Flora and Fauna

Chapter 1

-Before the beginning-

Elizabeth Bennet was always described as the one who was a particular favourite of her beloved father. This was a preference that irked the rest of his brood but caused the greatest distress to his wife. Who took every opportunity to belittle her oldest daughter and transfer this preference on to Lydia or Jane. Not that this ever took. Fanny thought her manipulative acts where something of a subtle nature. Luckily, everyone in Hertfordshire could see straight through her.

Much to her displeasure and ignorance. But the reason behind Fanny's seeming annoyance of her own daughter was something no one could see, and few would ever guess. Fanny had done a grand job if she did say so herself of squashing any rumours regarding the parentage of Elizabeth. Stating that her daughters differences where simply due to her husbands genes.

The stark difference between Elizabeth and the rest of the girls was difficult to deny. But Fanny did paint a plausible picture, the other girls looked just like her so one child taking after their father was not difficult to imagine. The main issue however was that Elizabeth was not the natural born daughter of Mr Bennet and Mrs Bennet. Her parentage was unknown by them, not that the matter of her birth parents was of an important nature to the Bennet's.

They took little Lizzy in on the night of Fanny's second miscarriage. The timing was almost perfect. They had just undergone the trauma and disappointment of loosing another baby boy and there she was, sitting on the doorstep in a worn hat box. Wrapped in loose towelling she was underweight and blue. Fanny saw little Lizzy as the chance to finally have a baby, there had been rumours floating around in town that she was unfit for motherhood and should not be able to have a child.

In the beginning Fanny was enamoured with the baby who would sit so patiently and watch the world around her. She particularly enjoyed her friends doating on the baby, taking each compliment as it was one for her. She began to take Lizzy everywhere with her just to draw attention to the sweet babe she apparently was responsible for. Lizzy garnered attention everywhere she went her appearance and manner was described as angelic.

Mr Bennet loved the little girl more than he had ever thought capable. She had such a curiosity for life and seemed to calm his wife's histrionic behaviour. Which was something he did not consider to be possible having lived with the woman for 6 years. In which he had not had a moments peace outside of his personal study.

Soon the novelty of having a baby wore off of Fanny. She found it to be draining caring for a child that did not look anything like her. She wanted a baby of her own. One that looked just like her. A perfect little angel that would be loved everywhere they went.

After a year of this hoping for a little miracle Fanny was blessed with a full term baby girl. That looked just like she had dreamed. Her little angel had finally arrived. Once recovered Fanny promptly focused all her attention on her baby Jane. Mr Bennet picked up his wife's slack thinking it would be a temporary situation. How could anyone not love his little Lizzy. So full of innocence and cheer she dazzled in every room.

Unfortunately, this was not a temporary occurrence. Fanny had all but disowned Lizzy. She was not hers by blood, why should she continue to care for the child considering she had her own perfect angel.

Mr Bennet had tried on many occasions to convince his wife to spend some time with Lizzy, but the damage was done. Fanny no longer considered Lizzy to be one of her own when her child was perfect. As Lizzy got older, she spent more and more time with her Father, the time increasing whenever Fanny had another baby. Fanny tried to pretend that Lizzy was hers but all she had to do was look at the child and her dream was fractured. She spent more and more time resenting her oldest daughter, resenting the time she took away from her husbands time with their girls as well as the choice to bring her into their home in the first place.

Mr Bennet saw his daughter as his salvation, she tied him back to reality. He taught her about the world, harnessing her natural curiosity and taking it to a new height. One which would be described as a man's education. At the age of 12 Lizzy could read all the books in her fathers vast study in their original French and Latin as well as play the violin impeccably. He taught her how to manage the estate and income as well as how to converse with gentry and village in an equal manner. She was a child of many a talent.

The clear preference for his eldest was something clearly known yet non if his natural children fought for his attention nor did the need it with their doating mother. His little Lizzy needed all the love he could conjure to help her thrive.

When the village people commented on his daughters intelligence or appearance, he made it quite clear the comment would not be taken lightly. The villagers found Lizzy to be a delightful breath of fresh air, and all looked over her differences with a degree once they got to know the spark of joy. She was kindness its' self, taking food and clothing to those in need and providing help where ever she could. Something her father nurtured in her.

Everyone who met Lizzy struggled to see how she related to fanny Bennet, but all came to the conclusion that she must be the exception to the family name.

In conclusion the Bennet's where a strange family that were talked about throughout Hertfordshire. By the end of this tale the Bennet's would be the talk of not just the county but the country. With one Elizabeth Bennet discovering who she is and finding a purpose along the way.