The End (Finally)

I am certain you will be glad to hear that I am finally bringing An Interrupted Proposal to an end. Unfortunately, there are rewrites and covers and editing to be done before it can be released. But I have 2 book festivals this fall so it will be out by the beginning of September, at the latest. (Did I mention that I was a procrastinator and easily distracted?)

If you want to get caught up or reread the prior posts, here are the links (in the proper order):

What if?, What if? Part II, The Letter, Elizabeth’s Perspective, A Walk at Rosings, A Walk at Rosings Part II, What to Do About Wickham, Return to London, Meet the Gardiners, Meet the Gardiners Part II, Meet the Gardiners Part III, Return to Hertfordshire, The Problem with Wickham Part I, The Problem With Wickham Part II, Elizabeth Arrives in London Part I, Elizabeth Arrives in London Part II, A Walk in the Park, After the Park, A Trip to the Museum, Darcy House, An Audience with Mr. Bennet Part I, An Audience with Mr. Bennet Part II, Mrs. Bennet’s Reaction, A Walk to Meryton, A Night at the Theatre, Return to Hertfordshire (2), Return to Longbourn, Return to Longbourn Part II, and A Visit to Netherfield Park.

So here it is:

Happy was the day when the eldest Bennet daughters resigned their surname in favour of those of their husbands’. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bingley left the wedding breakfast and journeyed the brief distance to Netherfield Park, while his siblings, the Darcys, and other guests returned to London. Instructions were given to the staff that they were not at home to visitors, even family members, and they spent the first week of their marriage in uninterrupted wedded bliss.

At the end of the week, they returned to Longbourn to see how everyone had fared in their absence—as no one had even attempted to invade their privacy—and discovered a peaceful atmosphere with Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Annesley sipping tea while giving discreet directions to the three youngest Bennet sisters and Miss Darcy. The youngest Bennets were practicing their French to varied degrees of success, while Miss Mary and Miss Darcy were discussing a passage from Mrs. Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Mr. Bennet sat nearby with an amused smile tugging at his lips as he nodded at their interpretations and reasonings.

“Jane!” Mrs. Bennet cried when she saw her eldest daughter. “Whatever are you doing here? I thought you and Mr. Bingley would wish to be alone for at least another week.”

Jane gazed at her husband who returned her bemused expression. “We missed you and thought we might join you for tea, Mamma. Would you prefer we leave?”

“No! Goodness, no!” Mrs. Bennet drew her into the room and pushed her into the chair nearest her own. “I would ask if you were well, my dear, but you are fairly glowing.” She turned to her new son and smiled. “You are taking very good care of my daughter, sir.”

“I did promise to do so, Mrs. Bennet,” Mr. Bingley said with a bright smile spreading across his features.

“Have you heard from Lizzy?” Jane asked her mother.

The woman exchanged an amused smile with her companion before saying, “The morning following the wedding I received a missive stating only that they had arrived safely in London. I suspect she will write again when they are returning this way before going to Pemberley.” She frowned. “Or perhaps you will hear from her instead. I am certain they will prefer to stay at Netherfield.”

“I am certain they would stay at Longbourn, Mamma, if you wished them to do so.”

“Oh, to be near Georgiana. That is true.” Mrs. Bennet tipped her head to the side and gave a light laugh. “We will have to see what they prefer.”

Jane exchanged another confused look with her husband before accepting a cup of tea from Mrs. Annesley. “How have you spent your week?” she asked no one in particular.

“Kitty and I have been learning French—though I find it odd that everyone wants to speak the language when we are at war with the country,” Lydia shook her head and took a dainty bite of her biscuit, something quite surprising since the girl normally shoved the entire thing into her mouth. “Maman, ces biscuits sont très bons.”

“Ce sont des biscuits,” Mrs. Annesley gently corrected, “and you are correct. They are very good.”

Lydia smiled, “Biscuits.”

“Oui. Très bons.” Mrs. Annesley turned her attention to Jane. “Miss Lydia is a quick learner. I am certain it was several months before I learned to conjugate vowels and began speaking in sentences.”

“Lydia has always loved languages. I believe Lizzy taught her some French when she was younger. Did she also begin you on Italian, Lydia?” Jane asked her sister.

“Sì, ma solo un po’.”

Kitty huffed beside her, “What does that mean?”

“Yes, but only a little,” Lydia replied.

“Well, that is more than she taught me.” Kitty pouted and slouched in her seat but straightened when Mrs. Annesley cleared her throat.

“I think she only did it to amuse herself.” Lydia finished her biscuit. “I wanted her to read to me because she was laughing at what she had read, but it was in Italian. She said I would not understand it, so I asked her to teach me. She stopped teaching me once I understood the passage.” She frowned. “Or maybe I stopped asking her to teach me after that.” She shrugged. “I didn’t understand why she laughed because it didn’t make sense to me.”

“Did you ask your sister to explain it?” Miss Darcy asked.

Lydia’s frown deepened. “I don’t think I did. She might have thought I was silly for not understanding.”

Mr. Bennet shook his head. “My dear, I hope you will forgive me for ever making you feel silly. Never be embarrassed to ask a question if you do not understand. I believe I know what book you are speaking of. You and I will find it later and I will explain it for you.” He winked at his youngest who smiled in response.

“Merci papa.”

“Je vous en prie,” Mr. Bennet responded.

Later, when the Bingleys were returning home in their carriage, Jane shook her head. “I am amazed. I know that the girls were working on French before our weddings, but I suppose we were so busy that we did not notice how much they were improving.” She met her husband’s gaze. “Mamma did not flutter her handkerchief once, and Lydia never slouched or pouted. Kitty did but quickly corrected her posture when Mrs. Annesley cleared her throat—nothing had to be said.”

“And your father seems to be enjoying his new pupils.” Charles chuckled. “It may not be necessary to look for a home closer to Pemberley if your family will be so improved.”

“Charles!” Jane scolded with a laugh. “You know I want to be near Lizzy because she is my dearest friend, as well as my sister.” She snuggled against him. “Though I am pleased that Mamma was not knocking at our door the day after our wedding, I am not certain she will continue to respect our privacy.” She sighed. “But I must write to Lizzy when we reach home. She will be so surprised.”

***********

Elizabeth laughed as she pushed her husband away. “Jane has written. I must see what has caused her to leave her husband to pen a letter.”

“Bingley also wrote to me, but I am not abandoning you to read his letter.” Darcy said as he nibbled at her ear, drawing another giggle from his wife.

“That is because you know you will not be able to read his writing.” She wriggled away from him once more—as he laughed and acknowledged she was correct—and opened her letter.

“Well?” Darcy asked as he watched her expressions change.

“It appears that Mrs. Annesley has everything well in hand at Longbourn. Mamma has not visited Netherfield, Mary and Georgiana are reading Mrs. Wollstonecraft under my father’s watching eye, and Kitty and Lydia are conversing in French.” She lifted the letter and read, “Though Lydia does not understand why as we are at war with the French.” She laughed. “Jane said Charles wonders if they will have to move to Derbyshire, but she reminded him that they want to be nearer to us.”

Darcy laughed, tugging the paper from her hand as he pulled her closer. “Then there is nothing for us to do but enjoy our time alone, without interruption.”

And we will discreetly close the door on our dear couple. I hope you have enjoyed this story. I will tell you that the published story will be thoroughly edited, loose strings will be addressed, and another side story that wormed its way into my writing this week will bring about a third couple’s happy ending. As I mentioned some time back, this will not be part of Kindle Unlimited, but the price will be low.