Page 33

It must have been close to midnight when he finally said goodnight and withdrew to his room after gently kissing her lips, just as she had kissed his in the carriage earlier that day. Elizabeth found herself regretting he had left but did not dare ask him to stay.

She gathered that courage a week later, after they had spent every day in each other’s company, taking long walks alone or with Georgiana, sharing some private time in their rooms late in the night, celebrating Christmas together — with a short visit from the Dunnroys and Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Every day, their intimacy was enhanced with small gestures, little kisses, touches, and meaningful smiles. Every day brought Elizabeth more joy, more comfort, more certainty about a blissful future; every day any lasting doubt or concerns faded away.

On the night before the year ended, Elizabeth knocked on her husband’s door and stepped into his chamber, into his arms that closed adoringly around her, becoming Mrs Darcy with her entire being.

Epilogue

Pemberley, five years later

“You look happy, Lizzy. And more beautiful each time I see you,” Mr Bennet said as the two of them walked arm and arm on one side of the lake. On the other side, there was a gathering of people, voices, and laughter that made conversation hardly possible.

“You flatter me, Papa. About my beauty, I mean,” she said with a laugh. “My happiness is truly everything I prayed for, and more.” As she spoke, she glanced towards her husband, who was sitting on a blanket with their son of three and a half years and their daughter, who was not yet one. With them were Jane, her husband, and their two daughters, along with the Gardiners and their children. Mrs Bennet was sitting on a comfortable chair under a parasol, barking instructions at everyone around her.

Georgiana was expected to join them soon from London, together with the Dunnroys, the Matlocks, and Colonel Fitzwilliam and his wife.

It had taken Lord and Lady Matlock over two years before they finally came to approve of Elizabeth and to recognise the happiness she brought to both Darcy and Georgiana. When the young Master Darcy was born, Lord Dunnroy and Lady Cecilia became his godparents, and the Matlocks attended his christening. Lady Catherine never accepted any reconciliation whatsoever.

“That is obvious, Lizzy. And to think how much I had to insist on you accepting Darcy’s proposal! You were appalled when you first read his letter.”

Elizabeth laughed again, this time heartily. “You remind me of that every time we meet, Papa. And I repeat what I have told you so many times. I was not appalled by the letter but stunned. Who could have imagined a marriage proposal, by letter, from a man I hardly knew? And I did not decide to accept it eventually because of your insistence but because of Fitzwilliam’s confession that he already admired me.”

“That was strange, after he refused to dance with you at first. Poor fellow. I imagine you made him pay for that offence.”

“No, Papa. I have long forgotten and forgiven that moment. My memory of the past is not as good as yours.”

“With so much peace and quiet at home after all your sisters married and Jane and her family moved away from Netherfield, what else can I do except read and remember the past? At least your mother has her sister and her friends in Meryton to waste her time. Nothing gives her more pleasure than to listen to Lady Lucas talking about Charlotte and Collins so she can outdo her with stories about Darcy, Pemberley, and your introduction at court.”

“I can only imagine that.”

“I, for one, prefer my library, as you know.”

“So does my husband,” Elizabeth replied, then blushed at some recollections of the time she and Darcy had spent in the library. “At least you have no reason for concern any longer, Papa. All of us are happily married to good husbands.”

“That is true. But it is also true that your husband helped each of them to find good employment. To Mary’s he offered a living, to Lydia and Kitty’s — both lawyers — he offered the management of his properties.”

“But Fitzwilliam would not have done that if he was not certain they were honourable, hardworking young men.”

“I agree. However, I cannot but feel that your husband is supporting our entire family. I even told him as much, but he obviously denied it. He never accepts credit for his actions — I believe that is his main fault.”

“As another young lady said some time ago, Mr Darcy is a man without faults, Papa,” Elizabeth replied in jest, musing that Caroline Bingley had not visited Pemberley in the three years since she married.

As they spoke, the very object of their interest walked towards them, holding his son’s hand and carrying his daughter in his other arm.

“We all missed you,” he said to his wife, then immediately corrected himself, “And you, of course, Mr Bennet.”

“Do not even attempt it, Darcy. You excel in many things, but you remain a poor liar — one of the worst I have ever met.”

“You must know I hold you in high regard, sir,” Darcy said in all seriousness.

“Of course I know. If not, you would not allow me to turn up to your houses when I am least expected. Now I shall retire to your library and enjoy your brandy. That is enough outdoor exercise for me.”

With that, he walked away, while Elizabeth remained surrounded by the three loves of her life. In front of them was Pemberley, with its majestic beauty and the certainty of a blissful life.

THE END