by Maggie Way
He shrugged. “Not really, but I suppose I could.”
Elizabeth wanted to stomp her feet. Why did men feel it was so hard to commit? Either he wanted a wife or not.
“So if I delete your questionnaire, you’ll be okay with that? Lady Catherine won’t scold you for not trying to find a wife.” She needed to know what his intentions were and to make sure they were not motivated by his desire to please. But most importantly, she needed to know if he even wanted a wife.
Bill’s eyes narrowed. “Truthfully, it’s not been something I’ve been thinking about to be honest. You want me to do a video to help with the company. I’ll do it. And it gets Lady Catherine off my back.” He crossed his arms.
Elizabeth tsked.
“I’m trusting you to keep this to yourselves. I’m not asking you to beat the bushes or anything to find me a woman.”
“Wow, such a romantic,” Elizabeth said. “Why would we have to beat the bushes to find you someone? You’re a good person and a handsome man.”
Bill snorted in disbelief.
Jane rubbed his arm reassuringly. “Bill, it’s okay if you really want to get married. Women actually think it’s sexy when a man says he’s looking to settle down. That he might like to be a father. It can be quite the turn on when a man is very decisive and determined about these matters. It’s okay to want it. You don’t have to pretend around us.”
He sighed, shifted, and then stuffed his hands back into this front pockets. He stepped closer. “All right. Truth is, even if I had been thinking of getting married—which I haven’t—what do I have to offer? Who finds pastors sexy? A rare woman, that’s who. They want burly lumberjacks and firemen—”
“I’m going to cut you off right there. Plenty of women will find you sexy and funny actually. Which is also sexy.”
Jane nodded adamantly. “She’s right.”
Bill shifted again. “Jeez, this is awkward. Or maybe more like torture. I think I need to go do something manly. Like break something and then fix it.”
“Go fix things with Lottie. Ask her if she needs any help. And for all things good and holy—don’t make jokes about getting a wife.”
Bill furrowed his brow.
“Trust me on this, please.”
“All right, but if she takes off my head, I’m holding you responsible, and I want to be buried in one of the bio urns. I want to be a crab apple tree if they have it.”
“What are you talking about?” Elizabeth asked.
“I’m talking about Lotts. She’s got something bothering her, and she needs a bit of time to let it work itself out.” He nodded with such determination she almost bought it.
“Come on, chicken, we’ll go with you.” Elizabeth tugged him into action with Jane taking up the rear in case he faltered. A matchmaker’s work was never done.
They found Lottie working the cupcake display. She’d divided the table into two halves with a sign in the middle saying Give us a hint. Playmate or Soulmate?
“What happened to Naughty or Nice?” Elizabeth asked.
“I changed it.”
On the playmate side were four different cupcakes labeled: Lust, Passion, Sex on the Beach, and Ménage à Trois.
Elizabeth pointed to the last one.
“It’s three layers, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry with cream filling between each. The frosting is champagne.”
“Wow, that sounds great,” Bill said while reaching for one.
Jane stepped on his foot.
“What?” He turned to the sisters.
“I can’t see what the other flavors are,” Elizabeth said and pushed him toward the partner side.
Bill bent to see the cupcakes. “Simple and Sexy, which is vanilla with chocolate icing, Wedded Bliss—also vanilla with—”
“Champagne flavored icing and a Grand Marnier ganache filling.” Lottie held up the first cupcake. “That’s not just chocolate icing. That’s Nutella icing. This one, Happy Days, is strawberry poke cake enriched by strawberry liqueur with a chocolate icing, and the last one, Forever Love, is marble cake with cookies and cream frosting.”
“Might I have one?” Bill asked. His hand hovered undecidedly in the air.
“Of course,” Lottie said without looking at him. “They’re here to be eaten.”
“Choose wisely,” Elizabeth whispered in his ear.
“I’m a sucker for cookies and cream.” He took one from the back.
“Thanks for not messing up the display,” Lottie said.
“Of course. You need any help?” Bill peeled the wrapper away and plopped the whole thing in his mouth. “Oh, my gaw, ith is tho ’ood.”
