Chapter 62 Longbourn
Mr. Bennet stood in his library surrounded by books and open trunks.
“I begin to suspect I own more books than any sensible man requires.”
Alexander lifted another stack from the desk and placed it carefully into a trunk. “You have been saying that since we began.”
“And I have become more convinced of it with every shelf.”
Mary entered carrying a letter. She rested a hand briefly on Alexander’s shoulder before looking at her father.
“Jane has written. Charles has decided to contribute three thousand pounds to the parish fund.”
Mr. Bennet stopped packing. “Three thousand?”
“Yes. He told Mr. Fernside that if this is to be his parish, he intends to do his share.”
Alexander took Mary’s hand and drew her nearer. “That puts the fund well beyond what we originally hoped to raise.”
“It does. We shall be able to help a great many families.”
Mr. Bennet looked around the library. Several shelves were already bare, and books filled three trunks on the floor.
“You and Alexander appear determined to improve Longbourn considerably after I leave it.”
Mary smiled. “We intend to take good care of it, Papa.”
“I know you do.”
He picked up another book and placed it in the trunk.
Mary watched him. “Papa, you do not have to take every book to Margate.”
“I most certainly do. I am leaving you the house, the furniture, the tenants, and Lydia. I draw the line at surrendering my library.”
Alexander closed the full trunk and secured the fastening.
Mary looked down at Jane’s letter. “I shall write to Elizabeth and tell her about Charles’s contribution.”
* * *
Mary’s letter reached Darcy House three days later.
Elizabeth was sitting beside Darcy in his study when she read the passage concerning the parish fund.
“Charles has contributed three thousand pounds to Mr. Fernside’s parish fund. Mary says he told Mr. Fernside that if this is to be his parish, he intends to do his share.”
Darcy smiled. “That sounds like Bingley.”
Elizabeth handed him the letter. “It is a very generous gift.”
He read Mary’s account before setting the letter on his desk.
“Then I shall match it. Another three thousand pounds, contributed in your mother’s name.
I will arrange with Charles to have the two contributions invested so the capital is preserved.
The interest can then be used to meet the needs of the parish. ”
Elizabeth looked at him. “In Mamma’s name?”
“Yes. Whatever her faults, she loved her daughters and wanted them provided for. Let something good be done in her memory.”
Elizabeth reached for his hand and threaded her fingers through his.
“She would have liked that very much.”
Darcy lifted her hand and kissed it.
Elizabeth leaned nearer and embraced him. “Thank you, Fitzwilliam.”
Darcy held her close and kissed her.
* * *
Later that same month, Mr. Phillips arrived at Longbourn carrying his leather case.
Mr. Bennet was still packing his library when his brother-in-law came into the room.
“You had better stop putting those books into trunks, Bennet. I need your undivided attention.”
Thomas Bennet lowered the volume in his hand. “That sounds ominous.”
“It is nothing of the kind. I have news about Longbourn.”
Alexander and Mary came into the study as Phillips opened his case on the desk and removed several folded documents.
“You remember that I sent the old settlement papers to a conveyancer in London.”
“I remember paying his bill.”
Phillips ignored that. “He has finished examining them.”
Mr. Bennet put the book back on the shelf.
“The entail can be barred.”
His hand stopped on the spine.
Mary stared at her uncle. “The entail can be barred, sir?”
“The entail can be barred,” Phillips repeated. “Your father is not obliged to leave Longbourn to Mr. Collins.”
Mr. Bennet looked from Phillips to the papers on his desk. “My father was told otherwise. So was my grandfather.”
“I expect they were. The family has been treating the same understanding as fact for generations, but no one appears to have had the original settlement examined by a conveyancer who specializes in these matters.”
Alexander picked up one of the documents but did not unfold it. “What has to be done?”
“There is a legal procedure. It is cumbersome, but perfectly established. Bennet can bar the entail and make a new settlement determining how Longbourn will pass after his death.”
Mary reached for her father’s hand.
Mr. Bennet looked at her before returning his attention to Phillips. “Then I shall leave the legal work to you. Draw up whatever is required.”
Phillips gathered the papers. “I shall begin immediately.”
Mr. Bennet picked up the book he had set aside and placed it in the trunk.
Mary watched him. “You are still going to Margate?”
“Without a doubt, I am. The entail has nothing to do with that.”
He added another volume to the trunk.
“I have spent enough years concerning myself with crops, rents, repairs, and tenants. I intend to live near the sea and devote the remainder of my life to Greek and Latin authors who make considerably fewer demands upon me.”
Mr. Bennet glanced at Alexander. “Besides, Longbourn is better in your hands. You have already made improvements that should increase the income from the estate, and I trust you to continue.”
“I will take good care of it, sir.”
“I know you will.”
Mr. Bennet closed the trunk and looked at Phillips.
“I believe we shall require champagne. And I hope you and Clara will join us for dinner. We must celebrate together.”
* * *
Darcy and Elizabeth had been at Pemberley for several weeks.
He had been teaching her to ride since their arrival, and that afternoon they rode beyond Pemberley together.
Darcy looked over at her. “Would you like to go to Arbor Low?”
“Yes.”
They reached the stone circle late in the afternoon and dismounted. Darcy took the reins of both horses, but Elizabeth held out her hand to him.
“They will follow us.”
Darcy released the reins, and the horses fell in behind them as they walked among the stones.
Elizabeth ran her hand across the rough surface of one of the stones as she passed. Darcy stayed beside her as they continued around the circle without speaking. Behind them, the horses lowered their heads from time to time to graze.
When they reached the place where they had once sat together, Elizabeth stopped and slipped her hand into Darcy’s.
They settled on the grass with the stones around them. Elizabeth moved close against his side, and Darcy put his arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder as the sun began to sink toward the horizon.
Darcy took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers.
After a while, Elizabeth lifted their joined hands and kissed his.
Darcy rested his cheek against her hair and drew her closer.
Together they watched the sun go down.