Page 101 of Twice Chosen

Elizabeth looked at Mr. Bennet.

He noticed.

Perhaps understood.

Later Lydia dropped herself onto Elizabeth's bed and said, "Mr. Wickham was not there."

Elizabeth kept her voice casual. "No?"

"He left the regiment. Apparently he owed everyone money. Colonel Forster would not say much, but Mrs. Forster said he had behaved badly."

"Did she?"

"She used a more interesting word."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.

Lydia grinned. "I shall not repeat it. I am improved."

"Miraculous."

Lydia threw a cushion at her.

After the laughter faded, Lydia grew thoughtful. "I suppose handsome men can be awful."

"Frequently."

"Mr. Darcy is handsome."

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. "Careful."

Lydia laughed and ran from the room.

Elizabeth stood by the window after she had gone.

Darcy had not saved Lydia alone.

Elizabeth had not.

Mr. Bennet had not.

Miss Harcourt, Colonel Forster, Mrs. Bell, Lydia herself--a hundred small choices had changed the road.

That felt truer than rescue.

Before Jane left Longbourn as Mrs. Bingley, she and Elizabeth spent one last evening in the room they had shared during visitors and illnesses throughout girlhood. Jane sat before the dressing table while Elizabeth unpinned her hair.

"You are happy," Elizabeth said.

Jane met her eyes in the mirror. "Very."

Elizabeth's throat tightened.

The first time, Jane's happiness had come after months of believing Bingley lost. This Jane carried fewer scars into marriage.

Jane turned. "You are crying."

"I am allowed."