Chapter 21
Twenty-One
Darcy did not remain long at Longbourn on Tuesday. Much of his visit was spent in Mr Bennet’s study, though not in the gentleman’s company.
Not long after his arrival that morning—it having rained early, preventing his hoped for walk with Elizabeth—he had requested an interview with Mr Bennet to speak of the marriage settlement.
During their journey south, Darcy had already explained to Elizabeth what he intended to include, even showing her the outline he had drawn up for his solicitor on the first day of their departure from Pemberley.
At first, Elizabeth had objected on the grounds that it was far too generous, but he had persuaded her that such provisions were proper for Mrs Darcy, and she had at last acquiesced.
That same evening, while still at the inn, Darcy had dispatched a letter to his attorney in London, requesting that the marriage articles be drawn up and forwarded to him in Hertfordshire with all possible haste.
The papers had arrived at Mr Philips’s office the previous day by messenger, and Mr Philips had sent them on to Darcy at Stoke.
Having reviewed the documents carefully to ensure all was in order, Darcy brought them to Longbourn for Mr Bennet’s consideration.
Mr Philips had been asked to attend, should any alterations be required; yet it was not Mr Bennet who suggested a change to the particulars, but Mr Gardiner.
Bennet had been content to merely read the document, raising his brow now and then, but making no comment.
“Elizabeth has more than a thousand pounds settled upon her at her mother’s death,” Mr Gardiner said as he entered the room, not bothering to request to be included.
“Bennet, I do not know that it was ever mentioned, but my mother left a sum to be invested for her grandchildren. Five-and-twenty years ago, I began with ten thousand pounds, and have since reinvested the dividends. The fund now stands at something near forty thousand pounds, and I propose that Elizabeth’s portion should be five thousand. ”
Darcy inclined his head slightly, considering. “And how was that figure determined?” he asked, suspecting at least part of the answer.
“The fund is intended for all nine of her grandchildren,” Mr Gardiner replied.
“Yet my eldest is but eight, and the others are younger still. There is ample time for the principal to increase before their portions are required, and I am satisfied that five thousand is a reasonable sum for Elizabeth now, without prejudice to the rest. She is the first of her sisters to marry, and the fund will continue to grow. If, when all the children are married, there is a portion left over, then we can give some to each child as necessary.”
Mr Philips, who had been quietly examining the articles, looked up at this.
“A prudent approach,” he said. “I was aware that Mrs Gardiner had left a sum in your care, although not its extent. I shall make a notation here; and, Mr Darcy, if you and Mr Bennet will initial the alteration…” He broke off as he bent to his task, making the necessary addition to the document.
Mr Bennet, who had thus far shown little inclination to involve himself deeply in the discussion, gave a faint shrug.
“If my daughter is to be made richer by the prudence of others, I cannot see that I have any objection,” he said.
“You may settle the whole of it as you please. My wife, I daresay, will be gratified to discover that our daughters possess something beyond her own expectations for their marriages.”
The other gentlemen exchanged glances at his indifference, though Darcy did not dwell upon it, returning his attention instead to Mr Gardiner.
“I see no reason to object,” Darcy said. “On the contrary, I am obliged to you for the consideration you have shown your nieces, as well as your own children.”
Mr Gardiner inclined his head. “It is no more than she deserves. I am grateful my mother entrusted the sum to me, and I have followed her example with my own children. As my circumstances have improved, I have added to each account, so that none may be left without some provision for the future.”
Again, all three men glanced towards Mr Bennet, who had by now returned to his book, as though the matter no longer concerned him.
An idea occurred to Darcy. “You are not bound to distribute the fund equally—or even at all—are you?”
“My mother placed the money in my hands before her death,” Mr Gardiner replied slowly. “Nothing but my own sense of honour obliges me in its distribution. There is nothing in writing to dictate its disposition.”
“Then it may be used with discretion,” Darcy said. “If the younger ladies were informed that their portions depended, at least in part, upon the prudence of their conduct, it might serve as an inducement where persuasion alone has failed.”
