A/N: This is it; the last chapter. I want to thank all you loyal readers and reviewers. It has been quite the journey and I'm happy we could share it together. I'm going to take a few weeks away from this project, then come back to do some editing and possibly putting it up for sale on Amazon, as others have suggested.

Here is the last chapter.

Chapter 24: Afterwards

Darcy had attempted to go to sleep after the last guest had left, but to no avail. His Aunt had declared the Ball a grand success, the Bennet's were welcomed by their family and closest friends, and the marriage could continue unhindered. Darcy had thanked his Aunt for all she had done for him, and watched as she left with Jeremy and Alice.

As the servants began to clean and prepare the rooms for tomorrow's marriage, Darcy slowly made his way up the stairs and to his room. His valet was ready, and in quick, fluid motions helped Darcy out of his clothes and left the room. Darcy had even laid in his bed, but sleep would not come.

Thoughts of his behavior haunted him. How he treated those in Hertfordshire was unpardonable, he realized that now. He had not given it a second thought during his sojourn there for he had rationalized that he was only in that part of the country for a short duration and to form any sort of attachment would be ridiculous. He had not counted on Elizabeth.

He winced at the memories of him playing cards for her hand, and watching her barely concealed tears when near him. True, he did believe she had grown fonder of him, but there was always something that was between them, preventing a further intimacy. He had convinced himself that she would fall in love with him; had made it his mantra for the past weeks.

The hours ticked by, but not a minute of sleep did he receive. The door to his room opened and he heard a maid enter to clean and stoke the fire, then directly after another maid entered with a tray. He had given orders the previous day to have a tray sent to his room at 6:00. He rose from his bed in a sluggish state. The aroma of the tea and freshly baked scones coaxed him to the table, but once there he found himself unable to eat.

His valet entered and nearly gasped when he saw his Master looking as if he had not slept. He quickly went about his business to make Darcy ready for his wedding, ignorant that there might not be a wedding this day. Once Darcy was dressed, shaved, and ready to leave his room his last thought was what was he going to tell his sister?

s-S-s

Elizabeth had readied for bed, listening to her sisters chatter about the Ball. Mrs. Bennet had entered their room in a huff claiming their noise would wake the dead, and that they had all better be in bed soon or they would look a fright the next morning. Kitty, Lydia and Mary all went to the room they were sharing, while Jane climbed into the covers of the bed they were sharing.

"This will be the last night we share a bed, dear sister," Jane said. Then, seeing Elizabeth look pensive, she asked what was wrong.

"Oh, Jane, I have much to tell you," Elizabeth climbed into bed and asked that Jane douse the candle. Once the room was in total darkness Elizabeth was able to tell her tale. Jane listened patiently, not interrupting once. When Elizabeth finished she asked for Jane's advice.

"Do you love him?" Jane asked.

"No," Elizabeth answered directly. She couldn't even lie to herself and claim she had some love for him. She did, however, admit that she felt a physical attraction to him and that her opinion of him has improved upon learning of Wickham's true nature.

"It is your decision, Lizzy, and I wouldn't presume to tell you what to do. You must follow your heart."

"You are right," Elizabeth agreed, though she was still confused as to what her heart was trying to tell her.

The night passed slowly and altogether too quickly. When she awoke in the morning she dressed in her robe and went down to her Uncle's study. She grabbed a sheet of paper, ink and quill and began writing her response to Mr. Darcy. As she sealed the letter and asked a passing servant to have it delivered swiftly, she hoped she was doing the right thing.

s-S-s

"Oh, brother, you look handsome!" Georgiana admired her brother in his wedding clothes. When her gazed traveled to his face she realized something was wrong. "Why Will, what is the matter?"

"I must speak to you privately," Darcy said, casting his gaze at Mrs. Annesley who was sipping tea.

Georgiana followed her brother to his study. Darcy paced the floor a few moments, before he came to stand before his sister.

"I have done something I am not proud of." He began. He then explained the true nature of his engagement to Elizabeth. Georgiana was shocked that he would have done such a thing. She had always believed her brother to be noble and would never force another to do something against their will. When he told her of his releasing Elizabeth from their engagement he finished by saying, "I am waiting for her to write to me and tell me if she will still marry me."

Georgiana looked at her brother in a new light. He had fallen from a rather tall pedestal and wondered if he would ever regain his footing in her eyes. She wanted to cry for the loss of such a brother, and at the potential loss of a sister such as Elizabeth. Before she could say anything there was a knock at the door. Darcy bade them enter, and the butler came in with a silver tray carrying a single letter.

Darcy stared at the letter a moment, as if it were alive and could snap at him. With a shaking hand he grabbed the letter, and dismissed the butler. He looked into his sister's eyes for reassurance, but they were moist with tears. He tore at the letter and read the contents. An intense anguish came over his face as he fell to his knees, his head shaking into his hands. The letter had fallen and Georgiana picked it up from the ground and read it herself;

Dear Mr. Darcy,

These past weeks I have walked around as if in a haze. I felt altogether trapped, and by two men who both claimed to love me and want what was best for me. I felt I was fulfilling my duty as an obedient child, though it went against the very grain of my soul.

