by Jane Hunter
Her happiness had a name, and it was Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Epilogue
Miss Elizabeth Bennet sat at the supper table in Pemberley’s grand dining room in possession of a secret.
They had returned to Pemberley in the heat of the late summer afternoon and Mr. Darcy had unlocked the door to his mother’s long-abandoned bedchamber to allow her to choose the gown that suited her fancy best. Elizabeth had been overwhelmed at first, but, encouraged by kisses and sweet words, she was finally able to choose a pale green gown that looked well against her pale skin and dark hair, and made the green highlights in her eyes glow in the candlelight.
Mrs. Gardiner had arrived just before Mr. Gardiner had completed his fishing adventure for the day. His bounty of trout would furnish their supper table that night, and Mrs. Reynolds’ cry of surprised delight to see his anglers basket full of shining fish was enough to bring a smile to Elizabeth’s face once more.
Georgiana Darcy was a delight, and Elizabeth was charmed by the young woman’s grace and innocent wonder at what she had seen of the world. It was not much, but what parts of the wider world she had experience were certainly more than Elizabeth could claim.
Elizabeth may have held her secret close to her chest, but she did not push away the flush of pleasure she felt when Mr. Darcy’s eyes swept over her across the table, or the smiles he directed her way during conversation. It was enough to know that they shared this knowledge of each other—that they had bared their souls as well as their bodies by the shore of the lake.
“Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner whispered as dessert arrived. “What am I to think…”
“About what, dear aunt?” Elizabeth replied innocently.
“I have arrived at Pemberley to see you smiling and sharing conversation with Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy—a gentleman whom you have previously described as the most disagreeable gentleman of your acquaintance—and wearing a gown that I have never seen before… do you presume that I will not have questions for you?”
Elizabeth smiled at her aunt and grasped the other woman’s hand gently. “There is nothing I can say that will calm these questions,” she replied. “I have made a promise, and that is all I may say for now. When the time is right, I shall reveal all.”
Mrs. Gardiner was not satisfied, but Elizabeth could give her no more. She had made a silent vow, one that not even Mr. Darcy knew—until Jane had revealed happy news of her own, Elizabeth would say nothing of the promised she and Mr. Darcy had made to each other. Until his own promise was fulfilled, she would not be his wife, and would not speak of it until that moment.
But she did not doubt him. Not for one moment. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy was a gentleman of his word, and she knew in her heart that her trust in him was not misplaced. He would speak to Mr. Bingley and he would return to Hertfordshire, and Jane, with an open heart and words of apology and pleas of forgiveness on his lips.
Then, and only then, would she be free to speak of her love for Mr. Darcy. A daring love that she had never thought possible… but as she smiled at him over the supper table, she knew now that is was a love that she deserved. The very deepest love that could defeat all prejudice and topple pride from her pedestal.
THE END
Also from Red Thorns Press
Miss Bennet’s Broken Heart
Mr. Darcy’s Daring Bride
Love’s Sweet Song
Elizabeth’s Awakening (Books 1-6)
Elizabeth’s Awakening (Books 7 - 12)
Marrying Miss Bennet (Books 1-4)
