Chapter 4

Over the next few years Thomas and Fanny managed to work out a system to handle Thomas' father, who had realized Fanny's fear of him. Mr. Bennet would require Fanny's attendance at dinner every night. He seemed to derive pleasure in terrifying her. While he never raised a hand to her again, he found a deeper enjoyment in forcing mental anguish. Thomas did what he could to protect Fanny, encouraging trays to her rooms and frequent trips to London. Fanny refused to let Mr. Bennet control her life and went to family dinners every night at Longbourn, trying to show a brave face. She did, however, frequently visit her brother when she could no longer handle the stress at Longbourn or when papers involving her estate had to be signed. Fanny continued to mentally crow about the estate in her name. In her darkest moments, she would remind herself that she owned her own property, a claim few married women could make. Not only that, but she had a husband who respected her. While they had finally consummated their marriage, the pair would not declare a love until nearly two years into their marriage. They had agreed to be cautious of having a child with Mr. Bennet still master.

The first harvest after purchasing had disappointing returns, with the property generating only 150 pounds. Every penny was put into repairing the roofs of both occupied cottages and repairing the drainage of the occupied fields, with little money left over and several repairs still necessary on the occupied cottages. Fanny worried that her desire for a larger parcel of land was the wrong decision.

The second year had significantly improved returns, surprising Thomas and providing a great relief to Fanny. While the lands had been in a severe state of disrepair, he did not expect such an increase in yields solely from improved drainage. Fanny offered a likely insight, that the repairs on the cottage roofs allowed the tenants to sleep better and worry less, allowing for more energy to be exerted in the field. Either way, the returns provided a much needed cash injection to their plan.

At the end of the second year all the occupied cottages got all their needed repairs done, an additional two cottages were completely renovated (years of neglect had left them entirely uninhabitable), and another land parcel received much needed drainage work. After all was said and done, a small amount managed to be saved for a future improvement or land purchase. Thomas hoped that both cottages would fill soon. Meanwhile, word had started to get around that this area was under new ownership and the new owner appeared to be taking an interest in the tenants and land. There was concern that while rumors were positive in his care of the land, there wasn't a local demand for new tenancy agreements as the surrounding area had a shrinking population and many choose to cram multiple families into existing tenancies, and concern grew daily that more and more land lay vacant.

The newly renovated cottages were eventually filled and the new tenant immediately set to working the land. Word of renovated cottages had been of particular interest to several Longbourn and Netherfield tenants who had married children living with aging parents. Worst case, these married children could return back home.

As income continued to grow, the newly repaired cottages ended up being filled quickly with several others expressing interest in the future cottages once they received the necessary repairs. In exchange for lower rents the first year, the tenants had also agreed to unusual conditions: namely following the owner's strict farming schedule and agreeing to assist with repairs on other cottages during the winter at a slightly lower cost for the first three years.

After two years, Fanny's property cleared five hundred pounds per annum. Most of the money went to repairing more of the unoccupied fields and cottages, with work finally being started on a few of the parcels in the worst shape. Thankfully, with reduced labor costs, more of the money got saved while significantly more work got completed on remaining fields and buildings. Thomas was pleased with the speed at which repairs were progressing. He hoped that within the next five years to then start focusing on actual improvements. The remaining two hundred pounds was settled into an account for a rainy day.

It was on a brisk autumn day that hopes of Longbourn's futures would be dashed. That afternoon, Mr. Bennet walked into the study waving a letter with a smug grin on his face. Fanny stilled, stopping her conversation.

"Thomas, my boy, you will be pleased to hear some news of that sister of yours, right?"

"Elizabeth? What news is there?"

"She has delivered her husband a boy. William Collins was christened a few weeks ago."

"Is she safe?"

"Who cares? She has done her duty. But I shall provide you relief for that softened heart of yours. She lives and stood with her family at the christening. At least one person in this family understands their place in the world. But I am sure it shall provide relief to you as there is now an official heir. Should you fail to have a son, William Collins will inherit."

If Fanny failed to have a son, Mr. Bennet had ensured that she would have no guarantee for a home for herself or any potential daughters. With that, Thomas decided to be more aggressive in fixing up an alternative for his wife and any offspring (no matter the gender).

