Page 47 of Compromise & Consequence
“With a little searching, I found another ledger which carefully tracked all of the money gifted to the former Miss Bennet. In turn, his niece takes these remaining funds and purchases artwork, furniture – rare books – etcetera, and the rest is redirected into lucrative investments, all held in trust in the names of her aunt and female cousins. When Mr. Bennet finally joins his Maker, nothing of value remains in the house as it belongs to Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy,néeBennet. Mr. Bennet’s name is not listed as the owner of anything other than the land and the stone and mortar of the manor.”
“That is why he wanted the clause ensuring anything she brought to the marriage or obtained afterward remains hers and hers alone.”
“Yes, as I said, very clever of them.”
“But Elizabeth still has nothing to show from all this.”
“Worried your wife was not taken care of financially by her family? Does sitting atop the moral high ground of your pride make you feel a tad chilled?”
He glared at Richard.
“I had time to assess my initial behavior and anger. As such, I made an appointment with my solicitors to make changes to the marriage settlement and Elizabeth will receive what Mrs. Darcy rightly deserves. I pick up the amended documents the day after tomorrow and leave for Longbourn immediately following to attain Mr. Bennet’s signature.”
“That is all well and good, cousin, however, your wife does not need your money.”
“What? You just said she does not receive a penny from her uncle.”
“I followed a hunch and had one of my aides search ourmilitary records for a James Bennet who died in ’98. At the time of his death, he was Admiral Bennet, a decorated war hero who died at sea. He left his only daughter an estate in Hertfordshire and over eighty thousand pounds in the bank.”
“Where…” Darcy felt all the air escape his lungs. Elizabeth was an heiress. A landowner. “Where in Hertfordshire?”
Upon witnessing the sly smile that stretched across Richard’s face, he knew the answer before he spoke the words.
Netherfield Park. Of course.
***
After Richard left his study, Darcy went over everything that had occurred in the past month and shook his head. It seemed a lifetime ago he’d held Elizabeth in his arms while she struggled to free his button from that infernal scrap of lace. Even in his anger, he had relished the feel of her womanly form in his arms. She was a delightful package and now that he knew she’d never dallied with Wickham, they could safely consummate their marriage and move forward.
But how to approach her knowing she held such justified anger toward him? Was it truly within his right, as a gentleman, to demand she allow him to her bed? He could force her to comply and beget an heir without her goodwill and he wouldn’t be the first husband to accomplish what was required. Many a night at his gentleman’s club he’d listened to men grouse about their frigid wives and then laugh among themselves by saying the wife did not have to be good in bed, she just had to be there. Warmth and affection were sought elsewhere.
He never truly understood that sentiment until faced with the reality of his cold union with a wife who held him in contempt. He also never imagined he’d entertain the idea of stepping outside the bonds of marriage for physical pleasure.
He was no saint and knew the joys of a willing woman beneath his body. For his peace of mind, he may be forced to take another discreet paramour to sate the passionate side of his character, but not yet. His hopes and dreams remained centered on Elizabeth. The spark of love, temporarily squashed with everything that happened, lay dormant like an ember in his heart. One hint of hope from the direction of his wife, and it would flame brightly once again.
Chapter Twelve
A very different Darcy stood at the front entrance to Longbourn from the one who first entered Hertfordshire in October. He had picked up the amended agreement as soon as his solicitors sent word and immediately traveled to Meryton. After refreshing himself at the inn, he made the mile-long jaunt toward a required apology to the man who had raised his wife since the age of four.
Much humbled, he silently handed his card to the butler and waited in the front foyer. Given what he’d learned from Richard, he looked about him with what seemed like new eyes. Two clever paintings graced the main wall and the slender hall table below held exquisite porcelain figurines edged with gold leafing.
His cousin was right. He had huffed and puffed his way through the house and missed the elegant wainscotting and marbled entrance. His self-righteous arrogance had blinded him to more than his wife’s good manners. What struck him more than the quiet elegance of the home, was the silence. He could not recall with clarity when Longbourn did not ring with the sounds of conversation and laughter. He found it a bit unsettling.
Griggs returned and after taking his overcoat, gloves, and hat, led him to the master’s study. At his knock, a firm ‘Enter,’ was heard, and with a quiet thank you to the butler, Darcy entered the room to face Elizabeth’s uncle for the first time since the wedding. He stepped into the room and gave a formal nod of the head.
“Sir.”
“Come in, Mr. Darcy. Let us get this business settled, once andfor all.”
Darcy handed over the documents and sat on the chair opposite Bennet’s desk. He spoke not a word as Bennet read over the marriage settlement and used the time to peruse the shelves. Once again, as Richard said, signs of wealth were everywhere. His fingers itched to trace the bindings on some of the titles he noticed on the upper shelves.
On the corner of the desk, he noted a pile of slender books that looked like journals. Most likely the ledgers Richard had pilfered through. As far as Darcy could tell, the expression on Mr. Bennet’s face changed not one iota. Richard may have perceived minute alterations, as he was an expert in reading how a person held their body, or even how their breathing altered to give away their thoughts. He remembered how his cousin had once told him that where a person’s eyes wandered while talking was a good indicator of whether they were telling the truth, or fabricating a lie. He could have used that skill with Wickham when they were lads. It might have saved him a boatload of trouble and heartache later in their lives.
Also, he would have known Elizabeth was truthful from the very start. Another heartache he could have avoided. Regardless, he was here to make amends and try to reset the clock of his marriage. His ruminations came to an end when Bennet finally laid the document down and gave a heavy sigh.
“This is more in keeping with how my niece should have been treated.”
“I agree.”
