Bennet Family Tree - Durring Mr. Bennet Takes a Wife

Mr Bennet Full Family Tree (Contains Spoilers)

Chapter Four: Meet Isabelle Baker

Across town Isabelle Baker sat distractedly in her mother’s drawing room receiving visitors. It was not really a task that she was fond of. Her mother, however, was insistent on her daughter joining her every day. Isabelle never really understood what her mother and her friends found to talk about. It was all the same to her. They would go to a party and then the next day they would all sit around and talk about everything that happened. It was dull as dishwater. No. Isabelle would much prefer to be seated at her piano, or sharing a story with her father in his book room but it was not to be. Instead it was just an endless stream of idle town gossip.

Her father, was by far her biggest support when it came to her love of the arts. Though she had never really wanted for education she always found more solace in her father’s library than in her mother’s sewing room. They spent hours talking over topics that usually were considered too radical for a woman. Things like mathematics, and philosophy, and Latin. Her father never once made her feel inferior. Never made her feel like less of a person. It was not until her eldest sister managed to marry did her mother begin to drag her out of the book room and into society.

And as her mother always said, "There is no place for your make believe here, Isabelle. It will be hard enough to find you a husband." So here she sat next to Alice her companion of five years and pretended to pay attention to the others around her.

Currently there was only one caller, the ever incorrigible Mrs. Holding. This particular lady had been a very close acquaintance of her mother for many years. They had both married upstanding men in the ton and lived very close. She was a never ending fount of useless information, in Isabelle’s opinion. Today the topic of discussion was apparently a new arrival to their particular neighborhood. There was a new gentleman in town for the season, it seemed. Though this obviously sent both of the elder ladies in the room into a matchmaking flutter, all it did was fill Isabelle with dread. Just one more man to think she is too plain. Just one more man to think her too impertinent. Just...one more man.

Men came and went all the time, what significance it held mattered not one jot to Isabelle. Never the less it apparently mattered a great deal to her mother, so she pressed for every detail of her friend. “Why yes, Mrs. Baker! To be sure. I have just had it from Lady Newberry herself,” said Mrs. Holding. “His name is Mr. Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, and a fine estate it surely is. It is worth hardly less than 5,000 a year. His mother, you may remember, was dear friends with Lady Newberry. She left town to help him care for his poor children. And then there was that dreadful business with his sister.” Isabelle heard the wild swishing of cloth as the lady waved her arms in the air and the soft sound of tea drinking followed.

“What ever do you mean, Mrs. Holding?” Mrs. Baker asked excitedly.

“Well, you know I am not one to gossip,” Mrs. Holding said placing her tea on the table. Isabelle had to hold back a very unladylike snort. That was quite possible the most ridiculous thing that the lady had said that day. Alice rapped lightly on Isabelle's leg in reprimand, but she knew that Alice was of the same mind as she. “It was quite shocking. From what I hear she could have married a very fine gentleman from Derbyshire with a good fortune, the son of an earl no less...and she refused!”

“No!” Mrs. Baker exclaimed.

“I know. She had evidently been introduced to a Mr. Gardiner, the son of a local tradesman. Though he was a wealthy man, I hardly think that money can make up for situation. She thought herself so infatuated that she married him. Can you believe that? To be so infatuated to marry so far beneath her station. It was a full two years before she was admitted back into company again, and then it was only because Lady Newberry had taken an interest in the poor girl. I am sure her mother was so disappointed. Then her son married an unknown from the country. It caused quite a rift in the family.”

How absurd that both ladies would find marrying for love over monetary and social gain so preposterous. Isabelle envied this Mrs. Gardiner for her strength. If only she could be so strong. She unintentionally sighed. Sound seemed to stop for a brief moment and Isabelle could feel them looking at her. It made her decidedly uncomfortable and she fiddled with her hands. They continued their conversation. “And you said he was a widower, Mrs. Holding?”

Isabelle internally groaned. She regretted not paying attention earlier. Her mother was all a flutter over some old widower. He was probably closer in age to Isabelle’s father than to Isabelle.

“Yes,” Mrs. Holding's tone turned sad, “His late wife passed six years ago.”

“Six years?” Mrs. Baker could not hide the surprise in her voice. Six years was quite excessive for a period of mourning. Most widowers were out after the first year was over. “That shows quite a devotion to her, does it not?” her mother asked with admiration.

“Indeed it does.” Mrs. Holding nodded once again.

“You mentioned children?” Alice piped up.

Mrs. Holding made a surprised noise at the question but answered happily. “Two girls I do believe, both still very young obviously. The eldest has not reached her eighth year.”

Mrs. Baker took a sip of her tea and posed the question she had more than likely been holding in the whole time. “Is he to attend tomorrow’s ball then?”

“Yes, I believe he is. Along with his mother and I do believe his sister and her husband will be in attendance as well. I will of course have Mr. Holding make the introductions.”

“Wonderful, absolutely wonderful.” Isabelle’s thoughts were lined perfectly with her mother’s but she doubt she meant it the same way, for she was thinking that it was the exact opposite. Seeing her slouch in her chair, Mrs. Baker immediately reprimanded, “Isabelle, do sit up child!”

She corrected her posture and muttered, “Sorry, mama.”

