A/N - Well, here goes, last chapter (of this book!) Thank you so much for reading along and for commenting, I have a ton to read through and catch up on, I'm so sorry for getting so behind!

I have book #3 in the series ready to start posting on Monday so although this story is finished, THE story continues. I hope you have enjoyed thus far and will stick with us for another wedding and a few more surprises along the way...

Until then! :)

"What a fine day it has been, Lizzy," Mr Bennet remarked, as they waved the newly-married Colonel and Mrs Fitzwilliam off, and the last of the guests departed.

"I am so happy for Mary," Elizabeth agreed. "And both she and Colonel Fitzwilliam seem so utterly delighted with one another. I think they shall be very content together."

"And now there is another couple that might be happily wed." Mr Bennet's voice raised slightly at the end of his statement, posing it as a question.

"I do not think us so deliriously happy as this present couple, Father," she said, carefully. "But I imagine we might strive for contentment, and that is a blessing indeed."

"More so than certain other prospects for marriage?" He would not refer to Mr Collins by name, indeed Elizabeth sensed her father felt a deal of shame for how he had been so easily manipulated by her mother on the matter of Mr Collins.

"I much prefer it this way, Father," she said, with a fervent nod.

"But will you be happy, Lizzy?" he pressed. "Do you -" his lips quirked. "Do you love Mr Darcy?"

"You know I have never been as romantic as Jane, or fallen in love as easily as Lydia," she said, after a pause. "I shall confess, Father, that we do not perhaps have a romance for the ages, but we have a friendship, and that is more than many married couples might boast."

Mr Bennet nodded, sagely, and Elizabeth felt a flash of concern in her chest. Even her own parents could not admit to a friendship, for they spent the majority of the time they did talk in argument.

"Friendship is something to be valued, indeed, but do not close yourself off to the possibility of love, Elizabeth." Her father's voice had grown serious, and he had grown serious with it. "Mr Darcy may have pitched marriage to you as a sensible solution to a problem, but I do not necessarily believe that is the whole truth."

Lizzy's heat quickened. Did her father know of Mr Darcy's situation with Anne, with Lady de Bourgh?

"He is a canny businessman, and not free with his confidences, but I wager he does not hide his affections so readily as he might believe."

Lizzy frowned, and was about to press her father for more, when she noticed Anne approaching to bid them farewell.

"I wish I could persuade you to come back to Rosings," she said, pulling Lizzy into a warm embrace. "I know Mother has been so very difficult about things, but I truly believe she is softening to the idea, and if she could know you better, could know you the way I do, why, all might be different!"

"You have a great deal of faith in my ability to win over those predisposed to dislike me," Elizabeth said, with a laugh. "But I think it is wisest I return to Hertfordshire, at least for a little while. I can go to London from there, once Mr Darcy has all the arrangements made."

Anne nodded, but the wistful smile remained in place.

"And you must come and join us," Elizabeth said, impulsively. "In London, I mean. Surely, if both Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, not to mention his brother, are in town you will be only too eager to spend time with them. And I myself long to see you again."

Anne brightened at this bold compliment, and the warmth of Elizabeth's invitation.

"Perhaps…" she mused. "I do not think Mama will be so very eager to go to London, especially with Christmas on the horizon. But I might be able to visit, at least for a short while." She paused, evidently mulling over the idea. "There is someone else - a friend…" she trailed off, and Elizabeth smiled. Might this friend be George Martin? She would not press her friend, not here, but she felt certain she understood Anne's dilemma. Removing to London, even for a short time, would mean leaving not only Lady de Bourgh behind, but the gentleman she desired to speak to above all others. Well, might they not correspond in London? Surely Anne would not feel the need to hide the connection, if her mother were not there to loom, disapprovingly, over the whole.

"Come to London," Lizzy pressed her. "You might tell anyone who would wish to write to you that they can reach you at Mr Darcy's house, then there is no need to worry."

Anne frowned, as if Elizabeth's words puzzled her, but before she could say anything further, Lady Catherine's voice could be heard from the doorway.

"Anne! Must we wait all day? Come, I wish to return home at once!"

Anne clasped Lizzy's hand warmly.

"I must go. Do, do write to me Elizabeth, dear. And perhaps you are right. Perhaps I should join you in London. I will keep abreast of your plans through William, but I long to hear it from your own pen too. And even if my mother does not abide the marriage, I am utterly in favour of it. I cannot wait to have you for a cousin as well!"

With one last embrace, she departed, and Elizabeth found herself alone. She did not remain so for very long, however, for a deep voice broke through her reverie.

"Well, that is the first wedding over," Darcy remarked, with a gruff smile.

"You almost sound as if you approve," Lizzy teased.

"Approve of the wedding, or approve of it being over?" He raised a rakish eyebrow, and Elizabeth laughed. "I shall return to Hertfordshire tomorrow," Darcy continued. "Charles has already invited me back to Netherfield, although I expect to be in London before the week is out. Are you certain you approve of the plan?"

"Approve of you returning to Netherfield?" Elizabeth asked, returning his teasing comment back to him. "Or approve of the plan to remove to London?"

"Either," Darcy said, nodding in acknowledgement of her superior wit. "Both." He fell serious. "Once we are married there is no going back," he said, with a frown. "My intention remains the same, I ask only whether your thoughts on the matter have changed."

Mr Bennet's words came back to her, and Elizabeth found herself examining Mr Darcy's face in detail. It was the same as it had always been, the same dark eyes, the same almost-scowl, yet there was something else. A softening in his expression, a light in the depths of his eyes that regarded her so intently. He does not hide his affections as readily as he believes, her father had said. Could it be that Mr Darcy loved her after all? The thought made Elizabeth's heart beat faster, and when she spoke her voice was surprisingly shy.

"My thoughts have not changed, Mr Darcy. Let us marry, and marry soon."

The End

A/N - Book #3 will start posting on Monday, so I hope you will stick with us for the next instalment :)