A/N: The full length version of this story is now available on Amazon (Paperback, Kindle and Kindle Unlimited) under the title 'Don't flatter yourself' by Sydney Salier. © Copyright 2019
Unfortunately, I am only allowed to publish 10% on this site.
My thanks to all of you for your comments and support.
If one of you happens to buy or read it, I would appreciate a review on amazon. Thanks.
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Prologue
In the summer of 1787, the Duchess took her 15 year old daughter to visit the estate that was to be hers. It had belonged to the Duchess's mother and was to be passed on to her eldest daughter at the time of her choosing. The estate was generally passed on as part of the dowry, but on occasions mothers held it back until a more auspicious time.
During the visit the young lady met and fell in love with the very handsome and intelligent second son of the neighbouring estate. His father was untitled, although he was cousin to Baron Standby.
Unfortunately for them, the Duke had greater plans for his daughter and whisked her away.
Two years later she came out into London society where she was hotly pursued by every fortune hunter in town. Intelligent young woman that she was, and listening to her mother's advice, she saw through them and managed to avoid them. She even eluded Earl Fellmar, whom her father favoured as a match, to gain political support for the Duke.
Despite her vigilance, the following season Earl Fellmar managed to force his attentions on Lady Francine in such a way that she had no choice but to marry him. He was gloating since he had achieved his goal – her dowry, her connections and a pretty young wife whom he could abuse at his pleasure.
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In the meantime, the young man went back to Oxford to start his teaching duties. He thoroughly enjoyed his position. Although many of the so-called gentlemen were more interested in having a good time, some of his students actually wanted to learn. Thomas Bennet was in his element. He loved to teach, and when he had students who wanted to learn, he could not think of a better way to spend his life.
He came back to his father's estate whenever time permitted. During one such visit in 1789 he met a lively young woman who reminded him of his lost love because they shared similar looks - tall, willowy, blond and blue eyed - as well as the same given name. In due course he proposed and was accepted.
It turned out this was going to be an eventful year full of ups and downs.
After a brief engagement Miss Francine Gardiner became Mrs Thomas Bennet. His pleasure alas was short lived. He had overlooked the fact that mentally they were not compatible. To make up for the lack of mental stimulation in his home, he again threw himself into his teaching duties wholeheartedly.
Then his wife informed him they were to be parents. This joyful time was interrupted by the news that both his father and older brother had been killed in an accident. Since Mr Bennet was now the heir, the couple had to relocate to Longbourn and Mr Thomas Bennet had to take on the responsibility of running the estate. Instead of teaching at Oxford, he now studied Estate Management intensively.
In August 1790 his beautiful daughter Jane was born. Tragically his wife only survived the birth by two days. Although Mr Bennet was devasted that bringing his Jane into the world had cost Mrs Bennet her life, a small part of him, much to his shame, was secretly relieved.
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Just before Christmas in 1790, only four months after his wedding, the Earl Fellmar was on his way to his new mistress. Since his wife was expecting their first child, he needed another outlet for his 'interests' and he did not want to risk his heir. Convinced of his masculinity, it never occurred to him that his wife could possibly be carrying a girl. She would not dare.
Since he was driven by his passions, he almost bankrupted himself to gain his mistress's services. Even before he had become obsessed with her, he was barely able to meet his debts of honour.
Despite the cold weather, he drove his curricle. Being an impatient man, he whipped up his horses and since his attention was on his pleasures to come, he did not pay enough attention to the road. He did not see the rock that was just barely sticking out of the slush, which caused his curricle to overturn and ended his libertine ways.
Lady Francine received the news with remarkable composure. Not the slightest hint at the elation she felt could be perceived, by even the most discerning family member or acquaintance.
Since she now was no longer under the control of either her father or her husband, she decided to please herself and moved to the one place where she had been happy – Netherfield Park. The Duchess was now willing to sign the estate over to her daughter, because there was no danger of her now deceased husband squandering yet another asset. As it was, his estate was barely able to cover Lady Francine's jointure.
