Finally, an Ending

by Carissa

December 2002, Firthness Challenge Entry

Rated PG


The Gardiners returned their charge to Longbourn, much to the excitement of Mrs Bennet. Mrs Bennet congratulated her daughter on her conquest in such loud exclamations that Elizabeth was sure that no single person in Meryton or the surrounding districts could be unaware that some exciting news had hit the house of Longbourn.

Jane was more quiet, but very sincere in her congratulations. It took a day for Jane to realise that the union of her sister with Mr Darcy would be likely to bring Mr Bingley into her sphere. Jane had convinced herself that she would recover from the heartbreak of his sudden and complete departure, but now, with Elizabeth to be married to his friend, how could she avoid the man who obviously held her in less regard than she held him.

Fortunately, Jane did not need to wait long before her issues with Mr Bingley were resolved. Mr Bingley arrived at Netherfield the day after Elizabeth returned to Longbourn. Jane feared their first encounter, but Mr Bingley did not arrive with Mr Darcy at Longbourn. Jane did not know if she was disappointed or glad that Mr Bingley did not come to pay his respects.

The second day after their arrival at Netherfield, Mr Darcy did not call on Elizabeth, a note arrived.

“Dearest Elizabeth,

I find myself trapped by correspondence. If you find it within your heart to relieve me, please joining us at Netherfield for lunch, I would be very grateful. Of course, you should bring a member of your family to protect your virtue in the eyes of society.

Your devoted servant,

Fitzwilliam Darcy.”

Fortunately, Mrs Bennet was not present when the note arrived, so could not demand to see it. Mrs Bennet did, however, enter the room as Elizabeth folded the letter.

“What is that, my dear?”

“Oh, a note from Mr Darcy. He asks if I may join him for luncheon today.”

“Of course you may dear. Now, I think that your yellow gown would be best for the occasion…”

“Mama, I do believe that Jane should accompany me.”

“Why is that dear? Mr Darcy is alone is he not.”

“Mama! Mr Darcy is not alone, and I do not believe that it would be best that I attend him alone in any case.”

“I suppose you are right. Yes, Jane should attend with you.”

And so it was decided, Jane accompanied Elizabeth to Netherfield for a meal with Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley.

It was barely the work of an hour for Mr Bingley to reacquaint himself with Miss Bennet and decide to propose marriage to her. As was well known to his friends, Mr Bingley would act on impulse, on this occasion, that impulse led to a proposal that was accepted with such joy as to fill him with enough happiness that he did not fear his sisters’ reaction to his betrothal.

Two months passed, and Bingley had secured the consent of Mr Bennet and it was now the day of a double wedding.

The gentlemen arrived at the church with more than sufficient time until the ceremony. While Bingley greeted guests and laughed nervously, Darcy was reserved as he paced before the alter. Time passed slowly for both grooms as the guest arrived and filled the small church.

Miss Bingley and her sister and brother in law were among the last to arrive. Caroline sidled up to Darcy when his pacing drew him to the side of the church.

“It is not too late, Mr Darcy.”

He turned to face Miss Bingley. A smile barely visible on his face, but it was there. Caroline considered this sufficient encouragement to continue, he was, after all, smiling at her.

“We could leave this hall. Just put out your arm, I will lay my hand on it, and we can walk out of the front doors.” What she did not say, but thought was ‘We can walk out of this church, infront of that upstarts friends and family, and, if I am particularly fortunate, past the arrival of Elizabeth Bennet. How I would dearly love to see her face as I leave with Mr Darcy.’.

“Why, Miss Bingley, would I do that. I have waited many weeks for my wedding day and here it is. I would not leave before the ceremony.”

“It can still be your wedding day.”

His smile widened. Miss Bingley had spent many months attempting to win Darcy’s favour, and in the last two she had attempted to manipulate her way into a compromising situation with him. Fortunately, Darcy had his soon to be brother in law, and his own senses to protect him. “You misunderstand me, Miss Bingley. I have waited many weeks for my wedding day, WITH MISS ELIZABETH BENNET AS BRIDE, and here it is. Oh, I do believe I hear a carriage approaching. There is a seat for you, Miss Bennet, near the front so you may clearly see and hear every word spoken and every vow made. I am sure that your brother will be grateful you are able to share his joy in this way.”

