It's a simple plan: propose, plan a ball, ensure his friend's happiness. If only simple meant easy.

Mr. Bingley has returned to Netherfield as he promised, and he has come alone. However, he is planning to have guests. First, he will need to secure Miss Bennet's acceptance of his proposal. Then, he'll have to rid the area of a particular scoundrel. And then? Well, then, he can work on ensuring his friend's happiness.

In theory, it seems simple. In practice, it's going to take some quick thinking and shifting tactics to pull off the happiest Yuletide ball either he or his friend have ever attended.

Mr. Bingley Plans a Ball is the second installment in Leenie Brown's Teatime Tales Collection of Austen-inspired quick reads. If you're looking for an entertaining escape from the everyday, where good intentions turn into a somewhat-muddled scheme, then you'll love this story about the lengths to which one friend will go for another to make certain they are both happily matched.

So put the kettle on, download your copy of Mr. Bingley Plans a Ball, and steal away with Mr. Bingley for a few moments of sweet indulgence while he fumbles his way through planning a happily ever after or two.

[This story was previously published in a MUCH shorter form as part of a Teatime Tales short story anthology. That original short story is now part of the first chapter of this novelette.]