Epilogue

Pemberley, December 1817

The Darcys’ sixth Christmas gathered all their families at Pemberley. The house was almost full, all of the guests carefully accommodated to ensure everyone’s comfort and privacy. That was something Mrs Darcy had mastered, as Lady Matlock admitted.

Whether at Pemberley or in their London town house, Elizabeth excelled at her position as Mrs Darcy, earning respect and appreciation with gentleness, determination, and care.

Since the day of their wedding, most people from Darcy’s circle had disapproved of Elizabeth, if only because she occupied the place at Mr Darcy’s side that was coveted by so many. He did not care; he was perfectly happy with his choice and grateful for her love, disregarding anyone else’s opinion.

However, Elizabeth chose prudence, and while she never felt inferior to anyone, nor questioned her place in her husband’s arms, she understood she had to prove her worth to those who doubted her. The first person whose good opinion she desired was Lady Matlock, a severe woman with impeccable taste and education and deep affection for Darcy and Georgiana. It had taken months and many meetings until Lady Matlock had taken Elizabeth to her dressmaker and organised a party to welcome her to the family.

The following year, Elizabeth had given birth to their son, Alexander Thomas Bennet Darcy, and one year later, Lady Matlock had introduced her at St James’s Palace, then at Almack’s, and had helped her to host her own party and take her first steps in their restrictive society. With Lady Catherine de Bourgh spreading her bitter resentment about town, there were many prejudices Elizabeth had to overcome, but the effort was worth it, not so much for herself but for Alexander and his future brothers and sisters, for Georgiana, and even for her Mr Darcy.

In the privacy of her own home, with her husband, Elizabeth Darcy was no different from Lizzy Bennet. Her spirit — tempered in society — remained undiminished. She became familiar with Pemberley’s park on foot until her husband taught her to ride. She swam in Pemberley’s lake on hot summer days, wore her more simple gowns, and sat on the grass whenever she felt like it.

And — most importantly — she valued her private time with her husband more than anything else. The servants quickly learnt to never enter a room without knocking and to never enter the master or mistress’s suite unless they were rung for. Being Mr Darcy’s wife felt like a dream to Elizabeth even six years later, but being Mrs Darcy required much more.

She became well acquainted with every tenant and every family in Lambton, and she made it a habit to visit them regularly, either with her husband or with Georgiana. Mr Darcy was often called the best master and the best landlord — kind, fair, but impressive, even frightening at times. The mistress, Elizabeth Darcy, won their affection, admiration, and loyalty with her bright smile, her natural manners, and her kindness. Her connection with Mrs Gardiner — who still had many relatives in Lambton — was a great help too, especially since the Gardiners visited Pemberley often.

Mrs Darcy had not been seen in public much in the last three months since she had given birth to her daughter. However, everyone was eagerly waiting for Boxing Day, hoping the usual presents would still arrive. A little party was also hosted at the Lambton Inn, organised and paid for by the Darcys for everyone who wished to attend.

“The decorations are exquisite,” Lady Matlock said to Darcy as they were walking towards the dining room.

“They are,” Lord Matlock agreed. “I do not care much about decoration, but I do recognise something that pleases the eye.”

“Elizabeth has developed a flawless taste for elegance and class,” the lady continued. Darcy smiled but said nothing. To him, Elizabeth had always possessed flawless taste in everything — except for that brief period when she had trusted Wickham.

“So you named your daughter Anne Frances?” Lord Matlock enquired.

“Yes. After my mother and Elizabeth’s.”

“I hope she will not inherit Mrs Bennet’s manners,” Lady Matlock said. “Yes, I know she saved your life, and I admit she can be amusing company—”

“I cannot argue with that. But she has some good character traits that I hope our daughter will inherit.”

“Catherine is ill, you know,” Lord Matlock suddenly said. “You should visit her.”

“Yes, Elizabeth told me the same. Does she require my presence?”

“No, but Anne does.”

“As you well know, we have seen Anne several times in the last few years. Elizabeth and I keep up a regular correspondence with her. But Lady Catherine refuses to talk to me — and I have no desire to insist upon it.”

They ceased their conversation as more and more people filled the room: Bingley, Jane, and their two sons; Mary and Kitty with their husbands; Georgiana with her betrothed; Lydia Bennet and her betrothed; the Gardiners and their children; Colonel Fitzwilliam and his wife, who had married three years ago; the viscount with his wife and his sons; and Mr and Mrs Bennet. For the first time, Mr and Mrs Phillips had come too, and despite arriving a week ago, they still had not stopped marvelling at everything around them.

