I agree. Being a duke isn't just a title. Dukes have extensive landholdings, sit in the House of Lords (which was a source of substantial political power at the time), and have important legal immunities and political privileges such as personal access to the King.
Darcy should have changed his name. Then their eldest son would be a duke and inherit the ducal lands, while the second son would get Pemberley. Their decision to throw away the duchy is doubly frustrating because Bingley made a brilliant and compelling argument in favor of Darcy changing his name... which was completely ignored.
Is the Darcy name really more important than the wealth, prestige, and welfare of their family and their descendants? Craziness!
- Alan -