A/N: Last one! C'est fin. I want to take a moment to thank all of the reviewers, followers and favorites along the way. I did things you loved and things you hated, but hopefully I gave you an enjoyable escape into your favorite regency world. This story isn't perfect but I'm putting my pen down and calling it a decent first effort at a complete work and an exploration of my tone and style.

Hugs & kisses and bring the tissue for the end.

Please review.

After having settled in Pemberley for several weeks Mr. and Mrs. Darcy received the Bingleys with great joy and satisfaction. They had overstayed their welcome at Netherfield and Caroline all but kicked them into the hedgerows raging on about needing to master her new home without her overly affectionate brother and sister-in-law hanging onto her every move and agreeing with all the changes. Truth be told, they were both ready for the move as it bore them away from Caroline and away from Longbourn. Kitty and Lydia had become insufferable with begging to be presented and have a season in London. Removing from their presence became a necessity.

When the couple arrived at Pemberley they were greeted by Elizabeth and told to take as much time as they needed to relax and recuperate. The Bingleys took license with this and spent three days in their rooms. Lizzie joked with Mr. Darcy that it was probably necessary with the lack of privacy afforded them at Netherfield while it was under renovation. He first smirked in response and then chose to put on a mask of disdain at her obvious innuendo. She laughed at his internal battle.

Jane did finally appear one morning looking beautiful and refreshed and Lizzie immediately pressed for all the details of their honeymoon and their time at Netherfield. Jane described everything in her gentle way but Lizzie saw through her words that she was dazzlingly in love with her husband, doted on him as was expected and ignored all discomfort at the expense of pleasing him. They traded stories back and forth and then discussed their hunt for a home in the area until the men showed up. Jane occupied herself with Bingley after their tete a tete and only paused to give Lizzie a few letters from home. Her favorite was from Mrs. Hill and imparted quite a surprise on all present.

Mrs. Darcy,

How it pleases me to call you that and to know that you love and are loved. Your esteemed husband has by now filled you in on the particulars of the escapade that preceded Mr. Wickham's capture. I confess none of us was too pleased with my sisters behavior but you will be happy to know that all is well between them now, Mrs. Truslow and her husband.

My news is quite shocking even for me to impart- I am in a family way. It is true. At my age the doctors are concerned for my well being and for the child's and have called it a miracle. Mr. Hill is in knots refusing to allow me to work about the house.

Mrs. Bennet has been a blessing in shoeing the menfolk away from me and allowing me to live normally and I look to her to help me through this time. In the midst of all the wonder of it I confess that I too am afraid but my fondest thoughts dwell on the little one and the hope of a girl as sweet as you or your sister. Pray for us now for health.

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Hill

Lizzie yelped at the end of the letter and demanded of Jane why she did not tell her the news but apparently Jane had been ignorant as well. Mrs. Hill had not announced the pregnancy at large and now that they both knew they rejoiced and tried to plan a time when they could go home to Longbourn and visit with the family and Mrs. Hill. The men looked on in contentment as the two sisters, soon joined by Georgiana who had been out riding, shared in the happy news and chattered away about their family and their hopes for their dearest childhood servant.

Mrs. Hill was soon followed in her condition by her sister. The Truslows enjoyed their life together but the start certainly was rocky after Fanny returned home. They were bombarded with a host of well wishers, nay sayers and gossips alike and the story of Mr. Truslow riding through town at full tilt and banging down her door had been circulated and modified such that there were those that said that he had slept on her door step for a full night before her return and had then ravished her on sight before the door was barely closed.

The truth was decidedly less exciting in Fanny's opinion. In fact, when she thought of it, the idea of his ravishing her was an appealing alternative to the real narrative. He had, in actuality, ridden into town like a mad man, banged on her door until he broke the hinges off and waited for her in her favorite chair until she appeared later that afternoon. He had then bodily pulled her into the house, had a good yell at her for her foolishness and then realized he was acting like a jealous youngster and softened his tone and inquired of the whole story and what could possibly have convinced her to act so rashly with a suspected murderer.

