Page 24 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations

Darcy watched his wife’s beautiful face caressed by the morning sun. She was still asleep, nestled in his arms, her skin burning his, her loose hair caressing his chest, making his heart race as it had on their wedding night.

Nearly three years into his marriage, everything that he had imagined to be felicity had proved to be much more.

The announcement of their engagement had taken everyone by surprise, and opinions had been as strong as he and Elizabeth had expected. The general response in Hertfordshire had been one of utter disbelief.

Even Mr. Bennet — when they informed him and asked for his approval — looked at them as if they were two lunatics. Mrs. Bennet — Elizabeth told him later on — cried and almost fainted and needed several days to fully recover and to share the news with the entirety of Meryton.

To his relatives in London, the news was not so shocking as it had been the subject of quarrels, but nobody expected it to happen so soon.

Even more so since they decided to wed shortly after the Bingleys.

They were married a fortnight before Christmas, causing a significant stir within their families and within London society.

Always by his side, Georgiana accepted her new sister with an open heart and much affection, which was immediately rewarded by Elizabeth’s sisterly love.

The colonel and Anne congratulated Darcy without reserve, and even the viscount reluctantly wished him the best. Lord Matlock received the news rather coldly, and Lady Matlock declared her unshakable opposition.

Those relationships remained cold for months; however, for the sake of appearances and to keep the family united, Lady Matlock soon began to show a reasonable amount of amiability towards his wife.

Darcy and Elizabeth introduced themselves into society during the first Season, facing plenty of disapproving looks, which they disregarded.

They cared little for anything but themselves and their closest family.

Three years later, the joy Elizabeth gave him amazed Darcy every day. Her strength in handling every situation — as difficult as it might be — and her commitment to accomplishing her duties as Mrs. Darcy made him grateful and proud beyond words.

He knew she was tired as their house was again full of guests.

The Bennets — all of them except for Lydia and her husband — were there, as well as the Gardiners.

The Bingleys — who had just purchased an estate in Derbyshire and moved in with their daughter — had joined them, as well as his cousin Geoffrey and his betrothed, Lady Elinor, and Anne de Bourgh, whose recovery had been complete and astonished everyone who met her.

Darcy always thought of Anne with a heavy heart.

After his wedding to Elizabeth, Anne had been as supportive of their marriage as Georgiana and the colonel.

Soon enough, Elizabeth’s relationship with Anne became almost as strong as with Georgiana.

Anne was often a guest in their house either in town or at Pemberley.

However, despite looking completely healthy and in excellent spirits, Dr Harris had warned Darcy that they were still uncertain in regard to her illness, which could have disappeared or was only hidden and could return at any time.

Anne was under the doctor’s continuous supervision and followed his advice, but she lived her life as she wished to, being well aware that it may not be as long as that of others.

She had purchased a cottage in Brighton, close to the sea, where she spent every summer.

She had also bought a house in town, allowing Lady Catherine to use the old de Bourgh house.

She stayed in town for the Season, attended some parties — usually those hosted by Lady Matlock, or others that Darcy and Elizabeth attended too — and she enjoyed going to plays or the opera as often as she could.

In that, her tastes were similar to Elizabeth’s and Georgiana’s.

Lady Catherine never reconciled with any of them; Anne made several attempts at a truce in the beginning, but Lady Catherine’s response to Darcy’s marriage to Elizabeth had been so violent that Darcy cut all connection with her.

Consequently, Anne stopped any attempts except for a letter sent monthly.

In regard to Rosings, Anne and Darcy appointed a steward who lived separately from Lady Catherine and provided them with monthly reports.

Anne considered selling Rosings and purchasing a smaller estate in Derbyshire, to be closer to the Darcys and the Matlocks, but she was reluctant to cause her mother another shock.

Surprisingly, Anne formed a close friendship with Mary Bennet, while Kitty found enjoyment and benefits from spending time with Georgiana. Pemberley was a home for everyone, most of the time.

Of Wickham, Darcy received regular news. He kept his commission in the North; he and Lydia had a daughter and often exceeded their income. Both Elizabeth and Jane were careful to regularly support their youngest sister.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet had visited Pemberley three times. Darcy’s friendship with Mr. Bennet had begun with a letter of apology in a most distressing moment and deepened once they became family, closely united by their affection and care for Elizabeth.

Mrs. Bennet’s breaches of propriety continued, but it amused Darcy instead of annoying him. Everything related to Elizabeth had his complete support and approval, regardless.

The birth of their first son — Andrew Bennet Darcy — almost two years ago added further to their felicity, and Darcy often wondered whether he deserved so many blessings.

Andrew’s birth was the moment when Lord and Lady Matlock paid a longer visit to Pemberley and finally welcomed Elizabeth into the family.

Darcy looked at his wife again, and as if feeling his stare, she smiled and sighed in her sleep. Her eyes opened slowly, meeting his. Her hands stretched out to embrace him, and he closed his arms around her, holding her tightly against his heart.

“Good morning, my beloved Mrs. Darcy.”

“Good morning, my dearest Mr. Darcy. Have you been awake for long?”

“Long enough to admire you in your sleep and to wonder about the happiness I feel with you. From you.”

“On such feelings, we have been equal from the day of our engagement,” she said, entwining her hands with his and cuddling against him a little longer, enjoying their warm privacy before they must attend to their duties and responsibilities.

He placed countless kisses in her hair, reflecting that she was wrong.

They were not quite equal as he had loved and admired her long before.

Ardently, passionately, as he had proved to her since they were married.

But he would not contradict her; they quarrelled and disagreed enough, though never about their love.

Why would they since she fitted so perfectly into his arms?

The End