A/N: Title inspired by Jane Austen's original title for Pride and Prejudice.

Second Impressions

When Elizabeth first returned with her aunt and uncle to Longbourn, all conversations centered on Lydia. Naturally the first concern of the entire family was where the youngest Bennet sister had gone and what the girl had been thinking. Was she safe? Why had she not sent word to relieve their burdened minds?

After several days had passed, Elizabeth was surprised that Jane still had not asked about her stay in Lambton. Had she truly no curiosity about Lizzy's encounters with the Darcy and Bingley families?

Another day brought an end to her confusion. As Aunt Gardiner prepared for her return to London, she found a letter that — in their hurry to quit the inn at Lambton — had been bundled among the aunt's belongings rather than the niece's. Upon its return, Elizabeth recalled that she had written the letter with the intention of posting it the very day that they left. With the letter unsent, Jane was still ignorant of the events that weighed so heavily on her sister's heart.

Lizzy considered destroying the pages. Surely the hopes hinted at within were entirely dashed. And yet she greatly wished for one other person to understand the agony she felt at losing those hopes. When they had a moment alone, Lizzy gave the letter to Jane, explaining why it had not been sent.

Jane settled into a quiet spot in the little copse that had become a favorite destination for reading and quiet conversations. Elizabeth, unable to still her thoughts, constrained herself from pacing but could not settle her nerves enough to sit beside her sister.

"These are very different from your first impressions of Mr. Darcy," was Jane's first comment. "I suppose he was more comfortable in his home than he had been among strangers."

Elizabeth agreed that it was so. Had that been all — was the question she asked herself. Had she seen a desire to please where there had simply been more relaxed manners?

"Oh!" Jane said, putting down the letter for a moment.

Belatedly Lizzy remembered that she had written about seeing Mr. Bingley and his sisters.

Jane picked up the letter again and continued reading to the end. She paused a moment to collect her thoughts before saying, "Of course he still loves you. How could anyone who understood your true value do otherwise?"

"I'm half convinced that he did still love me when I wrote those words, but now…" Lizzy finally sat down. "Oh, Jane, he knows about Lydia, how our only hope is that she marry such a man… Even you cannot believe that Mr. Darcy would wish to enter into an alliance that would make him brother-in-law to George Wickham."

In vain did Jane argue that it was possible. Lizzy could not allow herself to hope again.

At last Lizzy said, in a tone approaching her former teasing about matters of romance, that it was deeply unfortunate Mr. Darcy should improve so much upon acquaintance, for "there is no point in my liking him now. Mr. Bingley, on the other hand, was entirely as agreeable as ever. He does not change upon second impressions. It is unfortunate I did not have more opportunity to speak with him, as I wished to confirm my suspicion that he still harbors a deep regard for you."

Here Jane blushed and protested, but Lizzy would not hear it.

"If you can believe that Mr. Darcy's preference for me will withstand our current troubles, then you must allow me to believe that his friend has at least as much constancy. Of the two of us, you are certainly the most deserving of enduring devotion. You loved him all along, while I hurled accusations at Mr. Darcy and tried to despise him from our first meeting."

###

A few days after Jane accepted Mr. Bingley's proposal, they spoke of their friends. What could be better than Mr. Darcy marrying Jane's dearest sister?

"When I watched them together in Derbyshire, I thought he was only awaiting the opportunity to make an offer," Charles confessed. "But since our return here he has been so awkward and silent around her."

"As has she," Jane agreed. "I am certain she is in love with him now, but she is afraid of letting him know." Jane recalled that she herself regretted not letting Charles perceive the depth of her initial regard for him. How much pain might have been avoided if he had received greater assurance? And yet how could she blame her sister for wishing to protect her own tender heart when Mr. Darcy gave her no encouragement?

"I hate to see them both moping about so," Charles said. "Is there any way we can push them into action? Perhaps your mother could…" He stopped as Jane shook her head.

"As much as Mama delights in furthering her daughters' marriage prospects, it would not do. Lizzy has been too long in the habit of ignoring her advice. No, it is not our mother who will make the difference with my sister."

###

Mr. Bennet was surprised to learn that Mr. Darcy had offered Lizzy his hand in marriage during her stay in Kent, but he could only admire the man's taste. "Of course she refused him," he added. "She despises him so, and with good reason."

Here Jane worked to improve her father's opinion. Naturally the accusations long ago made by Mr. Wickham were no longer considered reliable. Lydia had mentioned Mr. Darcy being at her wedding, and Charles confirmed how quickly his friend left for London after Lizzy's abrupt departure from Derbyshire.

"Indeed," said Mr. Bennet. "Well, this makes more sense of the matter. I'd wondered how your uncle had been able to settle things at such little expense to me. Darcy had both the knowledge of the man and the means to pull it off. If he was acting out of love as you suspect, he'll refuse any offer from me to repay him."

Charles acknowledged his friend's generosity, while Jane mentioned how much Mr. Darcy's manner had softened on recent visits to Longbourn. She did not need to mention Lizzy's unusual silences and blushes. Having received the hint, Mr. Bennet became watchful enough to notice his favorite daughter's behavior around her would-be suitor.

An unexpected visit from Lady Catherine de Bourgh and a letter from Mr. Collins confirmed the intelligence he had received from Jane. Mr. Bennet wondered at his previous lack of perception, as it was increasingly obvious that the two young people were in love. Unfortunately, they seemed unable to get on with the business of getting themselves engaged.

On the next occasion of Mr. Darcy calling upon the family, Mr. Bennet invited him into the library for a private interview. He came directly to the point, asking, "What are your intentions toward my Lizzy?" and delighting in the young man's shocked expression. "I admit that I have seemed somewhat lackadaisical with regard to my daughters' futures, but I assure you I am determined to make amends while I can. I have learned my lesson with Lydia."

"I do not intend an elopement," Mr. Darcy said, startling a laugh out of Mr. Bennet.

"I begin to understand what my daughter sees in you," he replied. He mentioned the speculation that was already arising from Mr. Darcy's aunt. "It has spread to Mr. Collins, and therefore I am sure the Lucas family is expecting an announcement. If an offer is not forthcoming soon, I shall have concerns about what it might mean to Lizzy's reputation." He followed this with assurances that both he and Jane were convinced Lizzy would accept a renewed offer, if only Darcy would make it. "I shall say it plainly, in case there is any doubt, that I heartily bestow my blessing upon the union."

With a thanks and adieu that was so hurried as to be barely civil, the young man left to seek out Elizabeth.

Mr. Bennet watched through the nearest window, until he could see Mr. Darcy approach Lizzy. Then he removed to his favorite chair, content to continue reading the latest romantic novel by an author known only as "A Lady."

Mrs. Bennet might talk more about making matches for their daughters, but it could be argued that Mr. Bennet was the true matchmaker in the household. After all, hadn't he been the one to call on Mr. Bingley last year? Now Jane was engaged, and Lizzy soon to be, all thanks to his actions.

A/N: AO3 Chocolate Box exchange treat inspired by a combination of prompts that mentioned wanting to see more of Jane and Elizabeth's "debrief" sessions and to see the conversation Jane mentioned where she and Bingley discussed the unlikelihood of Lizzy and Darcy marrying each other. I couldn't help combining two intriguing prompts from the same requester — they seemed to tie together so naturally.