The Missing Chapter of Pride and Prejudice - Five Years Later

Yet another school assignment... But I have to admit, school is a great motivator for writing... :P Anyways, the title says it all. Hope you enjoy

Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy sat in the back of her husband’s illustrious carriage maintaining a facade of the deepest composure; inwardly, however, she was nearly bursting with joyous excitement.  With no small amount of patience and careful decision, the time had finally come when her younger sister Kitty was to be married.  Each time Elizabeth drew closer to the very idea of the engagement, she nearly released all of her approbated glee in one fitful torrent of delight.  This, however, would never do, especially in consideration of the other passengers of the carriage:  Mr. Darcy, her proud husband, and his younger sister Miss Georgiana Darcy.  They were, of course, nearly as thrilled for Kitty’s marriage as she was, but at the same time, neither had much energy to speak of it.  Both had been working judiciously with Elizabeth in the previous weeks to arrange, perpetuate, and finally complete an important ball for Mr. Darcy’s business associates.  They had only received word of the engagement the day of the event and had thus little time to reinvigorate their vitality.

At the moment, Mr. Darcy was concentrating with great effort upon his morning post, while Georgiana was thoroughly engrossed with the passing scenery outside of the carriage window.  Elizabeth, meanwhile, stared at Mr. Darcy with the deepest of adoration; to have such a man as one’s husband truly was a blessing sent directly from the throne room of heaven.  He was loyal, generous, and affectionate, and, in addition to a graciousness that was unmatched by anyone in Hertfordshire or its outlying regions, he was quite amiable as well.  His only very questionable quality, in her opinion, was his immense pride, both in himself and his family, and even then he maintained a decorum that was rather exceptional.  He happened to look up from a letter at that point and caught her eye just before she turned her gaze hurriedly away.  He smiled with gentle affection mixed with a wry humor, and then returned to his letter once more.  Elizabeth returned it with one of her own, and continued to beam as her thoughts once again floated with little effort back to Kitty.

Oh, how excited she was to finally see her sister married off to an agreeable man, especially to one so graceful as Mr. Owens!  His acquaintance had first been made at a Pemberley ball the previous summer to which Elizabeth had invited Kitty and the Bingleys.  At the time, Mr. Owens had only been an associate of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley; after his introduction to Kitty, however, he never seemed to be far from her or their group.  In fact, he was perhaps the only gentleman at the ball whom Kitty allowed to dance with her more than once.  From that point, it was rather clear to everyone around them that they were taken with each other.  In many of her letters to Elizabeth over the proceeding winter, Kitty often wrote of the visits that Mr. Owens paid to Longbourn and of his many charms.  No one was more than slightly surprised when his proposal was received and accepted but were nonetheless blissfully satisfied with the outcome.  Mrs. Bennet, however, was more so than anyone; to have four of her five daughters married meant that her lifelong intentions were almost fulfilled.  All who remained was Mary, and Elizabeth could not help but feel a slight bit of grief for her, considering their mother’s as well as Mary’s own dispositions.  There were sure to some rather interesting results from such a combination of purposes and personalities.

Elizabeth’s thoughts in that regard were soon to be postponed, though, as Georgiana quickly broke her view of the countryside and exclaimed with quiet yet earnest warmth, “Lizzy, we’re here!”  Elizabeth quickly moved to the window, just in time to see the stately form of Longbourn sliding into sight.  She smiled once more as the estate grew larger and larger as they approached.  There were so many memories stored in the place, including some of the happiest she had ever known or would hope to know.

By this time, Mr. Darcy had placed his letter on the seat and moved to behold Longbourn with his wife and sister.  Elizabeth glanced sideways for the shortest of moments and thought she glimpsed a smile of his own.  Yes, happy memories, indeed, she thought.

Author's Note

This was just a fun little activity I though I might share on here. :)