Chapter one

(Mr. Bennet senior is a widower Mr. Bennet junior is 16 years old by the time his sister is born)

"Thomas, for the sake of your sister and your family I am charging you with responsibility of breaking the entail." Thomas Bennet senior declared with his last breath. Thomas Bennet senior's great grandfather had started the entail out of spite. He wanted to effectively disinherit his daughter prudence, and so entailed it to the closest heirs male. It would pass to Mr. Collins, prudence's great grandson. Only if Thomas Bennet jr. couldn't break the entail on that one technicality.

London may1rst 1777 25 years before p&p begins

"Hallelujah" Mr. Bennet said to his sister Sarah Bennet. "Just my luck." She asked what had happened. "I was finally able to break that damn entail!" Mr. Bennet had been going back and forth to court for two years and finally he had the entail broke on it's one and only technicality. The entail stated that if Males directly descended from the male line were to want to break the entail, favoring their own children, then that was to be done.

June 12th

Sarah Bennet looked around the ballroom. She had just taken a short reprieve from dancing when a friend, a Miss Franny Gardiener, walked up to where she was standing with her brother Thomas. Fran announced that there was a gentleman by the name of Mr. Henry Stafford who would love to be introduced to her. Sarah was a rather pretty girl with dark auburn hair and the prettiest green eyes with gold coloured flecks. The introduction was made and the young gentleman was quick to request a dance. What Sarah didn't know was that Mr. Stafford was really the earl of Devonshire, Henry Howard, and was going by his mother's maiden name as to avoid notice from fortune hunters and the like. He wanted a wife who truly loved him the way he was. Thomas watched from a corner then led fanny out to dance the supper set.

Meanwhile his friend of many years, George Darcy, was talking to a lady Anne Fitzwilliam, who was lovely and lively and all that was engaging. Mr. Bingley was talking to a Ms. Carolina Fitz Howard.

All in all a pleasant evening for the friends.

August 21

Thomas was struck again by how truly pretty that Franny girl was. She was rather tall, with sandy blonde hair and cornflower eyes. She was high spirited and of a rather sweet temperament. He knew she was 18 much younger than himself. However none of that mattered. He was looking to court Ms. Franny. Her father readily approved of the young man and his application to press his suit. They indeed started to court.

October 10nth 1777

Thomas never thought the day would come. His younger sister Sarah walked down the aisle towards her Mr. Howard earl of Devonshire. She was beautiful in white silk and gold lace. He had promised he would never give her to anyone less worthy of his only sister. Looking back on his sisters courtship, he knew Sarah had picked the right man. This man would never harm his darling little sister. He would always be loyal to her. Much like he was to Fran.

December 20th 1777

Grace Church st.

Thomas was nervous. He was to press Mr. Gardiener for Francine's hand today. She had readily agreed having loved him from the time they were children. She loved his biting sarcastic wit and good nature. He loved her high spirits and all her ways.

February 10nth 1778 Thomas and Franny married at loungbourn.

Fran loved Thomas. He was the best of man. She walked down the isle knowing the future could not be brighter. The entail broken, the annual income was nearly doubled, and there were no worries to be had.

She was marrying the man she loved.

July 21 Sarah gives birth to Andrew Bennet Howard

"Push your Ladyship!"

Sarah screamed and with just one more almighty push her son Andrew Bennet Howard was born in a gush of watery blood. He was cleaned and brought to his father and mother who cried of joy. Their son was perfectly healthy. His father looked down on him and said "I have never could be prouder." He told Sarah "Thank you for this most precious gift."

January 30th 1779 Jane is born

Profanities reigned endless from the mouth of one Francine Bennet. Hours later she finally started to let the midwives help after boxing the ears of one and calling one a she devil.

Jane Bennet was born in a gush of blood.

September 1779 Victoria Amelia Howard is born

1781 march 11 Elizabeth is born

January 1881 Richard Howard is born.

1783 April 9th Mary

1785 June 16th Kitty

1787 December 17 Lydia

1803- a surprise!

1802