Page 74 of Attempted Compromises
“I wish you well,” Lord Matlock said after a long pause. “But tread carefully, Fitzwilliam. Love cannot be one-sided.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam clapped him on the shoulder. “Well, cousin, it seems you’ve got yourself a task ahead. I look forward to meeting this extraordinary Miss Bennet.”
Darcy managed a faint smile, but as Fitzwilliam left the room, he turned to stare out the window, his uncle’s words echoing in his mind.
Does she feel the same for you?
The question lingered, unresolved, causing the ache in his chest to increase. But whatever doubts lingered, whatever obstacles remained, he vowed to himself that he would prove worthy of her trust and affection.
For both their sakes, he had to.
∞∞∞
The polished brass plate of Fenton & Harriman gleamed in the late afternoon sunlight as Darcy and Mr. Gardiner stepped inside. The solicitor’s office exuded quiet sophistication—high ceilings, dark wood paneling, and the faint scent of aged parchment mingling with freshly inked paper.
“This firm has quite the reputation, Mr. Darcy,” Gardiner remarked as they waited in the front entryway.
“It has served my family for generations,” Darcy replied, his tone clipped but polite. “They are thorough, and thoroughness is precisely what we require.”
A clerk hurried over and greeted them with a polite bow. “Mr. Darcy, Mr. Gardiner, this way, please. Mr. Fenton is expecting you.”
Darcy and Mr. Gardiner exchanged a brief glance before following the young man through a corridor lined with portraits of stern-faced barristers. They entered a spacious conference room where Mr. Fenton, a stately man in his sixties, rose from his chair to greet them.
“Mr. Darcy, Mr. Gardiner,” he said, extending his hand to each in turn. “Please, be seated. We’ve prepared the initial drafts of the marriage articles as per your instructions.”
They took their seats at the table, and Darcy folded his gloved hands before him, his posture impeccably straight. Mr. Gardiner, though composed, shifted slightly in his chair, his keen eyes scanning the room before settling on the neat stack of documents before Mr. Fenton.
The solicitor adjusted his spectacles and began. “The provisions you requested have been outlined in detail, Mr. Darcy. To summarize, Miss Elizabeth Bennet will have a jointure of £30,000, and a further sum of £10,000 will be settled for each child born of the marriage. In addition, should anything untoward occur, provisions have been made for Miss Bennet’s financial independence. The eldest male child shall inherit Pemberley, with other inheritances to be distributed as outlined below.”
Darcy nodded tersely, his expression unreadable. “Go on.”
Mr. Fenton continued, outlining the specifics of trusteeship, inheritance rights, and contingency plans. Mr. Gardiner remained silent, though his gaze flicked toward Darcy more than once, his expression betraying a mixture of surprise and quiet approval.
When Mr. Fenton finished, he looked between the two men. “Do these arrangements meet with your approval, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Gardiner?”
Mr. Gardiner cleared his throat. “They are… exceedingly generous,” he said slowly, glancing at Darcy with an expression akin to relief. “I confess, Mr. Darcy, I had not anticipated such provisions. Elizabeth will be well-secured.”
“They are similar to the ones my father used when he married my mother. Miss Bennet deserves nothing less,” Darcy said, his voice firm but calm. “She is an extraordinary woman.”
“That she is,” Mr. Gardiner agreed.
“We will have three copies drafted and completed by tomorrow morning, Mr. Darcy,” the solicitor assured him. “You may collect them before you leave for Hertfordshire.”
“Very good,” Darcy said. He stood and extended his hand. “I appreciate your efficiency, Mr. Fenton.”
The men exchanged handshakes, but as Gardiner turned to leave, he hesitated, his expression thoughtful. “Mr. Darcy,” he said softly, “you have done more than most men of your station might. Your actions today speak of both honor and regard. Elizabeth is fortunate.”
Darcy’s jaw tightened slightly, though he inclined his head. “Thank you, Mr. Gardiner. I assure you, my primary concern is Miss Bennet’s well-being.”
As they stepped out into the fading light of the London streets, Darcy turned to Gardiner. “I will call at Longbourn tomorrow evening with the finalized documents.”
Gardiner nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I believe this union will prove to be a providential one, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy said nothing, but as they went their separate ways, he couldn’t help but wonder: Would Elizabeth ever see him as more than the man she was forced to marry?
Chapter 21
The soft winter morning dawned crisp and clear, the sun casting its golden rays over the frosted landscape. Elizabeth stood before her small mirror in her bedroom at Longbourn, smoothing her hands over the delicate fabric of her new gown. The dress, a gift from her aunt Gardiner, was a pale blue muslin with intricate white embroidery along the hem and bodice. The elegant simplicity of it made her feel both beautiful and out of place.
