Chapter 1

“I couldn’t believe my good fortune! Three, yes, three daughters married within a year! And me, left with just two, to pair off. It wasn’t that hard for Kitty, as with all my daughters, she was a talented joyful girl who never gave me any complaint. So the next summer when the regiment came to be stationed again in our little village of Meryton, and Mr Bingley (you remember my Jane’s husband don’t you. A great catch, very wealthy and full of all the charms you would expect from a true gentleman) threw what has now become his annual ball at Netherfield. I was not in the least bit surprised when Kitty caught the attention of quite a few of the regiment!

She had her pick! Lucky girl! Not unsurprising, I had been known to turn quite a few heads in my younger days! She was asked to dance by at least half a dozen officers and had a full card, that whole night! She never stopped smiling the whole way home in the carriage (Mr Bingley always sends a carriage for us, you know. He is so attentive to us all!). Mr Bennet of course poured scorn on any mention of our dear Kitty having secured her match in marriage that very night. My husband advised us not to put so much emphasis on one night and mentioned how hearts waver from one night of frivolity and can be inconsistent. I heard my husband’s concerns and held them under advisement, but in my heart, I knew and was proved right, as I always am on these matters, that Kitty had indeed made an impression on a few young officers!

The very nest day when we were all occupied with our past times in the drawing room (I writing correspondence to Mrs Gardiner, Kitty finishing some needle point and Mary once again making a terrible noise with her attempts to sing with the piano), three young gentlemen from the regiment came to ask my daughters out on a walk. No doubt the only wanted to see Kitty, for Mary is very plain, and will not, no matter how much I encourage her, endeavour to make the most of her features. Still was good of them to include Mary on their outing, even if she was only a glorified chaperone.

You must think me very remiss as I have not mentioned our young suitors’ names and prospects yet. I do so get caught up in a story, that I often forget the most important details!
Mr Charles Finch, Mr Henry Thomas and Mr Edmund Bronlow were all in their regimental uniform, when they called upon us. I must say the sight of them sent my heart a flutter, for the looked glorious! I ran into Mr Bennet (for Kitty and I had spotted them from the drawing room window) and told him that I had been right the night before, Kitty had caught many an eye, and three were about to knock on our door, that very moment. Mr Bennet of course, spoil sport that he is, told me not to count my chickens before they were hatched, and that we had no way of knowing what the young officers want.

Just then our maid announced the three gentlemen Mr Finch, Mr Thomas and Mr Bronlow. I ran directly back into the drawing room, and arrived just before they made their admittance. Thankfully, Kitty had the good sense to remove Mary from the piano, as her infernal singing would sour any romantic mood.

Mr Finch was the first to speak,

“Mrs Bennett, Miss Bennet and Miss Bennet. Thank you for receiving us. I am Mr Charles Finch of Northamptonshire originally. And this Mr Thomas....”

“How do you do?” I said.

“…..and Mr Bronlow.”

“Pleased, to meet you.” I said.

Mr Thomas was the next to speak, “ We were all at the Netherfield ball last night and decided as it was such a fine day to act upon your kind invitation to call upon you any time while we are stationed in Meryton.”

I knew that it was prudent to extent that invitation at the time! “I am very glad that you felt comfortable enough to visit us here at Longbourn! The days here can be so very long and trying for my girls. I wonder since it is such a glorious day. Would you like to take Kitty and Mary of course, out for a walk?”

It was at this point that I noticed Mr Bronlow who was nervously fiddling with his pocket watch throughout the conversation. He was exceedingly nervous, but he had no need to be. Bronlow is a highly thought of soldier within the regiment and may even make to general someday I have already been told. He is also very well off. Mr Bronlow eventually realised that most of the eyes of our company were upon him.

“I am so sorry. I feel very nervous being in the company of such beautiful women…”
Kitty and I could not contain our giggles at this point.

“….I suggest both the young ladies, collect their bonnets and shawls. Then we shall start our walk and return within the hour.”

Kitty and Mary both said thank you and ran to collect their bonnets and shawls. I have always taught my children to remember their manners. I may have been mistaken but I do believe that I saw Kitty’s eyes fixed upon Mr Bronlow.

Upstairs Kitty and Mary search for their belongings. “Good grief he may be handsome, but that Mr Bronlow is almost as severely polite as our cousin Mr Collins! What do you think Mary?”

