I think you need to learn to think for yourself before you marry."

"You could help me do that."

"Would it not defeat the purpose?"

"Please reconsider," Mr. Bingley pleaded. "I really do care about you."

"I am sorry but I would prefer a husband who would stand up for me," Miss Bennet said. "Let us go, Lizzy."

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Bingley," Miss Elizabeth said. "You are bleeding."

PART V

Mrs. Bennet was initially inclined to blame her eldest daughter for driving Mr. Bingley away, but she was brought to see the wisdom of her decision after Miss Bennet sat her down and explained exactly why. After the Bingleys abandoned Netherfield their servants had more tales to tell, and once the legends of Miss Bingley's uncontrolled temper were more widely spread in Meryton, it was largely thought that Miss Bennet had had a lucky escape.

"Mr. Bingley seemed so nice," said Lady Lucas. "But what if the unhinged streak runs in the family? Sometimes one cannot tell until it is too late."

No one in Meryton thought they would see the Netherfield party again so it was somewhat of a surprise when one of them came calling at Longbourn just days later. It was just the eldest two daughters and Mrs. Bennet in the parlour to greet him.

"Mr. Darcy!" said Miss Elizabeth.

"This is a surprise," said Miss Bennet.

"We did not expect your visit," said Miss Elizabeth.

"It is a happy surprise, I am sure," said Mrs. Bennet, and eyed him suspiciously, as if expecting him to start throwing things as well.

"I come unarmed and bearing gifts," said Mr. Darcy, and produced a beautifully wrapped jar of candy. "These are from my sister who wishes you a merry Christmas."

"That is very kind of her," said Mrs. Bennet, in confusion. "But we do not know your sister, do we?"

"You have not been introduced," said Mr. Darcy. "But she would love to make your acquaintance."

"Well, I am sure we would be honoured," said Mrs. Bennet. "But I do not understand."

Mr. Darcy addressed his next words mostly to Miss Bennet. "The fact is, Mr. Bingley came to visit, and he told us what happened when he was last at Netherfield."

"If you are here to speak on Mr. Bingley's behalf, I am sorry but you have wasted your time and your journey," said Miss Bennet.

"No, no," said Mr. Darcy hastily. "Bingley can speak on his own behalf, or not, as he chooses. I am in Hertfordshire on an errand of my own, due to my sister's instigation."

"Perhaps your sister is a travel agent," Miss Elizabeth said.

"No, although she does have quite decided opinions about the comforts of certain inns."

Mr. Darcy looked at Miss Bennet again. "Georgiana was very excited when she heard about your confrontation with Bingley and your magnificent disposal of his sisters."

"How does your sister know about that?" Miss Elizabeth asked.

"We only spoke with Mr. Bingley," said Miss Bennet. "We did not even see his sisters, so it is somewhat inaccurate to describe it as a magnificent disposal."

"Nevertheless, you have made a distinct mark," said Mr. Darcy. "The way Bingley spoke of you - I am sorry but if you meant to discourage his affections, you did not succeed at all. If anything, he is more in love now that you have shown your backbone and rebuked him. The story just poured out of him in the drawing room, and he could not stop talking about you. He was in awe of your spirit, courage and self-respect, and described you almost like an avenging angel."

"I remember the occasion as somewhat less pleasant," said Miss Bennet.

"My sister was extremely impressed by you, Miss Bennet, and she would like me to invite you all to spend Christmas with us."

"I do not understand," said Mrs. Bennet. "You would invite us to visit your home?"

"Is that so strange?" Mr. Darcy asked. "You would all be very welcome, and there would be additional chaperones. My sister's companion, Mrs. Annesley, is the picture of respectability and responsibility, and my father's sister might also join us."

"Oh, I am sure there is no question of impropriety," said Mrs. Bennet. "But you would invite us to, to, to wherever you live, because Jane quarrelled with Mr. Bingley?"

"This year, we are spending Christmas in London," said Mr. Darcy. "But if you are ever in Derbyshire, you would be very welcome to stay with us at Pemberley as well."

"But why?"

