Plot Bunny Conundrum

Aunt Amelia, Mary, and Kitty on board the Persephone

 Good day, my lovelies. I am very much alive, AND I am writing. Such joy. This past year, spent in a brain fog, caused by my illness, has lifted, and words are flowing. To that end, I hope to have one story finished by year's end - barring any unforeseen delays - and then I shall work on the second languishing WIP. Also, Mr. Harry Frost is scheduled to begin narrating one of my books at the end of October, and I might have snagged another free space with him for December. He has not, as of the writing of this post, replied with more details about a second booking. Fingers crossed he can fit me in. :)

Now: Having said all that, a delicious plot bunny just bounced inside my head, and I have never done this before, but I thought I'd put it out to you, and see what kind of ideas you would like to read about. If they are something I could get my imagination around, I may use them. So... are you ready for a point form preview? Good. Here goes.

-    Aunt Sarah (sister to Mr. Bennet)

    - wealthy / widowed / no children

    - In the summer of 1810, she takes Mary (17) and Kitty (16) with her on a year-long trip to Italy, Greece, and the surrounding countries in the Mediterranean. Including travel time, they will all be gone from England for nearly 1.5 years, returning around Christmas, enjoying the company of the Gardiners when all of them are at Longbourn

    - Sarah takes them because she has noticed they are the most ignored sisters of the family

    - Mary is very touched by the beauty and history of the early church - she abandons Fordyce with abandon. Kitty's artistic soul is discovered and is allowed to learn with a few master painters while in... let's say, Florence. Maybe Venice.

    - Sarah has always told her brother that she is dowrying his daughters with two thousand pounds each, but has never mentioned her estate. Jane is the logical choice as heir, as she is the eldest. Thoughts?

How does this affect those who remain behind?

    - Because of the disparity in ages between Lydia and Jane (7 years), and Elizabeth (5 years), Mr. Bennet decides she will not come out at 15. With more funds available because 1: he is spending less on women's dresses and fripperies, and 2: food costs are down, he uses the extra funds to hire a governess for Lydia.

HUGE CHANGE!

I see a new path forged when the Netherfield party descends upon Meryton. How will that play out with our intrepid heroine and the dour gentleman from Derbyshire? What about Jane? Aunt Amelia returns AFTER Mr. Bingley has abandoned her (Mrs. Bennet cannot help herself; she remains crude and vulgar), so there is not even a hint of her future felicity as an estate owner. Any die-hard fans out there who MUST see her and Bingley joined forever? And, finally, what effect will Wickham have? None, or significant, as he has a nose for heiresses, and might have sniffed out a future one? The dastard!

I cannot wait to hear your ideas and comments!