The thing is, if Mr. Collins is Mr. Bennet's heir, then in the scenario you imagine, he would become heir presumptive to Downton, and we wouldn't want that, would we? Mr. Collins an earl! LOL
Perhaps you could make it so Mr. Bennet is heir from a different side of the family. After all, it's not so sure that to inherit you need to follow the male line. Say, Collins inherits from the female line (why would his name be Collins and not Bennet, otherwise?) and Mr. Bennet inherits Downton from the male line. So Collins couldn't have any claims to either the estate or the earldom (though I admit that it would be quite the twist, if he became a Lord).
I wonder at the possible plotlines. The Bennet girls would obviously have great connections (even better than Darcy's), but then there would be not just five girls to marry, but at least seven! [counting on Sybil's elopement happening].
You got me thinking, Nat! And now I have a plot bunny... If you want to write, please do! Technicalities could be dealt with later :) In the meantime, we could have a new, wonderful, original, P&P/DA cross-over! Wouldn't it be worthy?
Perhaps you could make it so Mr. Bennet is heir from a different side of the family. After all, it's not so sure that to inherit you need to follow the male line. Say, Collins inherits from the female line (why would his name be Collins and not Bennet, otherwise?) and Mr. Bennet inherits Downton from the male line. So Collins couldn't have any claims to either the estate or the earldom (though I admit that it would be quite the twist, if he became a Lord).
I wonder at the possible plotlines. The Bennet girls would obviously have great connections (even better than Darcy's), but then there would be not just five girls to marry, but at least seven! [counting on Sybil's elopement happening].
You got me thinking, Nat! And now I have a plot bunny... If you want to write, please do! Technicalities could be dealt with later :) In the meantime, we could have a new, wonderful, original, P&P/DA cross-over! Wouldn't it be worthy?