Chapter Twenty-Six

As we left the room in the morning, no one seemed to notice with all the commotion that was occurring. We managed to stop an errant servant to ask what was happening. Apparently Lady Catherine had arrived alongside Charles and Caroline Bingley. Lady Catherine was conversing outside with Amanda, whilst Charles was talking with Jane in the garden and Caroline refused to leave the carriage.

George led me outside on his arm. We looked over to see Caroline in the carriage.

'You still think she is sublime?' I asked, half teasingly but half curious to know his answer.

'If I am being honest, I think she is a cold fish and I only said sublime to get a rise out of your sister. After last night you would think you would know of my feelings for you. She may be rich but I could never be happy with her, I could never love her. Whereas you?… we could go somewhere completely alone and have nothing but the clothes on our backs and I would be endlessly happy just to have you with me' he said. He then leaned down and kissed me once more gently.

I looked over at the garden and could see Jane and Bingley embracing behind a shrubbery. I was glad that they seemed to have gotten their happy ending as well. I then noticed Darcy striding towards us from the house.

'Mr Wickham' Darcy started. 'I must offer you my sincere apologies. I have been informed as to what truly occurred between you and my sister. I do not know how I can make this up to you.'

'There is no need. I just didn't want her to suffer. She is young but I suppose my lie prevented her from learning her lesson' George sighed.

'Something that will be swiftly remedied I assure you. If there is anything I can ever do for either of you, please do not hesitate to let me know. I wish you both every happiness' Darcy stated with a small bow and then turned to leave.

'Wait' I stopped him. 'What about my sister? Are you leaving?'

'Yes, I am returning to Pemberley' he said. He then lowered his voice so that no one but myself and George could hear him. 'I have left a note for your sister at the door. If she wants me then she knows where to find me' he said with a gentler look on his face than I had ever seen. I grinned at him and launched myself into his arms. He looked shocked at the contact but slowly relaxed.

'Goodbye, Miss Price. I hope to see you soon' he gave another bow and finally left in the carriage.

George wrapped his arm around me and led me back into the house once more. We had not gotten far when we were once again stopped, this time by Manda. She explained everything that had happened from Jane's annulment and her and Charles' happy ending to Elizabeth and Darcy promising to get to know one another. I could see that Manda was having a hard time keeping it together.

'So I just wanted to say goodbye to you before I go back' Manda said tearfully. 'I can't stay here and watch them together. I know you'll be happy here. You better take damn good care of her Wickham.'

'I will endeavour to that end, every day of my life' George replied sincerely.

'Try and visit if you can' Manda wept openly. 'I love you Eli.'

'Stop this Manda. I don't think you'll be able to stay away from this world for long' I smirked. She wiped away her tears, gave me a final hug and disappeared up the stairs.

Not five minutes later she came rushing back downstairs. 'I need a carriage to take me to Pemberley!' she yelled.

George and I stood outside the front of the Bennett's house and watched as Amanda disappeared into the distance after the man of her dreams, quite literally.

'You do realise that you will have Darcy as a brother-in-law?' George smiled at me. 'I'm sure this will make for quite dull events at the holidays.'

'Yes, of course, I would have preferred Collins as a brother-in-law' I replied sarcastically. 'It would have been nice to have some eye candy in the family. But we can't all get what we want now can we?'

'Yes exactly. Look at me, stuck with you' George replied, laughing loudly. He bent down and kissed me passionately, not giving a damn who was watching. 'I love how everything has turned out. I do believe, Mrs Wickham, that everyone will live… what was it you said in your world? Ahh yes, everyone will live happily ever after.'