"My sister is very shy, and what she needs above all is to learn how to rebuff pretenders like Miss Bingley with confidence and courage. When she heard Bingley's story she immediately decided that she must meet your family, and I think you could be a good example for her."

"Would Mr. Bingley be there?" Miss Bennet asked, and received a negative response.

"But…" Mrs. Bennet was still confused. "Of course, I could not be sure who said what exactly, but I was given to understand that Mr. Bingley was told by you and his sisters that our family is considered an undesirable connection."

"I believe Miss Bingley mentioned fortune hunting and harpies," Miss Elizabeth said.

"Well, Miss Bingley ought to know all about fortune hunting harpies for she is one," Mr. Darcy said. "On my part, I never used those particular words although I admit that when Bingley was considering a proposal at the time of the ball I advised caution and mentioned that with five unmarried daughters and an entailment, financial disadvantages might influence the response. But obviously, subsequent events have proven me wrong."

"I thank you for your timely intervention," said Miss Bennet. "Had Mr. Bingley proposed at the ball I might have been likely to accept, and it would have been a disaster. He is not his own man yet, and I am sure I would love to marry a fortune as much as any other young lady, but Mr. Bingley is not nearly rich enough to put up with his sisters."

"I understand," said Mr. Darcy. "His sisters have put a strain on my friendship with him as well."

"The Bingleys did imply that there was some big problem between you and Miss Bingley," Miss Elizabeth said.

"I suppose I ought to tell you, since it concerns you, too, Miss Bennet. I intercepted a letter that Miss Bingley was about to send you, and she might make other attempts to deceive you. Her intention was to make you think that Bingley did not care about you, so she wrote that he was about to get engaged to my sister."

"Your sister! But I thought that she is very young," Miss Elizabeth said.

"She is," Mr. Darcy said. "It is a complete lie, you understand. They have met quite often because I am good friends with Bingley, but neither of them ever spoke of courting each other. And I dare say even if he was interested, Georgiana would not wish for a familial connection because she dislikes Bingley's sisters so."

"It seems to be a very common affliction," Miss Elizabeth observed.

"It is," Mr. Darcy agreed. "But I am happy to report that Bingley has finally been motivated to do something about it. It is not yet a fixed thing, but he has a plan for Miss Bingley to reside with a distant cousin. Bingley thinks if anyone can influence Miss Bingley's behaviour and teach her anything worth understanding it would be his cousin's wife, a former governess."

"Excellent choice," said Miss Elizabeth. "Miss Bingley does so love being accomplished."

"I am afraid she was not quite honest about her accomplishments, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy said.

"Of course, it was clear that she listed things that she hoped to impress you with," said Miss Elizabeth. "I only wish that she knew that one day I did achieve a certain something in the manner of my walking."

"Did you?"

"Yes, for I had a pebble in my shoe."

Mr. Darcy chuckled a little before continuing. "Bingley was quite upset that Miss Bingley would mislead you about him, and we reckon that some things she said about you and your family might not have been true either. And Georgiana told us that Miss Bingley has been hinting about an upcoming engagement that would make her the mistress of Pemberley."

"Surely you are not going to marry Miss Bingley," Mrs. Bennet said. "She might not be quite right in the head."

"She is not quite right in a lot of places," Mr. Darcy said. "No, I am not going to marry Miss Bingley, and she is not welcome in my homes any more."

"It is quite strange," said Mrs. Bennet. "Mr. Bingley appears so cheerful, friendly and open, and his sister is anything but."

"Bingley's downfall is that he is a bit too friendly," said Mr. Darcy. "He wants to please everyone and to avoid upsetting anyone, but sometimes one needs to make a stand and draw the line that cannot be crossed."

"We think Miss Bingley threw something at him, and he said nothing to her about it at the time," Miss Elizabeth said. "No protest, no anger, he just tried to speak calmly and reason with her."

"Ah, so you have met my friend Charles Bingley," Mr. Darcy said. "That is exactly like him, he dislikes confrontation very much. When you and I were debating something at Netherfield, back in November, he was even disturbed about that, because it was too much like an argument for him."

