Fanny Bennet nee Gardiner was the eldest daughter of village solicitor Harry Gardiner and Susan Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner was famous for his fair dealings and solid law contracts. So much so that he started getting clients from London and other nearby area. Mrs. Gardiner was a homely and loving woman. She was not educated, like many women of her class and rearing children and taking care of home was all she cared about. For her, the aim of her life was to provide healthy sons to her husband. Daughters were a responsibility, to be married as soon as possible. She taught the same to her daughters. Still Fanny Gardiner was a happy girl since she had known nothing else. Her parents never had hit her or her siblings. They lived a happy and simple life in the village.
Gardiners had close family friends in Potts. Mr. Potts was a merchant who moved to London and earned himself a fortune. He had three children, his son Harry, and two daughters of Fanny's age. Miss Milly and Miss Patty were best of Fanny's friends. But some years in a seminary made them quite the snob. Fanny had carried a torch for Mr. harry for quite some time and she had approval of his family. But two years in London and everything changed. When the Potts came to visit their relatives, they quite openly disparaged the daughter of the solicitor and declared that their brother deserves better. An "accomplished women" of the city, someone who would be accepted in the 20 landed families around their little village, maybe even a daughter of gentleman. Miss Gardiner was heart-broken. Her friends rallied around her. She was not at fault. She remembered laughing in harvest assembly, when Molly had been making fun of Potts' attitude. It was the first time she had laughed after the rejection. And then, Mr. Bennet approached her. And then asked for courtship. And soon they were married. And now she was the wife of a gentleman. She didn't need any of the accomplishments for that. She just needed to be lively. She caught a gentleman without speaking gibberish or playing an instrument. She had shown everyone.
But even after being the mistress of the leading estate, she wasn't openly accepted in the other 20 estates. They were so jealous of her. Mr. Bennet had chosen her above their daughters. But she decided to show them, she deserved this position. She was the mistress of the biggest estate around. She threw the best parties and set the best table possible. Bought the most expensive lace. Decorated her home in the latest fashion. Still, she wasn't part of the inner circle. She tried to be livelier and not dull like other matrons. Still, she felt others were laughing behind her back. Then she gave birth to Jane. Her beautiful Jane and she loved her. But it was not a son and due to entail others laughed harder. Her mother promised next time it will be son and she was so sure. But then her mother was no more. And next time again it was a daughter. Her beautiful imp, lively Elizabeth. But everyone around her just laughed at her. Said she wasn't good enough to give the estate an heir. And one day Mr. Bennet caught flu. She was so worried for him. And as his health declined, she was worried for her daughters. Oh! How she hated that stupid entail. Mercifully Thomas regained his health. But her worries remained. And now even Thomas laughed at her. And now that Mary was born, her worries had increased. And she shared them with anyone who will listen. May be someone will help her. She felt so nervous and alone. No one tried to understand her. And Lo and behold! Miracle of miracles happened and her father had listened to her. He even tried speaking to her and now was speaking to Thomas. She had not listened, but now calmer she knew, she could not let this opportunity to pass. She has to make him help her daughters. She would do whatever will be needed of her to help her daughters and ease her worry. She would listen.
Mr. Gardiner left and study and went to meet Mrs. Bennet in parlour. She was sitting morosely twisting her handkerchief. Seeing Mr. Gardiner she stood up suddenly but could not meet his eyes.
"Come Fanny. Let's get some fresh air." He said lovingly.
Mrs. Bennet silently acquiesced.
After appropriately getting attired, they left and started walking in silence.
"Fanny" said Mr. Gardiner calmly, "I want you to listen to me very carefully. If you don't understand something I will repeat it again and again till you understand. But just keep your focus on what I am saying and listen. Can you do that?"
"Yes father." She answered meekly.
"Very good. Now please think and answer truthfully. What is the problem with dowager house?" he questioned puzzled.
Mrs. Bennet opened and closed her mouth.
"It will be loss of prestige. I won't be the mistress of a leading estate." She tried to make him understand.
"And it won't happen with a son?" he asked, wondering where the problem was.
"At least I won't be a poor and distant relative of the master of the estate but the mother." She explained.
This time Mr. Gardiner opened and closed his mouth. Apparently, it wasn't about home after all but status. 'Fair enough' he thought and said, " but you cannot do anything about being distant relative other than pray for a son. However, and this is very important, you can do something about being poor. And being rich widow of a gentleman has equal prestige."
