by Kristi Rose
Elizabeth elbowed Darcy, their gazes met and held. She silently asked if he was good with her going. He nodded once then turned his attention to Eleanor.
“Oh, no, I want to do it.” Marianne slid her arm through Elizabeth’s. Elizabeth drew her away from Darcy and Eleanor.
He waited for Elizabeth and Marianne to be out of earshot then said, “So, your sister—”
“Is not for you.” Eleanor was frank.
Darcy tucked his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. He didn’t want to insult Eleanor, her sister, or their family. He wasn’t as familiar with them as he was the Bingley’s, but they were reputed to be good people. Eleanor herself had been a few years behind him at Harvard. “She’s interesting.”
“A handful,” Eleanor said. “May I ask you a question?”
He nodded, indicating she should continue.
“You serious about this matchmaker, aren’t you?” Eleanor asked. She resembled her sister, but the look in her eyes was sharp. She had an astuteness akin to Elizabeth’s.
“Why shouldn’t I be?” Why people found it so incredulous that he would employ help in the love department amazed him. “We live in a fast time where meeting people is difficult. Having assistance saves time and energy, and there are two things I despise wasting. Time and Energy. And Elizabeth is a talented matchmaker. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my love life.”
Eleanor chuckled. “That’s not the question I asked, William.” She glanced over her shoulder at Elizabeth then back at him. “But you told me what I wanted to know anyway.” She smiled.
Chapter Eight
Saturday
The lawn from the previous night had been transformed into a summer country club-themed venue. Lawn chairs set between small round tables and picnic blankets dotted the lawn. The picnic wasn’t quaint baskets but buffet-style tables again. Several white canvas gazebos were placed over chairs to offer shade. Large individual umbrellas were available to attach to lawn chairs.
“What did you think of Eleanor?” Elizabeth asked Darcy as she settled into a lawn lounger. She hadn’t worn her swimsuit or tennis outfit or jeans for horseback riding. She’d dressed in khaki shorts and a gauzy maroon blouse with a matching camisole underneath. In her bag was the book she’d been wanting to read for ages. The weather was already warm with predictions to hit high numbers, and though a swim might be refreshing, she wasn’t about to suit up with this crowd. She was an employee and must behave as such. None of the other employees were playing tennis and swimming.
“Eleanor’s nice. She’s got a sharp mind and is a keen observer. I should consider hiring her.” He said the last part as if he’d just come to that realization.
Elizabeth pursed her lips and waited for more. She arched a brow when he turned his attention to her.
He shook his head. “Not my type.” He’d dressed similarly in khaki shorts and a polo. His tennis racket poked out from under his lawn chair.
“What about her makes her not your type? The sharp mind?” She couldn’t resist the jab. In the past, she would’ve said such biting things as a way to cut him. Now, she teased in good nature.
“Ha ha,” he said. “There’s no connection. No spark.”
Interesting. “Do you believe there should be an instant connection?”
“I think one is nice. Don’t you?” He was every part the billionaire with his high-end threads, dark lens, name-brand shades, his arm over his head as he rested against the lounger.
She’d spent her life fretting she’d never find the one, and he was so casual about it. Amazing really. His cavalier attitude spoke to the fact that William Darcy expected life to happen on his terms and not the other way around. She envied him. The last few weeks with the business in flux left her twitchy with desperation for control.
“What’s happened? Why do you look so worried all of a sudden?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Just thinking about my business. I don’t do transitions well, and being in this state of limbo is wearing on me.”
“And something I said made you think of that?” He sat up, swinging his legs to the side of the chair so he could face her.
“No. More that you’re so confident about everything, and I’m chewing my thumbnails down to the quick with indecision.” She showed him her thumbnails as proof.
He slid off his sunglasses then held one of her thumbs between his fingers, inspecting it. Feigning mock disgust, he pushed her hand away.
She took a swat at him.
