Acknowledgement:

This is a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I do not take credit for any of the original characters; they all belong to Miss. Austen. It is intended to be a sequel set around the time of Pride and Prejudice. However, since I feel like there is a story that Jane Austen missed, the first chapters are a prequel that hopefully will help you understand the complicated family connections.

I do also know the title says "Bennet Brides" although at least the first parts centre more on the three Gardiner siblings, Mr. Edward Gardiner, Miss. Joan Gardiner and Miss. Susan Gardiner. The prequel starts in 1787 and the settings are Meryton, Longbourn and Hertfordshire, as well as Middlesex London. Because of this, the prequel is titled A Bride for Bennet or Bennet's Bride a reference you probably will understand in time.

A Bride for Bennet/Bennet's Bride

Mr. Gardiner was, by the current societal standards, considered neither fortunate nor unfortunate for a man of 50, married for 30 years. Mrs Gardiner had managed to provide him with three sons and two daughters. Out of their five children, one had unfortunately been claimed by consumption before the arrival of any of the children he was blessed with now. Even though Mr. Gardiner's marriage failed to grant him any more sons after the birth of his youngest daughter Susan, Mr. Gardiner knew he was considered fortunate by men of less fortune than his own, despite the sudden unfortunate loss of their eldest son, Charles. Charles had been the second son, who was given the same name as his older brother. The third son, Edward, escaped his childhood seemingly untouched and with his health intact. At fifteen, young Edward was determined Mr Gardiner's new heir. Mr Gardiner knew he should have raised his second son with more consideration towards the responsibilities a young man from any upper middle class family was expected to accept. But as a second son, young Edward had been allowed more freedom during the fifteen years when his older brother was alive. Mr. Gardiner was thinking he should have been more strict with the upbringing of his second son but, because of Charles, he allowed Mrs Gardiner to spoil their second son.

I wish I had raised my second boy with less freedom and more in accordance to that of an eldest son. Had I but known we were to lose our firstborn, Mr William Gardiner thought sadly to himself as he sat in his study.

Edward Gardiner was his parents' pride and joy since he was the only surviving son to Mr. William Gardiner and Mrs. Joanna Vaudeville Gardener. At the time of Edward's birth, his older brother Charles, aged three, already possessed an estimated wealth of five thousand pounds. And at the time of Charles's death due to a bad fall from a horse at age eighteen, that fortune became Edward's. Had his older brother not died, it would have been impossible for Edward to pursue further studies at Oxford; he would not have been heir to his parents' estate and his father's fortune of seven thousand pounds; and he would not now, eight years later, be expected back to Meryton after completing his studies.

Joan Gardiner was born when Charles was ten and Edward seven. Joan was her father's favorite child, until her brother Edward's pursuit of his own happiness began. After that, Joan's character was altered.

Susan Gardiner was born when Charles was twelve and Edward nine. Susan was her mother's daughter. She disliked having to venture outside of safe Meryton and preferred the company of her parents; especially her mother.

Hertfordshire, Meryton, 15th June 1788

'Dear Mr. Gardiner, I suppose you must have that talk with young Edward when he returns,' said Mrs. Gardiner as the young little family were all present for the day's first meal that, as usual, was taken at the fashionably late hour of one or two.

'Yes dear, I suppose you are right. I hope his years at Oxford have not ruined him beyond repair,' said Mr. Gardiner, currently struggling to pierce something on his plate with his fork.

She said, as she eyed her husband over her wine glass, "Now, when Edward is expected back I would advise you to try to introduce him to as many respectable young ladies as possible."

'Mrs. Gardiner,' he replied, 'I am not worried that our only son would encounter any difficulties getting married. Not with his estimated wealth, my dear.'

'Time has come for your oldest daughter Joan to have her coming out,' reminded Mrs. Gardiner as she glanced over at her daughter.

Mr. Gardiner gave his oldest daughter a brief look, then his eyes returned back to his wife. 'My dear, I have no objections towards our Edward getting married soon. But I strongly object to Joan coming out at the tender age of sixteen,'her husband said.

The wife's face produced a smile of encouragement.'Husband, I do believe you forget that I was out at fifteen, and I had already accepted your promise of marriage the previous year.'

'Wife, you have convinced me to let Joan have her coming out, but I would not like to see her married until she is eighteen years old. As for Susan, I can tell you now that I do not intend to plan for her coming out before she is eighteen.'

'I do not look forward to seeing Susan leave us,' she confessed.

A look of concern began to spread upon his face, and he too wrinkled his brow.'Of course I want all my children to marry well, but I would rather prefer it if both our daughters remained in Meryton, or at least Hertfordshire.'

Joan was a true beauty with her pale skin and dark curls and eyes. The settled dowry of five thousand pounds was another incentive for any eligible gentleman to want to pursue her. At sixteen, Joan was already aware of the fact that a marriage could ruin a woman, just as a marriage under the right circumstances could further a woman's status. Therefore, Joan wanted to honor her parents' wishes for her to marry a respectable bachelor within Hertfordshire county. However, should she stumble upon a man of greater wealth and status, she was not a foreigner to the idea of marrying an outsider. Of course she would miss her parents, Edward, and young Susan terribly, but she realized she might have to make certain sacrifices.

'Joan darling, would you not miss me terribly if your future husband takes you away from Meryton?' Susan asked worryingly.

