Marry Me, Matchmaker Read online

  “Because she doesn’t like him,” Elizabeth said.

  “Because she wishes she didn’t love him,” Lydia corrected. “The lesson here is to not be like Mother.” Lydia laughed.

  Elizabeth stilled. Was she?

  Lydia waved a hand in front of Elizabeth’s face. “Why’d you get so pale?”

  Elizabeth asked her question in a whisper, scared to hear the answer. “Am I like Mother?”

  Lydia rolled her eyes. “No, I said to not be like her. Too afraid to grab onto what she wants. Clinging to ideas that make her unhappy. You’re like, legit, being a crazy person right now.”

  “I have a lot on my plate.” They came to the end of the line, and Elizabeth waited for Lydia before they walked to a round table where Wickham waited.

  “Lizzy, you’re being so dramatic.”

  A biting remark perched on Elizabeth’s tongue. Lydia lived for drama.

  Lydia held up her hand. “You know that whatever happens with the company, you’ll be okay, right? That we love you and will help any way we can? That maybe good might come from this? Whatever the outcome, you’ll be like…what’s the bird that dies in the fire again?”

  Elizabeth stared at her sister in curiosity and uncertainty. Up until now, Lydia had made sense. Elizabeth wasn’t sure where this was going. “Do you mean a phoenix? They don’t die in the fire. They die and burst into flames and are reborn.”

  “Are you sure they don’t die in a fire?” Lydia asked, then pursed her lips.

  Forgoing Greek mythology, Elizabeth went straight for an example Lydia would get. “Positive. Think about the phoenix in Harry Potter.”

  Lydia snapped then pointed at Elizabeth. “You’re right.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Anyway, that’s you. It may hurt to burst into flames—”

  “You think?” Elizabeth mumbled.

  “But you’ll rise from the ashes better and stronger. Trust me on this.” Lydia reached out to squeeze Elizabeth’s hand.

  Wow, this moment would go down in history as one of the best she’d ever had with her younger sister.

  Jane and Charlie walked by her. Both squeezed her shoulder, a gesture that spoke of their love and support. Yes, life was changing. And change was hard. But she didn’t have to make it any harder than necessary. She was, after all, supported and surrounded by people who loved and cared for her.

  Why couldn’t she shake the feeling that her world was about to come to a screeching halt?

  Chapter Three

  Saturday

  “I would like to proposition you.” William instantly regretted his choice of words. He’d watched her most the evening, waiting for an opportunity to approach her, knowing his timing had to be perfect. He hadn’t thought about his pitch. A strategical error, no doubt.

  “I…err…excuse me?” Elizabeth said.

  He cleared his throat. “What I mean is that I have a proposition for you.”

  “Still kinda saying the same thing,” she said.

  Darcy gestured to a bench. She’d wandered from the crowd to the park’s extensive English-style gardens and randomly placed wrought-iron benches. He’d found Elizabeth dead-heading the hanging fuchsia and Gerbera daisies as she strolled through the gardens, looking lost in thought. He’d made his move.

  She never failed to take his breath away. He loved how her hair fell over her shoulders, and he itched to touch the long silky locks. She was a vision in her bridesmaid gown. The light shade of purple complimented her olive skin. When he’d caught her looking at him earlier, he’d desperately wanted to go to her. Instead, he’d stood firm and enjoyed the sight of her from afar. Her eyes were as blue as a crystal lake, her hair as dark as midnight, her smile as bright as…

  Jeez, he needed to let go of this stupid idea that she might come around and like him.

  He’d been wise to avoid her. Being around her only reminded him of what he wouldn’t have. At least not with her.

  When Anne told him about Elizabeth’s business issues, his desire to rush in and rescue her had been overwhelming. But to do so would provoke her ire and natural tendency to resist. Besides, she already felt indebted to him for assisting with the Lydia and Wickham situation. He didn’t want her beholden. He wanted… Well, that was beside the point.

