Page 77 of Intrigue and Inheritance (Crime and Consequences #3)

They passed beneath an arbour of climbing roses, their fragrance sweet in the morning air.

“And she seems determined to marry with minimal delay following her mourning period,” Elizabeth continued.

“I confess I admire her resolve. After so many years of having her choices dictated by others, she has found the courage to determine her own path.”

“Hislop will make her an excellent husband,” Darcy observed. “His enthusiasm for horsemanship initially obscured his genuine intelligence and steadiness of character. I have rarely seen a man so consistently attentive to his fiancée’s needs without becoming obsequious.”

“Unlike Lord Shandly, who approaches his wedding preparation with all the restraint of a child let loose in a confectioner’s shop,” Elizabeth laughed.

“Poor Kitty reports that he has ordered flowers from three counties and composed no fewer than seven potential wedding speeches, each more elaborate than the last.”

Darcy’s lips twitched with barely suppressed amusement. “I might have found such extravagance concerning, had I not observed Shandly’s genuine affection for your sister. He may express his emotions with unnecessary drama, but they are no less sincere for their theatrical presentation.”

“Exactly,” Elizabeth agreed. “And Kitty thrives on his attention. I never saw her so animated as when he solicits her opinion or celebrates her ideas. She writes that he insists my father escort her down the aisle, saying, ‘ Your father’s blessing is not merely a formality, my dear Catherine, but the symbolic transfer of the most precious treasure from one worthy guardian to another .’”

“And how does our Georgiana describe her wedding preparations?” Darcy asked, clearly pleased to shift the conversation to his sister.

“With characteristic thoughtfulness,” Elizabeth smiled. “She and Mr. Townend are composing special music for the ceremony. They are planning renovations to Eastfield Court to create a music room with exceptional acoustics.”

“Townend’s dedication to advancing Georgiana’s musical talents continues to impress me,” Darcy admitted. “He speaks of her compositions with genuine admiration, not merely the polite praise one might expect from an attentive suitor.”

“Their partnership seems based on true understanding,” Elizabeth agreed. “I believe they shall be exceedingly happy at Eastfield, especially with Pemberley so near at hand.”

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the gentle splash of water against the lake’s edge and the distant calls of gardeners the only sounds disturbing the tranquillity. Elizabeth felt deep contentment wash over her as she contemplated the three young women and their respective journeys.

“It is remarkable,” she said at last, “to consider how far they have all come in a single year. When I think of Anne as I first met her, so quiet and defeated, or Kitty, following Lydia’s lead in every ridiculous scheme without thought for consequences...”

“Or Georgiana,” Darcy continued softly, “so wounded by Wickham’s betrayal that she scarcely spoke to anyone outside our immediate family circle.”

“And now look at them,” Elizabeth marvelled. “Anne directing estate improvements with newfound authority. Kitty preparing to become a viscountess with absolute aplomb. Georgiana confident enough to marry in what will surely be the largest gathering at Pemberley in years.”

“Your influence has been significant in each case,” Darcy noted, taking her hand in his. “You encouraged Anne to assert her preferences, guided Kitty toward more substantial pursuits, and showed Georgiana that quiet strength need not mean silence.”

Elizabeth shook her head gently. “I offered friendship, nothing more. Their transformations were achieved through their own courage. Though I confess, I take particular satisfaction in knowing that my family will soon see Pemberley in all its autumn glory.”

“Even your mother?” Darcy asked with the slight arch of his eyebrow that never failed to amuse her.

“Especially my mother,” Elizabeth laughed. “Can you imagine her delight in telling all of Meryton about Pemberley? I expect she is preparing to inventory every fine thing in the house to describe to Mrs. Phillips and Lady Lucas upon her return.”

They rose and continued their walk, following the path that wound through a small wilderness area where autumn colours were beginning to transform the landscape. Elizabeth found herself reflecting on the dramatic events that had marked their lives together.

“When I think of all that has transpired since I first laid eyes on you at that Assembly,” she said thoughtfully, “it seems almost unbelievable. Our utter failure to comprehend each other, the awful business with Wickham and Lydia, the Bingleys… then this past season in London with its terrible double tragedy...”

“Yet here we stand,” Darcy said, “stronger for having weathered these storms together.”

