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Longbourn - Elizabeth

F ive years after Elizabeth Bennet had become Mrs Elizabeth Darcy, Longbourn once again bustled with the excitement of an impending wedding.

This time, it was Kitty who stood before the mirror in what had once been Jane and Elizabeth’s shared bedroom, admiring her wedding gown with a mixture of nervousness and joy.

Elizabeth watched her younger sister with a fond smile, remembering her own tumultuous path to marriage. How different things were now, with Kitty preparing to marry Mr James Collins, the younger brother of the late Mr William Collins who had briefly been Elizabeth’s fiancé.

Their courtship had developed naturally over the years, as James proved himself a very different man from his brother.

His quiet intelligence and genuine interest in improving Longbourn had first caught Kitty’s attention, while her artistic sensibilities and growing maturity had drawn him to her.

Together, they had worked to beautify Longbourn’s gardens, with Kitty’s sketches guiding the new layouts and James ensuring their practical implementation.

Mrs Bennet had been delighted to see her prediction of a match between them come true, though not quite in the way she had originally schemed.

“Oh Lizzy,” Kitty breathed, turning to face her sister, “I can scarcely believe it’s happening. Who would have thought I’d be the one to marry a Collins and keep Longbourn in the family after all?”

Elizabeth laughed softly, moving to adjust Kitty’s veil. “Indeed, who would have thought? But I daresay you and James are far better suited than William and I ever were.”

As she smoothed Kitty’s gown, Elizabeth’s eyes were drawn to their father’s favourite book, resting on the bedside table where James had placed it.

“Papa would have been so pleased,” she said softly, a hint of sadness in her voice.

“He always did like to be surprised, and I think this match would have delighted him.”

The door opened, and Lydia entered, carrying a bouquet of freshly cut flowers.

At twenty, Lydia had blossomed into a poised young woman, far removed from the impetuous girl she had once been.

“These are for you, Kitty,” she said, her voice warm with affection.

“I thought they might add a nice touch to your bouquet.”

Elizabeth marvelled at the change in her youngest sister. Mr Darcy’s timely intervention and Mrs Bennet’s subsequent firmness had set Lydia on a different path, one that had led to a more serious and thoughtful young lady.

“They’re beautiful, Lydia,” Kitty exclaimed, embracing her sister. “Thank you. And how exciting that you’ll be spending the season in London with Lizzy and Mr Darcy!”

Lydia’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Yes, I can hardly wait. Georgiana has been so kind in her letters, offering advice on what to expect. I do hope I can make you all proud.”

Elizabeth smiled warmly at her youngest sister. “I am sure you will, Lydia. You’ve come so far, and this season will be a wonderful opportunity for you.”

The sound of children’s laughter drifted up from the garden below.

Elizabeth glanced out the window to see a lively scene unfolding.

Her son, Thomas, named after her father, was engaged in a game of tag with Jane’s daughter and Charlotte’s two sons.

The Gardiner children, now in their early teens, were attempting to maintain some semblance of order among the younger ones, though their barely concealed grins suggested they were enjoying the chaos.

Charlotte herself sat on a blanket spread beneath the old oak tree, her third child, an infant daughter, cradled in her arms. Her husband, Captain Northam, stood nearby, deep in conversation with Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy, who had just arrived.

“Girls!” Mrs Bennet’s voice carried up the stairs, still as shrill as ever despite the years. “Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley have just arrived! Do come down!”

As they made their way downstairs, Elizabeth marvelled at how much had changed, and yet how familiar it all felt. Longbourn, now under James Collins’ care, was once again the centre of the Bennet family’s world, filled with the warmth of old connections and the joy of new beginnings.

The early days after Lydia’s departure for London had been a period of adjustment at Longbourn.

Mrs Bennet, deprived of both her eldest daughters and her youngest, had initially turned her nervous energy toward trying to manage James Collins’ bachelor household.

But the young master of Longbourn had proved surprisingly adept at handling her moods, his quiet patience and genuine concern for her comfort gradually winning her over .

Elizabeth smiled, remembering how Lydia’s near-disaster with Wickham had ultimately led to positive changes.

After spending two years under the strict but loving guidance of the Gardiners, Lydia had emerged a more thoughtful young woman.

Mr Wickham, she had heard, had eventually married a wealthy widow in Bath - though the marriage had ended badly when his gambling debts forced him to flee to the continent, leaving his wife to face his creditors alone.

The experience had proved a final vindication of Lydia’s narrow escape, though she felt some pity for Wickham’s wife, who had since recovered her fortune through legal proceedings and now lived quite contentedly in Bath, wiser for her experience.

