Epilogue

James MacKay was in the small lake near his house with his five-year-old grandsons James Thomas, almost three-year-old Roger Andrew, and with five-year-old William Darcy, who was like another grandson. His grandchildren occupied a large part of his life because some years ago he had delegated all the management of the estate to his son Richard. The last six years of his life had been the best he could remember, he had not only recovered his son, whom he believed dead for so many years, but had also gained a daughter in Jane. He had taken the children to the lake to fish, in order to calm his nerves a bit, Jane was in labor, and although he knew she was a healthy woman and had never had complications with her pregnancies before, he couldn't help feeling nervous. Being in direct contact with nature and being in the company of his grandchildren was the best tranquilizer he could have.

"Stop walking Richard, you're making me dizzy," said Mr. Darcy to his cousin.

"How ironic that you say that, when Mrs. Reynolds told me that for the births of William and Anne, she practically had to tie you up so you wouldn't go into Lizzie's room to give orders. You had everyone going crazy with your uncontrollable nerves, even Georgiana couldn't stand you, and we know well that she has always put up with everything you do or you say". Richard said, laughing, trying to calm his nerves.

Life had been generous to them, Mr. Darcy thought. They had two children, their first born and heir, William George, and two-year-old daughter Anne Jane. Until not long ago the four Darcy had lived in the company of Georgina, who had finally married three months ago to the son of a viscount, who had fallen deeply in love with her, and had courted her for more than a year. It was not easy for Mr. Darcy, to see his sister go, but at the same time he was very happy that Georgiana had met a man who loved and respected her.

Elizabeth had assumed the duties of Mistress de Pemberley exceptionally. She was respected among the staff, by the estate tenants and by all the families in Derbyshire. With the help of the new countess, Lady Hellen, Elizabeth had managed to be respected by the Ton, who valued her for her simplicity and elegance. The rumors of the hasty marriage gave way to romantic stories in which everyone sighed when they heard how the always serious Mr. Darcy, in a fit of passion and love, had decided to marry the charming Elizabeth Bennet in Scotland.

Mr. Darcy, for his part, felt that married life was the best thing that ever happened to him. He never felt alone again, and the weight of all the immense responsibilities that he had carried from a very young age, today he could balance them with the happiness that he found in family life. He really enjoyed spending time with his son and daughter, he loved to play and spend time with them. But also, he loved spending time with his wife, in fact since Elizabeth occupied the Mistress's room, he never slept in her room again, and he never cared what the staff or anyone else could say about it.

In Longbourn and Meryton things had changed a lot too. Rebecca and her husband settled in Netherfield, and before long Lady Amanda went to live with them, tired of the troubles and gossips of the city. Immediately her presence changed the peaceful atmosphere of Meryton, and transformed it into a much more sophisticated place. The dowager countess had a very wide circle of important friends who visited her frequently, and shared with neighbors in a much friendlier way than the Bingleys had done.

In addition, Rebecca became very good friends with Mary, they were both very devoted, together and with the help of the clergyman's wife, they organized a small school to teach the tenants' children how to read. They spent a lot of time together, so when Marcus Thompson, Rebecca's older brother visited his sister, he immediately met Mary. For both of them it was love at first sight, Marcus was very similar to Mary, a little shy but with firm opinions, and above all very intelligent. After three months of courtship, they married and went to live in London. They had a little daughter and Mary was with child, so they would soon be parents again.

Kitty and Georgiana had spent the last few years living between Pemberley and Longbourn. When Georgiana was introduced to society, Kitty accompanied her, and they spent two seasons together in London meeting new people, but most of all, protecting each other from bad influences. She really loved spending time with her Uncle Bennet, who made her laugh with his witticisms, and with her Aunt Bennet, who made her feel just like another daughter. It was in one of these visits that Georgiana and Kitty met their husbands, at an assembly in Meryton hosted by Lady Amanda.

When Georgiana finally accepted Viscount Sutherland, it was Mrs. Bennet who helped her with her wedding trousseau, because Lizzie was in her last months of pregnancy and was unable to travel to London. Three months later, Kitty married the best friend of Georgiana's husband, who was the son of a very kind and wealthy tradesmen family.

