Page 104 of Twice Chosen

"Nothing, Mama."

Darcy smiled.

Mr. Bennet saw.

He shook his head as though both were hopeless.

Later, after Jane and Bingley departed, Elizabeth stood alone for a moment in the churchyard. Darcy came beside her.

"Do you remember the first time?" she asked.

"Every moment."

"Jane looked frightened then."

"Bingley looked as though the priest might change his mind."

Elizabeth laughed. "He nearly did. Papa whispered something to him before the service."

Darcy looked offended on Bingley's behalf. "Your father should not be permitted near nervous bridegrooms."

"You survived."

"Barely."

Elizabeth slipped her hand into his where the church wall concealed them. "This was better."

Darcy squeezed once. "Yes."

Not because it was perfect.

Because Jane and Bingley had reached it with confidence intact.

After Lydia's return, Colonel Forster came to Longbourn for dinner and surprised Elizabeth by asking to speak privately with Mr. Bennet. The subject was not Wickham but discipline within the militia. Forster admitted Darcy's warning had forced him to examine several habits he had previously dismissed as ordinary youthful excess.

Mr. Bennet later repeated part of the conversation to Elizabeth. "Apparently Mr. Darcy has become the conscience of Hertfordshire."

Elizabeth smiled. "He will hate that description."

"Good. I intend to use it."

Darcy did hate it.

When Mr. Bennet greeted him two days later with, "Ah, the conscience of Hertfordshire," Darcy stopped in the doorway.

Elizabeth covered her mouth.

Bingley laughed openly.

Darcy looked at Elizabeth. "You told him."

"I did not."

"Your face is guilty."

"My face is delighted."

Mr. Bennet waved Darcy toward a chair. "Come, Conscience. I have questions about a tenant lease."