I like Suzanne O's take! That would be a good one to write.
I agree that Longbourne is not a big enough estate to be attractive to the Miss Bingleys, even if Jane inherited it at the time of her marriage, and that the encumbrance of a mother and four sisters would be significant. And it seems most likely that such an arrangement would come with an embarrassing clause for an only son--if I'm remembering correctly, such things often came with a requirement that her husband, or at least her son, change his name to Bennett (viz. Frank Churchill nee Weston). It would be harder to keep her single until Bingley showed up, but yeah, not impossible. We don't really get the idea that there are a lot of suitable young men hanging about Meryton until the regiment arrives (after Bingley).
Another take, if somebody were interested in a non-canon pairing: I think it's likely that an arrangement of that sort would make Jane very attractive to a second son. Possibly even Col. Fitzwilliam? Although probably not encumbered with four sisters and a mother. And it would, of course, make her catnip to Mr. Collins, who would be in a reasonable position to help her keep it all in the family and look after mum and sisters. Maybe he would still try to appeal to Jane even after discouraged by Mrs. Bennet? Maybe his persistence would rouse Mr. Bingley to a more decisive and earlier action?
I agree that Longbourne is not a big enough estate to be attractive to the Miss Bingleys, even if Jane inherited it at the time of her marriage, and that the encumbrance of a mother and four sisters would be significant. And it seems most likely that such an arrangement would come with an embarrassing clause for an only son--if I'm remembering correctly, such things often came with a requirement that her husband, or at least her son, change his name to Bennett (viz. Frank Churchill nee Weston). It would be harder to keep her single until Bingley showed up, but yeah, not impossible. We don't really get the idea that there are a lot of suitable young men hanging about Meryton until the regiment arrives (after Bingley).
Another take, if somebody were interested in a non-canon pairing: I think it's likely that an arrangement of that sort would make Jane very attractive to a second son. Possibly even Col. Fitzwilliam? Although probably not encumbered with four sisters and a mother. And it would, of course, make her catnip to Mr. Collins, who would be in a reasonable position to help her keep it all in the family and look after mum and sisters. Maybe he would still try to appeal to Jane even after discouraged by Mrs. Bennet? Maybe his persistence would rouse Mr. Bingley to a more decisive and earlier action?