Chapter 6

It took almost two days to arrive in London. Because the boys were along, the carriages were constantly stopping to allow them some exercise during the journey. They also decided to sleep at local inns during the night, so they would be afforded some rest during the trip. When they finally arrived Georgiana had a letter waiting for Kitty. The sisters took their things upstairs, and Kitty opened her letter

Dearest Kitty,

I am so glad to hear that you have gone to London. Send my love to your other sisters. Now Kitty while you are in London, you must take full advantage of your situation there. Meet as many people as possible, because a good number of acquaintances will do you no harm. Please do be mindful to stay away from anyone who reminds you even remotely of Mr. Wickham. Please do your best to find yourself a husband while you are there, for who knows how much longer your father and I will be on this earth, and then who will take care of you? You have been given a marvelous opportunity, do not throw it away. Please tell Mary that she is to make the most of being in London as well, and despite her distaste for marriage, I expect her to find someone amiable that she might consider marrying as well. Be sure to write if there are any developments, it is my joy to hear of any young men that might be pursuing you as I have nothing better with which to keep myself occupied.

Your Loving Mother

"Who was the letter from?" Mary asked while unpacking her trunk.

"Mama."

"Already? What did she have to say?"

"She writes to hurry my finding a husband." Kitty laughed. "And also warns me against any men that have the likeness of Wickham. And, she asks me to tell you to also find a husband, even though you dislike the idea so much."

Mary laughed heartily. "We've only just arrived and already she is pestering about husbands. Oh Mama, she has no shame."

"I just wonder how many similar letters we will receive."

"My guess is several hundred, for we shall be here for two months at least."

"Well perhaps we will have to split up the reading of the letters, because I certainly do not want to have to read several hundred letters telling me I must marry and quickly."

They continued to laugh about their mothers obsession as they unpacked their things. Once the room was in order, the girls went to bed. They hadn't slept well in the past couple of nights and were very thankful for the quiet room and comfortable beds.

They awoke late the next morning and found Georgiana and Mr. Burton almost finished with their breakfast.

"Good morning Mary, Kitty." Georgiana smiled.

"Good morning." Kitty answered.

"Please join us." Mr. Burton smiled. "I am going to go visit your brother after breakfast darling, you ladies will be alone until dinner."

"Alright dear."

"Now remember, we are all going to the Darcy's home for dinner this evening." Mr. Burton added.

"We are?" Kitty said excitedly.

"Yes, we thought it would be fun to enjoy dinner together on your first night." Georgiana smiled as she put some jam on the remaining bite of toast.

They finished eating breakfast and Mr. Burton took his leave of the ladies. They retired to the parlor where Mary picked up one of her books and began reading. Kitty and Georgiana immediately set to talking.

"How is it being married?" Kitty asked as soon as they sat.

"It's wonderful! He takes such good care of me." Georgiana smiled. "Beside him going to visit a friends, we are always together, never having to say goodbye is wonderful. He is my best friend, and I get to see him every day."

"Your so lucky Georgiana, I feel as though I will never experience such happiness." Kitty sighed.

"Of course you will, Kitty your in London! Think of all the possibilities there are gentlemen absolutely swarming this town and you are a very attractive young woman, I'm sure after a while they will be swarming you."

"Well, when you put it that way, perhaps you could be right." Kitty smiled. "Do you think we might do some shopping today?"

"I believe your sisters plan on taking us tomorrow, but they wanted a day to get the boys settled."

"Perhaps we could still go around town today?" Kitty asked excitedly.

"Of course we could go out and eat lunch, or get some tea, or just walk around the park." Georgiana offered.

"Yes please, lets do all three." Kitty said, excited to see the city. She had never been to London before, and was anxious to see all the things everyone spoke of so often.

"Mary, do you mind accompanying us for a couple of hours?" Georgiana asked hopefully.

"No not at all, I'd rather like to see the city myself." Mary smiled.

"Perfect! Then let us all go get our bonnets and shoes and be ready to leave in a quarter of an hour." Kitty smiled.

"Very well." Georgiana said in agreement as she rose from her seat.

"Mary put her bookmark in her book and hoped that her sister's silliness would not reappear once faced with an abundance of handsome gentlemen. She did so poorly when the militia was around, she hoped her new found maturity would hold steady. The women quickly gathered their gloves, bonnets and shoes and were all ready to leave at the agreed time.

It was a beautiful day and both Mary and Kitty were shocked by how much there was to look at. Kitty could not wait to come out tomorrow and go shopping, the dresses in the windows were beautiful. She hoped she would be able to afford one with the little money her parents had given her for the summer.

"I love the city! I think I would be quite content to live here forever." Kitty smiled.

