Page 127 of Twice Chosen

Mrs. Bennet paused.

Her expression changed. "No."

Elizabeth looked at her.

Mrs. Bennet stared into her teacup. "I did not."

That was enough.

Later Elizabeth repeated the conversation to Darcy.

He smiled. "Your father has become responsible and your mother resents the competition."

"You sound pleased."

"I am."

Elizabeth rested her feet on the edge of the sofa, an indignity Darcy had once pretended to dislike. "Papa will never be diligent."

"No."

"Mama will never become quiet."

"God forbid. I would worry."

Elizabeth laughed.

Darcy came to sit beside her. "They need not become different people to become better ones."

Elizabeth looked at him.

"Marriage improved you," she said.

Darcy sighed. "I walked into that."

"Entirely."

Darcy's relationship with Clara altered Georgiana too. She watched her brother carry the baby through the library, change his schedule for nursery visits, and ask the nurse questions instead of issuing instructions.

One afternoon Georgiana said to Elizabeth, "He would have been a good father."

Elizabeth looked toward Darcy, who was attempting to convince a six-month-old child that a wooden rattle belonged in her hand rather than his mouth. "He is."

Georgiana smiled. "I mean he always would have been."

Elizabeth understood. "Yes. But perhaps not quite this good."

Georgiana laughed.

Darcy looked over suspiciously. "What?"

"Nothing," both women said.

He narrowed his eyes.

Clara sneezed.

Darcy immediately forgot them.