The following day Mrs. Baker took pains in making sure her daughter looked her best. She had barged into her daughters room before she had even arisen for the day. She walked immediately to the closet and flung open the door. She was talking to herself as she flipped through each dress there. Each one she found lacking. One had sleeves that were much too short to still be in fashion, the fact that it was a dress that had been ordered not the week before apparently mattered little. Another was the wrong shade of blue, lighter blues only washed out her complexion. She needed deeper hues. Another yet had the wrong style of lace on the trim. It was far too old fashioned and intricate, not at all like the simple lace that her sister would have chosen. Mrs. Bennet would see that as a lack of fashion, it would not do. Isabelle just sat there in her bed and let her mother fret.

As quickly as she entered then she was gone into her sisters room. She entered a few moments later as Isabelle was sitting in front of her looking glass for her maid to brush out her hair. “This should fit you perfectly my dear! It's the white muslin and lace gown that your sister ordered before her engagement last year. Poor dear never did get the chance to wear it...” though Isabelle's eyes were closed she could imagine her mother stroking the dress sadly as she said this. “It might not look as well as it would on your sister but it will do very nicely. It will look very good against your complexion. You have gotten quite tan.” Having said what she needed to Mrs. Baker turned to the maid. “Tonight, Sarah make sure you style her hair with the jeweled pins. It will hopefully make her red hair look less wild. And leave none of it loose this time. The tighter you pull it the thinner her face will look and she needs all the help she can get. Honestly Isabelle why you don't try harder to loose weight I'll never understand. It will be difficult enough finding a man willing to take you on, without you being too large as well.”

Isabelle tried to hold in the sigh at her mother’s comments. She felt her maid Sarah give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Isabelle smiled sadly in return. Sarah was a sweet girl and had been with the family since she was born. Before her father hired Alice, Sarah was her closest friend and companion. Isabelle tried not to let her mother's comments bother her. It was not as though she had never heard them before. She had been saying things like that ever since she could remember. Isabelle’s sister, Amelia had been the beauty of the family. The consummate English rose according to Alice's description anyway. Thin and tall, with straight blonde hair and blue eyes, that were set in a symmetrical face. Isabelle had always paled in comparison in her mother's eyes. Her face was not symmetrical, her eyes were an unusual shade of greenish gray and were set in a round face, her nose was too small to be fashionable and her hair...her mother despaired of her hair. While all of the other Bakers (save her youngest brother) had managed to avoid inheriting her father’s unruly red locks, Isabelle was not so lucky.

Thankfully it was not too long before her mother left the room once more so that her daughter could get dressed for the day. Isabelle's maid Sarah gave her a sympathetic pat on the arm as she helped her into her day dress. The servants were always more understanding than her mother. She made her way over to the shelf next to her bed and selected one of the thick books. Book in hand she quietly crept down the stairs and past her mother’s watchful eye and into the park. Her mother would be furious, that was sure, but she had to get out of the house.

Though it was decidedly unwise to be out unaccompanied, especially in her condition, Isabelle could not be contained. The park was indeed a large one. One with enough places to hide that her mother would never be able to locate her. Isabelle’s favourite respite was by a secluded little pond. There was a fine tree that acted as a shade from the mid day sun as well as a fine place to lean. Alice knew where to find her if she needed to and it was here that she was able to escape for a little while from everything.

Here she could pretend to be anyone she wanted. The beautiful Helen, who inspired the men of Troy into battle. The brave Joan who was a woman among men and all the stronger for it. The exotic Scheherazade who told the king fanciful tales so real that he was afraid to ever part from her. Yes, here she could be anyone but plain, boring, not as pretty or talented as her sister, Isabelle Baker.

It was not long until her solitude was broken. The noise was loud enough to cause alarm however Isabelle relaxed when she heard the voice of a delightful young girl speak. “See I told you, Janie! This is where I saw the momma duck! She had lots and lots of babies.” So they were here to see the pond then. Isabelle had heard the light splashing and quacking of the duck family when she sat down. The child could not be too old, she sounded very young perhaps five or six, but her speech was very well practiced.

A slightly older voice joined her, sounding a little distraught. Perhaps she had been dragged here by the other? “ 'Lizbeth," she said sounding ever bit the adorable flower, "we should not have left Nanny, and Miss Hamilton. Grandmother will be very upset.”

“You worry too much, Janie. I just want to feed the ducklings.” The sound of a paper being unfolded was followed by the sound of happy surprised quacking. The ducks rushed over to their new friend, almost too quickly as they tried to swim over each other in the process. The pair of girls giggled at the cute antics and Isabelle could not contain her light giggle either,

It was then that the girls seemed to realise they were not the only ones in the little alcove. “I beg your pardon.” said the youngest one. In a way that seemed much too old for her. “My name is Elizabeth. This is my sister Jane." A slight pause happened and Isabelle smiled politely. "I do not wish to bother you Miss I only wish to feed the ducks.” With nothing further to say Elizabeth began doing just that. The blonde looked at her sister and then at Isabelle, before once again focusing on the ducklings and their very hungry mama. Isabelle sat her book down and sat up on her knees to study them as best she could.

It was wonderful to see the easy relationship between the two siblings. Nothing like it had been between her elder sister and her. Her sister had always held her in a sort of tempered disdain. Yet maybe that would come as they got closer to maturity. Isabelle hoped not. She found herself hoping they always stayed this way.

