Epilogue
Darcy filled two glasses of brandy and handed one to Bingley, their conversation interrupted by the uproar of voices and laughter.
“It is quite strange to celebrate Christmas at Netherfield, after being at Pemberley for the last few years.” Bingley said.
“I am sorry that my sisters refused to come. Since she married, Caroline has been even more annoying. I am sorry to say but I am better pleased with my new brothers than with my own siblings.”
“Your sisters chose what was most convenient for them. We do not mind. Just as we understood that the Matlocks — as close as we are to them — chose to spend Christmas in London all together.”
“That is understandable; I imagine it was strange for them to be invited by you, to Netherfield,” Bingley replied.
“It is even stranger for me to be here at this time of the year,” Darcy agreed. “But pleasant, I have to admit.”
“I still cannot believe you purchased Netherfield after I bought the estate in Derbyshire. Jane and Elizabeth have been so happy to live only thirty miles from each other, especially since my daughter and your son were born,” Bingley continued.
“I believe even our in-laws were shocked by your decision. Why on earth would you need Netherfield when you have Pemberley?”
“Surely you know I cannot compare them; to me, Elizabeth, our son and Georgiana, Pemberley is our home. But Netherfield is a good estate too. Mary and her husband will move in and I trust that Finley will excel in managing it and make it profitable. And it will be the Hertfordshire home for anyone in our large family who needs to stay in it. With you moving to Derbyshire as well, it would have been difficult for us to all stay at Longbourn when we visited.”
“That is true. I admit I enjoyed Lady Lucas’s expression when Mrs. Bennet told her that Collins may take Longbourn if he wants, since she will move to Netherfield.”
Darcy gulped from his glass. He was amused too and had discussed the matter at length with Elizabeth and her father.
Darcy had only seen Mr. Collins once, very briefly, in the last four years.
The clergyman had had the insolence to convey Lady Catherine’s opinion about the Bennets and her accusations about Elizabeth’s arts and allurements, and Darcy had almost called him out.
It was Mr. Bennet who had calmed him down, suggesting that fighting Mr. Collins would be neither honourable nor sensible.
With Elizabeth’s father Darcy kept up a close relationship that had become stronger over time.
Their first-born child was named Andrew Bennet Darcy, and Mr. Bennet felt as honoured as he was flattered and grateful.
Mr. Bennet had also advised him when Darcy was considering what to do with Wickham.
In the end, after more discussions that also involved Colonel Fitzwilliam, Darcy had facilitated Wickham’s release from prison and helped him to begin a new life abroad.
After much deliberation, it was agreed that Wickham would move to Australia, where several opportunities arose for him, due to Darcy’s financial support and the colonel’s connections in the army.
Two years after Darcy’s marriage, news arrived that Wickham had married a widow, whose late husband had been a successful tradesman in Sydney.
From that moment, Wickham ceased being a preoccupation for anyone in the family.
But besides his affection and care for his extended family and his instinct for recognising a profitable estate, another reason equally important and perhaps even stronger had induced Darcy to purchase Netherfield.
The place was so closely related to him and to Elizabeth that he could not allow his memories to be washed away by another owner.
His old chamber — where he had dreamed of Elizabeth so many times — the library, the drawing room, places where he had interacted with her four years ago, and the recollection of the ball where he had publicly admitted his admiration for Elizabeth — all were parts of their lives that he treasured too much to allow them to disappear.
He looked across the room, his gaze meeting that of Elizabeth, who was still talking to her sister and her aunt.
He had kept his old room as their shared chamber at Netherfield, to prove to himself and to her, again and again, how different his tormenting dreams had been from the enchanting reality of their married life, and how little he had hoped for compared with what she now gave him every single day.
As though guessing his thoughts she smiled at him, a smile that only he could understand in its true and deep meaning.
For Darcy and Elizabeth, Netherfield had another significant quality which made the estate unique and valuable: it was very close to the cottage, the place where everything had started four years ago.
Darcy had paid to restore it properly as he had promised on their wedding day and the two of them returned there to spend time alone, to share their memories and their ardent love, during every visit to Hertfordshire.
It was not Elizabeth’s cottage anymore but theirs, just as Pemberley — his estate — was their home.