Page 16 of A Rational Man (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

M r. Bingley was a man of action. He rode, he danced, he visited friends.

Weeks of enforced inactivity had him bored nearly into a coma, with the result that he gave more attention than usual to his correspondence.

He read several letters of business and responded to them before happily turning his attention to a brief message written in Mr. Darcy’s careful script.

Bingley,

I have decided to remain at Netherfield at least until your arrival, though I am likely to depart soon after. I have a good deal of information to relate to you regarding your new estate, and prefer to do it in person.

Darcy

“What has Mr. Darcy to say?” Miss Bingley enquired. She attempted to maneuver herself so that she could read the message over her brother’s shoulder without it being too obvious, but her brother folded it in half before she could manage to do so.

“Good news for you, Caroline.”

“How so?”

“He says he will remain at Netherfield until we arrive.”

“Oh! Why, that is excellent news indeed!”

“But he adds that he will leave soon after,” her brother advised her.

“Well, perhaps he will find a reason to stay,” Miss Bingley declared, and with that she whirled about and headed upstairs.

“There is no point in repacking yet again, Caroline!” Mr. Bingley called after her, but she ignored him.