She told Penny's story as she had heard it and it reaffirmed her love for Mr. Truslow that he softened upon hearing it and began to admit that her plan was quite crafty. He could not be convinced to admit that it was the only way as he was still quite furious that she had put herself in danger but he came to love her more for her altruistic heart. He also found himself wondering at just how lucky he was when he began to hear the magistrate's story bandied about- both that she came out of the experience unscathed and that he had managed to win a woman's affection who was so fiery. His thoughts turned to passion and she was forgiven.

They were married soon after and forevermore he understood like no other man how easy it must have been for her to get Wickham to willingly comply with her wishes. She could be very persuasive. His thoughts in that respect always returned a certain smile that usually caused his beloved to throw an object in hand at him.

Incidentally and thankfully both sisters pregnancies and births were healthy and, though arduous, safe. And so it was that in the Bennet's kitchen of a Sunday afternoon in the not so distant future one could usually hear the chatter of two women talking, the lusty cries of small children, the rumble of two men arguing with said women and the occasional yelp from a crust of bread or spoon thrown in the direction of a Truslow or Hill.

Once the Bingleys were settled in a new home about ten miles from Pemberley and the monotony of life began to fall upon the household, Mr. Darcy had time to consider to himself and confess that he was not oblivious to a negative change in his valet but he was also not privy to what brought it about. He had heard nothing to rouse his suspicions from the other servants and the man's remaining relatives in Lambton had not reported anything amiss in the last ten years. A couple births and a couple deaths but no one that was close to Mr. Sharp and none that coincided with the decline he was witnessing in one of his favorite companions. For all that he was his servant, Darcy was well aware that he enjoyed the benefit of the man's company for many a solitary evening before Elizabeth entered his life. He was informed and engaged in thorough yet respectful discussions with his master with alacrity; that is, until recently.

If Mr. Darcy did not know better he would say that the man's heart had been touched and his expectation disappointed but he did think that he knew better- he had never seen Mr. Sharp be anything but cold and forbearing in feminine company. In that vein he inquired of Mrs. Norris his house-keeper to be sure and Mrs. Norris reported that she knew of no such engagement. Puzzled and without an answer he attempted to cheer the man by revisiting his favorite discussions and by allowing him the extra time for detail in his dress that he never usually allowed. Mr. Darcy was not a dandy and Mr. Sharp did not seek to dress him as such but Mr. Sharp did desire him to be turned out "just so." These allowances availed nothing and he continued to watch Mr. Sharp decline.

On one particularly fine walk with Elizabeth he was struck with the inspiration to impart the situation to her and see if her penetration could reveal an answer, with her arm snaked around his arm and his hand over her own he asked, "Elizabeth, I am remiss in not discussing this with you sooner but one of our servants seems to be unwell."

Lizzie questioned, "Really? I noticed no such person at my meeting with the household this morning. Every one seemed well enough and all were present."

"This is why I should have told you sooner. It is not a sickness of the body."

"Well, you shall not keep me in suspense because I have no idea of whom you speak."

Softly he responded, "Mr. Sharp."

She took a moment to internalize this, "Your quiet and grave valet? I am glad you told me for I would never have figured that out of my own accord. He is so like you in mannerism and yet more severe that I suspect that it will take me years to figure him out."

"It has been some time that I have suspected it and, finding no solution, I thought that perhaps it was his desire to be back home at Pemberley that was driving him to moroseness but that too seems to avail little."

She nodded, "Well I am sorry to hear it. I can try to investigate it but I doubt my own ability on that front. He is quite terse at our meetings and he speaks so little to me or the other servants. I shall try."

He agreed with her and they walked on for some time lost in their thoughts when of a sudden Elizabeth stopped and exclaimed, "He is so like you! William! His heart must be touched for this is the same way you behaved around me before I confessed my ill regard for Mr. Wickham! Do you not see what I see?"

He frowned and she laughed, "Oh, do not be offended for it is true and I hope a means to an end. I am not laughing at you, merely pointing out that we cannot ignore the similarities. Have you asked him about it?"

Darcy shook his head and a look of consternation came over his face, "It is not appropriate to speak to servants in such a way. There is no way I could have asked him but in my observation it cannot be true."

