Epilogue #2
William had been even more pursued after this became known amongst the ton.
Like his father, he had not cared for the attention, and his brother, now receiving more attention as the recognised heir of Oakridge, stalked the sidelines of balls and other events they attended, earning a reputation for being rather proud.
When his cousin, Lady Hope, made her official debut into society near her seventeenth birthday, both boys were assigned the duty by their father and uncle to be her protectors and escorts.
They were frequently joined by her elder sister, Lady Grace, who had married Charlotte Livesay’s son several years earlier, or one of the elder Darcy sisters.
Hope had always been a companion to the Darcy twins, frequently joining in their youthful escapades and games during their visits to Pemberley.
Although Grace was of a similar age to William and his twin brother, Nathaniel, her interests diverged significantly from the typical pastimes of boys.
On the other hand, Hope had always held her male cousins in high regard, especially considering the number of them, and had consistently sought to participate in whatever adventures they were engaged in.
They were always mindful of her age, as she was nearly seven years their junior, but they allowed her to accompany them, just as they did with their younger sisters, often considering her just another sister.
However, accompanying Lady Hope through town stirred feelings in William that were far from brotherly.
He had not spent much time with her recently, as she had been in London preparing for her season while he was still in the countryside.
That night, dressed in a gown signalling her transition into womanhood, she appeared utterly enchanting.
Her beauty was striking, and William found it challenging not to stare at her.
It is often said “we are all fools in love,” and while he might not have been in love yet, William certainly acted like a fool, especially that evening.
He was so taken aback by his cousin’s transformation and his own turbulent emotions regarding the change he refused to dance with her and made a rude comment about her appearance.
She stood close enough to hear him when he described her as “tolerable” and stormed off angrily at her cousin’s hateful words.
Hope had been heading toward her cousins to request their help in diverting an unwanted suitor, and she was deeply hurt to hear her cousins speaking ill of her in such a hurtful manner.
She had always held William in high regard, and to hear him, in particular, dismiss her so thoughtlessly was heartbreaking.
William heard the flutter of silk and turned to see her departing and quickly realised he had been overheard.
He pursued her into the hallway, where he stumbled through an apology and asked her to dance.
However, after his insult, she refused, claiming a headache and a desire to go home.
Instead of dancing with her, he found her sister, who escorted her home.
The next morning, he visited her and again offered his heartfelt apology.
William had a conversation with his father the previous evening, who, after sharing a good laugh over the situation, recounted his first encounter with Elizabeth.
“While I did not make quite the muddle of it you did,” he began, “I was struck nearly speechless the first time I laid eyes on your mother. I started talking about marriage way too soon, and it frightened her. I knew what I felt for her, but catching up took her longer. From nearly the first moment, it was as if our hearts were inexplicably intertwined. Although you have known Hope for much longer than I knew your mother, seeing a grown-up Hope for the first time is a different experience from knowing the child Hope. You may find yourself apologising once more—Darcy women, whether by blood or marriage, tend to be rather stubborn. Take your time to show Hope your true feelings. Let your connection flourish and see if what you share is a love that can endure.”
What they had between them did endure, and William courted Hope most assiduously during the season.
As his father warned, it took Hope a little longer to reach the conclusion William reached almost immediately, but in June, she accepted his proposal and the two planned to marry at Pemberley in the autumn.
Just after Michaelmas and the Harvest celebrations, the family began to arrive at Pemberley.
Over the summer months, Hope and her mother had worked to renovate the dower house, as George had offered it to the young couple.
They could have resided in Pemberley, but both felt more comfortable with the idea of maintaining their own residence after their marriage.
William planned a trip to the Lake District, where his father had taken his bride more than twenty-five years before.
The family had expanded considerably since their last gathering, and Pemberley was bustling with activity.
Fortunately, only a few of Lady Anne’s grandchildren were married, and a few were still attending school, which kept them from attending the wedding.
Nevertheless, Pemberley’s accommodations were filled with the three Darcy children, the four Bennet sisters and their offspring, Charlotte Livesay and her four children, and Richard Fitzwilliam with his six, occupying every available bedchamber.
The newlyweds had graciously permitted several family members to stay in the dower house when there was no more room at the main house.
A few days after the last guest arrived, William and Hope married in Pemberley’s chapel. It was a beautiful wedding, and the mother of the bride and groom both cried. Both already had married a child or two off, but for each, this was their firstborns pledging themselves to each other.
Elizabeth adored Pemberley, and while she would not have minded living there, she did prefer the home she made with her husband at Oakridge.
“Perhaps, in another life, I would have lived here,” she thought, “though I would have been happy had Fitzwilliam remained a barrister.” Regardless of her thoughts on the estate, she was ecstatic that her son would live there and would one day inherit.
He was a wonderful son and would do well in his uncle’s position, although she did hope her brother would live several years longer so her son would not inherit too early.
Her husband’s touch shook her away from these thoughts. “Did I ever tell you about my conversation with your son after he first saw Hope at a dance?” he whispered.
She glanced sideways in his direction. “Is now, in the middle of our son’s wedding, the best time to tell me?” she asked impertinently.
Fitzwilliam brought her hands to his lips for a soft kiss.
“It is, dearest. He was struck dumb the moment he saw her and then managed to insult her in his confusion. It is a wonder they could come to an understanding, although, just like I was when I saw you, I felt a sense of the inevitable when I first gazed at you.”
Elizabeth smiled tenderly at him. “You are the dearest man,” she whispered, leaning her head against his shoulder. “I knew when I saw you, too, though such an unknown sensation terrified me. I knew our hearts were irretrievably entwined from the moment I first saw you.”
The End