The efficacy of a good library

Mrs. Bennet considered herself the matchmaker of the family, but Mr. Bennet had his own ideas. And truth be told (though never to his wife) his record thus far was three to his wife's zero. She just could not understand the efficacy of a good library in bringing young people together.

In a London bookstore, 1808

Thomas Bennet had only left White's ten minutes ago, but he was is not great hurry to rush back to the Gardiner's home. It was not always easy to visit the home of his brother-in-law Edward Gardiner and his sweet wife Madeleine. First of all because there was such peace and harmony in their home as compared to his own, and second because the Gardiners had two wonderful little sons... something else which would be forever denied to Thomas. He loved his daughters, but he had always hoped to have a son at his side.

He had gone to his club in the hopes of intellectual conversation, but all he found were three types: those who wanted to argue politics, but were already firmly fixed on their own point-of-view. Those who gossiped worse even than his own wife. And finally, those who only wanted to brag about their mistresses or their latest conquests. After an hour, Thomas had left White's feeling more depressed than when he had entered.

So now Thomas needed to find a new distraction, and he found it easily enough in the very enticing allure of a well-stocked bookstore. He crossed the busy thoroughfare safely and was soon buried in the shelves of his favorite London distraction.

Thomas was annoyed at first when he heard the voices of a young couple speaking softly. This is a place of learning, not a proper place for an assignation! But then his sharp ears picked up on some of the conversation:

"I have read Monsieur Brannart's travelogue, Mr. White, but that was penned more than three decades ago. What were your impressions of Rome?"

What followed might still have been considered flirtation, but it was soon clear to Thomas Bennet that this was the quiet courtship of two intelligent young people who thought of much more than balls and entertainments and assignations. The young woman reminded him of his two eldest. She asked intelligent questions and offered insightful ideas. The young man was well-traveled, but he had clearly used his grand tour to explore and learn, not chase down willing strumpets from exotic lands. If these two marry, they will have brilliant children with inquisitive minds. That is what I want for my girls.

Even as the thought came to him, Thomas realized something: he might never have sons, but he could have sons-in-law that he could be proud of... but to make certain of that, he first needed to take a hand in seeing his daughters well-married. For the next hour or more he stood in the shelves without picking out a book. Instead he was hatching a plan.

Back at Longbourn

Thomas had first resolved to make time for each of his daughters, pointing them towards books he thought might suit them and then engaging in discussions about what they read. He had always done this with Lizzy, but now he found that each of his daughters, even Lydia, had a mind which responded to the right challenge. And if he wanted intellectual sons-in-law, it behooved him to help his daughters to become women worthy of their interest.

It began to work surprisingly well, making Thomas feel guilty for his years of neglect. There was much more to the five girls than he had ever given them credit for.

Through his efforts, Jane had become more aware of the realities of the world. She had always wished to believe the best of everyone, but Thomas was finally able to help her understand the naivete and danger of such thinking. "A truly honest person looks for what is true, not what is ideal. Never let go of your mercy and kindness, my dear, but also realize that there are those who will harm you or those you care about if you do not keep your eyes open."

Mary had become less pedantic and more well-rounded in her thinking. She truly did desire some sort of life associated with the church. Had she been born a male, she would have pursued ordainment at the earliest possible time. As a young woman she could only hope to marry a parson. Thomas showed her how to look at the world around her with a less judgmental attitude and how she should seek to help instead. "If your eyes are only trained to see evil, then that is all you shall see. The problem is that you can never do any good if that is all you know. But if you can learn to see need, and learn how to help, then you will be someone worthy of the calling you desire." His middle daughter was soon helping her older sisters with the tenants. She even smiled now and then.

Kitty's artistic sensibilities had absorbed ever scrap of information she could find on great artists and it was showing now in her own drawings and paintings. Thomas had the biographies of many artists from different periods. He also took her as far as London just so that she could visit museums and galleries to view great and not-so-great works of art. Her art bloomed just as her relationship with her father improved.

