Page 59 of A Rational Man (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

E lizabeth became Mrs. Darcy a scant month later, as it was not rational to delay a much-desired event.

Georgiana was present at the wedding, and she pronounced herself completely delighted with her new sister.

Elizabeth’s first child was a son, much to everyone’s delight; the second and third were daughters, and the fourth was another boy.

The Colonel had become fond of his cousin Anne during his time at Rosings with Darcy, and soon decided that marrying his cousin would be no hardship.

He made Lady Catherine’s removal to the dower house a condition of the marriage; he had no need to kill the enemy as long as said enemy was housed elsewhere.

Elizabeth approved of the match, of course, but was rather disappointed not to be allowed to give Anne a Season.

Instead, she spent her first Season in Town with Charlotte, who wanted only a better wardrobe, a fashionable hairstyle, and an opportunity to be seen.

She could not marry into the first circles with no dowry, but she quickly attracted the attention of a middle-aged attorney.

Mr. Bancroft was wealthy enough to support a family, but not at all interested in what he termed “society ways.” Charlotte’s down-to-earth manner and practical speech suited him very well.

Elizabeth’s second Season was busy with both Georgiana and Kitty.

Georgiana’s dowry and connections garnered her a good deal of interest, and Mr. Darcy was much occupied with making certain that she did not develop an attachment to anyone unsuitable.

As it turned out, Georgiana had no interest in marrying in her first Season; she said, quite adamantly, that she was too young to make such an important decision.

To everyone’s surprise, Kitty – who had been gifted a dowry of five thousand pounds by Mr. Darcy – married the second son of a baron.

His parents had promised that if he married wisely, they would give him a competency that would allow him to support a wife and children.

Kitty, who had been well-trained by Lydia to get along by going along, impressed her suitor’s parents with her amiability, and the competency was granted.

Needless to say, Lydia was furious that she had not been invited to London along with Kitty.

She was promised that she would be invited in two years’ time if her behaviour improved, but this did not satisfy her.

She wrote long, complaining letters to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, thinking it would be easier to control Lydia in the country than in Town – heaven only knew what sort of mischief Lydia would get into in London – invited her youngest sister to Pemberley.

Much to everyone’s surprise, Lydia loved Derbyshire.

She said she felt that she had come home; perhaps there was something in the wild country of northern England that spoke to the wildness within her.

She begged to be allowed to learn to ride, and then spent hours touring the vast estate on horseback, a groom riding silently behind her.

During one such journey, she all but ran over the son and heir of the neighbouring estate, one Matthew Hampton.

One thing led to another, as things tend to do, and she eventually became Mrs. Matthew Hampton.

Her children were close friends with the Darcys’ children.

Georgiana did eventually marry, of course, and to no one’s surprise, she married quite well.

In her third Season, she accepted the attentions of Lord Davies, who had already inherited his estate after the untimely death of his father.

The two of them spent most of their time at his country estate, coming into Town only briefly during the Season.

The Bingleys purchased Netherfield, though they were frequently enticed north to visit the Darcys. They had three sons and two daughters, and while Jane and Elizabeth spoke of the possibility of their children marrying, there was no cradle betrothal.

When, in the fullness of time, Mr. Bennet passed away, Mr. and Mrs. Collins left Hunsford and moved into Longbourn.

Mary had named her first son Bennet, as she had promised her father.

A parent now herself, she understood that parents do the best that they can.

With that understanding, she learned to forgive both parents their faults, and she allowed her mother to remain in the mistress’ bedroom for the remainder of her life.

Miss Bingley lived with her aunt for two years; she finally accepted a man who owned a small estate in the north of England. His estate was in great need of repairs, and her twenty thousand pound dowry was most welcome. She, on the other hand, was in great need of living apart from her aunt.

Mr. Darcy visited Mr. Wickham and reached an agreement; Mr. Darcy would forgive the debts if Mr. Wickham would relocate to Canada. Mr. Wickham agreed most fervently and Mr. Darcy waved his old friend and enemy off at Southampton.

And what of Viscount Middleton? His unfortunate union produced no children in the five years they were wed; in the fifth year, the Viscount was killed in a racing accident. As a result, Richard Fitzwilliam became the Viscount Middleton, and Anne became Lady Anne.

Daniel was mourned, of course, but no one was sorry that the earldom would be in Richard’s hands, rather than Daniel’s, particularly as Anne, whose health was much improved as a result of her happiness in her marriage – and her husband’s insistence on exercise – had produced three healthy children, two boys and one girl, thereby securing the succession.

The End