“Mr Bennet is in the library again?” Lord Matlock enquired.

“Very likely,” Darcy answered.

“Upon my word, I have rarely seen a gentleman so easily pleased. He would spend an entire month in the library if he could,” the earl jested.

“That is what he said too. Now please excuse me — I am going to find Elizabeth and fetch my father-in-law. It is dinner time.”

Out in the hall, he encountered Mrs Reynolds, who was supervising the servants. Seeing Darcy, she whispered, “The mistress is in the library.”

He was not surprised. The library was one of their favourite rooms, and they spent quite a lot of time there, reading, debating, or indulging in other sorts of activities that could not even be mentioned.

He opened the door, and his heart melted. Elizabeth was there, not only with her father but also with their two children. Mr Bennet was holding little Anne in his arms while Alexander played on the carpet.

“I know we are a little late. We shall be there in a moment,” Elizabeth said.

“You are not late, my love,” Darcy answered. “You are the mistress of the house. You choose when you come.”

He kissed her hand, and her cheeks coloured briefly.

“You are very kind to say that, but late is late,” she teased him. “I just took a moment to talk to Papa.”

“I told Lizzy her mother is thrilled that you gave your daughter her name too,” Mr Bennet said. “I have heard of little else for weeks. You had no pity for my poor nerves.”

“Papa! We did give Alexander your name, did we not?”

“You did, and I am exceedingly happy about it, but I did not brag about it incessantly. Actually, I did, especially to Sir William, who kept telling me about Charlotte’s three children. But I am sure your mother was worse.”

They amused themselves for a little while, then two maids came to take the children and prepare them for the night. Alexander agreed to leave only after two rounds of kisses from his parents as well as his grandfather.

“I never thought I would like to spend time with a child so much,” Mr Bennet said. “He took the best from both of you.”

“He is very much like Elizabeth, both in appearance and in nature, which makes me exceedingly happy,” Darcy said.

“You are not so bad yourself either, Darcy. Lizzy was telling me about Wickham. I understand you have news of him.”

“I do. Shockingly, it is better than expected. When he left the country, I purchased a small cottage and a piece of land for him — all in my name, so he cannot sell them. Two years ago, he was in a conflict and was wounded — quite seriously. He has not been able to move one of his arms since. Now, reports say he is doing fairly well. He works his land, has married, and has done nothing illegal for a while.”

“Ah. What about Denny and that Harriet woman? They refused to leave with Wickham, I know.”

“Yes. Sadly, Denny was killed three years ago. Harriet left Mrs Younge’s establishment and was last seen boarding a ship to India two years ago.”

“That silly woman ruined her life, as well as Colonel Forster’s. I heard he suffered a stroke and is kept to his bed,” Mr Bennet said.

“I heard that too. The poor colonel was a good man, though perhaps too trusting.”

“Oh well, you did everything you could to warn him and give those thieves another chance. It is more than most people would have done. Some people do not want to be saved.”

“Come, Papa, let us go for dinner,” Elizabeth suggested, taking Darcy’s arm.

“I must say you two look very happy. Even happier every time I see you,” Mr Bennet declared in earnest.

“We are happy, Papa. All the time, even when we argue,” she answered.

“I can see that… I shall go on ahead,” Mr Bennet said, leaving them behind while Darcy intentionally decreased their pace.

“Are you well, my love? You must be very tired,” he whispered.

“I am a little tired but very well. And I am certainly not so tired as to not wish to dance with you tonight. I look forward to it.”

“So do I, my love. I have found great enjoyment in dancing since I married you, for it allows me to hold you and touch you while we are in public.”

“Mr Darcy! This is quite appalling!” she joked, her cheeks burning.

“I beg your forgiveness for giving you a reason to complain, my love. Apparently, dancing does turn me into a savage at times.”

She laughed discreetly, then she looked about to ensure she would not be heard before she answered, her lips close to his ear.

“You are a savage at times, Mr Darcy, but not when you dance, not in public, and I certainly have no reason to complain,” she replied boldly.

Then she took her husband’s arm, and they entered the dining room together, which was already full of people waiting for them. Darcy helped his wife sit at one end of the table, and he went to the opposite end, watching her from afar with love, admiration, and gratitude. They were a little late, but she was the mistress and well worth waiting for.