Wedding Dreams: 20 Delicious Nuptial Romances

by Maggie Way

  Not wanting to show them that they’d reduced her to tears and running away, Elizabeth paused outside the door to gain her composure. Eavesdropping was not her intention, and she really wished she hadn’t heard what she did.

  “This is a nice town,” the deep gritty tone belonged to Henry.

  “Small, very country. If one likes that sort of thing.” Darcy’s voice was muffled as if he was turned away from Henry and the door.

  “The sisters seem nice. Pretty too.”

  This time Darcy’s voice was clear. “The oldest one, yes. But the younger sisters. No.”

  “Come on, man. Elizabeth is very pretty and Mary, well.” He coughed.

  Darcy snorted. “Elizabeth is tolerable but not pretty enough to tempt me. I’m glad to see she doesn’t seem to believe she can use her feminine wiles on me,” he said in a lazy drawl.

  “As if that would work,” Henry said drolly.

  Magically, her tears dried up, replaced by disbelief. Who was this man? How dare he come in to their business, tell them to change, and then insult them while he was at it? At least the country people from her town had far better manners than he did. Arrogant cock.

  Bill came out of the office and beelined for her. Without a second thought, she rushed past the door and out into the lobby. Not pausing to say anything to Kitty, she continued her flight out the front door, only slowing when she was half a block away.

  Bill caught up with her. “Come on, Lizzy, don’t let this get to you. Take a moment and think about it. Take a deep breath and don’t let this freak you out.”

  “It’s hard not to, Bill, when I'm staring at losing everything. Who is he coming in saying we underperformed? We’re doing great. We’ve steadily made money. Granted not buckets of it like he expects but enough for us.”

  “They have different expectations than we do.”

  Elizabeth glanced at Bill. “I noticed you keep putting yourself on our side. I’m kind of surprised. Lady Catherine is like family to you. It could get awkward, don’t you think? Not that I mind you being on our side.”

  Bill pushed his bangs from his head, his mouth quirking to the side. After a quick nod he said, “She is family. But so are you all. I happen to believe we are a society that’s too tech-dependent. I also happen to believe, like you, that love requires something more than algorithms to assist it. Besides, on a purely selfish level I enjoy working at Meryton. I don’t want to be replaced by a computer.”

  Elizabeth nudged him with her shoulder. “Thanks, Bill.”

  Chapter Six

  They continued to walk in silence. Bill was certain, like him, Lizzy was lost in thought. Perhaps hers wasn’t as erratic or random as his. He’d thought about what might be coming tomorrow or the day after, but then he’d jump to the future and try to picture it in broad terms.

  Funny, how he also saw himself working at Meryton Matchmakers.

  Not so funny that yet again his single status was a discussion item.

  Having been left to his own devices for so long after his mother died, he was used to having no one waiting for him at home. Why should that change? He liked his little one-bedroom apartment in the now converted split brownstone. It didn’t need any feminine touches. It was perfectly suitable, and when he thought about adding to his life, well, he couldn’t picture it. What did he have to offer? His infinitesimally small pay? His juvie record? Would it impress a girl to know he could still pick locks?

  Marriage.

  Maybe it was not meant for everyone. Or maybe it was only meant for those who wanted it.

  The big issue at Seminary school was not how well he taught his class or the quality of his lessons. No, it was that he was unmarried. For some stupid archaic reason, the elders who ran the school felt temptation was greater for the single man. Bill thought temptation was temptation, and the person’s character was the key. Single or married. Go figure.

  It ticked him off that they dangled different churches or seminary promotions in front of them. He wasn’t immune to success. There was a strong competitive streak in him he’d managed to mask. Like any man, he wanted to climb the professional ladder and be the best he could be. But when he looked at the top, well, it didn’t appeal to him half as much as competing for the positions did, quite frankly. When he considered those positions in isolation, they didn’t really appeal either. Nah, he liked the eager, new students coming in, either overly confident or terribly afraid—either way uncertain of the path they were about to embark upon. He liked knowing he was guiding them. It was rewarding, and getting married simply so he could keep doing that seemed downright unfair. It irked him, it really did. Which was probably more reason why he wasn’t married. Bill wasn't about to make a big decision like that based on someone else's opinions and beliefs.

