Page 134 of Shields and Roses

"You are always welcome to visit," Darcy said, "although I would prefer you wait a week or two."

"No fear. I want to show Lady Rand her new home. Father will be coming along to help transfer control of the house and lands to us."

"That is good. It would be awkward if the servants failed to believe you truly had inherited the title."

"That would have been an interesting joke to try when I was younger, although I doubt anyone would have taken me seriously at it. Well, though I am sorry Grandfather and my brother are gone, it is nice to be able to provide my wife with a good home right away. As you know, I was prepared to buy a small estate, but it would have taken time."

"Do you have any objection if we stop for a day or two on our way to Pemberley?" Darcy asked.

"None at all. I think Charlotte will be pleased to show off her home to her closest friend."

"I certainly will," Charlotte said.

"And I will be glad to return the favor at Pemberley sometime soon," Lizzy told her. "I hope we can always remain close now that we are related by marriage as well as tied by friendship."

"What do you think Bingley and his wife will do?" Richard asked. "I understood Netherfield is only available for lease, not for sale."

"I expect he will be looking for that small estate you originally planned to buy. He took a six-month lease, so he has a little time yet before he has to decide whether to renew or find something else."

"That is true," Richard said, a little distractedly. His attention was caught by seeing Lizzy's special necklace and earrings. He gestured at the pendant. "I heard from Will that you told him the shield in that necklace reminded you of all the people who care for you and wish to shield you from harm. You have no fewer people to do the caring, but I think it is now Will's place to be your shield."

"I think you are correct, Richard," Lizzy agreed, "although with Lady Catherine gone, there is less need for the shield and more time to enjoy the roses."

Richard looked over at the well-trimmed damask rose. "I suppose you are right," he said thoughtfully. He turned back to them, the contemplative mood shoved aside. "Well, if we both go together, we are more likely to get out of here quickly."

"Yes," Darcy agreed. "One thing I have learned around here is that just because you say goodbye does not mean you will actually be able to leave." He and Lizzy began to walk towards the house, with Richard and Charlotte following.

"We start with Papa," Lizzy said. "And then Richard's father. If he is leaving with Richard and Charlotte, he can help us get away that much faster.

"The campaign has begun," Richard said laughingly as he gestured past the crowd of people to the door. "Once more unto the breach, dear friends..."

"Oh, Richard," said Lizzy and Charlotte in unison, even as Darcy said, "This is not a battle."

"You think not?" asked Richard. "What do you wager that it takes us more than another hour to get out of here?"

Darcy looked at Lizzy. She shook her head in the negative. "Sorry, cousin," he said, "My wife just told me not to take that bet."

"Spoilsport," Richard said to Lizzy, grinning. "Now, let us see how quickly we can get to the study."

Sidestepping the guests and making minimal conversation, the two couples continued their quest to make it into the house as quickly as possible.

Chapter 62: Epilogue

As Richard had predicted, it was more than an hour before the two couples were finally able to drive away from Longbourn. In the old days, Darcy would have just said goodbye to his host and walked off with an expression that defied anyone to stop him. Now, however, this group of people was his new family and friends, so progress to the carriage was slow as they made their farewells to all and sundry.

At least the trip to London was accomplished quickly, with none of the frustrating delays Lady Catherine had experienced on her way to Meryton the week before. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy arrived at Darcy House with plenty of time for the new mistress to be introduced to the household staff and given a leisurely tour, with a few amorous interruptions from her husband, before having a simple dinner and retiring to truly begin their married life together.

After a few days, they made their way to Pemberley, stopping for a day at Randbrook on the journey so Charlotte could proudly display her new home to her best friend and new cousin-by-marriage. Once home, the couple continued the process of building a relationship together while Darcy also caught up on the estate business that had fallen to the side while he had hunted for his mystery woman. Lizzy eased into her new role as mistress of a fine estate with much help from Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper. These early days would set the tone for a lifetime spent caring for each other along with their duties to the estate and their extended families.

~o~

Once he left Longbourn, Sir Phillip made the inquiries Richard suggested. They discovered that Colonel Forster was not exactly on Lady Catherine's payroll, but he had received a large disbursement when Mr. Hayward arranged the commission for Wickham in earnest of letting anything slide that Wickham did while following the instructions of his patroness. They never could prove that Colonel Forster helped Wickham escape, but it did seem likely.

All regular payments from the Rosings accounts to Lady Catherine's spies ceased. On learning of Lady Catherine's death, Mr. Hayward proved willing to give some information to Sir Phillip in return for payment of his final fee. He avoided mentioning anything that could be used against himself in law, but he did offer some hints that helped Sir Phillip and Richard later track down some of the more hidden plans Lady Catherine had put in place.

~o~

A few weeks after the wedding, the men Darcy had sent north with Collins arrived at the Longbourn. Not knowing of the change in their master's marital status or location, they had reported as they had been directed and expected to find Darcy still there. Peter Fitzwilliam, who had based himself at Longbourn for a time, conspired with Mr. Bennet to convince the men to report to them. The two older men had a good laugh at the information they received before sending Darcy's men on their way to Pemberley.