Author's note: The Epilogue has 3 parts (3 Chapters). Here is Part I. Tomorrow I will post Part II.
Edited by SamH294
Epilogue: Part I
Late August 1812
In late August 1812, Elizabeth, Darcy, and Georgiana traveled to Hertfordshire and stayed at Netherfield Park for a month. Elizabeth wanted to be with Mary for the last days before her child was born and during childbirth.
Caroline Bingley took the opportunity to be very courteous to Elizabeth and especially Georgiana. Although they never became good friends, over the years they learned to tolerate each other quite well.
Mary had her first and only daughter, Rose Barton, three days after Elizabeth's arrival - five years later she would have her only son. Fortunately, the girl was born healthy and Mary's recovery was of short time.
Mr. Barton was over the moon, unlike some men, he did not have any preference about the sex of his child and Rose was such a very sweet girl. Everything indicated that she was going to resemble her mother, whom he loved more than anyone and anything in the world.
Three weeks after Rose Barton was born, she was christened at Netherfield's chapel. Elizabeth was her proud godmother and Lord Sebastian was her godfather.
1813
In September 1813, the Darcys received an invitation to Bingley's wedding to Miss Pratt. As Elizabeth was so far along in her pregnancy, they were not able to attend.
Caroline at first was displeased with her brother's choice of wife, since Miss Pratt was the daughter of a minor gentleman and had only a £7000 dowry. But as Miss Pratt was a sweet and kind young lady, Caroline calmed down in the end.
Caroline stayed with her brother and wife at Neterfield for a few years. When she was twenty-seven, a gentleman with an estate similar in size to Longbourn - who was more interested in her dowry than in her person - proposed to her. As she was just about considered on the shelf, she agreed to his proposal.
December 1813
Lord Sebastian sipped a glass of brandy while thinking about Marianne Campbell and how much his life had changed that day.
Three years ago, when he met Marianne, he found her to be a very sweet, intelligent, and pretty young lady. But back then, she was still very young, and he was debating whether or not to court Miss Bennet.
Over time, they began to see each other fairly frequently in London and even saw each other twice in Pemberley. Without a doubt, he enjoyed her company very much, and he liked to talk with her.
A few months ago, his feelings changed – or he realized he had tender feelings for her - when he saw Marianne walking arm in arm in Hyde Park with Mr. Stones, a wealthy gentleman. That same day, he heard rumors of a possible engagement between them.
Over the next three weeks, he saw Marianne at five parties, but he was unable to speak to her much as Mr. Stones monopolized her attention.
For the second time in his life, Lord Sebastian became jealous. He knew Mr. Stones very well; he was an intelligent, rich, and amiable man. Without a doubt, he would be a good husband to Marianne.
A few days later, they met at a ball, and he asked her to dance. Mr. Stones was not in attendance due to a problem in his estate and Sebastian learned they were not courting yet. During their set, Sebastian came to the conclusion that of all the ladies he had known in his nearly thirty years, Marianne was the one he liked best.
That night, he came to the conclusion that, without realizing it, his feelings for Marianne had changed and he loved her, quite ardently. The next morning steeling himself, Sebastian paid a call to the Campbells. It was better to be rejected than to live the rest of his life wondering what might have been.
At Lord Sebastian's request, Mrs. Campbell left them alone for a few minutes.
Lord Sebastian took Marianne's hand and tenderly said, "Miss Campbell… Marianne, in the last few months, I have not stopped thinking about you. I know you probably don't feel the same way I do, and I am also aware there is another gentleman who is interested in marrying you."
He kissed her hand. "But I must tell you what I feel and not wonder what would have happened if I had had the courage to speak." Looking into her eyes, he knelt and said, "I realized, I care deeply for you, and what I want most in this world is for a chance to win your heart, Marianne, May I court you?"
Marianne closed her eyes for a few seconds to hold back her happy tears. She had been in love with him for so long and she had lost hope he would ever notice her.
With a big smile, she nodded.