by Kristi Rose
Emma treated Elizabeth with warmth and laughter when she’d welcomed her. She’d been the only one. The others were standoffish, nodding politely when she passed, but no one reached out to her. Elizabeth wished for one friendly face. Frederick and Maggie Wentworth were out of the country, Anne de Bourgh had yet to come down from her room, and Caroline Bingley didn’t count.
Elizabeth plastered what she hoped was a serene expression on her face and went to the buffet. Not that she had the stomach to eat, but Darcy was there. She sidled up next to him. “This isn’t going to work.”
“Aren’t you supposed to say something like we can’t keep meeting like this?” He smiled, happy.
Elizabeth gave him her are-you-dense look. “What are you talking about?”
“Us, here again. It’s like February all over.” He loaded olive tapenade onto his plate.
“Only it’s nothing like February. We barely talked in February. My mother humiliated me in February.”
“People fell in love in February. People kissed in February.” He gave her a sideways glance. “And your mother humiliated you today as well.”
Did he think of their kiss often? Surprisingly, she did. The first time he’d kissed her she’d wanted to laugh in his face. She’d been so angry with him for making Charlie leave and breaking Jane’s heart. But the last kiss, its originals platonic, had been anything but. Something weird but wonderful had happened when her lips had brushed his. The urge for more had rushed through her with a powerful, knee-weakening force, leaving her with a ravenous and restless feeling the rest of the night. She’d never experienced anything like it before or since.
But how embarrassing. To muse over a kiss from William Darcy. She needed to date. To have new experiences. All this matchmaking was messing with her head. Elizabeth glanced at William’s lips then away, heat creeping up her neck. He’d have a good laugh if he knew what she’d been thinking about.
“My mother is one to never let me down. Consistent as ever.” Elizabeth took a helping of the same olive tapenade. She glanced at Darcy’s plate. “Did you want crackers for the tapenade or were you going to eat it straight with a spoon?” She put a few on her plate.
He glanced at his plate, then the buffet, realizing he’d passed right by them. “Yes, please.” He held out his plate for her to add them. She did.
“Anything else you want from my section?” She gestured with her hand to the spread behind her.
He met her gaze. “There’s one thing I want, but I’ll have to wait until later.”
“You sure?” She glanced back at the selection and wondered what he was considering.
“Positive. Now, tell me why thirty minutes into mingling you think this isn’t going to work.” He picked up a strawberry, gestured to her if she wanted any, and put two on her plate when she nodded.
“You were supposed to give me a list, and you haven’t. I decided to be proactive. I came out here to socialize and make my own assessment. Except no one will mingle with me, so I can’t.”
“Yes, about the list. How about we just wing it?” He gave a gallant shrug.
She faced him. “You want to wing the art of finding appropriate women for you to date and one to possibly marry?” Was he not taking this seriously?
“Why not?” He moved down the line.
“I could come up with a thousand reasons. But let’s start with an obvious one. I’m under a deadline.” She pointed to her wrist where she typically wore a watch. “But love shouldn’t be rushed, so how about this one? No one is talking to me. How am I supposed to meet women if they won’t talk to me?” She put two skewers of caprese salad on a stick on her plate and two on his when he gestured for her to do the same.
“So, tell them why you’re here. Have you told Emma? She can help you spread it around.” He gave a small nod in Emma’s direction. “Speaking of which, you should start with her for my list. She’s tall. I like tall women. Less bending over for me.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, and Darcy chuckled. “Height shouldn’t be an initial factor. Besides, I think there’s something between her and Knightley.”
“Maybe it’s the same thing that’s between me and Caroline,” he countered.
Elizabeth pursed her lips and shook her head. “For such an astute businessman, you’re calling that one all wrong.”
“Want to make a friendly wager?” They were at the end of the buffet, and he led her away to a table tucked in the corner of the yard, close to a large urn of fire. He pulled out a seat for her.