"I dislike arguments too," said Miss Bennet, "but if he is to become a man and have a wonderful life, at some point he needs to learn to think for himself, and to stand up for himself."

"Yes, that is what I told him too," Mr. Darcy said.

"He came to you for advice?" Miss Bennet asked. "Forget I said anything about thinking for himself."

"Perhaps he came more to relieve his feelings and to think out loud," Mr. Darcy said. "He did ask what he should do, but only in general terms."

"And what advice did you give him?" Miss Bennet inquired.

"That he should figure out when things started going wrong, and why, and go on from there."

"Well, I have no quarrel with that," said Miss Bennet. "It is a good rule for anyone to follow."

"Yes, it was uncommonly sage-like of me," said Mr. Darcy. "So I thought I would take my own advice. Bingley's description of your conversation made me realise that I have some apologies to make, Miss Elizabeth."

"Have you?" said Miss Elizabeth.

"And I need to tell you about a certain scoundrel of our acquaintance."

PART VI

Many people had great memories from the previous Christmas balls that had been held at Pemberley. But this year promised to be even more spectacular as it was to celebrate Miss Darcy's engagement. She was to be married soon after her twentieth birthday, and Mrs. Darcy had not spared any effort to make her night unforgettable.

The Darcys had invited all of their friends. Even Mr. Bingley was there, having just arrived, all the way from Scarborough.

"It has been a long time, Mr. Bingley," Miss Bennet said.

"You have not changed at all," Mr. Bingley said gallantly. "Still the most beautiful lady in attendance." They were standing near the wall, watching the dancers.

"You have not changed either," Miss Bennet said.

"Oh, I certainly hope that is not true," Mr. Bingley said.

"Fitzwilliam has told us some of your news, from your letters," Miss Bennet said. "It seems you have been quite occupied with your business."

"Yes," he said. "Things have been going pretty well recently. I have had some luck with my investments and we have been able to expand."

"According to my brother-in-law, it is more due to skill and shrewdness than luck."

"Darcy is very kind," Mr. Bingley allowed. "But I am not doing any of it alone, I have found good people to help me."

"And how are your sisters?"

"Louisa has a child now, six months old, a son. His name is Archibald Alexander Agamemnon Hurst," Mr. Bingley said. "Quite a big name for such a tiny little bald thing. But he is healthy and happy and must learn to abide by his name."

"Perhaps he will answer to Archie."

"For now he responds to Aggie, pumpkin, and sweetpea. Hurst calls him Junior, June for short."

"I hope motherhood is agreeing with Mrs. Hurst."

"Yes, she has found an aptitude for knitting. How many socks does one baby need?"

"They lose them so easily once they begin to crawl," Miss Bennet said.

"And Caroline has lately married."

"Oh, my congratulations."

"Thank you, it is good to know that her future is settled."

He grabbed two glasses of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter and they toasted to the newlyweds.

"What has she been doing these past four years?"

"Well, Darcy might have told you that after… after Netherfield, I found it incumbent on me to find her alternative living arrangements. Having her as my hostess was not working out. So I wrote to a distant cousin of mine who had lately married, and asked for their help. His wife used to be a governess, and by my cousin's account, she is the type of person who would not shy away from telling people some plain truths they need to hear, just because they may not like it."

"And what did she tell your sister?"

"I am not privy to all the details, but I imagine it had a lot to do with how people perceived Caroline's behaviour. Mr. Weston says she tended to put on more airs in the beginning, and slowly grew quieter, more restrained, more likely to think before snubbing people."

"Oh, that is very good, I think."

"One of the gentlemen in the village had a titled visitor, Sir Walter something. He did not find Caroline's name in The Baronetage, and then he could never remember it afterwards. I think it did her a world of good to be treated as a poor relation of no significance."

"My name is not in The Baronetage either but I do not believe it means I am of less significance," Miss Bennet said.

"Of course not," he said. "But in Sir Walter's view, it is everything, apparently."

They regarded the crowd quietly for a moment.

