Epilogue
Until she had lived through the weeks of waiting for the banns to be wed, Elizabeth had never imagined that four weeks could at once seem like so short and so long a time.
There was much to be done, and it seemed hardly possible to do it all, yet when she thought that days yet remained before she could be Mr Darcy’s wife, Elizabeth wished that the time might go yet more quickly.
For something so long awaited, their wedding seemed to pass almost in a blink.
Afterwards, Elizabeth could remember little beyond what she had felt at the moment of pledging herself to Darcy forever, and the depth of emotion in his eyes as he had made his vows to her.
The wedding breakfast passed almost in a blink.
Some weeks were spent in a wedding trip to Bath, which would forever remain in Elizabeth’s memory as a golden time of love and discovery, before they began on the journey to Derbyshire.
Undertaken without haste and in considerable luxury, the journey north was more comfortable than Elizabeth had imagined so long a carriage ride could be.
The landscape became more dramatic as they came into the Peak District, very different from the gentle rolling hills of Hertfordshire, but with a stark beauty that went to Elizabeth’s heart at once.
Then at last the carriage was rolling through Lambton, the nearest village to Pemberley, and then on to the Darcy landholding.
The approach to Pemberley was more beautiful than Elizabeth had imagined, though she had imagined it often. The road wound gently through rising ground and scattered trees before opening to a clear view of the house.
Upon finally seeing her new home, Elizabeth drew in a quick, involuntary breath. Pemberley stood with a quiet dignity that did not depend on display. Everything about it felt balanced and well-placed. The house belonged to the land, and the land seemed to belong to it in return.
Though unspoken, it had been obvious that her husband was excited to show her his home.
Had the understanding between them been less, Elizabeth might have been frightened lest she disappoint him by liking Pemberley less than he hoped.
Now, upon seeing it for herself, she felt certain that however high Darcy’s hopes might be, they would not be disappointed.
Darcy watched her without interrupting. He did not need to speak. His satisfaction was clear, and Elizabeth felt it.
As they approached the house, the door opened, and Georgiana came forward at once. “My dear Elizabeth,” she said, taking her hands with warmth, “I am so glad you have come at last.”
Elizabeth laughed and drew her forward into a sisterly embrace. “I, too. In the first place, I can hardly wait to see my new home, and in the second, I have missed you, Georgiana.”
“And, I, you!” Georgiana exclaimed. “I have been so impatient for your arrival. I hope you will find Pemberley exactly as you wish it.”
“I am not likely to be disappointed,” Elizabeth replied. “Even my first impressions have convinced me that I have never seen a place of more comfort and grace.”
Darcy said nothing, but the look he gave her was enough.
They were soon joined by the housekeeper, a sensible and kindly-looking older woman by the name of Mrs Reynolds. She welcomed Elizabeth with respectful warmth. “We have all been expecting you, ma’am,” she said. “I hope you will be comfortable here.”
“I am sure I shall be,” Elizabeth replied, smiling. “Everything I have seen gives me confidence of it.”
Darcy suggested they walk through the house, and Elizabeth agreed with alacrity, eager to know the place that would be her home.
They moved from room to room at an easy pace.
Nothing felt overwhelming. Nothing demanded admiration.
The beauty of the place revealed itself naturally with each step she took.
At last, Darcy opened the door to the library, and Elizabeth paused. “This,” she said, stepping inside, “I had looked forward to with particular curiosity.”
Darcy followed her. “I hope you will enjoy it, for I confess it is perhaps my favourite room in the house.”
The room was large without feeling imposing.
The shelves were well-filled, and the arrangement showed care rather than display.
It was a room meant to be used, but more than that, it was a room that showed how much love and care had been poured into it over not just a lifetime, but generations of a family with a particular appreciation for the space.
Elizabeth could not wonder that it was Darcy’s favourite room in a most wonderful house.
Quite the contrary. She suspected it would soon be hers as well.
