Chapter 12: Joy

Having seen his daughter so happily attached to the once-proud fellow at the other end of the table, Mr Bennet asked Lizzy to show him to the Library, where he could talk to her in private.

"Let me first say that I am so happy to see you well. You have no idea how troubled I have been this past week, thinking that I might have lost you." Her father had unshed tears in his eyes as he continued. "And secondly, let me tell you how overjoyed I am that you have found such happiness with Mr Darcy." His tone was sincere, though doubtful.

"Papa, I cannot tell you how much I admire and respect him. He is indeed the best man of my acquaintance." She paused for a second, then added. "Indeed I believe he seconds all of your acquaintance, and all of his too."

"Indeed it is clear that you do," he smiled softly. Continuing in a more worrisome tone, he added "Are you sure about this Lizzy, this is not just a passing infatuation after having seen him behaving differently in his home? He has told me of what happened last April, and I find myself questioning how your feelings have undergone such a change in the space of a few months. I know you could never be truly happy if you did not esteem and respect your partner. I have given him my consent after glowing reports from your Aunt and Uncle but I am willing to retract it if you have but a single doubt. I cannot see another daughter unhappily married."

Lizzy had borne his long speech as best she could, but felt the need to defend her fiancé rise.

"Father," she reproached. "Have you no other objection than your belief in this being a 'passing infatuation'?"

"None at all my dear," he replied. "The Gardiners have countered every rumour of his being a proud and disagreeable sort of fellow, and he is growing in my estimation by the hour." Lizzy smiled at her father's words. He continued, "In addition, he is more than capable of looking after you, my dear. You would have many riches, but would that make you happy?"

"Of course it would not," she replied archly. "If that were the case, we would have been having this conversation last April."

Her father nodded at the truth of her words, waiting for her to continue. Silence reigned for a few seconds whilst Lizzy gathered her thoughts and emotions.

"Let me assure you that my love of dear Mr Darcy is most certainly not the act of an instant. I came to realise how much I had misjudged him shortly after our set-to at Hunsford, and very much regretted the termination of our acquaintance. You will remember my subdued nature in the spring and I must own to it that my usual liveliness was dampened by deep regret of both my actions and their implications. He has no improper pride, I was wrong. Father, I do not know what to say." She paused again, overcome. "We are so similar and I am so grateful for his giving me a second chance. I do so love him Papa."

"You need not say anything else my Lizzy, for I feel further conversation is futile. You will rant and storm as you young lovers are so wont to do and I have already been informed of Mr Darcy's many merits as well as your so eloquent feelings on the matter. All that is left to tell you is how sincerely happy I am for you, my darling child. You will want for nothing, and I will miss you most terribly."

Lizzy had tears of her own at his proclamation. Walking across to the comfortable chair in which he was sitting, she kissed him on the forehead as she had so often done as a child.

"We are so grateful for your consent and blessing Papa," she murmured softly. "I do not think I could be any happier."

Her father chuckled, remembering his eldest daughter's avowal of similar sentiments three days' ago and decided it was at last time to put Lizzy out of her misery and acquaint her with her sister's happiness.

"Is that so, my dear?" He arched his eyebrow in a way that was common to both father and daughter.

"What other happiness could I have want for?" She gazed wistfully into the middle distance as she continued. "I am once again in full command of my faculties, my future happiness has been secured, I have gained a most angelic sister, my beloved father is happy and my dearest sister is pursuing a similar happiness of her own." The flash in her father's eyes at her last source of happiness caused a surge of hope seconded only by that on the balcony. She looked at her father with a question in her eyes.

"All of these young gentlemen coming for my daughters, I am quite at my leisure," he laughed. Lizzy hugged him so fiercely that his old ribs creaked in protest.

"Dearest Jane," she replied to her father's unorthodox declaration. "Perhaps we could share a wedding ceremony. I must write to her at once." Her father was shaken out of his reverie.

"If you will give me just one second more of your precious time," he implored. "Your dearest sister has given me a missive to convey to you upon your receipt of this announcement."

"Now I really could not feel greater happiness." She replied. Her father kissed her forehead as she had his and left her in the library to find the Gardiners and to tell them the good news. Now he had fulfilled his promise to Jane that Lizzy would be the first to know, he was at liberty to spread the happy news.

...

Fitzwilliam found his lovely fiancée still in the library a few minutes after her father had left, holding in his hand the morning's post from his closest friend Charles Bingley. Whilst the missive had been very short and almost impossible to read due to the abysmal blotting and rushed handwriting, he had deduced the happy news. As was his wont, he immediately left in search of the person he most wanted to share everything with.

Knocking nervously at the door, he awaited her lovely voice. It occurred to him that in his haste to be once more at her side, he had not ascertained whether her conversation with her father had been in his favour or not. He comforted himself with memories of her happy acceptance both the evening before and this morning. She would have encouraged her father that this union was a happy one, such as the one he had just read of.

Her beaming countenance when she opened the door reassured him of his acceptance by the head of the Bennet family. He was overcome with joy and embraced her almost as tightly as her father had been embraced by herself. She chuckled as he lifted her, spinning her gently.

"Fitzwilliam," she smiled breathlessly. "My father has given us his consent and blessing. We have much to be thankful, and excited, for."

"Mhmmmn," he replied, nuzzling into the soft expanse of her delicate neck. She laughed and he looked up guiltily, having been so easily distracted.

"Mr Darcy," she admonished. He frowned at her address, he much preferred the intimacy of his given name.

Sighing, he remembered his initial purpose in coming to see her. He smiled at its implication. He was gaining not only four new sisters, but also a brother who was his closest friend.

"Lizzy," he began, enjoying the blush that coloured her cheeks at his address. "I have received a letter from Charles Bingley this morning." The happiness in her countenance informed him of her good knowledge of the engagement.

"Oh Fitzwilliam, to think that we will all be so happy!" His delight overcame his mask of composure as it so often had since her awakening. She revelled in his handsomeness, this boyish happiness suited him most superbly.

"Indeed we will, my love," he replied. He was soon silenced by the caress of her lips upon his and, not wanting to compromise her, he suggested a few minutes later that she eat the breakfast that she had forgotten about in her eagerness to talk to her father. She reluctantly agreed, though took comfort in the warm press of his hand on her back as he escorted her once more to the table.

Only after their successful fishing excursion, when Elizabeth was in his arms as they walked the grounds in relative privacy – chaperoned by a distracted Georgiana and a certain energetic Great Dane – did Darcy admit that the past week, though at times terrifying, had been the happiest of his life. Lizzy could not agree more.

A/N At the time of writing this story, I was really unhappy with the ending but, due to the time pressure of A2 exams couldn't change it. Now, awaiting my moving day to Uni, I've found myself with a free hour or so to change it. Hope you enjoy! Thank you for reading :)