Charlotte Lucas Takes Charge - Book 1 of the Take Charge series

None of the books in this series are purely about the title character, but how their taking charge affects those around them. Fanny Bennet dies of an apoplexy two years prior to the start of this story. As in canon, the Bingleys, Hursts, and Darcy arrive in the area residing in the leased Netherfield Park. Up until the Reverend William Collins arrival, things are not far from canon. Collins is the sycophant we all love to hate and sets his sights on Jane. Bennet tells him in no uncertain terms he will not consent to such a man marrying ANY of his daughters. Charlotte Lucas overhears Collins ranting to himself about how he will evict the Bennets from Longbourn the day Bennet passes. He then tried to woo Charlotte soon after and she too rejects him. He is derisive when she rejects him out of hand, he tells her that no man would ever offer for one on the shelf, without fortune, and as homely as her. Collins then proposes to Matilda Dudley, Lizzy's friend and Longbourn's widowered parson's daughter. Matilda accepts him much to Elizabeth and Charlotte's surprise. Collins's words to her spur Charlotte to take charge, the story tells the tale of what she does and how it affects the lives of not a few people. The book examines how Charlotte actions change the trajectories of some of our favourite (to love and hate) characters.