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Mrs Bennet Is Dead! - Charlotte's Gambit
Mrs Bennet has died the same day Mr Collins asks Elizabeth to marry him and how he and Mr Bennet turn to Charlott,
- GenresFan Fiction
30 pages, ebook
Published March 4, 2016
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 7, 2025
"The Lucases are very artful people indeed, sister. They are all for what they can get." ~ Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Mrs. Bennet’s “flutterings and spasms” aren’t imaginary.
Would someone ever be able to fill her shoes?
This very short story is one of my favorite “might-have-beens”.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11823779...
Mrs. Bennet’s “flutterings and spasms” aren’t imaginary.
Would someone ever be able to fill her shoes?
This very short story is one of my favorite “might-have-beens”.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11823779...
June 21, 2021
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11823779...
“Inside your soul is the ability to survive even the toughest storms, and that paradise can always be found – even in the middle of a hurricane—if you are willing to look.” –Denise Hildreth Jones
One-shot, one-chapter, quick read: rating: clean: In canon, Mr. Bennet once told Mrs. Bennet that he might outlive her. In this story… he does. Mrs. Bennet had for the last time let circumstances get the better of her. When Lizzy refused Mr. Collins’ proposal, and Mr. Bennet supported her, Mrs. Bennet, in her anger, rage, and frustration, suffered apoplexy and died.
Charlotte arrived at Longbourn the morning after the Netherfield Ball and found the house in chaos. Lizzy had refused Mr. Collins [as she had predicted], Mrs. Bennet was dead and Mr. Collins was making a cake of himself. In order to relieve her friends from his behavior, she invited him to Lucas Lodge for dinner and listened very carefully to his opinions. Let’s just say, her parents were thrilled that an unmarried gentleman, with future prospects tied to Longbourn, was paying attention to their very eligible unmarried daughter.
Mrs. Bennet’s opinion of the Lucas family was of them being artful and out to get what they could. After Eliza refused Mr. Collins, he started turning his attention toward Miss Lucas as his potential future wife. Charlotte knew she had a decision to make. She listened carefully as Collins described in excessive detail his life at Hunsford. This included the influence and condescension of the GREAT Lady Catherine de Bourgh in his daily life. Suddenly, the seed of a plan began to form as her opinion of him diminished in comparison to what was right before her.
As I read this I really listened to the wisdom and insightful thoughts of our Charlotte. She was an intelligent woman with sense and was really thoughtful as she considered her options. I liked following her thought process and she was very logical in her planning. Smart woman. I always liked Charlotte. I no longer think of her as being artful but being pragmatic.
**** Spoiler Alert**** This was not the first time that I’ve seen this plot play out. With a few variations, the outcome was pretty much the same. Charlotte Lucas married Mr. Bennet. It was a quick read and we had a HEA for all the Bennet girls. The last section of the story gave a quick glimpse into the lives and marriage connections of Mr. Bennet’s daughters. This was a cute story.
1st read: 1-12-18 [3-stars]
2nd read: 7-14-19 [revised rating 4-stars]
3rd read: 6-20-21
“Inside your soul is the ability to survive even the toughest storms, and that paradise can always be found – even in the middle of a hurricane—if you are willing to look.” –Denise Hildreth Jones
One-shot, one-chapter, quick read: rating: clean: In canon, Mr. Bennet once told Mrs. Bennet that he might outlive her. In this story… he does. Mrs. Bennet had for the last time let circumstances get the better of her. When Lizzy refused Mr. Collins’ proposal, and Mr. Bennet supported her, Mrs. Bennet, in her anger, rage, and frustration, suffered apoplexy and died.
Charlotte arrived at Longbourn the morning after the Netherfield Ball and found the house in chaos. Lizzy had refused Mr. Collins [as she had predicted], Mrs. Bennet was dead and Mr. Collins was making a cake of himself. In order to relieve her friends from his behavior, she invited him to Lucas Lodge for dinner and listened very carefully to his opinions. Let’s just say, her parents were thrilled that an unmarried gentleman, with future prospects tied to Longbourn, was paying attention to their very eligible unmarried daughter.
Mrs. Bennet’s opinion of the Lucas family was of them being artful and out to get what they could. After Eliza refused Mr. Collins, he started turning his attention toward Miss Lucas as his potential future wife. Charlotte knew she had a decision to make. She listened carefully as Collins described in excessive detail his life at Hunsford. This included the influence and condescension of the GREAT Lady Catherine de Bourgh in his daily life. Suddenly, the seed of a plan began to form as her opinion of him diminished in comparison to what was right before her.
As I read this I really listened to the wisdom and insightful thoughts of our Charlotte. She was an intelligent woman with sense and was really thoughtful as she considered her options. I liked following her thought process and she was very logical in her planning. Smart woman. I always liked Charlotte. I no longer think of her as being artful but being pragmatic.
**** Spoiler Alert**** This was not the first time that I’ve seen this plot play out. With a few variations, the outcome was pretty much the same. Charlotte Lucas married Mr. Bennet. It was a quick read and we had a HEA for all the Bennet girls. The last section of the story gave a quick glimpse into the lives and marriage connections of Mr. Bennet’s daughters. This was a cute story.
