The next morning, Lydia sulked through breakfast as the others spoke of the ball. She tried to turn the conversation a few times, but her sisters just ignored her. They decided that they would call on the ladies at Netherfield that morning, if they could have the carriage. Lydia tried to get herself included, but not only did her sisters not welcome her company, her father would not allow her. She watched the carriage leave angrily and decided that she would walk to Meryton to see her Aunt Phillips. That lady would be sympathetic to her plight. It was not to be, however. The servants refused to fetch her things and reported her intention to her father. She was called into his library and had to sit there quietly while he lectured her. She paid not the slightest attention.

When the Bennets arrived at Netherfield, the were pleased to find Anne in the drawing room. They had been concerned that she would be greatly fatigued by the evening, but she had avoided that by retiring after supper. There was plenty to say on the matter of gowns and partners, and they chatted the entire morning away. The next day saw most of the Netherfield party return to town, though they would be returning for the wedding a month later.

That month passed quickly and, before they knew it, Lizzy and Darcy were married. They went straight to town from the wedding breakfast. Mrs Bennet was most disappointed that Netherfield was closed the next day as everyone else returned to town as well. Mrs Hurst was nearing her time and they wished to be in town for the birth. She was safely delivered of a son and the Darcys and Gardiners were some of her first visitors. A few weeks later the Gardiners welcomed their third son into the world.

Miss Bingley had come of age and returned to town by then. She went straight to her brother's house and was most upset to be denied entry. She went next to the Hursts and was again turned away. She went next to the Darcys and was told they were not at home. It was quite true, as they were visiting the Gardiners at the time. She did not know what to do. Her aunt had sent a maid and a man, but she had sent them back as soon as she arrived in town. She could not stay alone in an inn, and had no time to arrange a suitable companion. She could not believe that her family would treat her so infamously. She knew the Hursts were here, with their dratted offspring, so she returned to their house to demand entry.

Charles was leaving when she arrived and she harangued him on his infamous treatment of herself. When he finally understood the problem, he offered to lend her a maid until she obtained a companion.

"I won't need a companion, Charles."

"Well, you can't have my maid permanently, so you will have to find one. Besides, while a maid will be acceptable when staying at an inn you cannot live with only servants."

"An inn? Charles, I shall be staying with you."

"No, Caroline, you will not. You are not welcome even as a visitor until you can show that you've improved yourself."

"Improved? You're not still going on about that nonsense are you?"

"Yes, I am. And I will be until you give me a reason to stop. Now, I shall find you a maid and settle you in an inn. If you wish for my assistance in selecting a companion or lodgings, send a note."

She was most displeased and expressed her feelings loudly and at length. He remained unmoved and she had little choice but to accept the maid and find an inn. She did not know how to go about finding either a companion or lodgings, so she presented herself at her brother's house late the next morning. She was surprised to find herself denied entry, telling the butler that she had been told to meet with him. The butler explained that the master had said she was to be reminded that she was told to send a note and her physical presence was unwelcome. Angry and annoyed, she returned to her room at the inn and sent a note to her brother.

She received a reply stating that he would arrange to interview companions, view lodgings, and a meeting with both the banker and the solicitor to ensure her independence. As he said that the absolute earliest the meetings could be arranged was the next day, she decided that she was free to go out visiting. Her first stop was the Darcys, where she was told they were not at home. When she complained that she had just seen two other ladies go in, the butler merely raised an eyebrow and repeated that they were not at home.

Annoyed, she decided to call on a friend of hers, Miss Phyllida Harrison. She was soon admitted, but found her friend was not alone. As the guest was Miss Anna Godden, another friend, she was quite pleased to detail all her woes.

"It is utterly awful! Mr Darcy is engaged to this insolent country chit with no manners and less breeding, and she's turned all my family against me! I am in the process of setting up an independent establishment because the situation is so intolerable. Charles is completely taken in by the older sister, who is just as determined a fortune hunter!"

"You've been out of London for quite some time, Caroline. Your information is somewhat out of date," Phyllida said.

"It is?"

"Oh yes," Anna said with an unnerving smile. "Mrs Darcy has made quite the sensation already."

"Mrs Darcy? Well, she didn't waste any time. I wonder if there's a reason they married with such haste. I certainly witnessed enough improprieties at Pemberley to believe it of her."

"Did you? How very interesting."

"Few have met her, but we expect they intend her debut to be at the Matlock's ball on Thursday."

"Yes, Phyllida, they've been 'not at home' to all but family as yet."

"I do hope she hasn't convinced poor Mr Darcy to let her vulgar relations in trade presume upon the acquaintance, but he is completely taken in. He even had them at Pemberley!"

The visit rapidly came to an end, as Miss Bingley claimed other engagements. Once she had left, the two women smirked at each other. They wondered how much truth there was to their friend's claims, and how much was jealousy. They were now even more eager for the ball.

