Epilogue
Winchester, Hampshire
Jane lay in a bed in the house her sister had taken so that she might be closer to her doctor.
In the last twenty-four hours of her life, she had suffered greatly.
When asked by Cassandra whether she needed anything, she replied–as she so often did–with a quote–this time from Pilgrim’s Progress–“I want nothing but death.” Then later her own words–“God grant me patience, pray for me, oh, pray for me!” Her voice was affected, but as long as she spoke she was intelligible.
Her sister Cassandra was beside her as she had been the past two days, when Jane was finally released from her suffering.
Jane was aware of leaving the pain of her physical body behind, and caressed her sister as she slipped from her form, unable to comfort dearest Cassandra in her grief.
Her awareness of her state slipped away into the brightest light.
Jane felt jostled as she woke. She started a bit as she opened her eyes. She was in a carriage? And dear heavens. Daisy, Mrs Bingley’s maid of all people, was on the rear facing seat across from her.
“We’ll be at the house in just a mo’, Miss Jane,” the maid informed her.
“What house?” Jane demanded in confusion as she attempted to assemble her thoughts.
The suffering of the past year was unforgotten, her condition, unforgotten, dearest Cassandra’s anguish felt only too fresh.
Why am I here? I died! My own brother performed the last rites!
Jane felt better than she ever had in her life. She felt vibrant with vitality.
Daisy gestured to the window as the carriage pulled to a stop. Jane looked out of the window at an astounding mansion that could only be one place. Pemberley!
A footman opened the door, and a masculine hand entered. Jane took it, and stepped out, blinking in surprise as Mr Darcy handed her out of the carriage.
“Welcome to Pemberley, Miss Austen.” He smiled at her tenderly. “We have been waiting for you.”
Jane had no time to answer before she was rushed by Mrs Elizabeth Darcy, who threw her arms around her neck. “I promised I would send a carriage for you, did I not?”