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Elizabeth expected a strong response from her mother at their appearance in Mr Bingley’s carriage, and she was right. After the first moments of utter stupefaction, Mrs Bennet shouted her joy so loudly that Hill immediately arrived with the smelling salts.

In Meryton, things were very much the same, except for the reports — shared by Lydia and Kitty — that Mary King had moved from Meryton to Bath and Mr Wickham was free again.

Elizabeth chose not to debate the subject, hoping that soon enough Mr Wickham would disappear from their lives just as suddenly as he had arrived.

Elizabeth wondered whether she would ever see that man again and whether he knew she was responsible for discovering the watch.

Nevertheless, she was ready to confront him and release herself from all the anger and resentment — towards him, as well as towards herself.

Her father was the only person she trusted enough to disclose the story to — excluding the details that required complete secrecy.

“This is quite a tale, Lizzy. Is it not ironic that Mr Darcy refused to dance with you and still you rescued such a precious possession for him?” Mr Bennet jested.

“Very ironic, Papa. I suggest we stop torturing Mr Darcy with memories of the assembly. I have held a grudge against him long enough. It was probably the main reason I trusted Mr Wickham’s lies about him.”

“My brother Gardiner speaks highly of Mr Darcy.”

“I am glad to hear that, Papa. He has sound reasons to do so.”

“Mr Bingley mentioned that Mr Darcy encouraged him to return to Netherfield. That might induce even your mother to forgive Mr Darcy’s pride and arrogance. Not that Mr Darcy would care.”

“Mr Darcy’s manners have significantly improved, Papa. I dare say most of his improper pride has disappeared. Even my uncle noticed it.”

“If that is the case, I wonder what caused such a change.”

“We all wonder that, Papa,” she replied, hoping her father would not guess the truth.

Shortly after his return, Mr Bingley became a regular guest at Longbourn and dined there three times in a fortnight.

The whole neighbourhood speculated over the gentleman’s intentions, and less than three weeks after his return, he finally took the plunge and ended the rumours with a long-awaited marriage proposal to Jane.

Her sister’s happiness was sweet compensation for Elizabeth’s distress and longing.

She had repeated recollections of the day at the parsonage when Mr Darcy had proposed and she had refused him.

Her rejection had been true to her opinions and feelings at that moment, and she did not regret it.

What she regretted was the manner of her response; not that his manner of proposing had been any better.

All in all, it could probably be called one of the worst proposals in history, and it was likely no man would repeat it.

Mr Darcy’s plans were uncertain, though his name was mentioned often at Longbourn.

Mr Bingley kept up a regular correspondence with him, and much to Elizabeth’s surprise, Mrs Gardiner wrote that the gentleman and his sister had called on them on two separate occasions.

Mr and Mrs Gardiner’s already good opinion of Mr Darcy seemed to further improve every time they met, which pleased Elizabeth exceedingly.

Elizabeth had no opportunity to speak to Mr Wickham.

She saw him a few times from afar, but he avoided any encounter.

One month after her return home, Elizabeth, her family, as well as the whole of Meryton, received news that Mr Wickham and Mr Denny had left the regiment and were expected to travel to India, where they would be involved in some sort of business.

Lydia, Kitty, and some of the other local girls were saddened by the loss, and even Mrs Bennet, Mrs Phillips, and Mrs Long complained about it.

Elizabeth was relieved that the unpleasant story had come to a reasonably happy ending, without much drama to hurt Miss Darcy but probably with lots of money wasted by Mr Darcy.

And, a couple of days later, Mr Bingley informed them that Mr and Miss Darcy were expected to arrive at Netherfield soon.

***

“I look forward to finally seeing Netherfield and Longbourn,” Georgiana said. “And Mrs Annesley was grateful for the opportunity to spend a few weeks with her sister.”

“To tell you the truth, I look forward to returning to Hertfordshire too,” Darcy admitted.

He felt as eager as a schoolboy to see Elizabeth again.

For a while, he had been doubtful about her feelings, but Bingley, as well as Mr Gardiner, had hinted that Elizabeth had been asking about him and would welcome his presence.

He knew that if she did not want to see him again, she would not hesitate to let him know.

Even during their brief conversations in London there had been enough proof to keep his hopes high.

Despite his dreadful marriage proposal — who would propose to a woman by offending her family as he had?

— and her harsh refusal, despite his sense of disappointment and sorrow afterwards, there was still hope and still time for him to make amends.

“I imagine Mr Bingley and Miss Bennet must be eagerly anticipating their wedding. They are such kind people and so well suited to each other.”

“Indeed, they are.”