Lottie shook her head but laughed. “If you did it in bites you might enjoy it better.”
He chewed several times then swallowed. “I do that with the really big ones you make. I want a dozen of these in that supersized version.”
“They are fantastic,” said a guy standing next to Bill. He’d come over moments earlier and was scanning the table. “Don’t tell, but I’ve worked my way through the playmate ones and now am trying the partners. I can’t decide which I like best.”
“Thanks. That’s quite a compliment.” Lottie said, her cheeks turning a charming tint of pink.
“Are you the baker extraordinaire that created these concoctions? They are exquisite.” He was a tall, debonair-looking man, Elizabeth noted. A business man, for sure. The short stylish cut of his hair, the gold watch on his wrist, and his well-groomed appearance gave her that impression. That and the way he schmoozed Lottie.
“I am. And thank you again.” She stood with two cupcakes in her hands, not moving. Only blinking and smiling.
“There is nothing more enchanting than a beautiful woman who can cook and bake. That may sound outdated, but let me assure you, I’m a baker as well. Run a few stores in the tri-state area.” He stepped closer to Lottie.
“Oh? I have a café here. Well, my parents do.”
“Not Lucas Lodge and Café? I was in there this morning and had the house blend. Custom creation?”
Lottie nodded and if possible turned even pinker. “I have a roaster in Maine who loves to experiment. We’ve created several good coffees.” She studied the cupcakes in her hand and frowned.
“Here, jeez,” Bill mumbled and took them from her, placing them on the table.
“My name’s John. I own Thorpe’s bakery. I’d love to talk to you some more about your cupcakes, Mrs.—?”
Elizabeth tried to keep from smiling as she covertly watched everyone's reactions. She couldn’t have planned a better scenario if she used Hollywood actors. Clearly, this John guy was flirting with Lottie—because he wanted her cupcakes or her would be determined later. But it was what Bill needed to see.
“Oh, it’s Miss Lucas. Charlotte. You can call me Charlotte.” She extended her hand.
He took it in his but held it, not shook it. “Charlotte. It’s my lucky day. Can I come around tomorrow morning and talk with you at the café?”
“Sure, that would be great…I mean fine. Yes, I’ll be there.” She stumbled her words, slowly pulling her hand from his.
“Perfect.” He picked up a Simple and Sexy cupcake, winked at Lottie and moved on.
“Wow. Wow. Did you see that? That was John Thorpe. He owns more than just a few bakeries. If he bought stuff from me, I could become a household name.” She gushed after he was out of earshot.
Bill rubbed his stomach. “What did you put in that cupcake? It’s not sitting right.” Lottie swatted him on the arm.
Jane laughed and turned away. “Oh look,” she said over her shoulder. “Here comes Anne, Mr. Darcy, and I suppose those are his friends he was picking up.”
They all turned in the direction Jane was looking.
“Now it’s I who has a stomachache,” Elizabeth said.
The group arrived moments later. Elizabeth found herself more uncomfortable when Darcy came to stand next to her.
“We’re here.” he said.
&n
bsp; “Yes, I can see that.” She did large overt blinks to show him she had eyes.
“Jane, have you seen this?” Anne held out her phone to Jane who, when she saw the screen, gasped.
“What?” Elizabeth asked, trying to see to determine if her sister was upset or happy. “What?” She tried to see the phone.
“I’ve gone viral. Over two million hits.” Jane’s eyes were large with disbelief.
“Not only that, but we’ve seen a huge increase in applications. You’re a genius, Jane. I ran into Lydia, she and Denny are ready when you are. Let’s get you in the wild so to speak. Mingling.”
“Oh, okay.” Jane was still wide-eyed but looking beyond Anne to the man standing behind her.
A man so becoming Elizabeth had to blink twice to see if he was real. How had she not noticed him? Darcy’s dark presence must have blocked out his bright light.
Not that he was her type, not in the least. But his demeanor told her she was going to like him. He stood, relaxed, hands clasped behind his back, rocking on his heels, an inviting smile on his face. Had he been Mr. Darcy, the sisters would have been golden. Much like he was—golden. Like a Norse God. Tall, blond, with the trimmest of beards. Too bad the woman standing next to him did not come off as pleasant. No, quite the opposite.
