A smile tugged at the corners of Elizabeth’s mouth as she thought back on that cheerful time. She and Mr Darcy had their disagreements, to be sure, but they always came back to their undying love for one another.
After their return from the wedding trip, nearly six months after their wedding, Elizabeth found out that she was with child. Over the next several years, they welcomed their three children into the world, saw Georgiana married, and rejoiced when Jane and Mr Bingley moved to an estate in Derbyshire, only ten miles away from Pemberley. Jane and Mr Bingley had five daughters in the space of eight years, much to Mrs Bennet’s chagrin. Jane herself did not seem to mind. On the contrary, she was often heard remarking on how fortunate her daughters were — after all, they need not contend with an entail! Much to Elizabeth’s satisfaction, all Jane’s new neighbours seemed to esteem her as she deserved. It was a happy neighbourhood indeed, with such a pair to give all about them an example of what wedded happiness ought to be, for Jane and Mr Bingley had been blissfully happy together since their wedding. They seemed to only grow more in love with each other as the years passed.
Elizabeth felt the same for Mr Darcy. Though she had thought she could never love him more than she had on their wedding day, she found that every year, their love not only deepened, it expanded as they overcame life’s challenges. These did come from time to time, for wealth could not protect them from every difficult circumstance in life. Indeed, she had nearly perished during Amelia’s birth, but by a miracle, she and the baby had survived. Darcy had stayed by her side, despite those who would have kept him from the birthing chamber, holding her hand and speaking of the future. He had kept her calm, given her hope. Sometimes, Elizabeth even felt he had saved her life.
Those had been dark days. For some time, Elizabeth’s letters to Longbourn could not be entirely honest, or at least not entirely open. Mrs Bennet’s complaints of her poor nerves were not entirely imaginary, and Elizabeth would not risk bringing on a fit of apoplexy. Yet there, too, however, there had been an improvement. In the years since she and Jane — and then the rest of her sisters — had married, her mother’s nervous disorders had lessened significantly. Without the pressure of worry over her daughters ending in poverty, Mrs Bennet could finally be at her ease. It was not only her mother who benefited from the change. As Mr Bennet was wont to say, dryly, but with real feeling, he positively relished the quiet that had come to Longbourn.
Lydia and Kitty had continued their good behaviour, even after Elizabeth and Darcy were married. And as she had promised, Elizabeth rewarded them by giving each a London season the year they turned nineteen. Kitty married a sea captain, nearly fifteen years her senior, but a good, level-headed man. They had three sons now below the age of ten, with another child on the way, and had settled not far from Longbourn after her husband’s retirement from the navy.
Lydia had chosen a military man as well. Hers had been a whirlwind romance, but thankfully, she had listened not only to her father’s words of wisdom concerning choosing a partner in life, but to Elizabeth and Jane as well. The man she had married was a few years older than she, but just as spirited and daring. Lydia and her husband, James Borough, had travelled all over the world before coming home to settle near London. They had never been ones to forgo excitement and adventure, and this London could provide in plenty. They had two young daughters, and Elizabeth relished the holidays when the whole family came to Pemberley.
And then there was Mary. She had foregone the same offer to have a London season, professing the desire to stay quietly at home in Longbourn and practise the pianoforte. Elizabeth laughed quietly to herself, thinking how surprised Mary had been to fall in love with the new tenant of Netherfield. Sir Browning was an intelligent man, quiet and deeply religious. He was exactly calculated to tempt Mary into matrimony, and to everyone’s satisfaction, he had the sense to see in Elizabeth’s serious-minded, scholarly sister the treasure she really was. To judge by Mary’s last letter, she was happy indeed.
“Are you daydreaming again, love?” Darcy asked as he joined her in the parlour.
“I am,” Elizabeth admitted. She smiled up at him as he leaned over the back of the settee and kissed her. “I was watching the children, and thinking how very fortunate I am.” She looked out the window again and saw that the boys had ceased their horseplay and were walking with their sister between them, laughing about some joke James had told, no doubt. He was always making them laugh.
