“You left out the part about having several times committed sin with me, and at my urging.”
“You know that women cannot be trusted to know their own minds on such matters,” he said, laughing before he could finish the sentence.
“Oh, yes, I had no notion at all as to what was happening.” She was quiet for a moment, and then said, “We ought to marry soon to prevent you from appearing like a complete dissolute.”
He sighed at the necessity of her leaving Derbyshire, however temporary it would be. “If it is Wednesday by now, then I can send you to Longbourn on Thursday, along with another letter for your father for the banns to be read.”
“And when shall you come to claim me?” she asked, yawning.
“A week, ten days maybe. As soon as matters with the magistrate are arranged, I will leave. I shall have everything resolved with papers and settlements for your father, and if your mother will have me, I can stay at Longbourn.”
“I shall leave a ladder outside my window in case you find Longbourn intolerable and have to abscond with me to Scotland.”
Darcy laughed. “I will do what I must to return you to Derbyshire as Mrs Darcy and not lose your parents’ good opinion.”
“Maybe Charles will let you stay at Netherfield until our wedding day.”
He wondered if she was thinking of all that he had said and written when they were at Hunsford about the inferiority and impropriety of her family. “I respect your family. I do not mind staying at Longbourn.”
“I have lived at Netherfield since Jane and Charles married. I have many reasons to go into that house before my wedding day. And I would not mind your being in a nearly empty house three miles away from where my parents are.”
All the stirrings of desire that he had thought were satisfied came rushing back. Elizabeth noticed, and turned around in his arms, saying playfully, “Are you reconsidering that I retire to my own rooms?”
“Since I already believe myself your husband”—Darcy moved them both so she was underneath him—“I should usurp part of the prerogative of that office once more before you leave.”
EPILOGUE
October 1813
Elizabeth still had her love of a solitary walk, and now she had a park ten miles round that was hers to explore. Although she had more demands on her time than she did when she had last signed her name Elizabeth Bennet a year ago, Pemberley’s mistress could still do things for her own interest and enjoyment, and admiring Derbyshire’s landscape was high on her list.
Her pleasure came from the scenery as much as the exercise. In the park there were woods, hills, streams, rocks, and only Pemberley House itself could be equal to anything amidst such grandeur. She had scaled every height, and from each summit seen every tranquil dale. Many delightful hours could be spent in contemplation of wood-crowned hills and immense rocks, and all within her own home.
She was now returning to the house, crossing mown meadows and waving to labourers, when she saw a rider make its way towards her.
“Lizzy, I did not know you were walking this morning,” Georgiana said as soon as she was within hearing. “I would have gone with you.”
“I know how you enjoy to ride, and I hate to take you from it.Besides, you were kind enough to ride with me last week, slow as it was.”
Georgiana gave an indulgent smile. “You have gotten much better.”
“Thanks to your brother’s lessons and a very gentle mare, I hope thatnextyear you and I can put a biscuit in our pockets and enjoy a long excursion together, but for now I shall have to settle for a ramble on my own feet.”
Darcy had patiently presided over the whole of her riding lessons, but thus far she had only managed to rise into a canter. She was a long way from being shown Derbyshire on horseback with her newest sister.
Georgiana and her groom set off for another part of the park, and Elizabeth ascended a small hill, taking a winding route back to Pemberley. This higher ground gave her eye power to wander, and there were many charming views of the valley, the hills opposite, and part of the stream. But it was the sight of Darcy approaching her, and at no great distance, that made her heart beat fast rather than the lovely scene.
“You are not an easy woman to find, dearest Elizabeth,” he called with a smile.
“Had I known you were wanting to join me, I would have waited for you,” she said as she descended the hill to meet him. “You were very much occupied in how many barrels of beer were to be brought up from the cellar when I left.”
Now that the hard work between midsummer and Michaelmas was over, and the winter grains sown, Darcy had organised a larger harvest festival than was typical. There was usually a party after harvests were in and the grass mown, but after the travails of the last year, he had thought it best to celebrate with more attention to lifting his tenants’ spirits.
“That was the only discussion I needed to have with Mr Stevenson. You managed everything else splendidly.”
“I think your idea for a grander celebration was a good one. If there are any games, shall you compete to win? I think you have a very good chance at taking the prize.”
Darcy laughed and shook his head. His deportment was stilltypically firm and often imposing, but she knew he would drink from the same glass of ale passed around amongst the men and he would start the dancing too. “I am merely glad that this season’s yield was as good as it was, all matters considered. We are not where we once were, of course, but it was better than I expected.”
