Page 78 of An Accidental Meeting
“No, there are other items there that must remain accessible.”
“Buy a second safe for the study, then. And build a false wall in the attic with a new door to lock.”
“Would not inviting workmen in to place a new safe or construct such a wall alert everyone that I am hiding something worthwhile?”
“You just said they already knew,” Elizabeth said teasingly. "And my uncle does employ a few shipwrights who are very grateful to him for always paying their wages promptly and without fail. With them, you may build your room wherever you wish.” Her smile was sly as she recalled what he had said after she rejected his proposal. “He might even be willing to use his connections in trade to hire a few and bring them here.”
Mr. Darcy smiled and held out his hand. “Will you remind me of my idiotic words for the rest of our lives?”
Elizabeth nodded as she placed her hand in his. “Yes. The rest of our lives sounds just about right.”
Epilogue
April 1814
Darcy gazed across the breakfast table at Elizabeth. Her slight figure had rounded beautifully, but he was jolted from his contemplation of her figure when she wrinkled her nose.
“Are you well, dearest?” he inquired. “I thought the sickness was past.”
“I hate to complain—”
“That is definitely a prelude to complaint.”
“Hush, you,” she said with a little laugh as she spread marmalade on her toast. “I am able to eat heartily again, thank goodness, but now I am so ungainly! One strong breeze is certain to upset me.”
Darcy sipped his coffee and replaced the cup in its saucer. “Then you must not go out in the wind.”
They both glanced out at the perfect spring weather and smiled at one another.
“Perhaps you will be my ballast and we can walk out together this morning? I would love a stroll along the water.”
“It would be my pleasure to be your walking companion and to prop you up when necessary.”
Georgiana sighed and stood. “I adore you both, as you well know, but being in a room with you can sometimes make me feel invisible. Thank goodness Pemberley has many rooms.”
“Do not leave, Georgiana,” Elizabeth pleaded. “We will be good.”
Their sister laughed. “No, you will not. I have seen this mood before, and it only gets worse the longer you are . . .” She waved at Elizabeth’s protruding stomach. “I am off to work on my music. If I will be competing with Lydia this year for suitors, I shall have to be well prepared.”
Darcy watched his sister exit, then sighed. “I am never allowing her to wed. She will have to remain at Pemberley forever.”
“Yes,” Elizabeth said drily. “Force her to teach our offspring to play their instruments very well indeed. That is certain to promote family harmony.”
“What need has Georgiana for a husband when she will never be better off than she is right now?” Darcy knew he would have to let his sister go, but he was not anticipating that time with any pleasure.
Elizabeth tipped her head at him, beaming. “You always know how to make me laugh when I most need it.”
“I am not joking.” He grunted. “Do not tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain.”
“Lydia already knows. She finds those dry, ironic remarks you make at dinner parties incredibly droll.”
“Fortunately, Mrs. Alfredson has taught her not to engage in hilarity at the dinner table or my secret would be out.”
“Mrs. Alfredson received a much wiser Lydia than the one I grew up with. I believe they are actually becoming friends. She will be sad to see Lydia off to London next year.”
“Your sister took the news of the child with more equanimity than I expected, given she will turn eighteen in June and must have been expecting to be in London this past spring.”
“She knew it would always be the season after she turned eighteen and not before. I warned her of that straight away. Why do you think she has become so solicitous of my health?”