“Normally, I’d say I’d hate to take your money, but I’d be lying. I’d actually revel in besting you.” She laughed, hoping he would interpret her words as they were meant, light-hearted ribbing.
Darcy huffed. “As if that’s possible. Money or something else?”
Elizabeth pretended to weigh the options. “Hmm, if this crowd were the karaoke type, I would go for that.”
Darcy was horrified. Elizabeth burst out with laughter.
“Your face was priceless,” she said before tossing her head back for another round of laughter.
“Yes, yes, have your laugh. But we shall see who gets the final one,” he said.
“Okay, money it is. How much?” Elizabeth asked.
“One hundred?”
Elizabeth startled. “Wow, you’re that confident I’m wrong.”
“You’re not confident you’re right?” He gave her a pointed look. She imagined this was the look he gave all the people he believed he was besting.
“Oh, I’m confident. Very confident.” She stuck out her hand. “It’s a sucker’s bet and you, my friend, are the sucker.”
This time Darcy laughed. She loved his deep, rich baritone laugh. He had two types. The chuckle that was more done out of politeness and this deep, hearty, comes-from-the-belly laugh. She felt like she was seeing a rare side to William Darcy. She liked it.
He shook her hand. “Deal.”
They stared into each other’s eyes. Something new and unidentified passed between them. Something wonderful.
“What’s going on here?” Emma Woodhouse said.
How had she come to the table without Elizabeth noticing?
She’d been charmed by Darcy, that’s how.
Darcy stood and gestured for Emma to take a seat. He followed suit. “You’re going to love this, Emma,” he said.
She leaned in.
“I’ve hired Elizabeth to be my matchmaker. That’s why I asked you to put her on the guest list.”
Emma’s mouth dropped open, but she snapped it shut a second later. She looked at Elizabeth. “I had no problem putting you on the guest list. I love your company.” She glanced between Darcy and Elizabeth. “I’ll admit I’d hoped the reason was more of a romantic nature.”
“And it is—my love life.” Darcy smiled.
“Not what I meant, but I’ll take it,” Emma said. “Is this a secret?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No. I mean, we’re not putting out a press release.”
Emma’s brows raised. “You’re going to have your work cut out for you. Like a moth to the flame,” she said, gesturing to Darcy.
Elizabeth nodded then shrugged. “At least the pool is small-ish.”
“True.” Emma glanced around. “Let me help. Is there anyone you want to meet?”
Elizabeth gestured to a woman about her height with flowing red hair full of loopy curls. She was exiting the buffet with a slightly older woman who was likely her sister as their resemblance was strong. Emma waved them over.
“That’s Marianne and her sister Eleanor.” Emma stood and called out, “Marianne.”
The women looked in their direction.
“Sit here,” Emma said. “You know William Darcy, yes?”
Marianne, looking fresh from her sorority with a perfect complexion, fair skin, curvy figure, and generous bosom, nodded.
“Good, and this is Elizabeth Bennet. She’s William’s matchmaker. She’s here to help him find someone who might b
e a good match for him.” Emma placed her hand on Marianne’s shoulder and lightly pushed her into the chair she’d just vacated. Her sister took the remaining one.
“See what I mean about Emma helping?” Darcy said from the corner of his mouth.
“See what I mean about her not volunteering herself?” Elizabeth said, doing the same.
“Because she’s more clever than that,” he said.
“Because she loves Knightly,” she said, then returned her attention to Emma. “Thanks, Emma, I appreciate it.” She winked at her hostess.
Emma winked back and strolled away, beelining for a gaggle of single women.
Elizabeth took in the hopeful expression on Marianne’s face. She held out her hand and introduced herself to both women. “Emma said that I’m William’s matchmaker. I should clarify. He’s not looking to run down the aisle. I’m helping him find compatible options. We all have our first-date horror stories, and my job is to try to eliminate that for William.”
Elizabeth focused her attention on Marianne. “So, are you enjoying yourself?”
“Oh, yes,” the woman gushed. “I feel like a princess at the ball. Emma throws the best get-togethers. I just want to run around kissing all the frogs to see if any turn into a prince.” Marianne pointed her comment toward Darcy.
