Page 141 of Twice Chosen

Jane kissed her husband's cheek. "Charles has become obstinate."

"I was excellent already," Bingley protested.

"Of course."

After Jane and Elizabeth left the room, Bingley remained beside the maps.

"You know," he said, "there was a time I would have assumed you knew better simply because you sounded certain."

Darcy looked at him. "I know."

Bingley frowned. "Do you?"

"Yes."

"I used to think it was admirable."

Darcy sat back. "It was not."

"No. But neither was it entirely your fault. I liked being told I had chosen well. It saved me the trouble of wondering."

Darcy was quiet.

Bingley smiled. "Jane does not do that."

"No."

"She asks what I think. It is exhausting."

Darcy laughed.

Bingley looked toward the door through which their wives had disappeared. "Worth it, though."

Darcy smiled. "Usually."

Bingley stared. "That is not what a man happily married is supposed to say."

"You have not met Elizabeth before breakfast."

From the corridor came Elizabeth's voice: "I heard that."

Bingley burst out laughing.

Darcy closed his eyes.

Some things remained exactly as they should.

Bingley's confidence appeared in other places too. He stopped allowing Caroline to arrange every London visit. He learned to refuse investments he did not understand. He disagreed with Jane without fearing disagreement meant unhappiness. When their eldest son wished to enter the navy, Bingley listened to Darcy, Jane, the boy himself, and two naval officers before making up his own mind.

Years later he said to Darcy, "You know what changed me?"

Darcy expected Jane.

Bingley surprised him. "You stopped answering before I had decided what I wanted to ask."

Darcy looked away.

"Was I really that bad?"