Page 3 of Twice Chosen

"It was also true, occasionally. But that does not mean I always needed to join Papa in making sport of her. Mary was trying to find somewhere to belong in a family where Jane was beautiful, I was clever, and Lydia made certain no one forgot she existed."

Darcy's expression grew thoughtful.

"And Kitty," Elizabeth continued. "I should have noticed her before Lydia swallowed every room the two of them entered."

"Kitty eventually found herself."

"Yes, but perhaps she might have found herself sooner if anyone had bothered to look."

Darcy did not answer immediately. His eyes had shifted toward the fire, and Elizabeth knew exactly where his thoughts had gone. "Georgiana."

His jaw tightened. "I would not have left her so alone after Ramsgate."

"You did not leave her alone."

"I did, Elizabeth. I surrounded her with protection and mistook that for companionship."

"You were frightened too."

"I was her guardian."

"You were also her brother."

Darcy looked away. "I forgot that sometimes."

Elizabeth raised her hand and touched his cheek. The skin beneath her palm was thinner now, but the shape of him remained familiar. "You remembered eventually."

He turned his face slightly into her hand.

After a while Darcy said, "And Bingley."

Elizabeth smiled faintly. "You bullied him."

"I advised him."

"You bullied him politely, which does not make it less bullying."

"He was exceedingly persuadable."

"So you persuaded him."

Darcy released a breath that might once have become an argument. "I would not do that again."

"I know."

Another silence settled between them. Then his expression hardened. "And Wickham. I would have dealt with him before he ever reached Meryton. I knew what he was."

"How would you have done that?"

"By telling the truth."

"Georgiana's truth?"

Darcy's jaw tightened.

Elizabeth waited.

At last he answered, "No."