"Then one of their spinsters in the village broke her leg, and a neighbourhood press gang forced Caroline into service as her companion and nurse, fetching and carrying and reading for her. And I think Caroline was utterly shocked to realize that the batty old Miss Bates had more friends than she did, because Miss Bates was kind, and she was not."

"And this is how Miss Bingley learned to be kind?"

"Well, it is Christmas after all, and one would love to tell tales of complete redemption and goodness of character. But I would be lying if I said she was transformed into the soul of generosity. I think she is still rather selfish, and temperamental, but she has learned to be more aware of how her actions affect the way others react to her, and it is more pleasant to be around her now."

"I am glad."

"Mr. Weston tells me that there is a lady in the village who fancies herself a matchmaker, and she had several plans for Caroline. Most of them came to nothing, but now Caroline is Mrs. Elton."

"It is wonderful when matchmakers get something right," Miss Bennet said.

"She is the vicar's wife now, and they expect her to collect charitable donations, run the sewing circle and visit women who are ill."

"Oh, then it is good that she is so accomplished," Miss Bennet said. "I am sure she could do some good in the community if she wanted to."

Mr. Bingley laughed mirthlessly. "It is not the superior status she wanted but a vicar's wife is in a position to garner some respect in the community, so I hope she can act accordingly."

"I think we all want to have some respect," Miss Bennet said.

"Yes, and to become worthy of it."

"Right," said Miss Bennet. "And what have you been doing with yourself all these years? I know Fitzwilliam has missed you a lot, and he is beyond thrilled to have you back."

"And I have missed him," Mr. Bingley said. "But he is married now, the father of two, and I could not intrude on his happiness so very often… And there were things that I needed to do."

"What things?"

"You know, back in December, four years ago, Darcy told me that I need to figure out when things started going wrong, go back and start fixing them from there."

"Yes, Mr. Bingley."

"The thing is," Mr. Bingley said ruefully, "I had to go pretty far back."

"Back to Scarborough?"

"Back to Scarborough, back in time, back to my roots," he said. "I had to figure out who I am and where I came from."

"Right, it seems like it would be useful knowledge," Miss Bennet said.

"You see, I think the reason we became so insufferable was partly related to our parents. Our mother was always a little bitter that our father was just a tradesman. She thought that with her beauty and her dowry, she ought to have been able to marry better."

"It must have caused some strain in their relationship," Miss Bennet said.

"It did, and it influenced my sisters," Mr. Bingley said. "They were always told that they should hold out for an excellent match. Our mother never said it out loud but it was always implied that our father was not good enough."

"How sad," Miss Bennet said.

"But I have done a lot of thinking lately," Mr. Bingley said, "and I have realized that my mother married pretty damn well and had a pretty damn wonderful life. My father was a good, hard-working man who did his everything to provide well for his family, and never said a harsh word, even when he had reason to."

"I wish I had known him," said Miss Bennet.

"And I think that is why things started going wrong," Mr. Bingley said. "We should have been very proud of our father, of who he was and what he did, and trying to become more like him. Instead we were striving to distance ourselves from his legacy."

He paused to sip some more champagne.

"Caroline wanted an estate like Netherfield for what it represents to be an estate owner, but it was not the life she was used to and she hated the country, she hated the house and the drafts, and she hated the responsibilities of the hostess."

"How lucky for her that she never became the mistress of Pemberley, like she wanted."

"Yes, sometimes the things we want are not what we should strive to get at all," Mr. Bingley said. "Like I was attempting to transform myself into a landed gentleman. But I did not know the first thing about running an estate, and it would not have made me a fully fledged member of the ton if I did. Our roots are in trade and those who were born into titles and estates will always remember it."

"Yes, I imagine they will."

"It is for the best," he said. "Really, I would make a rubbish earl."

He adopted a haughty stance. "Watson, stir my tea. No, counterclockwise, you fool!"

She laughed.

"I am good at selling things, helping people figure out what they want, and finding ways for them to get it. Not very good at all in any of those lord of the manor matters."

"I thought you bought an estate. Darcy said…"

"Yes, I have acquired a place, not too far from here," he said. "Great grounds for hunting and fishing, and the views are really pretty. But I have a good steward who is able to run it a lot better without my interference so I cannot claim any more expertise than I had at Netherfield."