“Yes,” Elizabeth agreed, glancing up at her husband’s profile, so dear and familiar to her now.

“I remember being terrified when Mrs. Jenkinson confessed to those murders, thinking that such evil had been living under our roof, sharing our table. Yet even from that darkness, some good emerged, in Anne’s freedom from both her mother’s control and Mrs. Jenkinson’s twisted devotion.

Not to mention our own deepened trust in one another’s judgment. ”

“You showed remarkable insight during that investigation,” Darcy acknowledged. “I have always valued your intelligence, but watching you piece together the evidence with such precision only increased my admiration.”

Elizabeth felt warmth spread through her at his praise. “We make a formidable team, Mr. Darcy.”

“We do, Mrs. Darcy.”

They had reached the far end of the wilderness walk, where the path opened onto a view of Pemberley House itself, its golden stone glowing in the autumn sunlight, windows bright against the weathered facade.

Elizabeth paused, taking in the sight of her home with fresh appreciation, imagining it soon filled with the voices of her family, the music of Georgiana and Mr. Townend, the laughter of friends gathered to celebrate love and new beginnings.

“I am so very glad,” she said softly, “that those I love will soon be here, under this roof, despite all the unlikely paths that have led us to this moment.”

Darcy’s arm tightened around her waist, drawing her closer against his side as they gazed together at the house that had become, in every sense, their shared haven.

“There is one who has not yet been invited to share our joy at Pemberley,” he said after a few moments. “Anne, of course, cannot come yet, though I am sure we shall see Mr. and Mrs. Hislop here before long.”

Elizabeth turned her head to look up at him. “You are speaking of Lydia?” she asked, a little hesitantly.

“I am. It is time, perhaps, to invite her and Major Wallace to Pemberley. Georgiana would be pleased to see Lydia at her wedding, I think.”

“But Beth…” Elizabeth thought on the matter. Lydia’s daughter would be almost nine months old, though supposedly only six months. “Do you think Mama would notice?”

“I think your mother will be so delighted to see Lydia happy, she will only sing Lydia’s praises for producing such a well-grown, healthy babe,” Darcy said wryly.

“And if she expresses any curiosity, she should be easily enough distracted by some of Pemberley’s wonders, and the reminder that her daughter is mistress of all of them. ”

Elizabeth laughed, delighted. “I should very much like to invite Lydia to Pemberley, in that case. Thank you, my dearest. I shall write to her today, to ensure that Major Wallace may request leave.”

“Tell her that I will arrange transport and lodgings for the journey, so they need not be put to any expense,” Darcy said immediately.

“As always, your generosity knows no bounds.” She hesitated, but then pulled on his hand gently. “Come with me? There is something I want to tell you.”

Elizabeth led her husband to Lady Anne’s garden, to the stone bench among the roses where they had sat together a little more than a year ago and truly revealed their hearts to each other.

She had chosen this spot carefully for her revelation, wanting this moment preserved in a setting that held particular significance for them both.

Her heart quickened as she considered the words she was about to speak, words that would forever alter the course of their lives even as they fulfilled the deepest hopes they shared.

“You seem uncharacteristically pensive,” Darcy observed as they seated themselves on the bench. “Has something in the letters troubled you?”

“Not troubled,” Elizabeth replied, smoothing her skirts with fingers that trembled slightly despite her efforts at composure. “On the contrary.”

Darcy waited, his patient silence inviting her confidence without pressure.

This quality, this willingness to allow her thoughts to unfold at their own pace, had become one of the aspects of his character she most treasured.

How different from their early acquaintance when each had so often rushed to judgment of the other.

“I find myself reflecting on families,” she continued, choosing her words with care. “On how they grow and change. Kitty soon to establish her own household with Lord Shandly. Georgiana preparing to begin her life with Mr. Townend. Anne finding both independence and partnership with Mr. Hislop.”

“Natural progressions,” Darcy agreed, though his eyes suggested curiosity about the particular direction of her thoughts.

Elizabeth drew a deep breath, gathering her courage. “It seems appropriate, then, that our own family should likewise enter a new phase of growth.”

She watched comprehension dawn gradually in his eyes, uncertainty giving way to tentative hope. “Elizabeth,” he said softly, “are you suggesting...?”