Lydia balked and scratched and pouted, but Thomas finally realized that what his youngest craved was not trouble, but adventure. Once he began pointing her toward the stories of explorers and descriptions of various parts of the world, she became a sponge for learning. He resolved that he would find her a husband who craved adventure as well. Until then he made certain to take her for rides around the area, even engaging in the occasional race with her.

Interestingly enough, the noise in Longbourn did not abate, but now the conversations had taken on a more intellectual edge. Thomas began to linger in the parlor and at the dining table much longer than he ever used to. Even his relationship with his still lovely wife began to improve. She was still as she ever was, but with other outlets for his mind he could still find time to appreciate Fanny for who she was. His good relationship with his wife grew in tandem with his improved relationship with his daughters.

A forthright approach...

Thomas never once forgot his resolve. As soon as he felt that his daughters were ready, he began writing. He had been almost a recluse for years, but he had once had a very wide circle of friends. If they were still as they had been, then it seemed reasonable that they would wish for intelligent matches for their sons. So he wrote many letters like the following:

Dear _,

It has been many years since we have corresponded, but now I am putting pen to paper to renew many old acquaintances. I will not dissemble by suggesting that I am only writing to renew old friendships, though that would be a very desirable outcome. No, I am writing because I am seeking to find the right type of matches for my daughters. And by right, I mean young men of intellect and industry who will treat my daughters with the respect that they deserve.

You may or may not have heard that my five daughters are considered the "Jewels of the county" by many due to their beauty. What is not said is that they are, each of them in their own way, young women of intellect and respectability. They are bright, inquisitive, cheerful, and caring. I seek men for them of a similar pattern. If a young man only seeks a pretty ornament for his arm or a temptation for his bed, then he may apply elsewhere.

If you would be interested in finding a pretty, well-spoken, and intelligent wife for your son, then please write back and perhaps we can find a time for them to meet. If your son is not interested in a girl with a mind, then please leave him behind, but you are always welcome to visit.

This campaign of mine may be seen as laughable by many of my old friends, but it is my hope that I can through this manner attain sons-in-law which I can be proud of and who my daughters can celebrate as their ideal mate in this life.

Please send your reply soonest,

Sincerely,

Thomas Bennet

Longbourn Estate, Meryton, Hertfordshire

The letters continued to flow and the visits began. There were many young men interested in his daughters, but he was determined that his daughters would choose. No matter how great the prospect, he would not force any man on one of his dear girls. Jane received the most attention, but it was not until she met Sir Arthur Packard, recently knighted after the Peninsular War, that he saw genuine fascination and interest. They did not meet at Longbourn, but rather while he was with Jane in St. Albans, making purchases.

Sadly, as much as he loved his dear wife, he knew that her over-enthusiasm could easily queer the match. He needed a way for the young people to make time for each other and test the waters. The answer was simple in the end. She had long been begging to accompany her sister to Brighton for some sea-bathing. Thomas sent her and the two youngest, but insisted that he required his eldest three at home.

For the entire month of July, 1809, Sir Arthur visited daily. His father, Mr. Packard, stayed for only a week while he and Thomas caught up. Both fathers watched the blossoming relationship with interest, but tried to keep their hands out of the mix. After the first three days Sir Arthur asked for a courtship. By the end of the month both he and Jane were more than ready to announce their engagement.

Fanny did not know what to feel about missing the entire process, but she quickly involved herself in planning the wedding. Within a week after returning she was telling one and all that she had made the match. On a perfect day in September Jane Bennet became Lady Packard. Thomas had his first son-in-law, a man he could be proud of.

Thomas was not surprised at all that Mary was next. A new minister, Mr. Tucker, had taken up the position at St. Albans, fifteen miles from Meryton. He was a young man with a very promising future in academia. Already he had published several pamphlets on the early history of the British Isles. His father, one of Thomas Bennet's friends from the Royal Society, had corresponded with Thomas for several months.

