Elizabeth Bennet in Disguise

by Lilian Swift

  “Oh, Darcy!” Lizzy could not stand being apart from him any longer. She flew into his arms, nestling her head against his broad chest. His arms folded around her and a thrill ran down her spine. This is where she belonged – with Fitzwilliam Darcy.

  “Does this mean—” his warm, clean breath stirred the top of her hair “—that your feelings have changed since Hunsford?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was muffled against his waistcoat. She stepped back and looked up into his dear face. “Yes. They have completely changed. I love you.”

  “You have just made me the happiest man in the world.”

  Their gazes locked, and his mouth descended, a tide of emotion sweeping through her as his lips softly caressed hers.

  “Lizzy! Are you in there? I’ve looked everywhere else.” Georgiana’s voice accompanied her knock on the study door. “There is a letter for you!”

  Darcy and Lizzy reluctantly broke apart.

  “For me?” She looked at him, puzzled.

  He opened the study door.

  “What are you two doing in there—” Georgiana stopped when she saw Lizzy’s flushed face.

  “You must be the first person to congratulate us,” Darcy told his sister. “Miss Bennet has agreed to become my wife.”

  “We shall be sisters!” Georgiana hugged first Lizzy, then her brother. “Oh, this is wonderful news! Two of my favorite people – affianced!”

  Lizzy couldn’t stop smiling. She wondered if she ever would – then decided she did not want to.

  Darcy brought them back to the matter in hand. “You said you had a letter for Miss Bennet?”

  “Yes.” Georgiana held out the letter to Lizzy. “It’s actually for Miss Harriet Brown.” She giggled.

  Lizzy looked at the writing. “This is Jane’s hand.” She broke the seal and scanned the contents, beaming with delight.

  “Jane is betrothed to Mr. Bingley!” She reached up and kissed Darcy on the cheek, not caring that his sister was in attendance. “Thank you.”

  “Thank you,” he returned, in all seriousness. “For you have enriched my life beyond all measure.”

  EPILOGUE

  Lizzy and Darcy soon married, along with Jane and Mr. Bingley – in fact, it was a double wedding, to the delight of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.

  From Pemberley, Lizzy wrote to Mrs. Smith in Meryton, thanking her once more for allowing her to use her address – although she was tempted to tell that lady exactly why she had needed her help, she thought it best to remain discreet. She also wrote to Hill, sending a sum of money and asking her to fill a basket with delicacies to take to Mrs. Smith, and to let Lizzy know whenever she thought the older lady needed a little assistance in that fashion. Lizzy was so happy, she wanted to share her happiness in some way with her family and friends.

  Lizzy and Jane lamented the distance between them, although they visited each over during the first twelve months of their marriages. The following year, Jane and Bingley moved within thirty miles of Pemberley – to the delight of the four of them.

  Lizzy and Georgiana remained steadfast friends, and when the younger girl met Jane, she declared Lizzy’s sister one of her favorite people, too.

  The household continued to run smoothly under Mrs. Reynolds’ hand, and Mrs. Annesley remained as a valued friend and companion.

  In time, Lizzy and Darcy had two children, a boy and a girl, and Jane and Bingley were also blessed – with twin girls.

  When she was a little older, Georgiana met and fell in love with a friend of Bingley’s who had an income of seven thousand per year, which satisfied Darcy that this beau was no fortune hunter. They married and were very happy together.

  There was no more talk of white slavers in the district, and no servants disappeared from Pemberley ever again.

  The End

  Lilian Swift has been a long time fan of Jane Austen. You may also enjoy The Intriguing Mr. Darcy by Audrey Belmont – written by one of Lilian’s friends.