A/N- I guess some of you don't like the way I've been expressing the story through peoples' thoughts. I have to agree, it doesn't really work out, so the future chapters will be much better. And I agree with DP1014 that showing would be better than telling, so that's what I'll be doing. As for a certain Guest who doesn't approve of my messing with ages, I'm sorry but I think it's working fine. A minor correction, Georgiana is only seven right now, not twelve like the second chapter said. I understand that not everyone approves of this story, but I'm writing an AU, so I can hardly follow Pride and Prejudice to the word. Thanks for your reviews, I'm hoping to write more that you will enjoy. And I still need a beta. Is there one reading this? PM me please?

Mrs Bennet rushed into her husband's study looking exceptionally excited. He couldn't help wondering what she was up to now. If she had had her way, all her daughters, including Lydia and Kitty, would have been married already. No doubt they were receiving visitors.

'Mr Bennet! You won't believe it! Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley are visiting us! They are in the living room right now, talking with Lizzy and Jane!'

'I don't see why I wouldn't believe that, my dear.'

'Oh Mr Bennet! You take delight in vexing me! Of course you know what I mean. Mr Darcy owns Pemberley. He is too be very rich. Wouldn't it be wonderful if he took a liking to Jane? He might marry her! What a wonderful thing for our girls! Mr Bingley is too good for Lizzy, but she might please him if she behaves well enough. This is such good luck for them! Mr Bennet, why do you look so grave? Are you not pleased?'

'Mrs Bennet, I believe we have discussed this before. Jane is just fourteen and Lizzy twelve. You could not seriously be considering their marriage yet. And I fail to understand why you seem to believe that our Lizzy is unworthy of a man of consequence. I believe her to be the best of the lot.'

'Mr Bennet! You could not think I wanted to get them married now! The gentlemen could not be more than eighteen, I am sure. But the acquaintance may prove to be of much use to our girls. And Jane is so beautiful, she could easily impress one of them. That is, of course, if Lizzy does not bother them with her obstinacy.' Mr Bennet wisely refrained from criticizing her second daughter much, knowing that it would anger her husband.

'Mrs Bennet, Lizzy is not obstinate, she just has reasonable opinions on issues that affect her and I believe every young woman should. You simply dislike her because she is not as empty headed as you are! I beg you, leave the children alone. They are capable of making their own decisions, and don't need you to find a suitable match for them. Marriage is so much more than money, and little Mary understands that better than you do!'

Mr Bennet found that he could not reason with his wife, but he was not going to let her spoil their children s' life.

For her part, Mrs Bennet was much offended by this outburst.

'Believe what you will, Mr Bennet, but I will do my best for my children. Do I not have a duty to them? Love is all well and good, but money is far more important, and my girls should be well cared for. They will learn to love their husband eventually. I shall see all my girls well settled, no matter what I have to do!'

And with this she stomped out of the library, still fuming.

Mr Bennet chuckled to himself. His wife was sure to find much resistance in her plans, if anything he had learnt from his brother-in-law, Gardiner, was true.

A/N- How was that? I think I managed to keep the Bennet household much like it was. Once more, I desperately need a beta. And please leave a review telling me what you think. Even if it includes much criticism, I would like to know.