Beginning, Previous Section, Section IV
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Chapter 43
"Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, Ma'am," said Hill as she showed the gentlemen into the room.
"Mr. Bingley! Mr. Darcy! How very good of you to call! Mr. Bennet would have paid his respects had it not been for... Oh well! It is very good to see you. I am delighted!"
Bingley took the seat opposite Mrs. Bennet, while William paused momentarily before taking the seat that was next to Elizabeth.
"Kitty, ring the bell for tea!" called Mrs. Bennet.
Elizabeth could hardly continue working on her needlepoint, all she could think of was William's closeness. Her hands trembled as she tried to imagine what his thoughts towards her were. She was very anxious to thank him for his kindness towards Lydia and to discover his motives for such an action. William was similarly distracted, he wanted so much to know what Elizabeth thought of him, he had so many questions... Did she really love him? Was Elise his? After the way the Gardiners had acted when Elise was in the room with them, his suspicions had been increased even more.
"A great many changes have taken place since you went away," Mrs. Bennet informed the gentlemen, "Miss. Lucas is married and settled. And one of my own daughters, indeed you must have heard of it. Indeed, you must have read it in the papers."
"Yes..." started Bingley.
"But it was not put in properly! It only said, 'Lately, George Wickham Esq. to Miss Lydia Bennet' without a syllable said about who her father was or where she lived or anything! And now they are gone to Newcastle, and there they are to stay, I don't know how long."
Elizabeth glanced at William, he was looking fairly uncomfortable at the mention of Wickham and Lydia's marriage. How must he feel about being brother-in-law to that man?
"How long do you intend to stay in the neighborhood on this visit, Mr. Bingley?" asked Elizabeth, her voice shaking slightly.
"Out plans are not yet firmly settled, but I hope we shall stay a couple of weeks. I hope, very much, that we shall stay a few weeks."
"Well! When you have killed all your own birds, Mr. Bingley. I beg you and Mr. Darcy will come and shoot as many as you please on Mr. Bennet's manor. I am sure he will be vastly happy to oblige you." Mrs. Bennet seemed to forget her husband's dislike of Mr. Darcy.
The visit did not last much longer, it was a relief in a way, but in other ways it was a disappointment. William went away, still unsure of Elizabeth's regard for him, after all that had changed since their meeting in Lambton, he could no longer be sure of her feelings.
Netherfield, Next Morning
"You tell me now, that she was in London all those months! And you concealed it from me!"
"Yes. I can only say it was an arrogant presumption based on a failure to recognize your true feelings, and Miss. Bennet's. I am truly sorry, Bingley, and I apologize," said William as he and his friend walked down the steps.
"You admit that you were in the wrong then?"
"Utterly and completely."
"Then, I have your blessing?" asked Bingley, already prepared to be lead my William.
"Do you need my blessing?"
"No, but I should like to know I have it all the same."
"Then go to it man!" said William and he climbed into his carriage, he knew it was cowardly to leave like this.
William really did not know if he could face Elizabeth. Besides, he did have business in London. His aunt had written him to ask that they meet with the solicitors and sort out his fortune, he had the feeling things may not be as easy as all that.
Chapter 44
Since, William's last visit, Jane and Bingley had become engaged. Elizabeth had hoped that this news would bring him to back to Netherfield, but she began to lose hope as each day passed. She then remembered that William's 28th birthday was on the 23 of September and that his fortune and Pemberley would truly be his on that day. What would happen when that day came? Would he come back to Meryton? Would he come to see her? How would she tell him that Elise was his?
"Mama! Lizzy! Come and look, the most enormous carriage has arrived!" cried Kitty as she rushed into the drawing room, pointing at the window.
Elizabeth and her mother rushed to the window, but they were not in time to see the occupant of the carriage. Elizabeth soon realized just who was paying a visit when she heard Hill say,
"If you please wait, I'll tell my mistress you're here."
"No! I will not wait! Is this the drawing room!?" Lady Catherine barked.
"Lady Catherine de Bourgh," announced Hill, before departing.
Lady Catherine moved to take a seat and sat perched there for a moment before saying to Elizabeth,
"That lady I suppose is your mother."
"Yes, Mama, this is Lady Catherine de Bourgh."
Lady Catherine nodded coldly, "And that I suppose is one of your sisters."
"Yes, Ma'am," replied Mrs. Bennet, finally finding her tongue, "She is my youngest girl but one. My youngest of all is lately married."
