Whenever they were separated, even if only for a few days, they kept up the habit of writing to each other and sharing letters that contained their most intimate thoughts and sentiments. From those first letters — the one written by him in the middle of his greatest turmoil and the one she wrote in response — to that day, every piece of paper was stored and cherished, as proof of their journey from a painful rejection to a union of minds and hearts.
Elizabeth walked around the lake, still in awe of the beauty of her home — of her life. She glanced about, then her heart began to race at the image of her husband, sitting at his desk in the library, lit by candles. He was writing something, but most likely not a letter, she mused with a smile. Unlike another night at Rosings, when she had tried to hide her presence, now she was eager to join him and find comfort in his arms. She hastened her steps inside, through the halls of Pemberley. Shortly afterwards, she entered the library; he welcomed her with a passionate embrace and kisses, and then the candles were suddenly blown out.
THE END
Bonus Story:
Mr. Darcy’s Household
A Pride and Prejudice Variation
by Lyr Newton
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are results of the author’s imagination, inspired by Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” Any resemblance to actual events or persons is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021, 2026 by Lyr Newton
All rights reserved.
Bonus Story – Chapter 1
Pemberley, end of March, 1811
Spring had arrived later in the North, as it usually did. Deep in thought, Fitzwilliam Darcy looked out of the open window of the library. The lake was still, like a mirror, the gardens were beginning to wear their accustomed pale green, and the trees showed their first signs of colour. A gentle breeze brought with it fresh air, filled with subtle fragrances.
“I would gladly offer a half a crown for a glimpse of your thoughts, Darcy.”
Colonel Geoffrey Fitzwilliam, his cousin, was absently holding a glass of brandy, despite the fact that the early hour was rather unsuited to such a strong drink. ‘A small weakness for a great man’, as he occasionally proffered as an excuse.
“I was simply contemplating the fact that I have not been at Pemberley at this time of year for quite a while. It seems to me that I have almost forgotten how simply beautiful these grounds are in spring.”
“Yes, we are usually visiting Aunt Catherine this month. Not that I am complaining about this sudden change of plans. So, what should we do today?”
“I must visit the rest of the tenants that I did not see yesterday. Then I will speak to Doctor Linfield and see if there are still signs of illness in Lambton. I will then visit some of the tradesmen and discuss how I might help them—Lambton has been almost like a ghost town this last month.”
“I cannot understand what sort of disease it can have been. I have never seen such a thing with the influenza. My elder brother Malcolm is so scared, that he stubbornly remains in his rooms, regardless of who is paying a visit to my father, LordMatlock. I mean, army men fall ill quite often but I do not remember an illness that put so many young and strong people in bed.”
“And even one so severe as to last from January to March,” Darcy added. “It is no wonder that several families decided to leave the county.”
“I doubt you have ever lost eleven of your employees in just one month,” the colonel said.
“I do not remember anyone leaving the Pemberley household in the last fifteen years. But these eleven people actually belonged to only three families: the Johnsons, the Gilberts and the Dunns. They left to stay with other siblings. All have small children they wish to protect. I cannot blame them.”
“Well, any other master would blame them for abandoning their duties so unexpectedly. You have every reason to be angry with them. Even more so as the children were strangely not affected by this illness, were they?”
“Not yet—thank God. But one cannot be too careful when it comes to children. I hope they will return one day; if not, may the Lord take care of them all. I would be out of my mind to be angry with any of them.”
“Well, then you must deal with the consequences. With so many sick people, I truly doubt the lands will be worked properly. And you are not just lacking in servants, stable boys and gardeners, but as you see, you can hardly find skilled people in the neighbourhood to hire. You will have to face a rather poor financial year.”
“That is my last concern, Geoffrey. I can easily support all the tenants and probably Lambton too for several years, if necessary. But yes, the lack of staff is a quite a problem, as Pemberley cannot be easily maintained.”
“Of course you can support everyone. This is why everybody says you are the best master and the best landlord,” the colonel said with a fine touch of mockery, to which Darcy only frowned.
“Come, Darcy, try to cheer up a little. All will be well; you just need to see the bright side of things. Mrs. Reynolds is improving, I hear. That is what the doctor said yesterday, did he not?”
“Fortunately, yes. But I am very worried about her. She has been with us since I was four years old. I cannot think of Pemberley without Mrs. Reynolds being here. She is my last bond with the past, Geoffrey.”
“Yes, I know that. She is very dear to me and my family too. But she does not suffer from this unknown disease, does she?”
