Darcy gathered Elizabeth into a hug, the dress now between them as he kissed the tip of her nose. “Did she ask what it symbolised?”
“No, thank goodness. It would take a while to explain.” She smiled. “It is not just a reminder of the day we met. It is a reminder to you of your first list and how you reordered your priorities that day. It is a reminder to me of how you made a fresh new list rather than writing the things that Miss Bingley dictated. It is a reminder to both of us of your lovely marriage proposal.”
“Thank you for saving this memento, Mrs Darcy. Thank you for saying yes, my dearest Elizabeth. And thank you for loving me, Lizzy.”
The precious memento remained crushed between them for some time.
Epilogue
OCTOBER 1821
Elizabeth Darcy was known, amongst her many servants, for making long, comprehensive lists. This was in part because she was a lady who managed to accomplish an amazing number of tasks, responsibilities, and projects at the same time.
Bearing and raising children and caring for her husband were always a first priority, and the nursemaid, nursery governess, and governess were always stunned at how much the children’s parents did themselves, despite the fact that the household had numerous servants. Years ago, Mrs Smith, the woman who was now the head nurse, overheard Elizabeth responding to the Countess of Matlock, who scolded her for feeding and caring for her young baby. Her response was a peal of laughter, bright and happy, and the words, “Why on earth would I wish to have a baby if I never had the pleasure of seeing him and caring for him?”
Those words—that message—had quite impacted Mrs Smith, and ever since then she had informed each new staff member, even including the tutor hired for Master Stephen, that these parents loved to be involved with their children. “Forget whatyou have seen or heard of in the homes of other wealthy people,” she would say. “This couple makes their own rules.”
But Mrs Darcy managed to do many other things as well as care for her family. She began a monthly book discussion for ladies, and whenever the master held a shooting party, she organised drawing, painting, or sculpting classes for the wives and older daughters. She hosted three huge events per year for tenants, servants, and townspeople. She regularly visited tenants, and she worked to discover and fill needs among families near and far. She was the impetus behind enlarging the school for the sons of tenants and townspeople, and she was the force behind the establishment of a school of the same size and import for the girls from those families.
And she managed all of these projects in part because of her capable use of lists.
When Mrs Reynolds gave tours of the estate during the summer, there were times when Mrs Darcy would make a sudden, accidental appearance. She always handled these encounters with charm and grace—and she almost always seemed to be holding either a long list, a child, or both. Mrs Reynolds always gushed about what a marvellous Mistress of Pemberley Mrs Darcy was. “Always planning wonderful events, always happy and singing, and the most loving mother I have ever seen. There is not one servant who would not say that she is the kindest and best mistress, and every one of us would do anything she asked.”
Those loyal servants were, naturally enough, also absolutely devoted to their master. Longtime servants had known him when he was a serious young man, and although, back then, he had proven himself to be a kind and generous master, there was something so very stern and quiet about him, many servants felt as if he—and, really, the entire house—was unhappy. For the first half decade that Pemberley existed under the youngerMr Fitzwilliam Darcy, after Mr George Darcy had unexpectedly died, almost every single servant stayed, and they were all very pleased to be earning more money while also experiencing more respect than most people in service. However, serving the single gentleman and his shy sister had felt…subdued. The siblings behaved very properly, of course, but their demeanour had a sort of pall, a sort of sad shroud, that infused the atmosphere of the entire mansion.
What a splendid change had occurred upon Mr Darcy’s marriage! The house became livelier, much more full of the sounds of happy people doing good things. The master smiled, the mistress smiled, and even Georgiana smiled. There was just as much pianoforte music as ever, but some of it was lilting and playful, and it was sometimes accompanied by singing. There was teasing and laughter and, almost a year to the day from the wedding, the Darcys’ first child had been born.
The Darcys now had five children, and the sounds of children’s voices, giggles, and cries could often be heard. Guests—many of them couples with children of their own—visited with some regularity. The Colonel’s family of six, Georgiana’s family of four, and the various Bennet sisters’ families of all sizes—including the Bingleys, who had two sets of twins!—these relations would each descend upon the Darcys or occasionally all gather together at the same time. Those visits added many items to Elizabeth’s lists.
What none of the servants knew, other than Darcy’s valet and Elizabeth’s abigail, was that Darcy, too, wrote lists almost as often as his wife did.
His lists were not nearly as long nor as practical as Mrs Darcy’s lists. Instead, they were private lists, written and tucked away somewhere for his wife to discover. Some were teasing and humorous, some were loving and tender, some were a bit naughty, and some were downright silly.
One particular day in October of 1821, Mrs Darcy woke alone—which was a rarity. She saw a bit of folded paper sticking out from the pillow on Darcy’s side of the bed, and when she opened it she saw that it was—as she had expected—a list:
Pamper yourself with a special breakfast in bed and then a delightful bath. DO NOT EVEN LOOK AT YOUR OWN LISTS UNTIL THESE ACTIVITIES ARE ACCOMPLISHED. When you are ready for your meal and bath, ring for Emma.
After dressing, go to the carriage that will be waiting on the drive. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE CHILDREN - NURSE AND MRS GROVES HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF OUR ABSENCE THIS MORNING. The carriage driver will deliver you to a secret location.
Look for a special path. You will know it when you see it.
Follow the path to find a surprise.