“Hmm, so Anne, you’re saying that business has improved because of automation,” Darcy said quietly.
Elizabeth shook her head. “If by automation you mean social media marketing—then yes. The only thing that’s new is the process to apply online. Please, take all the accolades for that. It was your—well Anne’s—idea after all.”
“You’re my witness, Bingley. Miss Bennet just told me I was right.” He stared at her, making her want to step closer and stare back harder. He did not intimidate her.
“You require witnesses? Does that imply you are often wrong?” Her smile was close-lipped.
He nodded slightly. “Touché. These are my friends. Let me introduce you.” He turned and placed a hand on the upper arm of the woman. “This is Caroline Bingley and her brother, who happens to be my closest friend and lawyer, Charles Bingley.”
Charles stepped up to Jane. “But you can call me Chaz.” As if realizing they weren't alone he smiled at the rest of them. “You all can call me Chaz. It’s a pleasure meeting you.” He said the last bit to Jane.
Elizabeth watched the two stare at one another, shy smiles on each of their faces, and knew something was happening. Something magical. They were leaning toward one another without so much as saying a word.
“I’m Jane. This is my sister Elizabeth. We own Meryton Matchmakers,” Jane told him without looking away.
Chaz had eyes only for Jane.
Bill cleared his voice. “Of course you know me. We’ve met a few times, and this other woman with the third eye is Lo—”
“Charlotte Lucas.” Lottie said. “Try a cupcake.”
She scooped two from the table and held them out to the group.
Caroline Bingley stepped away from the dessert like a person does a venomous snake.
“When you said the town was charming, Darcy, I suppose I imagined antique shops and quaint cafés.” She scanned the park, a wry smile on her face. “And I suppose I can see what you mean, but perhaps provincial is more an accurate descriptor. I mean, a grocer, a hardware store, and one café. Not a yoga or art studio to be found.”
“I, for one, find this town exceedingly beautiful…um, I mean enchanting,” Chaz said, and both his and Jane’s cheeks showed an attractive tint of pink. “I’m here because I’m looking for a country home, and Darcy told me about the area. I like it already.”
“We have a lovely community. Very close,” Jane replied in a breathy voice.
Elizabeth winked at Lottie. Darcy stepped forward, looking between the cupcakes, Ménage à Trois and Wedded Bliss.
Lottie explained the difference between the two.
He cast Elizabeth a glance over his shoulder before selecting. “It would seem Wedded Bliss is the perfect cupcake for this occasion. We are—after all—hoping to celebrate an increase in love connections so Miss Bennet and her sisters can have the success they so desire.” He took the cupcake from Lottie with a smile that made Elizabeth want to slap it out of his hand or cram it in his face.
Yes, she was being petulant. But he was being smug. Coming over here so pleased that the little automation they’d done was so successful. A monkey could have done what they did and have seen the same results. It was something they had on their list to do anyway.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Well, hang around. You might discover something you like.”
“Besides these cupcakes?” Darcy asked Lottie. “This is fantastic. Is that Grand Marnier?”
Lottie nodded, her smile wide. “Thanks.”
“Chaz, try one.” He turned to Caroline but said nothing.
“I’ll try the Happy Days one. Today seems like a happy day. Would you be willing to show me around the town, Jane?” Chaz said everything with eyes only on Jane.
“I would love to. Let’s start by getting a drink.”
“Hold up, you two. I’m coming with, because I’m going to do some filming for the site.” Anne turned to Elizabeth. “Could you text Lydia and tell her to meet us at the drink table? I’ll use my phone until he shows up.”
Elizabeth scanned the crowd. If she knew anything about the people she grew up with and her neighbors, it was their habits. She found Denny by the food table hanging near Lydia and Kitty, laughing and talking, the camera cradled in his arms.
“Denny will be where my sisters are. My sisters will be where the men hang out. That’s the food table. Your cameraman is to the right of the food table.”
Anne snapped her fingers then pointed at Elizabeth. With a wink, she said, “Now I know who to come to for insider info.”
