Sofie Shann walked eagerly into the bookshop in the town of Tadcaster in Yorkshire where she had lived all her life. She was searching for the latest book by her favorite novelist. She still lamented that Miss Austen had died so young, but had been happy to learn that another novel by her had recently been published posthumously. As Sofie’s hand ran over the books on the shelf that the shop clerk, Mr Bosley, had directed her to, two slim volumes bound in blue with gold lettering caught her attention. Persuasion, she read. She was thrilled to have finally found the book she was looking for, and took the first volume from the shelf. At just the same moment, the lady who was browsing next to her pulled out the second volume. They looked at each other and giggled.

"I see we are both after the same book," said Sofie.

"Yes indeed," said the other lady, "but I believe you were first."

"I think it was simultaneous. Here, you take both volumes." Though she felt a pang of regret, Sofie proffered the book she was holding.

"Not at all," said the other girl. "You take them both. I will try Mr. Winston's shop."

"I have already been there," said Sofie. "They told me they have no plans to stock such works and directed me here."

"I am shocked. I absolutely adore Miss Austen's writing. I was delighted when I learned that another of her novels had been published. Clearly Mr. Winston has no taste."

The girls shared a laugh and Sofie replied, "I am quite of your opinion. Miss Austen certainly left us with far too little of her genius." Sofie gave the young lady a searching look and then asked, "Have we not met before?"

"I think I have seen you at one or other of Lady Derby’s soirees. My name is Rita Hoyt."

"Yes! It was at last month’s poetry reading. I saw you across the room and much admired your dress. We have similar tastes."

"As is evident in our reading choices!" Rita looked down at the book in her hands and then continued, "Please, take this volume. I will send away to London for both of them."

"Oh no, I couldn't dream of being the means of delaying your pleasure in reading this story." Sofie paused for a moment then said, "Perhaps we can read it together."

Rita squealed. "Oh, I would like that very much, we can meet in the park every day and read out loud to one another."

"Let us begin directly!"

They each purchased a volume and walked to the park where they found a sunny bench to sit upon while reading. They discussed the novel as they read and found their tastes to be in accord on many subjects. They were delighted with the book. Nevertheless, after reading three chapters they abandoned it altogether in favor of discussing other Austen novels. Soon they were exchanging information about their personal lives as if they were old friends and by the end of two hours they were calling each other by their Christian names.

On their second meeting, Rita and Sofie discovered much more information about one another. They had each been raised by their grandparents, Rita by her father's parents and Sofie by her mother's. It did not take long to discover they had been born on the same day, in the same year, and in the same town. Their grandmothers had told them the very same story: that their parents had fallen ill from some unusual and exotic malady and had been sent away by a renowned surgeon to partake in special sacred healing waters found only in South America.

"Well if you're not my sister, I'll be hornswaggled!" gasped Rita.

"We must be twins!" exclaimed Sofie, as they embraced.

There was too much to talk about now for reading and they spent many hours discussing their connection. When they met on the following day, however, they resumed their reading of the novel. A young lady was passing by and happened to overhear them. She paused and said, "Oh, is that the new novel by Miss Austen? I checked both bookshops and neither had a copy."

Rita and Sofie immediately welcomed the friendly lady to join them. She introduced herself as Alyson Blaine. After reading and discussing a few more chapters of the book, the three were the best of friends. Rita and Sofie shared with Alyson their recent discovery of sisterhood. "That is strange," replied she, "for I was raised by an uncle in York and have only recently moved here. He told me my parents had left me in his care when I was but a child. When I asked him about them he told me only that they had traveled to South America and he must presume them to be dead by now. The house in York where I grew up was called Shann house, which is the same as your family name." Alyson looked over at Sofie as she said this last bit. They all thought the coincidences surrounding their upbringing very strange.

"If we did not know that our parents left for South America immediately after our birth," said Rita to Sofie, "I would think that our new friend is also our sister."

"Do you think there is any way it could possibly be true?" asked Sofie.

"Oh, I would dearly love it to be your sister," cried Alyson. "I have always longed to belong to a large family."

"I feel the very same!" said Rita and Sofie in unison. Then all three girls laughed.