He took her hand, squeezing it lightly. “I could not agree more. As you may recall, I have sometimes been called proud —” he grinned wickedly at having called forth Elizabeth’s laugh “ — and when it comes to Henry, Amelia, and James, I cannot defend myself against such an accusation. Were I any more proud of them, I might burst with it.”
Elizabeth stood and joined him at the window. A subtle sadness came over her, watching them all together and knowing that soon, they would fly the nest and find their own way in life. A tear slipped down her cheek, and she wiped it away before Darcy could see it. However, she had not been quick enough. He turned her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “What is it, Elizabeth?” he asked.
She could not help but smile at the depth of love in his voice. On her beloved husband’s lips, her first name sounded sweet indeed. “I am sad to think that we will be alone in this house one day. The children will soon be gone, and I cannot help but wonder if I have done enough for them as their mother to prepare them to take on the world.”
Darcy ran a finger down her cheek, then tucked a stray tendril of brunette hair behind her ear. Her brunette waves were showcasing more and more grey as of late. But she was not afraid of time marching on. To grow old was an honour and a privilege, one that she would not fear as long as they were together. “You have been the best of mothers to them. They will be just fine when they spread their wings and fly,” he comforted her. He leaned down and kissed her, long and passionately.
“You spoil me,” Elizabeth said. She placed her hands on his chest and gently pushed herself away. “Come and sit down. Georgiana has sent you a letter and I am eager to hear her latest news.”
“Just a moment,” Darcy said. “Are you sure you are well? I have not seen you so down since after James was born.”
Elizabeth took his hand. “That was only a case of mild melancholia. But this is different. I am happy that our children have grown up to be such fine young people. I am only a little sad that they will not always be with us.”
“It will not be so very different from having the boys away at school. I hope we may expect to have all the children visit often, even when they begin their lives with their own families.” Darcy followed her gaze as she watched the children. “And Amelia is only sixteen. She has a few years yet before it will be time for her London season.”
“Yes, but Henry — ” Elizabeth’s voice broke. “It is not that I am not proud, so please do not take it thus. I am only grieving the changes that will soon come to our little family. They are good changes, of course. I am only sad things cannot stay the same forever.”
“That is the nature of being a parent, I suppose. You raise them so they no longer need you.”
Elizabeth wiped at a tear. “Yes, I suppose it is. I can comfort myself with the fact that we will soon have grandchildren toddling around here. Pemberley will be alive with the sounds of baby’s coos and little feet.”
“What a delightful thought,” Darcy said, sighing as he wrapped his arms around her middle and rested his cheek against hers. “You will be a wonderful grandmother.”
They watched the children for a moment longer before Elizabeth remembered the letter from Georgiana. “Oh, goodness! I almost forgot. Georgiana’s letter. Come, let’s read it.”
She took his hand, and they went back to the sitting area. “What has she to say?” Elizabeth asked, eager to hear from her heart’s sister.
Darcy cleared his throat and had to retrieve his spectacles, as increasing age was beginning to catch up with his eyes. Elizabeth smiled, thinking that he was developing a very distinguished greying at the temples as of late. She reached up and stroked his hair, smiling as he broke the seal and opened the letter.
∞∞∞
Dearest Brother and Sister,
I hope this letter finds you well. Jonathan and I are settling into the lodgings of our new post here in Constantinople. Little Fitzwilliam sends along his regards and asks if you still keep his pony safe at the Pemberley stables. He longs to see you all and ride in the woods with you, Aunt Lizzy. Henrietta, Elizabette, and Eloise also send their love.
∞∞∞
Darcy looked up and scrunched up his nose. “How can Eloise send her love? She is but a year old.”
“Hush, if Georgiana says she sends her love, then she sends her love.” Elizabeth ran a finger over his creased brow. “You know that when we meet her, she will not be able to help but falling in love with her doting uncle.”
