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.