Mary is lost in thought so Kitty has to repeat, “Mary, what do you think of Mr Bronlow?”

“I think that he is very polite and attentive” With that Mary grabs her shawl and bonnet, leaving Kitty smiling as she collects herself and follows her sister downstairs.

My daughters made haste and returned to us in no time at all. “Off you go now, enjoy yourselves!” I said as they walked down the drive. My husband joined me to watch them leave.
“I believe one of those fellows is indeed Kitty’s husband.” I told him.

Of course Mr Bennet would have none of it, “What did I tell you about jumping to conclusions? One of them could just as easily marry Mary.”

“Don’t be silly! Mary will marry a boring vicar with no money and no prospects, and be perfectly happy with that because she is so pious!”

“My love, do you not think that perhaps your opinion of Mary’s prospects is a little too harsh?”
Honestly, does he not realise that all I ever think of are my daughter’s prospects!

“Not at all Mr Bennet. I have had five daughters. If only we could have had a son as well. That wretched entailment has been the bane of this family throughout all their lives! A son would have secured Longbourn for them, and provided them with something to offer a prospective husband! However, we had no sons and so since the day and hour each of our daughters was born, I have worried about how we were to marry them off!
Mary is the plainest by far off our daughters. I have never had any illusions about that, and as a result have never been under an illusion that she would marry well. Mary will marry into tolerable poverty, you mark my words.”

“Mrs Bennet, do you not see the virtues of Mary’s character and realise that they could be attractive to many a young man?”

“Oh Mr Bennet, how silly you are! Young men marry what they like the look of and they do not care for personality at all!”

“Mrs Bennet, you know I do believe you are right. I believe I myself was guilty of marrying what I liked the look of. Perhaps if I had looked at your beauty less and listened to what you said more, we might not have been married. My love, however trying marriage has been with you, I still love you though, and love you more for the five daughters you produced.”

Watching the ripples on the lake, Kitty and Mr Finch make conversation.

“So Mr Finch, do you like Meryton?”

“Very much so, the people here have been very welcoming. Coming here has almost been like coming home. My family had a large farm and as a lad I often helped my father in the fields. My father owns the estate but he likes to be hands on. He was never one for books and learning. When his father died the state manager was very kind to my father and took him out to learn about his land. Ever since, my father has been a very hands' on gentleman. He doesn’t do all the farming. The estate is too large for that, so we still have an estate manager. Who is my father’s best friend, and son of the old estate manager.”

Kitty is apprehensive at hearing of the level of Mr Finch’s involvement, “So, you work on the farm, all the time in Northamptonshire?”

“No, not at all, my mother insisted that I had an education worthy of my status as a gentleman, and learned the pursuits a cultured man should know. My father thinks all you need is the land, but my mother still cherishes the old ways of the gentry. I myself believe that there is room for both in life.”

Kitty is relieved by this, “So, do you have any other siblings? We have three other sisters who are married.”

“I have two younger sisters, both married too.”

“Mr Finch, may I ask why you are not home on your estate working the farm with your father? Why did you join the army?”

“Ah, confession time I finished my education some years ago, but I have never seen any more of England, than my own little borough. My mother suggested that a years' commission in the army would be the perfect opportunity to see the country and find myself a wife.”

Kitty laughs, “She was concerned, you needed a wife?”

“Yes, the only women I had come into contact with were farm hands. Although very nice, they do not have the qualities would look for in a wife. And certainly not the qualities my mother wishes of a daughter-in-law.”

Kitty smiles and her face colours, “So, how many months are you into your commission?”

“This is my ninth month. It has been a very enriching experience, 26 years in one place is far too long.”

Kitty’s face once again displays alarm, for she is still only 17. “You are 26 years old?”

“Yes, I will be twenty-seven next month.”

Kitty studies his face, “You don’t seem to be as old as that in my eyes.”

“Well, that’s due to the good exercise that farming vegetables on our estate. Harvest must be collected in all weather. The army provides me with a good deal of exercise too.”

Kitty has remember there are other people within the group and turns her attention to Mr Thomas. “Mr Thomas, tell us where you are from.”

“I am from Brighton originally. My father is a fisherman. I joined up because I too wanted to see more of life, and because I knew the army would give me a steady income.”

Kitty’s interest has never been more acute. Mary continues the conversation and asks, “Mr Thomas, how many siblings do you have?”

