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Darcy’s fingers tightened around hers. “The estate came on the market rather suddenly. The owner, finding himself in financial difficulties, was eager to sell to the first buyer who could meet his price. I thought it providential, given Richard’s recent change in circumstances.”

“Providential indeed,” Elizabeth agreed, watching as Jane and Richard received congratulations from the assembled guests. “Though I suspect providence had considerable assistance from my clever husband.”

A smile touched Darcy’s lips. “Perhaps a small amount,” he conceded. “But the true achievement will be theirs, in making Netherfield the home it should always have been.”

As the celebration continued around them, Elizabeth found herself reflecting on how completely her life had transformed in the span of a year.

From the darkest moments of despair to this scene of pure joy, the journey had been one of unexpected turns and revelations.

Yet through it all, Darcy had remained her steadfast companion, surprising her continually with the depth of his understanding and the generosity of his heart.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, noting her contemplative expression.

“That I am exceedingly fortunate,” Elizabeth replied simply, “to have found a man whose goodness exceeds even my highest expectations.”

Darcy’s eyes softened at her words. “The good fortune, my love, is entirely mine,” he assured her, and in the warmth of his gaze, Elizabeth found the perfect conclusion to a day already filled with blessings.

“Oh, my dearest Jane!” Mrs Bennet exclaimed for perhaps the fifth time in as many minutes, clutching her eldest daughter’s hands with tearful exuberance.

“ Lady Richard Fitzwilliam! To think you shall be mistress of Netherfield after all! And so near to us, just three miles! I shall be able to visit every day, or nearly every day, weather permitting of course, and when your children come, I shall be right at hand to advise you on their upbringing.“ Jane received this effusion with her customary patience, her eyes meeting Elizabeth’s across the room in a look of amused understanding that spoke volumes about their shared experience of their mother’s enthusiasms.

“It is indeed a most fortunate arrangement, Mama,” Jane replied gently. “Though we shall not take up residence until after our wedding journey.”

“A month is nothing, nothing at all when I consider the joy of having you so near permanently,” Mrs Bennet declared, dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief.

“When I think how I feared you would be carried off to Oxfordshire, never to be seen above twice a year... my nerves could scarcely bear the thought! Mr Darcy is an excellent man, a most excellent man.”

Elizabeth, overhearing this encomium, felt a warm glow of satisfaction.

Her mother’s opinion of Darcy had undergone a remarkable transformation since their marriage.

Where once she had declared him the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, she now regularly proclaimed him amongst the finest gentlemen of her acquaintance, second only perhaps to her new son-in-law, Lord Fitzwilliam.

“I am glad your mother approves of your husband,” Darcy murmured, appearing at Elizabeth’s side with two fresh glasses of wine. “It makes a pleasant change from our earliest acquaintance.”

Elizabeth accepted the wine with a grateful smile. “She would approve of Lucifer himself if he provided her with advantageous matches for her daughters and kept them within visiting distance,” she replied, though her tone held more affection than criticism.

“Then I have finally discovered the path to Mrs Bennet’s good graces,” Darcy observed with the dry humour that never failed to delight Elizabeth. “I need only arrange marriages and purchase estates.”

“A simple enough task for a man of your considerable resources,” Elizabeth teased back. Then, more seriously, she added, “It was a wonderful thing you did for Jane and Richard. I cannot express how much it means to them. To all of us.”

“The arrangement makes good sense,” Darcy replied with characteristic practicality, though the warmth in his eyes betrayed deeper motivations than mere business.

“Richard will benefit from managing Netherfield before taking on full responsibility for his Oxfordshire property, and I acquire a reliable steward for an estate that might otherwise have languished under absentee ownership.”

Elizabeth studied her husband’s face, recognising in his modest explanation the thoughtfulness that had characterised so many of his actions since their marriage.

“You considered every aspect, didn’t you?

Not merely Jane’s happiness in remaining near her family, but Richard’s need to learn estate management, the practical benefits to yourself, even the restoration of Netherfield’s reputation in the neighbourhood. ”

“I try to consider all implications of my decisions,” Darcy acknowledged. “Though in this case, I confess your sister’s happiness was a primary consideration. She has earned it, after... everything.”

