“He wrote to me recently.” Bennet lifted a letter from his pile of incoming correspondence. “He has offered me the right of first refusal. He needs to sell as not having tenants these last years combined with some bad investments has put him in a position where he needs capital. The sale price is below the actual value as he wants to sell sooner rather than later.”
“Can we afford to without taking a mortgage?”
“That is why I want to ask Gardiner if he will provide about fifteen percent of the needed capital. Until I buy him out he would receive the same percentage of the profits. We would not have to agree on a future price. When we are ready to purchase Gardiner’s share, he will set a price.”
“He arrives on the morrow; you will be able to discuss this with Edward then.” Fanny paused. “If we are not able to lease out the estate, will that not put a strain on us like it did Sir Morris?”
“No, it will not. I will work with the steward to fill the empty tenant farms and bring the income back to, or more than, the five thousand pounds per annum it should be earning. I will not make the same mistakes Sir Morris made by neglecting the estate. If we can find people to lease it, then itwill only increase our earnings.”
“Will you use Frank as our agent like Sir Morris does?”
“That is my intention, yes.”
“Thomas, how does this affect the entail, or the entail affect the estate if we purchase it?”
“The entail documents are specific. Only the land and chattels listed in the entailment contracts belong to the estate and the heir. Fanny, do you remember all those years ago I explained the Collinses could not touch any money I have earned before they inherit?”
“I think so. So even if you merged the estates the heir presumptive would not be able to claim the additional land?”
“You have the right of it wife of mine. As I cannot be sure the son will not be as miserly, avaricious, and grasping as the father, I will keep the two estates as they are.” Bennet cogitated for a second. “That is if we do this.”
“I assume like the girl’s dowries; our ownership of Netherfield Park will not be broadcast abroad?”
Bennet nodded.
“You have told me all about…” Bennet raised his hand.
“I know what you were about to say, Fanny dearest, but I will not count unhatched eggs. If and when that comes to pass, then we will address it.”
Fanny agreed. Before she exited his study Fanny kissed her husband deeply. An action he returned in full measure.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Gardiner agreed to assist in the purchase of the estate on one condition. The Bennets would buy him out for the same amount as he was investing. He tried to refuse his percentage of the annual profits until he was bought out, but on this Bennet was intractable.
No sooner had agreement between the brothers been reached than an express was on its way to Sir Morris.
Chapter 19
Jane was not a bride who feared her wedding night. It was just the opposite—she anticipated it greatly.
The previous night her mother and then Aunt Maddie had spoken to her about that component of her upcoming marriage that no one would ever share with a maiden—at least, not before just prior to her wedding. Unlike mothers who spoke of duty, lying still, enduring her husband’s attentions, and pain, her mother had told Jane of the wonders of the marriage bed when it was shared by a couple who had made a love match.
Before her mother had spoken to her, Jane had felt a certain level of apprehension. Mama had made sure she knew to expect some pain during the first coupling when her maidenly barrier was pierced. She also spoke of the time before the coupling which, when it was a giving and caring relationship, would make her ready to receive her husband.
When Mama had left her, Aunt Maddie had come to make sure Jane had no more questions. Other than asking her aunt about having marital relations during a time she was with child; she felt her mother had covered the subject more than adequately.
Once Mama and then Aunt Maddie had left her chamber, there was a soft knock on the door and Lizzy slipped into the room.
“I do not suppose you will share anything you were told, will you,” Elizabeth asked as she blushed deeply.
“If you were marrying on the morrow, then yes, I wouldhave shared all with you,” Jane responded.
“If I was getting married in the same ceremony with you, Mama and Aunt Maddie would have told me what they told you, so I would not have needed to come ask you,” Elizabeth reasoned.
“Exactly,” Jane stated smugly. “When it is your time my inquisitive sister, you too will gain the knowledge you seek.”
Elizabeth had not thought Jane would repeat what she had been told, but she knew she would never be certain until she queried Jane on the subject. She was well aware no amount of cajoling, had she been inclined to try, would have succeeded in having Jane lessen her determination not to say anything about what she had been told.
