As Darcy embarked on a description ofhisElizabeth’s virtues, his words flowed with genuine admiration and a touch of vulnerability. He spoke of her wit, her sense of independence, and the connection they shared. He revealed how her perspectives had influenced him, broadening his horizons and challenging his preconceptions. And as he spoke, he found himself recounting the external attributes that captivated him and the depth of character and strength of spirit he had come to admire.
Lady Anne listened attentively, her gaze unwavering and her interest evident. Once Darcy had finished, a thoughtful silence settled over the room. She regarded her son for a moment, her expression a mix of contemplation and maternal wisdom.
“Fitzwilliam,” she finally spoke, her voice gentle yet firm, “it is clear you have given this matter significant consideration despite the short duration of your acquaintance with the lady. Your choice of a wife is a decision of great magnitude, one that will shape your future and your eventual family. I trust your judgement is sound and your heart’s inclination is genuine.”
Darcy met his mother’s eyes, a sense of gratitude welling within him. “Thank you, Mother,” he replied earnestly. “I have indeed approached this with utmost sincerity and contemplation.”
Lady Anne’s gaze softened, her affection for her son evident. “Then, Fitzwilliam, I offer you my blessings and support in thisendeavour. May your path be one of happiness and fulfilment. When will you introduce me to your young lady? And have you already asked the question, or are you informing me of your intention to do so?”
Darcy’s heart swelled with gratitude, his mother’s understanding and acceptance a comforting affirmation. “I am informing you of my intention, Mother. Miss Elizabeth has accepted my offer of a courtship, and I intend to marry her as soon as she will have me,” he stated, his voice laced with emotion. “Your acceptance of the woman I have come to love means a great deal to me. She and her aunt are available for tea later this week—I hesitated to name a date since I was uncertain of your schedule. I also hoped you might invite the family to dinner at Darcy House one evening. Elizabeth lives with her uncle here in London, and it was he who introduced her to me. Mr. Gardiner is the businessman I invested with. Through him, I have increased the funds Father left me when he died.”
Lady Anne’s nod conveyed her understanding, her support unwavering. “I look forward to meeting the woman who has captivated you, Fitzwilliam. As for the arrangements, I am delighted to extend an invitation for tea later this week. I will send her and her aunt a formal invitation tomorrow, and we will discuss the invitation to dinner when they come. It will be a pleasure to welcome your Miss Bennet and her family. Should we invite the Matlocks for the same evening?”
Darcy was relieved and grateful for his mother’s willingness to embrace this new connection. “Thank you, Mother. I shall pass on your invitation for the ladies to come for tea and the plans to invite them to dinner, though I am uncertain if the earl will be willing to have dinner with a tradesman. I know they will like Elizabeth and her family once they meet them, but my uncle canbe a little concerned about social status and may be reluctant to come for dinner initially.”
“Let me worry about my brother, Fitzwilliam,” Lady Anne reassured him. “Now, Georgiana, you have been silent throughout this conversation. You will gain a sister soon; what do you think about that?”
A shy girl who had not yet reached her fourteenth birthday, Georgiana struggled to find the correct words. “I have always wanted a sister,” she said after a moment. “I look forward to meeting her when you bring her for tea.”
Darcy smiled at his sister. “She will enjoy getting to know you as well, Georgie,” he said. “She has several sisters, so I feel certain she will easily adopt you, and there is little question she will love you as I do.”
“Might I write her a note for you to give her the next time you see her, Fitzwilliam?” Georgiana asked.
He smiled broadly at her. “That is a wonderful idea, sprite,” he said. “I feel certain she would appreciate that. However, keep in mind I have not yet proposed, despite her uncle being certain I will.”
Lady Anne smiled at her son and patted his arm. Turning toward her daughter, she spoke to her. “Georgiana, why do you not write your letter to your room? I want to speak a little further with your brother. Fitzwilliam, why do we not go into the sitting room to speak further?”
Darcy nodded and helped both ladies to stand. His sister bounded off toward her room while he escorted his mother toward the room she indicated.
“Yes, Mother,” he said. “What is it you wanted to discuss with me? Your acceptance was not just a show for Georgiana, was it?”
“No, not at all, Fitzwilliam,” his mother stopped him. “I am pleased for you, and you appear happy with your choice. I do not want to dissuade you; merely discuss some business.”
“Business, Mother?” he asked, his curiosity laced with concern.
“Yes, son. I am certain you are unaware of some arrangements that would take effect when you began to consider marriage seriously. Since you intend to propose to this young lady soon, I felt it was time to speak to you about them,” she said.
Darcy looked at her in concern. “Arrangements? What sort of arrangements? I inherited fifteen thousand pounds upon Father’s death, and his will did not mention any additional inheritance.”
“These arrangements are attached to my marriage settlement and would not have been mentioned in your father’s will,” she told him. “Now, will you listen to all I have to say and promise not to interrupt?”
“Yes, Mother,” he replied.
She took a deep breath and began. “When I married your father, he was already extraordinarily wealthy. Pemberley was his family seat, and he had begun increasing its yields and diversifying its income. My dowry was the thirty thousand pounds set aside for Georgiana, and the money you inherited was garnered from its interest, along with additional amounts placed in the funds for you from the estate. However, my father had also set aside an estate for both of his daughters, and these were listed in our marriage settlements to be held for my father’sgrandsons, specifically second or third sons who would not inherit their family’s estates.
“As you know, my sister Lady Catherine did not give birth to a son, so there are two estates included in my settlement you may choose from. When you marry your Miss Bennet, you will inherit either Foxwood Hall in Cheshire or Oakridge Manor near Dovedale. Both are within fifty miles of Pemberley and bring in approximately four thousand pounds per annum. Whichever you do not choose will go to Richard when he decides to marry. I have tried to convince my brother to at least hint at this inheritance to his son since I sincerely doubt Richard will ever seek to marry so long as he remains in the army.
“Your father managed these estates during his lifetime, ensuring they prospered, but they have come under the responsibility of their stewards since his death. The income from these estates has been put into accounts to be transferred to whoever takes ownership of them when that event occurs. Some of the income has been used to improve the estate, but you will find quite a substantial sum in these accounts.”
Darcy looked at her, his mouth agape. She laughed at her son. “I am finished, Fitzwilliam; you may speak now.”
“I am astonished, Mother,” he said, “and not just a little upset on my cousin’s behalf. Richard has said he will never marry because he cannot imagine asking a woman to share the life he lives as a soldier. You are correct that uncle should hint at this to him at the very least, as he might be more willing to consider marriage if he knows what awaits him.”
Lady Anne laughed. “You are a good boy, Fitzwilliam. I have just told you that you are to inherit an estate, enabling you to trade London and your career as a barrister for a life in the country,and you are more concerned with how this news impacts your cousin.”
He took a deep breath. “I admit I have yet to consider what all this will mean. Elizabeth will appreciate the change in my path, as I believe she prefers the country to town.” He thought for a second before he chuckled. “Is it terrible that one of my first thoughts is how glad I am this was not well known? Had others known I would inherit an estate, even if it does not approach Pemberley’s income, I would have been far more sought after, a situation I would have hated.”
“So, you will be well placed to care for a wife, and although you are not aware of the amount of her dowry, you can do as your father did and leave the amount for your wife or later for any daughters you have,” Lady Anne told him. “I confess I have worried about who my sons would marry, but it seems you have chosen well. You mention she has sisters; would any of them appeal to George?”
