“You got straight to the point; I see. Has Jane agreed to marry you?” Fanny arched a brow and gained the focus of both men.
“She has, Mrs. Bennet, this afternoon while we were walking in the rose garden with my sister and her husband chaperoning us. I know I am merely a tradesman’s son and was not born on an estate, but I love your daughter with all of my heart and my being, and today Jane shared with me she also loves me, is in love with me.
“I will spend every waking hour, every breath, every beat of my heart proving I am worthy of her, and it will be my life’s mission to make her happy,” Bingley stated.
With such sentiments avowed, neither parent could reproach him for using Jane’s familiar name. They were certain she had been Jane to him for a long while now and were actually surprised he had not done so before.
“You know the true value of her dowry, is that a factor in your requesting her hand?” Bennet challenged, knowing Bingley was no fortune hunter, but posed the question as a test of sorts.
“I remember what you told us when we first met with you, that the dowry exceeds forty thousand pounds. But I have no need for Jane’s funds. I intend to have the marriage settlement reflect Jane’s dowry will remain in her control. I will be settling five and twenty thousand pounds on her regardless of her dowry and she will have pin money of two thousand five hundred pounds per annum.
“Although I am not as rich as Darcy, I too invest with your brother, Mr. Gardiner. Darcy introduced us after I graduated Cambridge three years ago. My true income is close to seven thousand a year, so I am very confident I can keep Jane in a style she is accustomed to.
“My father bequeathed a principal amount of one hundred thousand pounds for me to use to purchase an estate, and since I have invested with your brother, that principal has grown to over one hundred and thirty thousand pounds.
“One of the things I am doing while here, with the assistance of Darcy’s steward, is to look for available estates in the area. I know how close Miss Elizabeth and Jane are, so I am sure they would love to be close to each other. They will miss you, as well as their brothers and sisters, but I hope to ease their distress by making sure they can see one another as often as they wish.”
“Very impressive, Bingley. I know you to be resolute as you demonstrated in the dealings with your sister. I want you to understand we do not consider your roots in trade a factor in our decision to grant or not to grant your request.” This statement by his beloved’s father made Bingley nervous of a possible negative response.
“That would be very hypocritical considering Fanny’s father was the local solicitor in Meryton and her brother Edward, who you know and invest with, is in trade as well. Rejecting you on those grounds would be rejecting our closest family, and that we would never do.
“The only thing that counts is the content of your character and that you have clearly captured our Jane’s heart. As to the latter, both Fanny and I have seen the way she looks at you. We have no doubt you will make her happiness your daily priority and will never treat her ill. As demonstrated with your dealing with your sister, we know you will protect our precious girl with all of your being should the need arise. We are also sure you are not marrying her for her dowry of more thanfifty thousandpounds.” Bennet smirked when Bingley sat, open mouthed stunned at the true amount of Jane’s dowry.
“F-F-i-fifty thousand?” Bingley stammered. It took a few breaths to recover his equanimity “That changes nothing, her dowry will remain under her control to use as she sees fit,” he stated resolutely.
“Fanny is there anything you wish to add?” Bennet smiled knowingly at his Fanny.
Jane was their first and letting her go would be hardest on her. At one time he would have said Lizzy would be the most affected, but now knowing Bingley intended to help the sisters live close to one another, it was Fanny who would feel the loss of Jane most keenly.
“Always treat her like she is your greatest treasure, Charles,” Fanny spoke softly as a tear rolled down her cheek. “One can become very forlorn when one’s daughters start to leave the nest. On the other hand, it is a mother’s dearest wish to see her daughters married to deserving young men who love them as they deserve to be loved and will treat them as the treasures their parents know they are.”
After he looked at his wife for confirmation, Bennet extended his hand to Bingley. “You have our consent and our blessing. Welcome to the family, Son. When would the two of you like to get married?”
“I have not yet asked Jane, Sir. As soon as we have discussed it, we will come to you with our requested date.” Bingley replied excitedly. He was gratified that both of Jane’s parents felt he would do very well for their Jane.
Although Jane showed a serene, sometimes inscrutable, countenance to the world, her parents knew that behind what everyone saw hid a steely resolve and deep feelings and emotions those that feel as deeply rarely handle their emotions half so well.
Jane was also very intelligent, not to the same extent as Lizzy, but not too far off. They knew Jane, like Lizzy, did not like decisions made for her without consultation, so Bingley saying he would consult with her about the wedding date before asking them was a very good sign for their daughter’s future felicity.
The three returned to the drawing room and as soon as he entered, Bingley’s eyes found those of his fiancée, and he gave a slight nod of the head. Jane’s face lit up like the sun rising on a fine summer day.
Thomas Bennet asked for everyone’s attention, and with Fanny next to him, he announced Charles Bingley had requested and been granted Jane’s hand in marriage. Much warm congratulations ensued.
The newly engaged couple was sincerely wished well by all present. Darcy whispered in Georgie’s ear, and she went out to request from the butler he have some champagne brought to the drawing room. Once the glasses were distributed, a toast was offered for the felicity of the eldest Bennet daughter and her fiancé.
“We are to be brothers,” Darcy grinned as he slapped Bingley on the back in a playful manor.
“Charles, I wish you and Jane happy,” Louisa Hurst offered, overjoyed for both. “You could not have chosen a better helpmeet for yourself. You will do very well together. You are both so complying that the servants will cheat you and you will always exceed your income,” Louisa teased her younger brother lovingly.
“Jane’s dowry is over fifty thousand, so I think that we will manage,” Bingley whispered in his sister’s ear, more for the dramatic response than the idea it would change anything.
Louisa Hurst was speechless with shock. She knew the Bennets were wealthy, but not this wealthy. When she collected herself, the full scope of the news hit her heart.
‘Caroline, what you gave up because of your inability to hold your tongue and your unyielding pride.’ Mrs. Hurst shook off melancholy thoughts of her ruined sister and joined in the merriment of the rest of the party, anxious to claim so loving a sister as Jane.
Chapter 19
Some days after Jane and Charles’s engagement, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, survivor of among others the battles of Roliça and Badajoz with only minor injury, was unsure how to mount the most important campaign of his life.