“I’m sure that after we’re done with this, everything will be fine with your company. You’ll be back in the driver’s seat. You have a fine business mind as well, Elizabeth. Stop carrying around the guilt of other’s actions. That’s your biggest hurdle, not the choices you had to make in the past. Not the choices you will have to make now.” He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “You can’t control the actions of others, and your actions will speak loudly. People see that.” He gestured to the crowd. “If they believed you weren’t to be trusted, Emma wouldn’t have let you come. No matter how much I begged.”
“You’d beg for me?” she teased.
He reared back. “Are you kidding? I’m a selfish being. I’d beg because I need your help with the selection of datable woman. All about me.”
He resumed his restful position. “Now, go get me something to eat, please.”
Elizabeth stood and stared down at him in disbelief. “I’m here to show you potential matches not be at your beck and call. Get your own food.”
Darcy burst out laughing. “It was worth a try.”
Emma approached and gestured to the end of Darcy’s lounger, asking if she could take a seat. He nodded.
“Care to engage in a couple’s game of tennis?” she asked Darcy and Elizabeth.
“I’d love to,” Darcy said, sitting up. “I’ve yet to eat, though.”
“We’ll set it up for forty minutes from now.” She rose.
Elizabeth wanted to make it clear she was not part of the couple. “You should ask Marianne to be your other,” she told Darcy.
“Uh, well, I—I—,” he stammered.
Emma said, “I was thinking you would be the other. Knightley would be mine.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, thanks.” She picked up her book and waved it around. “I’m going to enjoy the sunshine, read this book, and contemplate possible other matches. This is a chance for Darcy to get to know Marianne better.”
Darcy and Emma exchanged a look that Elizabeth couldn’t read.
“Perhaps one game?” Darcy asked her.
Elizabeth shook her head. “No. Besides, it wouldn’t do. Us playing tennis together might send a mixed message.”
“More mixed than us sitting next to each other, having dinner together, and—”
“You have a point. We should stop doing those things.” She gathered her large tote and book and stood. “Oh, there’s Caroline, and she’s dressed for the part.” She called out the woman’s name.
“No,” Darcy cautioned her quietly.
Caroline approached. She looked as fresh and lovely as a morning dewdrop, her blond hair perfectly coiffed in a bouncy ponytail. She was even dressed in a tennis skirt and tank top.
“Caroline,” Elizabeth said. “Have my seat. William and Emma were just talking about getting a couples game of tennis going, and William needs a partner.” She gestured to Caroline’s outfit. “And look at you. All set to go. Perfect. You all have a wonderful game.”
“We’ll talk later,” William called to her as she worked her way through the maze of loungers in search of an empty one.
She gave a small wave over her shoulder and said loudly for others to hear, “Yes, boss.”
She had to admit, she was enjoying Darcy’s company. Who would have guessed there’d come a day she didn’t see him as an arrogant, overbearing, know-it-all?
Elizabeth chuckled. Okay, he was still arrogant and a bit of a know-it-all, but now she was seeing mo
re facets to the man.
Chapter Nine
Saturday
Elizabeth took one last look in the full-length mirror and squared her bare shoulders. The maroon evening gown with the ruched bodice clung to her curves, and she repressed the desire to tug away where the fabric was snug. Thankfully, the long skirt flowed out. She brushed a loopy curl away from her shoulder, stalling.
She’d been to formal events before, so why was she so nervous about this one? Maybe because the stakes were higher. Maybe because she needed to present a picture of an ethical businesswoman, and the skin of her shoulders and dip of the sweetheart neckline were in contrast to that.
Elizabeth stomped her foot in frustration. Her actions should speak for her ethics.
She sucked in a calming breath and jumped when her bedroom door was flung open with such force it banged against the wall.
Elizabeth spun to face a tall older woman with hair pulled back into a French twist, heavy eye makeup, and lips so thin they were hard to see. If it weren’t for the dark brown of the lipstick that gave their shape, Elizabeth would assume the woman didn’t have any lips.