"You have a very small park here. And this must be a most inconvenient sitting room in the summer. Why the windows are full west!"
"Indeed they are, your ladyship, but we never sit in here after dinner..."
"Miss. Bennet," said Lady Catherine rising, "There seemed to be a prettyish little kind of wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it, if you would favor me with your company."
Elizabeth, though more that a little surprised and uneasy, accompanied Lady Catherine to the proposed destination. Once, the noble lady seemed pleased that no one would hear what she had so say, she began thus:
"You can be at no loss to understand the reason for my journey here."
"Indeed, you are mistaken. I cannot account for the honor of seeing you here."
"You ought to know, that I am not a women to be trifled with. But however insincere you choose to be you shall not find me so. A letter of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago." Lady Catherine rudely thrust the sheet of paper into Elizabeth's hands, "Read it!"
Glancing at Lady Catherine, who was pacing angrily, Elizabeth unfolded the paper with a sense of foreboding. The letter read:
To Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Newcastle,15th of September
You may not remember me, indeed it has been many years since I have had the pleasure of being in your company. I do not like to write this, but my sense of duty towards my godfather's family cannot be overlooked.
I would have written sooner, but I thought I should be absolutely certain of these circumstances before I should write something that would be so slanderous to your nephew's name and to the name of my dearest sister-in-law.
During my stay in Hertfordshire last winter and sometime before that, I had observed your nephew, Mr. Darcy. I shall not detail how I came to these convictions I now hold, I will only tell you what I believe to be true. If you doubt me, I ask that you apply to them for an answer.
I do believe that Mr. Darcy's and Elizabeth's relationship is much more that just a common acquaintance. In fact I have reason to suppose them to be married, from certain rumors and the like I have come up with the following:
Four years ago, after your brother-in-law's premature demise, when your nephew went to Scotland I believe he fell in love with Elizabeth Bennet, as she was then. I have it on my wife's good authority that Elizabeth was at the same house, that I believe your nephew was. I will leave it up to you to decide what happened, I will only add that this house was only a few miles from Gretna Green. Due to the fact that his fortune was in your hands, your nephew (though I loathe to say it) cowardly asked his new bride to conceal the fact that they were married. How the next years passed, I know not, I only know what I observed and heard during my stay in Meryton at the same time as Mr. Darcy visited Netherfield with his friend.
It was rumored that while, Elizabeth's older sister, Jane had been ill at Netherfield and Elizabeth went there to nurse her. She, Elizabeth Bennet, (and I would not dare mention it unless necessity compelled me), spent a night in Mr. Darcy's room. I am not certain of this next particular, but it is my belief that a child was conceived that night. How my sister-in-law managed to conceal such a thing from her family, I am at a loss to discover.
I am very sorry that I was forced to bring this dreadful news to your attention.
Your humble servant,
George Wickham
Elizabeth's mind reeled from the shock she started at that name, wondering how he of all people could have ever found out. It took every bit of her resolve to conceal her surprise from Lady Catherine, and meet the woman's inquiring gaze with one of reserve.
"Now, I know this must be a scandalous falsehood! I instantly, after reading that letter, resolved in setting off for this place to make my sentiments known to you."
"If you believed it to be impossible," said Elizabeth coloring slightly, "I wonder you took the trouble of coming so far . What could your ladyship propose by it?"
"At once to insist on having such a report universally contradicted!"
"Your coming to Longbourn will be taken as a confirmation of this!"
"Miss. Bennet, this is not to be borne! Let me ask you this, has my nephew made you an offer of marriage?"
"Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible."
"It ought to be so! But your arts and allurements may have made him forget what he owes to himself and all the family. You may have drawn him in."
"If I had, I should be the last person to confess it."
"Miss. Bennet, I am almost the nearest relation he has, and I am entitled to know all his nearest concerns."
"But you are not entitled to know mine."
"Let me be rightly understood! This match, cannot take place, and I refuse to believe that it has taken place! Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter. Now what have you to say?"
"Only, that if he is so you can have no reason to suppose that he will make an offer to me, or that he is in fact married to me!"
Lady Catherine went on to describe the marriage that she and her sister had planned for Miss de Bourgh and William. Elizabeth came up with another pert reply that sent the lady into further distress. Finally, after Lady Catherine had insulted her beyond belief, Elizabeth begged to return to the house and turning on her heel did just that. Lady Catherine followed her spouting insults and the visit ended shortly.