The two older and wiser heads decided that any push on their part would have negative results. So instead the elder Mr. Tucker advised his son to seek out Thomas Bennet for the sake of access to his very comprehensive library. Thomas, for his part, insured that Mary always seemed to be reading in his study whenever the young man paid a call.

Everything progressed quite naturally. Mary knew where to find most of her father's books and she had learned to be conversant on many subjects. The confidence she had gained over the past two years made her much prettier than before. Her interest in the man's ministry and his parishioners also served to keep Mary on the forefront of his mind. He often thought, What would Miss Mary do in this situation?

Mr. Tucker's visits increased until, on a very cold December day, he skipped over any formal courtship and asked for Mary's hand. She was more than ready to accept. Once again Thomas gained a son-in-law in whom he could be proud. And once again Mrs. Bennet somehow gave herself credit for making the match.

Mrs. Bennet, seeing her first and third daughter married, turned a baleful eye on her second. Instead of being satisfied with the blessings she had already received, she began to vocally despair of ever finding a man who would take her most troublesome daughter off of her hands. It got to the point where Mr. Bennet finally gave mercy to his Lizzy and sent her for a long stay at the Gardiners in London.

When Netherfield Park was let at last, Mr. Bennet did not give his wife a difficult time about paying a visit. The harmony and improvement of his marriage over the last two and a half years had taught him that his sarcasm and jokes were doing more harm than good. Instead he was one of the very first to make a call. Besides, he wanted to get a feel to see if either of these men might be an intellectual equal for his remaining daughters.

It was fortuitous that Sir Arthur was actually a friend to both men, so they already knew his daughter Jane. This served to make introductions and conversation much easier. Fitzwilliam Darcy had joined his friend early to avoid a long carriage ride with Charles Bingley's sisters. He was there a full sevenday before the Meryton Ball.

Thomas quickly judged that though Mr. Bingley was a good man, he was no intellectual giant. He was somewhat like an enthusiastic puppy who might still pee in the house. Mr. Darcy, on the other hand, was a man that Thomas could easily see as a match for his Lizzy. Her effervescence would temper his stern visage. His mature good sense would temper her tendency to rush to judgment. But how to facilitate a meeting which would spur on such a match?

The answer was typical Thomas: invite the man to use his library. Then make certain that his Lizzy would have the opportunity to interact with the man.

The fly in the ointment was his dear wife once again. Mr. Darcy did not seem like the sort of man who would tolerate someone like Fanny unless he knew her well enough to see deeper. So once again, Fanny had to go... but how?

An express to Jane and Arthur and their reply presented the solution. Thomas had already expressed the unlikelihood of any match between the Netherfield men and their remaining daughters. But the militia was headquartered near the Packard estate, and that meant balls and dinners and card parties. In earlier times Thomas might have hesitated to send his youngest daughters with only their mother into such a environment, but now he had learned to trust the girls... if not their mother. Many long discussions had taught them how indiscretions would rob them of all that they had gained and still stood to gain from their improvements.

Besides, Jane and Arthur promised to keep a very close eye on the duo and their mother.

The Bennet carriage had only just departed for a visit to Laughlin Park, the Packard estate, when Mr. Darcy rode up on his stallion to take advantage of Mr. Bennet's library. Mrs. Hill led the man to the large, book-filled study where Darcy was startled to find the older man engaged in a chess match with a very pretty young woman who was introduced as Miss Elizabeth, the oldest of the remaining unmarried daughters. Arthur and Lady Packard had mentioned the young woman with fondness many times, so he knew a little about her. He knew that she was a great reader with an unusual fascination with the natural world. He knew that she helped her father to manage the estate. And he also knew that the girl had beaten Arthur many times at chess. He just had not expected her to be so strikingly pretty.

His tension slowly eased as father and daughter resumed their game and left him to peruse the man's shelves. His library was smaller than the one in Darcy House and much smaller than the one in Pemberley, but it was still varied and quite comprehensive. He could easily enjoy reading many of these volumes during his long visit with Bingley.