“There are six of us in all, three girls and three boys. I used my inheritance to purchase my commission. My mother was sad to see me go, but she knew it was the right thing to do. Five mouths are easier to feed than six. I am the eldest you see. When I turned 21, I inherited a small amount from my grandparents. Just enough, to purchase a commission, giving me a living.”

“A very sensible course of action, do you miss your family?” enquires Mary.

“Yes, a lot more than I anticipated. We correspond regularly though. My sister Lucy recently got engaged to a man who works for my father. When they set a date I shall ask for a few days leave to visit my family in Brighton and attend her wedding. It is a great relief to me that one of my sisters is on the road to marriage. It will lighten the load on my old father.”

Kitty asks, “Mr Bronlow, pray tell us where you are from?”

“Southampton” says Mr Bronlow with a frosty look.

Kitty, never one to be scared of by a look “Another seaside town! Why, are you the son of a fisherman too?”

Both Thomas and Finch laugh, and Finch volunteers “Bronlow, is no fisherman.” Bronlow looks aggressively at both men, a look that once again does not go unnoticed by Kitty.
“Does Mr Bronlow not wish us to know his profession?”

Finch continues to laugh whilst telling the girls “Mr Bronlow does not need a profession. He is wealthy enough not to need to work.”

Bronlow’s face remains quite serious and unimpressed by his friends’ lack of tact. “I felt I hadn’t seen enough of real life, so I joined the army. I never had any brothers so I enjoy the company immensely.”

Kitty is unimpressed with Mr Bronlow and once again turns her attention to Mr Finch, practically ignoring Mr Thomas. Mary sees clouds roll in on the horizon and suggests “I think we should head back to the house. It looks as if it may rain.”

Mr Thomas jokes, “Yes we must be getting back to our regiment or they will think we have disserted.”

Kitty and Mr Finch walk ahead of the others, arm in arm, to the house.

Mr Bronlow observes “I do believe Mr Finch is quite taken with you sister’s beauty. She is a beautiful girl. She would be more pleasing though, if she adopted some of your personality Miss Mary.”

Mary blushes, and Mr Thomas remarks “Yes, your sister has a flaw common in a lot of young women. She cares too much for money and not enough about people.”

Mr Bronlow asks “Do you agree, Mary?”

“I am afraid my face betrays I agree with your assessment of Kitty’s personality. I feel ashamed for Kitty, that one afternoon spent in her company would betray her whole personality. But it is the way Kitty is, and she is my sister and because I love her, I forgive her.”

Mr Bronlow and Mr Thomas take an arm each of Mary’s. Mr Thomas compliments Mary, “I do believe Mary, you are truly the most beautiful sister. What do you think Mr Bronlow?”

“I do believe you are right, Mr Thomas. Mary is quite the most beautiful.”

The party return to the house and the soldiers bid the sisters farewell. The parting between Kitty and Mr Finch is particularly affectionate. They all promise fervently to visit again soon and Kitty can hardly contain her happiness and expectation as she re-enters the house.

Mrs Bennet anxiously greets them, and puts her arm around Kitty. “Well my dears! How did it go? Come Kitty you must tell me everything. Every detail! Do not leave a thing out!”

“Oh Mama, Mr Finch is so wonderful! He told me at first he was a farmer, and my hopes were nearly dashed! He went on to explain though that his family own the state outright, and that he is the eldest and the only male heir!”

“Oh Kitty, this is splendid! Didn’t I tell you Mr Bennet that one of these men would marry Kitty?” Mrs Bennett’s elation is so obvious one would think she might begin to float!

Mr Bennett surveys his wife and then in a tone that conveys both bewilderment and amusement replies “Mrs Bennet! Calm yourself! We do not even know for sure if Mr Finch reciprocates Kitty’s affections. All we know for sure is that he possesses property and farms.” With some visible scorn Mr Bennet continues “Go on Kitty what other information have you managed to extract from our Mr Finch this afternoon?”

“Mr Finch is not just a farmer, he is a gentleman too! Mr Finch’s mother insisted that he had the education of a gentleman too. It seems that his mother is old gentry. He has two younger sisters, both of whom are already married.” Mrs Bennet’s jubilant state seems to have taken somewhat of a descent, “Kitty my dear, what age is Mr Finch?”

