Epilogue

The new Mr. and Mrs. Laurence were eager to travel home to America and wasted no time in securing passage on a steamer. They left Flo and Aunt Carrol in Nice and returned to London with Grandfather. Each day was filled with preparations for their imminent departure. Amy’s paintings needed to be carefully packed, and there were many London acquaintances to take leave of.

It was with bittersweet happiness, then, that Laurie took Amy to meet Mr. and Mrs. Darcy. They were shown to the drawing room, where Mrs. Darcy awaited them.

She rose at once. “Mr. Laurence! Laurie! Do come in.”

She looked at Amy and cocked her head to the side as if contemplating something. “Could this be Miss Amy March? You seem to fit her description perfectly.”

“It is Amy Laurence now, ma’am.” Laurie beamed with satisfaction with the words.

Mrs. Darcy’s expression showed her surprise and softened at once into pleasure. “Mrs. Laurence, how very pleased I am to make your acquaintance!”

“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy, the pleasure is mine. Laurie told me much about you.”

“Indeed? That is gratifying. Please, do sit down and let me look at you. I have heard tales of your adventures with Laurie in Nice. Now I can see the attractive face behind the stories for myself. I must say, Laurie did not exaggerate. You are as beautiful as he professed.”

Amy blushed up to her golden hair, and her husband laughed. “Thank you, ma’am.” As she took a seat near the fireplace, Mrs. Darcy called for tea. The parlor door opened a moment later to reveal Mr. Darcy.

“Forgive me, my dear. I was just finishing up a letter to Charles.”

“Come and meet Mrs. Amy Laurence.”

Mr. Darcy raised a brow and bowed respectfully. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Laurence.”

Amy looked rather breathless while greeting the stately gentleman. “Mr. Darcy, how lovely to meet you.”

The door opened a second time, and tea was served. Laurie felt a wave of contentment as polite conversation flowed. He inquired after Fitz, and the Darcys explained that he had already returned to Derbyshire.

“How long have you been in town?” Mrs. Darcy asked.

“We arrived yesterday, and we travel home to Concord next week,” Laurie answered.

Mrs. Darcy gave him a sad smile. “I am sure you are pleased to be going home, but we shall miss your visits. That puts me in mind—I have a book that I should like to show you before you leave. Would you accompany me to the library?”

Laurie was slightly confused by this rather random request but nodded genially.

“You are your mother’s daughter, my dear.” Mr. Darcy’s comment earned him a sharp look of reproof that was followed immediately by a tinkling laugh as Mrs. Darcy tried and failed to maintain a stern countenance.

“Come, Laurie.” She beckoned to him and turned to the rest of the party. “Please excuse us for a moment.”

The library was cool, calm, and everything a library should be. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy certainly had an impressive collection of books!

“My husband has found me out. I have no book to show you at all.” Mrs. Darcy clasped her hands in front of her as she faced Laurie. “I simply wanted to ask if all was well. I see that you are happy, but I also see that you wear half-mourning clothes. Your grandfather told us of your loss. I did not wish to inquire in front of your wife for fear of causing distress. Is she well?”

“Amy is bearing up, but she is terribly anxious to be with her parents and sisters. The grief weighs on all of us. Our Beth was the gentlest creature you could imagine, and Grandfather became particularly close to her. ”

“Yes, poor James! He has known too much heartache in his life.”

“I agree, ma’am. First his wife, his granddaughter, then my father, and now Beth. She was the best of us. She was musical without ambition, kind without artifice. She was home. And we are…” Laurie felt unable to continue. Clearing his throat, he looked away for a moment to gather himself. “Amy feels it keenly. She blames herself for being here in Europe, though Beth kept telling her to stay.”

“I know what it is like to lose a sister. I am sorry, very sorry for your loss. I have no wish to upset Amy, but you will tell her I said so?”

“I will, ma’am. And I thank you.”