Her ladyship went away as displeased as ever, if not more so. She was determined to see her nephew about the matter. First, she supposed she would have to sign those miserable papers that would give him every right to do what he wanted, no matter how it would harm him in the end. She was well aware that by the time she reached London everything she had always hoped for would be in shambles, yet she did pray that she could make her stubborn nephew see sense.
The lady turned to glare out the window as she remembered the letter written by her brother-in-law that had been read out to her, Fitzwilliam, and the rest of the family after his death. It had stated that if she wished to disinherit her nephew for any reason, it must be done before his 28th birthday. She would have to sign. There was no way she would reach London in time.
Chapter 45
September 26
The Bennet women were sitting in the drawing room when they heard the bell ring. Since this was the usual time for one of Bingley's calls they were not surprised by it. They were however, surprised when Hill announced Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth felt all the color drain from her face as she stood to greet the guests, she quickly glanced at William, only to find herself blushing when she realized that he was looking at her.
"It is very fine out. Shall we all walk into the village?" asked Bingley.
It was agreed, after some short moments that Bingley, Jane, William, Elizabeth, and Kitty would go. Once the party set out Jane and Bingley walked ahead of the other three, it was obvious that they wished to be alone. The other group walked in silence, they knew not what to say to each other.
Kitty asked Elizabeth if she might call on Maria Lucas. Elizabeth consented, as this may give her a chance to talk with William. When she turned from watching her sister depart, Elizabeth became aware that William was watching her, but he was unwilling to say anything. It was, therefor, up to her to start any conversation, she began with a slightly shaky voice.
"I can go no longer, sir, without thanking you for your kindness to my poor sister. Ever since I have known of it I have been most anxious to tell you how grateful I am. You must not blame my aunt for telling me, Lydia betrayed it first. Then I could not rest until I knew everything. Let me thank you, on behalf of all my family, since they do not know to whom they are indebted."
William was shocked at being addressed thus, he answered slowly, "If you will thank me, let it be for yourself alone. Your family owes me nothing, as much as I respect them, I believe, I thought only of you..." Stopping in his walk, he turned to her and said, "You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections are unchanged. Please, tell me if I was imagining your regard for me at Pemberley."
Elizabeth was at first unable to speak, she was just content to know that he still loved her, finally she said, "I'm ashamed to remember what I said in April, you deserved none of it! You did not imagine my feelings at Pemberley, I do love you. You cannot know how much I regret my words to you at Hunsford."
"That makes two of us Dearest Loveliest Elizabeth," said William gently.
Looking at him she said quietly, "William, anything that you said to me was deserved. How I could have ever doubted your loyalty and trusted him over you, I don't know. I should have tried to speak with you, instead of behaving like a child!"
"That doesn't matter now. It is in the past... Elizabeth, speaking of children, what happened to the child I know you were carrying?" William asked that question with dread, lest Elise was truly the Gardiners and something had happened to his baby.
"You have met our child, our daughter, William. Elise Gardiner, is really Elise Anne Darcy. I did name her as you wished, after her mother and grandmother."
William let out the breath he had been holding, in a laugh. He turned and gathered Elizabeth in his arms, "I knew she was ours when I first saw her!" Then without further delay he kissed her like he had wanted to, ever since he had observed her at Pemberley holding their child.
When they finally parted William said, "Elise Darcy sounds perfect... Elizabeth, do the Gardiners know the truth about Elise?"
"I'm glad you like her name and yes, my aunt and uncle know the truth. They lived in constant hope that we would forgive and forget. They will be very pleased to learn that we have sorted out our problems, though, they will be sad to part with Elise."
"It is understandable that they would feel that way! After all, our daughter is as captivating as her mother."
"William, really."
"Oh, am I forbidden to remark on the beauty of my wife and daughter?"
"No, but you should not do so too often, or we may become quite conceited!"
William laughed, then stopping he said soberly, "What shall we say to your father? After what has happened we cannot marry again, otherwise we would not be able to accept Elise as our own, at least not without raising a lot of speculation."
"William, we will have to tell my father the truth..." Elizabeth turned pale at the idea.
"What is the matter?"
"Dear, my father... Papa... He still thinks that you are the father of Bridget's baby. He does not know the truth. Not only that, after what happened with Lydia and Wickham, I do believe he has begun to doubt his ability as a father. If he finds out that I had a Gretna Green marriage and that I have a baby, he will certainly not take it well."