“I believe,” Elizabeth said, turning toward him with a broad smile, “I shall spend a great deal of time here.”
“I had no doubt of it,” Darcy replied with a chuckle.
From the library, they passed upstairs, where Darcy showed her the rooms intended for her use.
Though once very fine, and still in good repair, the style showed that they had not been updated since the last generation.
“The mistress’s rooms must be brought up to date,” Darcy said, “but I thought it best that work should not begin until you may direct it yourself. I should wish them to be to your taste in every particular.”
Elizabeth looked from one room to the other, then back at him. “And until they are finished?”
Darcy met her gaze. “You will remain with me.”
Elizabeth smiled. “An excellent arrangement.”
Georgiana, who had paused just inside the doorway, chose at that moment to look elsewhere with sudden interest.
They returned downstairs together, and as they walked, their conversation turned naturally to those they wished to see there.
“Mary and Mr Greene are now settled,” Elizabeth said. “I think they would greatly enjoy a visit here. The church at Lambton would interest them both.”
“I should be glad to have them,” Darcy replied.
“And perhaps,” Georgiana added, “if Miss Mary enjoys music as you have said, we might play together.”
Elizabeth smiled. “She would like that very much.”
“There is other news you may enjoy,” Darcy said with a smile. “I had forgotten to tell you, but I received a note to our lodgings in Bath before we departed. To judge by the hopes he expressed, I think Bingley is not likely to delay much longer.”
Elizabeth smiled impishly. “I hope you are right. Jane is never impatient, but her last letter came near to it.”
Darcy chuckled. “Then when I write back, I shall advise him to have courage.”
“See that you do,” Elizabeth jested. “After all, I should like to see Jane again, and she will not be much inclined to go far from Meryton until they can go together.”
“Then we must hope the wedding is arranged quickly, so we can persuade them to visit as soon as possible,” Darcy replied. “Then, too, if the Bingley can be encouraged to settle nearer to us, I should like to have one of my closest friends near enough to visit.”
“There is nothing I should like better,” Elizabeth told him. “Pemberley is already wonderful, but if my Jane lived within five or ten miles, it would become quite perfect.”
Darcy glanced at her. “Then I shall put all my attention into looking for a suitable estate.”
Elizabeth felt the meaning of it and smiled. “And my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner must come,” she added. “I should very much like you to make their acquaintance, for they are my favourite relatives.”
“Then they shall always be welcome,” Darcy said. “I should be very glad to receive them.”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam writes that he shall have leave again in the fall,” Georgiana chimed in. “Perhaps he could visit us here.”
“The earl and countess will have the first claim on their son’s time,” Darcy told her, “but I should be very glad indeed to host Fitzwilliam for whatever remains.”
“I, too,” Elizabeth added. “Your cousin is delightful. I have rarely known a gentleman with such amiable manners and such an excellent sense of humour.”
They had reached the windows which looked out over the grounds, and for a moment, no one spoke. Everything before them was calm, ordered, and at ease.
“There is one person we need not expect,” Georgiana said at length.
Darcy raised an eyebrow slightly. “Only one?”
“I believe we may safely exclude Lady Catherine,” she said with a giggle.
Darcy chuckled at that, and Elizabeth did likewise. “No,” Darcy agreed. “I should be glad to open this house to any of our other relatives, or indeed to all, but our aunt shall never be welcome here.”
“I cannot pretend to regret her absence,” Elizabeth said thoughtfully, “but I am sorry to be the cause of it. I cannot like depriving you both of your aunt, even though she and I are not in charity with each other.”
But at that, Darcy laughed outright. “No, love. In the first place, you are not the cause. I would not have condoned such actions from my aunt, no matter who was hurt by them. And in the second…well. I hope you will not think me too cold in saying that perhaps you have not so much deprived us of Lady Catherine as saved us from her.”
Elizabeth smiled. “You are good to reassure me. And I could never think you cold.”
“Never for you, love,” Darcy murmured as he turned to his new wife and kissed her.
THE END