"And in mine, it must be so!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

She continued, "You must find a way to breech the subject. The man is under your care and I believe that it is proper at times to break with decorum for the benefit of those we care for. Surely you feel this way too as I have seen you display open affection for the little ones."

He smiled tightly and conceded, "True, but this will be more difficult. Where do you think half of my manners come from? The man obeys the rules of decorum to a fault and taught me the same. I feel I will be scolded as a school boy."

Her twinkling laugh sounded again and as she looked at him he saw passion behind her eyes as she said, "School boy you are not. I can attest to that. The master of Pemberley may do as he pleases with the servants of his estate, and perhaps, if the stubborn woman can be convinced, his wife!"

Looking around and taking to heart what she said he pulled her into a warm embrace and kissed her fully, ending their conversation with a sigh, "Indeed."

Later that evening Mr. Darcy plucked up his courage as Mr. Sharp was removing his dinner coat and his boots and abruptly asked in a way that only Mr. Darcy would, "Mr. Sharp, I am going to break with decorum and ask you plainly, are you well? I do not mean to imply physical wellness either. Is your heart well?"

Mr. Sharp stopped mid-shoe giving his master a look of utter astonishment. In twenty years he had never heard the man address him on a personal matter in such a way. He had inquired after his family and of his well being occasionally after an illness, but never his love life as his question seemed to imply. He knew the answer immediately and began berating himself for letting his feelings show in his actions. Surely if his master noticed then his work must be suffering and he could not allow that to happen. He would overcome this, he would!

Mr. Darcy internally hearing Elizabeth's words that they were so alike barreled on, "Do not fault yourself or your quality of work. I have known you since I was shorter than your coat tails. I have only noticed you seem less like yourself."

Mr. Sharp sputtered, "Sir.. I.. I.." In his head he thought about the courage it must have taken for Mr. Darcy to defy manners and question him and he resolved to display an equal amount of courage and continued, "I.. I find that I am in love."

Mr. Darcy's jaw dropped. Elizabeth was right, and for once, he had perceived it correctly even if he had not allowed himself to believe it. He asked, "With whom if I may be so bold to ask?"

"That is the rub sir."

Mr. Darcy questioned, "Surely you possess enough status to attract an eligible woman to you. I have often wondered why you remained single all of these years as I have not required it of you."

Mr. Sharp shook his head, "Until recently I never met a lady that could tempt me."

"Then she is currently working for us?"

"No."

"At the London House?" That seemed unlikely since it was such a small staff there.

"No. Netherfield."

His masters eyebrows shot up and he saw him analyzing the facts quickly and then, as he expected and dreaded his face clouded over as he frowned, "The former Miss Tillar, or shall we call her Mrs. Wickham then?"

He looked down as he confessed, "Yes, sir." Mr. Darcy remained silent at the confession and Mr. Sharp could tell his mind was racing.

Having finished removing the other boot Mr. Sharp stood, still ashamed of the truth. Mr. Darcy not noticing the quiet stretching on suddenly said, "Thank you for your confession Mr. Sharp. Love is nothing to be ashamed of and I am a testament to the happiness it can produce. Your secret is safe with me. I think that will be all this evening." Without another beat both men were back to their normal selves as if nothing of import had been discussed. Mr. Sharp bowed and left the room.

Later that evening Mr. Darcy presented his wife with a letter of recommendation from Caroline Denny and an application that he'd received saying, "I believe, dear Elizabeth, that this application may solve your needs and my valets."

"Mama, this just arrived! Mrs. Darcy desires an interview tomorrow morning for the position of lady's maid!"

Penny and her mother rejoiced at her good luck and the younger woman hoped that her recommendation from Mrs. Denny and her limited exposure to the Lady whilst she had been tending to her sick sister would be enough to convince her to give her a chance to serve her in some capacity. She dressed herself carefully the next day and wondered at the flutter in heart when she assessed herself in the looking glass one last time before leaving for the carriage that the Darcys had so graciously provided to convey her thence.