Joan took her sister's hand, holding it tightly between her own.'Sweet sister, how can you think that I would not? I grew up alongside you and Edward. However, I do think it is very unlikely that I will be able to find a suitable man within Meryton.'

Susan placed her other hand on top of her sister's. 'Mama will miss you terribly, just as I am certain Papa will.'

'You will always be my sister, and both you and Edward will always be welcomed to my future home.'Joan gave her sister's hand a light squeeze and smiled.

'I hope I will be able to find a husband here in Meryton. That way I will never have to part from our parents,' Susan answered with a squeeze and a smile of encouragement.

'Darling Susan, before I can marry anyone I must first have my coming out, and preferably at least one season in London. That will not happen until after Edward's return, some time in the late summer.' Joan gave a vague smile towards her sister.

'Good,' replied her sister, 'I am glad you will not have to part with me this instant. Perhaps we can spend the remainder of this year together,' she said, with relief present both in her voice and in her eyes.

Edward Gardiner returned to Meryton one week later than expected. His father suspected his time at Oxford could have changed him into wanting more out of life than a future at Meryton, while Mrs. Gardiner hoped he had managed to keep his morals intact and the family name untarnished. Since Edward was a male, they did not require much of him other than what parents normally expect of a firstborn son. As long as his future wife came from a family of good morals, and preferably with a decent dowry, neither Mr. Gardiner nor Mrs. Gardiner could find reason to object. Edward Gardiner would have been perfectly content with the prospective future that his parents expected him to want. That would have been true if, instead of applying to Oxford, he was supposed to marry and settle down. Now, three years later, young Edward wanted other things out of life. He was grateful for the upbringing and childhood that his parents had provided him and his younger sisters. But as a young man, his mind craved adventure and he wanted to pursue his own happiness, and possibly create a different faith than the faith his parents had. It worried Edward, and the reason why he had postponed his return was that he dreaded having to tell his parents, and particularly his mother, that he did not want the safety and wealth that a future in Meryton would provide. He knew his mother would be more understanding if he wanted to marry a certain woman to turn down his inheritance and future wealth.

Hertfordshire, Meryton, 30th July

'Son, your mother and I are hoping to see you married soon, since you are the last male heir with the surname of Gardiner,' said Mr. Gardiner.

'I do hope you will not refuse us the privilege of becoming grandparents for longer than necessary,'said Mrs. Gardiner.

Then Mr. Gardiner turned towards his son. 'Perhaps you already have someone in mind, son. If you do, that would only please your mother and me.'

Mrs. Gardiner nodded in encouragement towards her husband. 'We trust your character and judgement enough to let you have a say in this matter. As for Joan and Susan, they cannot unfortunately be allowed the same.'

Edward said with hesitation, 'I hate to disappoint you and Mother...'

'Now son, do not be bashful if you have someone in mind already. I am certain we will love her,' Edward's father encouragingly said.

Carefully weighing every word,he began, 'To be absolutely frank, I have no desire to marry at this point...'

With a smile, she told her son, 'Son, you do remember the Kelloggs' three daughters are still out, and Lady York just had her coming out and nobody has yet offered her a promise of marriage.'

Edward turned towards his mother. 'Mother, I am grateful that you both seem so invested and interested in my future marriage.'

Mr. Gardiner reminded Edward, 'Have you forgotten that you are our only son?'

Trying to undo the damage that his words had brought, Edward answered, 'Father, I hope you will not interrupt me when I tell you what I want to say. Please do not be upset.'

The father thought, then said, 'Edward, as long as you have not tarnished our family's reputation, we eagerly listen to your voice.'

With more confidence, he confessed, 'I do not wish a future in Meryton or a life similar to my father's. I want to create a life and future for myself based solely on my own accomplishments.'

'I suppose you will not have to marry right away, but you do know that the Nash family probably will be wealthier than us if you do not marry soon?,' the father worryingly inquired.

Mrs. Gardiner sided with her only son. 'Husband, the boy has made up his mind. Nothing we say can persuade him. I see no harm in postponing his marriage so that he may try his luck.'

Mr. Gardiner advised his son, 'Edward, I do not understand it or like it, but I will allow you to try your luck, as your mother put it, for three years. If you agree to marry within three years, you will have my permission and your mother's blessing.'

Edward Gardiner agreed. 'You have my word father. I promise to return within three years with intent to marry.' Edward was a proud young man who greatly disliked living on old merits. He would much rather earn a living and become successful by his own accords, not from his wealth or as Mr Gardiner's progeny.

'I doubt I would have managed to become successful by my own two hands and I swear not to return to Meryton until then,' Edward thought.

Knowing how fragile his mother's heart was and how easily she got upset or worried, he simply could not bring himself to tell his parents of the future that he planned and hoped for. For Edward understood that his priorities were not equal to those that his parents hoped and expected of him. If he wanted to pursue a successful career of any occupation, he simply could not do so while still residing in the quaint town of Meryton. No, Edward knew he only could pursue his happiness in a place that had more to offer its citizens. Edward knew he had to leave the country and take refuge in a bigger city, and the nearest would be London. He had heard stories of people of great success who had arrived in London with almost nothing to their name. He wished that he one day would be one of them, one of the fortunate young men who became successful and respected based on what they had previously achieved.