Cornelis Sandvoort, a wealthy merchant in 1630s Amsterdam, and his beautiful young wife Sophia have been unsuccessful in conceiving a child, but things get even more complicated when Sophia and Jan van Loos, the artist Cornelis hires to paint their portrait, begin to desire each other.

The five Bennet sisters as they deal with suitors and love, as their mother desperately schemes to marry them off advantageously. Sweet-tempered beauty Jane develops feelings for the equally amiable and extremely wealthy Mr. Bingley, but forces conspire to keep them apart--while Lizzie finds herself first appalled by, but gradually drawn to, Bingley's aloof, intelligent, and socially awkward friend, Mr. Darcy.

As the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has only a single remaining vacancy--posing a rooming predicament for two fresh arrivals--Sonny pursues his expansionist dream of opening a second hotel.