Page 47 of Gold and Good Sense

“Speaking of which, you aren’t pursuing Mary for her fortune, are you?” Bennet continued. “I would think a man like you wouldn’t need to marry for money, but one can never be too careful.”

“I admit that her fortune would make it easier to bear the expenses of the pomp required to maintain my office,” said Judge Darcy. “However, that was not uppermost in my mind when I made the decision. She makes for good, intelligent company, and I think she will make an excellent companion in my older years. That’s all there is to it.”

Thomas thought about this for a few moments before responding. “You are asking a great deal of her, you know. Mary is not well suited to being a hostess for the fashionable ton of London, but as your wife she will have no choice but to attempt it. Are you certain that is what you wish?”

Judge Darcy shook his head. “That is not at all what I will be asking of her. I just want someone to keep me company on the evenings I choose not to go out.”

Thomas was becoming alarmed. He didn’t believe his friend even realized what he was asking. Either Mary was to be isolated at home, subject to her husband’s beck and call, or she would be required to circulate among those she was not comfortable with, entertaining as often as her husband deemed fit. The man seemed to have no interest in Mary’s preferences. In fact, he didn’t even seem to be aware that she might have preferences of her own.

He said none of this, however. If Mary truly wished to live such a life, Bennet would allow it. At least she would be safe. Judge Darcy was a good sort of man, not one to abuse others, drink to excess, or waste his money. Still, he resolved to explain to Mary exactly what a marriage to Judge Darcy would be.

Chapter 26

When breakfast that morning was over, Mary asked her new mother if she could consult with her privately. While the new Mrs. Bennet seemed surprised, she agreed willingly. The two ladies headed upstairs to Mrs. Bennet’s private sitting room.

It felt odd for Mary to be in here without her mother, but she tried to shake off the feeling. This room belonged to her new mother now.

When they had both settled into comfortable chairs, Mary said, “I would like to start by asking you how I should address you. ‘Mama’ feels too familiar just now, but I can’t very well call you ‘Lady Esther’ either, since you are no longer a Lady.”

“You may call me ‘Mother’ if that suits you,” was the reply. “It’s a bit more formal than Mama. However, if you truly would rather not call me that, you could call me ‘Mrs. Bennet.’”

Mary hesitated, caught between the need to honor and respect the deceased and the need to show the same for the living.

Esther reached over and laid a comforting hand on Mary’s hand where it lay in her lap. “Mary, there is no need to push yourself. I respect your need to show honor to the former Mrs. Bennet. If nothing else feels comfortable, you may simply call me Esther.”

“Truly?” asked Mary. “You would not mind?”

“Truly,” said Esther.

“Thank you,” breathed out Mary in relief. “I think I shall do that from now on.”

“You are quite welcome,” said Esther. “Now I believe there is something else weighing on your mind. You would not have called me here just to ask how you should address me.”

“Well, you see,” said Mary, “Judge Darcy has been courting me. In fact, he has already asked me to marry him. I told him I could not give an answer until I had asked Papa, but I was hoping to get advice from you first. What do you think I should do? You know Judge Darcy better than Papa does, and you know more of what it means for a woman to give herself over to a husband.”

“I see,” said Esther. “First, let me ask you this. Do you love him or even have warm feelings toward him? Or are you simply asking about the practicalities of such a union?”

“I do not love him,” said Mary immediately. “I like him, but I don’t think I look up to him more than any other gentleman I know of a similar age. Is that necessary for a good marriage?’

“Not necessarily,” said Esther. “It helps if you are at least attracted to him, but even that is not necessary as long as you are not repulsed by him.”

“I am not repulsed,” said Mary. “If I was, I would have declined of my own volition when he first asked.”

“I see,” said Esther. “I do find myself wondering why you are even considering this proposal. Judge Darcy is a very sociable man by nature, while you are quite the reverse. Do you think you can learn the skills to host various entertainments when he wishes to do so?”

“I haven’t given it much thought,” said Mary. “He claims that he wishes for my conversation and company when he is not otherwise engaged. That sounded like something I could manage very well.”

“And that is all he wants of you?” asked Esther. For some reason she seemed surprised, almost alarmed. “Has he mentioned heirs or housekeeping or anything else?”

Mary shook her head. “No, he hasn’t. Is that bad?”

Esther sighed. “It might be. It might not be.” She hesitated before continuing. Then she said, “Mary, marriage is a life partnership. I think you know this. A wife has responsibilities to her husband, and a husband has responsibilities to his wife. They work together to accomplish various things in life. Traditionally, women are tied to the home, to raise children and manage the home so that it is safe and comfortable. Traditionally, men provide for the physical needs of the family in the form of income and protection. Though these roles are not required, they typically play well with the natural strengths of each sex.”

Mary nodded. This all sounded very familiar to her.

“In this case, however, Judge Darcy doesn’t seem to be asking anything of you. That is what worries me,” said Esther.

“Why would that worry you?” asked Mary. “I would think that meant that I would be free to do whatever I wished during the day or when he is out.”