Elizabeth caught the subtle eye roll of the sister.
“Emma does a nice job,” Elizabeth agreed.
William was busy tossing food into his mouth.
“I heard there might be skinny dipping in the lake later? That’s so risqué.” She covered her mouth and giggled, a high-pitched sound Elizabeth found uncomfortable.
“I don’t think that’s true,” Elizabeth said, crushing the girl’s dreams.
“That’s too bad,” Marianne said. “William, there’s a picture of you on the internet, boating with your shirt off. It’s out of focus, of course, but still hot. I’d love to see you up close, shirtless.”
William choked, and Elizabeth whacked him on the back.
Ignoring the potential of this plan to go sideways fast, Elizabeth decided to listen to Lydia and just jump in. She said to everyone at the table, “This is gonna be fun.”
Chapter Seven
Friday Evening
Marianne Dashwood clung to Elizabeth and Darcy like a cocklebur clings to shoelaces. And was just as impossible to shake loose. After dinner, the group moved closer to one of the firepit urns and the dessert buffet. While a few were enjoying after-dinner cocktails, Elizabeth was enjoying Darcy’s discomfort with Marianne. Eleanor was enjoying a puffed pastry. Conversation was light and casual. The sun dipped low to the earth, leaving behind shades of pink and orange.
“I’ve seen his abs,” she told Elizabeth and pointed to John Willoughby. “He was swimming earlier today. I watched from the window.” She giggled then sighed. “I think you can get a good sense of a person by their physique.”
“A good sense?” Elizabeth asked. “Explain, please.”
Darcy shifted and lightly stepped on her toes. She knew he was telling her to hush. She ignored his stare and his toes.
“You can see their aura in full. In its absolute splendor. A person’s physique will tell you if they’re happy, sad, sick, or healthy.” Marianne stepped back and studied Darcy. “Without seeing your abs, I can tell you are healthy. But sad, too. Because you’re lonely.”
“Which can be assumed because he’s hired a matchmaker,” Elizabeth pointed out.
Darcy cut a glare in her direction.
“Yes, but his ketheric aura is so clear and obvious.” Marianne waved her hands over Darcy. “That’s the important one.”
Elizabeth had no idea what a ketheric aura was, and by the look on Darcy’s face, he didn’t either.
Eleanor cleared her throat. “Marianne, perhaps William and Elizabeth would prefer to not have their auras read. Remember, we talked about asking people before jumping right in.” She gave both Darcy and Elizabeth an apologetic look.
“Hush, Ellie, William is an open-minded individual. He wants to know his aura is blue with shades of turquoise.” She leaned close to Darcy. “White is reaching top tier, in case you’re wondering. A competitive, goal-oriented person such as yourself would strive for white.”
“Noted,” Darcy said. “What’s Elizabeth’s?”
Marianne gave her a quick glance. She shrugged. “Hard to say. Yours is so bright and strong.”
“But give it a shot. I’m curious,” William said.
Marianne studied her. “Your fourth level is a mess. That’s the one that deals with how open we are to love and life. Yours is shut off.” Marianne giggled. “Sorry, he asked.”
Elizabeth was at a loss for words.
“Oh, here comes a dark cloud,” Marianne said with irritation while looking beyond Elizabeth and Darcy.
Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder and saw Caroline approaching. Her purposeful stride told Elizabeth that Caroline was on a mission.
“This looks like a fun conversation,” Caroline said while sidling up with Darcy. She slipped her arm through his, her hand resting possessively on his upper arm.
“Marianne was telling us about our auras,” Darcy said.
Caroline scoffed. “Hippie hooey.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Is that why her aura is so dark? Because she’s not a believer?”
Marianne stepped away from Caroline as if to say her aura was toxic and harmful to those around her. “She’s more closed off than you,” she told Elizabeth. “Probably because she was a fat kid and she hasn’t gotten over it.”
