Page 83 of A Different Impression

“Separately, I have been considering expanding my horse-breeding enterprise in Kent onto some of the pasture at Rosings. The existing farm lies less than thirty miles away, and Anne is willing to lease suitable land to a partnership at a fair rate.”

“A partnership between whom?”

“The three of us. Anne would provide the use of the land under a formal lease. I would supply most of the initial capital and breeding stock, whilst you would invest as much of your savings as you considered prudent and contribute your knowledge and the daily management of the enterprise. The profits would be divided according to the value of our respective contributions.”

Richard studied him for several moments. “This still sounds remarkably like charity devised for my particular benefit.”

“If it were charity, Anne would simply give you Rosings, as she once offered to do,” Darcy replied. “Instead, she would retain ownership of the estate and receive both rent for the land and a share of the profits from the enterprise. She would also benefit from having someone she trusts residing nearby and assisting Mr Shaw with the oversight of Rosings.”

Richard’s brow remained furrowed. “And the house?”

“Would be compensation for your work as Anne’s resident representative,” Darcy said. “Not a gift.”

Richard remained silent for a moment. “I ought to protest, since the entire scheme appears remarkably well suited to my present difficulties. Nevertheless, it would enable me to request a courtship with Miss Lucas.”

“That was not its only purpose,” Darcy said. “Managing Rosings has added considerably to my responsibilities, and the expansion would require someone capable of working with the stewards of both estates. I need a partner whom Anne and I can trust, particularly as I hope to devote less time to business once our child arrives.”

“If I agree, it must be a true partnership,” Richard said. “I want articles drawn up defining each contribution, the division of profits and the authority I would exercise at Rosings. They must also make it clear that Anne retains ownership and the ultimate control of her estate.”

“Anne and I would insist upon the same protections.” Darcy was relieved that his cousin had willingly agreed.

“Then I am willing to place the proposal before her.” Richard’s expression lightened. “And I should be quite willing to reside on the Rosings estate. It would certainly be preferable to attempting to establish a home at the existing horse farm. I have seen the manager’s house there. It serves its present occupant well enough, but it is hardly large enough for my bride and me to establish a family.”

“Excellent. There is one other matter. Miss Lucas intends to move to Matlock House with Anne when we depart for Pemberley. Remaining beneath the same roof whilst courting her would be awkward, so Darcy House will be available to you for the remainder of the Season.”

“That would solve the difficulty neatly.”

“You should also know that once Elizabeth and I are settled at Pemberley, we do not intend to leave until some time after the child is born. I hope our absence will not interfere with whatever plans you and Miss Lucas may make.”

“I do not yet know whether there will be any plans,” Richard reminded him. “I intend to request a courtship within the next few days. Although Miss Lucas is of age, I shall still ride to Hertfordshire and seek her father’s blessing. You have met Sir William. What manner of man is he?”

Darcy told him what he knew of Sir William Lucas before their conversation returned to the proposed enterprise. Together, they prepared an outline of the terms Richard wished to place before Anne. If she remained satisfied with the arrangement, the three of them would instruct Darcy’s solicitor to prepare formal articles of partnership, together with documents defining Richard’s residence and authority at Rosings. Darcy hoped the papers could be completed before he and Elizabeth departed for Pemberley, allowing their travel plans to remain unchanged.

Richard was not the only gentleman whose intentions Darcy meant to clarify before leaving London. Bingley had paid Jane assiduous attention during the month since his return, yet he had made no formal request to court her. Such a conversation properly belonged to Mr Bennet, but despite Darcy’s repeated suggestions, his father-in-law had displayed little concern about the relationship between his eldest daughter and the leaseholder of Netherfield. Mr Bennet remained at Darcy House, seemingly far more interested in its library than in Jane’s future.

Elizabeth had told Darcy that Jane appeared to have forgiven Bingley, although she remained uncertain whether her sister had yielded too readily. Darcy had nevertheless observed a new steadiness in his friend. Bingley called frequently, escorted Jane to several engagements with her permission and made no attempt to press her for a decision.

As Jane intended to return to Longbourn and Bingley meant to follow her to Netherfield, Darcy decided that the matter could not remain unsettled. He therefore questioned his friend directly.

Bingley readily declared that he intended to request a formal courtship once they returned to Hertfordshire. He hoped that six weeks of consistent attention would have reassured both Jane and her father, although he meant to court her for several more weeks before proposing. He had even purchased a betrothal gift, which he assured Darcy he would not present unless Jane consented to marry him.

Bingley’s plans satisfied Darcy that his friend was finally in earnest. That evening, he was pleased to reassure Elizabeth that her sister’s renewed trust did not appear to have been misplaced.

During the final weeks of the Darcys’ stay in London, Elizabeth’s growing resentment towards her father finally came to a head.

She entered the library one morning and found him absorbed in a book. The sight drew a weary sigh from her. He had spent more time in this room than with any of his daughters since his arrival.

“Good morning, Papa.”

When he gave no response, she waited a moment before trying again.

“Papa?”

The door connecting the library to William’s study opened just then, and her father immediately raised his head.

“Darcy, good morning. I know I have told you before, but I shall reiterate: you have a magnificent library here.” Only then did his gaze shift towards Elizabeth. “Ah, Lizzy. I did not see you come in.”

“I spoke to you twice, Papa, yet the sound of my husband’s silent entrance attracted your attention more readily than the voice of your ‘beloved daughter’.”