When they met the following morning, Rita said excitedly, "I happened to be in the library yesterday when I overheard Alicia Lancaster lamenting that they did not have any copies of this very book on hand! Would either of you mind if I invite her to join us in reading it?" Alyson and Sofie, who had lately met Miss Lancaster at another of Lady Derby’s gatherings, agreed that Alicia seemed like a dear girl and they would like to adopt her into their little reading party.

They sent a note to Alicia conveying the invitation and were pleased to see her at the park the following morning. As their friendship progressed, they learned that Alicia too had an intriguing upbringing.

"I was born in South America to English parents. They had me sent over by ship with a trusted friend to be raised by him and his wife," she said.

"My goodness," said Alyson. "I wonder that so many English couples go there to live without their children. Were your parents suffering from a mysterious malady also?"

"I know little of them," said Alicia. "My guardian believes them to be dead, but I still dream of being reunited with my parents one day." She sighed and then continued. "My guardian is most kind but I have always felt lonely, wishing I could be part of a large and boisterous family."

"Well now you have us," said Alyson. "I almost feel as if we are a family."

"If I could choose my own sisters I would surely choose the three of you."

The next day, Alyson mentioned having met another young lady who enjoyed Miss Austen's works when she had stopped with her aunt for tea at The Guilded Tearooms. She had been most affable and they had shared a lively discussion and had both indicated a desire to pursue the friendship. Thus, it was agreed among them that Cindy Canton would be a pleasant addition to their party. They sent her a note as they had done with Alicia and they were surprised to find on the bench the next morning a reply to their note rather than Cindy herself. She wrote of her delight in receiving their invitation, giving all the reasons she hoped her participation would be valued by the others. The girls were quite diverted by her light and witty style of writing. When she arrived a few minutes later, she admitted to them that she enjoyed writing as a hobby. Each girl was surprised to find such a kindred spirit and had soon confessed to the others her passion for writing. It seems they all admired Jane Austen's writing so much that they wrote stories based on her novels and characters. They agreed that once they had finished reading Persuasion they would all read one another's stories.

When they met again, Cindy spoke more of her family. The other girls were quite curious, after having discovered all the similarties in their own backgrounds. "I was sent as an infant to my aunt and uncle and was told by them that both my mother and my father passed away as a result of some strange illness."

"Did they go to South America in hopes to find a cure?" asked Alicia.

"I am not precisely certain. I know it was to some foreign place, and then they were heard of no more." Her usually cheery countenance saddened. "My aunt and uncle had no children of their own and have given me all their care and attention but somehow I have always felt the need of something more." She brightened again and said jauntily, "Am I not an ungrateful creature?"

"Now that we have found you we will ensure that you are never lonely," said Alicia.

"That I can readily believe," said Cindy, smiling. "I wonder if this is what it is like to have sisters."

The girls continued to meet in the morning until they finished reading Persuasion. They realized though that they could no longer meet every day as they all had other obligations. Thus they agreed to meet in the park at noon every Saturday. They would read some of their stories, discuss their lives, and sometimes even write new stories together. They soon discovered that most of their stories were based on one Jane Austen novel: Pride and Prejudice. Because they were convinced of their sisterhood in truth and because there were five of them, Sofie decided the girls should all go by the names of the five Bennet sisters. It seemed only appropriate to follow age-order in deciding which of the Bennet sisters each should be and so Sofie was Jane, Rita was Elizabeth, Cindy was Mary, Alyson was Kitty and poor Alicia was stuck with Lyda.

"I don’t really see that you have cause to complain," said Sofie. "Lydia’s high spirits and thoughtlessness are only due to the fact that she is so young and indulged."

"But she marries Wickham!" cried Alicia. "He’s a scoundrel."

"A dastardly blackguard," agreed Rita, "but devilishly handsome!"

"And surely as his wife you can reform him," said Cindy, ever the optimist. "I have to spend my days reading Fordyce."

"My only claim to fame as Kitty," said Alyson, "is timing my coughs ill. Rita is the lucky one. She gets to marry Mr. Darcy."

They all looked enviously at Rita who smiled smugly and said, "That is just as it should be."