“You found your way, Laurie.” Her smile was so warm and maternal that Laurie couldn’t help but take her hand and give it a little squeeze.

“I did, and I have you and your husband to thank for it. When I spoke with you that day, I was lost and heartbroken, thinking I had ruined my life through my own stupidity. You helped me see there was a way through.”

“You are a dear boy. When you have lived as long as I have, you come to know certain truths. Hearts change. Sometimes it is for the worse, but often it is very much for the better. I am glad you have found happiness. Your lovely bride seems content, as well.”

“Would you believe she has loved me for years? A good-for-nothing like myself? How can I make amends for being such a fool?”

“Well, you have the rest of your life to devote to her felicity. I should think that would suffice.”

“You are quite right, as always, ma’am.”

She opened her arms to him. “Might I hug you goodbye as I would one of my own grandsons?”

Laurie was touched by the gesture, coming as it was from such a proper English lady. He accepted her embrace with pleasure. “Thank you for everything.”

She gave his cheek a motherly pat and led him back to the drawing room, where Mr. Darcy was entertaining Amy. Or rather, Amy was entertaining Mr. Darcy. As they entered the room, the usually reserved gentleman let out a bark of laughter.

“I can well believe it!” He looked up and saw them approaching. Schooling his features once more, he spoke in a more dignified tone, “Mrs. Laurence was telling me about how you two came to be married.”

Laurie gave a look of mock trepidation. “My darling wife, are you sharing all my follies with Mr. Darcy? I shall lose his favorable opinion if you tell all.”

“Nonsense,” Mr. Darcy said. “I admire your forthright actions.”

Laurie offered the gentleman a bow. “Thank you, sir.”

“Laurence tells me you are booked on the RMS Scotia,” Mr. Darcy said.

“Yes, it is considered to be the fastest paddle steamer.”

“I hope you have no trouble with the sea voyage, Mrs. Laurence. It can be very cramped,” Mrs. Darcy said seriously.

“The sea offers space and time for the imagination to flourish, and I am a sturdy traveler.”

“Elizabeth was always up for an adventure, as well,” Mr. Darcy’s voice lightened on his wife’s name, and she met his eyes with obvious affection.

Amy smiled at Grandfather. “I hope we have good weather so the three of us may spend as much time on the deck as possible.”

“As do I. I am not as young as I used to be, and I find travel a trifle more challenging than when I was your age.” He laughed and then sobered as he addressed his friends. “Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, I am not certain if we shall meet again.”

Mrs. Darcy looked at him somberly for a moment. “I wish we could see you off at the docks, but unfortunately we have other obligations tomorrow.”

Grandfather nodded and then shook Mr. Darcy’s hand firmly.

Mrs. Darcy embraced him. “We shall miss you. Do write to us often.”

“I shall.”

“Goodbye, Mrs. Darcy, Mr. Darcy,” Laurie said. “I sincerely hope we meet again.”

“As do we.” Mrs. Darcy took Amy’s hands in hers. “Will you write to me and tell me how you get on? I would love to have an American correspondent.”

“With pleasure. And I am sure I shall be seeking your advice before too long. The manor is much larger than Orchard House, and I have no experience running a home.” Amy’s blue eyes twinkled with undisguised relish at the prospect.

“You are lucky to have your mother so near.” At Mrs. Darcy’s remark, Mr. Darcy raised an eyebrow, and she laughed. “Yes, dear, she is lucky. Near and far are relative terms, I know. But I believe Mrs. Laurence is glad to be settling so close to her family.”

“Oh yes! I cannot wait to be living at home once more.”

““You must have much to do to get ready. Fitzwilliam and I are so grateful that you took the time to call.” Mrs. Darcy said. “Go now, before I keep you for an hour longer!”

They left the townhouse, waving goodbye from the carriage to Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, who waved back from the steps.

“My darling, I hope we shall be as happy together as they are,” Laurie said.

“We will be, my lord. We will be.”