With this Ring: The Meryton Brides: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Retelling, #2

By Kristi Rose

Love can happen, but only if you believe.​

 

Opposite attract, but can they last?

Following a head injury, Colonel Henry Fitzwilliam is being forced from the military. Angry, Henry finds laughter and comfort with Mary Bennet. Hurt and disappointed too many times, Mary hides behind a know-it-all persona. She's surprised Henry sees through her facade, no one ever has. They forge a friendship that sparks an ember of something more. But they're from different worlds and their lives are going in different directions. Getting attached would mean one more heartache for each of them, and neither have the stamina to heal one more wound.

 

Slightly tolerable to… Marriage?

Liking William Darcy is not easy, especially as Elizabeth believes he's single-handedly tried to dismantle her matchmaker company and demolished her sister, Jane's hope at finding love. And then there's the way Darcy treats others who aren't part of his billionaire's club. So when he proposes marriage while saying he thinks a union between them is a bad idea, Elizabeth wants nothing more than for William Darcy to just go away. And never come back.

For fans of Lizzie Bennet Diaries and those who've dreamed of the million other ways Mr. Darcy could woo Elizabeth. A Pride and Prejudice retelling that shares stories of all those you've come to know and love (and hate). Enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, and opposites attract in this full bodied, heartwarming series.

This series was previously title Meryton Matchmakers. This book was called Meryton Matchmakers Book 2: Mary Captures Colonel Fitzwilliam.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristi Rose
• Release date: Jun 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781944513061

Book preview

1

Elizabeth was on her second lap around the lake, her stride good, and her timing spot on until she saw him running toward her.

She almost went back the way she came, but Elizabeth had changed her running path three times over the past week, hoping to avoid Darcy, and each time the new, alternate path was not as desirable as this one. One of the alternates had scary dogs, and Elizabeth had no interest in carrying mace or a big stick.

Besides, she’d been running the path around the lake for years, and it made her angry to give it up so she could avoid William Darcy with his form-hugging running shorts and his billion-dollar running shoes that were probably manufactured specifically to his foot and hand-sewn by some poor, half-blind woman in a factory.

Maybe she would start carrying a big stick. Perhaps if he saw it in her hand he’d turn around and go the other way or, better yet, find a new path.

He slowed as they approached each other. Elizabeth cranked up her music. If he could hear it then he might not bother with any sort of conversation. Not that he was one to converse. More like stand around, stare at the other person until they were exceedingly uncomfortable, and occasionally laugh by way of a grunt.

The path narrowed, and one of them would need to skirt over into the grass a tad. Elizabeth moved away from the side testing his chivalry. He stepped into the grass, and she felt like a heel. There was no need to be deliberately rude no matter how frequently he inspired the desire. She moved over to the side and gestured for him to come out of the thicket. He didn’t.

When they passed, she watched him out of the corner of her eye and noticed he was watching her out of the corner of his. She sped up and didn’t look back. Coming around to the other side of the lake, the path opened up, and Elizabeth cut across to the lawn to hit the street. She was on the home stretch. Soon she’d be sipping an iced coffee and chatting with her bestie- Lottie. Who, now married, seemed to have little time for Elizabeth.

She ran across the street and up on the sidewalk, turned the blind corner, and nearly collided with Darcy.

What are you doing? She ripped off her ear bud.

I was waiting for you. Standing next to a bench, he had one leg up on the bench seat and the other extended back, stretching them.

Yes, she’d come around the corner wide, but did he need to be all stretched out like that? Displaying his strong, muscular legs like he didn’t know they were awesome. Ack! She wanted to smack herself. Finding Darcy attractive was like saying those who ate weird, creepy foods had refined palates. Everyone knew it was a pretense, and they were just doing it because no one else would.

Darcy was weird food.

Something really odd like skunk’s nose dredged through butter and coated with cookie crumbs. At first, you’d think he could be kind of sweet, even enjoyable until you got to the stinky center.

Why are you waiting for me? It took a deep effort to not sound like a put-out hag. Honestly, she knew she could catch more flies with honey, but he rankled her.

I thought we could cool off together. Get a coffee even? He switched to his other leg, and Elizabeth swore she heard the powerful ripple of his muscles when he moved. Where did the guy find the time get a body like that? It couldn’t be only from running.

She wanted to say, Why ever would we get a coffee but instead said, Is there something you want to discuss?

I’m not always about business, Ms. Bennet. He stopped stretching and stood before her, hands akimbo.

"When you continue to call me Ms. Bennet it’s kind of hard to believe otherwise. This isn’t a hundred and fifty years ago where addressing me by Elizabeth was too familiar. I think when someone comes to reshape another’s business, that’s pretty familiar."

He gestured toward town as if to say should we.

She nodded.

I suppose we define familiarity differently. Initially, his stride was wide and she hurried to keep pace, but then he slowed and they walked at a more equal stride that suited them both.

Elizabeth didn’t know how to fill the silence. Everything that came to mind sounded as if it was prying into his love life, and she didn’t want to send mix signals, but she didn’t want to talk about work either.

I, ah…did you enjoy your run? He seemed pleased he found a topic. His slight smile briefly threw her, and it took her a moment to process the question.