It was an odd thought to have, since she did not even know who these young girls belonged to. It was obvious from their speech that they were not some of the children of the street. No these were gentle young things. She asked questions as they threw bread into the otherwise still water. Though Jane was quiet and obviously very shy, Elizabeth answered all of Isabelle’s questions in a very forthright manner. They were new to town. Their family lived on the other side of the park. Their nanny and governess would not let them come to the pond, so they waited until they were distracted and took off. Nanny was more than likely going to be very cross and so was their grandmother who Isabelle gathered was responsible for their upbringing. It was then that she heard two voices calling the little girls names.

She knew her time with these darling little things would be coming to an end soon. “Well, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Jane, I do believe that your Nanny will be very cross with you, you should not have run away like that. It is not safe for you to be out here alone.” She knew that she had to be the adult in this situation, she had to try to make them understand the danger of the situation they had been in. After all what if someone else had happened upon them, two helpless little girls? Isabelle shuttered at the thought.

“But you are out here alone?" Elizabeth asked.

“I am much older.” Isabelle tried to argue weekly. "However, you are right I should not be here alone either?"

“What is your name?” Miss Elizabeth asked.

“I am Miss Isabelle Baker,” Isabelle answered a little taken aback at the young girls.

Elizabeth studied her for a moment. Isabelle did not know what she saw but it was enough for the young girl to put her small hand on her arm and say “But we’re not alone Miss Isabelle, you’re here.”

Isabelle was quite speechless. What was someone to say to something like that. Though the child was right technically it was not the point of the argument. Thankfully Elizabeth did not seem to expect a reply. "I like you Miss Isabelle."

No other words could be spoken because a very distraught looking woman came dashing down the path at that moment. "Miss Elizabeth! Miss Jane! There ye girls are." This must be Nanny, then. She seemed like a nice enough woman. Though the girls disobeyed her, Isabelle would not have stood for the lady being physical with the little ones. Isabelle was happy that though she was cross there was a great sigh of relief and an undertone of deep love. The older woman turned her attention from the girls to Isabelle. " I beg your pardon, Miss"

Isabelle smiled warmly at the woman. "You are fine. I suppose these little ones belong to you then?”

“Aye ma’am. I apologise if they’ve disturbed you.”

“Not at all. I have found the conversation very interesting.” Isabelle smiled. It had been an interesting morning...just what she needed to take her mind off that Bennet man that her mother was forcing her to meet tonight.

“Now girls, say goodbye to your new friend. We have to get you back.”

“Goodbye, Miss Isabelle,” both girls chorused.

Isabelle could not help but smile. She loved children. Children were often more accepting of differences. She wondered if they even noticed. Though she was not in general too pleased with the idea of marriage, she wanted children. She wanted a family. One to call her own. One to raise in her own fashion. The appearance of the two little girls reminded her of that need.

It was some time later that Isabelle returned to her house. Her mother was in a fit. Though there was still some three hours till they would need to depart for the ball Mrs. Baker insisted that Isabelle be stripped and scrubbed immediately. She just sat numbly in the chair thinking of little Elizabeth and Jane and if she would ever meet them again. 

Chapter Three: Mr. Bennet Comes to Town

Mr. Edward Gardiner smiled down at the letter he now held in his hands. It was a testament to it’s author. Short and rather abrupt, with a small amount of brashness that somehow managed not to offend. Thomas had been stubborn and alone for far too long. Edward was happy to see that his brother would not be wallowing in his own self pity for any longer, or at least not for long if the ladies of the ton, and his mother had anything to do with it. Henrietta Bennet had allowed Thomas his way before, she had allowed him to settle down with a country lass and it had ended in tragedy for all involved. No, He would not be allowed to be left to his own devices this time. Edward chuckled and called for his wife to come into the room.

She was close by as usual and she glided into the room with a grace that still brought a smile to Edward’s face. She was still as beautiful as the day that he had met her. Nothing had changed her in his eyes and he was sure nothing would. He could only hope that his brother would find such felicity in his next marriage.

“Yes my dear?” she asked with a smile seeming to know where his mind had taken him. She walked directly over to his side of the desk and sat on the arm of his chair.

He looked up at her at with an indulgent smile. It was moments like these that he was loath to let slip away, as he feared would become the case, if he was correct in assuming she was in fact increasing. They had been trying for so long, and he did not wish to build his hopes too soon. He sighed and put his fears aside for the moment. “We will be having company in a short while, my love. It appears as if your brother has decided to come to town for the season.” He indicated the letter on his desk.

Her eyebrows shot up into her hairline. It was very unlike her brother to visit town, let alone during this time. And he never visited. “Decided or was forced by Mother?”

Edward tried to hold back the bark of laughter unsuccessfully. “Go ahead, my love. You may read the letter.”

That was all that Madeline needed before she excitedly reached for the correspondence.

My Dear Brother, 

I hope that this letter finds you and your wife in good health. Those at Longbourn are all well, though I have more aches in my joints than I remember having in past seasons. A curse of having young children, I suppose. It probably comes as a surprise that I am writing. I know that I have not been the best correspondent, and for that I apologise. I fear I have much to apologise for, but it can only be done sufficiently in person. Mother insists that I have become too much of a recluse. It truly has been far too long since I’ve seen either you or my sister. Life here at Longbourn has not changed for the most part. You may tell Madeline that mother hired Ms. Hamilton as she suggested and the girls have taken to her quite well. 