In due course, her daughter Elizabeth was born, who in looks favoured her dark haired, green eyed father. In temperament, she was much closer to her mother – intelligent, witty and kind. Her impertinence appeared to be entirely her own.
Because the Earl's child was a daughter, the Earl's title, as well as the entailed estate went to a cousin, who made it quite clear that Lady Francine and her daughter were not welcome in their former home. But in the end, the Earl's myopia played into Lady Francine's hands. He had made very thorough provisions for his now non-existent male heir. He had made no provisions at all for a daughter. This allowed Lady Francine to take guardianship of her daughter, without legal opposition by any family member.
Ten months later, her father, the Duke passed away after an evening of over-indulgence. Her estranged brother, was content to continue ignoring her. Her only contact with family was her mother, the now Dowager Duchess, who had moved to London and occupied Denton House on a permanent basis.
Unbeknownst to the Duke, the Dowager Duchess had a frequent houseguest, her young grandson. A situation which suited both admirable.
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Since by an extraordinary twist of fate Lady Francine and Mr Bennet were suddenly both widowed and because of that, had become neighbours once more, it was inevitable that they would meet again and realise they still loved each other. When their respective mourning periods were over, they quietly married in Meryton with only their closest friends in attendance.
They proceeded to have three more daughters and all five girls grew up as true sisters irrespective of their parentage and were all well loved by their parents and each other. Although it was ironic that the favourite of each parent was the one girl who was unrelated to them. Mrs Bennet loved the serene nature of Jane and Mr Bennet found Elizabeth's wit and intelligence irresistible.
Since, due to the changed circumstances, Mr Bennet could no longer teach at Oxford, he took it upon himself to educate his daughters. He encouraged them to be interested in subjects not generally taught to ladies.
Since all girls were intelligent, he was certain they would not be likely to marry stupid men. He also enjoyed a conversation which did not involve fashion and lace, and therefore considered that other intelligent men would feel the same.
At the same time, Mrs Bennet taught the girls all the things ladies were expected to know – with mixed success.
Mrs Bennet's genteel upbringing also quietly influenced the ladies of the area and the neighbourhood of Meryton became the kind of society anyone could be proud to be a part of.
After a few years, the couple decided that running two estates and raising five girls was too much of a strain, therefore Netherfield Park was put up for lease. They also knew that a clear £7,000 per annum was more than enough to live very comfortably and it still allowed them to fradually increase the dowries of all the girls. Elizabeth would also receive Netherfield Park when her mother deemed her ready. But to discourage fortune hunters, Mr and Mrs Bennet only admitted to a £2,000 dowry for each of the girls, instead of the £20,000 each, which they hoped to save over the next twenty or so years.
The Bennets were content to live quietly in a pleasant community until…
Timeline
Summer 1787 Mr Thomas Bennet (21) falls in love with Lady Francine (15)
12/1789 Thomas Bennet (23) marries Francine Gardiner
5/1790 Henry Bennet Senior and Junior die
7/1790 Lady Francine (18) is forced to marry the Earl Fellmar
8/1790 Jane is born
8/1790 Mrs Bennet dies in Childbirth
12/1790 Earl Fellmar dies
4/1791 Elizabeth is born
12/1791 Mr Bennet marries Lady Francine
1/1793 Mary is born
7/1794 Kitty is born
2/1796 Lydia is born
9/1811 Netherfield is let to Mr Bingley
Family Tree
Duke of Denton = Duchess of Denton (Amelia)
..._..._..._..._... L Alexander = Lady Penelope
..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._ L Alistair
..._..._..._..._... L Lady Francine ..._..._..._ =..._..._..._... Thomas Bennet
..._..._..._..._..._..._ = Earl Fellmar ..._..._... | ..._..._..._...= Francine Gardiner
..._..._..._..._..._..._ L Lady Elizabeth..._... |..._..._..._... L Jane Bennet
..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._.. L Mary Bennet
..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._.. L Catherine Bennet
..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._..._.. L Lydia Bennet