“Just promise you will think it over? Alex will adore having his grandpapa around. You might settle in a home in Lambton if you wished for independence or Fitzwilliam could open the dower house for you.
“Jane plans on staying in London with my aunt and uncle Gardiner. Bingley is perfect for her, but as she told me, they agreed to take things slow.”
“Slow… More like molasses.”
“Both are learning to trust again, Papa.”
He waved her away, “Cease, child. I promise to think on it.”
She kissed his cheek. “That is all I ask…. For now.”
“Get away with you. These books will not read themselves.”
A companionable silence fell over the room. Lizzy made a move to get up. “I think a change will be good for you, too. Do not live in the past, Papa. Remember the past only as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” Her eyes found Darcy walking towards her, and she lit up with joy.
Bennet watched his favourite walk away with her chosen love. He just might take her on the offer. Stay in a home, alone, haunted by memories, or watch this couple raise happy children… Perhaps the decision will not be so difficult a one, after all.
Darcy escorted Elizabeth out into the garden. Finding a sheltered area, free from spying eyes, he came to a stop pulling her around to face him.
He ran one finger down the side of her face, under her jaw to where the knife had pricked her skin. He kissed the spot on her neck, then straightened, saying his thoughts out loud. “We were fortunate indeed.” He blinked quickly and swallowed to clear the lump in his throat.How have I been so blessed to find this woman?“I will be a good father to Alex. One Gregory would be proud of.” Darcy felt the need to reassure her.
She brought a hand to his cheek and caressed it, reaching back to run her fingers through his hair. “I believe he already would be… and I think you will be an excellent father to our future children.”
“We are not yet wed, and you speak of our future children?” One side of his lips curled upwards.
“Our home is large, or so you and Georgiana have informed me. We must fill it to the rafters with peals of joy.” Elizabeth stood on tiptoe to wrap both of her arms around his neck. “From this day on, our homes, our lives, will be a monument to our love.”
“Quite so,” he pressed his lips to hers in a slow, tender kiss.
Epilogue
One year later
The change in motion woke Elizabeth from her nap, as their coach slowed to make a turn into an inn’s foreyard. She looked over to see Alex sitting on Darcy’s lap, his head resting against her husband’s broad chest.
Darcy was pointing out everything they could see outside the carriage window, until it came to a standstill. Alex repeated everything his papa said in a high-pitched babble.
She glanced outside but did not recognise any landmarks. “This is not our usual stopping place, is it?”
Darcy handed Alex to her so he could step out and speak to the groomsman. “Not a usual one. But I have used it before.” There was a hint of mischief in his expression.
She sat up paying more attention to their surroundings. With Darcy gone, Alex began to squirm. For all he loved his mama, Alex was enamoured with his papa. Elizabeth had known Darcy would be a good father, but seeing his patience with the small child amazed her. It was not only patience. Darcy seemed to find joy in explaining the same things over and over again, reading the samebedtime stories, long after Elizabeth was near to losing her own patience.
“It is different, my love. You connect with him on a more visceral level. I must find my own way to nurture our son.” And he excelled at it.
The carriage door opened, the step placed, and she was assisted out to an open area in front of an inn. Darcy wore a smug expression as he took Alex from her. “Come, my dear. We shall enjoy some refreshments here. They have a private room for our use.”
Looking at her husband with suspicion Elizabeth allowed him to escort her inside. She crossed the threshold and acclimated her eyesight to the dimmer room after being in the bright summer sun.
“Bless my soul, dearie! Welcome back.” A short, plump woman hastened up to them.
Elizabeth’s jaw dropped. “Mrs Hobbs. How delighted I am to see you.” She sent Darcy a sidelong glance. “My husband likes to keep secrets, it seems.” Her look promised retribution which only made Darcy’s smile wider.
“Well now, who’d have guessed th’ two of you would marry after meetin’ here over a year ago?” To Elizabeth she whispered, “Your husband is one of the good ones dearie, and so ’andsome.”
“I know.” How very well Elizabeth knew it. Her husband was the very best of men, and a thoughtful, loving husband. She was beyond fortunate.
By now they had been shown into the private room, and Elizabeth looked around marvelling at being back there.
