Dear Readers
Here is my latest idea.
Although ODC will feature in this story, it is mainly about the Colonel.
Since I always had a soft spot for him, I decided to create a wife especially for him, rather than him being stuck with the leftovers.
I hope you enjoy.
Cheers
Sydney
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Prologue
The Bennet family had lived at Longbourn for generations, but Thomas Bennet, the current incumbent of the estate expected to be the last since his estate was entailed to male heirs and although he had five children, they were all daughters.
It was especially galling to Thomas Bennet since his grandfather had set up the entail to keep it out of the hands of his brother and nephew. To that end, Daniel Bennet had married for a second time late in his life in the hope to father another son, since his only son had been married for several years but had as yet no children. He too was disappointed as only one daughter came of that union.
Thomas Bennet still thought it amusing that his aunt had been born the same year as his older brother and two years before he joined the family.
When Daniel Bennet died in 1771, his wife and their daughter moved into the dower house to remove the friction between herself and Henry's wife Catherine.
In 1781, at about the same time as Thomas Bennet commenced his studies at Oxford, his Aunt Mary had married Peter Field and moved to Warwickshire, to his estate near Burford. Mrs Bennet was pleased when her daughter and her husband invited her to live with them. That couple too only produced one daughter, but they were not concerned since the Field's estate was not entailed.
Bennet occasionally visited with the Fields' as one of his friends from Oxford lived nearby. He and Robert Farrington, Viscount Marshdale, had struck up a friendship over their love of chess. During school holidays, Bennet was often invited to spend time at his friend's family estate.
During one of those visits, he introduced his friend to his family, who also became quite close.
Bennet enjoyed his visits with his Aunt Mary and her family, as he had a better relationship with them than his father or brother. The issue between the men of the family was simply that Thomas Bennet was more interested in books rather than the estate. Considering that he was a second son, he never expected to inherit and therefore saw no reason to become enthused about farming.
That hubris came to an end early in 1788 when a bout of influenza swept through Meryton and the surrounding area where Longbourn was located. The disease claimed the lives of his parents and older brother who was as yet unmarried.
Thomas Bennet escaped because at the time of the epidemic he was teaching at Oxford. He reluctantly resigned his position and took over as Master of Longbourn.
Fortunately for Bennet and Longbourn, the estate had long-term tenants and a competent steward, giving Bennet the chance to learn enough about the administration of the estate to keep it reasonably profitable without a great deal of effort on his behalf.
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When Bennet's mourning period ended, he soon became enamoured with Miss Frances Gardiner, a beautiful and vivacious young lady, who had her cap set on the eligible Master of Longbourn.
Unable to see past the pretty face and delightful figure, by Christmas the two of them were married.
Bennet soon discovered that he had made a mistake since his wife had no interest or capacity for intellectual debates. During the initial years of their marriage, he attempted, and failed, to teach her the ways of a gentlewoman.
By the time when their fifth daughter was born and the doctor declared that Mrs Bennet would be unable to provide an heir for Longbourn, Bennet decided that his wife was a lost cause.
Since she became ever more shrill in her anxiety over the entail, Bennet retreated to his library. The only one to regularly join him in his sanctuary was his second daughter, Elizabeth. The young girl showed a great facility for learning and Bennet indulged both of them by teaching her as he once taught his male students at Oxford.
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Meanwhile in Warwickshire, Bennet's Aunt Mary was happily settled in her marriage and her daughter Edith grew into a stunningly beautiful young woman.
Over the years they gradually lost contact with Bennet since he was an indifferent correspondent, and Mrs Bennet had little interest in the relations.
As the century drew to a close, tragedy struck Mary Field. Within two years she lost her mother due to illness and her husband due to an accident.
By the time Edith turned seventeen, sorrow was sapping Mary's strength and her own health began failing. She was concerned about her daughter when their old friend offered succour.
Robert Farrington, Viscount Marshdale, who had inherited his father's title of the Earl of Wentworth, had watched Edith grow from a beautiful little girl into the most exquisite woman he ever beheld.
After Peter Field's death, the Earl had spent much time with the widow and was exceedingly attentive to her daughter. Edith was flattered with the attention and fell in love with him. She was thrilled to accept his proposal of marriage despite their difference in ages.
Relieved that her daughter would be well settled, Mary Field relaxed and within a few months succumbed to the illness which consumed her.
~~H~~
Summary of family tree
I'm sorry but I can't put the proper family tree here. This is the best I could do.
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William & Mary Bennet – 2 sons – Daniel & William
Daniel Bennet m Elizabeth 1734 – 1 son – Henry (1735)
Daniel Bennet m Clare 1759 – 1 daughter – Mary (1760)
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Henry Bennet m Catherine 1756 – 2 sons – Henry (1760) & Thomas (1762)
Thomas Bennet m Frances Gardiner 1788 – 5 daughters
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Mary Bennet m Peter Field 1781 – 1 daughter – Edith (1783)
Edith m Robert Farrington, the Earl of Wentworth 1800 – 1 son - James
…
William Bennet (son of William & Mary, marries and has 1 son, who changes his name to Collins.
Horace Collins has 1 son, William, who also has 1 son, William – the heir presumptive of Longbourn.
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The Colonel and the Heiress (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2022