The purpose for my letter is as follows. It is long past the time for me to find a new bride. The girls are in need of a permanent female influence on their lives and mother grows bored here in the country. Therefore, I have decided to relocate to London for the duration of the season. I have taken the liberty of sending word and having mother’s townhome opened and hope that you and Madeline will visit us when we arrive. I expect it to be in no more than a fortnight, before we reach town.

Regards 

Thomas Bennet ect.

Madeline couldn’t help but chuckle at her brother’s abruptness. She was happy to see that that much of his personality had not changed since they had last seen each other. It had indeed been a long time. Not since that first year after the death of his wife, had they been able to meet. She hoped beyond all hope that he was serious in moving on. She doubted however in his motives.

“Well what say you? Shall we make plans to call?” Her husband asked with a sly smile. He already knew the answer. It had broken her heart when her brother had pushed her away after Fannie's death. Madeline only nodded with a smile. Edward leaned up and kissed her on the cheek. She placed a hand on his face and touched her lips to his. When she left the study some time later he set to writing a response to Thomas.

It was two weeks later when the missive came to their home, informing them that the Bennet’s had arrived safely in London and that Thomas wished for them to call that day. It was just like him, to forget that they might have other plans. However, seeing as Madeline had kept their social agenda clear for just this reason they had no other engagements. So it was but just a few hours later that the Gardiners were admitted in the Bennet’s townhouse.

It was a beautiful place to be sure. The furniture was fine, and the decorations in the latest style but there was a warmness about the space that made it feel like a home and not merely a cold place to sleep, something that Edward had always loved about the house where he had first met his Madeline. The curtains were all pulled back to allow the afternoon sun to shine in and give the whole place a healthy glow. There was a small park just outside, that Madeline had told him was a favorite spot of hers and her brother’s while they were in town. Nathanial, their late father had always hated town, and made it a requirement to have a little bit of wilderness nearby.

They were shown into the morning room where they saw two little girls playing on the floor. They had not seen Jane since she was one and the last time they met Elizabeth she had still been but a babe. They were night and day, the two. Jane with her bright head of blonde hair and Elizabeth with dark curls that framed a still round face. The biggest difference was in Thomas however. Gone was her lively and young brother. In his place was a man that looked far above his years. He had a tiredness in his eyes that Madeleine had never seen before. His hair was graying around his temples and there were lines around his face that marked the passing of time. However, he was smiling and that was something Madeline always considered synonymous with her brother, smiles and laughter.

Their mother was seated in her favorite chair. She always looked at home in London. Though Maddie hadn’t seen her mother in quite a few years she had changed very little. Her hair, now gray and white with age, was still pulled up into the same style she had always worn. Her eyes lit up when they met her daughters and Madeline nearly cried then and there.

“Brother,” she said softly to gain his attention. His eyes turned in surprise to hers. He stood from his chair and in the next moment she was engulfed in his arms. “It has been too long, Thomas,” she chastised into his shoulder.

Thomas squeezed her tighter. “It has. I apologise, Maddie”

She could not be angry at him. Not anymore. Thomas released her and shook hands with Edward and then turned to make the introductions to the girls. Jane smiled shyly from under her lashes and held on to Elizabeth’s hand as if it were her lifeline. Elizabeth however stuck her little hand out after the introductions were made. Edward laughed as he shook the little girls’ hand. “Yes, yes they are lovely little girls. What about your darling mama?”

“I have missed you too, mother.” Madeline said going to kiss her mother’s cheeks as the girls giggled. Not long after the girls were ushered upstairs for afternoon lessons and the adults were left alone for afternoon tea.

“So brother,” Madeline hedged “are you going to tell me the real reason you’ve decided to come to town, or shall I pry it from mama?”

Thomas could not help but laugh. “Still haven’t changed at all have you, Maddie? Can you not control your wife, Edward?” The question would have been offensive if he had not been laughing through the entirety of the statement.

“Not at all,” Edward answered with a laugh of his own. “She’s been duced difficult to train.”

Madeline was not at all amused and neither was her mother. They both let it be known to both men in the room with nearly identical looks that had Edward and Thomas sobering with a cough.

After a few moments of silence Madeline asked again, “Well?”

Thomas concentrated on his tea cup. “If you do not explain, Thomas. I will.” His mother said with a resounding tone. Knowing that he would not get out of answering his younger sister’s questions, Thomas sighed. She was as stubborn as he when she set her mind to something. “It’s just time, Madeleine. Fannie's been gone for six years, quite nearly seven. The girls need a maternal influence in their lives.”

His mother made a humph from her chair. “And what precisely do you call my role in their lives Thomas Geoffrey Bennet?”

“I meant no offense, Mother. I know that you are wonderful with them but you miss your friends here. I know you still write but I knew that I was keeping you from where you truly wanted to be.”

“My darling boy. Why did you not say something sooner. I would have...”

Thomas interrupted his mother quickly, “You would have told me that you were exactly where you wanted to be. And you would have been lying to me, mother. Your home has always been here. The girls, they need a mother.”

“And what about you, Thomas? What do you need?” His mother asked slowly emphasizing nearly every word.

“Does it matter what I need?”

She sat her cup down on the saucer with a loud clank. “Yes, it does. And do not use that tone of voice with me.”