If she was honest with herself she knew that her nerves were effected by the man with the dark eyes whom she felt she'd disappointed in addition to the interview that she was about to undergo. As the carriage got closer she acknowledged that both thoughts were suffocating her more and more and she felt the queer energy of adrenaline and fear course through her. She needed the job as a supplemental income and she desired to please Mrs. Darcy while thinking strongly of pleasing Mr. Sharp- the man who knew her for who she was in great sordid detail. She straightened her shoulders at the thought of rededicating herself to earning his respect and then immediately felt foolish and not equal to the task.

As she was handed down from the carriage she was surprisingly greeted at the door by the mistress of Pemberley herself. Penny gave a deep curtsy which Elizabeth acknowledged and then Mrs. Darcy inquired after her family, her journey and her well-being. Remembering the penetrating gaze of the lady from the ball at Netherfield, Penny felt all her secrets laid bare before her but Elizabeth, like many before Penny, expertly put her at ease ignoring the rather unique history of the woman before her. She expressed her interest in taking a walk and Penny correctly perceived that the walk itself was part of the interview.

For Elizabeth's part it was an important qualification for her that her companion be amenable and able to walk with her on her rambles about the country side. Mr. Darcy had forbidden solitary walks for the time being though she smiled to herself that she would probably win that argument some time in the future. Her favorite walk was a gradual climb up to a precipice that overlooked the town of Lambton and afforded a rather nice birds-eye view of the Pemberley estate and surrounding lands. She found her walking companion fit for the task and when quizzed, Penny proved herself to be knowledgeable on a variety of subjects from various herbs along the way to current affairs in the kingdom.

As they descended Lizzie graciously offered Penny the job and was pleased at her unaffected and happy acceptance. Elizabeth then gently broached the subject of the trial, their move to Lambton and her employ. Penny made clear to her much of the story that was unexplained such as how she had been thrown in Wickham's path in the first place. She allowed Penny to tell as much as she was willing to and she found that she was a discreet, kind natured and innocent woman and could not help but feel horror and rage anew at the dead man's designs on her similarly tempered sister in law. She felt that the woman before her must possess an inner fortitude beyond what she could imagine and pitied her harsh entry into the world.

When they returned to the main house, Elizabeth passed her to Mrs. Reynolds with instructions to indoctrinate her into the household and then return her to her sitting room while she finished a letter to Jane. Upon entering her sitting room Lizzie saw the stiff posture of her husband on the settee reading a book in solitude. She gave a little cough that announced her presence and said,

"William, I have finished my interview with Mrs. Wickham. If it is still your desire to hire her, I would welcome the addition in our household."

He turned to her setting his book down as she joined him and then in a lower voice she said conspiratorially, "I would also welcome the return of your favorite servant's happiness. Now, I believe that I have set Mrs. Reynolds on an errand that will take approximately an hour. After which, I imagine that I will find myself in need of my husband in my dressing room."

She arched an eyebrow, "What say you husband?"

His matched her wit and said, "I find that I am of the same mind but perhaps you would wish your husband to meet your needs elsewhere. There is a neat chaise lounge in my bedchamber that has held my interest for some time."

Elizabeth leaned in ever so slightly and said, "Indeed."

It was settled; when Penny returned to the mistresses sitting room she found that she was alone in the room and having not received directions otherwise she decided to wait there and so she stood by the mantel, back to the door and was surprised when she heard footsteps behind her and turned to see none other than Mr. Sharp.

Mr. Sharp abruptly halted and muttered something that sounded like, "I do not believe my eyes." Penny, on the other hand, ran forward to meet him with a happy smile upon her face, realizing several beats too late the immaturity and impropriety of her actions. She stopped less than foot away from him, looking up into his dark and thin face and fearlessly kept her smile in place as she barreled on,

"Mr. Sharp! It is so good to see you. I must thank you for your prayers as promised. We are so very happy now."

He choked at her proximity and her words. She was so close. He could reach out and take her petite figure into his own. But no, she was happy now. He had no hope that he could make her happy. The word twirled on his tongue, "Happy?"

She smiled more broadly, "Yes. I remember once you asked if I was happy and I replied that I was content. I could be nothing else but now, well now, I am happy."

