Where we are: The Bingleys are going to town to sell down assets to allow the purchase of Netherfield, and Caroline may have a beau!

They arrived at the house in town quite late, it was already time to dress for dinner when the carriage pulled in, so there was the normal confusion with bringing in trunks and taking them to the correct rooms combined with trying to dress for dinner. Eventually, the family descended for dinner, and afterwards they adjourned to one of the sitting-rooms.

As they entered that room, Caroline stopped with her mouth open. "What on earth has happened to the sitting-room?" she asked.

Charles smirked at her, "Jane happened," he answered.

"Oh Charles," chided Jane, "it wasn't like that! I had some thoughts on how I'd like my sitting-room to look and left some instructions with the staff. This is the first time I've seen it complete though." She turned around in a circle looking, then inspected a picture on the wall and poked a finger at the upholstery on a chair. "I think Mrs Innis has captured exactly what I wanted!" she said with a smile.

Caroline just looked at her, her expression somewhere between hurt and shocked.

~~ HoL ~~

The next day, Charles was mostly out, sorting out details for the purchase of Netherfield. A price had been agreed with the seller and Charles needed to arrange to free up some cash and sell some of his investments to fund the purchase. The change, he reflected, was large - going from being able to rely on a cash income to hoping he could generate an income from his estate. But while he was made nervous by the change, he wasn't actually worried. He knew that between his wife, who had been raised to run an estate, and being able to fall back on asking questions of Darcy, it should be fine. But a big change is always nerve racking, he reflected. The transactions of the sale of his investments were something he had done more than once, so that was a more routine experience for him.

Jane and Caroline were planning a day out shopping. Caroline had insisted that they had to take advantage of what she called the better facilities of town while they had the opportunity. Jane didn't feel that the dressmaker in Meryton was lacking but was willing to go along to keep the peace. Caroline had made the appointments by mail before they left Netherfield, once their travel dates were clear, and was pleased to have received replies, so the morning after their arrival, they went out shopping. The plan was the various accoutrement shops, then some general shopping, then tea at Gunter's Tea Shop in Berkeley Square.

Their first stop was Caroline's preferred modiste. Jane was far more impressed than she had expected. She inspected the quality of the work of some sample garments and nodded. The pattern offerings were stylish; where she had often had to offer the dressmaker in Meryton guidance in what she wanted, the ladies in this modiste had taken one look at how she was dressed and offered her options that were exactly what she liked, and the fabric offerings were exquisite. She almost gulped when she saw the prices, however, a rather large step up from what she had been paying. However, she considered what her pin money was and realised she could easily pay it. So, she agreed to everything she had selected. Planned were two new day dresses and some evening wear. She did need a new riding gown as hers was starting to hint at wear, but she felt she would purchase that in Meryton - better to keep some purchases with the local people. Caroline purchased eight new gowns and spent a very long time discussing just what she wanted. Jane eyed her a little as she did so. It seemed excessive, but she supposed Caroline had been some months in the country, refusing to go to the dressmaker, so perhaps she really did need that many dresses.

After the orders at the modiste had been placed, the two ladies left and Jane said "Well, where shall we shop now, sister?" Caroline took her arm and, starting to stroll, said "We shall walk, and be seen. Watch and learn." Jane raised her eyebrow. Caroline saw her expression and added "This is how people will know we are here. Word will spread, and then we will have callers!" She smiled and nodded. "But… I placed the customary notices in the newspaper of our visit to town," replied Jane, discomposed. "Yes, that is useful, but this is even better. We can speak to people as we promenade!" Just then a gentleman doffed his hat to them, and Caroline nodded back. "Good morning, Mr. Boulton" she said to him as they passed. "Oh!" said Jane. "I suppose it's not that different to Meryton, really, I always greeted people there too." Caroline gave her a look to say that she had quite missed the point and then continued, "In addition, if any shops we pass take our interest, then we can stop and see what we like." And indeed, there were stops at a milliner, a haberdashery, where Jane thought the men serving were excessively snooty, shoemakers and staymakers They eventually returned to the carriage with the accompanying footman well burdened with purchases, having gone into at least a dozen shops and Caroline had introduced Jane to more than thirty people. Jane decided she was going to have to carefully enter her purchases in her book of accounts to ensure she really wasn't overspending as she was sure she couldn't spend this much regularly! But she hadn't had much need to spend almost anything at home for quite some time, so was sure it was fine as a one off.

~~ HoL ~~

The next day was a home day, and just as Caroline predicted, there were several callers. Most had come to see Caroline, as Jane had no real acquaintances in town yet, but among the visitors was Amelia Shacklock. Mrs Shacklock had been one of the guests at Emma Hart's dinner in Bath, and Jane was delighted to see her again.

"Jane! It is so lovely to see you again!" she greeted Jane, and they exchanged the perfunctory air kisses. "I was at Mrs Eaton's when she said that Miss Bingley was in town and when I asked if the new Mrs Bingley was also in town, she said apparently yes and how did I know you, so I told her all about meeting you in Bath when we were visiting there, and I realised I simply had to call on you." Jane had not quite realised how breathless Amy could be, but she was pleased to have her friend call, and that there was some one she knew in London who wasn't family. Mrs Strickland left after a short visit as, she said, she had a thousand calls to make this morning.

Jane smiled when all her guests left. She thought it had gone quite well. She had met several ladies of Caroline's acquaintance and it was lovely to catch up with Amy again.

Charles returned in the afternoon, and seemed pleased with how his business was proceeding. He said negotiations for what he wanted to sell were going well and he should make more than he expected. Jane was pleased that he was pleased.

~~ HoL ~~

The following morning, Jane made a morning call on her aunt at her home near Cheapside. Jane had asked Caroline is she would like to accompany her, but Caroline had declined, which Jane thought was a pity, as she felt her gracious aunt could teach Caroline a lot about how to behave. She set out cheerfully in the carriage and was handed down by the accompanying footman before the carriage was taken around into the mews. As she approached the door it was opened by their attentive butler, who bowed her in, but she stopped to speak to him.

"Akers," she smiled, "How are you?"

"I am very well, Miss Be- my apologies, madam, it is Mrs Bingley now, is it not? May I offer my congratulations?"

She nodded that it was and accepted his good thoughts graciously.

"How is Mrs Akers?" she continued, "And is your youngest better?"

"They are both well, thank you, madam," the special smile he had always had for the lady was in evidence as she made her way in.

Her morning call with her aunt was pleasant as she had so much to tell her of all that had been happening. They had not had much time to talk at Elizabeth's wedding, as business had meant her uncle Gardiner had not been able to come for more than the day either side of the wedding and everything had been so busy. It took a full hour for the two ladies to discuss everything they wanted to tell each other, but neither minded the extra-long call.

Jane called for her carriage and made the trip home across town with a happy sigh, replete with the experience of the good company of appreciated family.

~~ HoL ~~

In the afternoon, they had a caller - Mr. Elmes had found them. Jane took her needlework to the far side of the room and let the prospective couple talk unassisted. He did not stay long as he was in the middle of business, but Jane noticed that Caroline smiled very nicely for him. She thought it was going well.

Charles suggested they should go out in the evening and had obtained tickets for the theatre. Jane had previously asked Charles about Drury Lane as she had heard so much of it before she was out, but it still had not reopened after the fire in '09. They saw Richard III and Jane wasn't very impressed - she found it too depressing.

~~ HoL ~~

~~ HoL ~~