Page 3 of A Rational Man (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

A nd he has five thousand a year!” Mrs. Bennet announced triumphantly.

Lady Lucas’ brows shot up. “And you are certain that he is single?”

“Very certain, Lady Lucas. Mr. Bingley arrives tomorrow, accompanied by two sisters and a brother-in-law. One of the sisters is to be his hostess.”

“Perhaps he will come to the assembly ball in two weeks’ time,” Lady Lucas said, smiling in anticipation.

“Surely he will, for when he first came to see Netherfield, he told Mr. Phillips that he was very fond of dancing!”

“This is good news indeed, Mrs. Bennet. How fortunate it is that your brother by marriage, Mr. Phillips, arranged the lease and is in possession of such information,” Lady Lucas observed.

“Surely he will dance with Jane!” Mrs. Bennet exulted.

“He will, of course,” Lady Lucas said. There was no point in arguing the matter; it was a simple fact that Miss Jane Bennet was the beauty of the neighbourhood and therefore the most likely to secure the interest of a wealthy young gentleman.

It was unlikely that anyone would look twice at her own daughter, Charlotte, if Miss Bennet was nearby.

***

Later that day, Mrs. Bennet found her husband in his study. “You must visit Mr. Bingley as soon as he arrives,” she told him.

“I always visit Netherfield’s tenants, year after year,” he told her. “You need not remind me of my social obligations.”

“But this time it is of peculiar interest to me that you do so,” she said. “For the new tenant is both wealthy and single. And my brother Phillips assures me that he likes to dance!”

Mr. Bennet sighed. There was almost no possibility that this young, single, sociable young man would be interested in books or chess.

His arrival would be a matter of great importance to the young ladies of the neighbourhood – and their mothers – but he would likely not be of much importance to Mr. Bennet.