Page 102 of Twice Chosen

"You cry more than you used to."

Elizabeth laughed softly. "Perhaps I notice more than I used to."

Jane studied her. "You have said things like that all year."

Elizabeth's pulse jumped.

"Like what?"

"As though you remember being someone else."

For one dangerous moment Elizabeth could not speak.

Jane smiled. "I do not mean literally. Only that you seem to have forgiven everyone for things they have not yet done."

Elizabeth looked down at the hairpins in her hand.

"Perhaps I became tired of being certain I understood people," she said.

Jane reached for her hand. "I like you this way."

Elizabeth's eyes filled again. "You liked me before."

"Of course."

"Even when I was insufferable?"

Jane laughed. "Especially then. It gave me practice for Charles."

Elizabeth stared.

Jane's smile turned mischievous.

"You have been spending too much time with me," Elizabeth said.

"I blame Mr. Bingley."

They laughed together until Mrs. Bennet called from the corridor demanding to know why brides required sleep when there was still packing to inspect.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jane and Bingley's Wedding

Jane married Bingley in October.

The day dawned pale and clear, with mist lying low over the fields around Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet began crying before breakfast and did not entirely stop until supper.

Darcy stood beside his friend at the church.

Elizabeth stood beside Jane.

The ceremony was nearly the same as the one they remembered.

And entirely different.

Bingley cried when Jane entered.

Darcy leaned slightly toward him. "Control yourself."