"Everyone needs money, especially in these uncertain times, with the war going on, and cash a hard thing to come by," she said with a touch of impatience. "There is also my pride. I would not have it said that I had come to you with nothing."
Clifford laughed harshly. "No one would ever believe it. They all think you are a walking gold mine, my dear. But do allow me some pride." "Pride?" "I refuse to be seen as mercenary by anyone. I want everyone to know we married of our own choice and free will. Don't you?" "Well, yes, but really--" "So I shall take nothing. But you will want some money for your own wants and needs, little extra luxuries. I am not as wealthy as you, I believe, and I confess that the baubles and trinkets which pass as necessities for a young lady quite escape me. My poor mother's jewels are very fine, but I hope you will not mind that I did pledge Henry half of them for Josephine, and they do have the prior claim. They do not intend to wed until next year, but if you would care to put your heads together and agree on who gets what, I would be most pleased."
She shook her head quickly. "Really, I'm not interested in your mother's jewels."
His brows drew downwards at that. "You most likely have some very fine pieces from your mother and aunt. And I dare say that my mother's might be considered very old-fashioned to a modish young lady. However, some of them are of sentimental value. I would very much like my wife to have some of them, and therefore by extension, shall my daughters, or my sons' wives, receive them."
She sighed. "I did not mean to offend, imply they were inferior in any way. And I care little for fashion. I simply do not wear much jewelry. I am really very grateful for your generosity. If they are of sentimental value, and family heirlooms, then by all means we shall divide them equally, with you and Henry looking on to ensure any favorite pieces you might have will fall to you. But for my own part, I have sufficient jewels for any woman."
He took her hand again and stroked the back of it tenderly. "As I think I may have mentioned before, I plan to divide the estate equally with Henry. It has already been done with the money which Father left us. And of course we are each other's heirs, at least for the time being. Since we have not yet married, we have lived side by side as we have done ever since we were children. But we had planned to divide the house as soon as he and Josephine wed.
"I understand."
"Those plans can go into effect now. He will get the east wing, and I the west. Each has a master suite. If you do not mind, we shall take my parents' old chambers. Again, I am making the request for sentimental reasons. The downstairs reception rooms will be shared in common. It will be a somewhat unorthodox arrangement, but I never want our respective families to compete with one another. As for the land, we cooperate in all things, and divide everything in half equally."
"I marvel at the harmony between you," Vanessa said sincerely. "It is most unusual in my experience."
"I try to live by my Radical principles always. As I have said, it is pure luck and chance that I'm the elder. I have never wished Henry to feel envy, or to lack for anything simply because of a trick of birth. I made that clear to my father as soon as I was old enough to form an opinion upon the matter, and he was kind and radical enough to agree with me. I hope we shall be able to raise all of our children in that manner, and that the sets of cousins I pray will result from our two marriages will get along as famously as my brother and I have."
She held up a hand to forestall him. "Before we talk about children, we need to talk about the disposition of my estate. If you will not take any money from me now, can I at least note you down as the beneficiary of my will?"
He took her hand gently. "Not I, but our children. If you could see your way to dividing the lion's share of the money and property into equal shares for all of our children, with individual bequests for the servants and any friends or family you may wish, that would be most generous of you. But it is your money to do with as you choose. I firmly believe a woman has a right to her own property, even in marriage."
"Thank you. However, we will also need a clause as to what shall happen to my wealth if I were to die whilst we were still childless."
"At the risk of offending you, I will offer my opinion and say Gerald will squander it all within a year, but it is your money to do with as you wish."
"No, I would not wish to leave it all to Gerald," she said firmly.
He nodded. "The Stephenses?"
She shook her head. "To Paul, the youngest, perhaps a small stipend to Toby, but no more."