Chapter 1: In which Colonel Wickham's regiment comes to Meryton.
"Have you heard mama," enquired the youngest of the Bennet daughters one day, "that the militia are coming to Meryton?"
"I can scare believe it. A whole regiment of soldiers coming here." Kitty Bennet added.
"I do so love a man in regimentals," Lydia declared, determined as usual to have the last word. Elizabeth and Jane found their lips were twitching in amusement at their sister's antics. Mrs Bennet let out a sigh.
"I remember a time when I loved a redcoat myself, well enough, and I still do, in my heart." Lydia and Kitty laughed aloud at their mother's remark. Mary removed herself from the room in indignation at her younger sisters' behaviour. It became evident where she had gone to moments later as the sound of a pianoforte being played with more enthusiasm than skill came drifting into the parlour where the other ladies sat.
"Well at least with the officers around there'll be more men to dance with at balls and assemblies. There does seem to be a scarcity of gentlemen around Meryton," put in Elizabeth.
"If only they were regulars," mused Mrs Bennet. "A nice young officer with a well-connected older brother would do nicely for one of you girls." Elizabeth smiled indulgently at her mother.
"Perhaps some nice young unmarried gentleman will take up the lease on Netherfield Park," suggested Mr Bennet.
"I do wish someone would take up that lease. It seems such a shame to see it sitting empty," sighed Mrs Bennet. Jane and Elizabeth shared a look of amusement at their mother's antics. Although they supposed they could not blame her for her anxiety to find each of them a husband. Their father's estate was entailed upon a distant cousin whom none of the Bennet's had ever met and whose father had been always at odds with Mr Bennet. It meant that there was desperation to Mrs Bennet's quest to find husbands for all five of her daughters.
It was several days after the scene in the Bennet's drawing room that Lydia and Kitty came running into the house, both quite out of breath.
"The Militia have arrived. They're ever so handsome. And Aunt Philips says the Colonel is unmarried," Lydia declared triumphantly.
"Does he have any brothers?" Mrs Bennet wanted to know.
"My aunt doesn't know," replied Lydia. Lizzie and Jane entered the drawing room, both fastening their bonnets.
"Mama, Lizzie and I are going to walk to Meryton to see Charlotte Lucas," the eldest Bennet sister informed her mother.
"May we go with you Jane," asked Kitty. "We can see if Aunt Philips has found out anything else about the Colonel."
"What a good idea," stated Mrs Bennet before her daughter could reply. "Take Mary with you as well. Her constant pianoforte playing is getting on my nerves."
