Page 91 of May I Have the Pleasure
“There can be no two opinions on that matter. Do you have any men outside the family you trust implicitly?”
“Yes—I have Mr Darcy and Lord Mawbry. I have some others that I do not distrust, but those are the only two that have my absolute faith.”
“You are not quite as desolate as you thought. They are both good men, and few have even one such that they can trust. How may I help you?”
“I have decided to settle four-thousand pounds on each of my five sisters, but only on the condition that you approve any suitors. If they reach their majority without marrying, they can get the settlement outright. I hope you can avoid rakes and fortune hunters.”
“I only remember four sisters.”
“Five including Charlotte.”
“You most certainly will do nothing of the sort, Lizzy!”
“Charlotte, are you truly feeling up to a contest of wills with a woman who kills men by simply muttering a few words.”
“Do not be impertinent. Do you truly mean to do this?”
“I do, and I also offer you a home in Sweetwater for as long as you like, up to and including the end. You are all that is kind, good, noble, and sensible. I may do with my fortune as I please, and I assure you, I please to do this. You will not gainsay me, so save yourself some consternation, as I am quite stubborn.”
“I thank you, Elizabeth. I do not understand you, but I do thank you.”
“If you and Miss Lucas are finished with your arg… ah… discussion… might I ask why do you not perform the office yourself? You are as intelligent as I am.”
“I fear my ability to detect men of bad character is highly suspect after my last marriage, and none can argue. I also fear that my disinclination for my sisters might colour the whole interaction, since at this point, I will consider any man who wants one of them simple. I am not quite up to a reconciliation just yet. Between you and Aunt, I believe you can make good decisions, and since the worst of my sisters will never be in residence, you can decide. My father can pay the price in noise and vexation should you turn one or more away.”
“You are extremely hard on yourself. I doubt I could have detected that cretin’s intentions myself, though I would have protected your fortune better.”
“Yes, I was foolish in the extreme. I could have asked you or Lady Catherine for advice and would have profited from it. If you can believe it, Lady Catherine knew the cretin since childhood, and a single mention of his name would have saved me the mortification. My abominable pride prevented it, and nearly to my great detriment. It is only blind luck that saved me.”
“Well, that is in the past, is it not? You are an estate master now, and I hear a particularly good one.”
“I would like to believe so. My estate is doing well, at least. The steward managed tolerably this spring, but next year will be excellent.”
“We shall agree on your skills. Are you entirely certain you wish to entrust me with this much of your fortune?”
“Yes, I will ask you to take up the office if you do not find it onerous. I know it is a lot to ask.”
“I will be happy to do so, my dear. There will not be so many suitors as to take up much of my time, and I doubt your father will vex me at all unless I decide to confront him in his library.”
“On the subject of fortune, uncle, could you profitably use an investor?”
“What type of investment do you have in mind?”
“I wish to keep twenty-thousand in the four percents for security and extra capital should I need it for the estate, and the amount set aside for the dowries should stay there as well. If you could use the last ten-thousand profitably, I would give it into your care, as well as half the income from my estate?”
“That seems a bold move. Are you certain?”
“Are you uncomfortable with the investment, or do you think it would not be profitable for both of us?”
“No, I am certain I can increase both of our fortunes without a lot of risk, but there is always some.”
“I can afford the risk, so let us make it so. I will naturally want to know what your plans are in a general sort of way, and I will want to be appraised of progress every few months, but otherwise I will leave it in your hands unless you wish me to assist.Be fair, Uncle!You must make a substantial profit from it as well. Do not use the money any differently than you would any gentleman investor.”
“That seems a good arrangement. Let me put together some ideas. Might we convene in a fortnight to discuss them?”
“Thank you. Charlotte and I will be in town for a month. Today I will beg my aunt to accompany us to the modiste. It is time to send my half-mourning clothes to the ragmaker.”
“Very good ladies. I shall see you at dinner.”
