Disclaimer: This is a modern retelling, and my first attempt at portraying a modern Pride and Prejudice. I have put a lot of thought into what life circumstances would make our characters as cannon as possible. Here is the beginning of what I have come up with. Warning: This is rated M. I will not describe sex scenes or other improper things, but there will be mention of past occurrences including a rape, some heated kisses leading to a fade out, and probably some occasional heated language. If this is not for you, don't read. If you are interested, then I would appreciate your comments below. I hope to post at least once a week, now that I am on summer vacation. My goal is to have this completed by the end of August.
Chapter 1: Introductions
When the time is right, you will meet a man who will change your life. That is what their mother had always said. Nothing is wrong with that statement. But not all changes are good. Some can be pretty darn awful. Like the man who ruined Jane's life. She was only 15, and she lost her ability to trust. Jane Bennet, the sweetest girl that ever lived. She would have gone through the world not knowing that so much evil could exist in the world, let alone wrapped up in one individual. Now she knows better. The family knows better. But Mrs. Bennet still says they need a man. A woman is not complete until she has married and had his children.
Mrs. Bennet was a simple woman. She began life as a hairdresser in a rich neighborhood in northern Tucson. She had caught a rich man, as she put it, and settled into her new life of gossiping with neighbors and teaching her daughters to crave marrying rich men. They did not always listen.
Mr. Bennet enjoyed life as a retired lawyer. He had earned a bulldog reputation as a good debater and had won many cases in his professional life. In retirement, people preferred to leave him alone. He had a way of debating neighbors and strangers until they no longer knew what side of the fence they lived on. He instilled this ability in his elder children, much to his wife's dismay.
The eldest, followed in his footsteps. Jane Bennet succeeded with honors through high school despite a tragic incident, and then continued on to her bachelor's degree and finally a prestigious law school gave her everything she had striven for. She worked for a small but highly reputable law firm not far from the apartment she shared with Elizabeth, her closest sister.
Elizabeth Bennet, next in seniority, had formed a solid attachment to her elder sister from infancy. This did not mean they were similar at all. Jane grew up fair, tall, skinny, and blonde. Elizabeth grew up with a solid foundation and dark hair and skin. She was always out running or helping in the gardens either at home or at school. She always needed to keep her arms and legs busy, as she put it. She reveled in the smell of disturbed dirt and natural parks. Their apartment bordered a natural area unfit for development that she never tired of exploring. Taking her father's strong debating ability; she was a disappointment to her mother. She rarely bothered to date or look for a relationship, and she chose a career that would never go far. She was a high school teacher on the poorer side of town. She had traveled to wherever Jane went to school, and was happy to return to familiar haunts.
Mary Bennet, not a particular favorite of anyone, lived in a respectable part of town and worked as a music tutor while she waited for her Christian-jazz career to take off. Her talent was minimal, but that never stopped her.
The younger Bennet children took after their mother in looks and manners. Twin girls, they attended a local cosmetology school. The youngest by 4 minutes, Lydia, hoped to be a Hollywood makeup artist. Catherine, or Kitty as she liked to be called, would follow her sister's dreams wherever they took her.
When the family united once a month, the weekend dragged on forever. Seemingly endless bickering as six females attempted to survive while appearing pleased with everything their mother cooked. That was one rule they never dared to cross: always praise the cook. Mr. Bennet would claim his eldest sisters occasionally in his library to play chess or debate a new book, but that would only give them respite for an hour or two. They would be needed to end an endless charade of "who is better at this or that" from Kitty and Lydia. Once in the fray, Mrs. Bennet would begin her rant that they must marry.
"Mom, why do you always have to push us? Who says we need a man? Jane is a successful lawyer. I am a successful teacher. Mary is a music tutor. Kitty and Lydia are studying cosmetology. Fifty years ago, women needed the security of men, but that is all changed. We are free from that oppression." Elizabeth attempted to reason with her mother. It always ended up the same. The argument had been given many times. Mrs. Bennet refused to listen.
"You should not have to work. I gave up working after I married. Your children need you in the home. That is why you are so successful. I gave you my time to make you who you are. How will your children live?"
"The world is over populated. There is not enough food to go around. Not everyone should reproduce. Jane has a child. Melanie is an amazing little girl. She is a wonderful mother. I am the best aunt I can be. We are successful. And all that is without a man. That should be enough."
"A loving husband would make things easier." Jane interceded. She disliked arguments. Elizabeth could see how uncomfortable she was. She thought about changing the subject.
"Indeed, a loving husband would change everything. But how do you tell if a man will be everything you need? Your only concern, Mom, is that he be rich. What has a pocketbook to do with love and happiness?"
"The pocket book is the key!" Mrs. Bennet shouted. "If he has money, he can give you all you deserve. My Jane deserves the best."
