Page 81 of The Engagement at Longbourn

“Do you accept my apology?”

Jane almost smiled. “I believe you are sorry that your actions hurt Charles.”

Caroline stiffened.

Jane continued gently, “I do not yet know whether you are sorry they hurt me.”

The accuracy of it struck Caroline silent.

Jane looked down at her gloves. “I do not wish us to be enemies. You are Charles’s sister. I hope, in time, we may become something like friends again. But I cannot pretend nothing happened merely because pretending would be easier before the wedding.”

Caroline stared at her. She had thought Jane Bennet weak. Soft, certainly. Pleasant. Pretty. Accommodating. Weakness had been an assumption Caroline found increasingly difficult to defend. “You are angry with me.”

“Yes.”

Jane’s tone was so calm that Caroline nearly laughed. “You do not sound angry.”

“How should I sound?”

Caroline had no answer.

Jane said, “I accept that you have apologized. I hope the rest may improve with time.” It was not forgiveness exactly.

It was better.

Caroline nodded.

When Jane left, Louisa was waiting in the corridor. “Well?”

Caroline looked at her. “She is much more difficult than I thought.”

Louisa smiled. “Yes.”

Caroline’s mouth twitched despite herself. At Longbourn that evening, Jane told Elizabeth what had happened.

Elizabeth stared at her sister in admiration. “You told Caroline Bingley you were angry with her.”

“I am.”

“I know, but you said it aloud.”

Jane laughed. “You all speak as though I have joined the army.”

“Richard will be delighted.”

“Do not tease.”

Elizabeth leaned her head on Jane’s shoulder. “I am proud of you.”

Jane kissed her temple. “And I of you.”

“For what?”

“For learning that teasing cannot answer every serious feeling.”

Elizabeth drew back. “I withdraw my praise.”

Jane smiled serenely.