Epilogue
One year later
From the Darcy carriage window, Elizabeth caught a glimpse of the Cross Keys inn. Turning her attention towards her husband who was beside her, she raised a playful brow. “Shall we pay a visit to our least favourite establishment?”
“Certainly not,” replied Darcy with a grin, pulling her close so she was pressed against him, a strong arm around her waist. “I promised myself that you would never set foot in that dreadful place again. I am a man of my word.”
“Or perhaps you are simply a man who is afraid of bed bugs,” she giggled into the soft fold of his coat.
He chuckled, the deep reverberations in his chest creating comforting waves in her own body.
“Fear is a strong word, Elizabeth. I prefer substantial disinclination.” Reaching down, he pressed a tender kiss upon the top of her head; Elizabeth smiled privately, pleased at her forethought in removing her bonnet for their journey back to Pemberley.
“Our stay there seems like a lifetime ago.”
“So much has happened,” she replied, lazily tracing the tips of her fingers along his arm, drawing light circles on his wrist, in the way she knew he loved.
“I can scarcely believe how different our lives are. A week from now, Jane and her dear Bingley will be in Apsford House. I am glad that it has all been agreed so smoothly. Jane may begin building her nest before her confinement. It will be a relief to know that they will be closer to Pemberley.”
Darcy leant down and placed another kiss high up on her neck. “Yes, I am pleased for them,” he murmured absently, his breath warm against her skin.
“Are you trying to distract me?” she laughed.
Darcy laced his fingers lightly through her hair, the palm of his hand cupping her cheek, bringing her face towards his as he kissed her with soft reverence.
Many delicious moments passed between them, and eventually he broke away, his mouth pulled wide into a roguish grin.
“Your accusations are unfounded. I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.”
Feeling suddenly bereft without his loving caresses, Elizabeth gazed up into his handsome face.
Even now, a year later, she could scarcely believe the turn of events that brought her to his arms. Her stay in Pemberley had been a delight: she had swiftly formed a friendship with Darcy’s sister, to the point where she held Georgiana as dear to her heart as one of her own relations.
Bingley, whose generosity of spirit knew no bounds, forgave his friend in an instant when he learnt of Jane’s heartbreak, and sought out Elizabeth’s counsel on how to make amends with his beloved.
She thought of Darcy’s second proposal; the memory of his anxious, earnest expression as he declared his love brought unexpected tears to her eyes.
“Good heavens, what is the matter?” Darcy swiftly placed a protective hand over her waist, where inside grew a precious life known only to them.
“Are you unwell? Is it the baby? We do not need to stop at the Langfords—we may journey directly to Pemberley. Or we may stop the carriage if you need some air.”
“Nothing is wrong, my love,” Elizabeth smiled through her tears, and Darcy’s shoulders sagged with relief.
She placed her hand over his and squeezed it reassuringly.
“I only began to think of a time when we did not know each other as well as we do now, and I was overcome with the realisation of how dear you are to me. If it were not for your terrible accident, we might never have met again.”
Deep creases formed around Darcy’s eyes as he gazed upon her affectionately. “I am certain that I should have found you. My heart has always been yours—I do not think it would have allowed me to rest until I had encountered you once more.”
She shook her head ruefully. “I only wish that you had not been hurt to achieve our happiness.”
“What is a fractured rib and a punctured sense of dignity when weighed against all that I have gained?” A smile touched upon Darcy’s lips.
Moving his hand from her waist, he brought his fingers back to her cheek, his caress a whisper upon her skin.
“Dearest Elizabeth, you have inspired such a change in me that I scarcely recognise myself. For you—and now for our unborn child—I will always endeavour to be a better man. Indeed, I cannot claim any goodness for myself, for all of me belongs to you in a way that I will never be able to express with words.”
Love for her husband filled Elizabeth’s heart, squeezing in her chest so tightly that it felt fit to burst. Blinking away a fugitive tear, she leant forward, deeper into his strong arms. “Then let us desist with all this conversation.”
“With pleasure,” murmured Darcy, before capturing Elizabeth’s lips in an embrace filled with such gentle passion that there could be no doubt how ardently she was loved.