Epilogue: Journey's End Is Lovers’ Greeting
He had ridden three horses out from under him, and yet he had not been able to stop or to rest — not even when he found himself almost dropping from the saddle.
Elizabeth was in danger. He must return as quickly as possible. That was his only thought.
As his sweat-foamed mount staggered up the long, long drive to Pemberley, he could not feel hope, could not feel relief — not until he held his wife in his arms.
Young Clarke, the footman, stood waiting at the top of the drive, doing his best not to look astonished to see his master arriving in so disheveled a state.
“Your mistress?” Darcy rasped as he slid to the ground and let the groom take the horse.
“On the veranda with the young ladies,” Clarke answered.
Darcy thanked him and strode int