"If I weren’t supposedly such an angel," said Sofie, "I would steal Mr. Darcy from you myself with my feminine wiles. After all, I am five times the prettiest."

With that the girls all broke into peals of laughter at the idea of them all trying to outdo one another for the attentions of a fictional gentleman.

These meetings went on for several months, during which time the girls became the best of friends and true sisters.

"Would it not be delightful," said Alicia one day, "if we could all live together as sisters should? We could write our stories and help each other with them, and keep each other company always."

"Yes, it would be such fun," said Alyson.

"But none of us has any property that will accommodate us all," said Cindy.

"If only we had an estate," said Rita.

"The Inholms, that estate five miles outside of town, has been vacant for so many years. I wish we could discover who owns it," said Sofie.

But the girls had no means by which to purchase the property were it for sale; even if they combined their inheritances they would have no more than five thousand pounds. The thousand pounds that was due to each of them upon reaching their majority was hardly enough to secure a husband, let alone an estate.

"And I have no desire to marry only to provide us with an estate," said Sofie, wrinkling up her nose. "Like Lizzy I plan to marry only for the deepest love."

They all echoed this sentiment. After exploring all other avenues by which they thought to find a place to live together, from hiring themselves out as a complete fleet of household servants to Alyson’s facetious suggestion of all marrying the same gentleman, the girls realized they must abandon the impossible fantasy.

During the following week, each of the girls received a mysterious letter summoning her to The Inholms. Each remembered the conversation of the previous Saturday and consequently believed the letter must have been sent by one of her sisters. However, when they all met upon the neglected grounds of the deserted estate, they were greeted by an older, genteel looking couple who introduced themselves as Daniel and Sarah Hoyt.

"Oh my girls," said Sarah, with tears in her eyes, as she embraced them each affectionately. The Hoyts then explained that they had indeed contracted a terrible disease after having dined in the home of a close friend known for his adventures in the new world. Sofie and Rita were infants at the time and the Hoyts had left them each with a set of grandparents for their own protection as they traveled the continent in search of a cure before being directed to South America. During these extensive travels first Cindy and then Alyson were born. They were sent to a brother of Sarah and a sister of Daniel, respectively. Finally, Sarah gave birth to Alicia shortly after they reached their final destination in South America and she was sent back to England to live with the Lancasters. They had never expected to fully recover, however the disease which they had contracted was cured quickly in the healing waters of the village where they lived. They would have returned to England and their beloved daughters immediately but a series of unfortunate events kept them there for several more years and also made it impossible for them to even send so much as a letter to their loved ones.

Once all this had been explained there were many exclamations and tears and embraces. The sisters learned that their mother was a writer and easily understood now why they all had such a passion for writing. In fact the unlucky circumstances that had separated them for so many years made great fodder for Sarah’s writing. The tales of marauding gauchos and piracy on the high seas had made their parents quite plump in the pocket. They told their mother of their weekly meetings in the park and she was more than happy to attend. It only seemed natural to the girls that their mother be thought of as Mrs. Bennet and their father Mr. Bennet. Sarah was delighted with the notion, assuring them that she was very much like Mrs. Bennet in many ways and Daniel was quite similar to Mr. Bennet.

After several more months of chatting in the park every Saturday and blissfully reading each other's stories, Mrs. Bennet showed up to the meeting one day with another young lady in tow. "I finally found your other sister," she told the girls. This is Jennifer King, Cindy's twin. The midwife who had attended me in the small town where I spent my confinement gave her away to a local couple whose child had not survived birth -- apparently since I had twins she did not think I would miss one of my children! As was to be expected of a sister of theirs, Jen also enjoyed reading Jane Austen's novels and writing stories. The girls all lamented that there were no more Bennet sisters available to give her a nickname but she readily assured them she would be quite content as Emma Woodhouse. Though she thought Robert Martin an admirable young man, she felt she was no Harriet Smith. Besides Mr. Knightly and Donwell Abbey were quite an incentive.

Soon after, Alicia inquired of Sarah, "Why did you have all of us meet you at The Inholms that day?"

"That was where your father and I used to live. It was his estate."

