Epilogue #2
Elizabeth took his hand and led Darcy to the settee. “You are right to be upset by what you learnt today, but that woman is a very small part of your past. Anna and I are your future and a very wonderful future it will be.”
“You are too good for me, my Lizzy. How do you always know how to take away my pain?”
“That is simple—I ease your hurt by replacing it with my love.” She caressed his face and kissed him until his overwhelming adoration of her prevailed over his wounded emotions and left him fully content.
* * *
Through correspondence with Fitzwilliam, the Darcys learnt that Charles Bingley had returned to London after a year in Scarborough.
Her husband’s friend immersed himself in the social scene of the ton but remembered the high cost he paid for his prior inappropriate behaviour.
Thus, the gentleman was exceedingly respectful of every woman he met—and in her opinion, he should be, even if it was a lesson learned too late.
In time, he asked for the hand of a wealthy man of trade’s daughter, and they lived happily at their small estate in Hampshire and never travelled to London.
He reported that his sister Caroline was so disappointed in his choice of wife, she never spoke to Charles again.
Elizabeth was not sorry for Mrs. Roberts; indeed, it was of benefit to Mr. Bingley to not have to deal with his unpleasant sister any more.
Caroline’s choice amused Elizabeth a great deal.
* * *
When Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth returned to Derbyshire after Georgiana’s first Season, Elizabeth was overjoyed to welcome her aunt and uncle Gardiner and their family for their first summer at Pemberley.
Everyone had such a fine time being together, it became an annual tradition which continued even after the Gardiner children were grown and had families of their own.
Mrs. Gardiner remained Elizabeth’s treasured confidante and adviser.
Fitzwilliam and Mr. Gardiner expanded their business partnerships to the financial benefit of both.
Their closeness exceeded most others in their families, making Elizabeth proud of her London relatives.
* * *
With the aid of an excellent new steward and her special tonic, Anne DeBourgh was able to report success in her role as mistress of Rosings Park.
Most importantly, her health improved with every passing day.
Elizabeth was delighted to learn from Anne’s letters that Mr. Gilroy was a frequent caller and not unexpectedly, their professional relationship turned into a romance, and the Darcys attended their wedding.
Sadly, Mr. Gilroy knew that Anne’s previous poor health made childbearing unsafe, but they were both content with the life they made together.
Not six months after their wedding, one of Rosings’ widowed tenants died and left her two young sons orphaned.
Having good hearts, Anne and John took them in until a family member could come for the boys.
For two years, no one claimed the children, and in time Samuel and Roger were made a part of the Gilroy family.
They were loving parents and left Rosings to Samuel, and the living at Hunsford was gifted to Roger.
Anne and John lived a long and full life together—a life her mother had been bitterly determined to deny her.
As the Gilroys shared their good fortune with each other and their children, Lady Catherine died alone not long after she learnt Anne and John had made the children of tenants permanent residents of Rosings Park.
Fitzwilliam attended the funeral, but there were few at hand.
Lady Catherine had not made many friends in her life.
* * *
September 1815
“Mama, you face red!” Anna Darcy gently rubbed Elizabeth’s cheek.
“Yes, my love, my cheek is red. Is your face red?”
“No, me face no red. You face red.”
The two-year-old’s father entered the nursery to hear the end of their conversation. “Little one, do you know why Mama’s cheek is red?”
“No Papa.”
“When I was looking for the most wonderful lady to be my wife and your mama, I searched all over and when I found someone G-d thought was special enough to give a red cheek, I knew Mama was the one I wanted.” Elizabeth’s heart still beat faster whenever her husband entered the room.
“Papa, you face bumpy, you face no red.”
“I met your Papa when his face was red and bumpy. I was looking for the best man in the whole world to marry me and when I saw your Papa, I knew I had found that man.” Elizabeth caressed her husband’s cheek as he kissed her hair and took their daughter from what was left of her lap.
“Thank you, my love. I find my back hurting more with this little one. Perhaps that means the baby will be a boy.”
“Me no want boy.”
“When the time comes, poppet, you will love the baby just as we love you.” Elizabeth said.
“Me love Mama and Papa and da new baby!” Anna placed her head on her father’s shoulder and was soon asleep.
As they walked towards their sitting room, Fitzwilliam asked, “If the baby is a boy, shall we name him Bennet for your father?”
“I know that is a tradition in your family but. . .but I cannot bring myself to name our son in his honour.”
“Are you certain? Your bitterness will diminish over time and this might be the only opportunity we have to give our child that name. If circumstances had not led you to Lambton, we might never have met.” After their marriage, they never spoke of her short time in service but Elizabeth still had the memories of the pain of having to find employment.
“I know, my love, and I have been thinking about it ever since I knew I was increasing. I believe I have come up with a solution—what about a girl’s name?”
“I have a sense you already have an idea in mind. I would love her to have your name.”
“What do you think about Madeline?”
“I would be delighted to have a daughter bearing the name of someone we both love. A second name?”
“Madeline Elizabeth has a nice ring to it.”
* * *