After two anxious weeks, Mary King confirmed that she was not pregnant. As great as her relief was, she realized she could not stay in Meryton or with her uncle's family in London.

Lord Sebastian had offered to help her; he even gave her a card with his London address. He had been very kind to her, and she would always be grateful, but she resolved not to disturb him.

After weighing her options, she decided that with the £400 interest from her dowry, she could lease a small property and employ a companion and a maid. Hopefully, her uncle could help her find a suitable property.

PPP

Jane Smith sighed. She had just received a letter from her mother inviting her to Lydia's wedding to Captain Denny in Hertfordshire. Her mother also reminded her that if Jane did not marry soon, she would become a spinster.

She had no desire to return to Hertfordshire, as her life was now in London. One of her uncle's associates, Mr. Stanley, seemed interested in her. He was not wealthy like Mr. Bingley, but he had his own house in London and an income of £500–£600 a year. She had always been told by her mother that she was entitled to a certain kind of life. But after spending time in Hertfordshire, her eyes were opened to the realities of the world. She came to the sobering realization that her current situation was far from what she had been promised.

She was the daughter of a soldier, and her mother had a dubious reputation; she had almost no dowry and lacked a good education. The few things her mother was correct about were that if she continued this way, she would end up a spinster.

She answered the letter briefly, congratulating Lydia and apologizing for being unable to attend the wedding.

PPP

No, Caroline, we are not going to London," replied Bingley emphatically.

"But Charles, we can go for just a few days. Lord Sebastian's ball will be the event of the year!"

"And we have not been invited!" An annoyed Bingley replied.

"You know Lord Sebastian did not send the invitation because you told him we were not going! I am sure he will be delighted to see us."

The discussion continued for a few more minutes, but Bingley remained firm in his position. He never revealed to his sister that Lord Sebastian explicitly told him that he did not want Caroline at the ball because she was a horrible gossip who had made some malicious insinuations about Miss Darcy. Further, Bingley was informed that should Caroline show up at the ball, she would be denied entrance!

PPP

Captain Denny looked at his new wife and tried to console himself by saying that at least she was very passionate. With the money from her dowry plus his commission, they had enough money to lease modest rooms and live well but without luxuries. Luckily, he only had to see her for a few hours daily. He just had to kiss her to shut her up and invite her into their shared bedroom. He was aware that other men had had worse luck.

PPP

"Hello, my love." Mr. Barton kissed Mary and handed her a letter he had received that morning before leaving for church.

Mary smiled when she saw that it was from Lord Sebastian.

28th November 1811

London

Dear cousin,

I want to invite you and your lovely wife to the ball in my honour on December 3rd.

I won't give you the option to say no, so a carriage will arrive two days before the ball to pick you both up. Furthermore, I have already ordered my housekeeper to have rooms prepared for you.

Mrs. Barton need not worry about her gown, as Miss Bennet was kind enough to write down her measurements, and the dressmaker will soon have the gown ready for her to try on and adjust the day before the ball.

You will return to Hertfordshire in time for the sermon on Sunday.

See you soon,

Lord Sebastian

"I am surprised about Lord Sebastian's efficiency" Mary smiled.

"He has the habit of ordering the lives of others, but he does it in such a way that one cannot be angry with him." He smiled. "If you read carefully, he never actually asked us if we wanted to go to the ball, nor did he give us the option to say no without being rude."

"You are right; getting mad at him for this invitation is impossible."

That same afternoon, Mr. Barton replied to his cousin, thanking him and accepting the 'invitation'.