“Brother, I want to thank you again for helping George one more time. I know you could have punished him if you wanted to. I know our cousin helped you, and I imagine you spent a large sum of money to arrange George’s departure. I realise you did it to avoid a scandal, and I know it was my fault.”

“Dearest, I did what I believed to be best for everyone. It was certainly not your fault — my dealings with Wickham began many years ago, and his deception began when he betrayed our father’s affection.

This was the last chance I shall offer him, and I hope he will change his life for the better, though I doubt it.

From this moment on, George Wickham will be out of our lives.

How he will live is not our concern any longer. ”

There was silence for a while, then Georgiana continued, “I must apologise to Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet. I was in quite a poor disposition when we met, and my manners were not their best.”

“I am sure they will be happy to see you and expect no apologies. My manners when I first met them were definitely worse.”

“And yet, I am sure they will be happy to see you too, Brother.”

“I hope so,” he said thoughtfully.

They arrived at Netherfield in the early afternoon and were welcomed by a joyous Bingley.

As soon as they had changed after their journey, they called at Longbourn.

Their visit was a surprise for the family, but their reception was warm and friendly — quite the opposite to Darcy’s previous dealings with the Bennets.

Elizabeth offered him a few words of welcome and a little smile.

Her countenance revealed some nervousness, but the joy was obvious in her sparkling eyes.

It was the proof he needed to put aside his last remaining doubts.

For a few days, Darcy and Georgiana spent time with Elizabeth and Miss Bennet and became better acquainted with the rest of the family. Darcy also spent a lot of time with Mr Bennet, while Georgiana became surprisingly comfortable with Mrs Bennet and the three younger sisters.

Quite often, Darcy observed Elizabeth and Georgiana together, enjoying little conversations, reading together, or even playing a duet at the pianoforte — something that Georgiana rarely did in company.

A week after they met, Georgiana was comfortable enough with the Bennets to paint them all together, on the small lane in front of their house.

As Mr Bennet said, it was their last portrait as a family with five daughters, before one of them married.

With the weather so warm and inviting, strolls in the garden were among their preferred activities.

On the first occasion, they all walked together — six ladies and two gentlemen, in a large, chatty group.

The second time, Bingley and his betrothed walked ahead of the others.

Elizabeth and Darcy walked a little behind them, while the four girls brought up the rear, talking animatedly.

The third stroll took place only two days before the wedding, and this time Bingley expressed a desire to walk towards Oakham Mount.

Elizabeth and Darcy followed them, as chaperons, but the younger sisters — all four of them — preferred to remain close to the house.

Bingley and Miss Bennet were already ahead of them when Elizabeth began a conversation about the lovely weather and the beauty of nature in the spring.

“Miss Bennet, I have to confess I deliberately arranged this walk,” Darcy said, nervous about her response. She stopped and looked at him, puzzled. “I asked Bingley to suggest a longer walk and Georgiana to hold your sisters back.”

“So, it was a plot?” Elizabeth asked, blushing and smiling.

“Yes. I needed a few moments of privacy with you, and it was impossible to find it in the house.”

“Oh.”

“I hope it was not presumptuous on my part and you do not mind.”

“Not at all. In fact, I confess I hoped it was a plot, but I feared to assume too much.”

Her smile was sweet and warm, and her eyes seemed bright with delight.

“Miss Bennet, whatever you assumed, it was certainly not too much. You certainly know my feelings and desires, though I might have expressed them most inarticulately last time. You are too generous to trifle with me, so I beg you to tell me whether your feelings have changed since we last spoke in Kent. One word from you will silence me forever on this subject if that is what you wish.”

Her face coloured, her eyes widened, and her lips parted slightly.

“I do not wish you to be silent, Mr Darcy. My feelings and desires have changed so much that I would like nothing more than to hear you speak about yours. I hoped you would do so, but I feared it was all too late.”

Still incredulous, he held her hands and brought them to his heart.

“I would dearly love to tell you again how ardently I admire and love you, Miss Bennet. But, if I could be so bold, I would rather ask than just speak. Ask a question that was once improperly addressed and needs to be reworded.”

“I expect you to be bold, Mr Darcy, and I shall be the same by saying that your question will certainly receive a different answer. Furthermore, I must tell you that you are the only man in the world from whom I wish to hear that question.”

“Your wish is my command, Miss Bennet,” he said, moving even closer. “Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife and sharing love and happiness with me?”

“I certainly would, Mr Darcy,” she answered, releasing her right hand and caressing his face until he captured it again and placed a tender kiss in her palm, then moved closer, his lips claiming hers to seal their commitment to each other.