He did not elaborate further, but Elizabeth understood the reference to all Jane had endured the previous year. That Jane had emerged from these trials with her gentle spirit intact was testament to her strength of character, a quality often overlooked beneath her serene exterior.

“Look how well Kitty and Georgiana get on,” Elizabeth said, deliberately turning the conversation toward happier subjects as she nodded toward the far corner of the room. “I would never have predicted such a friendship, yet they seem perfectly matched.”

Indeed, the two young women presented a charming picture as they sat with their heads close together, examining what appeared to be a small sketchbook.

Georgiana, slightly taller and more reserved in her elegant blue dress, pointed something out on the page, while Kitty nodded enthusiastically, her own simpler gown of pale yellow providing a complementary contrast to her companion’s more sophisticated attire.

“They balance each other admirably,” Darcy agreed, his expression softening as he observed his sister.

“Georgiana brings a certain refinement to their friendship, while Kitty provides the animation and spontaneity my sister sometimes lacks. Which brings me to another matter I wished to discuss with you.”

Elizabeth looked up at him curiously. “Another surprise, Mr Darcy? You are becoming quite the purveyor of unexpected announcements today.”

“Not precisely a surprise, as I wished to consult you before speaking to anyone else,” Darcy clarified. “It concerns Georgiana’s upcoming Season in London. As you know, she has expressed some anxiety about her debut.”

“A natural apprehension for a girl of her reserved nature,” Elizabeth observed. “Though I believe she will acquit herself admirably, especially with your support and mine.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Darcy agreed. “However, I have been considering ways to make the experience less daunting for her. We did suggest originally that Jane might accompany us, and Georgiana was amenable to the idea if you recall, though obviously now that will not come to pass. Instead, it occurred to me that having a friend of similar age might provide considerable comfort during what can be a rather overwhelming social gauntlet.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she grasped his meaning. “You are suggesting that Kitty might accompany us to London? That she might share Georgiana’s Season?”

“Precisely,” Darcy confirmed. “With your approval, of course. Your sister has shown remarkable improvement in deportment and accomplishments this past year. I believe she would not disgrace us in London society, and her natural vivacity might help Georgiana navigate social situations that might otherwise cause her distress.”

The thoughtfulness of the suggestion touched Elizabeth deeply.

That Darcy, once so fastidious about connections and social standing, would propose bringing her sometimes silly, often impulsive sister into the highest circles of London society for Georgiana’s sake, demonstrated how thoroughly his pride had been tempered by love and understanding.

“Fitzwilliam,” she said softly, using his Christian name as she did only in moments of particular emotion, “I believe that is a wonderful idea. Kitty would be overjoyed at such an opportunity, and you are right that her presence would be a comfort to Georgiana. But are you certain? London society can be unforgiving.”

“I am confident that between your guidance and my aunt, Lady Matlock’s influence, Kitty will manage very well,” Darcy replied. “Besides, I have observed that her more excessive tendencies have moderated considerably since... since last spring.”

Elizabeth nodded, understanding his delicate reference to Lydia’s situation. The family tragedy had affected all the Bennet sisters, but perhaps Kitty most profoundly. Without the pernicious influence of her favourite sister, Kitty had grown noticeably more thoughtful and measured in recent months.

“Shall we speak with her now?” Elizabeth suggested, feeling a rising excitement at the prospect of giving her sister such a wonderful opportunity. “I believe she will be overcome.”

Together they approached the corner where Kitty and Georgiana sat, their conversation pausing as they noted the Darcys’ approach.

Georgiana looked up with her customary shy smile, while Kitty straightened, her naturally high spirits somewhat tempered by the increased decorum she had been cultivating.

“Georgiana, Kitty,” Elizabeth greeted them warmly. “What masterpiece are you examining with such concentration?”

“Georgiana has been showing me her sketches from Pemberley,” Kitty explained, her voice pitched at a modulation that would have been unimaginable a year ago. “They are quite wonderful. I particularly admire this one of a heron by the lake.”