“Mr Finch will be twenty-seven next month. I know its old Mama, but he looks younger. Don’t forget how much older Mr Wickham is than Lydia.”

Mr Bennet becomes usually very jovial face becomes more serious now “Yes my dear, Mr Finch looks younger. It does not do your cause any good though to compare him to Mr Wickham. Wickham and Lydia’s marriage was hasty and I feel sure your sister will regret it, if she does not already. I will not let our experience with Mr Wickham spoil your happiness though, although I would be a fool if I did not urge some caution. Mr Finch has his own land and his own trade, and the age gap between you, were you to become romantically involved, become a good thing. Lord knows you could use some maturity Kitty!”

Mrs Bennet laughs at her husband undermining all the advice he has just given Kitty “Oh you are too serious Mr Bennet. Our daughter has found a man she likes and who may indeed like her!”

Kitty shrieks with delight “Mr Finch does like me Mama! He bid me a most tender goodbye and promised to visit soon.”

Mr Bennet laughs and smiles, shaking his head in a fashion that conveys how used he is, to these displays “My dears, please remember, no declarations or proposals have been made! So, let’s not get ahead of ourselves!”

Kitty and Mrs Bennet look at one another and roll their eyes in their own naïve disbelief.
“Of course, Father, I promise you I will not get carried away! Mama and I will just go and put the bonnets and shawls away upstairs.” Kitty and Mrs Bennet rush of giggling and whispering in co-conspiracy.

Mr Bennet turns to his middle daughter “Why can’t your mother and sister be more settled like you Mary?”

“I don’t know, father.”

Mr Bennet looks closely at his daughter as if he has noticed something “Mary, are you blushing?”

“No.”

“Kitty didn’t mention anything about Mr Bronlow or Mr Thomas. Did you find out anything about them Mary? Did they not have enough money to hold Kitty’s interest?” Mr Bennet laughs and mops his brow with his handkerchief.

Mary laughs too “Yes, Mr Thomas didn’t have enough money to hold Kitty’s attention. Mr Thomas is from Brighton and his father is a fisherman. He is a decent responsible fellow, who has used what little was left to him in trust, to secure a commission in the army. He joined the army because he is the eldest of six and he feels he can no longer burden his parents. I do so admire him.”

“It appears that your heart may too have been stolen today Mary. But what of Mr Bronlow, who is he?” Mr Bennet smiles and reclines back in his arm chair.

“Mr Bronlow is very quiet but amiable. Kitty does not like him at all though. When we asked of Mr Bronlows’ background, he was cagey. At first he would only say he was from Southampton. Eventually, Mr Finch told us that Mr Bronlow is very wealthy. Mr Bronlow joined the army in order to see more of life. Kitty has totally destroyed all chances of him. Mr Bronlow says he admires her beauty but not her personality. He believes she is too interested in money.”

“Does he now? It appears Mr Bronlow is very perceptive. Kitty is like your mother, in that money and status easily impress her.”

“It is a pity Kitty doesn’t get on with Mr Bronlow. She would be overjoyed if she knew…”

“If Kitty knew what, Mary?” Mr Bennett asked with an arched eyebrow.

“Mr Bronlow is not only wealthy, he is an only child! How disappointed will Kitty be, when she realises what she lost through her own personality.” Mary and Mr Bennet laugh.

“Mary, it is unlike you to gloat!” Mr Bennet chortles.

“Sorry Father, I will not Lord it over her. I just found it amusing and wanted to share it with you.”

“I am glad I have you now Lizzie is gone. You always take the time to talk to your poor old Papa.”

“I will always talk to you Papa!” laughs Kitty.

Mr Bennet shakes his head and with a wry smile replies “If you marry, your husband will take you away. Just like my Lizzie! And I will be heartbroken again.”

“Oh father, there is no danger of that just yet!” giggles Mary.

Looking over his spectacles Mr Bennet asks “Did Mr Thomas and Mr Bronlow promise to visit again?”

“Yes.”

“Well, do not tell your mother, for I will never hear the end of it, but I believe you may too leave us soon Mary.” Mr Bennet’s face saddens a little.

“Oh father, how you can say such a thing, on the basis of one afternoon! You are beginning to sound like Mama!” Mary’s laughter at a liking to her mama fills the room.

“And that is why you shall never tell her what I just said!” said Mr Bennet laughing until he cries. Although, he may have been crying at his apparent shared personality traits, with his wife.