1st read: 1-12-18 [3-stars]
2nd read: 7-14-19 [revised rating 4-stars]
3rd read: 6-20-21
June 23, 2019
Excellent short story with a well-conceived and executed plot. Charlotte Lucas notes Mr. Collins's anger and his obvious intention to avenge himself on the Bennet family - Elizabeth in particular - when he becomes Master of Longbourn. While she feels she would have been able to tolerate his silliness, this reveals a troubling side to his character that she wants no part of.
Despite her parents' eagerness for Charlotte to inspire him to propose, she opts for another, more desirable, course of action. Charlotte skillfully deflects Mr. Collins's interest and then injects herself more regularly in the path of the current Master of Longbourn, Mr. Bennet.
It's a perfectly constructed little tale with lovely writing and an intelligent plot. Great character study of Charlotte. Clean content.
Despite her parents' eagerness for Charlotte to inspire him to propose, she opts for another, more desirable, course of action. Charlotte skillfully deflects Mr. Collins's interest and then injects herself more regularly in the path of the current Master of Longbourn, Mr. Bennet.
It's a perfectly constructed little tale with lovely writing and an intelligent plot. Great character study of Charlotte. Clean content.
June 5, 2022
This unpublished short story has an attention-grabbing title that my curiosity had me clicking on the link and reading.
When Elizabeth Bennet declines Mr. Collin's offer of marriage, no one heeded Mrs. Bennet's emotional declaration that Elizabeth should never see her mother again if she didn't change her mind. More prophetic words were not spoken because the good woman was carried off just after that.
In the wake of Mrs. Bennet's demise, Charlotte Lucas had an epiphany moment and realized that she had a much better if more difficult to achieve plan than to gain silly Mr. Collin's marriage proposal. Her eyes were turned to the widowed master of Longbourn.
While too short to achieve the best of development, I thought this unique variation tale had some great bones and a wonderful heroine in Charlotte Lucas who cleverly achieves what she desires and has consideration for the lives of others around her.
When Elizabeth Bennet declines Mr. Collin's offer of marriage, no one heeded Mrs. Bennet's emotional declaration that Elizabeth should never see her mother again if she didn't change her mind. More prophetic words were not spoken because the good woman was carried off just after that.
In the wake of Mrs. Bennet's demise, Charlotte Lucas had an epiphany moment and realized that she had a much better if more difficult to achieve plan than to gain silly Mr. Collin's marriage proposal. Her eyes were turned to the widowed master of Longbourn.
While too short to achieve the best of development, I thought this unique variation tale had some great bones and a wonderful heroine in Charlotte Lucas who cleverly achieves what she desires and has consideration for the lives of others around her.
January 16, 2018
Interesting variation. Still not quite sure how I feel about this story.
February 18, 2021
This is an interesting view into the workings of Charlotte's mind. JA seemed to paint her as rather flat and almost calculating. And so she almost appears here, yet with an added dimension of warmth, enough to ensure that she is still looking for every one's wellbeing as well and not merely her own salvation.
January 16, 2018
Wonderful alternative P&P short story. Love having the story revolve around Charlotte. Low angst but perfect!
February 2, 2022
I definite enjoyed this unpublished one-shot. I could see it developed into a novella or full novel.
February 21, 2018
Another 'It was not put as it ought to be' book the title is Mrs Bennet is Dead! - Charlotte's Gambit
the author is prhood
The URL is https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11823779...
This short story puts an interesting twist on Mr. Collins' proposal to Lizzy for amid her protestations to Mr. Bennet and Lizzy Mrs. Bennet suffers an apoplexy and dies. While entertaining Mr. Collins Miss Charlotte Lucas has an Epiphany that the master of Longbourn is much more desirable than the heir to Longbourn.
Charlotte is neither bold nor pushy but instead makes herself useful to the Bennets and friendly to the widower. Mourning prevents Lydia from going to Brighton and obviously Lizzy has no reason to go to Rosings.
The story is almost angst free.
the author is prhood
The URL is https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11823779...
This short story puts an interesting twist on Mr. Collins' proposal to Lizzy for amid her protestations to Mr. Bennet and Lizzy Mrs. Bennet suffers an apoplexy and dies. While entertaining Mr. Collins Miss Charlotte Lucas has an Epiphany that the master of Longbourn is much more desirable than the heir to Longbourn.
Charlotte is neither bold nor pushy but instead makes herself useful to the Bennets and friendly to the widower. Mourning prevents Lydia from going to Brighton and obviously Lizzy has no reason to go to Rosings.
The story is almost angst free.
April 11, 2017
Mrs. Bennet in a state of apoplexy drops dead upon learning that Mr. Bennet will not support her in forcing a marriage between Elizabeth and Mr. Collins. From there, this short story sets the stage for Charlotte Lucas. She was hoping to bring Mr. Collin's attention to herself after he proposal was declined (as she knew it would be), but learns that even she does not like Mr. Collins. She strategically convinces him that she is not the right woman for him and he runs back to Hunsford. Much to the surprise of everyone, she has an alternate plan :) The story ends with a very well done epilogue.
June 30, 2019
Interesting story. How might the Bennet family situation change if Mrs. Bennet died? The story is certainly a possibility and I’d mildly interesting.
February 4, 2022
Charlotte was too practical and unfeeling for my liking, when she stopped a conversation to think, it was a "computer says no" moment.
still enjoyed the story.
still enjoyed the story.
March 1, 2024
A very cunning variation
A fun and very different short story focussed on Charlotte Lucas.
A fun and very different short story focussed on Charlotte Lucas.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews