"I would rather die of passion than of boredom." - Emile Zola
Epilogue – Darcy & Elizabeth
Elizabeth sat quietly in one of her favorite places at Pemberly, a cozy chair situated near the window of her morning room. It was the ideal spot to gaze upon the beauty surrounding her new home. However, this morning, her attention was fully engaged in reading a letter from a dear friend.
I was so thrilled that things have been settled quickly between them. My greatest wish has been to see my brother find his happiness and I am certain that everything has worked out as it always should have…
Elizabeth glanced up and looked out the window after reading the allusion to her own past dealings with Earl Waldegrave. Her relationship with Amelia was somewhat strained after that day at Pemberly so long ago. Yet, even now after nearly two years had past, Elizabeth could remember it with startling clarity.
True to the earl's word, the weather was indeed mild as he and Elizabeth walked slowly from the house. Elizabeth realized that the earl must have had a specific destination in mind as he steered her towards a little path near the side garden. Her suspicions proved correct when he stopped before a little bench and asked her if she would please sit. She did as he requested and then watched as he began pacing before her. Until this moment, it had not occurred to her that the earl could possibly have any true designs towards her. Yet, his every motion spoke of a man on the verge of declaring himself. Suddenly, a great weight settled upon her shoulders with the realization that her life was about to take a drastic turn. The earl finally stopped and faced her once again before speaking.
"Miss Bennet, might I have your indulgence to listen to the ramblings of a friend?", he asked.
Elizabeth could not help but smile and nod as his request.
"As you are aware, this year has been very difficult for both Amelia and I. The loss of both my father and brother, well, it seems as if my life is no longer my own. I was not raised with the expectation of acquiring this title nor did I fathom how it would affect my prospects for happiness. While many people have stated that this new found wealth and status should be a silver-lining to the loss of my family, I have yet to adopt this belief."
Elizabeth felt she must interject.
"Of course you cannot feel that way, sir. It is quite evident that you cared deeply for your father and brother and it is absurd that people should expect you to find joy while you are yet mourning." Elizabeth stated heatedly.
He smiled at her understanding and replied, "As you say."
Then, looking intently at her eyes, he continued.
"Yet, I must admit that I brought you here with the sole intent of 'finding my joy', Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth drew in an unsteady breath and watched as he knelt before her and gently took one of her hands in his.
"Miss Bennet, I realize that this may be unexpected but I recently learned that we are not guaranteed days upon this earth; therefore, I shall press on. I do not imagine that you might already hold feelings of love for me but, I hope, that you feel the mutual regard & respect that I have always felt towards you. Our friendship has always been easy and I know that I can trust you, unlike those women of the Ton who only recently find me 'fascinating'. I cannot imagine going through life with such an uncompanionable and insincere woman. However, I believe that the two of us could build a happy life together. Would you do me the honor of accepting my hand?" He asked expectantly.
"My lord, I…I for once am at a loss. Please know that I understand the very great honor you are bestowing on me with such an offer." Elizabeth stammered.
The earl, seeing her distress, removed himself from the ground and sat besides her on the bench. They were both quiet for a time before he spoke again.
"I cannot say that I am pleased to receive such a response; however, it only proves your worthiness that you would not accept me despite your own reservations. Perhaps we can discuss the reasons why you feel that you cannot readily accept me?"
Elizabeth turned towards him and was relieved to find his face honest and concerned instead of hurt and angry.
"My lord, I could not feel right in accepting your hand when I know my heart to already belong to another." Elizabeth was surprised at her own candidness but did not regret it.
"Ah, I see." The earl said as he looked thoughtfully towards the house.
"I will admit that I was hesitant to pursue you due to some concern that it might offend my friend. However, when I found you still unattached at my arrival in the county, I thought that…well, it gave me reason to hope."
Again, silence descended upon the pair. Elizabeth's head was spinning with their conversation as well as her own admission, however veiled, of loving Mr. Darcy. Finally, the earl stood and faced her once again.
"I believe that I shall find Amelia and take our leave. However, I hope that we might still meet as friends in the future, Miss Bennet?" He asked kindly.
"Yes, of course, my lord. I am honored to have you counted among my friends." She responded.
"Before I go, might I offer a bit of advice?"
Elizabeth nodded.
"Darcy is an excellent fellow, Miss Bennet. I do not know what has transpired between the two of you but I do hope that it will be resolved to the satisfaction of both. As I stated earlier, I believe we must grasp hold of happiness while we have the chance for we never know what tomorrow might bring. Farewell, Miss Bennet." He bowed over her hand.
"Good-bye, my lord." Elizabeth said softly and then he turned to go.
Elizabeth was brought back to the present when she heard the door to the room being closed quietly. She looked towards the door only to find her husband staring towards her. She held her finger to mouth asking him to be quiet and he nodded as he slowly walked near. When he finally stood behind her, he dropped a kiss upon her head and then whispered in her ear.
"And how are my two favorite women spending their morning, today?"
She smiled and whispered back, "Well, one of us is being incredibly rude by sleeping the time away."
As if her mother's comment roused her, the tiny baby asleep in the bassinet began to stir. Elizabeth leaned down to pick up her daughter but felt her husband put his hand on her shoulder.
"Please, allow me." He said smilingly and picked up the precious girl.
Elizabeth thought that her heart might explode for the amount of love she had for the two people in front of her. Watching her husband whisper to their daughter and kiss her round cheeks in adoration never failed to move her.
Darcy looked up and noticed the letter in Elizabeth's hands.
"Good news, I hope?" He asked.
"Why, yes, it is from Amelia. She writes that her brother shall be married soon." She answered as she stood to see her daughter cooing in her husband's arms.
"Well, I wish them joy. I hope that he is able to find happiness in his marriage." Darcy said placidly.
Elizabeth looked at him and nodded her agreement.
"As long as his happiness lies with a woman who is not my wife." He added with a smirk.
"You are incorrigible!" Elizabeth half-heartedly scolded him.
Seeing that his daughter had drifted back asleep, Darcy gently laid her into her bassinet before wrapping his arms around his wife's waist.
"That I may be but I will never regret winning your hand even if it was at the cost of a friend." He whispered before leaning down to capture her mouth in a heated kiss. When he pulled back, he looked in eyes and asked smiling, "I hope that you have no regrets, my darling?"
Elizabeth laughed lightly, "I will never regret choosing you…even if you are determined to scandalize our household by seducing your wife in the morning room."
He grinned devilishly before saying, "Ah, it is seduction you want? I am pleased to be at your service, madam."
It was some time before the Darcy's emerged from the morning room that day. Perhaps the young Miss Darcy's demand of nourishment contributed to the cessation of their activities yet that is the way of life.
The Darcy's went on to be blessed with six children. Their household was full of love and laughter. Although the servants might remember a few instances of heated battles between their master and mistress, they were more likely to recall the times when doors had to be quickly shut in order to protect the sensibilities of the young. Such is the way when love and passion abound in a marriage that began with a friendship…a friendship afire.
Author's Note: This is the final epilogue for this tale. I hope that you enjoyed it and will let me know your thoughts in your review. For my next project, I am trying to decide whether to continue on 'Thanksgiving with the Bennets' or 'A Night in Savannah' or begin another historical story. Feel free to give me your feedback on which you would prefer to read. As always, thank you for your reviews, support and encouragement throughout this story.