"It is lively isn't it?" Mary added. She was actually smiling, Kitty could tell she was enjoying herself.

"Shall we stop somewhere for tea?" Georgiana asked as they reached a street with several tea parlors.

"Yes of course, might we find one where we can take our tea outside? I enjoy watching all the people."

"What a busy body you are Kitty." Mary laughed.

The ladies laughed as they finally found a parlor with an out door veranda to eat at. They sat and watched as some very distinguished and some not so distinguished people walked by. The three of them got quite a number of stares and tipped hats from passing gentlemen. Some of their smiles made even Mary blush.

"Who knew we would be so popular in London." Mary laughed after she had received another friendly smile from a tolerably handsome gentleman.

"Who knew London would make you smile so much." Kitty mocked.

"You make me sound like a person who has no fun."

"Well Mary, it's not like you are a person who takes pleasure in much other than reading and music and those two things don't lend much help to laughter."

"Kitty, you must admit I am doing better with enjoying my surroundings and circumstances."

"Of course you are Mary! I am quite proud of you." Mary smiled.

"Girls! Look at that young man! How handsome he is, oh he's tipping his hat!" Georgiana said excitedly, even though she was already married, she took great pleasure in seeing her friends so noticed in public.

"Perhaps we will get to meet him during our stay." Kitty said in a dreamy tone.

They finished their tea and continued their tour of the city. Eventually they stopped for lunch and then once again continued walking. They finally reached the steps of the Burtons home and went in to find Mr. Burton waiting anxiously.

"Where have you been?" he asked quickly as they entered.

"I left you a note. Mary and Kitty wanted to see town." Georgiana explained.

"I thought you would have been back hours ago! We are expected at the Darcy's in an hour. You had all better go read yourselves quickly."

"Right away." Kitty said grabbing Mary's hand and hurrying her up the stairs.

Kitty got ready quicker then she ever had before and she still looked very elegant. Mary looked quite lovely as well and they went downstairs to the parlor to wait for Georgiana and Mr. Burton. They got into the carriage and managed to arrive on time.

"Hello Lizzy, Darcy, Samuel." Kitty said as she walked into the beautiful town home. "Lizzy it's lovely."

"Thank you Kitty, it's good to see you again so soon!" Lizzy smiled and hugged both of her sisters. "I'm so glad I persuaded Jane to come with you all."

"We're glad too." Mary said happily.

"Well if Mary is happy then we definitely made the right decision." Lizzy laughed.

"Come in, come in, dinner should be ready, I'll just go get the Bingley's from the parlor." Darcy said ushering them all toward the dining room.

They all took their seats and the first course came out promptly, everything smelled wonderfully.

"Lizzy, what gave you the idea for all of us to come to London?" Kitty asked.

"I had so much fun when we were all at Pemberley, I didn't want you all to leave. But I knew Pemberley was not diverting enough to hold al of our attentions so I let you leave. Then I heard William talking about business in London. He asked if I wanted to join him, but I usually hate town because there is no one to keep me company. Then, I had my brilliant idea."

"Brilliant is right." Jane laughed. "I can not believe it took us so long to think of it."

"I didn't realize how diverting London was." Kitty said.

"Did you get to explore today?" Jane asked.

"Oh yes, they were gone all day!" Mr Burton said knowingly.

"I hope you did not go shopping." Lizzy said.

"No we did not." Mary answered.

"But it was very difficult to stay out of the shops! I can't wait until tomorrow!" Kitty got a bit excited as she began to speak of the shops. "Excuse me, please forgive my outburst."

"No need to apologize." Mr Bingley laughed. "We know how you all love to shop."

"Yes I suppose you do know all of us well enough to know that about us." Kitty smiled.

"Oh, Mary, Kitty there was something else we wanted to tell you about." Lizzy announced looking anxiously at Jane.

"Well, what is it!" Kitty shrieked, once again getting over excited.

"Well Jane and I are going to buy you both some dresses tomorrow when we go shopping." Lizzy smiled.

"We have money, we can't ask you to buy us things." Mary said sensibly.

"Your not asking, we're offering, and you don't have enough money to buy what you need." Jane insisted.

"What do we need?" Mary asked.

"At least two ball dresses and two dinner dresses. You have no idea how many parties you'll be invited to while you are here, and you can't very well wear the same dress every time. And because it's London, only the newest fashions will due." Jane explained.

"Are you sure?" Kitty asked.

"Absolutely." Lizzy smiled.

"Then I am very excited for tomorrow!" Kitty smiled.

The table erupted with laughter and they continued to talk as they finished eating. Everyone stayed until the boys began to grow weary and then they all ended their visit. The women made plans for the next day and Kitty and Mary got more excited.