Having been made aware of the ball, Miss Bingley determined that some shopping was in order. She needed to show Darcy what a mistake he had made, and how much more elegant and appropriate a choice she was. She wondered at the modiste's asking her where to send the account and gown upon completion.

"Why, Madame la Neve, have you lost my information? Surely you know my brother's address?"

"Indeed I do, Miss Bingley. But he has said that he will no longer be accepting your accounts."

Incensed, she gave her sister's address.

"You will forgive me, Miss Bingley, but we have had the same instructions from Mrs Hurst."

She was mortified, her only comfort that she was alone in the shop. She said that her accommodations were not yet settled and that she would send a note as soon as they were. She gave her address at the inn, in case they completed the gown before she had found the right lodgings. She returned to the inn to sulk.

The two ladies she had seen entering the Darcys' house that morning were Anne and Elinor. The three Bennet girls had arrived in town the night before, and all stayed with the Darcys for their first night. Miss Mary's things would be removed to her aunt's house, and Miss Kitty's to Anne's. For now, however, they had to enjoy being together again. And, of course, they were going shopping. Mary tried to get out of it, claiming that her dress from Lizzy's engagement ball was quite good enough. The other ladies refused to listen to her, and started to enumerate the guest list, which included a number of lords and their ladies. All of the family's friends and relations, along with most of the rest of the ton were expected to be there. Finding herself so completely outnumbered, Mary gave in with good grace. The gowns they settled on were gorgeous and neither Mary nor Kitty had felt half so beautiful in all their lives. They then escorted Mary to the Gardiners, purely in the interests of all seeing the baby that was preventing the couple from attending the ball. After much cooing the rest of the party took their leave.

Thursday dawned bright and clear, and all of London was in a bustle preparing for the ball. The family all arrived early to give them some time to organise their ladies' dance cards. Georgiana was being allowed to dance with her brother, cousins, and uncle, as well as Mr Bingley and Colonel Brandon. She was quite pleased with that, and had no desire to be introduced to all the many strangers that would be present.

The ball started promptly and much enjoyment was had by all. The General was pleased to see his Elinor again and managed to talk her into dancing the first, last, and supper sets with him. There was some speculation on the matter, as he rarely danced twice with one woman, and certainly not thrice! All were quite willing to tell that he was courting the lady and a number of hearts were broken. The only other lady he favoured more than once was Georgiana. In that case all the speculation was on her and, more specifically, on when she'd be coming out. Lizzy and Darcy planned to ease her into it slowly over this season and have her official debut at the beginning of the next.

The Colonel and Jane danced together twice and spent a fair bit of time talking together. Being the beautiful elder sister of Mrs Darcy, she received a great deal of attention. Most of the gentlemen seemed to think that beauty necessarily indicated ignorance, but she failed to understand the reason for their superficial conversation. She knew only that she enjoyed her dances with her friends best, and the Colonel's even more so. Darcy had no interest in dancing with any lady outside his own party and had even tried to convince his wife to keep every other dance for him. She had laughed and bargained him down to the first, last, and supper sets, as well as two others. Kitty had danced almost every dance and enjoyed herself immensely. Mary and Anne had danced least, though they both felt it had been quite enough. Marianne had danced every dance and had a number of stimulating debates. It helped that the Colonel had taken care to introduce a number of men who he knew enjoyed that sort of thing.

The women of London were not bothered by Darcy's behaviour - they were quite surprised that he danced so much, in fact - and the General's courtship was a pleasant bit of news to most of the ton. Mr Bingley's behaviour stymied them, however. Like Darcy he danced only with the ladies who had been at Pemberley, with the addition of Kitty and Mary, and only once with each. Usually he danced every dance and complained that the evening was far too short. Of course, as soon as anyone asked about it, he admitted that he had broken his leg over the summer and that it still pained him if he did not limit his exertions. The story spread quickly of course, and he was unilaterally forgiven.

The only person unwilling to forgive him was his sister. First, she had to make her own way to the ball. She had sent a note asking what time he would be collecting her, and received the reply that he would not be, as she was not invited. She knew better, of course. Her evening had not gone well. She had danced only two sets when she found herself facing her brother along with the Earl and Countess.

"Caroline. I believe my note was perfectly clear that you were not invited this evening."

"I don't know what you mean Charles."

"Regardless of how duplicitous you wish to be, Miss Bingley, the fact remains that you were not invited. Will you allow us to see you out, or should my husband send for some of his footmen to remove you?"

Unfortunately for Caroline, the Countess made no effort to lower her voice and all those nearby heard her. Caroline left, angry, as the gossip over her situation began to spread.