"In all things?" Curious. His face fell as he asked. Without guile she said,

"What am I to lament? I have a beautiful daughter, a loving family whom I have been reunited with, Mrs. Darcy has offered me a respectable position and I am free."

"Free?"

"Yes, free from him. You would little believe me if I told you that I fought for his life and against my own freedom but I found I could not break my Emma's heart willingly. She will ask after him one day and I do not now know what I will say, but I am free and I find that I cannot but rejoice in that."

The room was closing in on him. She was happy without him. He knew it had always been a foolish dream to believe she could love him or would even want to. As per his usual he fell back on his manners and said stiffly, "I cannot imagine your relief."

Her smile fell a bit, "Is it not a tenuous blessing for the family here too?

He nodded and something seemed to dawn on her, "Oh, forgive me Mr. Sharp!" She shook all over and began to pace and wring her hands and then when she stopped and faced him he saw tears in her eyes.

"I have been a fool! I have not once thought of your feelings. You helped to raise him and I have trampled over your hopes and aspirations for him. My decisions and actions ruined him to you and now he has been taken from this earth. I beg of you, forgive me."

As she continued he felt his anger rise more and more. He felt his body moving of its own accord, saw his hands reach out for her tiny wrists and felt them latch onto them and pull her face close to his and from somewhere long buried his words erupted, "I shall never forgive you! I cannot forgive what was never an offense. I wish to never hear him spoken of again. He was lost to me in an age past and those I serve and I have suffered on his account beyond our due measure and will endure no more. My lack of understanding has tormented me and I will no longer forbear to keep silent. I will not allow you to leave this room until you hear how earnestly I admire and love you and though I have no hope of a positive reply as I am more than a score your senior and have treated you reprehensibly, I will selfishly demand that you hear me say now what my heart has been yearning to confess since you burst into my life so many months ago. I have loved you and will earnestly love you until my dying day. There is and never has been another like you; so gentle, so kind, the embodiment of what I am not. We are two halves of one whole. I can never be happy without you but I am content that you are returned to me." His voice lost its fire towards the end of his speech and he released her wrists and softly brought a hand up to her face gliding his thumb over a loosed tear, "Now, see, I have hurt you again. It is my way. Let us not speak of this again. I wish only to be your friend."

Penny nodded and felt more tears fall as he removed his hand from her cheek and he offered her his handkerchief. His words penetrated her very soul with their truth. She felt her heart lurch at the memory of many of their previous interviews. He had loved her even as she confessed her indiscretions and she began to see that so much of their interactions could be explained by his insecurity and his lack of a hopeful resolution. She had not allowed her heart to consider another beyond her husband but the small seed of regard for him had been planted long ago and she found herself wondering curiously about the implications.

As she thought she quietly ceased her crying. She acknowledged all that he said with a small smile and said, "You have caused no harm sir beyond pointing out my own ignorance to me. I never knew. There is much I need to think on but I am not certain that I wish to be your friend."

His face fell but Mr. Sharp in a rare open show returned her small smile and then to the surprise of them both he pulled her hand into his and brought it to his lips murmuring, "For the remembrance." He then bowed and took his leave.

In the season that followed the master of Pemberley noted a much improved countenance in his most faithful servant and the mistress, a few private smiles from her maid. Neither were surprised when Mr. Sharp and Penny eventually confessed to their mutual admiration and respectfully requested a leave of absence for a marriage and brief stay thereafter in the peak district. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy gave their hearty consent and watched in wonderment as the most reserved man they knew and would ever know smiled largely and indulgently at his bride-to-be and took her hand into his own.

The three families- the Darcys, the Bingleys, and the Sharps- from that day forward were inseparable. Even unto this day a Sharp serves in the Darcy and Bingley household with gladness though looking back, Penny did soften some of the "sharp edges" as she was wont to say.

Of the two of them and our more illustrious pair, the Darcys, it could be said that it is not be the first time nor the last that a man, having been brave enough to confess his regard for a woman, so convinced her of her own regard that the two finally came to an agreement and loved and lived to improve one another in mutual respect.