Chapter 21 #2
“Richard and I agree,” Andrew looked to his father who nodded, “if we eventually are granted the hands of Mary and Jane, they too will have our respective shares of the investment as theirs.”
“This is not what I wanted; I was not looking for a way for you to gift your investment to me or my daughters. In fact, I am not comfortable with your doing so,” Bennet returned.
“You would dictate to my sons and my nephew what they may or may not include in the settlements?” Lord Matlock challenged. “None of us thought for a moment it was what you were pushing for. If we did, we would never have made the offer. Do not let your pride spoil your future plans, Bennet.”
“When you put it like that, Matlock, I find I have no logical argument against it. It is most generous of you. If this be the case, Phillips and I will visit Mrs. Purvis forthwith. I thank you for investing, gentlemen.” Bennet inclined his head to the men.
Before he rode to Purvis Lodge, Bennet sought out his wife, for he wanted nothing hidden from his Charlotte. “Like you, I never expected them to gift their stakes to their future wives. It is a most generous offer,” Charlotte opined. “Lord Matlock had the right of it, Thomas.”
Bennet felt deep gratitude to his new family. He and Phillips rode the short distance to Purvis Lodge to close the purchase with Mrs. Purvis.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
A week after the assembly, Jane admitted to Elizabeth she had fallen in love with Andrew Fitzwilliam, and not a day later Mary owned the same to her two older sisters about Richard.
“Richard told me he loved me when he requested the courtship; he is only waiting for me to let him know my feelings are engaged,” Mary admitted.
“Then go to it,” Elizabeth told Mary. “He is an ex-soldier and likes plain speaking. Some men might think a lady forward, but not Richard,” Elizabeth turned to Jane, “or Andrew for that matter. Has Andrew indicated his feelings for you, Jane?”
“Not in so many words, but I believe my love is requited. He told me when we began our courtship that he knows I will only marry for love. As hard as it will be for me, I will have to give him an indication of my feelings,” Jane shared with her sisters, blushing deeply just thinking about being so very forward.
“I think both of you should look to Charlotte for an example. If she had not taken charge of the situation and spoken to Papa, where would he be? And where might we be? So much good has come from that one act. If more women were like Charlotte, just think how many misunderstandings would be averted,” Elizabeth opined.
“Lizzy speaks the truth, Jane. We need to take a page from Charlotte’s book and at least let the brothers know how we feel. What they do with the knowledge is up to them,” Mary concluded.
“I will think on the best way to do it,” Jane allowed.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
At Netherfield, Jane and Mary’s affections were the subject of discussion in the cousins’ private sitting room as all three were nursing snifters of brandy.
“I envy you, William. You are betrothed, and you both have declared your love, one for the other,” Andrew stated wistfully as he took a sip of the brown liquor.
“There is no reason you two cannot be in the same position as I am. I was under the impression your courtships were proceeding quite well. Am I wrong?” Darcy enquired.
“My courtship with Mary is proceeding as I expected. I suspect her feelings are engaged, but I have not asked her yet,” Richard owned.
“Why not?” Darcy asked.
“What if she answers in the negative? I love Mary deeply. Right now all is perfect, but I am afraid to ask the question too soon and perhaps spoil things,” Richard expressed his insecurities.
“When you go into battle, you are forced to see how tenuous life really is and how it can be snatched from you in an instant. I suppose I was applying those thoughts to this situation.”
“Rich, you have charged into battle on too many occasions to think about. Is it not better to know where you stand?” Andrew asked.
“That is brown, Andy,” Richard returned, “what about you and Jane? Do you know where you stand?”
“Touché, little brother,” Andrew allowed. “Jane is hard to read.”
“You are both simpletons!” Darcy exclaimed.
“Andy, Jane is not hard to read. The smiles and looks she gives you are unlike any she gives others. I used to watch her and Bingley and I detected a reticence on her part. With you she is open and warm. She is similar to me and does not allow others to see her feelings, except…” Andrew cut his cousin off.
“Except to those for whom she feels deeply.” Suddenly Andrew had clarity. “I need to ask her about her feelings, do I not?” Both his brother and cousin nodded.
“You too, battle-hardened former Colonel. If I was able to detect a special partiality in Jane, what do you think I see in Mary, who is not nearly as reticent as her eldest sister?” Darcy looked at Richard, who slapped his hand against his forehead.
“I am worried without cause?” Richard asked rhetorically.
“Will you accompany us to Longbourn in the morning, William?” Andrew asked. “I think it is time to take Mrs. Bennet up on her open offer for us to join the family to break our fasts.”
“Good idea, Andy,” Richard slapped his brother on the back so hard he almost spilled the remainder of his brandy.
“Yes, I will join you two as well. I never pass up an opportunity to visit my Elizabeth,” Darcy averred.
Andrew and Richard stopped at their parents’ suite before going to bed to collect their maternal and paternal grandmothers’ rings. Their mother handed them the ring boxes without a word, but her smiles for each of her sons spoke volumes.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“What think you, Charlotte?” Bennet asked his wife as they snuggled together that night, “I think it is merely days until we are invaded by a horde of Fitzwilliam brothers asking me to gift them two of my daughters.”
“There is no reason for me to disagree with you; I agree it will be mere days, certainly less than a sennight. When I spoke to the three eldest before coming to our bedchamber, Jane and Mary acknowledged they have fallen in love with their respective gentleman. As soon as those two work up the courage to give Andrew and Richard a sign, if the brothers do not ask first, you will be applied to for their hands,” Charlotte declared.
“Like Lizzy’s William, I know they are honourable to a fault.
I could not see myself denying them anything they deigned to ask, but giving them my blessing will be easy, notwithstanding the pain I will feel when three daughters leave this house under the protections of their husbands.
It is the natural order, and I will never allow selfish urges to interfere in the happiness of any of my children,” Bennet stated emphatically.
Charlotte understood her husband’s melancholy and just hugged him to herself until they fell asleep in one another’s arms.