I
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife
The Bennetts were well off. They weren't poor, but they were not extremely wealthy. They hovered at the high end of middle class, and that was enough for them. Yet, Bella was up at night worrying that her children wouldn't have enough to survive after her husband passed away. So, she kept up on news of any incoming wealthy men and women who so happened to be visiting near their estate in Groombridge Place. She would notify her husband of these men and women, urging him to go visit them so that their children may meet them as well. Jack, who loved his wife but did not share her urgency to marry off their children, visited each of the wealthy people Bella told him about and thus each of the children was allowed to visit as well. So far, none had requested to start the courting of any of the siblings, not for Mrs. Bennett's best efforts.
Today was different, though. Bella could feel it as she went through her usual routine. She looked through the post with her usual eagerness before settling on a letter from one of her dearest friends who occupied a small house in town. Her eyes scanned down the letter and even before she finished, she shrieked in happiness as she always did when she heard of a new wealthy lady or lord was arriving. Bella rushed to her husband, who had just gotten done with the morning's chores and was currently sitting down in his study to relax and gave him the letter, telling him all about the two very wealthy siblings moving in to nearby Netherfield and how he must go and speak with them. Mr. Bennett informed his panicked wife that he had indeed already been to visit the siblings and confirmed that they were going to be in attendance at tonight's reception.
To neither of the parents' surprise, outside the cracked study door stood their five children. They were all crowded close together so that they may all hear their parents' conversation. They were excitedly chittering under their breaths, wanting to go into town immediately to prepare for this occasion. Perhaps this time would be different. Maybe one of them would get lucky and be married to either of the wealthy visitors.
"Two wealthy siblings." Jimmy half-whispered to the others, who were not as close to the door as he was. "A brother and a sister. They will be attending the celebration tonight!" He made a happy noise, looking back at his siblings.
This caused the other two younger siblings to go into a fit of joyous shrieking, alerting Mr. and Mrs. Bennett to their listening in. Will and Alana did their best to shush the younger children, but they did not listen and kept on. Mr. Bennett went to the door and opened it fully, revealing the crowd of his wards. He smiled a bit, finding his children's excitement endearing, and continued on his way. Mrs. Bennett exited the study and looked at all the siblings, hurrying them off so that she could prepare for the evening. Will and Alana shared a quizzical look as their other siblings rushed off to get on with their day. Alana went after them so that she could watch them and be sure they don't cause trouble.
Will could already tell that this night was going to be a disaster, shaking his head as he walked off in the opposite direction with his nose in a book.