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As their third anniversary approached, they were expecting their first child. Elizabeth slowly rubbed her hand over her swelling belly as she read. Darcy was trying to read but could not concentrate as he was too enraptured by the sight of his wife. Feeling his gaze, she looked up and smiled. He smiled back with an ever-increasing grin.

“What are you up to?” she asked.

“Me. Nothing,” he replied, still grinning.

“William. You have been fidgeting in that chair all morning, and now you are grinning like a boy with a secret.”

The clock on the mantle began to chime at the top of the hour. He looked towards the door, anticipating a knock, which did not come. He pulled out his watch to double-check the time. Elizabeth put her book down.

“What are you up to?”

“I am expecting a delivery which is now late.”

No sooner had he uttered the words than a knock on the door sounded. The door opened to reveal the butler, whom Darcy waved in. Elizabeth watched as, for some reason, he opened both doors. She looked at her husband. From the way he looked, she knew he was up to something. Once the doors were locked in place, the butler motioned for someone to enter. He moved out of the way as four footmen carrying a large crate entered.

“What have you done?” Elizabeth asked.

“A simple gift, my love. Where shall we put it?”

“We are not putting it anywhere until I know what it is.”

“A painting, I’m sure you will like it,” he replied, moving about pretending to examine the walls for which had the best light. “Perhaps the morning parlour would suit better?”

“I like the room the way it is, and it will not hang anywhere in this house until I have seen it.”

“They are perfectly tasteful, so you need not worry.”

“They?”

“I shall go look at the wall in the morning room.” Moving around the large crate, he headed for the door.

“Tell me what they are of my Lord?”

Darcy stopped in his tracks and went back to her. “You are upset with me,” he said, taking her hands.

“I am not.”

“You are. You only say that when you are upset with me or when…”

“Do not dare,” she narrowed her eyes at him after glancing at the four footmen who had carried in the large crate and stood waiting to unpack it.

“Here is what we shall do. They will unpack them in the ballroom while we wait here. When they are done, you can examine them and pick the one you like. I do, however, recommend hanging it in the morning room.

“I like the room the way it is.

“So you have said, but keep an open mind. My only stipulation is that one is on the wall before dinner.”

“What if I do not like any of them?”

“The odds are you are bound to like at least one of the four.”

“Four! Why would you buy four?

“I purchased four because I commissioned four.”

“William Darcy, what were you thinking?”

“You, of course. I know you are upset at the moment, so all I will say right now is take a look at them. If, on the off chance, you are still unhappy, you may scold me then.”

After receiving word from the butler, Darcy led Elizabeth into the ballroom with her eyes closed. He guided her to the one he thought would be her favorite.

“Open your eyes now, my love,” he said, standing so he could see her reaction. They not only opened but widened in joyous surprise. Her mouth dropped open in amazement at the picture in front of her.

“William,” she said breathlessly. “It.” She looked at the other paintings. “They are…”

“You like them.”

“Like them,” she said, a tear running down her cheek. “They are marvelous. I don’t know what to say.” She continued to stare at the painting. It was as she remembered. The view from Oakham Mount with the color of the changing fall leaves.

“Say we can hang it in the morning room.”

She rushed to him, embracing him, kissing him repeatedly across his lips and cheeks.

“What did I do to deserve you?” she whispered in his ear.

“You almost fell off a balcony.” They both laughed.

The Seasons from Oakham Mount have hung in Pemberley for generations, each taking its turn as the seasons came and went on the wall in the morning room. Although it was Elizabeth’s habit to always bring out the Fall picture a little early and leave it a little late.

***

Charlotte Lucas declined Mr Collins. It was a difficult decision as she thought it might be her last hope of marriage. Moldable or not, his indecisive behavior when it came to her and his blind obedience to Lady Catherine made her feel he was not the man she wanted to marry. To her surprise and joy, she found love while staying in town with Elizabeth when Darcy was away. Within a few months, she was married to his political secretary. He had discovered she knew a lot about politics, having discussed it for years with her father. She also was astute in seeing things from multiple perspectives as she always played devil’s advocate to her father’s positions even when they agreed.