That was the end of the argument. Jane did deserve the best. No one could argue with that. Mrs. Bennet then got to the point. She heard of new blood coming to town, capable of falling in love with Jane. Unfortunately, dinner was only half over. The ribs were just coming out of the oven, along with new vegetable dishes. Mrs. Bennet always served four courses and expected everyone to eat a bit of each. Elizabeth listened quietly while Mrs. Bennet explained all she knew about the new owners of Netherfield Investments. It seemed a man of large fortune had decided to branch into the world of mining. And according to Google, he was single.
"Maybe he is gay. He might be single for a reason."
"With the steady stream of girls on his arm, that cannot be. He simply has not found Jane yet. They are meant to be."
"And how is he supposed to meet Jane? Tucson is a big place She works for a small law firm. I am willing to bed he has his own lawyers already serving him. How are they to be even in the same place?"
"I have that all worked out. He publicly supports the hospital fundraiser that Jane is already attending next weekend. He will be there. We must all go. Her firm will get us tickets. They always do anything Jane asks."
Elizabeth looked at Jane, wondering if she could possibly encourage her to simply not make the request of her boss, but Jane would be upset if she had to choose sides. She had best go to the event and let that be the end of it.
"It would probably be best if we send Jane and the girls, for who knows which one of them he will take a fancy to. They are all pretty, silly girls." Mr. Bennet declared. He was not finished, however, as he added, "But we should not go, my dear, for you are uncommonly pretty for your age, and Mr. Bingley might like you best of all. You could ruin your daughter's chances."
Mrs. Bennet blushed, forgetting how he had slighted his own daughters. "With five daughters, a woman must give over thinking of her own beauty. No, Jane will delight him. She is pretty and smart. She always knows exactly what to say. Everyone at her firm loves her. If only one of them were single. They don't even mind when she takes Melanie to work with her on weekends. The secretaries take turns watching her."
The debate continued, and it was decided that the family would attend sans Mr. Bennet. He rarely left the house, although it was not for lack of opportunity. He preferred reading to meeting new people. He enjoyed reading philosophical books written by silly people. He had worked for years, and now enjoyed being quiet and peace-loving. Eager to discuss books, religion, politics, and anything that could be put up for a good debate if the company was right. Anything that made you think harder. Made you want to research the issue more. Going to an organized charity event was not his idea of fun.
For the next two weeks, Mrs. Bennet called all of her girls to discuss dresses, hair, and make up. Everything Elizabeth detested. She wore plain dresses and a simple hairstyle to school. She needed to be professional, not showy. Her students and coworkers respected her abilities and were not put off by her clothing. Her hard work and dedication made her likeable. This did not mean she was ugly. Her smile and bright eyes warmed even the most difficult students. So every night her mother called, which was almost every night, she humored her mother by agreeing to whatever schemes did not include new shopping trips. She already knew Jane had bought her a dress and shoes that would suit her. She also knew her mother and younger sisters would be too busy to bother her before the function.
The morning of the charity function, Elizabeth met Jane after her run at a coffee shop.
"She will never change. We must love her for who she is." Jane stated. Always the good girl, she would bridge every family argument before had a chance to start.
"These men from whatever company they represent. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Hurst. They are the new catches that will save us from dying alone."
"I do not like being alone." Jane said shyly.
"You are never alone, Jane."
"But you cannot always be here for me. I want to be in a relationship with someone I can have a future with. Someone who can love Melanie."
"Only when the time is right, Jane, and not a moment sooner. We cannot force it. These may be the men you are looking for, but they might not be as well."
"That is a terrible Star Wars reference. Finish your drink, so that we can go. Mrs. Phillips makes a scene when I am late." She gulped her latte and placed the mug on the designated tray.
"She is a terrible neighbor. Your work does not even notice when you are late, so I don't know why you try to please her." Elizabeth stalled as much as she could, insisting she must savor the dregs. Really, she did not want to get on with the day. Her students had completed a test that week, and now she needed to grade the papers. She could not leave it to Sunday.
Four hours later, Jane returned with Melanie, and the three of them ate a light lunch while Melanie explained how she built a tower and a functional drawbridge out of office supplies while waiting for Jane to finish working.
The rest of the afternoon was spent playing a few hoops at the neighborhood park and resting for the evening charity function. Elizabeth refused to prepare early and made sure Jane followed her every whim. Returning to the apartment at four, they began preparations. Melanie brushed her mother's hair while Jane applied makeup to Elizabeth. Then they dressed and applied some finishing touches to their appearances. They were still ready on time for a cab to take them to the function half an hour early. Mrs. Phillips had agreed to watch Melanie.
Elizabeth hoped the evening would go well. At least there were only very few people she would know at the event. Climbing out of the cab, she took her sisters arm and they walked into the hotel hosting the function. Checking into a room, they rechecked their appearance before moving to the conference hall.
Note: I do not have a beta for this story. If you are interested, please send me a PM. When I publish this story (if it turns into a full-length novel), then you will be mentioned in the credits and given a free copy.