Acknowledgement: This is a sequel to Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility and all the original characters belong to Miss Austen, as does the main setting.

This is the first chapter of my prequel called Primogeniture and it is a reference for the current Dashwood's family estate. Primogenture means that it is a firstborn son's prerogative to inherit all of his father's wealth or property.

The setting for the Prequel is of course Sussex, Norland Park but also Norfolk and particularly Norwich the home town of Miss Hathaway and Somerset Bath the current residence of Henry Dashwood. Each chapter should be around no more than three months possibly four unless stated otherwise.

Geoffrey Dashwood was proud of his family name but not of his predicament. It might be supposed that a man of such wealth and progeny might not have a care in the world, but nothing could be further from the truth. The lines in his face indicated this most clearly.

Geoffrey Dashwood asked more to himself than to his older sister Mrs Joanne Zelly. 'What are we to do, my dear?'

Joanne got that familiar tone of voice and a smile that told she was up to no good. 'You know what would solve this predicament enough with the charity for the young boy. Why would you not take my advice and change the details of the primogeniture in favour for my only son Gabriel? You should not be a stranger to the fact that I still believe to this very day that if our dear father had recovered from his scarletania, he would have abandoned this antiquated institution.'

Geoffrey Dashwood answered to his sister's preposterous suggestions the best why he could, with complete and utter silence.

Mr Dashwood turned in despair to thinking of his ancestor, John Dashwood, who founded Norland Park in 1646, exactly one hundred years ago. What on earth would he think of the current mismanagement of his estate, were he alive!

Geoffrey Dashwood was a man of wealth and progeny as he was the eldest son to Mr Joseph Dashwood, the third male heir of the estate. The ancestor who founded Norland Park was named John Dashwood, who was awarded it after a successful battle for James II of England. When the king was deposed, the estate would have been confiscated had it not been for John's marriage to one of the unknown daughters' to Charles I. This is why most people in Sussex, London and Bath have the utmost respect for the Dashwoods, while behind their backs there are many rumors and speculations as to why Norland Park was not confiscated by the state.

The surname Dashwood was said to either come from an ancestor of John's that lived in close proximity to an Ashwood or the first ancestor named Dashwood could have been born in Staffordshire and a place possibly called Ashwood.

Nowadays, there was nobody who knew for sure. The Dashwoods were a proud family; proud of the fact that one of the first men named Dashwood was another John Dashwood noted in, January 1st of 1637 in St Boloph's Bishopsgate London. A man known as Zachary Dashwood was also recorded in 1693 in the Calendar of Wills in Devon.

Geoffrey Dashwood would have been a proud man were it not for the fact that his late wife from a thirty years long marriage had failed to give him a male heir. Geoffrey Dashwood was not childless, however. His wife had blessed him with five daughters much like his grandfather Jacob, who, had been persuaded to remarry his cousin Elizabeth to ensure that Norland passed to a male heir because, prior to Jacob's birth, the estate had become subject to agnatic primogeniture.

Fortunately for Geoffrey, he would not be forced to end the primogeniture that had been established at Norland one hundred years ago. Geoffrey Dashwood would not be forced to turn Norland into an entail even though his wife only managed to give him five daughters. Every cloud has a silver lining and this was true indeed for Geoffrey Dashwood, whose younger brother George passed before the birth of his only son. As sad as he had been, the birth of a male heir ensured the continuation of the primogeniture at Norland. While Geoffrey Dashwood had been forced to grow up without a father since he was the last living son to a Dashwood man it meant his future was secured. Since old Geoffrey had an interest in seeing his young nephew marry so that he in turn could have a legitimate male heir he often hosted both dances and dinners at Norland in an effort to make his nephew familiar with ladies of rank, pedigree and wealth.

Geoffrey Dashwood might have found a legitimate heir who would be able to continue the primogeniture at his estate, yet, his problems were not considered solved until his nephew married and preferably had a son. For that, young Henry Dashwood had to marry. So far Geoffrey's nephew had spent three years attending every wedding march and every season since his graduation from Cambridge. It puzzled Geoffrey why his young nephew seemed so uninterested in marrying; Geoffrey did not require his young nephew to marry for love. He still tried to convince Henry to marry only for the sake of his wealth and a continued primogeniture. I hope my nephew soon will come to his senses and make a sensible decision. I would not like to be known as the first Dashwood who ended the agnatic primogeniture in favour of a cognatic primogeniture. My worst fears would be to see Norland turned into an entail after my passing. Geoffrey Dashwood thought as he sat inside his study smoking on his pipe.