Um, yes. That’s my favorite path.

But you haven’t been running it. Unless you’ve been going at a different time? His walk was straight and proud, and she admired his good posture, even if she secretly thought it was because he had a stick up his rear.

Sometimes I like to mix things up. Make sure I’m not missing out on anything. She hated how flakey that sounded.

The silence returned, and Elizabeth weighed the merits of bringing up the weather but feared it would make her look nervous.

It’s a nice day, Darcy said and looked heavenward.

Yes. Not too hot yet. The break in the heat was a welcomed relief but unfortunately not predicted to last. This weekend was supposed to be a scorcher.

More silence.

Elizabeth stopped walking and waited for him to face her. This is ridiculous. You don’t strike me as the type of man who enjoys making pleasantries. It’s okay to get right to it. She wanted to cross her arms but, instead, purposely left them at her side so as to not come across resistant.

Darcy ducked his head and nodded once. I should get points for trying, he said looking at her from beneath his brow.

Agreed. She smiled and was left breathless when he returned hers with one of his own. A real, spread-across-his-face-and-she-even-saw-some-teeth smile.

But it was gone as quickly as it had shown up.

Do you mind if I bring up work? He gestured for her to start walking again and fell into step alongside.

No, I have some questions as well.

Have you had your accountant look at the books and the figures?

He’s almost done. Actually, he’d finished a few days ago, but Elizabeth hadn’t been able to wrap her mind around the situation. She would have to close out all her investments or get a second mortgage on her home to pay off Catherine, and even then, she would be left with a hot mess. Every time she thought about the state of her company before The Bourgh and her minions interfered to the state it was now, which was wrecked, she became overwhelmed with anger.

Yes. They’d seen growth, and the extra income from all the sign-ups was nice, but if she paid off Catherine it would leave her holding the half-automated mess of too many subscribers and no way to meet the demand. Most of that increased revenue would have to be returned.

Will you have a decision? He slowed as they neared Lottie’s family’s café, and Elizabeth gasped. Struck with a sudden sadness. Her friend wouldn’t be there waiting for her as she had been over the last ten years. Lottie now owned a bakery down the street that hired struggling teens, many from the streets.

Are you okay? Darcy stepped closer.

Slowly, Elizabeth nodded. Yes, it just dawned on me that Lottie won’t be in there. Through the large plate glass window, she watched Maria, Lottie’s kid sister, serve coffee. I’m going to give coffee a miss today. I’m sorry.

That’s quite all right. I understand. I’ll walk with you a bit further. He waited to fall in step with her. There have been several changes recently. Must be difficult to adjust to.

It was. More difficult than she thought it would be. But she wasn’t about to share that with him because all the changes were a direct correlation to his arrival. He was a jinx to her business and her town. Probably all that pride required a lot of energy, and therefore sucked it from the universe forcing an inverse situation that was affecting the great people of Meryton.

You asked if I had a decision? She wasn’t about to discuss further personal feelings with him. Her anger, frustration, and common courtesy would be all he’d get. He did, after all, say he was surprised she didn’t use her feminine wiles on him. The last thing she wanted was for him to misconstrue a situation, though—what had he said? —she wasn’t pretty enough to tempt him?

How do you see progressing from here? He nodded solemnly.

If I wasn’t a rational person, I’d be wary of all this rapid change. I’d question your role; perhaps you’re a harbinger of calamity?

He stuttered in his stride. I…

She stopped at the end of the block and faced him. Mr. Darcy—

William. The same reasoning applies, does it not, Elizabeth? He added emphasis to her name.

William. I have one week to either pay off your aunt or continue to reshape my entire business to suit what both you and she feel are necessary. I was not the person who swindled her out of her millions. Yet, I’m paying the price for her poor judgment and inability to read a person. In fact, my entire family is paying the price essentially, as Jane and I employ all our sisters.

You can’t fault my aunt for what her accountant did. Her funds were not the only till he had his hand in. He swindled quite a few.

She dismissed his statement with a wave of her hand. Regardless, let’s consider the situation. Jane and I were making steady payments to Catherine, and she was seeing a profit. She held up her hand to stop him from talking. Granted it was a small profit, and in light of her financial woes I can understand the situation from her perspective. However, since you all have come to town so much has been changed with the company that if I’m able to pay off Catherine and remove her from the board of directors, I’m still left with a mess that I’m not sure can be fixed. If I can’t pay off Catherine, then we continue to automate Meryton Matchmakers so eventually it’s not the business my sister and I established nor is it sustainable for us. What then, Mr… er William, am I supposed to do? What then?

The truth was there. Hanging between them. She didn’t need him to say anything, because what could he say that would make the situation better? Nothing, that’s what.

We’ll have to ensure that when we leave things are sorted. He said it with such ease, as if it were that simple.

They’d come to the turn off for her house.

Elizabeth snorted. "I’m afraid your version of sorted is vastly different than mine. I’ll see you at the office." She checked for traffic and, when cleared, jogged across the street toward her house.

Elizabeth needed a contingency plan. Heck, she needed a contingency for her contingency.