Thomas saw his Lizzy shooting quick, appreciative glances Mr. Darcy's way. He also noticed the occasional return glance from the tall young man. He decided to prod the pair into a discussion, "I notice that you are looking over Gibbon. Lizzy, do you still have volume six in your room?"

Elizabeth moved her bishop, said, "Check," and then glanced over, "I do. If you wanted that volume please let me know. I have already read them all twice, so it will be no hardship to make it available to you."

She turned her eyes back on the game, thereby missing the appraising look of the man. Thomas saw it though. "I hope that you can spare the time for a game or three, Mr. Darcy. I am afraid that Elizabeth is about to take my king. You are a Cambridge man, so I'm hoping that you know the game and can present her more of a challenge? Or perhaps you might play me so that you have a better chance of winning?"

Elizabeth laughed softly, "Do not allow him to fool you, Sir. He was the champion at Oxford during his time there. We have been playing so long together that I am familiar with all of his gambits. Otherwise I would be easily defeated."

Darcy could not resist a knowing grin, "Ah... far be it from me, Miss Bennet, to suggest that you speak false, but I should inform you that I count Sir Arthur Packard among my closest friends and he has warned me about your skills."

Elizabeth blushed prettily, somehow very pleased to think that this handsome man had been talking with her brother about her. Still, she managed a challenging eyebrow raise as she asked, "Does this mean that you have been frightened off by a mere girl, Mr. Darcy... and you a Cambridge man?"

Darcy returned her twinkling eyes and her smile and raised the stakes with a devastating pair of dimples, "I doubt that there is anything 'mere' about you, Miss Bennet. And I would be honored to play either you or your father."

Thomas laid down his king and then took himself to his desk, where a volume of Euclid was waiting for him. For the next hour he pretended to read as he observed the two young people as the split the wins on the games, two to two. By the time that Elizabeth asked for a tie-breaker, the air was electric. Darcy returned a sad expression and said, "I am afraid that I cannot today. Mr. Bingley has committed his party to attend the assembly tonight and I must return in time to freshen up and prepare... but if you are not engaged for any dances yet...?"

Elizabeth would have willingly given the man her first set, but he admitted that Mr. Bingley's sister, Miss Caroline Bingley, was notoriously "fashionably late" to all events. They decided on the fourth set instead and Mr. Darcy said his goodbyes for the afternoon.

The Longbourn "library" became the natural meeting place for Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet over the following two months. They also went on numerous walks, but the weather was not conducive to the length of visit that Darcy and Elizabeth preferred. Mrs. Bennet and her two youngest returned to Longbourn after that first month, but by then Elizabeth had warned Darcy about what to expect. Through her honest words he was able to see the caring mother under the match-making mama who would otherwise have frightened any sane suitor away.

Thomas Bennet, having turned over a new leaf, was attentive to his correspondence. So when his cousin, William Collins, wrote to announce his impending visit, Thomas sent an express back notifying the man that he would need to delay until spring due to "circumstances." He did not explain that the circumstances were a courtship between his Lizzy and the nephew of his cousin's patroness. Darcy had warned both father and daughter of the potential storm on the horizon.

Darcy also trusted the family so completely by that point that when he saw George Wickham, he was confident enough to warn them about the man's proclivities. The neighborhood was quietly informed and Wickham eventually found himself so unwelcome that he deserted... of course that did not go very well for him in a time of war. Six months after he first appeared in Meryton George Wickham was busted down to infantryman and carrying a rifle with a horde of others on the continent. Nobody ever learned if he fell or deserted.

It should come as no surprise that Mr. Bingley, having failed to discover any "angel" in the neighborhood, was easily persuaded by his sisters to abandon the lease. Darcy, disgusted with his friend's lack of resolve, took over the lease and moved his sister and her companion to Netherfield Park in order to spend time with her and introduce the Bennets... Elizabeth in particular.

