Chapter 2

As promised, Mr. Edward Gardiner talked to his uncle to find a lawyer to draw up the settlement papers and went about writing his father that he would pay for the expenses of the papers. The Gardiners' father shared many traits with the Bennet patriarch: he saw women as tradable commodities and he relied on the work of his offspring for a comfortable living. Before Edward sent the papers to Longbourn for perusal he extended an offer to Fanny and Thomas to stay at his residence. The former could shop for her trousseau. The latter could sit and peruse the documents to make sure that Fanny's money would be well protected from the poker tables. It appeared that while both parents were determined to ruin the lives of their children, both children had found a way to use that very indolence against them.

Upon arriving at a small flat on the south side of London, Thomas Bennet greeted his soon to be brother-in law with a handshake before helping his betrothed from the carriage. After sitting for a quick cup of tea, Thomas called the carriage to take him to the inn he had booked up the street with the promise to return on the morrow to begin discussing the future while Fanny went shopping. There was a lot to be accomplished in a short period of time. The inn would serve the needed purpose for the next week while final arrangements were made. Thomas would then return to Longbourn, with Edward accompanying Fanny three weeks later for the last two weeks of courtship.

Upon arriving at Mr. Gardiner's the next morning the spent a good hour discussing their schooling and hobbies before jumping into a discussion that very well may bring them to odds. Before beginning the long discussion of how to manage Fanny's money, the two agreed that for the discussion they would remain on a first name basis. The hope was that this would encourage agreement with the two parties.

"Thomas, if you don't mind me asking, what are your plans in all of this? I don't see you benefitting."

"I made a promise to my sister. I have barely been keeping Longbourn afloat with my father gambling away profits. I hope to use Miss Gardiner's money to start making progress in keeping my promise to my sister. While this plan is by no means set in stone, for I want to ensure that Ms. Gardiner has a hand in every decision regarding her money. I hope to invest the money to provide an income and maybe an estate for any daughters we may have so that I nor anyone else may ever force them into marriage. And if Miss Gardiner and yourself are amenable, I brought a couple of land options that show great prospect in adding an income."

"And what, may I ask, is that promise to your sister?"

"To preface that answer, I must inform you that like your sister, mine was forced into a marriage she did not want. The man she married was suspected of beating his prior wife and many in town would not let their daughters anywhere near him. Yet, my father decided that Elizabeth should marry him. The night before she married LizBet made me promise that any woman in my protection would never be forced into such a situation. That promise will extend to your sister and any child she may have. She will not be dependent on me for pin money, though I will provide it. And she will never have to worry about having a roof over her head or that of her offspring."

Understanding the motivations of Thomas Bennet better, Edward felt relieved that his sister was marrying a man who would did not seem interested in quashing her independence. Rather, he seemed intent on insuring that she was offered far more freedom than she had as a single young woman. Edward's uncle had exposed him to a world outside of his father's sphere. He quickly realized that while his father held the belief that women were useless, many had started to move forward. Few would allow a woman to work, but many saw their wives as an asset and not a burden. Edward's father was a man who lost his respect long ago.

"So, Thomas, why don't you tell me about this plan?"

"If we tie the money up such that all transactions must be approved by Ms. Gardiner and a trustee, who I assume will be you. The money's inheritance will also be tightly controlled so that no one can change where the money goes even if she passes before our potential children are old enough to inherit. We can put all property and accounts in her name. We will of course have to open up an account at a local bank and draw up paper work, but that is assuming everything else goes well. I also assume that her ownership of such property will be kept a secret, otherwise any daughters we may have will be targeted by fortune hunters, not to mention my father will attempt to manipulate the property to being a part of Longbourn. I have no intention of putting a penny from Longbourn accounts into the property. This will prevent any potential claims against the property in the instance we don't have a son or my father finds out and wishes to access the money. The two properties and accounts will be kept entirely separate."

"I must agree it is smart to keep the accounts separate and anonymous. From the sounds of it, your father may be delusional enough to try to push a claim that if Longbourn money went to the upkeep of an estate in my sister's name then the estate is also his."

