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Jane shrugged. “You were destined for each other. Surely you would have found your own way to happiness.”
“I am not so confident.” Lizzy frowned. “Had you not intervened, no doubt I would have rejected him in the most vehement tones. He would have departed from Rosings believing I detested him, and I would have returned to Longbourn full of righteous anger. We might never have seen each other again.”
“You might have met again at our wedding.”
“Perhaps,” Lizzy said. “Or perhaps the resentment between us would have grown so thick that we could barely exchange civilities.” She gave Jane’s hand a squeeze. “No, I am convinced that you and your estimable husband saved our marriage before it had even begun. I thank you.”
“I do not believe I deserve such approbation, but I cannot deny my joy at our success.”
Both sisters’ attention was drawn by a loud laugh—belonging to Miss Bingley, who was attempting to ingratiate herself with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“Actually, Lizzy,” Jane said with a smile, “I believe we can both thank Miss Bingley.”
“Thank her?”
Jane nodded. “If she had not spurned my friendship, none of this might have occurred.” She swept her arm to indicate the entire room. “I must say that Caroline has been far kinder to me since Charles and I spoke so harshly to her. Perhaps she simply needed someone to stand up to her.”
Jane’s new husband arrived in time to hear these words. “Darcy claims that my anger at him encouraged him to make Elizabeth an offer.”
“Not that we intend to make anger a habit,” Jane said to Charles with a teasing smile.
Elizabeth laughed. “I had not the least idea that either of you could be so easily goaded to anger.”
“It was not easy,” Charles said with a smile. “However, Jane is terrifying when she gets angry.”
“Oh, Charles!” Jane colored.
Lizzy tilted her head and regarded her older sister. “I do not believe I have ever seen you truly angry. I am sure it is a sight to behold.”
“It is!” Charles agreed.
“You will encourage my sister to think me a tyrant,” Jane laughed.
“You are not in the least tyrannical, my dear,” he said with a quick kiss to her lips. “However, I am not sure that we would be here at this wedding breakfast if you had not grown angry with my sister’s manipulations and decided to take matters into your own hands.”
Lizzy shook her head. “Jane said as much, but surely you were destined to marry one way or another.”
Charles shrugged. “Perhaps. But I know I am correct in saying that sometimes good things happen when Jane gets angry.”
The End