I was sure your family would spurn me, and I would forever be the woman who ensnared you. I was surprised to be accepted by most your family, and even grew quite fond of your sister. But when you released me from our engagement, my heart soared. I realize now that I cannot marry you, not even to save my family.

Please accept my sincerest apologies,

E. Bennet.

P.S.

Make whatever excuses you need to.

The tears in Georgiana's eyes fell to the floor. She knelt beside her brother and wrapped her arms around him. She felt his body shake and she tried to comfort him. Once he quieted down she asked what they were to do?

"I shall have to make some excuse for the wedding being canceled," he resolved.

s-S-s

London Times

Notice: The marriage of E. Bennet of Hertfordshire to F. Darcy of Derbyshire has been postponed indefinitely: A sickness in the family.

s-S-s

The bells of Longbourn Chapel rang out one beautiful spring morning, announcing to the world the joyous union between two people. Elizabeth had stood up with her sister as she was married to Charles Bingley. She had never seen a man smile so wide and wondered that it didn't break his face. Jane herself couldn't keep her smile off her face as well. Their courtship had resumed after the family returned to Longbourn, and after the wedding of Mary and Mr. Collins in late January, Charles had re-opened Netherfield and within a month proposed marriage.

Mrs. Bennet, sitting in the front pew, dabbed at her eyes with her lace handkerchief she had made especially for this occasion. "My darling girls are leaving me, one by one," she lamented to whomever would listen.

When the two of them kissed after saying their vows a cheer went up throughout the entire congregation.

"They shall be the happiest couple in all of London!" Mrs. Bennet declared.

"Yes," Mr. Bennet agreed, "and the most trusting. Their servants shall take advantage of them to the point of poverty."

"Oh, Mr. Bennet, he has 5,000 a year!" Mrs. Bennet scoffed, as if it was a number representing infinity.

Elizabeth cheered with the rest and found her eyes drawn to the back of the room. There, standing just inside the church, was a tall, dark man, who, when being viewed by Elizabeth, made his exit. The couple slowly made their way out of the church, where more well-wishers were gathered. Elizabeth had followed in their wake, trying to move passed those who made to cross her path.

Once outside Elizabeth looked around and noticed the tall figure heading up the road. Without thinking Elizabeth chased after him, not caring if she were breaking with decorum. She was a strong girl, and in no time her running had caught up with the man's slow pace.

"Mr. Darcy?" She called out just as he was reaching the main road where a carriage was waiting for him.

The man turned around, and indeed it was Mr. Darcy, only he seemed different. His mouth was no longer set in a firm line and his eyes were no longer narrowed.

"Miss Elizabeth," he bowed.

Elizabeth was still trying to catch her breath after her sprint, and was at a loss as to what to say. She only knew that she had to catch him before he exited her life again.

"Congratulations," he said, a small smile playing across his face. Elizabeth liked the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled.

"Thank you," she replied. "My sister and Mr. Bingley will be happy, I'm sure."

"Yes," he agreed, "enormously so."

"I want to thank you," Elizabeth looked down at her hands. "I know you refused my Father's attempt to pay you back the sum of money that…"

"It was no trouble, I found I couldn't accept it."

Elizabeth looked up into those eyes of his which were the same, and yet very different. She searched them, prying deep into the depths, searching for something. He seemed to be doing the same to her, for his eyes never wavered from her stare.

"I hope that you and your sister are well," Elizabeth started, breaking the silence. "I hope that no harm has come to you since…December."

"No, a little speculation as to why, but nothing untoward," Darcy replied. "I hope the same for you."

"Yes," Elizabeth assured him that since their return it was the same, but with Mary's marriage, and then Jane's marriage there was hardly room for rumors to spread.

"Well, I must be going." Darcy bowed once again, then made for his carriage.

Elizabeth looked down the hill towards the church and the large group of people who were now heading towards Longbourn.

"Please, won't you stay?" She asked.

Darcy turned around, a renewed hope lit in his eyes. "Do you wish me to stay?"

"Yes," Elizabeth smiled. "I wish it very much."

"Very well," Darcy held his arm out for her, and she took it gratefully.

As they made their way down towards Longbourn Elizabeth asked after Darcy's family and he assured her they were all in the best of health. He mentioned Georgiana missed her and wished she could see her again. Elizabeth intimated that perhaps in the future they might be able to renew their acquaintance.

Nothing more was said as the two of them made their way towards Longbourn's gardens. Neither of them having wished to be a part of the loud, boisterous crowd, but preferring the solitary garden where they could talk and get to know one another.

Fin

A/N: Okay, I know I couldn't just leave it at that. I know the majority of you wanted Elizabeth to show up at the wedding, but ODC needed a fresh start, which is what I gave them in the end. There's one reviewer who was positively ashamed of Darcy and wished him all manner of evil. I hope I was able to find a nice medium.

Love,

Adela H.