"Indeed he is. He recently convinced our attorney that he may pass the estate to my sister's step son. Even though the law does not support such a notion. I am sure he is well aware of such a thing and would not be surprised if he at some point tries to disinherit me."

"He can disinherit you?"

"He can disinherit my offspring. My grandfather settled the estate irrevocably on me upon my father's passing."

"I see. So you mentioned some land prospects that you were considering."

"Yes. Would now be a good time, or shall we adjourn for tomorrow?"

"Just give me a rough sense of the earnings for your favorite so I have the evening to mull."

"Well the best is from an estate that abuts Longbourn. It currently brings in around 500-600 per annum. Though the land is poorly maintained and many of the cottages empty. The owner is asking 3000 pounds for it."

"So little?"

"Meryton has been hit hard by much of the industrial growth. Many landholders have gone to the city in search of titles and wealth. As a result no one has maintained the lands, tenants are leaving and land prices are dropping. I expect this is going on in other counties, but if we start to build up the land tenant families should return. Many are currently sharing housing and Longbourn has a waiting list for tenants for the next available cottage. People are starting to leave the city. This particular parcel of land has been sitting for sale for a good long while, so we may be able to offer even lower."

"In your estimation, what can the property bring in?"

"Easily 1000 per annum if all the appropriate repairs were made and the cottages filled. Which may take a few years and another thousand pounds."

"Do you mind if I talk to Fanny about this?"

"Of course. We would have to talk to her anyway before a decision is made."

"That is true."

"Tomorrow afternoon?"

"Yes. Shall you stay for dinner?"

"I do not wish to interrupt time with your sister."

"Nonsense. And you are doing so much to protect her. I cannot express my thanks enough. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to call."

"Well I suppose it would be nice to dine with company."

With that business was finished for the afternoon, and the two gentlemen returned to discussing all manners of things that young men are predisposed to talk of. Upon Fanny's return the men informed her of the discussions from the day while they waited to be called for dinner. Fanny was thrilled at the prospect of having something to her name and asked if the prices were so low, might it be better to spend all of her dowry on more land.

Thomas and Edward looked at each other considering the option. Spending all the money on land would leave nothing for improvements until the money from the crops began coming in. But improvements would take several years anyway. If they bought soon, it would be right before planting. Thomas had recently switched to doing repairs to the fields and cottages during the fall after the harvest and before the snow. With that schedule the money for the crops would come in and go right back out for improvements to the currently occupied cottages and fields. It would be possible that some of the unoccupied ones could be worked on, but that would leave them close to spending the money for seed and farm animals.

When Thomas explained this to the party, Edward offered his own solution. While he was working for his uncle he had been saving money to eventually buy into the business and to settle on a nearby town home. Interest rates currently weren't very good and he saw no need for the money immediately. They could follow Fanny's plan, they could see how thing went. If there became a need for additional funds, Edward would provide the funds which could returned down the line when they couple no longer needed it for estate repairs.

Thomas could see the validity of this argument. It allowed them to get more land now before the cost of land increased. Thomas agreed that it could work. In addition, Edward mention the possibility of investing in some of the store fronts. If they managed to revive the land and encourage tenants to stay and others to move to the soon-to-be-prosperous neighbourhood, perhaps the local town would also benefit. Thomas agreed and gave Edward as much information as possible about the local tradesmen.

As the week ended, the marriage papers were completed to be sent to Mr. Bennet, several parcels of land were selected, and a promise for future correspondence obtained. With Thomas' return to Longbourn with the marriage papers, Mr. Bennet eagerly signed. He did not read to ensure that the money would be his to spend. For Mr. Bennet thought that no one was as crafty as himself.

With the marriage papers signed, Edward's lawyers began the process of obtaining the parcels of land and placing them in trusteeship for Ms. Fanny Gardiner. Edward himself also started purchasing empty store fronts and offered to buy the store front from the baker, butcher, and grocer whose landlord feared the stores may soon go under as more and more tenants left Meryton. By the end of all the transactions, Edward and Fanny had nearly drained all the money left to them other than two thousand pounds in Edward's name that would start to go to repairing some of Fanny's land and the currently occupied storefronts.