“Well, I am glad your enemy was routed,” said Mrs Bennet, adding, “Who is your enemy?”
Elizabeth, in the middle of her laughter, said it was no one. It did not seem the right time to enlighten Mrs Bennet; indeed, she thought the time would never come, and Mrs Bennet soon ceased to enquire. There were far more interesting things to do, such as eating dates and arguing with Laurence about the likelihood of him being allowed to keep a crocodile in the lake at Pemberley.
Epilogue
It was a year to the day since Edward had walked into the drawing room at Darcy House and announced his intention of visiting Sir Matthew at the British Museum. Elizabeth and Darcy had been back in England for months and were walking arm-in-arm through the gallery at Pemberley. Older paintings had been rehung or moved into the attic, so that one entire wall was now full of the paintings and sketches Paul had made both during and since the trip. In pride of place along the end wall was a mural in Egyptian style of their entire party discovering the tomb. The ochres, reds, and golds were bright next to the subtle colours of the Old Masters hanging on the other walls, and the large, flat shapes were an interesting contrast to the detailed sculptures that stood in the corners.
“It is hard to remember the terrible heat we endured in Egypt!” said Elizabeth as she looked at the pictures, drawing her shawl around her shoulders as she did so, for although the spring sunshine poured into the gallery, as yet it had no warmth.
“Paul has caught it very well,” said Darcy, looking at the shimmer hanging over the pyramids in a large landscape.
“And just look at Laurence on this camel!” said Elizabeth, stopping by one particularly fine painting. “Is that not exactly his expression!”
“Laurence’s? Or the camel’s?” Darcy teased her.
“Both!”
Laurence was looking absolutely delighted, and the camel was looking disdainful as it walked past an oasis glowing with jewelled waters and inviting patches of shade.
The sound of carriage wheels crunching on the drive below distracted Elizabeth and Darcy from the paintings, and Elizabeth walked over to the window.
“I do believe the first of our guests have arrived,” she said.
The carriage drew to a halt and Mr and Mrs Edward Fitzwilliam stepped out. They were both looking well and had an undeniable spring in their step. Edward jumped out of the carriage and then turned to help Sophie as she sprang nimbly down the steps. They were both elegantly dressed in the latest fashions, as befit their newfound wealth.
“We had better go and greet them,” said Darcy. “It was an excellent idea of yours to have a house party for all the adventurers so that we could relive the trip and see Paul’s work all together for the first time.”
“And how lucky we were that Sir Matthew was back in England and that he could spare the time to join us,” said Elizabeth as they went downstairs. “He will be here by midday.”
“Paul, too. He is much sought after these days and has one of the most fashionable studios in London.”
“It is ironic, is it not, that it is his portrait of Sophie which made his name?” said Elizabeth. “I am surprised he let Edward buy it.”
“I think he felt he could not refuse. Besides, once he had exhibited it, he had no more use for it. I fear it reminded him of a moment he would rather forget.”
“Yes, it was not well done of him to leave Sophie to plunge to her doom!”
“But it was very well done of Edward to catch her,” said Darcy. “I never expected, this time last year, to have so much to worry about with my young cousin or to have so much to feel proud about when he found his true self.”
“Sophie looks well,” said Elizabeth as the butler opened the door.
“Yes, very well,” said Darcy.
There were cries of greeting and Elizabeth ran down the steps to welcome her guests, kissing them both with delight and then standing back so that Darcy could shake Edward by the hand. Then she ushered her guests into the house. Once rid of their outdoor clothing, she led them through into the drawing room and asked about their journey.
“It was well enough, but I would have liked it more if we had come by ship!” said Sophie. “I find I miss the sea.”
“I would rather have come by camel,” said Edward.
“You came by camel?” enquired an excited voice as Laurence ran into the room.
“Alas, no,” Edward admitted. “But I would have if it had been possible.”
“Papa has promised me a camel to ride around Pemberley,” said Laurence blithely.
“Papa has done no such thing,” said Darcy. “You will have to make do with a horse like everyone else.”
“Why, Beth, how grown-up you look!” exclaimed Sophie. “Your hair is most becoming. I like that style very well indeed, and your gown is delectable. Let me see!”
She admired the gown as Beth spun slowly so that she could see it from all sides.
William walked into the room with exactly his father’s walk. John followed and greeted his guests with a bow. Jane entered behind them, and Margaret came afterward.
Sophie looked questioningly at Elizabeth, who smiled and nodded, and then she bent down to speak to Margaret.
“You look very well, Meg.”
In response, Margaret put her arms round Sophie’s neck and gave her a kiss.
“She has never mentioned the doll again?” asked Sophie as she and Elizabeth drew a little to one side, while Edward made a fuss of the children, drawing a bag of sweetmeats from his pocket.
“No, never,” said Elizabeth. “Our little Margaret is herself again.”
She looked fondly at Meg, who was just helping herself to a sweet and popping it into her mouth.
“And you?” asked Elizabeth. “How is your arm?”
“In full working order,” Sophie replied with a smile, “although sometimes in the cold it aches. I fear I shall turn into a mad aunt who prophesies rain whenever a dark cloud appears.”
“You shall be no such thing. And how is married life?”
“More than I could even have dreamed of! I feel like I am reborn. Marriage to Edward is wonderful.”
“Good! Then you will not mind meeting Paul here?”
“On the contrary, I am looking forward to it. I am very pleased for him. He has made his mark in the world, and I am happy that in some small way I helped him to do that. And I am very grateful to him for the marvellous portrait he painted of me. It is too flattering, of course, but Edward insisted on hanging it over the mantelpiece, and so there it stays.”
“And Edward is himself again?”
“Yes, entirely.”
Elizabeth invited her to sit down, and the men followed suit, still talking to the children.
“And how do you like Edward’s family?”
“Very well. They were a little intimidating to begin with, particularly his father, but they have all accustomed themselves to the idea of the marriage. Anne and her husband helped by saying what a good idea it was, how well matched we were, and how lucky it was that we had enough to settle on. They helped bring Edward’s family round.”
Refreshments were brought in, but hardly had the drinks been poured when another carriage pulled up in front of Pemberley and out of it stepped Mrs Bennet and Paul Inkworthy.