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“Did you hear what was said this evening?” Mrs. Bennet asked her husband on the way home.

“I certainly did. Mr. Crane’s missing cow, Mrs. Partridge’s hens not laying, and the Peacocks’ laundry blown off the line. A travesty indeed.”

“I never heard about the laundry.”

“Blown right out of the county, according to Mrs. Peacock. But better that, I think, than having one’s neighbours turn up with unmentionable items.”

“They should not have been put out in windy weather. Mrs. Peacock ought to have words with her laundry maid. But I do not care about these things! What I wanted to know was if you heard about all the gentlemen.”

“If you mean the regiment, the widower, and the young man from the north, then yes, I did.”

“And you did not think that more important than cows and hens and laundry blowing about the county?”

“I am sure the Peacocks think their missing clothing of the utmost importance; Mrs. Partridge is extremely vexed about her shortage of eggs; and Mr. Crane is eager to get his cow back. She is his best milker.”

“That may be, but I am talking about a miraculous opportunity for all our daughters.”

“You hope for them to save money by finding their dresses growing on trees?”

“Do not be so absurd! I would never have my daughters wear the Peacocks’ old clothes. Not even if they had any sense of style, which they don’t. I am talking about the miracle of so many gentlemen coming into the neighbourhood.”

“Yes, I suppose it is a miracle that there will be more dance partners at the next assembly.”

“Dance partners!” Mrs. Bennet wafted her fan wildly. “I am thinking of husbands.”

“And who might these husbands be?”

“That should be obvious.”

“Not to me.”

“Mr. Bingley, Mr. Madison, and three of the officers,” she said impatiently.

“Three officers? I think you would be fortunate to find even one who is both single and able to afford a wife. The property requirements for lieutenants are not high, and so many regiments have lately been waiving them anyway. And Mr. Goulding said that his friend is still grieving a beloved wife.”

“A new wife is the very thing he needs to help him get over his grief.”

“It did sound as though he is very determined not to marry again,” Elizabeth said.

“His feelings are understandable,” Jane said. “I think it admirable of a man to remain devoted to the woman he loved long after she is gone.”

“It is not practical,” Mrs. Bennet said. “He should be thinking of his poor motherless girls. And all the young ladies who are in desperate need of husbands. In my opinion any man of fortune should consider it his duty to marry.”

“It appears that Mr. Madison does not share your way of thinking,” Mr. Bennet said.

“He will soon change his mind once he sets eyes upon Jane.”

“Me!” Jane cried. “I have no wish to impose upon the poor man.”

“You will not be imposing. He needs a mother for his daughters, and I cannot think of anyone more suitable than you. You do like children, don’t you?”

“Yes, but—”

“Then you will like to be their mother.”

“I would not dislike it, but…but…”

As Jane floundered for words, Mr. Bennet came to her rescue. “I expect he already has a nurse to look after them.”

Mrs. Bennet glared at him. “Children need more than a nurse.”

“You are thinking of their education, are you? Very commendable, but there are plenty of governesses in need of employment. Mr. Madison will have no difficulty in finding one to instruct his children, and much more qualified than Jane. No offence intended, my dear, but you have not the necessary skills for that position.”

Jane was not offended, but Mrs. Bennet snapped, “I was thinking of affection, not education. The girls should have a mother to love them.”

“They have a father.”

“A father is nothing to daughters.”

“Really? I wonder what our daughters have to say on that subject. I believe you have a value for my library, don’t you, Mary?”

Startled at having her opinion sought, Mary only managed to nod before her father continued speaking. “And what have you to say about the allowance I give you, Lydia?”

“It is never enough.”

“Not the right person to ask.” Mr. Bennet shook his head, but he was grinning. “I am certain you think it very generous, Jane.”

“Oh yes. More than enough for my needs.”

Lydia glared at Jane.

“This has nothing to do with Mr. Madison’s situation,” Mrs. Bennet said. “I am speaking of young girls. They ought to have a mother, and you should be glad of this opportunity for one of your daughters.”

“I do not believe that any such opportunity exists. But it may comfort you to know that I think Mr. Bingley might be in want of a wife. Having acquired fortune and now an estate, that is the one thing he has left to wish for. Perhaps you should focus your efforts upon him.”

