With apologies to Jane Austen!
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Chapter I Plans Are Made
It s a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in possession of a desirable body, a pleasing disposition and an agile mind has the wherewithal to attract a rich husband. Rich young men, however, are mainly interested in nubile women who are prepared to make themselves agreeable, that is to say available, outside the irksome bonds of matrimony. This is the dilemma facing a spirited young woman; she must either marry an older man incapable of satisfying her sexual needs or find herself the continual object of young men's' lusts until her sexual allure begins to fade. Elizabeth Bennet heartily resented these restrictive dispensations and was not inclined to be either a submissive prostitute, opening her legs to the highest bidder in the matrimonial stakes, or a virginal spinster.
"Really Elizabeth it is all quite impossible, I don't know what is to become of us when your father dies. I cannot bear to think of how we shall be put out of house and home by that odious man Mr. Collins," Mrs Bennet said bitterly. In the likely event of Mr Bennet dying without a male heir, his estate was entailed to Mr Collins.
"He is indeed an odious man, yet you wanted me to marry him mother," said Elizabeth "Some sacrifices are really beyond the call of family duty."
"But what is to be done?" asked Mrs. Bennet tearfully.
"You must have a son and heir," said Elizabeth calmly.
Mrs. Bennet stared at Elizabeth in amazement. She had married Mr. Bennet as a nubile young girl some twenty years ago. During that time she had produced four daughters and no sons. While still a very attractive women she no longer aroused the fierce passion in Mr. Bennet that characterised the early years of their marriage. They now occupied separate but adjacent bedrooms and Mr. Bennet now rarely felt sufficiently aroused to claim entry either to her bedroom or her body. This was doubly disappointing to Mrs. Bennet who still clung to the hope of producing a male heir and retained a healthy enjoyment of sexual intercourse.
"You must be aware that Mr. Bennet and I are not as intimate as we used to be," said Mrs. Bennet regretfully, "and in any case we seem to be predisposed to produce daughters."
"Yes mother, I know but there is a way round the problem. I have already discussed it with father and he agrees; you must take a lover"
Mrs. Bennet felt a flush of excitement; although she would never admit it to her daughter. She was accustomed to discretely observing the young men and militia officers in attendance at the local social events in Merytown; their tight fitting breeches were a great source of interest to her, particularly when she observed evidence of sexual arousal brought on by, among others, her youngest daughter Lydia. Fortunately for Mrs. Bennet's peace of mind, she was unaware that Lydia had, as it were, first hand experience of the contents of more that one dashing officer's breeches while in seated in secluded arbours.
"Did you have anyone particularly in mind?" said Mrs. Bennet faintly.
"We did consider Sir William Lucas," said Elizabeth, "but he has produced two daughters and so is probably not an ideal choice; and in any case we need someone young and vigorous." Mrs. Bennet did not feel disposed to disagree with these sentiments but felt it might be unseemly to say so. "You must leave it to me mother, I will find someone who is both suitable and discrete."
And there the matter was allowed to rest, as the butler had come in with the post. There was a letters from her friend Charlotte who had, much to Elizabeth's astonishment, married the odious Mr. Collins. Lydia Bennet had been sent to stay with the Collins in the hope that she might be taught to behave with rather more decorum, after some suitable advice and instruction from Mr. Collins. Elizabeth retired to her room to read her letter.
Chapter II Lydia's Indiscretions
Hunsford, near Westerham,
15th October
Dearest Elizabeth,