Page 24 of Twice Chosen

"Of course not."

"Bingley."

"Yes?"

Darcy changed the subject deliberately. "How serious is your interest in Miss Bennet?"

The humor vanished. "Jane?"

Darcy noticed the first name. So did Bingley. He flushed.

"Miss Bennet," Bingley corrected.

"How serious?"

"I don't know yet."

Good answer.

The old Darcy might have pressed. Instead he nodded.

Bingley looked surprised. "That is all?"

"Yes."

"No advice?"

"Do you want advice?"

Bingley considered. "No."

"Then I shall attempt the novelty of withholding it."

Bingley stared. "What happened to you?"

Darcy looked down at the sealed letter to Georgiana. "A very long education."

"Where?"

Darcy smiled faintly. "Hertfordshire, mostly."

Bingley looked baffled.

Darcy enjoyed it.

Georgiana received the letter two days later. She read it three times.

Mrs. Annesley found her crying. Not desperately. Quietly.

"Miss Darcy?"

Georgiana handed her the letter. Mrs. Annesley read only after receiving permission. Her brows rose.

"He has changed."

Georgiana laughed through tears. "My brother does not write like this."

"He has today."