“The midday meal will be served in the dining parlour in a half hour. Dinner is at six,” Mrs Hill reported before withdrawing.
As much as she wanted to order tea, Fanny did not in order to save herself the humiliation. She guessed that Mrs Hill would refuse as it was so close to the time for the meal.
She looked about the room, thinking about how she would like to update the space. It was her parlour so it should reflect her character, which meant lots of lace. Fanny would speak to Mr Bennet about what she wanted to do. Surely he would not deny her that too?
Upon entering the dining parlour just before the time for the meal—Fanny found she was very hungry because she had not eaten a bite of food at the wedding breakfast, the one she had demanded her father provide.
Mr Bennet was seated at the head of the table, so Fanny made her way to the opposite end where the mistress would sit.
“No, Mrs Bennet, you will not sit where my mother and mistresses before her sat. You may take any of the middle seats on either side of the table,” Bennet instructed emotionlessly.
“Why do you keep humiliating me?” Fanny questioned.
“Mrs Bennet, unless you were blind and insensible, you were fully aware that I had no interest in you. Nevertheless, you persisted until you forced my hand. Because you entrapped me, I had some specific terms encoded in the marriage contract. Do you need me to read them to you?”
“No,” Fanny responded petulantly. “Father told me about your cruel clauses.”
“And you think it is less cruel for me to have to spend the rest of my life,‘tildeath do us part, with a woman I disdain? One I would have never chosen to marry?” Bennet shot back.“Your father could have refused to sign the marriage articles, but it seems his need to be rid of you was greater.”
“What do you know?” Fanny spat back. She realised this man had her comfort in his hands, so she needed to calm down.“I beg your pardon.”
“Mrs Hill told me you chose the west parlour.” Bennet stopped talking as the food was placed on the table. Some nice crusty bread, butter, cold roast ham, beef, leafy greens, mustard from Dijon, and cheese.“Help yourself, Mrs Bennet.”
Seeing that she was so hungry, Fanny said nothing of the simplicity of the meal. She cut some bread and slathered butter on the pieces, took slices of both meats, and cut some cheese. She watched as her husband dipped his knife in the orange paste, something Fanny had never eaten before, and put it on a slice of bread instead of butter. He placed a slice of roast beef on top of the paste, a slice of ham, some leafy greens and then another slice of bread, making a sandwich. From what she could see, he was enjoying it immensely.
At least, Mr Bennet did not hurry her through her meal. When she was sated and had enjoyed some of the lemonade which had been placed on the table while they ate, Fanny sat and waited.
“If you have had enough, please join me in my study; I have items we need to discuss,” Bennet stated as he pushed his chair back and stood.
Fanny understood that even though it had been couched as a request, it was not. She followed her husband out of the dining parlour, past the stairs, and then down the hallway Mrs Hill had indicated earlier. She stepped into the study while her husband stood to the side and allowed her to pass.
The room was far larger than the office in her father’s house. Every space which was not used for the fireplace or two windows which reached up from behind asettee to just below the ceiling was covered by bookcases, and none of them were empty. Her husband indicated one of the two armchairs in front of his desk. Once she was seated, he closed the door and took a seat behind the wide desk.
“There are some things we need to discuss,” Bennet began.“Regardless of how we got here, we are married now. You are aware that you are not the woman I would have chosen for myself, and I am sure you have discovered I am not the man you wanted. Let us not belabour that point; it is what it is. Even though I cannot love you, I will keep myself only unto you, and I expect the same from you.” There was no missing her outraged look. Bennet proceeded before she could say anything.“I am not saying you would do that anymore than you are saying it of me. However, I would be remiss if I were not clear, so there are no misunderstandings.”
It seemed that Fanny understood as she nodded her head.
“Good. As we both know where we stand, whether we want it or not, we must consummate this marriage. Did your father mention the entail to heirs male on Longbourn?” He watched as his wife shook her head and looked worried.“Do you understand what that is?” Bennet saw his wife shake her head again.“There are many kinds of entails. The one on Longbourn prohibits the master from selling all or part of the estate’s land. Also, it states that only a male who is directly related to my great-great-grandfather may inherit the estate. I have a cousin, Clem Collins, who, if I pass away with no son, will become the master here. He would be in his rights to throw you and any unmarried daughters out of this house.”
“Are you telling me if we have no son and you pass away, I can be thrown into the hedgerows to starve?” Fanny shrieked shrilly.
“In short, yes. Except you are being overdramatic. Surely your father told you that in the event of my death, if certain conditions are met, your dowry of five thousand pounds becomes yours, or at least the annual interest of two hundred pounds does. If your father is still living, he will assist you, and do not forget your sister…” There was no mistaking the moue of distaste when Bennet mentioned his sister-in-law. “… also lives in Meryton, so you will not have to live in the Hedgerows.” He did not mention Edward Gardiner because he knew that man felt nothing but disgust for the actions of his family.
Although Fanny did not reply, a great flutter of nervous worry was born in her chest. She could not be easy until she bore a son and heir.
“In order to begin to have a family, I will come to you one hour after dinner this evening. Does that suit?” Bennet did not miss the tight nod from his wife.“As it is urgent that we have a son, I will visit you most nights, except for when you have your monthly indisposition. I will stop coming as soon as it is confirmed you are with child.” He knew that marital relations were not supposed to be discussed so coldly.His late parents had had a love match, and as far as Bennet had been able to tell, they would never have discussed things in this manner.
“I would like to redecorate the parlour I have chosen,” Fanny stated to change the subject to one less distasteful to her.
“Why? Is the carpet or paper worn? Is the furniture in a state of disrepair?”
“Well, no, but it does not suit me; I prefer…” Fanny closed her mouth when her husband raised his hand.
“No, Mrs Bennet, I will not spend money because of a whim. As you admitted, all is in good repair, and allow me to warn you, damage anything to attempt to gain what you desire, and not only will I not gratify you, but you will lose the privilege of using that, or any parlour. If you want to call on friends or your family, you may walk; it is one mile to Meryton. If the carriage is making a trip into the town, you are welcome to ride along. You may only invite visitors here if I have approved of them ahead of time. Your sister and father will not ever be welcome at my estate. Is there anything else?”
Fanny shook her head. She wanted to scream at the man, but she knew it would gain her nothing. She stood and flounced out of the study.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