Lydia had fallen in love with Scotland, James had taught her how to ride and she spent all the time she could touring the forests and nature around her. That made her concentrate her energy on outdoor activities, which tempered her character. In addition, James and Richard educated and guided her, and finally she was able to understand how a woman should behave in order to attract a man who truly loves her. But she not only fell in love with Scotland, but also with a Scotsman. The young solicitor who helped James adopt Richard won over Lydia's heart, they married and lived in Edinburgh where he made a career at one of the most prestigious law firms in the country.

Charles Bingley remained a good friend of Mr. Darcy, but Darcy decided that he would no longer intervene in the decisions that his friend made, so he was eventually forced to mature. When he realized that he could not marry Rebecca, he made the decision to return to the business world, and for the first time in his life he felt that he was good for something. In the five years that he had been in charge of the family business he had duplicated his fortune, and today he was a much richer man than he had ever been. He finally managed to marry one of her angels, the beautiful daughter of a tradesman just like him, and managed to be very happy with her.

Caroline was not as lucky as her brother. Bingley's wife put up with her for only two months and asked her husband to find her a house to live in. Louisa and her husband, who were raising her first child, did not want to live with Caroline because they did not want her to interfere with the harmony they had achieved. Therefore, she had no choice but to accept the marriage proposal of a rich tradesman, who although was a very good man, had a very vulgar family. In fact, Caroline's mother-in-law acted very similar to Mrs. Bennet. For that reason, she decided to disappear from social life and concentrated all her energy on raising her two sons, who became successful tradesmen just like their father and uncle Bingley.

George Wickham was convicted of all his crimes and he and his accomplices were sentenced to hang. Mr. Darcy knew the details of the trial, but never said anything to Elizabeth or Georgiana, they always thought that Wickham was in prison and never knew anything else.

Mr. Darcy looked out of the window and thought about everything that had happened almost over six years ago, and how being lost in Scotland had changed his life, and the lives of his entire family forever.

Roger and Hellen restored dignity to the Fitzwilliam family and the earldom. Anne and Dr. Johnson had made Rosings prosperous again and they had adopted Jonas De Bourgh, the son of Anne's cousin who had lost his parents and needed a home. Anne knew that her father wherever he was would be happy to know that a de Bourgh would inherit Rosings.

Mr. Darcy poured Richard a glass of whiskey, but as he handed it to him he said, "This is the last one you drink, Richard, you are not going to meet your new child drunk"

At that moment, James joined the group. He had left his three grandchildren with the nannies, to bathe and feed them, soon it would be time to go to sleep. Seeing Richard's face, he knew there was still no news about Jane. Richard sipped his whiskey and continued pacing. James and Mr. Darcy tried to read something, though they couldn't concentrate much.

After half an hour of silence, Elizabeth suddenly entered the drawing room with a small baby in her arms, "Richard, I come to tell you that Jane is fine and to introduce you to your little daughter Emma."

Richard approached Elizabeth and when he saw her little daughter, he kissed her affectionately on her forehead and told her that he loved her very much. Then, he ran to Jane's room to see how she was doing and to thank her for his new daughter.

James, for his part, when he learned that the little girl was called Emma couldn't help but felt melancholic but happy at the same time. He approached Elizabeth and asked her to let him carry the baby. When he held his little Emma in his arms, he approached the portrait of his wife, the one that Roger had gave him and said, "My dear Emma, this is your granddaughter, our granddaughter," and was immensely happy to know how he would spoil the beautiful girl he held in his arms.

Mr. Darcy hugged Elizabeth and asked if everything was fine, and she replied, "Jane is a little tired but everything went well. I think it's time to see our children, Mr. James can take care of little Emma".

Mr. Darcy offered his arm to his beloved wife and said, "of course my love, we will also take advantage of telling our children about their new cousin Emma" and smiling added, "next Christmas in Pemberley will be even more full of children than the previous".

"That's right," Elizabeth said, and added, laughing, "and with one more Darcy."

Mr. Darcy froze for a moment, but then he took Elizabeth in his arms and said, "I love you!".

For all those who are interested in reading my new adventure see you at the end of March with my new story "Rivalry".

Thank you for your constant supportive comments, it makes me very happy that you enjoy reading what I write, as much as I enjoy writing it.

Gracias a todos por su apoyo y comentarios de ánimo. Para los que estén interesados en mi nueva historia "Rivalidad", nos vemos a fin de marzo.

Rendez-vous fin mars si vous souhaitez lire ma nouvelle histoire "Rivalry".

Saludos,

Yo