The process of coming up with new ideas, even for books based on Pride and Prejudice is one I do not find all that difficult. As I have written more than fifty of these, I must assume that most of those out there reading this will understand that. There are so many different ideas to explore, so many instances where if a different path had been taken the ending (and indeed the middle and even the beginning if you go back far enough) would have been quite different. I come up with new ideas in many ways, sometimes in the shower when I am thinking of things, sometimes out of the blue when I am considering something entirely different, and often an idea strikes me when I am working on another book, at any stage of the process.

Often, I find those ideas that completely reimagine the story from beginning to end are the most interesting. That is not to say I do not enjoy tangential stories, as they can be a lot of fun. But there is something about works that reimagine the beginning. That is what I have for you today, for while the story begins about the same time a usual Pride and Prejudice variation would begin (spring rather than autumn though of the same year) the roots of the backstory go decades into the past.

The basic premise is this: Mr. Bennet’s grandfather was cheated out of his inheritance by an unscrupulous relation using a bit of legal chicanery and the infirmity of mind of the incumbent of the time. Years later, Bennet is shocked to be willed the estate again when he had thought it lost to his family forever. The Bennet Inheritance tells the story of the Bennet family returning to Longbourn after a long absence and what happens after. The excerpt is short, but I hope you will enjoy it as it introduces the family the first morning after their arrival and one or two of the villains(?) of the tale.

Foremost among Elizabeth’s plans the day after the Bennet family’s arrival was that of learning as much as she could of the place in which she found herself. Her habits long known to her family as they were, she knew it would be no surprise if they arose that morning to find her absent. As such, when she awoke to the sounds of birdsong outside her window, she wasted no time in rising to meet the day and departing the house for the glories of nature.

As she had noted the day before, the country was akin to what she was accustomed, yet as she had long walked the paths near the parsonage at home, the differences were readily apparent. Elizabeth did not concern herself with such things, content to revel in the glories of nature that were, after all, pleasing and restful no matter where one went.

Elizabeth did not stray far from the house, mindful as she was of her unfamiliarity with her new home. That did not mean what she saw did not satisfy her, for the sights before her were no less than enchanting. Elizabeth was certain she would come to love Longbourn with ease.

When Elizabeth returned home, her family greeted her as they went in to break their fast. Whatever deficiency Longbourn had suffered under the previous master, the man had not stinted in employing an excellent cook, for their fare that morning was of superior quality. For some time, they concentrated on their breakfast, only the most banal of conversation passing between them. Then, when they had sated their hunger, they sat back with cups of tea in hand, speaking of the day to come.

“I must look through Longbourn’s books,” said her father. He favored his daughters with a wide smile and added: “I know you must all be eager to redecorate our home, but we will not know what we may do until we understand something of our finances.”

“Do you know what Mr. Collins left to his relations?” asked Elizabeth.

Mr. Bennet paused in thought. “I do not, for the only information I received concerned my particular portion of it.” With a shake of his head, he mused: “To own the truth, I was astonished that he left the estate to me at all, for I had no expectation of it, even after the death of his son many years ago.”

Interested, Elizabeth regarded him. “We were all surprised, Papa. Were there not some other relations to whom Mr. Collins could bequeath the estate?”

“I know little of his family,” replied Mr. Bennet. “At one time the Collins family was prominent and owned land in Norfolk. Their ownership of the land has not persisted, though I cannot say I know anything of their downfall. What I can say is there is another man bearing the name of Collins, and while I am aware of his position as a parson, I know nothing further of him. Then, of course, there is the Philips branch of the family.”

The Bennet sisters were all familiar with the name Philips, for their grandfather had spoken of them at some length. Solicitors of some note in Meryton, Elizabeth expected they would come across them at some point. While their grandfather had spoken of their traitorous nature and his suspicion that they had influenced events that had led to his disinheritance, in truth they knew little more of them than that. Perhaps Mr. Bennet knew more than he had told them, but if he did, he had not seen fit to inform his daughters.

“Mr. Philips is not the solicitor who informed you of the terms of the will?” asked Elizabeth.

Mr. Bennet, who had settled in some thought, responded with a moue of distaste. “No, for that, Mr. Collins engaged a solicitor in Stevenage. I suspect he did not trust Philips to execute the terms of the will, for I doubt he wished to see Bennets at Longbourn again. I believe I shall inquire after that solicitor, for I will not use Philips.”

The sisters nodded and changed the subject.

“Then we shall make an inventory of the house,” said Jane. “If there are items that are no longer needed, we may either dispose of them or donate them to the poor.”

“We can also investigate the rooms and determine what needs to be done to refresh them,” said Elizabeth. “When you know something more of our finances, we can determine our priorities and proceed from there.”

“And we must not forget the tenants,” interjected Mary. “It will be our responsibility to care for them, so we must introduce ourselves at once.”

“That is true, Mary,” said Mr. Bennet with a distinct fondness for his youngest. “It is a task I must also take on myself, for I am certain the tenants must be concerned, given the change in ownership of the estate. I must also visit the parson, which I shall do today before I look over Longbourn’s books.”

I hope you liked it! The Bennet Inheritance is coming in late October in eBook and physical formats. It will also be released in audio format, but that will follow a little later.