It would be in the third year of marriage that another dinner conversations would provide a much needed break. The stress of managing two properties (one in secret) was starting to show. Fanny was worried for her husband who clearly wasn't getting enough sleep. She tried to help, checking over the sums and handling the cottage renovations. It was limited, but she knew nothing about crops, cattle, rents, or the other finer points of estate management. Thomas explained things when she asked but he was quickly becoming far too busy. Bags lined his eyes from late nights after the household went to bed. The footman he hired protected Fanny well, but he was loath to leave her in the company of his father even with the footman nearby. This just meant fewer daylight hours to complete the rapidly growing list of tasks. Oddly enough it was a dinner conversation with Mr. Bennet that would resolve the situation. Mr. Bennet would never know the help he provided in his cruelty.

"Mrs. Hill, I hear that husband of yours is unemployed. He must be ashamed of himself that his wife is the breadwinner."

"Indeed not Mr. Bennet. I am sure he shall soon find work elsewhere." Mrs. Hill attempted to redirect his attempt at degrading her husband.

"Elsewhere? I doubt that, no one wants a steward. Servants aren't meant to run an estate. They lack common sense and ability to manage such a complex affair." Mrs. Hill bit back a retort that some gentry seemed to lack the same ability. She attempted to excuse herself, but to little luck. "I don't know why men bother, stewards will merely rob them blind. Servants are nothing but thieves. And the gentleman who hands one his checkbook is a fool indeed."

Fanny, who had grown close to Hill, intervened. "Hill, would you mind checking the stock in the pantry, I was thinking of heading to town tomorrow to restock and would like to know if the horses are needed to help cart things back." Fanny knew every item in that pantry. She and Mrs. Hill had just done inventory that morning.

"Yes ma'am." Mrs. Hill was grateful to be given a way out and quickly left for the kitchen.

"Girl, I don't know where you think you can go about—"

"Mr. Bennet, I asked my wife if she needed the cart tomorrow to restock on several items in the kitchen as there are no pending requests for the horses. I shall not have you angry at her for following my direction." Thomas stepped in to diffuse the situation. "Now what is this about Mr. Hill?"

"Did you not hear? The old fool Mr. Henderson kicked the bucket. His son, who clearly has more sense, fired Mr. Hill upon taking over the estate."

"Am I to understand that the new Mr. Henderson intends to return to Meryton to resume running Netherfield?"

"And miss the gambling tables in town? Nonsense. The estate does not need a servant to run it. If the servants can't run themselves then they shouldn't be paid for their work."

Fanny and Thomas exchanged a look. The rest of the dinner passed with Mr. Bennet laughing at perceived faults in his neighbors. Sir William Lucas was declared a fool for allowing his wife to wander freely around town. Apparently the new Mrs. Lucas needed to be taken in hand, especially as she had recently given birth to a useless girl. Mr. Gould was scorned for not coming to the gambling table. No neighbor was spared. Fanny and Thomas refrained from commenting and quickly excused themselves. The following morning, before anyone else in the house had woken, Fanny made her way down to Thomas' study, knowing him to be an early riser.

"Thomas." She said, knocking hesitantly.

"Come in my dear. What has you up so early this morning?"

"I wanted to talk about Mr. Hill."

"What about Mr. Hill?"

"Well I know managing so much land must be exhausting and in the past you have praised Mr. Hill for several smart decisions. Maybe you should consider hiring him as a steward or proxy. It would make things ever so much easier having another party for tenants to go to."

"I have actually been considering much the same thing. Remaining as we are now slows down tenant problems getting fixed in the name of secrecy. The question is how to talk to Mr. Hill without arousing suspicion."

"Mrs. Hill and I are journeying to town this morning, perhaps her husband would like to join us on the walk."

"That sounds like a marvelous plan."

When the household had broken their fast, Fanny asked Mrs. Hill if her husband would mind joining them on their walk into town for it looked like they would need an extra hand. Mrs. Hill, not wishing to seek charity, initially declined. Further coaxing convinced Mrs. Hill to return to her lodgings and procure her husband.

As the group started their walk, Mr. Bennet and Mr. Hill hung back while their wives discussed the improvements to Longbourn manor. Fanny was a well beloved mistress, and the servants were thrilled when she announced a desire to fix up the servants quarters. She found them too dingy and dark and wished to clean them up a little so they felt less like a cellar.

