Marry Me, Matchmaker Read online

  Anne shifted uncomfortably, a pained expression on her face. “I’ll skin you alive if you marry Caroline.”

  Elizabeth tossed her hands in the air and returned to facing forward. “I’m beginning to think you selected these events because you knew there wasn’t a good match for you.”

  Whatever Aunt Catherine had said had been a doozy. That much he was sure of. Gone was the friend, and in her place was the angry, tightly-wound Elizabeth from the early days.

  That said, Elizabeth had a point. He’d known nearly everyone at these events for most of his life and never gave a single one of them a second glance. When he imagined his future, he used his parents’ relationship as the benchmark. They’d gone through life with love, friendship, a genuine liking and appreciation for one another. He wanted the same. Was that so hard to find? Could he picture that with any one of the women attending this week? He hadn’t given it serious consideration since he had hoped Elizabeth might fall head over heels for him.

  Cripes. He was a vain man. To think spending time with him at a party would make her fall for him. Even though all the other business trips and time spent working together hadn’t. Darcy chalked it up to this being his first real time he was so besotted by a woman that he wasn’t thinking rationally. A man was entitled to have momentary streaks of excessive conceit. He hoped.

  Maybe not, but she needed his help. She would never be happy working for someone else. She would never be happy watching someone dismantle her hard work into bite-size pieces. He knew that from experience. He desperately wanted her to succeed and keep her company intact. If that meant he had to take Marianne Dashwood on a few dates, then he would. Or if he had to open his mind to someone he never expected before, then he considered it done.

  “Emma says her friend Hannah is coming,” William said. “There are other newcomers as well, James Rushworth being one.”

  They turned down the long drive that led to Pemberley. Darcy wished Elizabeth had sat in the back so he could see her expression. Her impression of his home meant something to him. He desperately hoped she’d like it and, by some magical force, would view him in a positive light again. He’d take any help he could get.

  The SUV broke through the tree line of lodgepole pines, and beyond it stretched Pemberley. The quintessential mountain home, a lake sat to the left of the large structure, the Flathead National Forest behind. Grizzly Mountain was the tallest peak. A little farther north was Canada. The afternoon sky was clear and bright blue. Sporadic puffy clouds were sprinkled across it like polka dots.

  Pemberley stood tall and inviting. The home was only two stories in height but stretched long across the land. Weathered wood and large stonework gave the residence a resort feel. Oversize windows let in copious amounts of light. This is where William Darcy found peace.

  His driver drove the length of the house and pulled around the side to the garage as instructed. Darcy hadn’t wanted to get out at the front like a guest. His gut told him Elizabeth needed to see him from a different lens. He was more than a billionaire who had a smart head for business. He was more than Catherine de Bourgh’s nephew who did her bidding. He was a brother and a friend. He hoped she’d see that. They’d come so far to go backward now.

  Pemberley. Oh dear. How a home as warm and inviting as Pemberley could belong to such a callous and calculating man as William Darcy baffled the mind.

  Yes, in his business, he needed to be calculating. But pairing it with harsh criticism and what he believed to be brutal honesty left Elizabeth second-guessing their blooming friendship. Or if she even wanted such a friend.

  She was better off keeping their relationship strictly business and move on after this fiasco of an idea was over. She had serious reservations about his willingness to be matched. Or maybe she wasn’t good enough to match someone as complicated as Darcy.

  The SUV stopped at a five-car garage, and Darcy hopped out. A lithe blonde burst through a side door, a fluffy Wheaten Terrier at her heels. The blonde squealed and flung herself into Darcy’s arms.

  Though Darcy was dark and the woman fair, their resemblance was strong. Georgiana, his sister. She dashed from Darcy to Anne with such happiness, a warm smile broke across Elizabeth’s face. Georgiana was beautiful in a fresh, innocent way. Her large, searching cornflower-blue eyes, long naturally blonde, braid, and Stanford University sweatshirt spoke to where she was in life. Though she’d had troubles with Wickham back in the day, Georgiana Darcy hadn’t experienced the harsh realities of life. Instantly, Elizabeth felt like a heel. This young woman lost her parents at an early age, a harsh sorrow indeed.

