Page 2 of A Rational Man (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

C aroline Bingley stared hard at her brother. “Mr. Darcy is going to Netherfield?” Her voice rose in disbelief.

Her brother, wrapped in his dressing gown with his injured leg propped up on a padded footstool, handed her the message. “Read it for yourself, Caroline.”

Bingley,

Darcy

Miss Bingley could scarcely contain her excitement. “Mr. Darcy at Netherfield! I can scarce credit it!”

Her brother raised his eyebrows. “I take it that the countryside now has more appeal, Caroline?”

“I am certain I will adore Netherfield!” Her face shone.

“Ten minutes ago you told me that breaking my leg was a sign and we should give up our lease at once,” Mr. Bingley observed.

“I am certain I never said that,” she replied, quite firmly. “How can you imagine such things, Charles?”

Despite his irritation, Mr. Bingley felt that he had to admire his younger sister’s astonishing ability to forget past statements, beliefs and even histrionics whenever it suited her.

No wonder men were in charge of everything important!

How would he, Charles Bingley, attend to his affairs if his brain were in such disarray?

“…changes everything. Matilda must repack my trunks at once…

“What was that? I apologise for my inattention.” The sound of his sister’s voice pulled Mr. Bingley away from his thoughts.

“Really, Charles! Where is your mind these days?”

“You will recall that the doctor prescribed laudanum for the pain.” Mr. Bingley did his best to look contrite. “That must be the explanation for my abstraction.”

“Oh. Yes. Indeed. In any event, I was saying that if Mr. Darcy will be joining us, then I will need far more fashionable gowns than I had originally packed.”

“He is not joining us, Caroline. He is going instead of us.” Mr. Bingley gestured toward his heavily wrapped leg.

“But – but, surely –“ Her eyes were wide with disbelief and disappointment.

“I am sorry, Caroline. But the doctor says I must rest the leg for eight weeks complete, and it has been only two weeks.”

“Do you mean to say that I shall not see Mr. Darcy at all? You cannot mean it, Charles!” Her voice now rose in a wail.

“I do not know, Caroline. Perhaps he will consent to stay for a time after you and I arrive at Netherfield, but I suspect he will be eager to return to Pemberley.”

Mr. Bingley thought again how lucky he was to have Fitzwilliam Darcy as a friend.

He could have asked his attorney to sign the Netherfield lease for him, but there was no one like Darcy when it came to estate matters.

And, doubtless Darcy would have been offended had he not been asked to do this small service for his friend.