] Many, many, impecunious people waited years before they were married.

Purely off the top of my head, I believe, it was not at all uncommon in this period for men from the "working classes" (and likely trade as well) to defer marriage until around 27, women until 25. Beyond the "best before date" for many young ladies of novels. ;-)

Her brother Charles met and became engaged to Frances Fitzwilliam Palmer while stationed in Bermuda in the spring of 1806. They defered marriage until he made enough in prize money. He appears to have been successful, for they married on May 19, 1807. (More research for that particular one needed.) It could have been much longer if he had been posted to an area with leaner pickings.

I remain,
Jason E.