Mr Gardiner and Mr Philips both looked at him with interest.
“You are better acquainted with Mrs Bennet than I,” Darcy continued, “but might she not be brought to see the advantage of Miss Lydia’s removal to school, if it were understood that such a step would secure her a future portion?
The terms might be made clear: that she remain there for a proper period, that she not marry before she is of an age, at least eighteen, and that any future match meet with your approval.
Under such conditions, the promise of a settlement might carry greater weight than argument. ”
Two of the three men in the room regarded him thoughtfully; Mr Philips quickly giving his nod of approval to the idea.
Mr Gardiner did not answer at once. He regarded Darcy with a thoughtful expression, his fingers resting lightly upon the edge of the table as he considered the proposal.
“There is sense in what you say,” he admitted at length.
“Lydia has never been much guided by argument, and my sister less so. An inducement of this sort might succeed where reason has not, at least for my sister. Lydia may not understand the lasting impact of even five thousand pounds of her own, so we must make it clear that money will only be granted if the conditions are met.”
Mr Philips gave a small, approving nod. “It would be entirely within your discretion,” he said. “Nothing would prevent it, particularly as there is no will or other documents that obligate you.”
Mr Gardiner’s expression shifted, the beginnings of a smile curving upon his lips.
“I cannot say I ever intended my mother’s legacy to be employed in quite this manner,” he said, “yet I believe she would have approved of its being used to secure her grandchildren’s futures—by whatever reasonable means may be required. ”
He looked towards Darcy with renewed interest. “Yes, I think this may answer very well indeed. However, leave the matter to me—I will speak with my sister after your wedding, not before, and let her know what has been decided. You and Elizabeth need only to concern yourselves with your wedding and its preparations. Leave the rest to us.”
Not long after this conversation, Elizabeth was invited into the study to review the final version of the document and to add her own signature.
From the expressions about the room—and from a few lingering remarks—it seemed that both her father and Mr Philips had considered it unnecessary, though Fitzwilliam had clearly insisted, and Mr Gardiner’s evident satisfaction left little doubt as to his opinion on the matter.
Elizabeth read the document through with care, and could not entirely suppress a lift of her brow at the additional sum settled upon her by the Gardiners.
When the origin of the fund—and the intended arrangement for the remainder—was explained, she glanced towards her intended, a smile forming despite herself.
“You have been very clever,” she said, a teasing glint in her eye.
Fitzwilliam’s answering look matched hers. “Only as I ought to be.”
She could not but admire the ingenuity of what she suspected had been his plan to persuade her mother, where reason alone was unlikely to succeed.
She had been surprised to learn of the legacy from her maternal grandmother, but was pleased that it existed.
At first, she suggested that she ought not to receive a portion, but both her uncles insisted.
That done, the afternoon passed quickly, and Fitzwilliam was persuaded to depart earlier than he might have wished, at her mother’s insistence that he was in the way of the wedding preparations. Elizabeth protested only half-heartedly, for she knew there was truth in it.
“When next we meet, we shall become husband and wife,” she said, as he took his leave.
“I am greatly looking forward to it,” he returned, lowering his voice just enough that the others would not hear.
Reluctantly, she thought, he took his leave, and she hated that he must go. For a moment, she considered sending his sister with him, but one look at Georgiana made her abandon the idea. Perhaps she might persuade her uncle to call upon him later, so that he would not be entirely alone.
Still, there remained a great deal to be done, and while most brides had weeks to prepare, she had been given only days.
After his departure, the ladies, including Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, gathered in the drawing room, where work was soon set before them.
Elizabeth’s gown had been delivered not long before, and she was obliged to try it on at once, so that any final adjustments might be made before morning.
Her mother complained a little at the lack of lace and finery, but it was a very fine gown, superior to any that she had previously owned.
“It will do very well for the wedding,” Mrs Gardiner said calmly, smoothing the fabric. “And it suits Lizzy very well. More lace or ruffles would have detracted from her loveliness, Fanny, and I cannot imagine a better gown for our dear girl on her wedding day.”