  Georgiana spun from Anne toward Elizabeth and gasped.

  “You must be Elizabeth! I’ve been dying to meet you,” Georgiana said as she approached. “Can I hug you?”

  Surprised, Elizabeth said, “Sure.” She glanced at Darcy for permission. He shrugged, an apologetic look on his face.

  Georgiana wrapped her in a warm hug. Elizabeth could easily see this young woman becoming a friend.

  “Gigi, give her space,” Darcy said.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Georgiana. Your brother talks highly of you.”

  Georgina pulled away. “Call me Gigi. Will talks highly of you, too, and I can’t wait to get to know you for myself. Come on, I’ll show you to your room.” She looped her arm through Elizabeth’s and led her into the house, the dog trailing behind.

  Gigi nodded toward the dog. “That’s Humphrey. Are you okay with dogs?”

  Elizabeth nodded.

  “He’s meddlesome but such a good boy.”

  Humphrey wagged and ran a circle around them. They entered the house from the garage. Sunlight spilled in from large windows and filled the long hallway with warm light. Wide-plank, dark wood floors ran the length of the house. Wood beams crossed the ceiling. More light poured in from the wall of windows that flanked a front entrance that gave way to the main staircase, which was wide but not ornate or overly grand. Elizabeth loved the cheerful and inviting home more than she thought possible of any place.

  Gigi led her to the stairs. “The plan for the day is to let everyone get settled, and then we’ll all go out on a horseback ride to watch the sunset. It’s stunning.” Gigi pointed to a room off the side. “That’s the dining room, a buffet is being set out now for people to help themselves. We’re fans of all-day grazing here.” Her laugh was a light bubbly sound. “But dinner will be out on the lawn.” She gestured to the back of the house where a handful of people were setting up tables and firepits.

  Artwork and family photos lined the hallways. Pictures of William as a child, a surly teen, and a laughing brother and son. Elizabeth soaked it all in.

  Had his words not hurt as deeply as they had, she could almost forgive him. Because the man who lived in this house was a man she wanted to know and like.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sunday

  A group was meeting after dinner to go horseback riding. The lure of watching the sunset over the mountains was too much, and Elizabeth found herself headed to the stables at the designated time. She loved horseback riding but rarely found the time to do it. Besides, her father had sold all the horses when the farm collapsed.

  The bonus was Darcy was riding, and so any woman who showed up to ride would go high on her list for him. Common interest was a good place to start on what might be an effort in futility.

  Both Dashwood sisters, Caroline, Anne, Emma, Gigi, Knightley, and newcomers Hannah Smith, Emma’s college friend, and James Rushworth showed up for the excursion. Elizabeth knew nothing about Rushworth, only the rumor that he’d been left at the altar. Humphrey the adorable dog followed Gigi wherever she went. He walked among the guest smelling their hands. He licked Elizabeth’s. The biggest surprise was the affection Caroline showed Humphrey slobbery kisses she allowed him to return.

  Marianne had a wedge of skin pinched off while she was messing with the bridle and was having it tended to by a groomsman.

  Hannah was lovely and q
uiet, almost introspective, and Elizabeth’s interest peaked. Hannah appeared comfortable in the outdoors and with the horses. Emma said she’d invited Hannah because the woman’s heart had been broken and, albeit slowly, she was trying to get over it. If that was true, to Elizabeth, Hannah was ready to start dating again. She didn’t turn away conversation with men or bring up her ex any chance she could. Not once had she burst into tears for no obvious reason. All good signs. Elizabeth liked how Hannah handled herself. Darcy would need a woman with a head on her shoulders and one who wasn’t dramatic. Dare she hope Hannah Smith be that person?

  The stables were large, housing at least two dozen horses. Elizabeth raised a brow in question. How did two people ride twenty-four horses?