"This is a great problem... But there is no way around the truth, Elizabeth. He will find out sooner of later. I think it is better that he find out sooner."
"I think you must be right. Shall we walk back and talk with him?"
"Yes, but Elizabeth you do not have to come see your father with me."
"No, yet I must. I know he will not take this news lightly."
William offered Elizabeth his arm, they turned and walked back to Longbourn. There was not much conversation between the two, both were thinking of the interview ahead of them.
As William and Elizabeth entered the house they looked reassuringly at one another, before discarding their outside garments. Walking to the Library door, Elizabeth knocked tentatively.
"Come in!" called Mr. Bennet.
"Ah! Elizabeth... and Mr. Darcy. What do you want to see me about?"
"A matter of some importance, sir," replied William.
"And what might that be?"
Glancing once more at one another, William continued:
"The attachment between your daughter and myself."
"The attachment between you and Lizzy! What can you be speaking of, man!?"
"Just that, Papa, an attachment, between myself and... William."
"What nature is this attachment?" spoke Mr. Bennet, disdainfully.
"Sir, I know what I will say next will come as a great shock, yet I hope you can forgive us."
Mr. Bennet's worry increased greatly. Knowing what Mr. Howard had told him about this young 'gentleman's' behavior, this conversation was taking a frightening direction.
"I will see what I feel when you tell me what is going on?"
"I will speak plainly, then. For the last four years your daughter and I have been secretly married. Though, I am sorry to say it, we were married secretly in Gretna Green. The marriage had to remain secret, since my aunt would have likely disapproved and then disinherited me."
William and Elizabeth waited for the shock of these words to be digested by Mr. Bennet.
"Married!" he yelled, jumping up from his chair, "This is cannot be! I will not allow it!"
"Papa, you have no choice. You are unable to change the fact that we are, indeed, married."
"Elizabeth Bennet! Do you know what sort of man you have married!?"
"Yes, a gentle, honorable, and kind man."
"Really, do you know of his relationship with Bridget Howard, as was!?"
"Yes, every detail. He was not to blame for anything. It was all her doing... and the reason that she had to marry is not William's. Her baby is in fact your other son-in-law's."
"I will never address that son of a bi..."
"Papa!"
"Very well, I will never address that man as my son-in-law, nor, if you continue to act in this foolish, nay, stupid manner, will I own that you are my daughter. I don't care what you say, I believe this man has laid the blame at Wickham's door."
"Mr. Bennet. I understand..." began William.
"You just keep quiet! I never want to hear a bloody word out of your lying mouth!" barked Mr. Bennet at William.
This was, obviously, not a good time to tell Mr. Bennet that he was a grandfather.
"Papa. I am truly sorry that you see things like this, but nothing you say can change the fact that William and I are married and that we will stay married, 'until death do us part'."
"Well, if that is the way you feel about it, you may pack whatever clothes and such that you require. I'm sure he will present you with a wardrobe more befitting to his jezebel of a wife! Now, get out of this house and my sight."
"We shall gladly remove ourselves from your company and I insist that on no occasion to you dare call my wife what you just have!" growled William before leading his almost sobbing wife from the room.
When the door closed behind them they realized that there were others who had heard most of their argument with Mr. Bennet. Jane and Bingley stood in a stunned silence outside the door.
"Lizzy," cried Jane, "Is it true? Are you and Mr. Darcy married?"
"Yes," Elizabeth choked out as Jane embraced her crying sister and now looked at her brother-in-law.
Bingley merely starred in amazement at his friend, as many missing pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
"Jane, you will have no further contact with your sister. When you are a married woman I cannot control whether you speak to her or not," ordered Mr. Bennet as he came out of the Library, "And, Mr. Bingley, if you wish to marry my daughter, you will not welcome these two under your roof until, as I told Jane, you are married."
"I assure you," said William, "That Netherfield is too close to you for our enjoyment and we would not want to cost Bingley and Miss. Bennet any pain!"
"Good, now I believe I told you get out of my house," Mr. Bennet said menacingly.
"Indeed, you did."
In ten minutes William and Elizabeth left Longbourn, without anyone but Mr. Bennet, Jane, or Bingley knowing they had gone. In another hour, after they had stopped off at Netherfield, they were on the road to London.
