Epilogue
Elizabeth stared fondly at her husband of ten years as he paced in their bedchamber.
“Darling, Lydia is not the first sister you will be giving away.”
“Georgiana is still in the neighbourhood and Crudgington is too scared of me to ever misbehave,” he petulantly answered.
“Do you really expect Mr. Ashcombe to misbehave? I would sooner fear for him than for Lydia,” Elizabeth answered with a smile.
Over the years Lydia had visited the Ashcombes on many occasions and finally Edward Ashcombe had gathered the courage to propose to her three years ago.
She had immediately refused him declaring that he was too timid a man for her.
This had seemed like a challenge to the gentleman who had then tenaciously pursued Lydia.
Finally, three months ago Lydia had accepted him declaring with a sigh that anyone who had Mrs. Ashcombe as a mother could not be wholly unremarkable.
Mr. Darcy, it seemed, had set his heart on having his sister’s company at Pemberley forever.
The news of Lydia’s engagement had been a shock and when Edward had come to ask his permission, Darcy had refused, declaring that he could not be good enough for Lydia in any way.
A proper set down from his wife had brought about his agreement and finally the wedding day was here.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet had arrived for the wedding a week back with Mary.
Kitty had married last year and was with child and could not travel.
Jane and Georgiana had been at Pemberley for the past month, helping Elizabeth with all the planning.
Georgiana was to stand up with Lydia. The two had grown quite close over the years and Georgiana to her brother’s delight had gained some of Lydia’s boldness.
It was especially apparent when she spoke to her new mother.
Her marriage to Mr. Crudgington had seen Darcy break into a rant of how she would become oppressed in her new home.
“Elizabeth, how can you allow this to happen? Mrs. Crudgington will keep talking non-stop about anything and everything under the sun, and Georgiana will be crushed.”
“I am not allowing or disallowing anything. Georgiana can make up her own mind. I feel I should be the last person to comment about someone’s difficult mother,” she had said, raising an eyebrow causing Darcy to stutter.
“She listens to you Lizzy, and as you said you have experience with difficult mothers.”
“I also have experience with Darcys, and they are normally not intimidated by difficult mothers.” She had answered in a bemused tone. “Mr. Crudgington is a good man and adores Georgiana as you well know,” Elizabeth had said, gaining a grudging acceptance from her husband.
Lydia had been another matter. She had audibly groaned when Darcy had finally granted his consent to Mr. Crudgington.
He was a well-respected gentleman, a few years younger than Darcy and heir to an estate of some eight thousand pounds.
The man was intelligent and articulate, but Lydia could never forgive him for his mother’s crime.
Mrs. Crudgington had always been a lady of more words than sense and had coveted the connection to Pemberley.
She had been one of the first to visit Mrs. Darcy after her marriage and had been rather forward in her hopes for Georgiana.
Lydia had taken an instant dislike to her and could never forgive her friend for falling in with the lady’s plan.
Georgiana would just smile and pat her friend on her head.
Now it was Georgiana’s turn to remind Lydia of the eccentric mother she would be gaining through her marriage.
“Mrs. Ashcombe is not boring at least, and then you will not have to suffer anyone new. She is your aunt Georgiana.” Lydia had responded.
Elizabeth finally walked up to her husband and hugged him in gentle assurance. “She will be fine, Fitzwilliam. Aunt Agatha will take good care of her.”
“Aunt Agatha does seems quite taken with the Bennets for some unfathomable reason,” Darcy joked, earning him a slap on his arm.
“Come, let us go down. You need to accompany Lydia to the church.” Elizabeth pulled her husband outside with her.
As they walked towards the staircase, three children came rushing towards them.
“Papa, Papa Aunt Lydia is looking very pretty. I also want to get married, then I will also have a nice pretty dress.” proclaimed seven-year-old Arabella Darcy as she caught up with her father.
Darcy bent down and holding her to him said with complete seriousness.
“Bella, I promise you ten new dresses each year and any number of animals if you stay with your Papa. But if you get married, I will not be able to provide you with anything.” She was her father's dearest and had him wrapped around her little finger.
Elizabeth had suffered a couple of miscarriages after her marriage before Arabella had been born.
It had been a difficult time for her, but her husband had stood with her reassuring her every time, though he himself had been scared to lose his precious wife.
His daughter's birth seemed to have broken whatever curse the Darcys were facing and since then Elizabeth had had two more children without much difficulty.
Darcy thanked the almighty daily for this blessing.
The girl brightened at her father's response then immediately said, “then I will marry you,” causing immediate laughter in her mother.
Picking up her youngest son who was not yet three, and seemed to have tired after the dash across the hallway, she responded, “Your Papa is already married to me my dear and I have no intention of sharing him,” At this Bella pouted adorably causing her brother to declare, “Bella, you should not be sad, when I grow up I will marry you and get you all the dresses you want.” William Bennet Darcy was the heir to Pemberley and two years younger than his older sister, who he adored above all others.
Arabella, satisfied with this response, hugged her brother and both skipped downstairs.
Smiling at his children, Darcy turned towards his wife and took their youngest from her arms. Henry George Darcy was handsomely dressed to celebrate his aunt’s wedding but was already ready for his nap. Darcy walked him to the nursery before making his way downstairs.
Elizabeth soon departed for the church with Jane and Georgiana. Darcy was to accompany Lydia for she had requested that he be the one to walk her down the aisle. As he made his way towards the waiting carriage, he saw Mr. Bennet standing just outside.
“Mr. Bennet, I hope you are not disappointed. It is your right to give away your daughter,” he said awkwardly.
The older gentleman smiled, “Darcy, I had my chance with the others. Lydia is right, you have been more of a guardian to her than I ever was. I assure you son; I am happy that my daughters are so well taken care of.”
As Darcy exhaled a breath, Lydia walked outside with her maid causing both gentlemen to hold their breath. “You will let me know if Edward ever puts a toe out of line,” Darcy commented, causing Lydia to laugh as he handed her into the carriage.
The ceremony was as beautiful as the bride herself.
The groom could not help but stare at his bride causing the parson to prompt him a few times.
Mrs. Bennet sat in the front row sobbing profusely in her handkerchief.
Mrs. Ashcombe could be seen sitting with a contented smile.
Edward was her youngest and the most diffident of the lot.
He had taken up law to the surprise of many and his mother felt that the bold Miss Lydia Bennet would be his making.
The wedding breakfast was a joyful affair but soon the bride and the groom took their leave to travel to the lakes on a wedding trip.
The other guests also followed their departure.
Jane was the last to depart as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were to accompany her for a short visit.
Soon the house was empty, and as the servants busied themselves with the cleaning Elizabeth requested her husband’s company for a short walk in the garden.
“Life has been kind to us, Fitzwilliam,” she said as she tugged closer to her husband.
“Indeed, it has. I could not have imagined such felicity.”
“You seem to grow much more handsome each year which I find rather unjust.” Elizabeth commented playfully.
“The Lord knows that I need to match the most beautiful woman he has ever created. He is making sure I do not embarrass you dearest,” Darcy responded with a bemused smile.
“You are a good husband if a little biased. I feel as if I have aged five years preparing for Lydia’s wedding. Even after all the help from Jane and Georgiana, I am so tired. I plan to rest for a month straight.”
“Or maybe nine months.” Darcy whispered.
Elizabeth turned towards him with a confused expression but soon her eyes grew wide as she whispered, “Oh!” Placing her hand on her stomach.
“You have been avoiding cooked apples at breakfast for the past few weeks,” Darcy whispered as he pulled her for a hug.
They stood like that for some time basking in the moonlight as they thought of all that the future still had in store for them.