  From over her shoulder, Darcy said, “Looks excessive, right? All these horses. Many are rescued and rehabilitated here. That’s Gigi’s passion. Not all of them are in condition to be ridden.”

  Gigi was in a stall, cooing to a mare.

  Darcy continued, “Our nearest neighbor runs a rehab program for wounded vets with PTSD. We house many of his horses as well.” He gestured to a row of six horses.

  “You don’t owe me an explanation,” Elizabeth said. Though she was glad he had explained. His aunt’s visit had turned Elizabeth biased again, to think the worst of Darcy, and she had to work to remain open-minded. She would never admit this to anyone, but getting closer to Darcy was unnerving. Like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, and if she continued forward, her life as she knew it would spin out of control. Out of control was no good. She didn’t handle that state well.

  Two grooms were saddling horses, and Elizabeth was drawn to a large mare with kind eyes. She stroked the horse’s muzzle and found herself cooing.

  William came up beside her and gave the horse a carrot. “This is Isolde. She and my horse Tristan are attached. That’s how they ended up with their names. It looks like you two have hit it off. You should know she likes to keep pace with Tristan.” He winked then turned away when someone called his name.

  Elizabeth glanced around the room. Caroline was in the corner, a sour expression on her face. Elizabeth waved her over and bit down a laugh as the woman’s expression turned dark.

  “I’m not a servant to be summoned,” Caroline said when she arrived.

  And yet, here she was. Elizabeth did not point out that little fact.

  “I’m about to do you a solid,” Elizabeth said. “So maybe if you can’t say something nice to me, you shouldn’t say anything at all.”

  Caroline clamped her lips together.

  Elizabeth laughed and shook her head. “I’m not your enemy.” Elizabeth surveyed the room to make sure no one was within earshot. “I know you think William is perfect for you, but I would disagree.”

  “Because you want him,” Caroline bit out. “Look, you have the mate to his horse.”

  Elizabeth reared back in surprise. “No, I don’t want him.” Did she? He was nothing like the white knight in shining armor she’d dreamt about her entire life. Want William Darcy? Impossible, considering they were barely able to make their friendship grow. And besides, he would never consider a woman who had a crazy family like she did, who bit his head off more than she said nice things, and was a terrible businesswoman.

  Elizabeth continued, “All I’m saying is that he seems like the right fit for you.”

  “A-ha,” Caroline said and pointed a slender finger at Elizabeth.

  “But he’s not. He’s familiar and safe.”

  Caroline rolled her eyes. “All good traits I think are important.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Sure, if one were settling. But you don’t need to settle, Caroline.”

  The pink stain of embarrassment colored Caroline’s cheeks. “People find me difficult,” she said haughtily.

  “Who cares about those people? You want someone who will see the real you.” Had Caroline’s parents not told her this as a child? “Take that man over there, Rushworth. He keeps side-eyeing you.”

  Caroline sneered. “Maria Bertram left him at the altar. Ran off with her Zumba instructor. I won’t be someone’s backup.”

  “What’s Maria like? A practical and fair person?” Elizabeth knew the answer before she asked the question. Had she been either of those things, she would have handled ending her impending nuptials like an adult and not embarrassed someone else.

  Caroline snorted. “I would never call her practical or fair. Selfish comes to mind.”

  “And this Rushworth, he’s a cad?” Elizabeth screwed up her face to show distaste.

  Caroline gave her a puzzled look. “Do you not know anything? James Rushworth was a year behind William in school. He’s a real estate tycoon.” She placed a hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “Last year, he founded a program to build inner city safe zones. They’re community centers for kids with no place to go before or after school. They offer sports, including swimming. But also tutors and computer labs.” She sounded impressed. “I never knew what he saw in Maria.”

  “He sounds nice,” Elizabeth said. “That fact alone outweighs the possibility one might be called his second choice. In my opinion.”

