Chapter One

Business in Cheapside

Mr. Bingley woke suddenly from his sleep drenched in a heavy sweat. He had been dreaming of bedding his love Jane again. Frustrated, he lifted his sheets to discover as he did every time he woke since separating from Jane that he was as stiff as a rod. He called for his valet to get him a cold bath. He is determined to not give into the temptation of wanking off to solve his problem. He tried that the first time this recently happened and was stiff all day from thoughts. After he spent enough time in the bath to cure his current predicament he dressed, had breakfast alone and set off for work for the day.

Today Mr. Bingley had business in Cheapside. Wanting to think to himself, he forgo his carriage that Miss Bingley was trying to get him to use on his way out the door and set off at a good pace to Cheapside. He was meeting his good friend Mr. Daniels there to work on a deal with one of the merchants that sold within the area.

Trying to keep his mind free of thinking of his Jane he set about looking at the people and buildings he was passing. It was not until he reached his destination when he spotted a woman across the street, walking with a little boy to a nearby candy store that looked just like his Jane. He could not believe it.

Heart racing and without thinking he crossed the street in a run, and entered the store. He spotted the little boy pointing to a jar that he could not reach. Rushing over he grabbed the jar and held it down to the boy.

When he looked up he was facing Jane. His Jane, his beautiful, kind, angelic Jane. This must be his lucky day, he thought.

"Miss Bennett, fancy seeing you here today."

Jane, who had been preoccupied with the wish list of her cousins, did not notice who was helping her younger cousin until she heard her name. Looking up she saw Mr. BIngley grinning from ear to ear. Blushing, she frantically tried to responded 'good day Mr. Bingley, we are getting treats today.' instead she blurted out "char…. Mr. Bingley?!…. We… sweets…. Children."

"Oh, well then, you must allow me to help you." Mr. Bingley who still grinning and not believing his luck "I find that I have a sweet tooth and have the good opinion that the cinnamon drops are truly the best."

"Yyyeesss…. They are… my favorite too." Jane responded softly trying to pull herself together enough to speak without panicking

"How long have you been in London? If I would have known I would have come calling." Bingley said not wanting to stop the conversation.

"Since January, I have come to help my Aunt and Uncle with the small children. I am to return at the end of month, with my sister Elizabeth who is to meet us on her way home from Kent."

"Since January?! Did you call on my sisters? surely I would have been told."

"I did call on them when I first arrived in London, but they where about to make calls themselves and told me they would call on me another day. They then called a week later and told me that they wished to end the friendship for some reason or another it is hard to recall."
"They ended your friendship?" Bingley said with a hint of anger to his voice. "They have not said a word to me about you being here in London, or visiting. I knew they had their concerns of you but nothing to the degree that they would end the friendship. I would never wish for that."
"I'm not sure I follow Mr. Bingley. Your sisters made the impression that you had moved on and no longer wished for our friendship to continue." said Jane, who at this point was fighting the urge to cry.

"I would never wish that. I came to London…. I came to London to buy a ring, Jane." Bingely blurted out.

Bingley who at this point was so flustered by the news his Jane has told him, grabbed a bag and started to fill it with all sorts of sweets. He filled another, grabbed the bag the boy was holding went to the counter and paid for them. He vaguely heard the soft protects of Jane stating that they could pay for it themselves.

Turning back to Jane and her cousin he handed the bags to them. "I shall go for a walk around Hyde park towards the east side around 11 tomorrow morning. It would be a great pleasure to happen upon you there. I must get going. I am late." Bowing to Jane, he grabbed her hand and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles "Good day, Miss Bennett."

He was desperately hoping she understood that he wanted to see her tomorrow, but in a way that they would not be overheard or appear to have met on purpose.