The implications of Mr Darcy’s statements took a moment to seep into Miss Bingley’s mind. At first she was almost grateful that Darcy would think of her so, but when she realised that he intended her not to miss a word spoken between the couples before her, she understood the warning for what it was. This was the strongest warning Darcy had given her and she could not fail to realise that she had lost.

In defiance, Caroline did not sit at the seat indicated by Darcy, she sat two rows further back. Although it went against all of her pride to sit anywhere but the front at this wedding, she was not going to allow Darcy, and Elizabeth Bennet, the satisfaction of pouring salt into the wound, even if the wound was self inflicted.

For Darcy’s part, he cared little for where Miss Bingley seated herself, he just wished her away from him in this, his last few moments to imagine what Elizabeth would look like on the day she is to become Mrs Darcy. He did not even remember that any other person was in the church as he thought about Elizabeth.

At last, the priest stepped up beside Darcy. He said a few quick words and gestured to where Bingley was already standing and looking around nervously with a smile covering his entire face. Darcy nodded once and then walked over beside Bingley.

The music started. Bingley looked at Darcy, Darcy at Bingley. They shared a short smile, but the sound of movement at the back of the church made them both turn.

Initially, Darcy was disappointed to see that two small children, dressed as a bride and groom, toddled down the isle, until the ‘groom’ stopped, stamped a foot, then dropped to the floor and started crying. Later, Darcy would find out that the ‘bride’ had stolen his toy before they entered the room and told him she would not give it back.

The nearest lady to the incident quickly stepped into the aisle and scooped the child from the walkway. The ‘bride’ turned and poked her tongue out at the ‘groom’ then continued to the altar alone. She stood beside Bingley and looked up at him, as if to say ‘I am here, we can start now’ but a change to the music and a rustle of fabrics drew Bingley’s attention to the door that Darcy’s had never left. With a huff, the ‘bride’ stalked away, much to the entertainment of many of the guests.

The sight that greeted the gentlemen was perfect. To most observers, it appeared that two beautiful brides were escorted into the church by their father. To each groom, it appeared a lone beautiful woman walked towards them. The brides each had a smile for one person in the church. Bingley nearly fell over at the sight of Jane, and Darcy allowed himself to smile lovingly at Elizabeth, a show of emotion he rarely allowed himself in public. A slight ‘hurumph’ noise was heard from the second row.

As they neared, the spell was broken as Mr Bennet discreetly coughed. He handed his daughters over with a mixture of joy and pain, kissing each before he left.

The ceremony passed in a blur, days later when Mr and Mrs Darcy spoke of it, they each realised they would need to seek information from another source as neither remembered anything but the feeling of standing beside the other.

Before leaving the church, it is traditional that the happy couple kiss, a rather personal moment to share with an audience, but one that tradition demanded. The priest declared them married and invited the grooms to kiss their brides. Due to the public nature of this, their first kiss as man and wife, most couples shared a chaste kiss that held barely a hint of their intentions for the evening. Jane and Bingley were no different to most couples. Bingley gently pressed his lips to Janes, and then Jane blushed becomingly as Bingley placed her hand on his arm to escort her from the altar.

Darcy had every intention to kiss his bride as tradition expected. He began to move toward Elizabeth, placed his hand gently under her chin, lifting her lips toward his. Just before he kissed her, Elizabeth smiled her teasing smile, clearly remembering their first kiss. “Are you sure you wish to risk the consequences of kissing a lady, Mr Darcy?” She gently moved her hand to his cheek and smiled cheekily.

Darcy could not resist her, swung an arm around her waist, sweeping her back into a dancers dip, than leaned in to kiss her after answering “Mrs Darcy would never behave in a manner that would cause me to regret kissing her.” He then kissed her soundly, leaving no doubt in any persons mind as to his intentions for that evening, or even afternoon if they could escape from the wedding festivities.

Mrs Bennet collapsed in a fit of nerves mixed with hysteria. It appeared that her daughter had actually enjoyed these attentions, and in public!

One gentleman (a nice looking colonel seated beside Georgiana Darcy was suspected) whistled in a way that led to a great deal of laughter as ladies averting their eyes.

Darcy stood his wife safely on her feet then escorted her from the church, to all appearances, as if nothing unexpected had happened.

Copyright held by Carissa - 2002