That evening Mr. Bennet told the rest of the family the truth. Mrs. Bennet was angry at him for throwing his daughter out of the house and insisted on having a fit of nerves, while saying who she would call on and tell the news that her daughter was married. Kitty was stunned into silence and could hardly wait to write and tell Lydia what had happened. Mary, was tempted to quote something, but she had enough sense to realize her father would not welcome any such thing. Jane was very quiet. She feared that her father may forbid her to marry Charles, even if she did not write to Lizzy until she was married. Charles considered writing to his friend, then he thought that it may upset his future sister-in-law, so he too would wait until he had married.
Epilogue
The Wickham's Discussion
"Who would have thought it!?" cried Lydia, giggling.
"Who, indeed?" snarled Wickham into a wine glass.
"I thought we were daring! I mean, they have been secretly married for years, not one of us ever suspected a thing. Can you believe it? We who behaved just as they are still accepted in the family, but Lizzy is disowned! Oh! What a fine joke it is!... George?"
*snore... splutter*
"Fine! Be like that!"
How Caroline Took the News
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"
The Hurst's Consider the News
"Can you believe it, Mr. Hurst?"
"More wine!"
"They were actually married for 4 years!"
*gulp* "More wine!"
"Think of it! They actually had a baby!"
*hiccup* "More wine!"
"Who would have thought!"
*snore*
Lady Catherine - Most Exceedingly Displeased
"Brother, did I tell you of Lady Metcalfe's calling on me yesterday?"
"No, sister," the Earl rolled his eyes at his wife.
"Well, that woman the audacity to come and 'condole with me on the grievous behavior of my nephew, Darcy', those were her words. She sounded like that toad of a clergyman of mine!"
"Indeed," remarked the Countess, "I don't know why she should say such a thing. William's behavior is never anything but the best and his wife and daughter are such charming creatures!"
"Helen! His wife is an absolute minx! And his daughter, as far as I'm concerned, is illegitimate. How can they say they are really married when the marriage ceremony took place in Gretna Green."
"Sister, Elizabeth and Elise are very dear, though you have disowned them we have welcomed them into the family!"
"And a dreadful mistake that was, brother!"
Anne's Thanks
'Thank you, Elizabeth Bennet Darcy! My mother will never again dream of my marrying Cousin Darcy!'
Georgiana's Thoughts'
'If I had to write down my happiness four sides of paper would not be enough!'
The Colonel's Exclamation
"It is about time! That is all I can say!"
Mr. Collins Worries
'What will Lady Catherine say?'
Charlotte's Congratulation
'Very well, done, Lizzy!'
Sir William's Support
"Good! Good! Capital! Capital!"
Lady Lucas's & Mrs. Long's Shared Thought
'Harumph!'
The Bingley's & Darcy's Reunion
Mr. Bennet had forbidden Jane to go to London for her wedding clothes and the Gardiners had not been invited to the wedding when they admitted to knowing that the couple had been married, they did not admit that there was a child. As William and Elizabeth were a touchy subject, Elise was out of the question.
A day after the wedding Jane and Charles made their way to London. They had already decided to start looking for another place to live, Longbourn, its master (who remained in a foul mood) and its mistress, were a tad too close to Netherfield.
The carriage drew up at the Darcy Townhouse and the couple got out. As they stood in the front hall, Georgiana came from the music room and exclaimed excitedly,
"Charles! How are you?" Georgiana then saw Jane and found herself a little shy.
"I'm very well, Georgiana. This is my wife, Jane. I am sure you know I married Elizabeth's sister."
"Of course. Lizzy and William will be delighted to see you... and you just have to see Elise!"
"Elise?" Jane and Charles asked in confusion.
"Why yes... Oh! You did not know, well you must come to the sitting room. Barns, that will be all," she told the servant and led the newlyweds to the room.
"Lizzy! William! Look at who has come so shortly after their wedding to see us!"
The reunion took place with much happiness on all sides.
"Lizzy... Who is 'Elise'? Your sister-in-law said we must she her."
"Jane... Elise is William's and mine daughter."
As if on cue, Elise started gurgling from the bassinet that was placed, not too close and not too far, from the fireplace. Once Jane and Charles had met the Darcy's bundle of joy, they immediately fell in love with their charming niece. The Darcy's were asked and the Bingley's were told how they met and how they had kept Elise a secret.
Elizabeth soon asked after all the family, her father included. Though, her husband was far from forgiving her father for his harsh words to herself, she still loved her father and wanted to know how he was.