“You may rest assured that I will make plenty of effort with Mr. Bingley, and so will Lydia, I am sure.”

“Why would I do that?” Lydia asked.

“To attract him of course. So that he will propose to you.”

“But I want to marry one of the officers. Men in uniform are so romantic.”

“They are,” Mrs. Bennet agreed with a sigh. “But Mr. Bingley has five thousand a year.”

“Mrs. Long thought it might only be four thousand,” Mr. Bennet pointed out.

Mrs. Bennet ignored this minor detail. “Mr. Bingley will be able to provide you with an abundance of new dresses and pretty bonnets,” she said to Lydia.

“I would like to have lots of bonnets. But I must have a handsome husband.”

“A marriage should be based upon more than the gentleman’s appearance and his ability to provide bonnets and dresses,” Elizabeth said.

Lydia looked blankly at her. “But that is exactly what a husband is for.”

“Better a husband than me,” Mr. Bennet said, grinning at Elizabeth.

“Precisely so,” Mrs. Bennet said triumphantly. “At last you are beginning to comprehend the importance of getting our daughters married.”

***

Similar conversations were going on in other carriages.

“What a splendid opportunity we have before us,” Mrs. Peacock said.

“Officers!” her eldest daughter squealed.

“The finest men in England,” added the middle daughter.

“And so handsome in their uniforms,” said the youngest.

Ever since their father had taken them to a military review, all three Miss Peacocks had been mad about officers.

“Mr. Bingley and Mr. Madison are far better prospects,” Mr. Peacock said.

“But one of us will still have to marry an officer,” Miss Amanda said.

“Perhaps two of us,” Miss Yolanda said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Mr. Bingley or Mr. Madisen marries Jane Bennet. Everyone says she is the beauty of the county.”

“Maybe all three of us will have to look to the regiment for our husbands,” Miss Peacock said. “Some people think Lizzy is pretty too.”

“Pretty!” Mrs. Peacock exclaimed. “Lizzy Bennet is a hoyden who is covered in dust more often than not. I will allow that Jane could be pretty if only she knew how to dress well. But none of the Bennets do. We are the only ladies in the neighbourhood who truly understand style, which is what wealthy gentlemen want to see in prospective wives.”

***

“Gentlemen like their wives to be accomplished,” Mrs. Crane informed her two daughters. “And you are the only truly cultivated ladies in the neighbourhood. I am confident that Mr. Bingley and Mr. Madison will be impressed by your abilities.”

“But if either of them does not appreciate our worth, I won’t mind settling for an officer instead,” Miss Marianne said. “It is only fair for you to have the wealthier husband, Henrietta, since you are older.”

“That is very thoughtful of you, but I don’t mind being the one who has to make do with an officer.”

“Neither one of you will be making do,” Mr. Crane declared. “I have not been paying for lessons with the best masters so that you can waste yourselves on mere lieutenants. I do not know what it is with young ladies and their admiration for officers.”

Mrs. Crane looked as though she could explain; however, she did not volunteer this information.

***

“The officers are irrelevant,” Mrs. King said to her stepdaughter. “You will easily be able to get Mr. Bingley or Mr. Madison. No matter how much wealth they already possess, gentlemen like their wives to be well dowered, and you are the only heiress in the neighbourhood.”

“I am not an heiress yet.”

“We have it on excellent authority that your grandfather is on his deathbed. A sad event, of course, but the timing is convenient. Fifty thousand pounds will make you an object of great interest.”

“My inheritance might not be that large.”

“We had the amount on excellent authority too. I have no doubt that you will soon be Mrs. Bingley or Mrs. Madison.” Turning to her husband, Mrs. King gleefully declared, “And that will throw our daughters into the paths of other rich men.”

***

“Gentlemen of quality like their wives to be properly educated,” Mrs. Partridge told her daughter.

“No other lady in the neighbourhood has attended any school, let alone such a select establishment as Mrs. Trimmer’s Academy.

That will give you a great advantage when talking to Mr. Bingley and Mr. Madison. ”

“I’m not very good at talking to strangers,” Susan said. “Especially gentlemen. I never know what to say.”

“You must prepare yourself in advance by making lists of things to talk about. Important things which will demonstrate that you have a superior understanding.”

“I expect they would rather hear a good joke,” Edward Partridge said.

