Page 25 of The Duke of Derby (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

“Well, the way you described your situation, you seem to be assuming that most men wish to have a subservient wife. You cannot be such a wife, so you have automatically flipped the situation in your mind by assuming that your future husband must be subservient to you instead. That is not necessarily the case. Despite the laws of our country, there are marriages where both spouses have equal power, where they work together to manage their resources and raise their children.”

The colonel’s words seemed to change something inside Jane.

Memories of times when she stayed with the Gardiners, times when she admired how well they worked together, flooded her mind.

Aunt Gardiner managed the house, making it as welcoming and restful as possible for herself and her husband while Uncle Gardiner worked hard to provide them with a comfortable income.

Neither truly took orders from the other, and both were content with their lot.

“I have seen such marriages,” said Jane slowly as she continued to think through the implications and how such an idea could apply to her own situation. “They are always the happiest ones.”

“My parents have such a marriage,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam.

This was surprising, since she had met his mother, Lady Matlock. The voluble, gossipy Lady did not seem at all like Aunt Gardiner, and she had trouble imagining her husband being able to put much faith in her.

“Despite appearances, my mother is exceptionally good at managing the house and organizing entertainments,” he continued.

“My father is deeply involved in politics, which requires frequent entertaining. He relies on my mother implicitly to handle those matters, while he ensures that he is informed enough to debate on the topics that matter to him the most. There are other aspects where they share power, but that is the easiest to put into words.”

“I imagine they must love each other very much to be able to rely on each other so well,” said Jane.

Surprisingly, this caused Colonel Fitzwilliam to chuckle. “Not in the least,” he said. “Like many couples in the first circle, they find their affections elsewhere.”

Jane’s eyes widened at his casual mention of infidelity, as if it were perfectly normal and acceptable.

“That may be normal for most nobles,” she said, “but it is not something I would willingly tolerate for myself. I was not raised with such morals, and I refuse to break my marriage vows simply to comply with a standard that is not my own.”

She felt her expression grow firm, almost angry, as she spoke. She could see out of the corner of her eye that the colonel was staring at her, though she was too afraid to look at him, too afraid that she would see disdain or disapproval.

The ideas he had expressed were not unusual. It was common among the upper classes, because it was the most effective method of reducing the number of heirs one produced. That didn’t mean Jane had to like it.

As she thought about what she had said and how it countered the prevailing customs, despair swamped her.

It was already nearly impossible to find a man she could marry, but finding a man who would be faithful to her for his whole life in addition to all her other requirements was absolutely impossible.

She would fail in her primary duty to produce an heir for her dukedom, letting down her whole family as well as the Prince Regent. Either that, or she would marry someone, anyone, and be miserable for the rest of her life.

She was so absorbed in her downward spiral of disappointment that she was surprised when she heard Colonel Fitzwilliam speak. “Any man who was fortunate enough to be allowed to exchange marriage vows with you would be an absolute fool to break them.”

Jane’s feet stopped moving, and her head jerked around to stare at him. There was warmth in his eyes but also a significant amount of nervousness.

“You are only saying that because of my looks,” she said as her eyes narrowed in doubt.

This cynicism she had been forced to adopt was something she absolutely despised about herself.

She was used to always looking for the best in people, but such behavior would not serve a lady who would someday be a duchess.

“You are beautiful,” he said. “Of that there is no doubt. And if your mother’s appearance is anything to go by, you will likely remain beautiful for many years to come.

But that is not why I said what I did. It is your character that is even more beautiful: your innate kindness that you have been forced to cover up to protect yourself, your strong moral standards that will make you an excellent duchess someday, and your fortitude and integrity in determining what is best and following through on your decisions. ”

Tears stung Jane’s eyes, but she could not let him see. So, she turned forward again and began walking while he easily kept pace beside her. He had seen her, despite the cynical, jaded front she had tried to put up. He had looked past her beautiful face and perfect figure. He had seen her !

Such an experience was attractive in the extreme. For one wild moment, she was tempted to ask him to marry her on the spot. She did not, of course. After all, he could be an accomplished flirt, all the more successful for being able to accurately discern what a lady wished to hear.

She decided to think about it later.

“So, tell me of some of the places you have traveled,” she said, bringing them back to their earlier subject. “Have you seen the sea?”

He allowed the change of subject without comment, and they spent the rest of their walk chatting amicably about various places they had been and the places they would like to visit.

When Jane arrived home after their walk, she went to see her father.

Without preamble, Jane said, “Papa, I would like you to have your men investigate Colonel Fitzwilliam to ascertain if he would make a suitable husband for me.”

Papa’s eyebrows rose to comedic heights. “That was quick,” he said. “I had assumed you would not find anyone you liked until at least halfway through the social season next year.”

“I have not decided on anything,” she said. “I am only considering the possibility.”

“Very well,” he replied. “I shall dispatch my men to uncover everything it is possible to uncover about our intrepid colonel.”