“I was always interested in Mary and not her dowry. When the marriage contract is drawn up, whatever it is will remain under Mary’s control,” Richard insisted.
“I am not sure what she will do with all of that money,” Bennet jested. “It is above five and forty thousand pounds.” He was greatly amused at the shocked look on Fitzwilliam’s face.
“That is more than double the amount I expected it to be.” Richard shook his head.
“Thomas and I always knew you were not interested in Mary for her fortune. Had that not already been true, your behaviour this day would have proved that to us. We will leave it up to Mary regarding the disposition of her fortune.” Becca turned to her third daughter. “What say you, Mary?”
“Half will be reserved for our future daughters, and the rest will be used at Richard’s discretion,” Mary decided.
Knowing how stubborn she could be if she chose, Richard did not argue with Mary. It was another of her attributes he loved. She was a strong woman who would not wilt and give up her opinions if a man disagreed with her.
“In that case, you have our permission and blessing,” Bennet stated as Becca nodded her agreement. “I think we have news to share with the rest of the family.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Alerted by a note from their sister, Lady Elaine and Matlock were in the drawing room when the four who had been in the study returned. By the lovestruck look on her son’s countenance, Lady Elaine was sure of the result of the interview even before her nephew made the announcement.
“If there are any here who have not divined the truth, Richard has asked for Mary’s hand in marriage. It will not be asurprise to anyone here that she accepted him, and Becca and I have consented and bestowed our blessings,” Bennet declared.
While Mary and Richard were surrounded by their family members, all vying for their turn to bestow congratulations on the engaged couple, Lady Elaine opened her reticule and extracted a burgundy velvet pouch from within. As soon as she caught Richard’s eye, she held up the pouch for him to see.
Once the younger relatives had had their say, Richard led Mary over to her three grandparents. Each bestowed her or his wishes for happiness. The engaged couple then presented themselves to Richard’s parents. While Matlock hugged his daughter-to-be, Lady Elaine slipped the pouch into her son’s hand. Then she hugged him, expressing her approbation freely.
“I am so happy, Aunt Elaine,” Mary gushed when she stood in front of her future mother-in-law.
“As are we all,” Lady Elaine responded. “But Mary, I would ask that you call me Mother from now on, and Uncle Reggie, Father. Although I thought the time would be after Twelfth Night, I am not at all surprised that Richard proposed to you or that you accepted him.”
“As to the timing…” Mary told of her conversation with her parents and the results of said meeting.
“You knew what you wanted and did not want to wait any longer.” Lady Elaine smiled. “I, least of all, would fault you for that. Richard told us about his decision to resign from the army and sell out. Although he did not know of your intention to speak to my niece and nephew, I have you to thank for his decision to do so. You know not what a weight it lifts from my shoulders that my son will not go into battle again.”
Mother and future daughter hugged again, a much longer duration than before. “Before we left the study with Mamaand Papa, we selected the sixth day of March next year for our wedding,” Mary revealed when they pulled back from one another.
Mary and Richard exchanged places; he had been receiving congratulations from his sire. After a long hug from his mother, Richard looked across at Liam. “When did you and Father arrive?” he asked.
“Only a few minutes before my nephew announced the engagement,” Lady Elaine replied.
“Then you and Father are not aware,” Richard realised.
“Of what, Son?” Matlock enquired.
“Lizzy and Liam are courting officially. I think he asked her while we were riding in Hyde Park,” Richard related.
“Lizzy, Liam, do you two have something to tell us?” Lady Elaine queried. “It seems we are celebrating two couples’ good fortune today. Lizzy dear, why did you say nothing when I greeted you after I arrived?”
Richard took the time while the attention was on Lizzy and Liam to pull Mary aside and slip the ring onto her finger. It fit her perfectly. The loving look she bestowed on him was all the thanks he needed.
“Liam and I decided that we would tell you if no one else did, once we had all toasted Mary and Richard adequately,” Elizabeth explained.
“At long last!” Matlock exclaimed as he clapped his nephew on the back. “Not long after you two met in Hertfordshire, it was obvious you were formed for one another. I am certain that Anne and Darcy are smiling down on you from heaven. They would have heartily approved of Lizzy as a future wife for you.”
“Of that I have no doubt,” Darcy agreed, his voice thick with emotion as it got when speaking of his late parents. He walked back to where Elizabeth was seated.
Becca watched her second and third daughters from across the room where she was seated next to their two grandmothers. “How can one family be so very blessed as we have been?” she wondered aloud.
“Good things come to good people,” Beth mused. “I am only sorry my Henry did not live to see what a wonderful wife and family Thomas has.”
“I will have a second nephew as a grandson. When Liam and Lizzy become engaged, which in my mind is inevitable, he will make the third who will be both to me,” Lady Anna stated. “And Becca, dear, Beth has the right of it. Genuine goodness is rewarded.” She looked at her eldest daughter. “When you and Thomas relented and permitted Mary and Rich to become engaged now, did you tell them no wedding before March?”
