“Do not tease the boy, Thomas. Tell him.” Fanny feigned exasperation as she playfully swatted her husband’s arm.
“Tell me what?” Richard regarded Mary first to ensure he had not read her mood incorrectly and that she was indeed happy. She was.
“Well, Son, this morning our Mary took us to task,” Bennet began, winking at Mary when she giggled. He then told Richard about their daughter’s plea to them that morning, how they had reflected on the situation and decided the reasons for the time restrictions they had placed were no longer valid. They had apologised to Mary but wanted to apologise to him as well because it had not been as fair as they initially thought.
Richard was flabbergasted and explained he was called into Darcy’s study and had a similar conversation. If Richard and Mary had been happy before, they were bowled over by what Thomas and Fanny Bennet told them next.
“We know that as a second son you do not have an estate, Richard. We remember your pledge to resign from the army and sell your commission when you and Mary get engaged. We also know you have a good amount of capital saved and Mary has a very healthy dowry to ensure that you have the life you both are looking forward to.” Bennet looked at his wife, and at her nod he carried on. “Our wedding present to you will be Netherfield Park.” They grinned at one another as their Mary and her soon to be fiancé stared at them in shocked silence.
“We thank you for your being willing to give us Netherfield Park. That is most generous of you Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, but we cannot accept such a gift that will reduce your income and take away from Thomas and James’s inheritances,” Richard replied, knowing without having to ask that Mary felt the same.
“Longbourn’s income rivals and even sometimes exceeds Pemberley’s. The income from Netherfield Park will not be missed, and with the land I have added to both Longbourn and Bennet Fields, neither of my sons will be adversely affected.
We always intended to gift that estate to one of our daughters. It is partially selfish, you know. This way we ensure one of our daughters will remain in the neighbourhood, and it is more important now that Lizzy, and by the looks of things Jane, will soon be resident in Derbyshire.” Fanny reached out and took Mary’s hand, squeezing it gently.
After looking at Mary and getting her nod of agreement, the soon to be former Colonel slowly nodded at his soon to be in-laws. “In that case Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, we would be very humbled by such a gift.” He was almost overcome with gratitude and understood wanting to keep his Mary close by. He himself hated parting from her for hours, let alone for months.
“Firstly, no more of this Mr. and Mrs nonsense. We have known you for many years, Richard Fitzwilliam. I am Bennet and Fanny would enjoy being called Mother Bennet. You always used to call us uncle and aunt, but as you are to be our son, those monikers do not apply anymore. Just so you know, there will be an entailment put in place on Netherfield Park.
“Not one determining what sex of child can inherit, but the same one I have put in place on Longbourn and Bennet Fields. The irrevocable entailment stipulates that the estate, in part or whole, cannot be sold but only inherited by a direct blood descendant, so that way it will always stay in the family,” Bennet explained, grateful to see Mary’s smile.
“That is an entail Mary and I will accept with no issues or undue alarm. Mr., Uncle, er, I mean Bennet and Mother Bennet. May I request a private interview with Mary please?” Richard attempted, and failed, to keep his grin in check.
The request was granted and once they were alone talking was not necessary, they fell into each other’s arms and their lips met. It started with some chaste kisses, but they soon became much more ardent and passionate. The couple pulled apart, not wanting to take advantage of the trust that had been placed in them and Richard got down on one knee.
“Mary, you know I have loved you for many years, even before I declared myself when you were sixteen and not out yet. At that point, waiting was the only option, but now I find I cannot live without you by my side any longer. Mary Ingrid Bennet, will you put me out of my misery and be my wife. Please will you marry me Mary?” he pleaded, begged, demanded, commanded—all encompassed in a single question—and hoped as any man in his shoes would.
“Yes, Richard, a million times and more, yes. I have loved you for just as long as you have loved me, even longer, I daresay. I cannot imagine my life without you in it. Yes, yes, yes, absolutely and definitely, yes, I will marry you Richard,” Mary replied, choking on a sob of relief and happiness, startled to find it was far more intensely felt than her feelings of sadness. Happinesswasa far more powerful emotion. She had not understood her mother’s promise that it was so until this moment.
Richard stood and they hugged tightly. Richard then opened the door and asked Mary’s parents to join them. Consent and blessings were bestowed with alacrity. When Mary hugged her mother, she whispered she now understood happiness was far more powerful and Fanny smiled knowingly, sorry she had caused her beloved daughter such pain but glad she was now truly happy. Her other daughters had said they understood, but they did not yet. They would, one day.
“Are you sure you do not want to wait some weeks after Jane is married to have a day just dedicated to you, Mary?” her father asked, and Richard paused and was about to agree to it before Mary held up her hand to silence both.
“I want to be married to my Richard sooner rather than later, Father. Jane and I are so similar in tastes it will be my wedding as much as hers, and even better, I get to share the joy of my day with my beloved sister. Had you suggested I get married in a ceremony with Lizzy, I may have delayed,” Mary teased, and Fanny laughed as she squeezed Mary’s hand.
“That is just what your mother said,” Bennet chuckled, nodding that they were now assured she was happy.
And just like that, three Bennet daughters were engaged.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
During the conference in the study, Andrew Fitzwilliam returned to Snowhaven from Hilldale. He had completed everything he needed so now he could return to Marie’s welcoming arms with his conscience clear. In addition to his wife, he could not wait to hug his son David.
When the four returned to the drawing room, the looks of bliss on both Mary and Richard were enough for one and all to know what had transpired and the couple was surrounded by well-wishers even before Bennet made the official announcement.
Richard’s mother and father were not only overjoyed at officially claiming Mary as a daughter but were deeply relieved he would be soon selling out his commission and resigning from the army.
Without having to be prompted, the Colonel stated he had sent an express to General Atherton tendering his resignation and stating his intent to sell out his commission right away. When they all headed back to Longbourn, Richard would instead go to London for the sale of his commission, also to have the marriage settlement drawn up.
Jane and Bingley were applied to and agreed with the request for a double wedding. Their acquiescence was applauded by all. It was never thought they would say no, but they appreciated being asked beforehand, not presented with afait acompli.
That evening’s dinner at Snowhaven became a raucous and very happy engagement celebration. There were many toasts to the felicity of all three couples and besides being over the moon at gaining Richard as a brother, Georgiana was even more pleased to see her jovial Richard back. It was considerably later than normal when the carriages departed back to Pemberley.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Once the Pemberley party departed, the Earl, Countess, Bennet, and Fanny retired to the master suite sitting room. The gentlemen were sipping brandy while the ladies had sherry.
“Well, Thomas, we will soon share a son and daughter in addition to gaining Lizzy as a niece. It is long since we have considered all of you family, and now at long last it will be official.” Reggie winked at his Elaine.
