Page 46 of To Love And To Cherish (Pride And Prejudice Variation #3)

Pemberley Derbyshire

Mr. Thomas Bennet sat at his desk in the library, a letter held loosely in his hand.

The handwriting was unfamiliar, bold and angular, and the paper was heavier and finer than most. The wax seal was one he did not recognize.

He turned the large envelope over before breaking the seal and unfolding the pages within.

His eyes moved swiftly to the signature, Fitzwilliam Darcy.

The very gentleman who had spoken to Mrs. Bennet on Mary’s behalf.

The same Mr. Darcy who had, it seemed, urged his friend to propose to Jane with far greater speed than the amiable Mr. Bingley might have managed on his own.

Mr. Bennet began reading with mounting astonishment.

The letter was a formal request for his daughter Elizabeth’s hand in marriage.

For a moment, he sat stunned. Lizzy had a suitor. The date on the letter was August 6th. Today was the 20th of August. A full nineteen days had passed. Perhaps by now she was already betrothed, or even married.

He blinked and read again the name: Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Could this be the same Mr. Darcy who had visited Netherfield with Mr. Bingley?

He chastised himself. He really ought to pay better attention to the comings and goings in his own house.

So this Mr. Darcy had followed Lizzy to Scotland?

A besotted suitor, no doubt, and the thought pleased him.

His Lizzy deserved to be cherished by a good man.

He reached into the envelope and withdrew a sheaf of legal documents.

Marriage settlements. He perused the contents and stopped, astonished.

The man was to settle forty thousand pounds upon Elizabeth for her maintenance should he predecease her, with additional provision for any children born of the marriage.

Mr. Bennet slipped the papers carefully back into their envelope, rose from his chair, and locked them within the safe.

He would wait to inform Mrs. Bennet until the deed was done and the couple stood before them.

Then, and only then, would he let her know.

He frowned. Frances would be positively green with envy.

Mrs. Bennet’s temper had not sweetened with Mary’s marriage to Mr. Collins Bennet, as he had once hoped.

He had long believed her anger stemmed from the entail, but of late, he wondered whether it came from her very nature.

Jane was happily married to a wealthy young man, and Mary to the future heir of Longbourn, yet Frances remained spiteful, particularly toward Elizabeth.

He spent the afternoon pondering whether anything could be done. As the sun dipped below the horizon, he came to a decision. If her grievances were born of money and status, perhaps those concerns could be answered. At the very least, he could insist upon civility. Elizabeth deserved at least that.

He rang the bell, and Alice soon appeared in the doorway.

"Alice, please let Mrs. Bennet know I wish to speak with her."

"Yes, sir," she replied with a curtsey.

Moments later, Frances entered the study and sat in the nearest chair, arms crossed.

He regarded her in silence for a moment. She was still beautiful at one-and-forty, capable of turning heads, but her countenance was sour.

"Frances," he began, "what think you of Mary’s match?"

She blinked, surprised. "Well, I say Mary did very well. She has saved our family."

"Yes," he agreed. "I am grateful she did not marry Doctor Edgerton. In marrying the rector, she has secured your home for another generation."

Mrs. Bennet nodded. "Her husband is well paid and keeps a fine rectory. There’s an orchard, and chickens too, she wrote to say as much.

It appears our middle daughter is quite happily situated.

In fact, Mary has even written to ask whether Kitty might come for a visit.

Charlotte Lucas, too. Evidently, there is a wealthy widower in the parish with a young daughter; he is in need of a wife.

And there’s a young estate owner who might suit Kitty.

Four-and-twenty, not yet looking for a wife, but Mary believes he’ll come round when he sees her beautiful sister. "

He observed with some satisfaction that her expression had softened.

"Mary is a dutiful daughter," Francis added. "If only Lizzy had been half so mindful of her family’s needs, Jane might have been married years ago, and I would have been spared so much anxiety."

He raised a hand. "Mrs. Bennet, Jane is now married to a wealthy young man of six-and-twenty. The match you once proposed, Mr. Ashworth, was not a sound one. Eligible, yes, but what is he now? A cripple, a drunkard, his estate mortgaged. Would you truly have wanted Jane tied to that?"

She said nothing.

"Do you love Jane?" he asked. "Answer me plainly."

She pressed her skirts and looked down. "No, I would not wish her to be in such a state. Mr. Bingley is wealthier than Mr. Ashworth, and Jane is very happy."

"Yes. And Elizabeth encouraged her to speak her mind. Jane acted of her own volition. It is time you lay aside your animosity."

Her face reddened. "That obstinate, headstrong girl!"

He stopped her with a look. "Elizabeth is dutiful and loving. She sews and knits for the poor, assists the doctor, and visits the tenants. She is clever and good. I must insist that you treat her with civility upon her return. You need not fawn, but you must be respectful. She is your daughter."

Frances glared at him but said nothing.

"Let me be clear," he continued. "If you mistreat her, I will cut off your pin money and deny you use of the carriage. You will walk to Meryton and make do with the dresses you have. Not one insult is to pass your lips, not now, and not when she is among us again. Have I made myself understood?"

She nodded.

"I see the anger in your face," he said quietly. "I will not permit you to show that face to Elizabeth. Begin your transformation now. And have Alice move her things into Jane’s old room. Clean it thoroughly. I want it ready."

Mrs. Bennet rose and left the room without a word.

Mr. Bennet leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. For the first time in many years, he felt he had acted like a father ought and only wished he had done so sooner.