“Woohoo, girls!” A voice called across the field. Elizabeth’s gaze jerked to Jane’s, whose eyes had gone wide.
“I was kind of hoping she’d have forgotten,” Elizabeth said to Jane in a low voice.
“Me, too.”
Who were they kidding? Their mother would never miss an opportunity to rub her Hollywood lifestyle in her former neighbors’ faces—even though she still lived only a few miles out of town and traveled for work. Elizabeth took in several deep breaths and tried to anticipate what sort of damage her mother could make, saying a silent prayer that luck might gift them and there would be no fallout.
Chapter Twelve
Bill laughed and began rubbing his hands manically. “This is my favorite part. When the embarrassing family shows up.” He’d been around Mrs. Bennet long enough to know something was going to go down. The woman was a one person wrecking ball where her mouth was concerned. Unfortunately her job was to ink all her thoughts and speculations, regardless of truth and consequences. She worked for one of the most popular tabloids and, Bill was willing to wager, was eager to work her way to the top there, having switched to the rag a few years back when her previous employer suddenly closed.
Elizabeth sighed. “It’s not that she’s embarrassing, really. Just that we need time to—. Well, I’m not sure.”
“Prepare? Gird your loins? Drink? All the above?” Bill supplied.
“Hello, it’s fabulous to see you. I know. I do look great, don’t I?” Johanna Bennet, the sisters’ mother called out to people as she passed them, beelining straight for Jane and Elizabeth. ”Just came back from the south of France. Found my happy place there. You should try it, Mr. Yelvington.”
“For the record,” Bill said, as Johanna approached, “Lydia was the one to remind her. I believe it happened right after you asked her for rent money. Heard her tell Kitty.” He turned to Darcy. “That’s the thing about being a man of the cloth, people automatically think everything we hear is kept confidential. Not so much.” He waved to the older Bennet woman. “Hello, Mrs. Bennet. It’s wonderful to see you. We weren’t expecting you at this little get-together.”
“Hello, Bill,” she said as she approached him. When she stretched onto her toes and delivered a kiss to each cheek, he was not only caught off balance by her overwhelming cloud of Chanel no. 5, but the by the kisses as well.
“Gone European on us, have you?” he asked as he eased away.
“Darling, please.” She rubbed her thumb over his cheek, probably brushing off the bright red lipstick she’d left behind. He saw Elizabeth’s eyes roll upward.
“Hello, Mother. We’re surprised you fit this in your busy schedule,” Jane said and stepped forward to deliver a kiss to her mother’s cheek, only having to deliver a second to the other one.
“Oh, sweet Jane. I missed your father, and the city is unbearably hot. So we agreed to spend a few weeks here for respite.” Mrs. Bennet turned toward Elizabeth. “Lizzy dear.” She used a tone noticeably less endearing than the one she used for Jane but let her daughter kiss her cheeks nonetheless. “Now that you have convinced Lydia to move and abandon your father, I was forced to make some difficult decisions and come home early. How am I supposed to work from here? Not a lot going on—”
Bill saw Mrs. Bennet’s eyes widen, likely at the same time Elizabeth did, she swiveled her head in the direct of her mother’s owl-like stare.
“Well, Mr. Darcy. Why ever are you in the fair town of Meryton? Have something to take apart? Destroy? Hope to squash.”
Next to him Lottie gasped, and Bill metaphorically put on his pastor hat. If he needed to pull in the Lord to turn things around, he would. Sometimes people needed reminders that there was something greater than themselves. Regardless of whether they believed in a higher power or not, the vast majority believed there was the chance something omnipotent existed and could possibly smite them.
“Mother!” Jane said.
“I was unaware you two knew each other,” Elizabeth said.
Mrs. Bennet crossed her arms, tilted her head back, and scowled at Darcy. “I would say we are more acquainted than know each other. Mr. Darcy took over for his father after he passed. This was when I was working The Tattler. I loved that job.” She directed all her words at Darcy. “Then your father passed. Such an amazing man, no one will ever be able to fill his shoes, that’s for sure.”
