by Kate Speck
“Well, I am quite drained from all I have learned today,” Mr. Darcy declared. “If Miss Mary will be so kind to play some music on the pianoforte for us, we will take the rest of the night to absorb all the information and plan tomorrow’s trip to the theatre.” He turned to his relatives, “I am glad you are both found to be innocent. Lord Liverpool wanted to ensure our family’s respectability would not be questioned and I am certain Richard,” he looked at his cousin and smiled, “is relieved to not have to take his parents into custody.” He kissed Elizabeth’s hand, “We can now focus on our public outings and plan our wedding next week. I cannot imagine a better partner for the rest of my life.”
The group relaxed in contentment for another hour before separating and retiring for the night.
~*~
“You truly love me.” Elizabeth declared. “You love me best and never loved anyone else and I will never doubt it again.”
Mr. Darcy laughed as he held her in his arms in her bed, “I do and I will love you until my last breath, Elizabeth. I hope you never think otherwise because I have told you the absolute truth whenever I could tell you of my past. Even if I could not reveal to you of my task in Hertfordshire, everything I said, whatever I could show you of myself, was honest and heart-felt. We have no more predicaments to overcome and trust me when I tell you that what we do in the future, we will do together. Baron or farmhand, my joy is only with you.”
Elizabeth beamed, “Let us make love again. I am most eager to consummate after our wedding for the full experience but you are a skilled lover and I am most tempted to experience what you have to offer. Kiss me, William. Kiss me and do not stop.”
Mr. Darcy obeyed immediately and they were both silent for an hour until they fell asleep together, enthusiastic for the time to arrive when they would be husband and wife at last.
Epilogue
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s time in London was soon over, with a grand debut of their engagement at the theatres and gawkers in wonder of the incredible change in Mr. Darcy’s demeanour in public. He was unafraid to show off his betrothed to all of his friends and acquaintances, with Lord and Lady Matlock and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner proudly exhibiting their joy of the union.
When Elizabeth returned to Hertfordshire, only one week remained until the wedding and there was incessant activity in both Longbourn and Netherfield to prepare for the grandest wedding yet. Although Elizabeth and Jane had kept their mother’s enthusiasm to a minimum, Mrs. Bennet could not cease her praises of the gentleman who quite swept her second daughter off her feet and announced to everyone several times over that her daughter would be a baroness and niece to an earl.
There were some who were jealous of Elizabeth’s future, predominantly Mrs. Caroline Robinson née Bingley, who felt Elizabeth had stolen Mr. Darcy from her, and Lady Lucas, who regretted her dearest son losing his chance at winning the vibrant girl as his wife, but most of the neighbours were very pleased for the odd girl who always had her nose stuck in a book and had been searching for something more than just a provincial life.
Elizabeth’s wedding was perfect for herself and Mr. Darcy, as the flowers were simple yet in full bloom and the breakfast courses were delicious but not too heavy. The only awkward time during the celebration was when Mrs. Robinson attempted to promote herself while Lady Matlock was speaking with Jane Bingley, and the countess nearly gave her the cut direct, but for Jane’s sake, she had sternly warned the crass woman to not approach her again and stood still until Mr. Robinson hurriedly pulled his wife away.
Mr. Darcy affectionately held his wife during the entire trip to London and they were not seen in public for a full week. Once they ventured outside of Darcy House, society saw them together arm-in-arm with broad miles on their faces and knew with certainty that they had married for love. Whatever previous rumours of a prior engagement or the new Mrs. Darcy’s poor origins were quickly squelched and when Mr. Darcy’s barony was announced with a formal ceremony with the Prince Regent and the Prime Minister’s presentation, anyone who might have had any disapproval kept their mouth closed and attempted to gain the new baron and baroness’ favours with their fawning over the new nobles.
Mrs. Anne Chapman Douglas never remarried, unable to hide her past indiscretion and no one of high society would promote her in the haute monde. She also found every gentleman who did call on her wanting, as they were too inferior to Mr. Darcy in comparison and eventually returned to Newcastle to purchase a house to live out the rest of her life with her daughters to leave them £2,000 dowries each.