Somerset, Bath December 10th

Henry Dashwood knew his surname required him to marry a woman from a wealthy family. He had accepted that he probably would not be able to marry for love. Prior to the actual wedding, neither Henry Dashwood nor Elenore Hathaway had exchanged as much as one word with each other. No, to Henry Dashwood marriage was nothing but a legal institution yet a necessary one. A marriage ensured that legitimate heirs would be born under the family name and his fortune would be bestowed upon them. With his estimated wealth of ten thousand pounds he had every reason for wanting a legitimate heir, and for that Henry at last accepted that the time had come for him to seek a wife.

Henry's uncle met her first at Elenore's coming out in September of 1746. Elenore Hathaway was the youngest daughter in a family of eleven. Her oldest brother Adam was twenty-six and had an estimated wealth of five thousand pounds. Benjamin, the second elder brother, was his older brother's heir presumptive to their father's earldom and title of Earl Hathaway of Norwich. He earned his living in the British Royal Army as a lieutenant. Charles, the third brother, was twenty-one and in the Navy. David was a physician apprentice and soon to be nineteen and Francis was supposed to be a vicar and eighteen. The sixth brother George was seventeen, Isaac was the seventh he was at fifteen, and James was thirteen. Elenore Hathaway was a plain girl with a simple and naive mind. He was used to dishonest and false people since birth when everyone doted on him hand and foot but spoke ill of his parents behind his poor mother's back. Henry hoped Elenore never would be dishonest or unfaithful, just as he expected her to rarely cause a fight between them. For everyone else, the marriage between Mr Dashwood and Miss Hathaway was a mystery.

The dress Elenore wore at her coming out in Sussex, Norland Park, was a lavender blue silk dress that complemented her red hair and green eyes.

It was his Uncle Geoffrey Dashwood who was responsible for his nephew's meeting with Miss Hathaway from Norfolk, Norwich. Miss Hathaway had two sisters; Margery had only given birth to one child, Anne her second sister had given birth to two daughters and a son so far. Until then he would have expected his Uncle, even more so than his mother would take little to no notice in Elenore. That was why Miss Hathaway first encountered her future mother-in-law at her very own wedding. Henry feared that meeting her sooner might cause his promise of marriage to Miss Hathaway to be breached by Miss Hathaway's jilting. Although Elenore Hathaway was plain, her youth was one of the incentives for Henry marrying her. The other one was Miss Hathaway's dowry of ten thousand pounds. Her oldest sister, Mrs Margery Baker, had been given a dowry of five thousand pounds and her younger sister, Mrs Anne Gallant, was given one of seven thousand five hundred pounds. Miss Hathaway was certainly a suitable bride for Geoffrey Dashwood's nephew Henry and there was certainly no reason for Miss Hathaway to want to consider jilting the promise of marriage to someone like Henry Dashwood. Everyone knew he was the sole heir to Geoffrey Dashwood's grand estate and wealth.

At last Henry had found a woman who was his equal in rank and he allowed himself to feel love for his wife. She was the first woman who had not been interested in him only because of his wealth.

As she blushed suddenly, young Mrs Dashwood was again transformed before his very eyes to the pure, kind woman, the first and last woman Henry was convinced that he would ever love. 'Mr Dashwood, please there is no need to flatter me since I already am your wife.'

He reassured her while caressing her soft curls that stirred memories of a lavender scent. 'Mrs Dashwood, I do believe you have managed to make someone fall in love with you.'

She whispered carefully and reached out to touch his hand.'Mr Dashwood, please, there is no need to flatter me. I know that you did not marry me based on my countenance. As your wife you could spare me your flattery. You do not know me well enough yet to give me such a compliment.'

He was giving her the most adoring look as he reassured her, 'A pleasing countenance does not last forever, nor does youth.'

Suddenly conscious of her husband's rather endearing glances that were acceptable since they were married, she tried to speak with confidence, 'Mr Dashwood I never imagined that I would be married off to someone like you.' Yet young Elenore Dashwood had not yet fully adjusted to the changes a married life required.

With a sudden urgency in his voice, he said, 'Elenore, please, since we are married now there is no reason for you to insist on calling me Mr Dashwood when we are alone.'

