Epilogue
The family was reunited in Hertfordshire for Kitty's wedding. The ceremony had been performed by their elderly and beloved rector, Mr. Fernside. It had been well attended, and the guests then joined the family at Longbourn for the wedding breakfast.
The three sisters and their lifelong friend, Charlotte Lucas, had assisted Mrs. Bennet with the food and refreshments, and all had gone smoothly.
Mrs. Bennet had broken down when the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Selkirk entered his carriage and departed Longbourn. Mr. Bennet wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her back into the house.
She would grieve her lost daughter for the rest of her life, but milestones such as this made the loss more keenly felt.
Now, Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary took tea in the rose garden.
Elizabeth reached for a piece of white cake and asked, "Mary, how do you fare now that the boys are crawling about? Do you have enough help?"
"Oh yes, Lizzy. Nurse is not yet thirty and has plenty of energy to keep up with the twins. And then Charlotte is often with us. She takes great pleasure in spending time with the boys. I feel for her. She is desperate to be married."
Jane asked, "Is there no eligible gentleman in Meryton or the surrounding neighborhoods?"
Mary raised her brows and looked askance, as though she could scarcely credit the question.
"Jane, Meryton has never had an abundance of gentlemen, even in the best of years. But as the war has dragged on, we have fewer and fewer eligible men to choose from."
Elizabeth asked, "Do you ever wish to marry again, sister?"
Mary visibly recoiled.
"No indeed. I have learned how dreadful marriage can be if one is not wed to an angel sent from heaven, and believe me, Lizzy, it is not worth the risk.
No, sister, I am perfectly happy living here at Longbourn with a doting grandfather, a mother who runs the household efficiently, and spends time sewing for the boys.
The servants are all enamored of my children, and then Charlotte and Mary King are often here to visit. I have everything I could wish for."
Jane rose to her feet to greet their good friend, Charlotte Lucas. All the sisters embraced her, and then they sat and poured her a cup of tea.
"Kitty was a lovely bride, and Mr. Selkirk is terribly handsome. Your mother was very sad when her youngest daughter left her."
Jane said, "Yes, Mother has keenly felt the loss of Kitty because she was accustomed to seeing her and Lydia together. Kitty was Lydia's shadow. Her thoughts and opinions mirrored Lydia's exactly. But now she has become her own person and is a wife and perhaps will soon be a mother."
Charlotte looked at her friend.
"And what of you, Eliza? Are you increasing?"
Elizabeth's cheeks pinked as she smiled.
"I am, Charlotte, but it is still very early. Mr. Darcy knows, but I have told no one else. Mamma always said that one should wait until the quickening before making any announcement."
Charlotte leaned forward and embraced her friend.
"Lizzy, I am so happy for you. I imagine your husband is delighted."
"He is pleased. He needs an heir, but he had hoped we might have had more time together, just the two of us. Since I had never traveled farther than Bakewell, he wished to take me to the Continent and show me some of the beautiful places he visited on his Grand Tour."
"Tell him he can still take you, only now you shall have a nurse and your children in tow."
Laughing, Elizabeth said, "I shall tell him, and perhaps he will listen to me."
Charlotte turned to Jane.
"And you, my dear? Are you also increasing?"
Jane flushed. She rested a hand upon her abdomen, and the women could see the slight rounding beneath her gown.
"I am four months along by my calculations, though I am hardly showing. I imagine it is because I am taller than all my sisters."
Elizabeth saw tears glistening in Charlotte's eyes.
"What is it, Charlotte?" she asked.
"Oh, Lizzy, all my dearest friends are married, increasing, and have moved away. Even young Kitty is married and gone. I alone remain in my parents' home, a spinster with no prospects."
Elizabeth took her friend's hand.
"Come home with me, Charlotte. There are assemblies at Kympton and in Bakewell. There is sure to be at least one eligible gentleman in the neighborhood. The rector is already married, as is the physician, but I am certain we can find someone."
Jane said, "But Charlotte, you must agree to allow Elizabeth's maid to cut and dress your hair in a more flattering style. And you will need a new wardrobe."