Elizabeth’s remaining sisters married well, with Mary, of course, waiting for Lieutenant Leigh for a year to begin their courtship and eventually marrying him three years after meeting him when he inherited his uncle’s estate in Essex.
Kitty and Lydia also married officers, who were known to Mr. Darcy and were deemed to be good men. They were both Majors and brothers, the second and third sons of an earl, and the sisters spent their days only a mile apart, their husbands living in close proximity throughout their marriages.
Georgiana came out of her shyness after spending much of her time with Elizabeth and her sisters, and eventually married the best man she had known. Although many years her senior, she fell madly in love with her cousin Richard who had become honourable officer, who never dallied with women and arose to receive the rank of Brigadier in his own right. After several threats and many blessings from Mr. Darcy, Richard Fitzwilliam married Georgiana Darcy after she turned nineteen and had a blissful marriage like the Darcys.
~*~
Mrs. Jenkinson was hanged for treason after she was found guilty with many evidence found against her. She was defiant and cursed at Lord Liverpool loudly during her trial, declaring that family should always come first and yet abandoning her own daughter for her betrayal in working with the government and giving up all of their secrets.
Sarah Jenkinson was spared the noose but was sent to the Prime Minister’s half-brother The Honourable Charles Jenkinson’s family, to learn from the daughters, who taught the girl how to think for herself and to make choice decisions for her future. Sarah married a tradesman at the age of one and twenty who was kind and forgave her of her poor judgment in her youth.
Mr. Edmund Lucas desired to comport himself to be a better man after his blunder with Elizabeth but his old habits won out and he returned to his gambling and womanising ways. He sought after women who looked similar to Elizbeth’s in appearance and after several months of drinking and debauchery, he returned to Hertfordshire with syphilis and died a year later. Lady Lucas mourned the loss of her favourite son but soon realised that he had not turned out well at all and was pleased to see her second son grow to be a responsible heir to Lucas Lodge. She repined most regrettably for spoiling her son too much and warned her children the perils of over-indulging someone, to show love instead with steadfast guidance to teach the young to become good adults. Young Mr. Lucas eventually married one of the Gardiner daughters, being in close proximity to Netherfield after Elizabeth’s uncle purchased it and retired in the countryside.
~*~
It was nearly a month after Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth had arrived in Ramsgate for their wedding trip and they were to depart for Pemberley the next day. Elizabeth sat at her writing desk at Percy Cottage and fondly fingered the last page of her diary.
“So, it is time, then?” Mr. Darcy enquired as he gently rubbed her back. “You will need to begin a new journal and I have purchased one for you.” He handed her a beautiful leathered volume with their family seal on the front. “I have yet to see how your diary works but I know you are sad to let it go.”
Elizabeth wiped her tears, “It is time and I shall be sad but will treasure the time I had with Anne. She comforted me, gave me answers when I needed them, and she brought you to me, which is the greatest service she could have ever given to me.” She kissed his cheek. “I will say goodbye now and we can go to the bookstore together.”
She wrote in her jo
urnal,
Thank you, Anne, for all you have done for me. Thank you for watching out for us and I pray for peace for your soul.
Mr. Darcy looked on to see if anything would happen as he had done several times before without success but his jaw dropped when he saw the black ink pool and the apparition’s words arose.
You are most welcome, Elizabeth. And Darcy, as I had instructed another years ago, your future is in Elizabeth Grace Anne’s hands and you will continue to dedicate yourself to her service. You will both be very blessed. The book wrote no more.
“I can hardly believe it, Elizabeth!” Mr. Darcy exclaimed. “I saw with my own eyes that the diary, indeed, has supernatural powers but I am even more shocked that your diary, this Anne, was the one who foretold of my future. The oracle, your Anne is responsible for it eight and twenty years ago and she has been with you for nearly a year. How in the world is this possible?”