  He glanced at her lips and remembered the kiss they shared at Emma Woodhouse’s party. A platonic brush of the lips as a way to say thanks that ignited a yearning deep inside him that left him reeling.

  “Let me explain.” He took the seat beside her on the bench. “I owe you. Part of your business problems are because of my interference.”

  She shook her head. “No, if you think that’s true, then you must admit we’re square. What you did for Lydia…”

  He knew she’d say that. He also knew if she were going to accept his help, he’d have to appease her need for affirmation. Elizabeth lived in fear of being a failure. She must be miserable, all things considered.

  He said, “You’re a fantastic matchmaker. That’s not the issue here. With my help, we can reboot your company, for lack of a better term. Anne told me about Dating NoDrama, and I want to give you another option.”

  “Anne has a big mouth,” she muttered and squirmed on the bench. He expected she’d be embarrassed. She took pride in her work and her company.

  “To be fair, Anne mentioned you had an offer, so I called the owner and she told me the conditions. She was in the same sorority as Caroline.”

  Elizabeth studied him. “Is nothing sacred? Is there—?”

  “Not until lawyers get involved. Why else do you think your mother is so popular? Because gossip and secrets are coveted commodities people like to trade upon.”

  Elizabeth’s sigh spoke to her weariness and exhaustion. “How do you propose this reboot?”

  “Typically, in these situations, I would infuse a sum of money into the company—”

  “You’d throw money at the problem?” she said in annoyance. “Even if I had the money, I wouldn’t throw it at the problem. Because fixing my reputation, the company’s reputation, is going to take more than money and a smart marketing campaign. This can’t be fixed with staged shots of me digging a well in some third-world country to show I have a moral compass. It’s going to take real action.”

  She had him there.

  He’d hoped to donate a sum and be on his way. Not that he didn’t want to help her. He just didn’t want to be around her to help. Her feelings toward him were clear. And they were not the same as his. Yes, she’d kissed him, but that had been out of gratitude. She would have kissed anyone who helped Lydia and Wickham.

  Not wanting her to know she’d been correct about his intentions, he bluffed and said, “I was about to finish my statement by saying, however, a large sum of money and marketing don’t seem to be the right option for Meryton. I was going to ask if you had an idea of how I might help. I’m out of my league here.”

  Defeat showed in her slumped shoulders. “If I knew the answer, I’d be doing it.”

  Darcy considered her plight. Meryton was coveted enough for another company to make a buy-out offer, albeit an insulting one. Was it Elizabeth’s reputation that was the dark smudge? Jane’s wedding and the pictures that would hit the blogs and online sites tomorrow would show bliss and love. That would help the company.

  “What are Jane’s plans now that she’s married?”

  Elizabeth sat back and covered her eyes with the back of her hands. “Jane’s plans hinge on Meryton’s outcome. She’s prepared to let go of Meryton and start fresh. More than I am. How does one start over something they once had? Seems redundant.”

  “But you’ll learn something from this failure that you’ll improve the next time.” He regretted the words as soon as they were out.

  Elizabeth’s hands fell to her side. “Failure,” she mumbled.

  “Not that the company is a failure. Consider all your successes.” He concocted a mental list in case she asked him about those successes.

  Elizabeth
stood and faced him. “Listen, we’re good. You don’t need to help me. The state of my business is on me. I accept that. Truth is, I’m not even sure I want to be a matchmaker anymore.”

  She covered her mouth, her eyes large in surprise at her declaration.

  He patted the seat beside him. “It’s okay to be scared, to question the decisions you’ve made. Ahead of you are bigger decisions that might make or break you. We call this clutch time. Close your eyes. I’ll ask you one question, and you blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.”

  He gestured for her to get on with it. She crossed her arms and squared him with a look of annoyance. He met her gaze and held steady.

  “Oh, fine,” she said in a huff. She closed her eyes.

  “Go back to when you developed Meryton’s business plan. What one thing did you need to be a success?”

