Page 30 of Twice Chosen

"Perhaps she does not always deserve to be the entertainment," Elizabeth said.

He absorbed that in silence.

The remark did not reform him.

The next morning he teased Mrs. Bennet about a bonnet.

But he stopped before she became genuinely upset.

Elizabeth noticed.

So did Mrs. Bennet, though she said nothing.

Darcy, meanwhile, learned that making an effort socially brought unexpected rewards. Mr. Bennet invited him into the library not only to interrogate him but to discuss books. Sir William stopped overpraising his rank after discovering Darcy would actually answer ordinary questions. Colonel Forster spoke candidly about the militia. Even Mrs. Phillips proved useful, since she knew every rumor in Meryton before breakfast.

Darcy began to understand that community could not be managed from the edge of a room.

Elizabeth had told him that once.

He had disagreed for three days.

Now he silently conceded the point.

Chapter Eight

Jane's Reserve

Elizabeth's greatest temptation was Jane.

She knew the future that had once belonged to her sister. She knew Jane loved Bingley. She knew Bingley loved Jane. She knew how easily uncertainty could wound them both, and she knew exactly how tempting it would be to push one toward the other until the old happy ending arrived sooner and with less pain.

Instead Elizabeth attempted something harder.

She listened.

Jane sat beside her in the Longbourn garden one mild afternoon, her sewing lying forgotten in her lap. "Mr. Bingley is very amiable."

Elizabeth turned her head. "You have said so six times."

Jane flushed. "Have I?"

"Yes."

"I only mean that he is pleasant to everyone."

"I know what you mean."

Jane looked away toward the orchard.

Elizabeth's heart softened. Young Jane had concealed emotion even from herself. Older Jane had once admitted, after Bingley's death, that she had spent the first months of their acquaintance frightened of wanting too much and therefore determined to appear as though she wanted nothing.

Elizabeth rested her hand over Jane's. "You need not tell me anything you do not wish to tell me."

Jane looked at her suspiciously. "There is a but in that sentence."

"No but."

Jane smiled. "You have changed."