Epilogue 2 #4
Ahead of the couple, a sudden cavalcade of children darted across the path with whoops and hollers of glee, one of Kitty's boys being chased by several of his cousins and outpacing them all.
A spaniel puppy raced in their midst, barking its small head off.
Nurseries and puppy kennels alike had been emptied onto the lawn for the day, nursemaids and kennel masters lingering on the lawn to keep close surveillance on their rowdy charges.
Parents sat in the shade, chatting together as they watched their offspring.
Elizabeth nodded as they passed two such parents, and Caroline Montrose nodded back, while Mary greeted her sister with a smile.
An elegant wooden bench sat beneath the spreading sycamore, weathered with exposure to a satin finish.
The two ladies made an entirely charming picture, both leaning back against the carved roses on the back of the bench.
Elizabeth returned her sister's smile, her own equally bright.
Mary's form was visibly swollen within her dress, and all the family shared in her eagerness and nervousness, apprehension and joyous anticipation.
Baby Stowe, when he or she arrived, would be celebrated by many.
Leaving the two women to their conversation, Elizabeth and Darcy continued meandering towards the stream and its welcome spray.
A slight bend in the path brought them within sight of the nearer horse paddocks, and there they saw the heirs of several houses.
Luke Darcy, already bidding fair to be a tall and handsome young man, was proudly showing off some of the newest foals to those cousins who were his peers in age and interests.
Three mares stood within the fence, regarding these noisy young observers with varying levels of suspicion.
A tiny gray foal frolicked curiously towards the fence and was called back by its mother.
Elizabeth and Darcy were too far to hear what the boys were saying, but judging by Luke's enthusiastic gestures, the horses were meeting with youthful approbation.
Husband and wife shared a smile at their son's excitement, and Elizabeth found herself studying her husband’s features for a moment, as she did from time to time.
He was as handsome as ever, crinkled lines at his eyes lending him wisdom, the flecks of gray in his hair looking decidedly distinguished.
She was so very glad he was hers, and she was his.
She was grateful, too, for this quiet walk together through merry chaos. Elizabeth was relishing every second of their families’ visit, and she would not for any price lose so much as a minute of it. Yet she appreciated peace, too, and time spent with her beloved Fitzwilliam.
“Elizabeth?”
She turned to look at her husband. “Yes?”
Darcy glanced back at Mary and Caroline and then said softly, “Bingley spoke to me privately last night regarding the Bingleys’ share of the profits of the galena mine.”
She frowned. “What about them?”
“He said that he and Jane do not need that income and wondered whether we would mind if the yearly subsidy was legally transferred to Caroline instead.”
Elizabeth looked again at Lady Caroline.
She knew, of course, that her marriage had been a disaster, and that the lady had been left impecunious.
On the other hand, she had deliberately chosen to split the income from the Wales’ galena mines to benefit her sisters.
Each sister received ten percent of the yearly profits per year, with the rest of the money being laid aside for the dowries of the Darcy daughters.
“What do you think, Fitzwilliam?” she asked.
“I think it is up to you,” her husband said promptly. “The land and the income from the mine are yours, my love. My counsel is that either would be an honorable decision.”
She smiled gratefully and then said, “Let me consider it. I am inclined to agree, but wish to speak to Jane first to be absolutely certain that she is comfortable with this. She and Bingley could well have more children, after all.”
“That seems wise,” Fitzwilliam said.
They had, by now, reached the stone bridge that crossed the trout stream. By silent consent, they paused and watched the waters rushing toward the lake beyond.
“It is so beautiful,” she murmured.
“It is.”
“The first time I laid eyes on this stream and the lake, I was thoroughly annoyed that I could not walk the path thanks to my injured foot. I had not the remotest thought at that time that one day I would be your wife and mistress of this house.”
He turned to stare earnestly into her eyes. “You have been the best wife and mistress of Pemberley that I could imagine. I love you, dear Elizabeth.”
“I love you too, my darling,” she replied.
The end
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