"I am sure you could learn anything you wanted to."

"Yes, but do I want to?" Mr. Bingley shrugged. "I like the sports and it is lovely to relax in the countryside sometimes, but I was not raised as a gentleman farmer like Darcy, and it would take a lot of studying to make the decisions that come to him naturally."

"Well, I think if you do not care for it then maybe you should not," she said. "Not if it is not what you wish for yourself."

"I think I always wanted an estate for other people," he said. "For my mother, for my sisters, for the strangers of the ton, for the wife that I do not yet have. But the trick is to respect yourself and have pride in who you really are, and then the other people's opinions will not matter that much."

"You have grown very wise," she said.

"If I have learned anything it is mostly thanks to you. I was upset at you at first but you taught me some important things that I needed to learn."

"I did?"

"Yes. I did not realize it right away. But I have had time to think… You got so angry because your family, your mother, and your sisters were disparaged. And you were like a glorious fury, defending them, not letting us disrespect them… I have never been a glorious fury defending my father, or anyone else, and I should have been."

"Is that how you remember it?"

"Yes, you were magnificent," he said. "But I will never forget that lesson now. People will treat me and my loved ones more shabbily, with less respect, if I allow them to."

"Yes, they probably will, if they can get away with it."

"So you see, I have you to thank for a lot," he said. "Merry Christmas, Miss Bennet."

PART VII

The violinists took a break, and in the comparative quiet, the dulcet tones of Lady Catherine De Bourgh's voice carried.

"I must say, Georgiana, you have done pretty well for yourself, despite being brought out by your sister-in-law. I was always of the opinion that Darcy should have let me and Lady Matlock take charge in your come-out. If only you could have had Anne to stand by your side… What does that little provincial that Darcy married know about high society? But luckily you have managed not to disgrace yourself despite the unfortunate company you keep."

"Lady Catherine never had much use for Lizzy," Miss Bennet murmured. "She was very upset when Darcy chose to marry someone who was not her daughter."

"Yes, Darcy told me about that," Mr. Bingley said. They were standing behind Lady Catherine and could not see her face clearly but the young lady she addressed was smiling politely.

"Elizabeth's company did very well for me, Aunt, and Cousin Anne could easily have been there by my side, had she wanted to," she said. "If I recall correctly, she wrote that she would love to come to my come-out ball but she had to have her pug trimmed."

"Is that Miss Darcy?" Bingley said quietly. "She used to be so timid, but look at her now."

"She has quite a sparkle nowadays," Miss Bennet agreed. "She has truly grown into her courage."

"Lord Henry is a very respectable match, even if he is only a fourth son," Lady Catherine continued. "I dare say we cannot expect all the older brothers to be sickly, so you are never going to be a marchioness, and it is a great pity that he does not have his own estate. But at least it is a much better match than what Mrs. Darcy made for her other sisters."

"She likes to blame Lizzy for everything but my sisters made their own matches," Miss Bennet whispered. "All Lizzy did was introduce them."

"I care about Henry, not his properties or his succession to the title," Miss Darcy said.

"Oh my dear, sweet Georgiana, you are not telling me that this is a love match?" Lady Catherine said. "Goodness, what a disaster." She shook her head sadly. "Well, I hope it will prove to be enduring," she added, in a tone that indicated utter lack of confidence.

"But Aunt Catherine, I happen to think that it is a good thing to marry someone you love," Miss Darcy said.

"You are still so young," Lady Catherine said. "But I thought Lady Anne's daughter would have more of an innate understanding of these matters."

She bit into a canape somewhat aggressively . "Well, at least you had the good sense to fall in love with someone with connections. But I dare say you would not speak such romantic fustian about love if it was not for that woman your brother married. In our set, we consider the advantages of the match, but that woman always used to read more than was good for her, and these new-fangled novels can give one all manner of misguided notions."

"My brother is very happy," Miss Darcy said. "He has been married for nearly four years now. He has two wonderful children, and that woman loves him very much. I think that romantic fustian is working pretty well for them."