Elizabeth shook her head, “I know not, William, but I have a feeling she has been with us both for a long time, even if we had not seen or felt her before. She is trying to right a wrong and she said it would take her 500 years to do so.” She smiled contentedly, “I am ready to pass my diary to another who needs it more than I.” She kissed his cheek, “Thank you for the beautiful journal. I shall fill it with new adventures and even if it does not tell us the future, it will contain stories of our great times together.”
She stood and walked with her husband to the bookstore that she had visited last summer. She was met with the same proprietor who furrowed his brows for a moment but then smiled broadly when he saw the volume in her hand.
“Ah, you have returned. Have you had many great accomplishments since you began your journey with this book?” He lifted it up and inspected it front and back. “It looks like it has seen some rough days.”
Elizabeth beamed and replied, “A few exciting events here and there and the book saved several lives. I would like to have the cover replaced with a new blank journal and have my diary placed into a new volume, sir. I will pay for the price of labour as well as return the old diary to you so that you can sell it again. I believe that was how it worked before, was it not?”
The old man smiled, “Yes, my father had re-sold this several times and of course, you were the third person to purchase it during my lifetime. I wonder where it will go next. I can have it ready for you by tomorrow, Miss.”
Elizabeth nodded in agreement, “Thank you. It is actually Missus. This is my husband.”
The old man bowed and grinned broadly, “The diary did bring you good fortune and a very handsome gentleman to go along with it.”
Mr. Darcy smiled, “It is I who is the fortunate one. Please have it sent to Percy Cottage once completed.”
The old man gasped, “You must be Lord Pemberley! My lord, I am so sorry!” He began to bow down nervously.
“Do not worry, sir. Your services are most appreciated.” Elizabeth answered. “Thank you.”
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were about to leave the store when the owner called out, “Did you know that the embossment that used to be on here was a coat of arms of a queen?” He continued as the couple turned back to face him, “I believe it is as old as from 1530’s. This once belonged to Anne Boleyn.” He flashed a smile and concentrated on his work.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy stepped outside, “Anne Boleyn! It makes so much sense now, William,” Elizabeth declared. “She said she would care for her family and I know you are related to the Boleyn family through your ancestor Henry Percy. Good lord, I have been communicating with Anne Boleyn?”
“It is incredible, Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy let out a big breath. “Of all the Annes in the world, your diary’s Anne is likely the most famous of them all. My family history is deeply rooted in the Tudor Dynasty and as you know, the wax stamp, as well as the seal on my watch is the Tudor Rose. I cannot believe that my great, great, great, great aunt of sorts has been watching out for us.”
Elizabeth wrapped her arm around her husband’s, “Did you know that I have been fascinated with England’s history since I was but a girl and have studied it very closely? My father told me a long time ago and I had forgotten about it until now, that his ancestor is one Charles Howard, the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, who married Anne de Vere Capell, who was... guess who?” Mr. Darcy shook his head without a guess, “the daughter of Elizabeth Capell... Percy! You and I are also distantly related!”
Mr. Darcy laughed loudly, “I believe most of us in all of England are related in one way or another, my dear wife. You carry a very royal name and are my queen in my heart.” He kissed her hand, “Shall we take a stroll by the seasi...” He could not continue when an officer on horseback rapidly approached them.
“Lord Pemberley!” The officer shouted. “I have an urgent message from the Prime Minister and I have been ordered to give this to you immediately, sir!” He jumped from the stallion and bowed formally. “My apologies for intruding on you during your wedding trip.”
Mr. Darcy ripped open the letter and read it silently. He turned to his wife, “It seems there is trouble in London, my dear, which requires our immediate attention. There is another threat to the King’s life and you and my services are both requested. Are you ready for another adventure, Lady Pemberley?”
Elizabeth grinned, “Ready as ever, Lord Pemberley. I will do my duty to serve our King and Country, but most of all, to be at your side to help you, my dear husband. Let us pack for our return to town and see how we can save the King!”
The couple walked merrily to Percy Cottage with excitement in their hearts, ready to face any challenges together with their courage rising to the occasion. They knew their marriage would be filled with joy and challenges and would be a long-lasting love story for generations to remember.
The End