  On the flip side, he was acutely aware the other jobs that gave him the greatest satisfaction were the ones that placed him one-on-one with someone. Counseling at Meryton. Teaching and mentoring at the school. He liked when there was nothing between him and God, no middleman to jack things up.

  Sure, he knew it reflected on him negatively that he wasn’t married with a pack of kids. How could a counselor talk of the marriage traps when he himself had yet to experience them? But when Bill thought about himself in the future, he didn’t see a little Missus. Problem was, his future vision was shortsighted because what he did see was watching gory flicks with Lottie and experimenting with her wacky cupcakes.

  As if on autopilot, their walk led them to Lottie’s shop.

  Elizabeth paused and glanced at her watch. “I was supposed to come for lunch. I’m a bit early.” She seemed confused. As if this would be a problem for Lottie.

  “Call it brunch.” He opened the door and gestured for her to enter. “The timing is perfect because the lunch crowd hasn’t come yet. You’ll get more time with her.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Yeah, good call.”

  A few stragglers were sipping tea, reading books, or working on their laptops. Bill followed Lizzy to the counter.

  “Give me something spiced up, Lottie.” Lizzy pounded her hand on the counter. “I’ve had an awful day, and it’s not yet noon.” She pointed to Bill. “All because his Lady Catherine needs to make more money.”

  Lottie met Bill’s gaze. He knew she was thinking of their conversation yesterday when he’d struggled between warning them and potentially causing problems that might not come to fruition. Except, today they had.

  “Maybe she needs something calming. Like that tea you favor—chamomile, is it?” Bill grimaced and shook his head.

  “What's this all about?” Lottie asked.

  “The Bourgh is giving us forty-five days to buy her out or go automated so we can turn heavier profits. Large numbers make her happy. And she said she wants us to get married.”

  Chapter Seven

  Lottie’s heart froze.

  Bill did not need to be rushed into marriage. He was already getting flack from the school and now Lady Catherine? If he were to take this edict seriously, would he’d look right past her? She was afraid he would. She hadn’t planned or currently possessed the courage to make her desires known. More accurately, she’d planned on easing him into it until one day he woke up and assumed they’d fallen in love naturally.

  Her mind scrambled to find the right words to ask the question. But she didn’t even know what to say.

  Would he take this seriously? Of course he would! On some level, of course, because he took nearly everything to heart that came from Lady Catherine. As if his own dearly departed mother had whispered it into Lady C’s ear and she were simply the messenger passing it along.

  “Lady Catherine said you should get married?” she stammered and turned wide eyes to Bill.

  “Yes, she said all of us should get married. Who would want to be matched by unwed people, she said… She's really something else! Oh, hand me a scone, please.” Elizabeth blustered.

  On automatic pilot, Lottie reached into the display and pulled out a
scone, forgetting to use gloves or even paper to pick it up. It didn’t bother Elizabeth, though, who took it and bit right in.

  “Wait, tell me again. She thinks all of you should be married together or she thinks you and Bill should be married?” Lottie forgot how to breathe as she waited for the answer. Her lungs burned from lack of oxygen.

  Bill laughed. “No, she didn’t say we should get married—as in me and Lizzy.”

  Lottie sucked in a deep breath.

  “She said the company was run by too many single people who didn't know anything about marriage and maybe that was part of the problem with the profits. Who wants to seek help from people who can’t find love themselves, much less aren’t married?”

  “I see,” Lottie said, letting her body relax against the counter. “For a second I thought she suggested the two of you get married.” Not that Bill had ever shown an interest in Lizzy. But she was very pretty and a strong, confident woman. Bill was drawn to those types. To believe something like that could never happen was only an invitation for it to happen. Murphy’s Law.

  Bill tossed back his head and laughed, deep and loud. “Me and Lizzy,” he said between guffaws.

  “Did I miss the joke?” Elizabeth asked Lottie, whose response was to shrug.