He might act like he wanted to help, but the truth was it would be she and Jane who would be left picking up the pieces and dealing with the aftermath. Would they be out of jobs? What would she do if there were no Meryton Matchmakers? What would Jane do? At least Lydia and Kitty had other plans.

Wouldn’t her mother feel vindicated? Here, her two oldest and well-educated daughters, primarily Elizabeth, were now being outdone by their younger, less-educated sisters. Not that that would be true once Kitty finished vet school. But her mother had hated Elizabeth’s pursuit of her psychology degree. Probably because Elizabeth might be able to pinpoint the reason why her family was crazy and all indicators would be toward her mother.

If Meryton Matchmakers couldn’t sustain themselves after The Bourgh pulled out, would Elizabeth have to move away? Find work in the city? She loved this town and everything in it, from the smelly cows to the gossiping matrons at the coffee shop.

Elizabeth almost tripped over the curb as a terrible thought struck her. What if she couldn’t find a job? What if she gambled on the business using her house and failed? Then she would be repeating the cycle her parents had lived, and only one conclusion could be made from that—she might be crazy too.

Elizabeth blew out a breath and pushed back the threatening tears. It was all happening too fast, like a car spinning wildly out of control, and she had this fear that she was about to end up in a ditch, upside down, with no help to be found.

2

Catherine’s unexpected presence at the Bennets’ business the following morning didn’t bode well for the sisters. Darcy knew Catherine well enough to recognize she was anxious, as she’d mentioned that her expendable income balance was lower than she was accustomed too, and—he happened to know—she really wanted to take her annual Mediterranean cruise but felt guilty splurging after taking such a financial hit.

Oh, make no mistake. She was far from broke. But Aunt Catherine had limits, and apparently one was seeing one fewer digit in the row of numbers in her account balance.

He wasn’t privy to that number, but he’d bet she was getting close.

Darcy reviewed the list he kept on his phone of the other assets they were reworking. Many had folded or bought her out; Meryton was the first to work with the conditions that he’d offered. Not that they had much choice; solvency wasn’t at the ready for them.

He was not above acknowledging that he was pleased by the swift business mind of Elizabeth Bennet. He’d found it easy to work alongside her and her sisters—mostly—while they further developed the company. He liked to think that when he was no longer in the picture she’d be better off financially. Knowing that filled him with a sense of accomplishment he’d long given up hoping to acquire in his line of business. Now it took scaling mountains and efforts outside of work to find that sort of fulfillment.

Today’s standoff between Catherine and Elizabeth was about the buyout. His cousin, Henry Fitzwilliam, stood quietly by the wall as if sizing up the situation while his other cousin, Anne, worried her bottom lip. Darcy knew her concern were with the future of Meryton Matchmakers, not her mother's financial needs. Both she and Henry had formed attachments to the business they were supposed to be reshaping. More specifically, to the sisters that ran it. Anne feared today was the day Catherine was going to shut down the business. Technically, Elizabeth did have five more days, but Catherine suffered from an inability to wait patiently. Mostly because she worried and the anxiety of it wore her down.

It’s time to make a decision. Catherine was practically standing on Elizabeth’s lap she was so close to her chair.

Elizabeth, the consummate picture of grace, did not flinch or remark on Catherine’s nearness. She smiled up at the imposing matriarch and held her ground. We have five days left. That was the deal.

Catherine’s shoulders rose then fell. Her nostrils flared. This will not do. No, it certainly won’t. In a huff, she swiveled on her heel and marched across the room to her daughter Anne. Have you not increased the visibility of this operation? Have they not seen a three-hundred percent increase in revenue?

Darcy’s finely-honed intuition told him he needed to remove his aunt from the situation, but he’d need something large to tempt her. The idea struck him immediately, and he texted his assistant back at his office in Montana.

Catherine, Elizabeth said calmly. You’re correct when you say that we have increased our profit, but we have agreed to keep a large percentage of those monies in reserves for refunds. Therefore, it’s not as simple as handing over that large lump sum.

And in five days everything will be different? Catherine snorted. Doubtful. She looked from Henry to Anne and then back to Darcy, and the wild look in her eyes was the clear indicator that she’d reached her wits’ end.

I want out. I want my money tomorrow. I am— She swung her attention to Henry— What's the gambling term?

Cashing in your chips?

She swung back to Elizabeth. Yes. I’m cashing them in. I want my money. Today.

Mother. Anne jumped from her seat. You started this process, and now you’re backing out?

Yes. I’ve changed my mind. I want to liquefy as much as I can, Catherine said while looking at Elizabeth and Jane.

I don’t understand, said Anne.

Darcy knew Anne loved helping out Meryton Matchmakers. She’d said as much one night after dinner, but only to him. He wondered if Anne would feel compelled to leave too if her mother pulled out. Or if Catherine would demand Anne leave. It had been a long time since Anne had a daily purpose, but it had been never since she went against her mother’s wishes. Traveling about and being flaky was an easy way to annoy her mother, but it never went further than that.

Catherine was looking at Anne. "Let me help you understand. There are two types of companies. One where the people running it see it as a business, and the other where the people