Epilogue
Pemberley, July - five months later
The sound of birds singing and the sunshine caressing her face woke Elizabeth.
She allowed herself to be spoilt by the soft sheets a moment longer before she finally opened her eyes and glanced at the pillow next to her, touching it.
Her husband’s place was empty but still carried his warmth and scent.
She knew he was in his rooms, as was his wont in the mornings.
Besides, the open door between their apartments and the soft sounds coming from there revealed his whereabouts.
They had arrived at Pemberley only a month ago after staying in London for the Season, despite Darcy’s initial plan.
Shocked by Darcy’s unexpected decision to marry the second daughter of a completely insignificant gentleman and influenced by Lady Catherine’s furious and abusive letters, the Matlocks had received the news of their nephew’s marriage with anger and disparagement.
The colonel’s favourable reports and opinion did not improve theirs, and several harsh arguments with Darcy followed even before the wedding, with Darcy storming from Matlock House after threatening to cut all contact with the Fitzwilliam side of the family.
Their opinion did not change when Darcy informed them that his other uncle, the judge, wished him joy and asked to be introduced to the new Mrs Darcy when they were in town.
Eventually, Lady Matlock weighed up the impact of such a scandal on their family, especially the danger of estrangement from Darcy and Georgiana — whom she loved like her own daughter and who seemed to appreciate this Elizabeth Bennet.
By the time the wedding had taken place and the couple had arrived in London, Lady Matlock was the first to overcome the shock of Darcy’s marriage to a complete stranger so outside their social circle and agreed to make her acquaintance with restrained civility.
Two more brief meetings were enough for the lady to observe that, regardless of Elizabeth’s faults and the objections against her family, her affection for Darcy was genuine, as was her already close friendship with Georgiana.
Therefore, she chose a compromise and invited the newly married couple and Georgiana to her house, introducing Elizabeth to her husband — who was still utterly opposed to the union — and her eldest son, the viscount.
She also secured the help of Judge Darcy who, after meeting Elizabeth, declared her perfect for his nephew and himself not bothered by her inadequacy among the ton.
The dinner did not completely remove Lord Matlock’s resentment and the viscount’s reluctance; however, Elizabeth’s polite and easy manners, her unaffected dignity while tolerating and answering their inquisitorial questions, her small gestures of gentleness towards Georgiana, and especially the little half smiles, warm glances, and intimate and yet proper gestures between her and Darcy, proved all the reasons that had moved him to propose to her and that she had not, at least, accepted him for mercenary purposes only.
During that dinner, Lady Matlock opposed Darcy’s plans to move to Pemberley immediately. She insisted that it would be proper for the new Mrs Darcy to be introduced into society, thusly braving any nascent comments and rumours.
While Darcy was determined to choose the peace of Pemberley over the bustle of a town eager for gossip, Elizabeth readily understood the benefits of Lady Matlock’s proposal and how it might affect Georgiana as well as her future children.
Therefore, after a sound conversation with Darcy later that day, they accepted the suggestion, as well as Lady Matlock’s aid.
The lady was very preoccupied with Mrs Darcy’s reception into society since it affected not only Darcy but also Georgiana and their entire family.
Lady Catherine had caused enough damage by sending letters mentioning her disapproval of the marriage and maligning Elizabeth to all their common acquaintances.
The scandal had been countered only by the public appearances of Lord and Lady Matlock and their sons with the newly married couple.
After her presentation and brief curtsey in front of the birthday cake at Queen Charlotte’s ball, the new Mrs Darcy was seen at the theatre, at the opera, at a private party celebrating Darcy marriage organised by Lady Matlock, and several others hosted by her friends, always presenting the image of a close and harmonious family relationship.
The new Mrs Darcy was in the midst of general scrutiny for three months; she attracted much speculation, especially in regard to Darcy’s possible reasons for marrying her, from a banal compromise to an illicit relationship, the result of which would show in a few months.
She also attracted overt disdain from some — especially from those ladies and their mamas who were vexed by Darcy’s choice.