“Elizabeth Bennet?” the woman barked.
“Yes,” Elizabeth said and clasped her hands in front of her. She took in steady breaths to calm her racing heart.
“I am Catherine de Bourgh. You remember me, I assume.” She stepped into the room, the door remaining open behind her. She continued without waiting for Elizabeth to reply. “We have much to talk about.”
Elizabeth tilted her head in question. “We do? Because I can’t imagine what about?”
Way back in the beginning, when Elizabeth and Jane were trying to get Meryton Matchmakers off the ground, Bill had brought in Catherine de Bourgh as a silent partner. A few years later, de Bourgh’s accountant had run off with a chunk of her money, and hoarding cash had become de Bourgh’s singular goal. She’d sent Darcy in to either dismantle Meryton or increase the sales. Whichever came first. Thanks to Bill and Anne’s investment in the company, Elizabeth had been able to buy out de Bourgh.
“This is about my nephew.” Catherine de Bourgh shot an annoyed look at the door. “Well, don’t just leave that open, close it. Privacy is of the utmost importance here.” She scoffed and sat on the settee by the window.
Elizabeth bit her tongue but did as requested. Afterward she stood behind the overstuffed chair, her fingers resting on the chair back. She waited for Anne’s mother to speak.
Catherine studied her with beady eyes. “Is it true that you’re here as a guest of my nephew, William Darcy?”
“Yes, that’s true.” Telling Darcy’s aunt their business deal wasn’t Elizabeth’s place.
“Under what manner are you here?” Her thin lips disappeared into the flat line that might be considered a frown on a different face.
Eliminating her sarcasm was an impossible feat. “You just said yourself that I’m here as a guest of your nephew.”
“Yes, but why? Why did he bring you here?” She slapped her hand against her knee. “Tell me.”
“Ask him.” Elizabeth would never break client confidentiality no matter how intimidating this woman was. But Catherine de Bourgh needed to meet Joanna Bennet if she thought she had the market on overbearing and intimidating.
Catherine stared, unblinking. “I’m asking you.”
Elizabeth held her own. “Mrs. de Bourgh. Clearly you’re upset about something. Perhaps if you tell me what that is, I can put your mind at ease.”
Catherine de Bourgh narrowed her eyes then said, “Are you trying to win my nephew’s hand?”
Elizabeth burst out laughing.
de Bough screwed up her face, her anger clear in the downward slant of her brows. “Your presence here is not funny. My question is not a laughing matter. William is an outstanding person with so much to give. I will not—I repeat—I will not have him linked to…to…to a woman whose mother is a gossip, has a sister for a floozie, and whose business is so poorly run she depends on the generosity of others to get by.”
Elizabeth gasped, a burst of white-hot anger coursing through her.
Before Elizabeth could protest, Catherine held up her hand and continued, “His words, of course, not mine.”
Elizabeth’s vision went fuzzy with rage. His words? How dare he?
“My nephew has done what he could to help your business and to make sure that horrid mother of yours doesn’t blame him for all your family woes. Like your sister running off with a playboy.”
“My sister is happily married to that playboy.” And now Elizabeth was defending Wickham. Although he’d done lots to deserve censure, he’d done just as much to turn his life around.
Elizabeth was stunned. Through a quick burst of images, her mind replayed all the time she and Darcy had spent together. She scrutinized and questioned Darcy’s past actions. Had his good deeds been done to preserve his name and reputation? And here she’d assumed he’d done them out of kindness.
Catherine waved a dismissive hand. “I will give you ten thousand dollars to leave right now. Exit my nephew’s life and never come back.”
Elizabeth stood speechless. She shook her head, unable to comprehend what was happening. Was de Bourgh trying to pay her off?