Elizabeth was already examining her friend's gown.
"You are right, Jane dear. Charlotte, you dress like a girl. Your neckline is too high for a woman of your age."
She continued to study her friend.
"And the waistline of your gown sits at the natural waist instead of the Empire silhouette that has been fashionable these past twelve years."
Elizabeth looked directly at her friend.
"My dear Charlotte, you are dressed in a style that has been out of fashion for more than a decade."
Charlotte looked down at her gown. She ran her hand over the waist and then smoothed the full skirts. Looking up at her friends, she said, "Mamma insists that Maria and I dress in this antiquated fashion. She says these new styles are too daring and quite indecent."
Elizabeth said, "Well then, my dear, you must come home with me to Pemberley.
Never mind your wardrobe. I shall set Gibbs to shopping with you.
I have not spent any of my pin money since I married Fitzwilliam.
He has accounts at all the shops and pays for everything himself.
I shall make you a gift of a new wardrobe, and Gibbs will see to your hair.
But Charlotte, you must agree to every change, or you may tell me now and remain here at home with your mother. "
Charlotte sat silently, considering Elizabeth's offer.
The other two Bennet sisters watched as their friend struggled with the decision. She could remain in Meryton as she always had, or travel to Derbyshire and perhaps change the course of her life.
At last, she looked up.
"I am afraid, Lizzy."
Elizabeth pressed her friend's hand.
"You can do it, Charlotte. One small change at a time.
We shall begin with one gown and your hair, and when you have grown accustomed to the narrower lines of the current fashion and the lower necklines, we shall add another gown or two until you have left the old fashions behind and fully embraced the new. "
Her friend sat silent, staring back at her, and Elizabeth said, "But if you would rather not, then I shall not ask Fitzwilliam if I may have you for a visit."
"I will go with you, Lizzy. I will submit myself to your maid, and I will give myself a chance at a new life. And perhaps, if I am very fortunate, I shall meet a gentleman who wishes to marry me, and I too will have children."
The three sisters applauded their friend.
Elizabeth rose to her feet.
"Wait here, Charlotte. I shall ask Mr. Darcy at once so that you may begin to pack. We shall remain here in Hertfordshire for another fortnight, and then we shall spend a month in London. Fitzwilliam has business to attend to there, and afterward we shall travel on to Pemberley."
Elizabeth found her husband in the larger of the two drawing rooms, engaged in conversation with Beaumont and Edward Gardiner. When she entered, he acknowledged her at once.
"Is all well, Elizabeth?"
"I would have a word with you, sir. It will take but a moment."
He excused himself, and the couple withdrew into the hall.
"Fitzwilliam, may I invite my good friend Charlotte to travel with us to Pemberley? I should like her to be our guest for the next two or three months."
His eyes crinkled with amusement.
"Darling, I wondered when you would take up another project."
Elizabeth raised her brows and replied with dignity, "Sir, she is not a project. She is my good friend..."
He finished for her.
"Who is a spinster, dresses in an older Georgian style, and does not believe in cutting or arranging her hair."
Elizabeth giggled.
"Sir, I had no idea you paid such close attention to female dress."
He was smiling broadly now.
"And next you will ask me whether I also noticed what your other friend, the little heiress Miss King, was wearing, and you will be put out if I admit that I did."
She eyed him narrowly.
"Did you, sir?"
"I did, darling. I also noted that none of the young women of your acquaintance can hold a candle to you, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth."
Her eyes glinted with mischief.
"Not even Miss Bingley's naked derrière, sir?"
He shut his eyes and grimaced.
"Elizabeth, I shall thank you never to mention that night again. It was indecent and not a memory I wish ever to contemplate."
She giggled again.
"Yes, sir. Forgive me. I fear my jealous imagination got the better of me for a moment. I shall endeavor not to let it happen again."
He looked about him and, seeing they were alone, bent his head and kissed her.
"Your mouth is beautiful, darling. Tempting. I love you, Elizabeth."