"200 pounds a year will not make me a rich widow. More so with three unmarried daughters." She said sullenly.
"How about 2000 pounds a year?" Mr. Gardiner baited.
"How in lord's name is it possible?" Mrs Bennet exclaimed.
"It is, if you save." Mr. Gardiner replied.
"Save? And how can I save that much money?" she asked incredulously. "That is the whole income of my husband. I cannot save every penny I come across. And even than it won't be enough."
"Yes, but you can save as much as possible. I remember when you had to buy the pearl earrings and you had saved every penny of your pin money for two years." Mr. Gardiner tried to explain.
"True, but how can I reach 2000 pounds a year?" Mrs. Bennet stuck to the number. Mr. Gardiner knew she has taken the bait but now how to keep her holding to it?
"Okay, maybe not 2000 pounds but a significant sum." He tried. "Come with me. Can you see that apple tree?", he continued when Mrs. Bennet nodded. "Let us assume instead of apples, it's the money it grows. Additionally, assume that fruit or money of one tree is sufficient for your needs. It will grow enough money every year for you to be comfortable. But is it sufficient for your family's need?" Mrs. Bennet shakes her head. "No? So, now you need to go and plant some more seeds. How many seeds will you plant?"
"A handful?" said Mrs. Bennet hesitatingly.
"Why not only four?" Mr. Garnier asked.
This she knew, she thought excitedly. "Well, it's not necessary that every seed I plant will turn into sapling. Some can be bad, some eaten by birds or pests. Then not necessarily every sapling will turn into a tree, similarly not every tree will bear fruits. So, if I plant handful of seeds, I will get 5-6 fruit trees, which will be sufficient for my family."
"And if you plant today, will you get fruits tomorrow?" he asked.
"Of course, not father. It can be anywhere between 6-10 years before the tree grows and bear fruits." She spoke.
"And what will happen if you pluck the beautiful and fragrant flowers of the tree?"
"I will have flowers but no fruits? So, I will have shillings instead of pounds?"
"Exactly Fanny. Now understand, your settlement of 5000 pound is an apple tree. Your income on that settlement of 200 pounds are the flowers. When you spend that 200 pounds you are plucking the flower. If you keep your 200 pounds invested, it will start becoming fruit, and in 6-10 years your tree will be very big." He explained.
Fanny who was listening intently said "how big?"
"From top of my head, if you had not used any interest till now your account would have grown to be of nearly 6100 pounds or nearby. Moreover, your income would have been nearly 250 pounds a year. If kept untouched, by the time jane would have turned 15, it would have grown to be excess of 9000 pounds. Which would have given you an income of 360 pounds a year. And after that it would have grown really fast just like trees bear heavy fruits after maturing." Mr. Gardiner explained.
Mrs. Bennet was shocked silent. After some time, she said, "but father even if I had not spent the interest, I really would not have been much better. It is only a 160-pound increase, after 15 years and nowhere enough to put me category of rich matron."
"That is true Fanny. But remember, we are not supposed to be dependent upon a single tree. If you will plant more trees, you will have more fruits. Even a single successful investment can change your fortune." He said patiently.
"But from where will I get seeds?" she asked, perplexed.
"You have lots of seeds Fanny." He said, praying she will understand, "But You have thrown away all the seeds on parties, dress or updating the house."
Mrs. Bennet blushed.
Before she could have said anything Mr. Gardiner said, "Fanny your mother maintained our household on 200 pounds a year. I know you have learnt household duties from her, and I am very sure you can economise your household. I will only say, before you spend money on lace or another frippery, please remember every single pound you save will be two pounds for you to spend later. Additionally, Fanny, I don't think you can be dependent upon Thomas. He is a good man but lazy. Sloth is major sin. I don't think he would take any more pains to secure your or your daughters future. You can say that since it won't affect him, he is not thinking of it. You will have to help yourself and your daughters. The money you are spending in fruitlessly trying to impress people can be the difference between weather you and your children will live in gentle poverty or comfortably."
Mrs Bennet heard everything in absolute silence.
Mr Gardiner continued, "Fanny, why don't you think about it and visit me tomorrow with a broad idea of where all you have spent the money in last year and how much can be saved. We will plan together."
Receiving a positive reply Mr. Gardiner left Mrs. Bennet outside longbourn thinking hard.
A/N: Thank you dear readers for your lovely and kind reviews. I have read them all and is trying to reply everyone but my daughters caught flu this week and hence I am busy with them.