Chapter 1
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a man in today's society must be in want of a wife, not a husband. It is also a truth that one must always seek to achieve more, especially when it comes to wealth. And so begins my tale, for my name is Jack Bennet and I am the only son produced by Mr. and Mrs. Bennet of Longbourne. My given name is John but I prefer the name Jack as I find it suits my personality better. I have four sisters (Jane, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia) who are being paraded before men of all types in hopes of becoming faithful wives. Being the only son, I am the rightful heir to my father's small estate. My mother is pleased of my existence but never fails to remind me that I need a wife who has money to raise my place in society. One morning my mother hurriedly came down the stairs in our small but cozy house to tell us all of some news.
"Have you heard, Mr. Bennet?" My father looked up from his paper for a brief second, only to put it down again and mutter under his breath.
"No Mrs. Bennet. What is this news that you are undoubtedly about to tell me?" He folded his paper and placed it beside his plate for he knew that his wife was not short-worded.
"A man named Mr. Bingley is rented out Netherfield Park. You know where that is! He must be well off and most likely an eligible bachelor." She could not contain her delight as she squealed.
"I had not heard that but it sounds as if we will be acquainted with them soon enough." I looked over at my sisters. Jane looked hopeful, Mary rolled her eyes, Kitty looked indifferent, and little Lydia was practically out the door already. An eligible bachelor did not sound appealing to me. I just wanted to eat my breakfast in peace.
"You will go make his acquaintance soon, will you Mr. Bennet? As soon as you can?" my mother stood next to her husband and plastered a sad look on her face. "Maybe there is a lovely daughter around for Jack." She turned to me with a smile. I just nodded in reply.
"It will be done in my own time."
"Mr. Bennet I must urge you for as you know there is no time to be wasted. The girls are becoming women and we must make haste." She was becoming more enraged.
"Good wife, everything you have asked will be done, in due time. Now I must finish my paper." This quieted Mrs. Bennet. She sat back down at the table and we finished our breakfast in uncomfortable silence.
I did not care about my sisters meeting men to marry. I think marriage is a lunatic's escape. If I someday fall in love then marriage will be a gift but I refuse to marry for the wealth. I already will receive my father's home being male so why should I even care to impress someone of the opposite gender?
After breakfast we all split up to accomplish our chores. I overheard Jane and Lydia talking about Netherfield and Mr. Bingley.
"Do you think he is handsome?" Lydia asked while working on her needlepoint.
"One cane hope for handsome when wealth is involved but you can never be sure. He is probably older than us," Jane replied.
"Do you think he will marry one of us Bennet girls?"
"Mother hopes so. If he is handsome then I will pursue it. I do not want to live in poverty after all. You are too young to understand marriage."
Lydia did not reply and instead put her focus to her work. I walked outside to chop some firewood. My father came out after a few minutes of my work.
"Your mother becomes more eccentric every year." He looked exhausted, most likely from dealing with his wife.
"I try not to pay attention," I laugh. "She means well but I do not want her getting any of my sisters' hopes up."
"They will all find husbands just as you will find a wife. A good wife who can take care of this place when I am gone. You work hard and you are fair. You will find love, son."
"I'm not too worried father. I will try to help my sisters with all this. Hopefully Mr. Bingley is all mother has said."
"I will call upon them later to make acquaintances. You can accompany me if you wish."
"No thank you. I would much rather stay here." My father is a kind man and I know he means well. I will soon find love. I sure hope he is right.