AU: How would things at the Bennet household be different if Elizabeth had a twin brother: Edward?
Disclaimer: I do not own Pride and Prejudice or any of the characters. This is just a story that I am writing for fun.
Update: I am going to switch to posting every other day because I want to make sure that the chapters are good instead of writing them as fast as I can. I want to thank everyone who is reading and commenting; it means a great deal to me.
The next day, the Bennet family slept a bit later than usual. They had stayed at the Meryton Ball late and everyone was tired. After breakfast, the entire family went to the sitting room. Everyone had their individual enjoyments. Mr. Bennet was reading the paper; Mrs. Bennet was thinking about out to get Jane and Mr. Bingley to spend more time together; Edward was reading a book that had been recommended to him by one of his university friend with whom he still communicated; Jane and Elizabeth were working on their embroidery; Mary was reading one of Fordyce's sermons; and Kitty and Lydia were making over some bonnets that they had been working on.
"Mr. Bennet, did you see that Mr. Bingley danced with Jane most of the night?" Mrs. Bennet asked. "He seems very well pleased with her. He danced with Lizzy once, but then he went directly back to dancing with Jane. He could hardly keep his eyes away from her."
"I am well aware of the fact that Mr. Bingley danced with Jane several times last night. I had a perfectly good view of the dance floor from my seat, and you found it necessary to inform me every time that Mr. Bingley stood up with Jane," replied Mr. Bennet dryly. Jane and Elizabeth smiled at each other. Elizabeth could tell that Jane was quite happy with Mr. Bingley's attentions to her, but she knew that Jane was not one to share her emotions easily, even though Elizabeth and Jane were close, Jane did not open up her emotions much. Elizabeth wanted a change to talk to her in private.
"Jane, would you like to go for a short walk with me around the grounds?" asked Elizabeth.
"I would love to," replied Jane. She wanted to talk to Elizabeth. She was happy, but she did not know how to properly express it. Elizabeth always knew the questions to ask to help her sort through what she was thinking. Edward looked up from his book at Elizabeth; he gave her a look asking (silently) if she wanted him to accompany them. Elizabeth shook her head slightly. She needed to get Jane alone if she was going to get Jane to talk about the previous evening.
After Elizabeth and Jane retrieved their shawls, they went outside and started walking around Longbourn Estate. They were silent for a moment before Elizabeth spoke up.
"You seemed to enjoy Mr. Bingley's company last night," she commented.
"He is a very respectable young man. He is kind." Jane paused for a moment. "He is handsome too. Oh, Lizzy, I do not know what to think. He is different than any other man I have ever met." Elizabeth smiled.
"He seems to admire you greatly. I am happy that you are pleased with him. I think that he could make you very happy, Jane," she replied.
"Lizzy," scolded Jane. "I hardly know him yet; it is too early to talk about that kind of thing." Jane blushed. She had only known Mr. Bingley for a few days, but she knew that Elizabeth was right. They continued on in silence for a minute. Elizabeth again broke the silence.
"I saw you talking to Mr. Bingley's sisters. What did you think of them?"
"I think that they will be very good neighbors. They were very kind." Jane saw Elizabeth make a face. "Did you not like them?"
"Not at all, they seemed to not be pleased with being at the Meryton ball at all, but I am glad that you approve of them. If you and Mr. Bingley spend more time together, then you will probably be seeing them more often as well." Jane blushed slightly again.
Elizabeth was pleased with what she learned from Jane on their walk, so she decided to head back toward the house. Jane followed, thinking about Mr. Binlgey.
The family stayed at Longbourn for the whole day. After dinner, Elizabeth and Edward joined Mr. Bennet in his study. They talked about their reading. When they had finished the discussion for the day, Mr. Bennet asked them a question.
"What do you two think of Mr. Bingley?"
"I approve of him. He seems to be a very agreeable man," said Elizabeth. Edward echoed his sentiments.
"You have met him yourself, why do you ask, Father?" asked Edward.
"I just wanted to know what you think. You both have had a chance to talk to him more than I have. If something comes out of him spending time with Jane, I want to make sure that he is a good man."
"He is father," reiterated Edward. Mr. Bennet nodded.
"Alright, you may go now." Mr. Bennet smiled at Elizabeth and Edward. They left the room. They decided to go to the back garden. They told one of the servants where they were going in case Mrs. Bennet asked for them.
Once in the garden, Elizabeth and Edward talked about the possibility of Jane and Mr. Bingley becoming more than just acquaintances. They both liked the idea but knew that they would have to wait and see what would happen. They knew that Jane was getting enough pressure to marry Mr. Bingley from their mother; they did not need to add any more to her.
Elizabeth longed to ask Edward about his dancing with Charlotte, but she decided to not say anything at the present time. She did not want to scare him by bringing up anything he did not want to talk about. Edward could tell that Elizabeth was holding back a question, but he did not say anything. She usually had reasons for holding questions. After sitting outside for a few more minutes, they headed back into the house.
Everyone went to bed earlier than they had the previous night. They were all still a bit tired from the previous day. Elizabeth and Jane did not talk about Mr. Bingley because Elizabeth did not want to push Jane into anything and would not bring it up unless Jane did first.