by Kristi Rose
Her phone chimed in her pocket, and Elizabeth grabbed William’s arm as realization dawned.
“Phones,” they said in unison.
A text from Kitty with a link took her to the images William was looking at. Read the post was the message from her sister.
Quickly, Elizabeth scrolled through the pictures. Emma and Knightley talking, dancing, kissing at the end of the zip line. Well, their budding love was now for the world to see. Marianne Dashwood with her hand on William’s, her face glowing from pleasure. William looking down at Elizabeth, laughing. William holding Elizabeth’s hand coming down the stairs. William and Hannah, shoulders rubbing as they hiked up the mountain toward the zip line. Elizabeth and James in an intimate conversation. James and Gigi with a horse.
Even Hannah was included in the images posted by Elizabeth’s mother. By themselves, the photos were innocuous, but her mother had captioned them with a scandalizing phrase.
Dear Reader,
I bring you scenes from the rich and famous. Scenes that are off limits to us every-day folk. What you are looking at are photos from two private parties. One held by Emma Woodhouse at her grand estate in upstate New York and the other by William Darcy at his ranch in Montana. This is how the other half lives and, apparently, go about finding people to date. Remember when I said successful marriages were founded on a common interest that served both people? Yeah, well, that interest isn’t love. It’s keeping all their money, making more of it, and developing an arrangement that suits both parties’ individual needs. Many of these party-goers are excellent business people who expect success. That’s why they handle their marriages in the same manner. Even young Georgiana Darcy has joined the adventure.
But George Knightley wasn’t born one of them, you say. What about my own daughter, you ask? My response is this, eventually new blood has to be brought into the fold or else their society will have problems. And as for my daughter? Well, the question that begs to be answered here is this—is Elizabeth present to work as a matchmaker? If so, then we know she’s actually a broker, a compatibility dealmaker, and her stand on love is a farce. A ruse. Now consider the picture of her and Darcy holding hands. There’s a spark there, don’t you see, and I can’t help but wonder. Are these parties an audition for everyone? Even my daughter, who like I suspected, is using her company as a front to marry up?
I tried to see the positive in these images. Look at the one between Hannah Smith and William Darcy. There appears to be a spark there, too, yes? I would have agreed had my source not said that words such as proposition, wicked, arrangement, allure, invitation, negotiation, understanding, and obligation are being thrown around. How then does one assume these parties are nothing more than friends getting together when a matchmaker is present? This, Dear Reader, is how the rich and famous hammer out the details of love and marriage.
I will continue to dig into this story and bring you the answers to the many questions we all have. I have an additional one, of course. What’s a mother to do?
Couched with the article, the pictures did look bad. When information is introduced in a negative manner, setting it aside to be unbiased was difficult, and her mother knew that. That’s why she excelled at what she did.
The most important bit of information Elizabeth took from the post was that someone among them was sharing or selling information to her mother. Elizabeth scanned the crowd. But who?
“Aunt Catherine,” William said. “I would hope that my own relation would think better of me.”
His aunt scoffed. “It’s not what I think. It’s what the world thinks. You head up several businesses, William. You and your reputation are the faces of them, and today in social media, people of your ilk are tried and punished in one hundred and forty characters or fewer. Or in a—” She waved her hand in the air. “What’s those picture thingies called?”
“Memes?” Elizabeth offered.
de Bourgh stared down her nose at her. “Yes, a meme. I’m horrified I even know they exist.” She briefly closed her eyes in resignation.
Emma rushed into the room. She took one look at William’s aunt and said to William and Elizabeth, “I see you already know about Bennet’s latest post. Word is starting to spread outside.”
Something nagged at Elizabeth, and she glanced back at the post. The time stamp was only twenty minutes ago. “Wait,” she said and asked de Bourgh. “How did you get here so fast? This only just posted.”
de Bourgh stood tall. “Your mother sent me an advance copy. She is as appalled by your behavior as I am of his.” She gestured to William.
“That’s enough,” he said in a cold voice. “No one here has done anything to be ashamed of.”
“Except whoever is working with Bennet,” Emma said. She avoided meeting Elizabeth’s eyes.
Elizabeth sighed wearily. Her mother had struck again, and now even Emma was questioning Elizabeth’s character.
Elizabeth plopped onto a bench along the wall, her back to the others outside. James Rushworth came in and took in the group before saying, “Knightley is looking for you, Emma.” He turned to William. “Your sister is upset, Darcy.”
Emma exited, presumably to seek out Knightley.
“I need to speak with Gigi,” William said. He pointed a finger at Elizabeth. “Don’t go anywhere. We’ll get this worked out.” He followed behind Emma.
James gave her a shrug. “Your mother, she’s something else.” He stood in the spot where he’d come into the room. Not an inch closer, as if he didn’t want to be anywhere near her in case someone was taking pictures.
“Yes, I believe I might have alluded to that.”
“Lots to consider before or if we become business partners,” he said and followed it with a nod. “Yes, lots.” He pursed his lips, his attention on the floor. Then he gave her another nod before pivoting on his heel and going back outside.
Elizabeth was alone with the exceedingly angry Catherine de Bourgh.