“No, you said?” Catherine barked, misreading Elizabeth’s head shake. “Then how about I donate fifty thousand dollars to that little, poorly-run business of yours to keep you afloat for a while. I know it’s throwing good money down the drain, but if it’ll get you away from William, then it’s money well spent. I’ll save your little business, and you can go merrily along your way.”
Elizabeth saw the moment for what it was, a payoff, yes. But also a way out. Right now, her success was hinged on Darcy. With fifty thousand dollars, Meryton could reboot, as William had put it, and Elizabeth wouldn’t have to sell her house.
Though, reboot to what? The large sum of money would do nothing to fix her reputation. And leaving Darcy high and dry, as much as she’d like to do that right now, would prove the naysayers right. Besides, she was better than that. She had picked her path and she would see it through. That was the right thing to do.
No, there was no easy way to solve her company’s problems. Only hard work and strong ethics would fix it. And if it didn’t, then she needed to shut her doors.
She was about to ask Catherine de Bourgh to see herself out when her bedroom door was once again flung open. William stood in the doorway, scowling.
Elizabeth tossed her hands up in frustration. “Do you people know how to knock, or do you think you own everyone and everything so simple manners are beneath you?” She glared at Darcy and his aunt.
“Aunt Catherine, why are you here? What do you want?” He glanced between his aunt and Elizabeth.
“I am here to save you from yourself. I’m not sure what your intentions are—”
“If my intentions were any of your business, I would have shared them.” Darcy came into the room and gestured to Elizabeth. “Are you all right? You look quite pale.”
Elizabeth’s nostrils flared as she blew out an angry breath. And here she believed they were forging a friendship. But now she knew the truth. And that was fine and dandy. She would match him with so many women to date that it would keep him busy for years. He’d be wife-weening till he was gray-haired. And she’d have happily gone on with her life.
“Once the two of you are done, kindly see yourself out of my room,” Elizabeth said. And in a ruffle of her skirt with shoulders thrust back, her expression icy, she strode from the room.
Chapter Ten
Sunday
They rode in silence from the small Montana airport to his home. Elizabeth sat in the front of the SUV with the driver, Darcy and Anne in the back. The trip to the airport and the flight had been equally silent. The most he’d gotten from Elizabeth conversation-wise was when she asked him about the many women he’d danced with last night. Did he connect with anyone in particular? Was he feeling curious or interested in anyone?
He could only guess what his aunt had said to Elizabeth. Knowing Aunt Catherine, it wasn’t positive or reasonable. Because he had strong feelings for Elizabeth, and despite her not having the same feelings for him, William needed to set her up for success. He needed their relationship to evolve to a place where they could be around each other comfortably. Her sister was married to his best friend. Chances were their paths would cross again. He was, begrudgingly, accepting the fact that she didn’t feel for him what he did for her. Plain and simple. Unrequited love was going to be part of his story. He could accept that. But learning to live with it was going to take time. One thing for certain, he didn’t want to go back to how things were between them in the beginning. Battle-ready Elizabeth was not his favorite. He preferred the woman who approached life, love, and people with awe and appreciation.
He’d begged Anne to talk to her, but Anne reported Elizabeth had been tight-lipped with her, too.
He nudged Anne.
She cleared her throat. “I’m looking forward to a change of scenery. How about you, Lizzy?”
“Sure,” Elizabeth said, following a quick glance over her shoulder.
Darcy gave it a shot. “The evenings will be cooler. That’ll be nice. I’m looking forward to being home. My sister, Georgiana, will be there.”
Elizabeth turned in her seat. “Any other newcomers? Because if not, then I’m wondering if I should stay. You’re not connecting with anyone, and perhaps it would be best if we try a different approach. A different venue.”
“There’s Emma,” he offered.
Anne groaned.
Elizabeth said, “Who is crazy about Knightley. Do you think there could be one possible match for you in this group? Because if you say ‘yes,’ then I’m going to say, based on my professional opinion, that person in Caroline. And you’ve already said no to her.”