  Caroline narrowed her eyes. She stepped back from Elizabeth and raised her chin a notch. “I see what you’ve done there. I’m on to you. I told you what I want, and I expect you to help me get it.”

  Predictable and out of fear, Caroline retreated behind her armor of sarcasm and snobbery. There she believed herself safe. Back to the old familiar Caroline.

  Elizabeth sighed. “Just don’t close your mind to other options. You might miss something wonderful.” She handed Isolde’s reins to her. “But because you insist on being shortsighted, here. Take Isolde.”

  Caroline’s mouth opened slightly. She snatched the reins, but her features softened as she glanced at Elizabeth. “Thank you,” she mumbled.

  “Also, if you think William is for you, then you should participate in all the outdoor events.”

  Caroline groaned. “They aren’t my thing.”

  “But they’re William’s thing, and shouldn’t you see what that’s all about?” Elizabeth squeezed her arm, then moved away to find another horse.

  They rode out toward the mountains, Caroline and William in the lead. Elizabeth spent most of the ride talking with James and Gigi, finding each of them a lovely conversationalist. Hannah continued to be quiet, snapping pictures as they rode. The more Elizabeth got to know James, the more she believed his level head and steady nature would be a good compliment to Caroline’s chronic worrying that she disguised as cattiness.

  Hoping pictures might be a good way to get Hannah to open up, Elizabeth inquired about the images. Only Hannah blushed and hugged the camera to her chest before changing the subject.

  And the sunset? Breathtaking. The burst of muted orange and pink over lavender mountains stole her breath away.

  And to think, this could have been all hers had she said yes all those months ago. A twinge of sadness surprised her. She would have liked the life William offered. Not because it would be easier than the one she currently had, but because it suited her. Sometimes, he suited her. She’d be willing to bet William Darcy was eternally thankful Elizabeth had turned down his spontaneous proposal. He’d escaped being saddled to her and all the baggage that came with her. And though she sometimes wanted to poke him with a hot iron because he was an insufferable know-it-all, Elizabeth promised to do right by William and find a woman who would appreciate him as much as he did the beauty of this land.

  Chapter Twelve

  Monday

  The sunset the previous day had won over the group, and the next morning the same people set out for a bluff on a very early hike to watch the sunrise. The rising sun was just as mesmerizing as the setting one last night. For the first time in a long time, Elizabeth felt calmer. Perhaps it was the surrounding peace that nature provided. She loved that William built his home in a position to capture both setting and rising suns and that peace.

  Once t
he sun was up, William promised them other amazing views and waved for them to follow him. He marched ahead of the group, his long stride widening the gap between him and the others with each step.

  Elizabeth ran to catch up with him. “I loved the sunrise and am excited to see more, but part of this excursion is to get to know people and to look for a compatible woman. Have you forgotten that?” She huffed, trying to steady her breath so she wouldn’t pant.

  “No, I haven’t. Am I doing something wrong?” He continued his brisk walk.

  Elizabeth turned and jogged backward, keeping up with him. “You.” She pointed to him. Then with her hand behind her head jerked it forward like she was casting a line. “The others.”

  William glanced over his shoulder and came to an abrupt stop. Elizabeth was three steps past him before she could do the same.

  “If you want me to find someone for you, you have to do work, too.” She gave him a pointed look.

  He appeared baffled. “I am. I’m showing people around.”

  “You’re leading people around. Showing them means you have to interact.”

  William scanned the crowd coming up to them. “I know most everyone here.”

  Elizabeth fought the urge to slap herself on the forehead or, better yet, slap him across the head. Instead, she took in a calming breath. “You hired me to find a match for you, yes?”

  He nodded and watched the approaching group. “You said Emma was smitten with Knightley.”

  Elizabeth lightly kicked him in the shin. “Is Emma the only woman in the group?”

  “Ow.” William rubbed at his shin and sighed. “Who specifically would you like me to meet?”

  “You said you might be interested in the newcomers. What do you know about Hannah Smith?” The group was getting closer; she needed to hurry him along.