Page 37 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations

“My dear Lizzy, I cannot believe that you drive the phaeton so masterfully,” Mrs. Gardiner said as the two of them returned from Lambton.

“I cannot believe it either, Aunt. Not just the phaeton, but I absolutely adore riding too. Since I married Fitzwilliam, I wonder every day about the things I have learnt by his side.”

“You have always been wonderful, Lizzy. That is why Mr. Darcy chose you out of all the other young women who fought for his attention. But I admit that I have watched you with admiration and pride since you became Mrs. Darcy. You have learnt so much and improved so much in many aspects of which you knew nothing before your marriage. I can only guess how many responsibilities lie on your shoulders. The people of Lambton, as well as several of your tenants that I know, speak so highly of you that it leaves me tearful.”

“I am happy, Aunt. Happier than I ever imagined and fortunate to be married to a man who completes me so perfectly. I live every day of my life with my soul full of gratitude.”

“I can see that, my dear. Everybody who knows you and your husband can see that. Both you and Jane have been fortunate to find your perfect match.”

“True. I am glad Charles purchased the estate in Derbyshire. They will be only thirty miles away from us.”

“I look forward to visiting them too in the next month. Will Mr. Bingley’s sisters stay with him?”

“Hopefully only briefly. I know they spend most of their time in London.”

“Speaking of sisters, there is such a wonderful improvement in Lydia, Kitty, and Mary! Spending so much time with you, Jane, and Miss Darcy has certainly benefited them greatly. Hopefully, the days of them chasing officers are over.”

“They have grown to be wonderful young ladies, and I am very proud of them, as I am of my dear Georgiana,” Elizabeth admitted.

“All of them spoil your son, which might be dangerous,” Mrs. Gardiner joked.

“Well, who would not spoil my beautiful son?” Elizabeth replied in the same tone. “I do too, and so does his father, my father, my mother, Mrs. Reynolds, and all the servants. Mrs. Reynolds claims that he is even more handsome than Mr. Darcy was at his age.”

“He is the first boy after six girls in your family. I am sure your father adores him, especially since you named him Andrew Bennet.”

“Papa says Andrew is the greatest joy of his life, even above the Pemberley library!” Elizabeth laughed.

“And my mother is relieved that I have given Mr. Darcy a male heir, as he deserves, she says. I suspect Mama is still afraid that Fitzwilliam will change his mind about marrying me and will run away one day.”

“My dear, I hope this does not ruin your disposition, but do you have any news about Mr. Wickham?”

“No. Fitzwilliam received some reports about him two years ago when he apparently left England for India. Since then, I have not even asked. I have rarely despised a man as much as I do him.”

They were approaching Pemberley House, and in front of it, by the lake, was a large gathering, with the entire Bennet family, Bingley and Jane and their daughter Marianne, Mr. Gardiner and their children, as well as the Gilroy children and the two puppies they had found three years ago — now handsome dogs.

Betsy and Peter were now ten and eleven years old and were studying diligently under Georgiana’s supervision.

Betsy enjoyed music and painting, Peter was skilled at riding and planned to follow in the footsteps of his brother Tom, who was now an officer in a militia regiment.

A short distance from the large group was Colonel Fitzwilliam, talking to Georgiana and Anne de Bourgh.

“I am stunned to see Miss de Bourgh here,” Mrs. Gardiner said.

“We are happy to have her. Anne has been living in London with Lady Matlock for the last year, after another huge fight with Lady Catherine. We met a few times while she was there, but she was always with Lady Matlock, both when we visited them or when they came to our house.”

“I am glad Lady Matlock has been supportive of your marriage, despite her initial opposition.”

“I am grateful for that too. Both Lord and Lady Matlock have been of great help for my introduction into society. This summer, Anne is staying at the Matlock estate, and we were surprised when she asked permission to visit Pemberley for a fortnight.”

“Will Mr. Darcy take up the management of Rosings again?”

“Anne has asked him to do that, and I believe he will accept. But Lady Catherine is still living there, and I cannot imagine how their next meeting will be.

They arrived in front of the house and stepped down, and a servant took the phaeton and drove it to the stables.

The two dogs — who had kept the names Blacky and Whitey — ran to Elizabeth, weaving around her legs begging for attention.

Moments later, older, wiser, and better behaved, Angus the Great Dane appeared, sitting at Elizabeth’s feet, waiting patiently for affection too.

The master arrived then, holding his son, who stretched out his arms to his mother, babbling happily.

Elizabeth took him in her arms, while Mrs. Gardiner went ahead towards the group, allowing the Darcys a little privacy.

“We both missed you exceedingly,” Darcy said.

“I am glad to hear that, though I have only been away for two hours.”

“I cannot speak for our son, but I miss you when you are away for even two minutes,” he answered.

“As I miss you, my love. You know that. Did you have a pleasant morning?”

“I was too busy entertaining our guests to feel any particular pleasure,” he jested. “I am lucky to have Bingley, your uncle, and my cousin among the company, and they carry on most of the conversation.”

“You have certainly improved significantly in that area, my dear, haughty Mr. Darcy.”

“That is because I took the trouble to practise, under your guidance, as you advised me a while ago.”

“I remember. My memories of Rosings are not all unpleasant,” she teased him.

“Speaking of Rosings, something quite interesting happened this morning. Anne told me Lord Matlock revealed to her that Horace Gilroy was her half-brother.”

Elizabeth looked at him in disbelief. “Did he? Without even informing you?”

“It was his right to do so. Today, Anne asked me to facilitate a discussion between her and Mrs. Gilroy. She said she wished to acknowledge that she is aware of the situation and to be part of the children’s lives in any way their mother finds appropriate.”

“That I did not expect! What a beautiful, generous soul Anne is! Very few people in her position would do that.”

“I agree. I shall speak to Mrs. Gilroy this afternoon. Will you join me? As much as she was aware of her husband’s filiation, she will not expect such a turn of events.”

“Of course, my love. I am always by your side,” she answered with an adoring gaze.

“Elizabeth, do you remember on our journey after the wedding, you said you were certain of your love for me but fearful about your ability to fulfil your duties as Mrs. Darcy?”

“I do remember, and I recall that you said you trusted me completely.”

“So I did, and I was right. Since my mind accepted the choice of my heart in loving you, I had no doubts that my choice was the perfect one, and I am grateful for it every single day. As my cousin used to say, there is nothing I enjoy more than being right.”

She laughed under his loving gaze and quivered as his dark eyes held hers.

“You were certainly right when you asked me not to sketch your character before I had full knowledge. I am thankful that I did it at the right moment, when I came to understand exactly who you are, my beloved Mr. Darcy!”

The End