“I’m sorry mama,” Thomas sighed. “What I need is for my girls to be happy. For them to not feel as if they are missing something, for you to be happy once more. ”

It was Mrs. Bennet’s time to sigh, “Thomas, I was happy. I am happy. Do not delude yourself. At least admit that you need this as much as the girls. My dear, it is fine to not want to be alone any longer.”

Thomas really hadn’t thought about his feelings toward the situation. He had been thinking of this in only the aspects of how it would affect the girls’ lives, not his. Was he lonely? With a start he realised that the answer was yes.

“I suppose I am afraid.”

“Afraid of what?” Madeline asked for the first time in several minutes.

“Of making the same mistake. Do not misunderstand me, Fannie gave me the two most beautiful gifts in the world, but...”

“Well that’s quite simple, Thomas. We will simply not let you.” That made him laugh. He could only imagine his little sister and his mother interrogating every female in the ton, dismissing each one with indifference when they proved to be acting a part.

“Mama is right, Thomas. Though mother hasn’t been to town in a few seasons, I have. I kept in contact with mother’s old acquaintances, so it should not be difficult to get invitations to the parties. I remember they were all quite disappointed when you never came to town for a season. In fact Lady Newberry has already inquired about calling here again mama. I hope it is fine that I told her she could?”

“Of course, dear. I would love to see Evelyn once again and we do have quite a bit to sort out. Now Thomas, be a dear and show Edward to the study and discuss whatever it is men discuss. Madeline and I have business of our own to tend to.”

Thomas shook his head and drained the rest of the tea in his cup. “Well then brother, it looks as if we are being dismissed. Come and let me show you the rest of the house.” Edward looked at him in surprise. “Honestly, Edward. If you have not learned by now that once your wife sets her mind to something it shall not be changed. And I will tell you she is only surpassed in tenacity by her mother. We would be better off doing as they bid.”

Before too long it was time for the Gardeners to depart, however they left with a promise to dine tomorrow night. As they were saying their goodbyes the footman came in with the post. In it were several invitations including one to a ball at Almack's the following week. Madeline giggled at the look on her brother’s face. “The infamous marriage mart,” she laughed. “It seems as if the ton has heard of a new gentleman in town. Take care brother. If you thought Fannie's mother was bad, she has nothing on the mother’s of the ton.”

“Have you forgotten already? I have nothing to worry about.”

“Really? How so?”

“Because I have you, of course. Defender of my honor. I take such vows seriously, Madeline. One should always take one’s honor serious.”

“You are impossible. How I have missed you.”

“I promise never again, Maddie.”

“Till tomorrow brother.”

It was almost immediately after the carriage drove away that the questions started forming. He honestly had no clue what to expect. He assumed the marriage market had not changed much in his absence. It would be a gaggle of society mothers trying to land their daughters a rich husband. There would be an equal amount of gentlemen, who have few manors, and even fewer scruples. There would be shy fluttering of eyelashes, and discrete flirtations behind fans. It was all so tiring.

He was aware of his standing in such a lot. He was a moderately rich, landed gentleman, from an old but untitled family. His mother had connections in all of the right circles. Indeed, he would be quite a catch and there would be many out to catch him. Madeline was right. He would need to be on his guard. He could not fall prey to another fortune hunter. He needed an example for his girls. She needed to be refined, accomplished, but also intelligent and witty. First thing tomorrow he would need to go to the tailor. He had a ball to attend, and he intended to look his best.

Chapter Two: A Different Longbourn

Mr. Bennet sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. Life at Longbourn had settled into a comforting routine. Thomas always broke his fast, as he read the morning paper. Then he would take a brief ride to the fields if the weather allowed. By the time his daughters had woken and began their lessons for the day, he would be settled in his book room where he would be for the rest of the morning. He would bury himself in checking the account books and responding to business correspondence. As the afternoon hours approached, Mrs. Hill, the place’s elderly housekeeper, would quietly knock and discuss needed purchases for the day. She would show him her receipt book, which he would insist was unnecessary, and she would smile and shake her head. Then before she left she would ask if he would be joining the girls for tea. He always affirmed that he would. Thomas would then make a quick trip to the stables and check on a few things before he would head to the garden where his angels were waiting. Yes, a comforting routine indeed, and it had been just so for the last six years.

It hadn’t always been so, in fact it was more trying than he anticipated after Fannie’s passing. The girls were still full young, and he nor his staff were equipped to care for both a toddler and a baby. He had written to the only person that could have helped and she arrived just a short two weeks later. He never thought he would be so relieved to see her carriage again. She swept into the house as elegantly as a woman of her age could and demanded to see the children at once. When she was shown to the room where the whole of the family was awaiting her, she simply nodded with a smile and said, “Do not fear my dears, for your grandmother is here.” Yes Thomas was never so pleased to see his mother in all his life.

It was an adjustment having her back at the house with him, having just recently convinced her to move to London to be nearer her friends and his newly married sister. However, Thomas and the staff were relieved to have her. She saw to the hiring of an additional nanny and a new wet nurse for Elizabeth as her last one was no longer in the condition to work, and also took up the duties of the mistress of the home. With the children under the watchful eye of their grandmother Thomas was able to turn his attention to other matters. He focused solely on improving his estate, his wealth, and his standing within the local society. It certainly hadn’t been an easy task.