***

Lady Catherine reluctantly came to accept Elizabeth. They only met two more times after her foray to Longbourn. Their first meeting was cordial but tense. The Gorgon had heard many good words about the new countess from the acquaintances of her younger days in court. The second time was for the funeral of her daughter, who finally succumbed to her lifelong ill health. Elizabeth was compassionate toward the woman and stayed with her many hours to comfort her in her grief. After Anne’s death, Lady Catherine withered from her once formidable self and passed away within the year. Darcy had convinced her to leave Rosings to Lady Anne.

***

Mr Collins never married and did not inherit Longbourn, as Mr Bennet lived into his eighties. Mrs Bennet never had to live in the shrubbery. Her passing gave Mr Bennet fifteen years of quiet solitude, broken only when visited by his many grandchildren. The Bennet estate passed to Mary and her husband, the pastor of Longbourn parish. The property remained with the family name but spelled with one n and two t’s.

***

Mr Bingley proposed to Jane on Darcy’s wedding day. His original plan was to wait until the day after, but he found he could not contain his love after witnessing his friend’s nuptials. They were courteous enough to wait to tell Mrs Bennet until the newlyweds were almost at the end of the driveway. Mrs Bennet’s crying with joy as she watched her daughter, the countess, leave their home turned to cries of joy.

“Sounds as if Bingley has given mother the news.”

“It does. I am so happy for Jane, but I’m glad I’ll not be here for the planning. I know it will be grander than ours.”

“I would have been content with Gretna Green.”

Elizabeth leaned against him, entwining her arm with his and taking his hand.

Charles and Jane had four children before deciding to give up Netherfield and move to York. There, he built a house that resembled Pemberley but not on such a grand scale. There, they had two more children and lived a joyful life.

***

Lydia did not marry a duke but a young baronet from the north near Newcastle. A great disappointment to her mother, as his estate was so far away.

Kitty married an officer in the dragoons, who was tragically killed at Waterloo. He died not knowing he was to become a father. After years of raising her son at Longbourn, she married the widower and heir to Lucas Lodge.

***

Georgiana decided to wait until her cousin was ready to come out. Their newfound relationship with William and Elizabeth was enjoyable and satisfying to both that it was five years before they had their first season. Under the protection of the sharp-tongued Countess and the stern gaze of the Earl, suitors approached them with trepidation.

They were invited to many parties, at which Georgiana played the piano and sang while Lady Anne played the harp. While having many suitors, they refused to commit to any, having made a pact to not rush into anything and enjoy themselves for at least two seasons.

Georgiana eventually fell in love with a viscount. Lady Anne with the third son of a country squire she met when visiting a friend. They held a double wedding that was the talk of the next season. They both named their first son Richard.

***

Wickham made good on his promise to turn his life around. It started one morning three months after his marriage when Darcy was going through his mail. He immediately recognized the handwriting on the letter. When he unfolded it, a banknote fell out.

Earl Fitzwilliam,

This is the first of my payments to retire my debt you purchased. I cannot say if they will always be this amount, but I will do my best. Please inform me of my total indebtedness.

Regards, George Wickham

The banknote was for ten pounds. He put the banknote back in the letter before jotting a message and set it in the pile for his secretary. He continued to receive payments every quarter for various amounts without fail. After three years, Darcy returned the money with the accrued interest and forgave the rest of the debt. Within the week, he received a reply.

My Lord,

I do not know what to say but thank you. Thank you a thousand times over. I am currently working as a clerk in a solicitor’s office and have been saving money to attend one of the Inns to become a barrister. Your generosity has brought me that much closer to my goal.

Yr. Obt. Svt.George Wickham

Darcy already knew Wickham was working as a clerk. He brought the letter to Elizabeth’s attention for her opinion and then discussed it with Georgiana.

Darcy wrote a letter of recommendation. In a letter to Wickham, he promised to cover the cost and provide a small stipend if he was accepted.

After passing the bar and honing his craft for a few years, Wickham became a much sought-after barrister known for his ability to sway a jury to his side.

***

After the night of the ball, Caroline Bingley became the mistress of the Prince Regent. For the short time it lasted, she dreamed of potentially becoming queen. Her fantasy ended when she was married off to a minor noble from Ireland.

***

To Mrs Hurst’s mortification, Mr Hurst died on top of her while trying to produce his long wanted heir. She then lived the contented life of a widow in a seaside cottage. She took up painting to pass the time. Her natural ability and connection soon made her works much sought after.

Finis