  He stopped for a second, his face contorting in an effort to gain control. “Do you not know our Lizzy? To think Lady Catherine could make a suggestion and our Lizzy would go through with it, even entertain it really, is pretty funny.” He leaned closer to Lottie. “She’s so stubborn that even if the right man was standing before her, even if it was me, she’d never see it.” He wiped mirth from his eyes.

  “Lady Catherine had suggested—” Lottie defended.

  “And of course you thought I’d jump.” He shook his head.

  “It’s not that. It’s that I know you respect her counsel.”

  “So much I’d marry Lizzy?” He began to laugh again.

  “Why are you laughing?” asked Elizabeth. “It’s not that obscene of an idea, is it?”

  Bill stopped laughing, but his lips continued to twitch. “No, of course not. We’re not very suited are we, though? You want to hang out with Lady Catherine when she comes to town? I can picture how that would go down.” Though he’d probably get some good stand-up material. Bill shook his head. “Granted, we are the same religion, but we are also distant cousins, and there’s something wrong with that. I mean our ancestors might’ve done it. But no thanks. Not this day and age. Not really going to happen.”

  “I think I’ve just been insulted,” said Elizabeth. “This is one fine day.” She shoved another bite of scone in her mouth.

  “How about I grab some food and we can sit and chat?” Lottie offered. “I’d like to hear more about today.”

  Elizabeth nodded, mouth full, and indicated to a table. The café door chimed as it swung open, and Darcy entered. Henry, Anne, and Jane behind him.

  Elizabeth choked and swallowed audibly. “Oh great. Is no place sacred?” she mumbled.

  Chapter Eight

  “Well, you know the church is,” Bill answered and elbowed her in the ribs.

  Elizabeth turned and started moving toward the back door.

  “Where are you going?” Bill asked, grabbing her elbow.

  “Church. I bet he can’t pass over the threshold.” She made devil horns near her ears.

  “Come on. How are you going to know how to beat them or meet this challenge if you have no idea how they work or what they're planning?”

  True. It didn’t make her feel any less petulant, though. Wasn’t she allowed to have her moment to sulk and stomp her feet before she moved into action?

  Darcy sat at the table she’d selected moments earlier, his broad shoulders making the chair appear child sized. He sat stiff, one hand on his upper thigh. Elizabeth knew no one was speaking by Jane’s downcast eyes and lack of interaction. She was playing with her cuticles under the table. Something unlike her normally pleasant sister.

  Anne came up to where they were standing. “I thought I might get us all something to drink.” She showed them Lottie’s chalkboard with the daily specials. “Tell me about this Spicy Feisty,” she asked Lottie.

  “It’s Mexican hot chocolate-chocolate cupcakes with chili frosting, and I have a variety of spicy coffees as well. Your options are Spiced Coconut Coffee, Hot Pot Coffee—which has a pepper flavor, and Indian Spiced Coffee—which is more chai in flavor.” Lottie was the most creative person Elizabeth knew, and she beamed at her friend.

  “Wow, all those sound awesome. Can we get—” She turned to do a head count. “Four of those Spiced Coconut coffees?” Anne looked at Elizabeth and Bill and the cups in their hands. “I’d get you two something, but you’re already set.”

  Elizabeth watched the ease at which Anne spoke with Lottie and Bill. She came across open and receptive, and Elizabeth was hit with a pang of remorse for her behavior.

  “I’m sorry for being rude earlier,” Elizabeth said.

  Anne brushed it off. “Listen, if some battle-ax came in and told me what to do, I’d be rude too. Heck, I might dye my dark hair blonde, cut it off in a cute boyish style—if I do say so myself—and jet off on my own to have sex with strangers across the globe.” She wagged her brows. “Just pretend you didn’t hear that, Bill.”

  “Easy enough,” he said. “Because I don’t believe you.”

  Anne drew back and stuck her hands on her hips. “What part seems unreal to you?” She gestured to her blonde short hair.

  “Yeah, the part about the strangers. You’re a cautious person by nature and a private one at that.” He touched her covered arm causing Anne to jerk away. Poking out from her sleeve was red, flaky skin.