While Thomas hated to think ill of his late father in any way, it was clear that he had done very little for the estate itself in his last years of life. It appeared that a good deal had to be done and Thomas set to rectifying things immediately. He needed to see that his children never had to bear the brunt of his ill preparedness. At the behest of his mother he made immediate improvements to the manor house, starting with simple maintenance and repairs, but soon the money ran thin. Though a practice typically frowned upon by those of the upper circle, Thomas took part of his remaining savings and invested in several local businesses, and soon he began to collect from their profits. Thomas then focused on taking on more tenants, he made sure that their residences and fields were well maintained. Taking weekly trips to the homes of his farmers became a part of life.

However, a thought that was never far from his mind was the entail on the property. Until it was resolved there would be no assurance of his daughter's security at Longbourn. The entail itself enacted by a relative long dead, who for a reason, unknown to any living Bennet, had wanted to prevent the property from descending in the female line. Never before had this been a problem. Until now there had always been a direct male heir. The Bennet’s had always been quite prompt in producing the needed male child. Though it was always possible that the heir would be produced at a later date, this was not enough of an assurance for Mr. Bennet. His sister could give birth to a son who would inherit, but that would still leave his children reliant on the good graces of a relative yet unknown and that did not sit well with him.* He needed to seek out his Uncle, whose son was two or three years Jane's senior and would be set to inherit. Thomas did not hold out much hope for the visit though, Up until his death his father had quarled terribly with his brother, and for the last years of his life the two did not even speak. 

His trip was more successful than he hoped. Though an end to the entail was not possible until or if Thomas ever had a natural born male child, the sour relationship between he and his brother had been weighing heavily on the elder Mr. Collin's mind since the death of the eldest Bennet. Though devout study of the good book, he had realized that his anger at his brother had steamed from jealousy. They had not parted on the best of terms and he wanted to make amends to the son. So they drew up a contract, one that would ensure that if or when Thomas did produce the needed male child that either Mr. Collins or his sons would go through the needed steps to end the entail on the Bennett property, and should Thomas' death come to pass before he produces a male heir then Collins would be honor bound to shelter and care for any dependents that Thomas left behind. It was more generous than Thomas had even hoped for. Though not an end to the entail at least assurance that his little girls would be cared for was enough, for now. 

Thomas soon began the more extensive improvements to the manor itself. More than half a dozen rooms had been added in the past four years, an entire new wing now housed the family rooms and the first floor now included a large well stocked library, a music room in which his daughters would receive lessons by the best masters, and several very well situated sitting rooms. Yes indeed, he was proud to say that it was now quite a handsome home. However, Thomas still loved the out of doors. So the house itself was surrounded by a well maintained park and beautifully blooming gardens in which his little girls now play.

He could not help but smile as he saw them. His two daughters were very much a study of contrasts. Jane, his eldest, looked very much like her mother. She was tall for her tender year of seven and very thin. Her blonde hair was straight and hung to the middle of her back and her bright blue eyes were very striking in her pale face. Elizabeth on the other hand was far shorter than her elder sister, though only one year separated them in age. She was very much her sisters opposite in coloring and personality. Elizabeth had inherited her father’s dark curly hair and the stormy gray eyes from her maternal grandmother. Thomas’ mother always said that watching Elizabeth was like watching her daughter once again. Where Jane was quiet and reserved often to a worrisome degree, Elizabeth was precocious and never shied away from giving her opinion on whatever subject was being discussed. Both his girls were attended to by both a nanny and a governess, though the latter was just a recent addition to the staff. Mrs. Bennet had decided it was high time for the girls to be under stricter supervision and instruction than Mrs. Hill or Nanny Emily could provide. So, Miss Hamilton came to stay with the Bennets.

She was a nice enough woman, Thomas supposed, if not a little bit snobbish at times. She was obviously very well brought up and came with excellent references, so Thomas had no reason not to take the woman on. She was here only on trial, but if the girls responded well enough Thomas supposed she would stay for the duration of Jane and Lizzy’s education.

“Papa!” Elizabeth called out, having finally seen him approaching. She immediately broke from her nanny’s grasp and ran toward him.

Thomas scooped her up with a large smile, “There’s my Lizzy-bear.” He started to tickle her little tummy. Jane gently pulled on his pant leg and smiled up at him. “And there’s my little angel,” he said bending and kissing her cheek. Jane blushed and took his hand and they walked to the tea table. “Mother,” he stated in greeting as he leaned down to kiss her upturned cheek. Mrs. Bennet would then pour for them and the girls spent time with their beloved papa.

His relationship with his daughters wasn’t typical, to be sure. In fact many would frown and whisper about how they behaved below their station, but Thomas could not find it in him to care. He loved his daughters and wanted them to never doubt it. Though he tried to insure that his girls never wanted for anything, Thomas knew that something was missing from their lives. Though having their grandmother was a blessing. He also knew that his mother missed the company that town provided. Though they were not exactly isolated they very rarely left their home, even in Hertfordshire.

Though they had received invitations to attend functions after that first year, he had never been able to bring himself to attend many, and his mother had acquiesced to his wishes. Social gatherings always seemed more a trial, than an enjoyable experience to Thomas. Whether this was because of how his last experience on the marriage market had ended or because he simply didn’t trust his own judgment when it came to women, Thomas couldn’t know. Looking now at his little girls he knew that he had to do this, not for himself, but for them. Reluctantly he excused himself from table as their tea time was ending, and went to write his brother a letter. It seemed a trip to town was in order.

