Page 126 of The Engagement at Longbourn

“No.”

“Yes, you would.”

“I married a tyrant.”

“You had warning.”

The cushion arrived.

Darcy used it. Lunch became speeches after the second course.

Bingley stood first. He thanked the guests, the Bennets, his sisters, the Matlocks, and finally Darcy.

“My friend has been accused of many things,” he said, smiling toward Darcy. “Some accurately.” Laughter moved through the room.

Darcy looked suspicious.

“But if he had not chosen the wrong road to London in November, none of us would be sitting here quite as we are.”

Elizabeth glanced at Darcy. Bingley raised his glass. “To wrong roads.”

Everyone drank.

Richard stood next.

Darcy said, “No.”

“You cannot stop me.”

“I can attempt it.”

Richard grinned at the guests. “I had prepared a long speech concerning my cousin’s many virtues.”

Darcy relaxed fractionally.

“Unfortunately, I could not think of enough.”

Laughter exploded.

Darcy stared at him.

Elizabeth laughed into her napkin.

Richard continued, “I can say this: I have known Darcy nearly all my life. He has always been loyal, honourable, stubborn, grave, overprotective, occasionally insufferable, and quite incapable of doing anything halfway.”

Darcy’s expression changed.

“When he disliked Hertfordshire, he disliked it thoroughly. When he fell from a horse, he nearly died of it. And when he fell in love with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, he apparently proposed before remembering to remain conscious.”

Even Darcy laughed then.

Richard raised his glass. “To my cousin and his wife. May she continue the difficult work of improving him.”

Elizabeth lifted her own glass. “I shall require assistance.”

The Earl called, “You have the whole family.”

Darcy shook his head.