Far from the Madding Crowd
I think that you are right about the marriage between Bathsheba and Gabriel being not only for love but also for practical and economical reasons, but this is no reason why it should not be successful. In fact it would probabaly stand more chance of becoming a deeper and lasting relationship because of this, because they have become good friends over the years.
I am sorry that you do not enjoy the works of Thomas Hardy. Perhaps if you saw the film which was made in 1965 (I think), perhaps it would change your mind. The scenery and the characters depicting life in the English countryside at the end of the 19th century is charming. I would recommend that you try to get a copy, perhaps on the internet.