Epilogue
Darcy sat beneath the shade of a large elm tree with his six-month-old son asleep in his arms. Charles Bingley, Alexander Lucas, and Mr. Bennet were seated near him.
“I believed that catastrophic defeat in Russia would have brought Napoleon to his knees,” Charles said.
“No, not yet,” Darcy replied. “Though I read that the French are losing control of Spain, and many believe this coalition with Prussia and Russia will prove strong enough to bring the war to an end.”
Elizabeth approached. “Shall I take him up to his bed?”
Darcy looked down at his son. “No. He is comfortable here, and it pleases me to hold him.”
“Very well, Fitzwilliam. Let me know when you are ready, and I shall take him up.”
She left the gentlemen and rejoined her sisters.
“Lizzy, when is Mary to arrive?” Jane asked.
“They leave the day after Easter. Lady Catherine insisted that Mr. Collins perform the Easter services. She would not permit the curate to stand in his place.”
“And how does Mary go on?”
“She is quite well. There are no concerns that she will lose this child. The midwife says that it is common to lose a pregnancy before the third month, and that it does not usually signify a deficiency in the mother’s ability to carry a child.”
“That is a comfort. After losing her first, I know she feared she might be barren.”
“Is she bringing Charlotte with her?” Jane asked.
“Yes, my poor Charlotte. Nothing came of the widower with the child, nor of the gentleman in Westerham. I intend to introduce her to our physician and to our rector. Perhaps one of them may admire her.”
“Lizzy, you must insist that Charlotte improve her appearance,” Kitty said. “She looks every inch a spinster, with that severe arrangement of her hair and those gowns that even Mary would not have worn. They are most unappealing. No gentleman would be drawn to her as she is.”
Elizabeth raised her hand to her mouth to conceal her laughter.
“My dear Kitty, you are quite right. I have never minded how she dresses, but I can see that a gentleman might. I shall set Gibbs to attend to her hair, and I will take her into Kympton to the modiste whom Georgiana and I patronize. I shall not present her to anyone until she is properly dressed and coiffed. If she secures a husband here, it shall be owing to you.”
“I had a letter from Lydia,” Jane said. “She has earned a new post. She will be assisting in the matriculation office.”
“I remember fearing for her future. She seemed beyond remediation,” Elizabeth said, her eyes narrowed.
“The school has made all the difference. The Gardiners will collect her when their visit with Aunt Maddie’s family concludes. They expect to arrive here by the eighteenth.”
“I only hope she conducts herself well. Fitzwilliam has not yet met her, and I cannot help but fear that should she behave badly, it will lower me in his estimation.”
“You need not fear that, Lizzy,” Kitty said. “Your husband loves you too well. Lydia might elope, and he would not think less of you.”
“Pray do not speak so, Kitty. Such thoughts are best left unspoken.”
Kitty laughed. “She is not so bad as that. We visited her on our journey here, and she seemed much improved. Quite a proper young lady. You will be proud of our little sister.”
“And she is already seventeen,” Jane added. “Her age must offer some advantage.”
Elizabeth said, “Perhaps, but Mamma never outgrew her follies. I shall reserve judgment, and hope for the best.”
Turning the subject, Jane asked, “Kitty, are you with child?”
Kitty blushed. “No, not yet. Dr. Edgerton says there is no cause for concern. I am still very young and have time. Alexander has been very patient. He says all must be left to Providence. He has younger brothers who may inherit if we have no children.”
“That is kind of him,” Jane said. “Dr. Edgerton is right, of course. You are still very young.”
“Lizzy, when does Georgiana arrive?”
“Richard and Anise bring her tomorrow. She will be here in time for Easter.” Elizabeth continued, “And Mrs. Tolbert? Papa once declared he would not marry again. He values his freedom.”
Jane smiled faintly. “It is difficult to say. I believe he is very fond of her, though he does enjoy his independence.”
At that moment, Elizabeth heard William begin to cry. She rose.
“He is hungry.”
She walked towards the grove, where Fitzwilliam now stood, holding their son, who clung to his neck with both arms. When the child saw his mother, he reached for her.
Elizabeth took him into her arms and soothed him. “William, are you hungry, my son? All is well, my sweet boy.” Together they walked toward the house.
As they walked, she looked to her husband and said, “I love you, Fitzwilliam.”
He bent and kissed the top of her head. “I love you too, darling.”
Then he reached over to his son and kissed his head. “And I love you too, my boy.”