Mrs. Partridge turned a disapproving eye upon her son. “I am certain they won’t. You must learn to be more serious in preparation for your future profession. And you will not tell the gentlemen any jokes, Susan.”

“I don’t think I know any.”

“I should hope not. Your uncle did not pay school fees for you to learn vulgarities.”

“I don’t think I have a superior understanding either.”

“You must not make so little of yourself. And for heaven’s sake, do not describe yourself as ordinary to any of these gentlemen. Your purpose is to make them see that you are extraordinary.”

“But I’m not.”

“Don’t be difficult, Susan. You know a dozen foreign languages.”

“Only three.”

“That is still a great deal.”

“I don’t speak them very well.”

Mrs. Partridge sighed loudly. “It is a pity that school of yours didn’t teach you how to get a husband. You must make an effort to engage these gentlemen in conversation and look for any opportunity to display your advantages.”

“I will try to talk to them. But I’m sure they will prefer someone like Lizzy Bennet. She never struggles for words.”

“You need not think of Lizzy as a rival for their interest. She is excessively outspoken. Fashionable gentlemen do not want bold wives.”

“I don’t think they want dull ones either.”

“You aren’t dull. Show some spunk, and you will have as good a chance as anyone.”

“Just not as much spunk as Lizzy,” Edward contributed with a grin.

“Quite so,” his mother said, taking him seriously. “Just a moderate amount. I’m sure you can manage that, Susan. And you must spend this quarter’s allowance on some new dresses instead of giving it to every poor family in the neighbourhood.”

“But I was planning to make clothes for Mrs. Ford’s baby, and Bobby Turner desperately needs a new pair of boots. And Mrs. Hodges could really use—”

“Once you have a rich husband, you can buy all those things with his money.”

“I’m not likely to ever have one.”

“Not if you don’t try. You must put yourself forward and make certain that Mr. Bingley and Mr. Madison take notice of you. And don’t neglect the officers either, just in case one of them happens to possess a fortune. Although that isn’t very likely, so don’t be too forward with them.”

“I’m sure I won’t be forward at all. And they aren’t likely to notice me. I think officers prefer lively ladies.”

“You can be lively too. Do stir yourself, or you will never get a husband.”

“I’ve never expected to get a wealthy one. And officers are too dashing for me.”

“I’d like to be a dashing officer,” Edward said. “I would gladly go into the army if anyone would purchase a commission for me.”

“You will study the law as your uncle has decided since he is the one paying for it. And you will make every effort to get yourself a husband, Susan.”

“I’ll try, but I think I’d have a better chance if there was a simple clergyman among all these gentlemen. I wouldn’t mind if he only had a small living. Or even just a curate.”

“A mere curate! I should think not!” Mrs. Partridge cried in horror.

***

“Mr. Madison doesn’t want a wife, and there is no reason to think Mr. Bingley is actively seeking one,” Charlotte Lucas said to her mother. “The colonel of the regiment is probably married already, and junior officers often lack the means to marry.”

“All the more reason for them to choose my daughters. Gentlemen of limited income prefer wives who have been taught useful skills and household economy. You two will stand out as the most practical young ladies in the neighbourhood.”

“I don’t think I will stand out,” Maria said. “The officers are more likely to notice Kitty and Lydia. They are always so lively and amusing.”

“But that will serve to bring attention to you as their friend,” Lady Lucas said. “And you shouldn’t be so quick to discount Mr. Bingley, Charlotte. A man with both fortune and a home usually is seeking a wife.”

“I suppose he will be very grand,” Maria said.

“And unconcerned with household economy,” Charlotte said. “He isn’t likely to want a wife with useful skills.”

“He may still prefer one who will not overspend his income.”

“If he is grand, I will be dreadfully nervous.”

“I have no intention of bothering him,” Charlotte said.

“You two seem determined not to get yourselves husbands.” Lady Lucas glared at her two eldest daughters.

“Emily wouldn’t be so difficult. It is a pity she is not yet out.

” Her expression suddenly brightened. “I think we should bring Emily out at once, and let her have a chance with these gentlemen. What do you say to that, Sir William?”

“A capital idea, my dear. I always say the more the merrier.”

“And the greater our chances of getting at least one daughter married.”