  “Clients,” she said without hesitation. She opened her eyes. “But I could have an abundance of clients between now and next month, and it won’t make a difference. It takes time for people to date and fall in love. And then to tell their single friends. Meryton doesn’t have time. By adding clients then Dating NoDrama, should I take their offer, gets freebies from me. I’m building their company instead of mine.”

  “We aren’t done. Close your eyes.”

  She glared at him, then did as he said. She was a vision before him and he soaked in this brief moment where he could admire her up close without censure or fear of making a fool of himself. She shifted and cleared her throat indicating she was impatient.

  Back to the task. “Take a deep breath.”

  She did.

  “How do you best your mother?”

  “By living right, by being ethical,” she said.

  Darcy pursed his lips. She was correct, but they didn’t have time for that to play out either. “Think bigger. What would make the tongues stop wagging?”

  Elizabeth sucked in a breath and opened her eyes. Her voice low, she said. “If I landed a big well-known client and helped that person find their true love.”

  Darcy raised his brows. She’d found the perfect solution.

  “It can’t be done. My mother has seen to that. I’ve been discredited to your crowd. Unless you know someone willing to take a chance, who happens to be looking.”

  The idea struck him right in the chest. He knew it was the right thing to do. He also knew she was correct; she needed a big client. He could do this one last thing for her. And the businessman in him saw two possible outcomes. Neither were bad. Granted one was less desirable than the other.

  If he did this for her, maybe she would see him in a different light. Maybe she would stop seeing corporate raider Darcy, and not equate their past working experience as part of what brought her company to its current state, and discover William. Maybe she’d like William and find his company enjoyable. Maybe she’d then consider him seriously as a player for her heart.

  “I’m that client,” he said.

  She stared at him in disbelief. One slow blink followed by another before she collapsed on the seat next to him.

  “Excuse me?” she said, her mouth hanging open. She slammed it shut and gave him a measuring stare.

  Darcy chuckled. Rendering her speechless was no easy feat, but one he found enjoyable. Elizabeth had rejected everything he’d offered, even his hand in marriage. Odds were not in his favor she’d accept this proposal. Odds were not in his favor that she might actually come to feel for him what he felt for her. In that case, the second outcome to this scenario would be that he might be able to put his feelings for her behind him. Maybe he needed her help to move on. Moving on would be a good thing.

  “I’ve rattled you. I find I quite like it.” He grinned. When she was flustered, frustrated, or anxious, she exposed the woman behind the protective shell she wore. That woman was who’d inspired him to propose all those months ago. For it was that woman who had called to the man behind his protective shell in a way no one had ever done.

  “Rattled me? More like stunned me. Have you lost your mind?”

  Time for the hard sell. “I’ve been so busy with my professional life, I’ve neglected my personal life. Now that I’m slowing down, I would like to date. I’d like to find someone to share my life with. But I’ll be honest, I don’t want to do the preliminary work.” He gave an exaggerated sigh indicating he found this type of work exhausting. “That’s the problem.” He shifted to face her. “Pardon my metaphor here, but I’ll need to kiss lots of caterpillars before I find a butterfly. Who has time for that?”

  He was in deep now. There’d be no turning back.

  “What’s happening here? Is this a joke? Explain yourself,” she said. “If ever there was a man who didn’t need a matchmaker, it’s you.”

  Darcy stuck up one finger. “I’m arrogant.”

  She nodded. He stuck up a second finger. “Difficult.”

  “Goes with being arrogant,” she said.

  He held up a third finger. “Demanding.”

  She held up a hand of her own. “It seems to me that if we could nip this arrogance thing in the bud, then you’d be fixed.” She chuckled. “You have a large network of friends who can set you up.”

  “Acquaintances. Charlie, Caro, Bill, Henry, and Anne are my only true friends.”

  Elizabeth nodded once. “I stand corrected. Most people have a smaller group of close friends like you. What I mean to say is that you have access to the richest and most beautiful women in the world. You’ve owned movie studios and newspapers and…well, the list is endless. Why would you need a matchmaker?”

