Page 60 of A Fortunate Compromise

He captured her hand and kissed her palm. “And she will have you wrapped around her little finger as well.”

“Of course. What kind of aunt would I be if I did not allow such liberties?” Elizabeth smiled. Over the years, she had been true to her word to Jane and had spoilt all her little nieces and nephews. They had the means to lavish gifts on their kin, after all, and they did so with gusto. “Go on,” she urged gently.

Darcy nodded and continued reading.

∞∞∞

Elizabeth, you and my brother will be happy to know that when we come for Christmas, there will be a new addition to the family. Jonathan is hoping for another boy to even out our current brood of darling girls.

Our prayers and thoughts are always with you, dear family.

With love,

Georgiana

∞∞∞

Elizabeth covered her mouth and gave a little squeal of delight. “Oh, how wonderful!”

“What is so wonderful?” Amelia asked as she entered the parlour for tea. The boys trailed along behind her.

“We’ve had a letter from Aunt Georgiana. There is going to be another baby when they come for Christmas,” Elizabeth announced. “Come and sit down and tell me what you all have been up to this fine spring day.”

“Mama, we’ve been talking about going to London. Do you think we might go this winter?” Amelia asked, barely able to keep her excitement contained.

Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged curious glances. “You’re not due to have your London season for a few years, Amelia.”

“No, not for me. But Cousin Alice is having hers. And it would be such fun to be there when she comes out. Do not you agree, Papa?” Amelia got up and went to her father, wrapping her arms around his neck as she had done from the time she was a little girl.

Elizabeth gave him a stern look, but he could never hold firm when it came to Amelia’s pleadings. “My dear, you are young yet. I would not be in a hurry — ”

“Oh, Papa, I am not in a hurry to marry or grow up. I only want to be there when Alice comes out. It will be such fun, and I have never seen what a season is like. And what better way to prepare myself?” Amelia sat down between Elizabeth and Darcy, and Elizabeth brushed her palm over her daughter’s beautiful curls. Her daughter was very close to Jane’s eldest, and it would be important for them to see Alice safely out into society. She looked to her husband, who gave a deft nod, leaving the decision to her.

A slow smile crept onto her face. “Very well, we shall discuss it.”

Amelia jumped up with a squeal and hugged Elizabeth. “Oh, thank you, Mama!”

“I did not say yes. I said we would discuss it,” Elizabeth warned her daughter, though she thought wryly that she might as well have saved her breath. It was impossible to deny Amelia anything, dear as she was. Thankfully, the indulgence was not likely to be a dangerous one. Amelia had a level head, and they need not worry that she would get caught up in any mischief.

In later years, Elizabeth would come to call that winter in London something close to fate. Near the end of the season, Amelia was introduced to a dear friend of their Bingley relations, the son of one of Mr Bingley’s contacts. Mr Charles Mansfield was a dashing and brilliant young merchant, and as sensible and upright of character as any parent could wish. Young as Amelia was, the two had soon fallen head over heels in love. Three years later, they were married in the parish church on the Pemberley estate. Henry also found himself a bride among one of their neighbours to the east of Pemberley. And soon after, James also followed suit. By the time a decade had passed, all of their children had found love rather calmly and sensibly, through the introductions of friends and neighbours.

The Darcys could only be glad that it was so. Happy as they were together, many long years could not entirely erase the memory of Mr Wickham’s schemes and how close they had come to losing each other forever. If their children could find their partners in life through more conventional means, that was surely all to the good. Like all parents, they would much rather their children go through life smoothly and happily, without such painful complications.

Yet Elizabeth could regret none of the pain and confusion she had suffered as a victim of Mr Wickham’s schemes. Quite contrary to Mr Wickham’s intentions, they had shown her the real Mr Darcy: a man with human flaws, to be sure, but a man of character and fortitude, wit and compassion. The man she loved with all her heart.

And, as Elizabeth thought many times over the years, nothing could be more fortunate than that.

THE END