The constable stepped forward to place the manacles on Collins’ hands and feet.
“No, No!” Collins screamed. “I am innocent! It was all Wickham’s doing!” But his protests fell on deaf ears.
Darcy took Lizzie by the elbow and steered her towards the front door.
“Come, my love. We are done here.”
Lizzie agreed and together they left Longbourn. They could still hear Collins’ screaming and wailing as the carriage rolled down the drive.
Tears filled Lizzie’s eyes and William pulled her into his embrace.
He spoke softly in her ear. “It is over my love.”
Lizzie placed the wildflowers she had picked on her parents’ and sister’s grave. “Oh papa! How I miss you so! I am married to a very good man whom I love very much. How I wish you could meet him.”
Darcy stood behind his wife and offered her his handkerchief. “Come, my love. We must leave soon if you want to stop to see Miss Lucas.”
“I only wish to stop briefly at Lucas Lodge to assure Charlotte of my wellbeing.”
The reunion between Lizzie and Charlotte was brief with Charlotte promising to visit Pemberley this summer.
Chapter 20
They arrived at Pemberley in the afternoon of their third day of travel. Darcy ordered the coach halted at a small hill overlooking the estate. Lizzie was awestruck at seeing Pemberley for the first time.
“What do you think of your new home Mrs. Darcy?”
“It is beautiful William.”
The coach pulled up to the front steps where Georgiana and her sisters were waiting to welcome the newlyweds home. All the servants were assembled hoping to catch a glimpse of their new mistress.
William descended the carriage and then turned to hand his wife out of the coach.
Lizzie’s feet had barely touch the ground when her sisters ran down the steps and embraced her in a fierce hug. All were crying and talking at once.
Georgiana stood off to the side with her brother and cousin. She welcomed them home and now observed the joyous reunion with tears in her eyes.
After a few minutes, Darcy stepped forward and placed his hand on Lizzie’s shoulder. “Come, my love. I wish to introduce you to Georgiana and your maid, the housekeeper and butler. I will then show you to the mistress’s suite where you can refresh yourself. We will meet in the blue parlor for tea in half an hour and inform our sisters of all that has occurred. I, for one, would like to relate the tale only once.”
Lizzie agreed and they all proceeded into the house.
As Darcy escorted his wife to the blue parlor, he asked her what she thought of the mistress’s rooms.
“Oh William,” she exclaimed, “They are beautiful. The entire house is so tastefully furnished. I would not change a thing.”
“I am glad you are pleased, my love. But do not hesitate to make any changes you wish. Mrs. Reynolds will be more than accommodating.”
“Thank you William. I will keep that in mind.”
When they entered the parlor, all were already assembled and Lizzie went immediately to Georgianna. She hugged the young girl and said, “I did not get a chance to greet you properly when we arrived Miss Georgiana.”
Georgiana smiled and said, “Will you not call me Georgiana, as your sisters do? We are sisters now too.”
Lizzie smiled and replied, “I would be most pleased to do so if you will call me Lizzie.”
After tea and refreshments had been consumed, Lizzie looked at Darcy as if to say, how do we begin?
Darcy cleared his voice and said, “I think it best if Elizabeth relates the beginning and then I shall relate the conclusion. Elizabeth and I have also agreed to never speak of this again after today.”
Lizzie began and related all that had occurred to her starting with her abduction at the Netherfield ball. The ladies sat in stunned silence as the terrible hardships she endured were told to them. Tears freely rolled down their faces and Jane said in a choked voice, “Oh my dearest sister! What you have endured! That vile, vicious man! I am glad he is in custody and will pay for his crimes. To think he brought such sorrow to our family for money.”
Lizzie put her arm around Jane to comfort her. “It is over Jane. Let us allow William to conclude the story.”
Darcy related everything that had happened since Lizzie’s return including the deaths of the Ladies Matlock and de Bourgh and Caroline Bingley. No one shed a tear over their demise, including the soft-hearted Georgiana.
Lizzie announced that Charlotte Lucas was coming for a visit to Pemberley along with the entire Gardiner family.
“We shall make a very happy party and as William stated, we will not speak of this horrendous time every again.” And they did not. They were too joyous with one another and surrounded by family and love.
Epilogue
Mrs. Bennet would have been very proud of her two eldest daughters. Not only did they marry very well but between them they produced seven sons. Lizzie and Darcy had three boys and Jane and Fitzwilliam produced four. Mr. Bennet would have been content to know that they were joyous unions. Kitty married a local landowner but was never blessed with children.
Ah, Georgina, Mary and Charlotte fared the best. Charlotte Lucas came to visit Pemberley and never left. She had a shrewd mind and recognized at once that Georgiana was proficient on the pianoforte but although Mary was not as successful, she was gaining on Georgiana. What Mary excelled at was composing music. All three ladies had no desire to marry. Charlotte formulated a plan, and after speaking with Mary and Georgiana, went to Lizzie. She knew Lizzie had the greatest influence over her husband and could convince him of almost anything. Darcy did agree to the plan, with certain stipulations in place. Sgt.Webster and his men would act as bodyguards to the three women.
The ladies were to tour the continent and the Americas with Charlotte acting as manager and agent. Charlotte proved to be very proficient at her job. They became well-known and performed for royalty throughout Europe and even performed for the President of the United States. They became very wealthy ladies but always returned to Pemberley every year for an extended visit with their family.
Collins and Wickham were hung for their crimes and no mention was ever made of them.
The Disappearance of Lizzie Bennet Page 9