Page 147 of Twice Chosen

She missed him every hour.

When she died at Longbourn, Elizabeth found one of her father's old books on the bedside table and understood that grief did not always look dignified.

Sometimes it complained until the very end.

The second old age did not feel like repetition. Their bodies aged differently. Darcy's hearing weakened before his eyesight. Elizabeth's hands stiffened earlier than she remembered. He developed a dislike of stairs. She finally admitted winter walks could be undertaken with a coat.

"Victory," Darcy said the first time she willingly accepted a fur-lined cloak.

Elizabeth fastened it. "I am preserving myself to torment you longer."

"An admirable motive."

They visited Longbourn less often after Mrs. Bennet died, but Pemberley remained full. Grandchildren ran through corridors Mrs. Reynolds's successors had long since stopped trying to keep silent. Bingley, older and broader, still entered Darcy's study without knocking.

One afternoon, when both men were well into their seventies, Bingley dropped into a chair and said, "Do you remember the morning before Netherfield when you asked me what year it was?"

Darcy's heart stopped.

He kept his face still. "Vaguely."

Bingley laughed. "You were terrifying. Then you told me not to let you insult Elizabeth."

Darcy looked down at the letter in his hand.

"I thought you had lost your mind," Bingley continued. "For years I meant to ask what that was about."

Darcy met his friend's eyes. "And why didn't you?"

Bingley shrugged. "You married her. It seemed to work out."

Darcy laughed.

Bingley smiled. "Was there an explanation?"

For a moment Darcy considered telling him.

Charles had been his friend in both lives. Perhaps he deserved the truth.

Then Darcy imagined beginning with death, waking young, and coffee cream.

"No explanation you would believe," he said.

Bingley considered. "Fair enough."

He rose and clapped Darcy's shoulder.

At the door he looked back. "Whatever happened that morning, I am glad it did."

Darcy sat alone after Bingley left.

When Elizabeth came in, he told her.

She listened, then smiled. "He knew something was wrong from the first day."

"Apparently."

"Charles notices more than people think."