Epilogue
Sixteen months later
The carriage stopped in front of the shop and Mrs Bennet climbed down, together with Hill. Mrs Phillips was waiting nearby.
“Sister, I have heard that Colonel Forster’s wife returned to him a few months ago and he received her. Poor man…Why would he accept such a betrayal?”
“Sister, we should not judge others, since we know how harmful that could be,” Mrs Bennet said wisely.
“Yes, but still…”
“Sister Phillips, let us instead discuss our travel plans.”
“Oh yes, I cannot believe Mr Darcy has been so generous as to invite us too.”
“He is the most generous man! And how handsome! And he loves Lizzy so much! He said he wished for the whole family to be there! He sent us this beautiful, large carriage, so we can travel comfortably.”
“Oh sister, I cannot wait! You should thank the Lord every day, that He has been so good to you!”
“I do, sister! Every single day!”
As they spoke, Lady Lucas approached them and greeted them with a large smile.
“My dear Mrs Bennet, I have not seen you in a while. I hope all is well with you?”
“Very well, indeed. I have been busy as we are all packing to move to Pemberley for the summer. Kitty, Lydia and Mary are already there, as they have spent the entire season with Miss Darcy.”
“I heard Jane and Mr Bingley will leave Netherfield?”
“Yes, indeed they have found a beautiful property only thirty miles from Pemberley and Mr Bingley has purchased it.”
“You must be sad to lose her!”
“Not at all...I am content to see her happy, married to such a worthy man! I hear you have some happy news too and congratulations are required, Lady Lucas!”
“Oh yes, Charlotte just gave birth to a beautiful boy—their first heir. Mr Collins is so happy to have a son and know that his inheritance will not be entailed outside the family.”
The offence made Mrs Bennet frown. She struggled to find the proper, wise words to reply, then she saw Lady Lucas’s victorious expression and forgot any promises of kindness.
“I congratulate you all for providing Mr Collins with an heir for Longbourn. My Lizzy gave birth to her first child too, and Mr Darcy is beside himself with joy to hold the heir of Pemberley. Each to his own, I might say. Now please excuse me, I must purchase a few things for the journey.”
She entered the shop, savouring her victory and grateful that neither her husband nor her eldest daughters had heard the exchange and scolded her for her mischievous reply.
But she just could not stand the Lucases—not after what she had to suffer from them, and not since Lady Lucas tried to offend her all the time.
Even after so long, she regretted including the Lucases on the guest list for the Christmas party at Netherfield a year and a half ago. She would surely not repeat that mistake ever again.
With a last effort she put any upset aside, resuming the conversation with her sister about Pemberley—truly the most beautiful place in the whole of England.
Just as Mr Darcy was the most handsome man—and how fortunate for them all, that he locked himself with Lizzy in the library, precisely at the Netherfield ball!