Charlotte Lucas thought she could handle a man of such quicksilver parts as Mr. Bennet better than did Mrs. Bennet - and then she got the chance!

Charlotte Lucas was past the age of expecting a proposal of marriage. She had given up all idea of romance and resigned herself to be an old maid. When a tragic accident occurs, her resignation is swept away. Can she find happiness in what begins as a marriage of convenience?

Thomas Bennet was trapped in an unhappy marriage. When his wife unexpectedly dies, he has no inclination to marry again. But he must think of his girls. Unwed and without fortune, they faced an impoverished future. He needed someone to chaperone his five daughters, see them married, and manage Longbourn. Is Miss Lucas the one who can fill the role of The Second Mrs. Bennet?

"Miss Lucas, I shall be blunt. I am in need of a wife."

She stared at him. She was so staggered, all of her faculties seemed to be suspended. Of all things he could have said, she had never imagined to hear those words.

What is he saying? Oh, what is he saying!

His gray-blue eyes seemed to pin her to her seat.

"We spoke not so long ago, and you assured me that you were not of a romantic nature. I am asking you to become my wife."

"What?" Suddenly, her heart gave a bound and began behaving very oddly. Her middle quivered and an inner tremor affected her limbs. She felt a peculiar lightheadedness. "Mr. Bennet." She sounded breathy, quite unlike herself. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Mr. Bennet, I should like that sherry now."

"Certainly." He poured a half-glass for her and brought it to her. She took small sips of the wine, as much to revive herself as to give herself a few precious seconds to bring her disordered brain into some semblance of rationality. She set aside the wineglass and drew a deepened breath. "Mr. Bennet, I am not certain how I should reply. You-you have surprised me."

Mr. Bennet sat down in the wingback chair opposite. He leaned forward with an earnest expression. "Pray let me speak, then. Miss Lucas, I need someone to sensibly manage Longbourn and to give good advice to my daughters. I believe it to be an advantage you are so well thought of by Lizzy and Jane. They will not need you, but must surely be companionable, and help you with the younger girls."

Charlotte sternly reminded herself that she was not a romanticist. It was her first proposal; undoubtedly, the only one she would ever receive. There were no flowery speeches, of course. She did not expect there to be. Still, should there not be some lip-service to sentimentality?

She swallowed a sigh.

Mr. Bennet spoke of managing Longbourn, of being of use with his daughters. She honestly could not put a name to her feelings. She clasped and unclasped her hands. I am plain of face and on the shelf. She knew these things about herself to be true. Mr. Bennet did not approach her as a man in love.

Something inside her wailed. Oh, how I wish it was different! Perhaps the silly young girl she had once been still existed, buried somewhere deep inside of her. Foolish, Charlotte! She could scarce expect him to admit to passion for her, yet she felt a strange measure of hurt.

She castigated herself for such foolishness. She resolutely set aside the slur against her femininity and began to consider the incredible opportunity which was so unexpectedly being offered to her. She would be mistress of her own home. She would no longer be a burden and a drain upon her family's purse. She would not become an aging spinster, losing year by year her social stature and the dwindling of her small portion, sinking finally into genteel poverty.

An outward calm belied her swift-shifting thoughts and emotions. "Mr. Bennet, I accept your offer of marriage."

310 pages