She could feel herself blushing as she nervously asked. 'Then what name would you prefer I use?'

Henry insisted still gazing at his wife, 'Elenore, darling you are my wife now so it is perfectly all right for you to use my given name. As my wife now you are expected to use my first name in our home.'

She tenderly reached for his hand as she promised, 'I'm very sorry Henry. I will not continue doing that.'

Overall, Mr Dashwood was more than pleased with his decision to marry Miss Hathaway. Despite what everyone had said, his marriage certainly was not unhappy. He could not help but to begin to feel afraid; afraid that his married bliss and happiness would come to a sudden end very soon.

Somerset Bath December 13th

George Dashwood's nephew Henry agreed to marry Miss Hathaway, and they were married at a nearby church in Bath while residing at the primogeniture estate just three days earlier under Special license. Uncle Dashwood and Aunt Zelly had insisted on hosting a dance in celebration of the newlyweds. Even after the celebration Aunt Zelly had agreed to let the young couple stay a week at the estate to get accustomed to each other. Henry was easing into his new role as a married man with responsibilities and duties. The same could not be said for his young bride, Elenore knew of course that she would have to marry and soon enough be someone's wife. She just did not expect her to be married so soon after her coming out, besides her coming out Mrs Dashwood had only been attended three dances. Few men were equal to Henry Dashwood in rank, and even fewer had a higher rank than him. Now a married man with a wife married to his name he hoped his young wife would be able to live up to his expectation and what he expected from his wife. Henry did not expect much from a wife, he demanded loyalty and complete honesty. He hoped that Elenore would realize and accept all the duties and responsibilities he knew his Uncle Geoffrey and maternal uncles were sure to subject her to.

Henry began, 'Elenore, I want to ask you something,' As usual he and his wife, regularly having encountered each other earlier in the day, spent hours after finishing each meal passionately engaging in discussions.

Elenore encouraged, 'Please Henry my, love, do not hesitate on my account.'

He explained, "I know we have not yet been married for that long, but I still would like you to become acquainted with your new family my. You already know my mother, but I would also like it very much if you became acquainted with my Uncle, Aunt and cousins."

She said in a hesitating voice, 'Do you really think I am ready for that? Of course I would like to very much. I just hope I do not embarrass you.'

He continued, 'Darling Elenore, I do not think that would be possible. Besides I have confidence in you. If you agree, I would like to send invitations out for the Easter weekend.'

With a more positive sounding tone she said. 'Henry my love, I do trust your judgment and I will look forward to meeting your family.'

He began to give her a long presentation of his family, 'I am the youngest male in the Dashwood family. My poor mother became a widow before I even was born, I have my father's older brother Geoffrey to be grateful to, since he very much helped raise me and he has improved my future quite a lot. On my mother's side we have several ancestors who were born as triplets and on my father's side twins seem to run in the family.'

In pure shock she exclaimed, 'I had no idea that both twins and triplets run in your family!'

He confessed to her, 'Well you know now, Mrs Dashwood, and I wanted to tell you sooner but I was afraid this knowledge would cause you to breach our promise of marriage.'

She carefully replied, 'I wish you had not kept this a secret, but I am happy that you decided to tell me. Henry Dashwood, as your wife I am supposed to know these things.'

Of course I want nothing else than to give my husband many legitimate heirs. Yet the thought of having a baby of my own, even as little few as one, is the scariest of thoughts right now. I know it is my duty as my husband's legal wife, yet I hate the thought of pregnancy and of giving birth whereas I adore children. If there only was a way to escape pregnancy and childbirth yet still get a child…

Elenore hoped she would bear her husband a child. However, she knew herself well enough to know she was not yet prepared for motherhood. She had not even been preparing for marriage, yet she knew that marriage usually included babies as in legitimate heirs. What Elenore did not know was that women had no say over their bodies once they married, just as you never could be certain when or if a baby would decide to enter into the world... Her older sisters could of course have shared what they knew of married life and motherhood had they not lived so far away from each other. Of course, the age difference between the three of them only managed to further complicate their limited relationship to one another.

If only there was another woman with whom I could share my married worries. Of course I still have my brother's two servants. As much as I would like to confide in them I know it simply would not do. Not now when I am a married woman. I know I probably am closer to them than what is socially accepted. Elenore thought to herself as she lay awake later that night...

_oooOooo_

Author's Note: The information about the surname Dashwood was not fabricated it was found on Name Origin Research.