"Does he still own it?"

"Why yes, but it has been sadly neglected over the years. The land agent we entrusted it to turned out to be a cheating rogue, but I should have known better than to ever trust an agent."

"Why do you not move back in? We would help you fix it up."

All the other girls agreed they would assist in repairing the manor house on the estate. Sarah was overwhelmed and replied to their generous offer saying, "I would love that. But then I would insist you all come and live there with me, like a real family as we should have been."

It was a cold morning in early February when all the Bennet girls, along with their mama, opened the great doors of the manor house for the first time. The rooms were all bare of furnishings, the paint was peeling, and plaster crumbled from the high ceilings. The tall windows were barren of curtains and thick with grime. They explored the entire house and found it all in the same state of disrepair, completely empty except for birds that were nesting in the attics. The stables were near as spacious as the house but they were also in total disrepair and smelled of musty hay and owl droppings. The girls all looked at each other, the enormity of the task ahead of them weighing down upon their shoulders. They all thought it impossible that they could reclaim something so very derelict. Suddenly Alicia ran out into the cobbled courtyard and twirled around with her arms extended. Her sisters followed her and stood watching in mute amazement.

"Don’t you see?" she cried. "This is the framework for something that we can call our very own! It is better than anything that is already finely furbished – it is ours to shape and fashion without reference to anyone else! This can be the place of our dreams where we can express ourselves freely and let our imaginations soar on butterflies’ wings. Instead of looking at what we have to overcome, let us concentrate on what we will be able to achieve."

They all turned around and stared at the house and now instead of seeing the straggling weeds, the dingy walls, and the sagging roofs, they saw bright windows set in gold toned stone, rich, brocade curtains, and plumes of smoke rising from fine, straight chimneys. They saw gardens that were no longer a mass of tangled weeds but beds of profusely blooming flowers, tidy lawns, and well-trimmed hedges. They saw the future, and then they set out to make that vision happen. It was a joint effort but no one worked as hard as Alicia. Her sisters teased her, saying that she was trying to overcome the flighty and careless reputation of Lydia, and possibly she was, but even deeper than that was her commitment to excellence and her love of The Inholms, and the warm and cozy home it provided for herself and her sisters. The others affectionately dubbed her Mistress of The Inholms, much appreciating all her tremendous effort.

A year passed and the sisters sat with their parents in the commodious drawing room, a cheery fire burning in the hearth, and well placed, beautifully painted skreens to stop any draft that may have seeped in on that chilly February morning. They were eating tea and cakes, celebrating the anniversary of their lovely home and awaiting their expected guests. In that year they had made many friends, for their house was open to all who loved reading and writing and discussing the works of their favorite author. Their closest neighbors and great friends, Mortie, Joanna, and Kiamn, could be seen through the tall windows, riding across the meadows on horseback.

"They are almost here!" cried Cindy. "Why don’t we all join them and go for a ride?"

Jen's lapdog, Aaron, jumped down and ran to greet them.  The ladies all wrapped up warmly in wool pelisses, thick scarves wound about their necks, and went off to the stables where the stable lads quickly had their horses saddled. Guiding their horses out of the stable yard and through the gate to the meadow, they soon met their friends and galloped out into the crisp morning. Sarah and Dan stood and watched them, their hearts swelling with love and pride.

"Despite the separation and uncertainty of their childhoods, they didn’t turn out too badly after all, did they?" said Dan.

Sarah sighed. "Yes but now I shall be expected to marry them off to rich men when I really cannot bear to be parted with any of them. And what I ought to be doing is writing my next novel. I plan to set it in the future – what do you think? There will be seven women who all love to read and write.  They will especially enjoy writing stories based on Miss Austen’s works, and they will form a union, like a family, even though they live in diverse parts of the empire."

"They will not use the post."  Sarah thought for a moment and then added, "they will communicate through a mysterious web-like device that will keep them connected always."

"It will be an intriguing story.  I am pleased that our daughters have inspired your creative side."

"And of course there will be musketeers, and girls dressed like cabbages, and a crippled hero confined to a chair set on wheels, and Henry Crawford with a whip and . . .