The Bennets (Providence & Perception)

Poor Mary Bennet – always ignored or ridiculed by her parents and sisters. No one expects anything remarkable from her. She will no doubt be left “on the shelf” and never marry.

But after her mother dies in an accident, and Mr. Yarby, the handsome new rector for Longbourn arrives, Mary decides to take steps to secure her own happiness. How?

She will use her love of the Bible to win Mr. Yarby’s heart. Meanwhile, her father, Mr. Bennet,finds himself falling in love with Mrs. Withers, the widowed older sister of the reverend Mr. Yarby.

But he is still officially in mourning for his late wife. If their attachment were to become public, it would be a scandal.

All appears to be going well, until Mr. Collins learns of Mr. Bennet’s romance and threatens blackmail. Then an overheard conversation between Mr.

Yarby and his sister breaks Mary’s heart and forces her to do something unthinkable – tell a lie so heinous, it threatens to ruin both her and her father’s hopes for lasting love.