Caroline gasped. “I was not fat. I was plump and healthy. And it was one summer. One summer!”
Darcy patted her hand. “We all have awkward stages as children,” he soothed.
Elizabeth’s brows went up. Caroline had struggled with weight? Hm, perhaps that played a part in why she was the way she was.
Elizabeth said, “I had three long years before braces where I had those eye teeth that stuck out like fangs. It was awful.” She put her index fingers to her mouth like they were fangs.
“Marianne had that,” Eleanor said, pointing to her sister. “I was pigeon-toed. I had to wear braces on my legs all through kindergarten.” She shook her head sadly.
“Sometimes her foot still turns inward,” Marianne pointed out.
“Thank you,” her sister said and backhanded her on the top of the arm.
Elizabeth said, “Growing up is so hard. All those terrible and awkward stages are bad enough, but to make matters worse, you feel like you’re the only one going through them.”
“This is true,” Eleanor said.
Marianne squealed. “Oh, your aura flickered,” she told Caroline. “Flickered in a good way.”
Caroline scoffed. “This conversation is ridiculous.” She dropped Darcy’s arm and fled.
Marianne shrugged and faced Darcy. “Now, back to you.” She stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his abs. “So much power. Let’s negotiate something.” She smiled at Elizabeth and said, “I’m speaking his language.” She returned to Darcy. “I’ll help you clean your chakra for free. My usual fee is substantial, but if you let me handle this power of yours, I’ll happily wave it.”
Eleanor gasped and intervened, dragging her sister aside, whispering in a harsh tone.
Elizabeth was learning how to interpret Darcy’s moods based on his facial expression, and the one he currently sported said he was utterly mortified.
Yes, Marianne Dashwood was a tad annoying, but that was due to her young age and limited life experience. To Elizabeth, Marianne seemed sheltered and craving an adventure. Elizabeth considered the scheduled events and decided to give Marianne a fair shot. Her true mettle would be seen; Elizabeth was sure of that fact. Though Elizabeth’s gut said Marianne and William were not a match, she couldn’t afford to make a snap judgment.
She turned to him and pretended to wipe imaginary lint from his sports coat. “Hang on, let’s not be hasty. I know you’re thinking
she’s not your type. But remember, I wasn’t impressed with you the first time I met you.” She met his gaze and smiled before turning back to Marianne and her sister as they returned. Elizabeth considered Eleanor a match. She struck Elizabeth as a sensible woman. She shared the same red hair and creamy skin as Marianne. She was taller, her build more athletic to Marianne’s curvy one.
“Are you saying you’re impressed with me now?” he asked under his breath.
Elizabeth chuckled and said in jest, “Don’t be silly. Only that I might have been hasty in forming an opinion.”
The banter between them was comfortable, familiar. Like they were friends. They’d sure spent enough time together to quantify a friendship. And there was no denying he’d been good to her family, even when they hadn’t deserved it.
“I’m going to separate Marianne from her sister. Maybe she’s a different person around her sister. Maybe all that was a way to irritate Eleanor. I know with my own sisters, we don’t always bring out the best in each other. Why don’t you strike up a conversation with Eleanor?” Elizabeth arched her brows in question, asking if he had any problem with that? She was easy to overlook as she was quiet, reserved, and overshadowed by Marianne’s theatrics, but she hoped he might find something in Eleanor he liked.
“Thank you for leaving me to chat up the reasonable one.”
“Well, you’ll see a line of hazard pay on my invoice. You can think back on this moment should you balk at paying me my fee.” She nudged him toward Eleanor as she said, “Marianne, I would love to learn more about this aura stuff. Care to walk around with me and point out other’s auras?”
Marianne wagged her finger at Elizabeth. “You’re going to make me cry, aren’t you? No one has ever asked me to do this.”
“Oh, well, I don’t want to make you cry so if you’d rather not…” Elizabeth knew Marianne was too self-centered to pass up an opportunity. The twenty-plus years with Lydia as a sister were paying off.