Though I don’t think I will be writing a great many of these foot notes I felt like this one was unavoidable. *the entail was something that I really didn’t understand when I read the book, so I have done my own research. The process dates back to the feudal times in England however in the Regency and Georgian periods it was mainly used to ensure that the estate wasn’t broken up into pieces by any one person therefore ensuring the estates longevity, and ranking. This meant that it limited the inheritance of the estate generally to the eldest male heir. If no heir was present then the estate was broken up and divided among the female descendants of the line in equal parts. In Pride and Prejudice, though no heir is in the immediate Bennet family, their cousin Collins was close enough to qualify for the entail as stated by the law. Although all he had to do to break the entail was state that he didn’t want it (and since he was a clergyman and already had his own living with the Great Lady Catherine I really think it was bloody greedy not to renounce). If no other male heirs were present then the entail would be broken and Mr. Bennet would be able to do with Lonbourne as he saw fit. It was a common practice to entice the rightful heirs into renouncing the entail via any means necessary, often this was monetary. While I have been since informed that this may or may not really be true...I've already decided that this is what I'm going to be sticking with at least for this stories purposes. 

Chapter One: A Change

The birth of a child is usually a large affair in an estate. Though expected as it may be of a gentleman and his wife to procure an heir, the likelihood of sickness and overall dangers typically related to childbirth, create a somber cloud over one's mind until both mother and child are clearly deemed fit. Once declared, the entirety of the house would be able to take a collective breath that both mistress and babe were fine.

Thomas Bennet and those of the Longbourn estate, it seemed, would not be able to take such a breath.

Mr Bennet had entered into the marriage state but three years ago. His chosen wife was the daughter of a local tradesman. A respectable family with which Thomas’ family had done business with for years. Though his parents would have much preferred that their heir marry one of the society ladies from town, that had never been what Thomas himself had wanted. As a rule, he avoided town whenever he could, though occasionally trips were necessary, as the local village did not often have what was needed. So he chose his wife from the local society.

Francis Smith had impressed him. She was beautiful. In fact, most considered her the most beautiful girl in the county. She was fair, and slim, but had an athleticism about her that Thomas found very appealing. She always seemed to be of great mind, and manners, and Thomas knew that her upbringing had been sound, for Mr. Smith was a respected friend of his fathers. The conversations that they had during the earlier stages of their relationship proved to Thomas that she took an interest in the running of an estate, and that of a household. What Thomas did not know was that Fannie Smith was a good actress. She had been instructed by her mother in the ways to secure her future husband and not soon after the ink was dry on the marriage license, Thomas was introduced to a different person.

She was short tempered, an uncontrollable gossip, and Thomas wondered how he had ever managed to not see these characteristics before they had taken their vows. He supposed he had been mostly shielded from her abrasiveness and demanding nature by her parents. Surely they knew if had Thomas known of these flaws, Fannie never would not have been his choice of bride. Truly there was little felicity to be found as a result of his marriage.

The one bright spot, if it could be indeed called such, was that Thomas had found joy in his children. The Bennet’s had welcomed their first child to the world not long after their marriage. Fannie immediately took to her room, claiming the most outrageous of things, but Mr. Bennet payed her little mind. Honestly, Thomas was thrilled that Fannie had taken to her bed with aches and spasms, and the fact that it happened so quickly merely meant that he need not spend much time in her company. It was much the same with their second child. However, Mr. Bennet now supposed there was some truth in her complaints. For after the birth of Jane, their eldest, Fannie was up and about nearly the next day, this time she could not find the strength to move.

Though Mr. Bennet did not love his wife, he was not a cruel man. He did not like to see her suffering. A woman that had always been so full of life, now lay tired and dying and he knew not what he could do to comfort her. He stayed by her side and they spoke at length. The topic of conversation was mostly settled on their children. She wanted him to promise that the girls would be well taken care of, that he wouldn’t delay in going and hiring a good nanny and nursemaid, that he would make sure that they came with good credentials. She wanted him to give her dowry money to her girls for their own dowry’s so that they could marry a respectable gentleman, like she had. He had smiled at her then. No they did not love each other, but they cared for one another. They stayed such, till finally Francis Bennet slipped from this world.

Now, Thomas sat in his study with a small bundle in his arms. His second daughter. Elizabeth Francis, did not cry. She merely slept peacefully in her papa’s arms, not knowing that he clung to her like a lifeline. What was he to do now? He supposed that life would move on. The world would not stop while his family grieved the loss of wife, mother, and mistress.

True, it was not unknown to the household staff that Mr Bennet had held his wife in a sort of light disdain, but he was also a gentleman and a kind master and would act accordingly. Mrs. Hill the housekeeper was actually quite surprised in his presence by his wife’s side. She had never really seen her master and mistress interact in such a tender manner. It warmed her heart even for just a small moment in all the gloom. She was equally surprised when her master had insisted the wet nurse and nursemaid that had been brought to the property rest while they could. Indeed her master was a kind man. She would make sure that he was taken care of as well as the children. She owed it to her late mistress to do so. 