The gentlemen who had known Darcy for years were rather intrigued and curious but not oblivious to Mrs Darcy’s charming figure or her bright eyes and smiles towards her husband, who always stood near her, always touching her in some fashion, protective and obviously bewitched.
A month into their marriage, Mrs Darcy and her husband were a constant presence at the events of the Season. While sometimes Miss Darcy accompanied them, more often than not, a member of the Fitzwilliam family was with them too.
During that time, Bingley and Jane arrived in London, and they attended several events together, including a private dinner at the Matlock residence.
Also, Elizabeth and Darcy visited the Gardiners as often as their busy schedule allowed them.
One of the activities suggested by Lady Matlock was strolling in Hyde Park at the fashionable hour, and it became their favourite, not because they could see and be seen but because they genuinely appreciated the exercise.
One day, during one of their usual walks in Hyde Park, the Darcys happened upon some old acquaintances — Colonel Forster and his wife, accompanied by two older ladies.
The colonel looked as though he had suddenly grown older, while his wife’s countenance seemed rather dull and to have lost its usual liveliness.
Some brief and civil but distant greetings were exchanged, and they noticed that Mrs Forster was in a delicate condition that the lighter spring garments could not hide. Neither seemed willing to prolong the conversation, so only minutes later they separated.
Since Georgiana was with them, it was only later that night, in the privacy of their suite, that Elizabeth and Darcy opened the delicate subject of Harriet’s obvious pregnancy and her long-lasting ‘close’ friendship with Wickham.
“What pains me is how hurt and taxed the colonel looks now and how happy he seemed when I first met him,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes…the grief, the doubts, and the sense of betrayal must be devastating. I hope they will somehow manage to forget this tragedy. A child — his child, as he has every reason to assume — should be a blessing.”
“I pray for that. It is so strange to contemplate that, despite the harm Wickham caused and how many people he hurt, still in some way he brought us together.”
“I cannot accept that, my dearest,” Darcy replied.
“I loved you long before that meeting in the woods, and my love for you would have only grown. Perhaps you would have still thought ill of me for a while. Perhaps I would have left, trying to stifle it, struggling to forget you. Or perhaps I would have proposed to you and you would have rejected me harshly at first. But eventually, we were meant to be together.”
“I cannot contradict you, my dear husband, since I fit so perfectly in your arms,” she agreed, cuddling closer to his chest and lifting her face for a kiss.
At the end of June, the three Darcys eventually left for Pemberley, and Elizabeth’s happiness — which she believed already to be perfect — was enhanced even more.
The stunning beauty of Pemberley and the feeling of being the mistress of this home had been exhilarating, even overwhelming in the first few days.
But Darcy was there, at her side, day and night, supporting her, guiding her, sharing her fears and joy. And sharing their ardent love and passion — which Elizabeth had finally come to comprehend the meaning of utterly and completely.
As Elizabeth slowly assumed her duties, Darcy had to work, sometimes with his steward or his man of business, on all the matters accumulated during his absence from Pemberley.
They both had been very busy, but they quickly decided they had to keep private time for themselves.
Therefore, Darcy brought business correspondence to his rooms to work on whenever he woke up earlier than his wife.
As they usually shared the bed in the mistress’s apartment, his was converted to be used for either his work, the occasional private breakfast, or for late intimate dinners.
Darcy also considered the use of the master suite appropriate for his work whenever he wished to remain close to her while she was still sleeping, always careful and mindful to let her rest as long as she wished.
During the nights, neither of them had slept much since they married; they often teased each other about choosing other activities instead of resting, her insatiable nature, or his stamina, and the teasing mostly ended in the same way — proving that rest and sleep were not so important after all.
During the days, Elizabeth occupied her time learning about the Pemberley household from Mrs Reynolds, trying to familiarise herself with each of the servants in the house and grounds and with the tenants, visiting the small shops in Lambton to show support and patronage from the great house, visiting the Kympton vicarage and everyone who, in one way or another, were under Darcy’s responsibility, care, and protection.
And there were many upon whom Darcy’s generosity was bestowed.