"Mr. Hill, I understand you are recently unemployed."

"I am. But me and my wife need no charity. I am sure I can find work around town."

"And it is not charity I am offering. I happen to know of some land that may be in need of a steward familiar with the area."

"Indeed. I have not heard of any estate in the area looking for a steward."

"That is because it is not an estate and no ad has yet been placed."

"Then how did you come by such information, if you don't mind me asking? This sounds too good to be true. Jobs don't tend to appear so fast. Especially as it was only last night you heard of my situation."

"I happen to know a landowner who wishes for discretion and bringing in someone unknown, without a recommendation was not an option. Things are currently being run without a steward, but the situation is not one that should continue. I would like to put in a recommendation for you to take the job. I am aware of how well you ran Netherfield. Can I trust in your discretion?"

"You can be assured of my discretion. How will I know if I am hired?"

"Does 30 pounds a year sound like fair wages?"

"You and I both know that those wages are more than generous. They are twice what I made at Netherfield."

"Yes well the situation needs far more delicacy and is likely to increase. There are likely to be several unreasonable demands. The extra salary is compensation for your and your wife's silence on the issue and for the likely difficult spot it will place you in."

"You seem to know a lot about this property."

"Indeed I do. Shall you accept the position?"

"I would gladly accept such a position. But can you offer me a position if you do not own the property? I know Longbourn does not need a steward, and as I said before, I do not need your charity."

Fanny and Mrs. Hill had lulled in conversation to hear what was being said behind him. Realizing his wife was listening in, he turned to Mr. Hill and asked, "Would you like me to ask the owner to hire you?"

"Yes sir."

"Mrs. Bennet, what do you say to Mr. Hill being your new steward?" Both Mr. and Mrs. Hill suddenly turned to the lady in question.

"I think it's a marvelous idea."

"Excellent. Well Mr. Hill, it appears you are hired, I suppose we shall now have to go over more specifics. Does tomorrow at dawn work well for you."

"Mrs. Bennet, you own property?" Mrs. Hill was the first to recover her senses.

"Indeed. My darling Thomas tied up my dowry so Mr. Bennet would be unable to touch it. He sat down and went through some tracts of land that were for sale so that I may have my own income. He has been overworking himself managing everything without anyone knowing the owner."

"Hence, the secrecy." Thomas quirked his lips at his wife's concern.

"If I may understand sir, you wish a steward to run things in your place so that no one knows your wife's involvement." Mr. Hill was starting to understand the situation.

"Or my own."

"Because Old Mr. Bennet would not be so kind to Mrs. Bennet?" Mrs. Hill grasped the situation in full. "And if my husband managed the estate, problems could be sent through me to your wife with no one the wiser."

"Indeed. That is the situation. Mr. Hill losing his job was a convenient fix to a problem. As to the expanding duties, the land is not yet attached to an estate and we hope to expand the current holdings. I would ask that you keep your ear to the ground when local owners opt to sell. Then we may purchase and I will ask that you manage any additions as well. Old Mr. Bennet has ensured that should I have a daughter, she will have no access to Longbourn funds and will be unable to inherit the estate. My darling husband has ensured that any potential female offspring and I are not left in poverty in the event of his demise."

Mr. and Mrs. Hill understood the delicate situation and immediately agreed to the terms. They realized part of the added salary was for Mrs. Hill's part in the secret. Both had a strong hatred for the elder Mr. Bennet and would have gladly agreed to the subterfuge without the added financial incentive. The four finished their trip to town as they continued to discuss the details of the situation. Several early morning rides were planned for Mr. Hill to learn the property he would soon be managing.

As Mr. Hill stepped into the role of managing the lands of one Fanny Bennet, the tally for the third year had come in. The land had brought in an impressive eight hundred pounds, excellent grain prices, a good harvest had helped, and land that had been unused for years had certainly helped improve the yield. Laying aside five hundred pounds for further improvements, Mr. Hill's first act in managing the property was to run another series of improvements on the already renovated land. These were improvements that required a great deal of oversight and would not have been doable without his presence. The last of the tenant parcels were renovated. Mr. Hill laid out a plan to get all the units occupied in the next two years and finish the more finicky improvements within the next five. The remaining four hundred entered the account in Fanny's name.