The First Mrs. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Shana Granderson A Lady

Author:Shana Granderson A Lady [Granderson A Lady, Shana]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2023-08-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Bennet was in his study, working on a plan to increase Longbourn’s yields. At long last, he would be able to begin to save to ensure the future of his wife and his unmarried daughters for when he was no longer among the living. It was something he should have started the first day after his marriage but had not. All he could do was look to the future now.

It was better late than never; Bennet was aware there was nothing he could do to change the past. He did, however, intend to never repeat his numerous errors in the future.

His normally ordered oak desk had ledgers and papers strewn across its surface as he searched through old records to see how his father and his grandfather had run the estate, when the profits had been significantly higher than they were currently.

Not only did he need to increase the estate’s income, he also needed to work with his wife to make a budget and cut back on unnecessary expenditures. Mocking her and amusing himself at her expense would no longer do. There was much Bennet had to change.

Rather than a glass of port, as had been his wont, a mug of coffee sat on a coaster to his left. The book he had been reading until recently—in fact, on the very day the Colonel had shocked him out of his indolence—had not been touched since that day. The Iliad and Odyssey in the original Greek now lay untouched on a corner of his desk.

It would not be easy, but Bennet knew he needed to leave his poor parenting skills behind. At the same time, he had to take responsibility for the behaviour of his family and correct it—that of Lydia most of all.

It was while he was looking at a treatise on crop rotation, something Lizzy had begged him to implement a year or two ago, he heard a knock on the door. “Come,” Bennet called out.

Hill entered and handed his master an express. Bennet recognised the writing as that of his brother-in-law. Jane was with the Gardiners in London, so he hoped his eldest daughter was well. Until he read the missive he would feel apprehensive—sending a letter via express was not something Gardiner normally did.

He pushed his ledgers aside, broke the seal, and opened the letter as quickly as he could without tearing the paper.

8 May 1811

23 Gracechurch Street, London

Bennet,

Firstly, I am sure you are nervous about why I have sent an express, so allow me to put you at ease. This has nothing to do with either Jane or Lizzy. They are, I vow, both hale and healthy.

My reason for writing is I have the most extraordinary news to impart to you. The entail on Longbourn has been broken; it is no more. You are no longer a lifetime tenant but the owner of Longbourn. Because of that, you may will your estate to whomever you choose.

Thinking he was misreading his brother’s words, Bennet reread the second paragraph again—twice.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.