  He held up his index finger. “One, I’m arrogant.”

  Elizabeth gently pushed his finger down and then his hand away. She fixed him with a pointed stare. “Do you really want a matchmaker, or are you just saying that?”

  She didn’t want his pity, but she wouldn’t tell him no if he was serious. William Darcy was, after all, the man who helped bring Jane and Charlie back together. The man who helped Lydia and Wickham. No matter what he said, she owed him. And here he was, offering to be a client, a boon so huge that the success of his match could remake Meryton. But if he wasn’t serious, if he was pretending to want a matchmaker and people found out, namely her mother, the bad press would destroy her and the company. It might make Darcy look bad briefly, but he’d survive; he was rich.

  “To be clear, are you or aren’t looking for a love match?” Knowing his intention was step one.

  Their eyes met. She held her breath in anticipation of his answer.

  “Yes, you find me compatible women I can date, who would make an excellent Mrs. Darcy and who understands I’m not the easiest of men, and I’ll take it from there.” He shrugged as if they were talking about something other than affairs of the heart.

  She blew out her breath in a slow release. Could she match him? Did she want to match him? Was this a good idea? At the very least, she could try to help him find happiness, right? She pressed a hand to the twinge near her heart.

  He faced her, leaning a forearm on his thigh. “You’ve spent time with me. You know how difficult I can be.”

  “I’m also aware of how kind you can be,” she said. “Why would you trust this to me? You’ve had nothing but constant proof that I’m a terrible businesswoman,” she said, embarrassed he was witness to her disgrace.

  He nudged her leg with his. “Look at me,” When she did, he held her gaze. “I don’t think that. What I think is you’ve had strong forces against you. Including me at one time, and you’ve come out ahead of each of them.”

  She shook her head in disagreement. “I don’t feel ahead. I’m not sure about this idea. I think you should get someone else. Someone not in such a predicament.”

  “But that’s one more reason why you’re perfect, Elizabeth. You’re hungry. You have a lot to prove. And you know me.” He spread his hands before him, palms up.

  She pondered that statement for a second. Did she know him? She knew he wouldn’t be an easy clien
t. She also knew she’d have to weed through so many women the work would be daunting. But know him? Doubtful, when he was constantly surprising her.

  “If I were to do this, and I’m not saying I would, we would have to set up something like a party for me to meet more people in your crowd. A party where I could get to know them. My mother could never know about this until it’s all said and done. She’d twist it. If this gets out prematurely, women from everywhere will come forward trying to match with you. Didn’t People magazine name you one of the most eligible bachelors last year?”

  “Yes.” Darcy shrugged, looking embarrassed. “I have a suggestion. Emma is having another one of her parties, and I’m having one too, right after hers. Something we’ve done every year as a way to kick off summer. Emma is fun in the sun, and I’m the great outdoors. Fox hunt and all.”

  His lifestyle was foreign to her. She kicked off summer by getting a pedicure. Astonishing how they led such different lives. “How nice.” She tried not to sound sarcastic. “How many people are attending?”

  “Twenty-five to thirty, split evenly among the sexes.”

  The numbers were smaller than she preferred, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. “We can start there.”

  “Perfect.”

  “And if we eliminate them all?” There were no guarantees the match for him would be among those women. Wouldn’t he have already found her if she was?

  He shrugged as if the solution was easy. “Then we spread out.”

  Elizabeth blew out another deep sigh. “Would you be comfortable giving me a list of women who will be attending that appeal to you?”

  “Sure,” he said. “You’ll attend the parties with me and can meet them. See them in their natural habitat.”

  “Are we talking about the women or the foxes?” She chuckled, but her smile fell quickly after. “I’m worried about unforeseen complications and, to be honest, finding the right person for you.”

  William stood and offered his hand. “I’m not worried at all.”

  She let him pull her up from the bench. “When did you become such an optimist?”