"My dear Georgiana, you have grown up to be so impertinent. It must be Mrs. Darcy's influence, you were always so respectful and demure and never opposed your elders when you were younger."

"When I was younger I was scared of my own shadow and if that is no longer the case then I am glad to have grown up."

"This is exactly what I mean. If I dislike something you must go and find the positive side of it. My Anne would never argue with me like that."

"She would see the futility of arguing with you. But this is my engagement ball, I am happy that I have found a good man that I am going to share a wonderful life with, and tonight you are not going to get me to agree that being afraid is a virtue."

"I never said that you should be afraid, I am simply of the opinion that your impertinence is an unbecoming trait."

"But Lady Catherine, luckily I adore her impertinence." Lord Henry had arrived to rescue his fiancee.

"Lord Henry, you must take care. Encouraging sauciness is all very well in the first throes of infatuation but that sort of thing never lasts and then all you are left with is pertness without the charm."

"My lady, I cannot imagine that you would know anything about pertness without the charm," Lord Henry said.

"Hrmph," said Lady Catherine. "Why is it that you wish to marry Georgiana?"

"Why would I not?" Lord Henry asked. "She is sweet, kind, funny, beautiful, intelligent, from a good family, and has a decent dowry. I think I have been very lucky."

"A good family and a decent dowry," said Lady Catherine. "A good family and a decent dowry. What was Mrs. Darcy's dowry again, Georgiana?"

"Obviously my brother did not marry her for her money," said Miss Darcy.

"It is beyond comprehension. He could have had Anne and united two splendid estates. But instead he chose a pretty face from a family of no importance in the world." Lady Catherine sighed. "Lord Henry, how can you explain it?"

"I did not know them at the time they married but I must assume that he liked her," said Lord Henry.

"The Bennets spent Christmas with us, four years ago. My brother and Lizzy argued on Christmas Eve, apologized on Christmas Day, and got engaged on Boxing Day," Miss Darcy explained.

"And that is something else I never understood," Lady Catherine said. "Who were the Bennets to you? Nobody of any significance. Why should Darcy invite the Bennets to spend Christmas with you?"

"I made him invite them," Miss Darcy said.

"So it is all your fault," Lady Catherine said in a huff. "Why could you not have invited Anne instead?"

"I cannot imagine that inviting Anne would have had the same result," Miss Darcy said. "My brother and my cousin had plenty of other opportunities to get engaged that they did not take."

"I suppose it does not matter any more," Lady Catherine said graciously. "What is done is done, it is too late now, and cannot be helped. You were very young and could not understand the ramifications… but I hope you will use more discretion in your invitations in your married life."

"I think it was a very lucky notion to invite them," Miss Darcy said. "I wanted to meet Miss Bennet, and I did, but the happy outcome of a marriage was a very sweet surprise."

"Miss Bennet!" Lady Catherine sniffed contemptuously. "What was so special about her, I wonder."

"She has helped me greatly to deal with the society," Miss Darcy said. "She told me all about the awkward social situations that she had been thrust in, and how she was able to solve them politely, and it was a great comfort to me during my first season."

"Hm, if you took your advice from her it is a miracle that you are getting married now," Lady Catherine said. "I suppose she was quite pretty at one time, but it has not done her any good, as she is now firmly on the shelf. With no dowry and no accomplishments she is doomed to be a spinster aunt, sponging off your brother until the end of time."

"She has been an invaluable help with the children," Miss Darcy said.

"She has done nothing that a nanny could not do. And nannies are so highly desirable on the marriage mart…" Lady Catherine shook her head mournfully. "I imagine she thought her beauty would suffice in catching a husband but she held out for too good of a match and was left with fading looks and no suitors, no prospects, nothing of note."

"Aunt, this is unfair," Miss Darcy said.

"You are entirely in the wrong, my lady," Mr. Bingley said angrily. "Miss Bennet could be married tomorrow if she wanted to. If she is still unattached it is only because she could not find anyone who deserves her yet."

"Deserves her!" Lady Catherine turned around on her heels and scoffed. "Which man would even wish to deserve an aging, penniless spinster?"