The two youngest Bennet sisters, now much improved, became fast friends with Georgiana almost instantly. They all three watched with anticipation as Darcy finally came to the point and requested Elizabeth's hand in marriage. The three young ladies were overjoyed to learn that they would now be sisters.

It was a miracle of subterfuge that allowed the couple to reach the alter without any interference from Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The truth was that another nephew, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, led her to believe that the couple was set to marry at Pemberley, not Meryton. While they exchanged their vows Lady Catherine was pounding on the doors of her nephew's estate, demanding entrance. And by the time she learned of the deception, they were on their way to their month-long wedding trip.

Colonel Fitzwilliam was so impressed by the youngest Bennet girl that she stayed in his memory even when he resumed the fight on the continent. He even asked to recuperate at Netherfield Park during the Tyrant's first exile to Elba. During the remainder of the year he was a frequent visitor to the Longbourn library, where Lydia also seemed to gravitate.

Meanwhile, Kitty was living in London with the Gardiners so that she might attend a master in painting. Her skills had improved dramatically each year until her work was beginning to be noticed. She had portraits and landscapes, but her favorite type of image was those depicting men, women, and children engaged in daily life. A painting of a boy shepherd graced the front hall of Pemberley, while a painting of the Longbourn servants beating the carpets was prominently displayed in the Packard's parlor.

It was the second painting which was noticed by Eugene McKay, the young Earl of Monmort, who was already becoming known for his patronage of the arts. He requested the opportunity to meet the artist, not suspecting that she might be such a beautiful young woman. Their courtship was a very brief one since it was love and first sight for each of them. Mrs. Bennet was overjoyed to have a second title in the family. Mr. Bennet was just pleased that the man loved Catherine and was a man of intelligence and character.

Lydia Bennet had to endure a very emotional period when the man she loved was suddenly yanked away to return to war once again. Napoleon had left his exile and raised an army to reclaim all that he had lost. The world watched and waited with bated breath in 1815 as the final battle loomed and the fate of Europe hung in the balance. Everyone else rejoiced when the news of victory was announced, but Lydia could not relax until she knew that her Richard was home and safe.

Richard Fitzwilliam was wounded that fateful day and promoted for swift action and heroism. Brigadier Fitzwilliam did not make it home until two months after the battle and he wasted no time going directly to Longbourn, where a tearful young woman waited for him.

Richards injuries were such that he would never fight on the field of battle again, but he remained in the Army and took a number of positions throughout the world as a military governor. His young and beautiful wife, Lydia, was the jewel in his crown, always attentive to his needs and always prepared to host any and all guests. Like her mother before her, she became famous for the table she set. Richard was much older than she, but neither seemed to care. He kept her safe and stable while she kept him young. Their story was the story of the rapidly expanding British Empire in the new century.

Thomas Bennet never regretted the day he made his resolution in a London book store. Although he seldom saw one of his daughters and her husband, he was proud of all of them and the grandchildren who followed. Just as he had hoped, the children were all possessed of a better-than-average intelligence and their parents were dedicated to expanding the knowledge and learning of the new generation. All of them were always welcome to join him in his "book room."

Thomas received one more surprise in his later years when a solicitor informed him of Mr. Collin's passing without an heir. When Lady Catherine returned from her failed attempt to stop the Darcy marriage, she had forbidden her rector from ever contacting the family again. He eventually married, but it was a poor match and no children resulted. The passing of Mr. Collins meant that it would now be Jane's son Thomas who would be the next heir. The proud patriarch could not be more pleased.

With all of her children well-married, Mrs. Frances Bennet was finally able to relax. Oddly enough, though she hated her husband's "book room" for most of the early years of their marriage, she could now often be found relaxing in that room while her husband sat at his desk. Of course her book of choice was always a novel, but they were both quite content.

AN: No real drama in this story, but I just had the thought "what if Mr. Bennet not only took a hand in raising his daughters, but sought to find husbands that he could respect and like?" So here is the story as it wrote itself.