Page 66 of Twice Chosen

Mrs. Bennet objected to the expense until Mrs. Cunningham said she would accept a modest fee because she enjoyed the company. Mr. Bennet, to everyone's surprise, offered to pay from his personal allowance rather than the household account.

Mary looked at him as though he had handed her a fortune.

"Thank you, Papa."

Mr. Bennet shifted uncomfortably. "If the result is less thunder from the drawing room, I shall consider it an investment."

The old joke was still there.

But Mary smiled.

Because this time it came after support rather than instead of it.

Elizabeth understood the distinction.

Darcy did too when she told him later.

"Your father is trying," he said.

"Badly."

"So did I."

Elizabeth looked at him. "You were magnificent at trying badly."

"Thank you."

"It was not praise."

"I have chosen to receive it as such."

She laughed.

Chapter Seventeen

Georgiana and Elizabeth

Georgiana came to Longbourn.

Mrs. Bennet nearly expired.

"Mr. Darcy's sister?" she asked for the fourth time that morning.

Elizabeth fastened a bracelet while Jane attempted to calm their mother. "Yes, Mama."

"Sixteen?"

"Yes."

"Thirty thousand pounds?"

Elizabeth closed her eyes. "Mama."

"What? I only asked."

"You know the answer."

Mrs. Bennet brightened. "I do."