The older woman stepped closer. “Ever since you’ve come into our lives, everything has gotten worse. You’re a jinx. A bad omen. A bad seed. Which is no surprise considering your people.” She took another step toward her.
“Well, you can thank yourself for bringing me into your lives. It was you, after all, who sent William to either put my company out of business or save it.” Anger coursed through Elizabeth. Anger toward her mother and her petty vindictive nature. Apparently, if she couldn’t be happy, no one could. Anger at Catherine de Bourgh for casting the blame everywhere but on herself. Not that she was solely responsible, but she did have a part. Elizabeth also had a general anger with herself and her situation and with the simple fact that there were people who did not want others to be happy. To be in love.
“What are your intentions with William?” de Bourgh demanded. She flipped on the screen of the tablet and thrust it toward Elizabeth. The picture of her and William coming down the stairs holding hands showed.
“My intentions are none of your business. They are between your nephew and myself. If you have questions, I suggest you direct them to him.” She stood.
William’s aunt scoffed. “I’ve tried, and I get nowhere. I demand you tell me. I demand to be in the know.” She tapped a bony finger against the screen. “Look at this. Just look. It’s embarrassing to pretend you’re a hired helper when in reality something illicit is going on. I will not be made a fool. I will not stand by and watch my family be portrayed as fools.”
Elizabeth sucked in a breath. “I am not making a fool of anyone, and with all due respect, this isn’t about you. This is about me and William and all the others listed in the post. Your fight is with William, and I will not stand here and be accused by you. Illicit? As if. Do you not know your nephew?”
de Bourgh reared back as if she’s been slapped. “You need to leave. At once.” She pointed to the front door.
“Mother!” Anne stepped into the foyer. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but I caught enough to guess. You cannot come
into William’s house and tell his guest what to do.”
“This woman—”
“Is my friend. She is also my business partner, and when you insult her, you insult me.”
“Anne, this woman’s mother—”
Anne laughed bitterly. “If people were to judge me by my mother, I wonder what they would say?”
Catherine gasped.
Anne softened her voice. “Come, mother, let me get you situated upstairs. We can talk this out reasonably after you’ve had a rest.” She took her mother by the hand and led her toward the stairs.
Elizabeth plopped back onto the bench. What a mess her life and business were. Humphrey came down the hallway toward her. He stopped, sniffed her, then plopped down on the ground beside her feet, spreading out hen resting his head on his front paws. He turned his large brown eyes in her direction and whined.
“I couldn’t agree more, Humphrey,” she said and scratched his head. “I’m open to ideas if you have any.”
Humphrey responded with a deep sigh. Elizabeth did the same.
Chapter Seventeen
Monday
Caroline stomped into the foyer, making a straight path to the stairs. She was a woman with a purpose. Humphrey jumped up, tail wagging.
“Looking for me,” Elizabeth said on a hunch.
Caroline stopped on the first step and spun toward her. “As a matter of fact, I am. I have a bone to pick with you.” She beelined toward Elizabeth.
“I can’t wait,” Elizabeth mumbled.
“Your mother—”
Elizabeth held out her hand to stop Caroline’s incoming assault. “Please, don’t berate me for the actions of a woman I can’t control. Whatever you must be feeling, imagine how I feel, knowing that this person is also the woman who gave birth to me.”
Caroline stood before Elizabeth and stared down at her, her arms akimbo. “What I can’t decide is if what you’ve said is true or if you’re the leak. It would make sense for you to be the leak.”
“Except what do I get out of it?” Elizabeth felt the impending tears.
Caroline set her jaw and continued to stare. “That’s where I get stuck because her actions and your actions don’t line up. I mean, look at that nitwit, Marianne Dashwood. She uses that aura crap to touch men’s abs, and we all know it.” Caroline rolled her eyes. “And yet, as annoying and ridiculous as she is, you continue to be nice to her. Look ay Humphrey, he’s standing guard beside you. I find him to be an excellent judge of character.”
Elizabeth arched her brows.
Caroline continued, “Furthermore, nothing about Marianne and her aura-reading was in the article. Only the ab touching. Which she’s been known to do everywhere, not just at these last two parties.”
Elizabeth sat back. “It’s almost like you’re defending me.”
“A moment of insanity, I assure you.” She waved a hand dismissively. “Something else that’s bothered me. My friend from Dating NoDrama called a moment ago. She was laughing her butt off about your misfortune. Said if your mother keeps this up, she’ll be able to get your company for pennies on the dollar.”
Elizabeth nodded. “She’s right. After this, my company is essentially dead. Who will hire a matchmaker that might get them vilified in the press? I suppose if I wanted to run a business where I brokered mail-order brides, then I might be able to make a go of it now since that’s essentially what I’ve been accused of. Your friend will get my client list for dirt cheap. She’ll sweep in and offer them what they want with her brand, and the percentage of clients she’ll lose will be negligible.”
