For once even Fitzwilliam was speechless and could not have come up with a quip to save his life.
Deveril was the most composed of all of them, but he had had the advantage of knowing what, or more accurately whom he wanted for longer than the others. He had therefore had more time to become accustomed to the idea that the wonderful lady approaching him was coming to marry him… not his title.
Once the couples were assembled in front of the altar, the ceremony commenced, and it seemed no time at all before the vicar pronounced each of the couples to be husband and wife.
~T~
Due to the fact that it was only two miles to Netherfield and the cold temperature, the couples arrived at the wedding breakfast relatively un-mussed.
On the way, Darcy chuckled and said, ‘I am reminded of the last time I travelled from Meryton to Netherfield. It was after an assembly, and I was bitterly regretting having turned down the opportunity to dance with a bewitching young lady in the most insulting manner. Never did I imagine that this event could turn about my life and lead to such a happy ending.’
‘I am sorry to disagree with you on our wedding day, but this is not the end, it is only the beginning of our life… together.’
~T~
Epilogue
Early in the new year, the Duke of Barrington died, leaving his younger half-brother to inherit the title.
After the obligatory mourning period, the new Duke and Duchess of Barrington took society by storm, ably assisted by the Dowager Duchess. Although they had some disagreements on occasion, they always managed to work them out and, on the whole, had a happy life.
In the years to come, they taught their children that character was more important than wealth or titles.
~T~
Mary and Richard settled quite happily at Meadowfield near Newmarket where the spent their lives raising horses as well as children.
Their children’s favourite story was how the couple became engaged.
~T~
At the wedding of her older sisters, Kitty met Matthew Carleton and they formed an instant connection to the delight of Cousin Amelia.
As Kitty was too young to consider marriage or even an engagement, the families insisted that if they were both still interested in each other two years hence they would not stand in their way of happiness.
Two years to the day after their first meeting, Kitty and Matthew married. Like all the other couples, they had their ups and downs, but on the whole were happy with their choices and their lives.
~T~
Lydia surprised all her family by her choices.
Soon after the weddings of her oldest sisters, one of her friends, Margaret Roberts, who was the same age as Kitty marriedthe owner of a small estate near Hatfield. Less than five years later, Lydia was shocked when she heard that her friend had died giving birth to her fourth child, having been worn out by almost constantly being pregnant.
After much soul-searching, Lydia decided that she was not prepared to become any man’s broodmare. As a consequence, she spent as much time as she could at Pemberley, learning estate management from the most able of masters, and when she turned five and twenty, she took possession of her inheritance, which happened to be the estate in Kent.
There she made friends with another lady who had inherited her neighbouring estate and gained control of it after her mother’s death. Both Lydia Bennet and Anne de Bourgh spent their life as contented spinsters.
~T~
Bingley and Associates became a huge success due to Mr Charles Bingley whose amiable and gentlemanly manners towards all, eased negotiations with employees and clients from all walks of life.
About a decade after settling in Scarborough, he met a young lady whose kindness and gentle manners captured his interest. He very properly courted her and eventually they married. She looked nothing like Jane Bennet or the other angels in his past, but he thought her the most beautiful creature who had ever graced this earth.
While Bingley was never again close friends with Darcy, they repaired their relationship enough to remain on friendly terms.
~T~
Caroline Bingley, or Caroline Barnett as she called herself after her move to York, spent a year socialising in this new town. During that time, she bemoaned the lack of fashion amongst the ladies.