An Author's Forward

Dear Reader,

If you are a returning reader from when I first began this journey, (or even when I attempted to begin again) then thank you for returning. If you are new and have joined me for the first time then welcome. Thank you for choosing this story out of the thousands there are to read on this site. Mr. Bennet Takes a Wife is the product of a love for all things Austen and my overactive imagination. I started this with no intention of publishing in any way but as these chapters sat collecting dust I found I could not help myself but share my newest piece with you here. I hope that you all enjoy the finished product. I started to post this before I was perhaps ready and between a lack of inspiration and some personal struggles I had to stop with my writing. If you have returned you already know what those struggles are. At the end of August my grandmother lost her battle with cancer. I was lucky enough to spend the last few months of her life with her and while it hurts that she is no longer with us I know that she would not want me to shut myself off. She was the one that pushed me to pursue my writing so for her I determined to finish this story.

When I attempted to post over on the site fanfiction.net I was bullied by people who hid behind online anonymity and so I decided to pull my stories from that site and post elsewhere...hence this blog. I am also posting over on the writers coffee shop and as soon as my month long pre-screening wait is over I will also be posting at A Happy Assembly.

In keeping with the style of Ms. Austen herself, I decided that instead of writing headings at the start of each chapter, I settled on a forward. I want to take this time to explain several things. First of course is the overall theme of this story. This is a take on an often repeated theme in fanfiction, a what if situation. Many easily find fault with the minor Bennets in the original work, no one more so than the hero himself Mr. Darcy. However this lead me to wonder how things would have been different if Mrs. Bennet had not been in the picture. Are we truly a product of our environment or are some things unavoidable and in our very makeup? Though I am certainly not the first to ask this question, I hope that, with my original characters, I have added something new to this universe.

Now let me explain some of the other changes I have made in this work. I lost count on the number of reviews I received from people the first time I posted, trying to “helpfully” inform me on “mistakes” that I had made and how I had “gotten it wrong” because something I had wasn't as it was in the original story. So I am now going to write all of my changes and reasons here and when I receive such reviews I will just refer those readers to this first chapter. This isn't to say that I do not welcome your feedback, just know that if the only reason you are reviewing is to tell me that my story is different than the original you need not do so. I am well aware that I am not Miss Austen, I do not live in 1800's, and I did not come up with any of the wonderful stories that have been treasured for generations. However I did come up with this story and this is fanfiction. The whole purpose of this form of writing is to be able to change things as we like. After all this is my sandbox now and I can build it however I deem fit. If you do not like the changes I made I am sure there is another story on this site that will fit more to your tastes and I understand.

The fist change to discuss is the lineage of the original Mrs. Bennet and through this also the lineage of Mr and Mrs. Gardiner. In the original work Mr. Gardiner is referred to as “Mrs. Bennet's brother from town.” And I took that directly from the Pride and Prejudice text. However I want the Gardiner's to play a larger role in this work. And if they were simply only related to Mr. Bennet through his first marriage I couldn't see them doing that easily so I changed it. I made Mrs. Bennet, a Miss Smith before her marriage. Her family's position was not changed in essentials, just in name as I explain in the first chapter. I then made the Gardiner's a relation to Mr. Bennet a little more directly by making Mrs. Gardiner, Mr. Bennet's sister.

Another point of some strife for the earlier readers were the similarities that I had made between the original Mr. Darcy and my Mr. Bennet. Some assumed it was accidental but it was not. I meant for them to be very similar. This point really came about after a talk we had in my psychology class about how women who had a strong bond with their fathers growing up tend to marry men just like them. I also think the original Mr. Bennet is similar to Darcy anyway. Both of them are introverted gentlemen who are more comfortable around their families than with strangers. Neither of them take much pleasure in social events and both are in charge of young children. Also people are forgetting that we are seeing a different Mr. Bennet than in the original story. My Mr. Bennet is only a few years older than Mr. Darcy in the original. He also hasn't lived with the nervous, and lets face it annoying, Mrs. Bennet. The similarities between my protagonist Miss Baker and Miss Elizabeth Bennet I believe stem from their love of the outdoors, reading and the ability of individual thought. I really did not go out of my way to make Isabelle like Elizabeth, honestly I based her personality on myself and her appearance on my best friend. So for those that say she is too much like Elizabeth I shall just take that as a compliment. However I have changed a very important trait of Miss Baker from when I originally posted this story that will make her quite different from Elizabeth, and no I shan't spoil the surprise here. You shall just have to read on to find out!

I have made other minor changes to the plot and the time line of the original work, but none that really signify pointing out here in the forward. However if something is not perfectly in line with Miss Austen's original story you may assume that I meant for it to be so. This is at the end of the day a work of fiction.

I also need to point out that I wanted to write this in a regency style. However I am a twentieth century woman and I found quickly that I would never get it perfectly right. Therefore I am amending my style to a modified regency style. I will try to be as close to period as possible but do not expect perfection. I am a person not a machine and I will make mistakes. If you still feel the need to correct me, I of course welcome your input but remember that this a complete work and while I could possibly change my draft at home I will not be re-posting unless it is something completely horrendous.

I will also be publishing on this page an Index that will include my version of the Bennett Family Tree both the completed one that I will be working off of for all the stories including this one (Beware it contains spoilers), and then just the family tree for the family members that are alive now. I will also be posting several other reference things on that Index.

I have a lovely lady that looks over my story and helps me with content but I am looking for a third person who can help me with grammar and such. If you are interested please let me know. With that I give you the first chapter of Mr. Bennet Takes A Wife. Enjoy.

~~~~Kat