“And yet you won’t make a deal with me to help you. You haven’t pushed William on me like I asked but, in fact, have brought to my attention a…”
“Better option? I’m not saying James is perfect for you. I’m saying he thinks you have a wicked sense of humor.” Elizabeth stuck both hands in the air in an exaggerated shrug. “Where he gets that idea, I don’t know, but he sees you as a strong, determined woman. He sees you in compliments and not shade. You insist on William because he’s safe, but you’ll risk your friendship for that false sense of safety.”
Caroline crossed her arms and studied her. “This is what I’m talking about. You do what’s right, even if it costs you everything.”
“So, you don’t think I’m the leak. Is that what you’re saying?”
“I’m leaning that way.” Caroline took a step back. “Of course, you could have us all fooled. Because if it’s not you, and you do make the most logical sense, who is it?”
“I was wondering that myself. The staff isn’t the same—”
“Except you,” Caroline pointed out.
“Yes, except me. But no one else who is employed by Emma or William have been at both houses. So then, who among you would do such a thing? Who would pair up with my mother?”
Caroline let the question sit as they both gave it consideration.
“Marianne?” Caroline said.
“Do you think she’s capable of the subterfuge?” Elizabeth shook her head. “We’re missing something. A motive. Why would someone do it?”
Caroline stood at the window, staring out. Elizabeth moved to stand beside her. Humphrey stood between them. Many of the guests were gathered in small pockets with their heads together. William, Gigi, Emma, Hannah, and Knightley were walking toward the house, William’s arm around his sister.
They came into the foyer and stopped next to Caroline.
William said, “The party is ending. I’ve asked each of the guests to leave because their privacy isn’t guaranteed while they’re here. A few will finish lunch first. Others have decided to pack up.”
Elizabeth covered her face with her hands. “I’m so sorry.”
“Only apologize if you’re the leak,” Caroline said. “Otherwise it makes you look like you are.”
Elizabeth took her hands away and straightened her shoulders. Who knew she’d find an alliance, albeit a shaky one, in Caroline Bingley.
“We should make a statement, William,” Elizabeth said. “About where we are with me finding a match for you. Before everyone leaves.”
“Why?” Gigi asked. “It’s no one’s business.”
“Except it is. William brought me here as a way to help find a companion for him. Through that, maybe from my presence alone, I exposed everyone here to scrutiny. I did not leak the information, but maybe there wouldn’t have been anyone seeking to leak it had I not been here.”
The room was quiet, the air still. No one corrected Elizabeth.
William held out his hand. “Let’s go talk and try to sort this out.”
Elizabeth stood but didn’t take his outstretched hand. She gestured for him to lead the way. For all she knew, someone was taking photos of them this very minute.
Behind the closed doors of William’s office, he gestured for her to take one of the two seats in front of his desk. He took the one next to her.
“Who do you think is doing this?” he asked wearily, then wiped a hand across his jaw.
“I have no idea. Maybe a Dating NoDrama employee set to drive down the price of my company perhaps, though it’s already undervalued.”
“Every guest is someone that one of us knows well. They’re all vetted. If anyone was working for Dating NoDrama, I think inner circle gossip would have gotten around. Emma hears everything.”
She asked, “Is there a scorned lover among your friends?”
He shook his head. “Again, Emma and Caroline would know, but I’ll ask them again.”
“A scorned lover that is an employee? Or a staff member that’s disgruntled?”
“Your mother’s post is directed specifically at everyone at this party with a highlight around you and me. This feels personal.”
“Well, I’ve lost all respectability…and my company. I’m not sure what more they can do to me. What are they hoping to do to you?” Elizabeth asked. Because he was right. Something personal had to be at the heart of this. She knew what her mo
ther’s agenda was—her mother was angry for falling for Elizabeth’s father. Her mother was ashamed she loved such an underachieving man, and she was heartbroken because he refused to change for her. This spurred Joanna Bennet into striking out. Whether from jealousy that her daughters were finding happiness or some misguided parental fear that her daughters would end up like her, only Elizabeth’s mother could answer that.
But what was the motive of the person leaking the information?
Chapter Eighteen
Monday
William popped up from his seat and stalked to the window overlooking the front of the house.
“I thought it was an easy plan—you help me and I help you.” He rested his arm against the wall over his head. His profile to her. He was defeated, and it tore her heart in two.
She’d let him down. Though she wasn’t sure where his disappointment was greatest. Had he really been hoping to meet women he could date? Had he secretly been looking for the one, though, too cautious and private to say?
To cap it off, he’d been helping her over the course of the year with building her business, and now here he was facing its demise like she was. Failure was hard to stomach even when one saw it coming.
Elizabeth brushed back tears. “I’m sorry, William. You’ve been kind to my family, and we continue to bring you trouble.” She sucked in a wobbly breath.
“Why do you think you should apologize? We’ve had our differences along the way, but you’ve always been honest with me. You had the dream of being a matchmaker, and now that dream looks to be over. Knowing I’ve played a part in that doesn’t sit right with me. Our next move should be a wise and deliberate calculation.”
Next move? Were there any moves left? She didn’t believe there were.
She was at a loss for words. Her mind played back snippets of moments they shared. The night he proposed while she stood on her doorstep and how appalling she’d found his offer. Oh! And his letter afterward. She’d misjudged him horribly.