The next morning, while she was scouring the gossip pages, hoping she would not be named, she received a note from her brother giving her a time and place to interview for a companion, as well as details on potential lodgings. She was pleased to see that he would be accompanying her for both. She did not like the look of any of the housing hew as considering, simply from the addresses. None of them were in fashionable areas and some of them were known to be frequented by tradespeople. Annoyed, she turned back to the newspapers. She scowled at them. Every single one of them mentioned her humiliation. One of them even went so far as to name her in full.

Everyone else was enjoying the morning after the ball. Georgiana, Mary, Kitty, and Anne had all retired after supper, though they had not slept till after the ball had finished, too busy chatting and giggling.

Mr Bingley met with his sister to interview companions. She disliked all of them and the feeling appeared mutual. They then went to view the accommodations he had suggested. Mr Bingley despaired of finding something that would suit. She wouldn't even get out of the carriage at most of them. There was only one that Caroline considered close to suitable, though she disliked the situation as being unfashionable. He insisted she take it, however, as all the addresses she favoured were beyond her means. He arranged to move all the furniture that belonged to her, including some items that were his, but which he considered hideous and Caroline adored. She could not move in with only a maid, so they had to arrange further interviews for companions. He was dining with the Darcys that day and regaled them all with his tale.

The next day, Lizzy spoke to Georgiana. "I know you will not wish to part with her, but would you consider giving up Mrs Annesley? We shall not be willing to part with you and I fear she may feel unnecessary."

"I had not considered such a thing! I will certainly think on it."

Georgiana was distracted all day as she thought on the matter. Finding herself still undecided, she decided to speak to Mrs Annesley about it at tea.

"I have been considering the same thing, dear. You no longer have need of me, and I'm sure there are young ladies out there who do."

"So you will be leaving us?"

"I think so, yes. And however subtle your sister may think herself, I have no intention of putting myself in Miss Bingley's employ."

"Miss Bingley?" Georgiana looked horrified. "No! You must rather stay with us! I'm sure Elizabeth did not think that!"

Elizabeth had in fact thought exactly that. She thought there was a chance that Mrs Annesley would be able to teach Miss Bingley how to behave properly. Miss Bingley probably would have been quite happy with Georgiana's companion, but as the option was never given to her, it was not to be.

After another day of useless interviews, Charles gave his sister an ultimatum. She had one more day of his assistance and then she would be on her own. She was not pleased, but managed to select an older French widow. Bingley did not think it a good match - he could see the contempt with which she looked at his sister, but Caroline could not and so was happy. Having settled his sister in her new lodging, Bingley felt himself free to end the association. As Caroline was too busy calling on her friends and acquaintances she did not notice the lack of attention from her family.

A fortnight later it became clear how few were willing to return her calls, and that the ones who did were the people who wanted something from her, usually gossip, but sometimes a step up the social ladder Unfortunately, none of her high society friends had any particular interest in continuing the acquaintance after it was made clear that Lady Matlock disdained her. They were all trying to make the acquaintance of the new Mrs Darcy. Determined to show the little upstart how superior she was, Caroline attempted to call. It did not matter when she came, how many others had gained admittance before her, the Darcys were not at home when she called. None of the others in that circle would admit her either, including her brother and sister. She was incensed. How dare they treat her so! She threw herself into the engagements she was welcome at, determined to find a wealthy title for herself and show them all how very wrong they were.

Bingley was much happier now that he no longer had to interact with Caroline. His plan had been to revisit the matter of courting Miss Bennet once he had finished with his sister, but he had noticed the way she looked at the Colonel at Lady Matlock's ball. She had looked at him that way at the Netherfield ball. He was hurt, and melancholy, but accepted that what had happened was his own fault entirely. There was a part of him that wanted to blame her, to call her fickle, but he knew that was wrong. He had abandoned her and she had inferred that he did not care for her and moved on. It was his behaviour that had lost her. He was surprised that he was not more unhappy over it, but as he could see that she was happy, he determined to find happiness for himself.

Jane was happy. She saw the Colonel almost every day and enjoyed his company immensely. She thought him happier and his countenance lighter than he had been previously. She was quite correct about that. He had surprised himself by finding Delaford cold and empty, despite the fact that nothing there had changed. It puzzled him, as he'd never found the estate to evoke such feelings before. He had a few months to meditate on the matter and was surprised when he realised what was missing. He had never thought of a woman in the context of quiet winter evenings at home. When he thought of Eliza and even Marianne, there was noise, activity, presence. And now he longed for the quiet conversation of Miss Bennet. To read together before the fire with a couple of children at their feet. To see her at the breakfast table every morning and to retire with her each evening. He had always thought of passionate love, never of the quiet, comfortable companionship, the routine of every day life. He rather wished he had and felt now that only that could have made him happy. He was determined as he had not been in almost two decades. He would pursue his Jane and hope to win her. He thought she had been encouraging at Pemberley and hoped that would continue in town. Jane was just as encouraging in town and he began to hope, as he had not allowed himself to hope since Eliza.