Epilogue
The skies were heavy and black, and the windows shook with every crash of thunder.
The rains crashed down in torrents upon the earth, and every living creature that could took shelter.
It was a storm not unlike that one a year before, when Elizabeth had first awakened to the sounds of clandestine footsteps in the room above her chambers.
Another flash of lightning split the glowering sky, and a moment later another crescendo of thunder terrorised the land. Elizabeth pulled her knees into her chest as she sat upon the comfortable sofa and hugged them to her chest.
“Does the storm make you uneasy, Love?”
She leaned back into her husband’s broad chest and sighed as he wrapped his long arms about her own.
“No. I was merely lost in recollection. It was this time last year, on a stormy night such as this one, when our whole adventure began. I heard those unknown men and felt the need to investigate and... and my life changed.”
“For the better, I hope.” His voice was light and teasing.
She feigned an uncertain look. “I am still considering that. I seem to find myself in frequent company with a rather stern and unforgiving man of questionable disposition and a tendency to excessive pride.”
“Minx!”
“I love you, Will.”
They sat for a while longer, watching the storm batter the countryside around Darcy’s estate in Derbyshire. The damage from the winds and flooded streams would be great, but the land needed the water and the benefits would outweigh the costs.
After a while, Will asked, “How do your cousins? Has your father written of them of late?”
Lizzy smiled. “Indeed he has, and in the letter I received this very morning. Mr. Mendel asked to meet the men who brought the remarkable machine to these shores, and he was so impressed with Etienne’s intelligence and curiosity he has taken him on as an apprentice.
He is, perhaps, a bit old for such a role, but he is earning his keep and seems quite pleased with his lot.
He has promised me a music box for Christmas, and I cannot wait to see what he is creating. ”
“It will be beautiful, I am certain, my love, but it cannot measure up to the present Mr. Mendel gave us for our wedding.”
Elizabeth glanced across the comfortable sitting room that made up part of their suite.
On a table specially made for the purpose sat a version of the code machine, but this one in miniature, and encrusted in gilt and gems and wrought silver, with tiny cloisonné birds seeming to flutter above each lever, the tiny discs a rainbow of delicate colour, and music playing every time the machine began its intricate operation.
It was beautiful and endlessly fascinating to watch.
“I believe nothing will ever match this remarkable present. Still, I am certain my cousin’s gift will be lovely in its own right.”
“Mmmmmm, so it shall be. And the others?”
“Jean-Luc was a farmer, and a farmer he remains. When Papa began to trace the exact nature of the relationship, he discovered that it is Jean-Luc and not Mr. Collins who is the proper heir to Longbourn. Because that branch of the family tree flowered with the fleur de lys and not English roses they were forgotten, but Papa is doing what he can to establish Jean-Luc as his heir. Or, I should say, John Luke. He has adopted an English name, although that may always be the most English thing about him. Still, Mary has taken a liking to him, and Longbourn may remain our family’s home yet. ”
“And Jacques?”
“He talks about returning to France. He was sweet on a girl there, and if she agrees he may bring her back to England and see about setting up a bakery of the sort his family had in France. He is, apparently, a trained chef with a penchant for pastry.”
They were silent for some minutes more before Will murmured, “I had word from Wickham today.”
Elizabeth sat up and twisted her body so she faced her husband. “I am all amazement! Does he write asking for something to line his pockets? I have heard almost nothing from Lydia in months. What does he say?”
“He did indeed write to ask for money. I shall not give it to him. If he cannot manage with the income he receives from his new employment, he must make the appropriate alterations to his spending. Between his commission in Newcastle and the extra work he does in seeking out the leaders of the unrest there, he is earning enough for a comfortable life if he does not squander his income. He is well suited to that latter position, for with his smooth talk and pleasant features, men find they confide in him more than they ought.”
He pulled Lizzy back towards him with a warm arm, and she fell contentedly against his side.
“He writes only a little of Lydia,” he continued. “She is unhappy with her accommodations and is always demanding more and larger rooms, but she has made friends within the other wives of junior officers there, and seems to want nothing except for a new frock and a better selection of bonnets.”
Lizzy relaxed once more against her husband’s chest and contemplated the storm in silence for a moment.
Then he spoke again. “I also heard from Bingley.” He paused.
“After the affair came to a conclusion, he was reluctant to return to Netherfield. I had to tell him something of the matter, with Richard’s approval of course. He has decided not to renew his lease.”
Lizzy made a small sound. She had not intended to, nor had she really thought that, after all this time, Bingley would return to renew his addresses to her sister. Still, the finality of it stung. How much more would it hurt Jane?
“You are distressed by this?” Will’s voice melted over her.
“Do not be. He was pleased enough with the neighbourhood that he has made inquiries into the house that Colonel and Mrs. Forster had occupied until the regiment was resituated. It is a smaller estate and easier for Bingley to manage, and as soon as the house is improved to his satisfaction he intends to move back. He said nothing specific about your sister, but he did express hopes that this time he would have an enticement to remain on a more permanent basis.”
Another peal of thunder rang through the room, and the windows shook once more.
There was no fear now, nor distress. The storm merely served to enhance the cosiness of the room and of the company.
Will stretched his arm to pull the table with Mr. Mendel’s gift a bit closer.
He manipulated some levers and buttons and wound the spring.
A lovely melody played as the birds hovered and flapped over the delicate silver levers and flywheels.
And for that moment, as they sat watching the storm in each other’s arms, the world was perfect.
***The End***