"A man might work for years, trying to become worthy of her one day," Mr. Bingley said. "Anyone with good sense would appreciate a woman with such grace, courage and character."

"Ah, she has a good temperament then?" Lady Catherine was scornful.

"Yes, as well as wisdom and integrity," Mr. Bingley said.

"And a passable figure." Lady Catherine noticed Miss Bennet then and eyed her up and down. "Men always go a bit daft over an hourglass figure, but take my word for it, young man, it will not last."

"Her appearance is very appealing," said Mr. Bingley, "but so are her kindness and gentility."

"It is quite pointless to flatter her, young man, as she is such an ice queen. You might not know it but it is her habit to refuse all the offers. Darcy could have been rid of her years ago if she just accepted one of her suitors. But no, Miss Bennet would not deign to marry a mere mortal." Lady Catherine sniffed disdainfully. "If you had a title you might have a chance, but this little princess has decided that she is too good for everyone else."

"You are quite offensive, madam, and I must wonder at your lack of breeding," Mr. Bingley said.

"Lack of breeding! Oh, Darcy, there you are now," Lady Catherine said. "Why are you just standing there and not doing anything about this rude guest of yours?"

"I was going to intervene," said Mr. Darcy, "but Bingley seemed to have you well at hand."

Lady Catherine sputtered indignantly.

"She said some rather vile things about Miss Bennet," Miss Darcy said. "And she has been disparaging Lizzy too."

"Not this old thing again? Will you ever give up on this irrational hatred of my wife and her sisters? I thought we agreed that you would behave, for Georgiana's sake."

"If you had married Anne these low-class people would not be here to insult me."

"Anne has no interest in marrying, and had I waited for her to change her mind, Pemberley would be without an heir forevermore. And these people are my friends, and I shall thank you to hold your tongue."

"I am sorry, Henry," Miss Darcy said. "I did not want old family disputes to ruin our celebration."

"Nothing has been ruined, dearest," Lord Henry said. "On the contrary, I think there might be very interesting developments coming up shortly. Look over there." He pointed to one side of the room, where Miss Bennet was seen forcibly dragging Mr. Bingley by the arm towards the nearest door.

"Well, it is about time," Mr. Darcy said. "The way he keeps indirectly asking about her in his letters…"

"And the way she keeps indirectly asking about his letters," said Mrs. Darcy.

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Bingley," said Miss Darcy.

"Miss Bennet, pray forgive me. I am very sorry if my outburst has caused you difficulty with Darcy's relatives. I understand Lady Catherine might make your life more unpleasant…"

"Oh, hang Lady Catherine!" Miss Bennet closed the door, grabbed Mr. Bingley by the collar, and demanded, "Did you mean those things?"

"Yes, every word," said Mr. Bingley.

"And…?"

"And what?" he asked.

"And there must be an and. You are not going to say all that, and then there's no and!"

"You want there to be an and?"

"You said I could be married tomorrow if I wanted to."

"Well, maybe not tomorrow," he said. "You need the banns, you know."

"We could be in Scotland by Friday."

"Are you serious?" he asked.

"It has been four years. Do you not think we have waited long enough?"

"You are really serious?"

"How can you doubt it?"

"I thought I was not rich enough to put up with my shortcomings."

"Dearest, you were never not rich enough…"

"But what about my sisters?"

"It seems that they are both doing well."

"You would be marrying down, I am well and truly in trade now."

"You cannot really believe that I care about any of that."

"You have had other proposals."

"Four, and here I am, still unmarried."

"You could make a splendid match with some friend of Darcy's."

"Well, you are a friend of Darcy's, and it is a splendid match. You are hard-working, honest and kind, and I love you."

"You do?"

"Remember when we quarrelled? I told you that all I wanted was a man who would stand up for me… And you did that wonderfully just now."

"I did?"

"Yes, you were quite a glorious fury," she said and tugged him closer.

The first kiss took him by surprise, so it was a bit fumbling and clumsy, but they bravely tried again and very soon got the hang of it.

"So," he said. "And?"

"And always."