Mary had unexpectedly flourished during this time, stepping into the role of household manager with characteristic efficiency.

Her organised nature complemented James’ scholarly habits, and together they established a peaceful routine at Longbourn.

Kitty, freed from Lydia’s influence, had begun spending more time with her sketchbook in the gardens, where James would often find excuses to join her, offering suggestions about which views might be worth capturing.

The transformation of Longbourn under James Collins’ care had been gradual but significant.

Unlike his brother, who had spoken endlessly of improvements without that were both impractical and would not have actually been improvements, James worked quietly and steadily to enhance the estate after getting to know it first. He consulted Mary about practical matters, encouraged Kitty’s artistic contributions to the gardens’ redesign, and even managed to channel Mrs Bennet’s nervous energy into productive directions by seeking her advice on household traditions and local connections.

By the time Lydia returned from London two years later, a more harmonious household had emerged - one that would eventually lead to an outcome Mrs Bennet had hoped for, though not quite in the way she had originally planned.

Mary had blossomed in her own quiet way, particularly after her marriage to Doctor Russell two years ago.

Their courtship had begun gradually during his frequent visits to Longbourn to check on Mrs Bennet’s nerves, with Mary assisting him in organising his medical texts and discussing the latest medical journals.

Her practical nature and serious mind perfectly complemented his scientific interests, while his gentle humour had helped draw out her hidden warmth.

They had settled in Meryton, where Mary divided her time between teaching music to local children and helping her husband maintain his medical records - a task she approached with her characteristic thoroughness.

The couple was expecting their first child in the spring, much to Mrs Bennet’s delight, since all of her other grandchildren were so far away in the north.

The past five years had brought many changes to the extended family.

Jane and Bingley had settled at an estate just ten miles from Pemberley, making it easy for the sisters to maintain their close relationship.

They now had two children - their daughter Elizabeth, and a son Charles, with another child expected in the spring.

Their children were growing up as close as cousins could be, with little Elizabeth showing the same sweet disposition as her mother, while Charles already displayed his father’s cheerful energy.

The sisters had managed to maintain their close bond despite the distance between their homes. Regular visits, frequent letters, and their husbands’ willingness to travel between estates meant they rarely went more than a few weeks without seeing each other.

Elizabeth and Darcy’s children had brought new life to Pemberley’s halls.

Young Thomas, now four, had inherited his mother’s quick wit and his father’s commanding presence, while three-year-old Jane combined her father’s reserve with her mother’s love of nature.

Their newest addition, little George, named for his grandfather Darcy, was just beginning to toddle about, much to his siblings’ delight and his nurses’ consternation.

The Gardiners had expanded their business ventures with Mr Darcy’s support and connections, allowing them to purchase a modest estate near London. Their children were growing up accomplished and well-mannered, a testament to their parents’ careful guidance.

Lady Catherine, after initially refusing all contact with the Darcys, had gradually softened her stance following Anne’s marriage to a suitable viscount - a match that had actually been facilitated by Elizabeth’s friendship to Lady Rowena Fitzwilliam.

The old lady now visited Pemberley occasionally, though she still couldn’t quite bring herself to admit that Elizabeth made an excellent mistress of the estate.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, now General Fitzwilliam, remained a favourite visitor at Pemberley, delighting Thomas with tales of his military adventures and spoiling Elizabeth’s young daughter, Jane, shamelessly. His own marriage to a wealthy widow had surprised society, but proved a happy match.

Caroline Bingley had eventually married a wealthy merchant from Liverpool, finding contentment in being the premier hostess of that city’s society.

The Hursts continued their comfortable London life, though they now made regular visits to both Pemberley and the Bingleys’ estate, having finally learned to appreciate the charms of country living.

Elizabeth paused at the foot of the stairs, taking in the scene before her.

Mary was at the pianoforte, playing a gentle melody that floated through the house.

Mrs Bennet fluttered about, directing servants and fussing over every detail, while Mr Gardiner attempted to calm her nerves with his usual good humour.

Lydia, to Elizabeth’s pleasant surprise, was calmly assisting her mother, her mature demeanour a stark contrast to her former flightiness.

And there, just stepping through the door, was her Fitzwilliam, his eyes immediately seeking her out.

As their gazes met, Elizabeth felt the same rush of love and contentment that had been her constant companion these past five years.

Their marriage had exceeded even her highest hopes, with Mr Darcy proving himself not only a devoted husband but an attentive father who delighted in their children’s antics.

Together, they had made Pemberley not just a great estate, but a true home filled with laughter and love.

Today, surrounded by family and friends, with her father’s memory close to her heart, she knew that all the trials and tribulations had led to this moment of perfect happiness .