Page 20 of He Insulted My Entire Family Before Proposing

Jane gave Elizabeth a look. Elizabeth returned one of innocence, though innocence had never been her strongest talent.

Caroline sat, arranged her skirts, and began the work for which she had come. She praised Jane's gown by regretting its fabric, admired the room by comparing it unfavorably to Netherfield, and spoke of Bingley's return as if it were a seasonal accident rather than a man's decision.

Bingley crossed to Jane before Caroline had exhausted herself. His face lit at the sight of her. Caroline's hardened at the sight of his happiness.

Tea became a battlefield with excellent china.

"How lively Longbourn always is," Caroline said after Lydia entered laughing, declared she had lost a glove, found it in her own hand, and left again. "One never fears dullness here."

"No," Elizabeth said. "We keep dullness at a distance whenever possible."

"Some families are gifted that way." Caroline turned to Darcy. "Do you not agree, Mr. Darcy? You once had a most amusing description of local liveliness."

The room tightened.

There are social moments in which no one appears to move and yet everyone chooses a side. Jane looked down. Bingley frowned, puzzled but attentive. Mrs. Bennet smiled because she heard compliment first and insult not at all. Mr. Bennet, who had wandered in with a book, stopped pretending to read.

Elizabeth looked at Darcy.

Here it was: the old account reopened. Caroline had brought the old charge forward and expected him to honor it.

Darcy set down his cup.

"I have said many foolish things," he replied. "You must be more particular."

Caroline blinked. "Foolish? You are severe on yourself."

"Not as severe as I have been on others."

Bingley's gaze moved from Darcy to Caroline.

Caroline laughed lightly. "Surely you do not mean to retract every witty observation. Some families invite notice."

"Notice, yes. Contempt, no."

The silence after that was so complete that Mary, in the next room, could be heard practicing the same four measures with relentless determination.

Caroline's color rose. "I only meant that society requires discernment."

"It does," Darcy said. "I have lately discovered that discernment without humility is merely prejudice with better tailoring."

Mr. Bennet made a sound that might have been a cough or joy taking cover.

Elizabeth looked at her hands. She did not trust her face.

Caroline, however, was not defeated. She had the courage of a woman who had invested too heavily in disdain to sell at a loss.

"How philosophical you have become. Miss Eliza, you must be pleased with your influence."

The second blade showed itself: if Darcy behaved better, Elizabeth must have manipulated him. A woman could be insulted by a man's contempt or blamed for his improvement. The market was versatile.

Elizabeth lifted her eyes. "I claim no credit. Mr. Darcy's errors are his own, and so, I hope, are his corrections."

Darcy looked at her then, and the look held such open gratitude that she had to become very interested in the sugar bowl.

Jane spoke, gentle but clear. "It is always a comfort when friends correct misunderstandings."

Bingley straightened. "Yes. It is."