  Elizabeth wanted to ask but held her tongue.

  “You’re such a buzz kill, Bill. Keep that info to yourself. It’ll hurt my reputation as a player.”

  Bill snorted. “I swear to God I won’t tell a soul.” He crossed his heart and nodded to Elizabeth. “What about her? You gonna have her taken out or something?”

  Anne scanned Elizabeth up and down. “Nah, she looks the sort who knows how to keep her mouth shut.” Anne winked and Elizabeth smiled. Perhaps working with Anne wouldn’t be so awful. She was easygoing. But the remark about sleeping with strangers. Hm, an idea teased at Elizabeth’s brain. One about love and marriage and Anne de Bourgh’s lonely heart.

  “Shall we join the others?” Anne asked and took the tray of coffee from Lottie.

  “Let me grab some food, and I’ll be right over.” Elizabeth smiled before turning back to Lottie. “Set me up with an assortment, please. Also, you still have that cream Lydia made you? For the chafed hands you get from the hot water?”

  “Yeah, it’s in the back.” Lottie gave her a puzzled look.

  “Can I take it? I’ll get you more tonight from home. I think Anne might need it.”

  ‘Sure. I’ll bring it out with the food.” Lottie narrowed her eyes. “Why are you smiling? You had a glower to scare the meanest man, and now you’re all bright eyes and smiles. What’s up?”

  “I have an idea. One that will help the company and make a girl happy, too. I see someone who needs to be matched.”

  “Oh my God,” Lottie whispered and clasped her hands to her red cheeks. “Please don’t tell Bill. Please. He’s not ready to know how I feel.”

  Elizabeth felt her mouth drop open and she quickly slammed it shut. She leaned as far over the counter as she could. “I wasn’t talking about you.”

  Lottie’s eyes bulged.

  “But now that I know how you feel, you sly dog, I’m going to add you to the list.” Elizabeth pushed her friend in the shoulder. “Why didn’t you ever say anything? I’m a matchmaker, for Pete’s sake.”

  Lottie shook her head. “No, he can’t know. Ever.”

  “Which will make marrying him kinda difficult. Don’t you think?” Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Lottie, you’re his best friend. There’s not a better foundation to build love up
on than that. And half the work is already done. We just have to make Bill aware.”

  “I’m not his type.”

  Elizabeth waved off such ridiculousness. “Please! How so? You aren’t what he’s physically looking for? Nope, he wouldn’t be friends with you if he found you repulsive. Take Darcy over there. I find him so repulsive that there’s not a snowball’s chance in Hades anything could come of it. And it’s not that he’s ugly. No. He’s quite attractive. It’s his core that turns me off. He destroys businesses for a living. I mean seriously? What’s redeemable about that? But you and Bill—no, this is good. Real good.”

  “I will spike all your food and drinks with laxatives if you so much as murmur a word to him.” Lottie dropped her hands from her face and stabbed a finger at Elizabeth. “You got me?”

  Elizabeth feigned horror but lost it to laughter. “Loud and clear. But I’m not worried. I won’t have to say anything.” She winked at her friend and backed away from the counter singing in a hushed voice. “Lottie and—ahem—sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”

  Lottie threw a bagel at her, which Elizabeth caught and burst out laughing. When she turned toward the party waiting for her, she found them all watching, Darcy's frosty blue eyes drawing her attention.

  Elizabeth slid into the last empty chair and caught her sister's eye. “What’s this about?”

  Henry, sitting to her right, leaned back and shifted toward her. “I’d first like to state that we are here, in this situation, because we work for our Aunt— Anne’s mom. We are not here because we see you as the weak gazelle on the plains and have formed an attack. She wants one thing from you and another from us, and part of that includes what she laid out earlier. So I hope you understand we aren’t here to purposefully make your life miserable.”

  Elizabeth searched his face for some twitch or indication he might be conning her. Though in her most rational part of her brain she knew they were simply doing their job, yet that did nothing to make her feel less hunted. Less like a target.