Epilogue
Three Years Later
Mr. Bennet sat in the drawing room at Netherfield surrounded by his grandsons.
He had arrived from Margate that afternoon and was discovering how much the boys had grown since his last visit.
Charles was attempting to catch his two-year-old son, who had discovered that running away from his father was an excellent game. The little boy darted around a chair and shrieked with laughter when Charles followed him.
“You are encouraging him,” Jane said.
Charles caught his son around the middle and lifted him into the air. “I have not said a word.”
Jane came to stand beside him and brushed the boy’s hair from his forehead. “You are laughing.”
“I cannot help that.”
Charles kissed her cheek before lowering their son to the floor.
Across the room, Alexander set his son down beside Mary. The little boy looked around, saw Lydia sitting on the sofa, and immediately hurried toward her.
“Liddie has been discovered,” Mary said.
Alexander slipped his arm around her waist as they watched their son cross the room.
Lydia leaned forward and held out her arms. “Come here, darling.”
He went directly into them. Lydia lifted him onto her lap and kissed his round cheek, murmuring to him while he settled against her. A moment later, he threw both chubby arms around her neck.
Lydia laughed and hugged him close. “I love you too.”
Thomas Bennet looked toward Elizabeth. She sat close beside her husband, gently stroking her son’s hair.
William had surrendered to the excitement of the evening and slept in his father’s arms, his cheek against Darcy’s chest. Darcy supported him with one arm while his other hand moved slowly over the boy’s back.
“He appears to have had enough of his relations,” Mr. Bennet said.
“He tried very hard to keep up with his cousins,” Elizabeth said.
Darcy looked down at his sleeping son. “He will try again tomorrow.”
When Jane’s son rubbed his eyes and made another attempt to run away, Jane caught him and kissed him good night.
“Dinner will be served soon, Charles.”
Charles lifted the boy into his arms and carried him to the nanny waiting in the next room.
Alexander went to Lydia and reached for his son, but the boy clung to her neck.
“You must go upstairs now,” Lydia told him softly. “Aunt Lyddie will still be here tomorrow.”
The boy finally released her, and Alexander carried him to his nanny.
Darcy rose with William still asleep against him. Elizabeth went with him and kissed their son’s forehead before Darcy placed him in his nurse’s arms.
The three women carried the boys upstairs.
Mr. Bennet watched his grandsons disappear through the doorway.
“Not one daughter among all of you.”
* * *
The following morning, Elizabeth stood behind Georgiana fastening the small buttons of her gown.
Georgiana looked at herself in the mirror. “I am very happy for Kitty and Mr. Goulding. It seems they have waited a very long time to marry.”
“Kitty was only seventeen when she met him. Papa spoke to Mr. Goulding and told him that if he truly loved her, he must be willing to give her time to grow up before asking her to become his wife. Mr. Goulding agreed and told Papa that Kitty was worth waiting for.”
“What a lovely story, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth fastened another button.
After a moment, Georgiana said, “I do not know if I shall ever be ready to marry again, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth’s hands stopped. She met Georgiana’s eyes in the mirror and waited.
“What happened with George Wickham hurt me. I remember trusting him, and I remember what came of it.” Georgiana lowered her eyes. “I do not know if I shall ever trust a man enough to marry him.”
Elizabeth resumed fastening the buttons. “There are men who can be trusted. You need only look at your brother, Charles, and Alexander. Mr. Goulding is another, and my father, too.”
Georgiana was silent while Elizabeth continued with the buttons.
“So was my father,” she said at last. “He never married again after my mother died. He was young enough to do so, but he loved her. Fitzwilliam told me once that Papa never stopped missing her.”
Elizabeth fastened another button.
After a time, Georgiana said, “You are right. There are trustworthy men.”
Elizabeth rested her hands lightly on Georgiana’s shoulders.
“You need not rush into anything. If one day you meet a man you love and trust and wish to marry him, you may. If that day never comes, you may remain at Pemberley all your life. It is your home as much as it is Fitzwilliam’s, and you know that we both love you very much. ”
Georgiana smiled. “And so does little William.”
“Yes, he does.”
Elizabeth fastened the last button. “There. I am finished.”
She moved around to face Georgiana and rested a hand over her abdomen.
“And so will the newest addition to the Darcy family.”
Georgiana’s eyes widened. “Lizzy!”
Elizabeth laughed as Georgiana threw her arms around her, and they embraced.
* * *
By eleven o’clock, Kitty Goulding was married.
When she and Steven came out of the church, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. Steven was grinning, and Kitty looked every bit as happy as her husband. He tucked her hand through his arm and led her toward the waiting carriage.
That afternoon, Jane and Elizabeth walked arm in arm across the lawn at Netherfield.
Jane stopped, and Elizabeth followed her gaze.
The old hawthorn stood at the edge of the grounds, its branches heavy with red berries.
Jane slipped her hand into Elizabeth’s.
“Perhaps Lydia was right about hawthorns and weddings.”
Elizabeth looked at her sister.
“More right than she knew.”