Page 1 of A Rational Man (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

M r. Darcy frowned as his carriage hit yet another rut.

It seemed that no matter how carefully his carriages were designed, the English roads – combined with the endless rain – defeated those efforts.

Indeed, it was near to impossible for him to read the correspondence he had brought with him, and this added to the irritation that had been his constant companion on this journey.

Was it worth it? If friendship could command such a price, was it even sensible to have friends?

In his current frame of mind, it was not at all clear to him that the game was worth the candle!

He had never imagined that his friendship with Charles Bingley would result in him having to travel across England to an insignificant little village in southern England, when he should – rightfully – be dealing with the myriad issues involved with his estate.

Why, oh why, did Bingley have to break his blasted leg just before he was due to begin his lease on – what was it called?

– yes, Netherfield Park. And rather than asking a steward or an attorney to sign the final papers and accept the keys, Bingley had sent a messenger to ride like the wind to Pemberley, carrying a plea to Mr. Darcy to act in his stead.

He had even enclosed a formal note authorising Mr. Darcy to act for him in all business matters.

Mr. Darcy recalled how he had read that message, eyebrows raised in disbelief that Bingley would – could!

– ask this of him. He had thought of a hundred reasons he could give to refuse this unreasonable request. Georgiana ill…

a fire in a tenant’s cottage… anything that would demonstrate that his presence was absolutely required at Pemberley.

It would be reasonable and rational to write back to Bingley to suggest that he have his attorney perform this task, and rationality was Mr. Darcy’s guiding principle in life.

But in the end his conscience got the better of him, not allowing him to employ such deceit, and thus it was that he found himself in his best traveling carriage, headed to Hertfordshire.