"Mama, Mary, and Kitty, are not changed... Papa... Papa, is still not ready to forgive you I'm afraid."
"I had not expected him too," replied Elizabeth sadly.
"Lizzy, I do believe that none of them know of Elise!" exclaimed Jane.
"That would not come as a surprise," stated William, seeing Elizabeth was no longer in a talkative mood, "We never mentioned her to your father and the Gardiners informed us that they concealed the fact she existed."
On A Serious Note - 6 Months Later
Mr. Bennet had started to regret his harsh words to Elizabeth and her husband. He knew that Jane and Charles had gone to see them very shortly after their wedding. One day when his wife had convinced him to come along on a visit to Netherfield, he discreetly asked Jane and Charles for their forgiveness in telling them not to have any contact with the Darcys. He also asked to be informed when the Darcys might come to Netherfield. Jane and Charles still neglected to inform him of Elise, they believed it would be best coming from the Darcys, themselves.
Two months later, Mr. Bennet received a letter from Jane:
"Papa,
Fitzwilliam and Lizzy arrive tomorrow. Come the following day at breakfast. Charles and I will leave you alone with them, to make amends.
Love,
Jane"
The following morning, Mr. Bennet arrived. He was announced and an uneasy silence descended on the room. Jane and Charles quietly left, but not before William sent his friend a look that showed he did not like being set up.
Elizabeth struggled to stand up and when she succeeded, Mr. Bennet saw that his daughter was with child. It was at that moment that the nursemaid entered the room with Elise. William quickly took his daughter and dismissed the servant.
The silence continued, only to be interrupted by Elise's noise that proved she was very unaware of the result she was having on her grandfather.
"Father?" asked Elizabeth quietly, wondering why, her father of all people, should be there.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I know that such a small word cannot take away the hurt I gave you, but I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me. You and your husband, my reaction was very wrong, I should have been glad that you were telling me the truth, though I wish you could have trusted me with it from the start."
Elizabeth, left her husband's side to approach her father. She took his hand and said quietly, "Papa. I forgive you... You do not know how many times I wished I could have told you."
Mr. Bennet sighed as he embraced his daughter.
"William," said Elizabeth as she stepped back from her father and turned to look at her husband, "Please?"
William could never refuse his wife anything, and the small word, 'please', carried a lot of meaning. Elizabeth was asking him to forgive her father as she had done. His face softened as he walked to his father-in-law.
"Sir, I forgive you. Had I been in your shoes I am certain I would not have acted any differently."
With a small smile, Mr. Bennet extended his hand and William took it as an offering of piece.
"Who is this young lady?" he asked indicating Elise.
"She is your granddaughter, Papa. Her name is, Elise."
"She looks like you, Lizzy. May I hold her?" he asked of William.
"By all means."
Mr. Bennet, having had five daughters of his own realized that Elise was likely a year old. He was not going to ask for that explanation, but the thought that had occurred to him over a year ago, when he had wondered at a difference in Elizabeth, now made sense... His daughter had been expecting.
"Well, lets see how your mother will take the news that she is a grandmother," said Mr. Bennet, his old sense of humor returning.
An hour later Mrs. Bennet and her other two daughters arrived at Netherfield, quite unaware of the surprise awaiting them. They immediately fell in love with Elise, exclaimed at the coming arrival of the Darcy's second baby, and congratulated Jane and Charles on the upcoming birth of their first child. During the short day the families spent together at Netherfield, William had discovered many a shared interest with Mr. Bennet, they would have been great friends, but Fate had other plans.
Later that night, the night that all fences had been mended between Mr. Bennet and his family, he quietly passed away in his sleep. He would never meet the four grandchildren Jane and Charles gave him, the other five grandchildren the Darcy's produced, or the six children of the Wickham's. In spite of all this he died a happy man, knowing that all was well between him and the family members that mattered most. He was greatly missed by all who knew him, even by his son-in-law, William, who had despised the words that had been thrown at his beloved wife.
FINIS
Well, this is finally finished! Thanks to all of you who have responded to Secret Marriage, since I started it (Yikes that is starting to sound like an acceptance speech at the Oscars... I'd like to thank the excellent cast and crew... My loving parents... blah -blah-blah)! Now that I F-I-N-A-L-L-Y, get a dot, I wonder how long before I will be torturing myself and others by posting a new story! I hope that you guys don't hate me for killing off Mr. Bennet or for making the beginning of the Epilogue so silly!Thanks again!!!!