A Matchmaking Mother Read online

  A Matchmaking Mother

  Jann Rowland

  By Jann Rowland

  Published by One Good Sonnet Publishing:

  Pride and Prejudice Adaptations

  Acting on Faith

  A Life from the Ashes (Sequel to Acting on Faith)

  Open Your Eyes

  Implacable Resentment

  An Unlikely Friendship

  Bound by Love

  Cassandra

  Obsession

  Shadows Over Longbourn

  The Mistress of Longbourn

  My Brother’s Keeper

  Coincidence

  The Angel of Longbourn

  Chaos Comes to Kent

  In the Wilds of Derbyshire

  The Companion

  The Angel of Longbourn

  Chaos Comes to Kent

  In the Wilds of Derbyshire

  The Companion

  Out of Obscurity

  What Comes Between Cousins

  A Tale of Two Courtships

  Murder at Netherfield

  Whispers of the Heart

  A Gift for Elizabeth

  Mr. Bennet Takes Charge

  The Impulse of the Moment

  The Challenge of Entail

  A Matchmaking Mother

  Courage Always Rises: The Bennet Saga

  The Heir’s Disgrace

  Pride and Prejudice Adaptations

  Co-Authored with Lelia Eye

  Waiting for an Echo

  Waiting for an Echo Volume One: Words in the Darkness

  Waiting for an Echo Volume Two: Echoes at Dawn

  Waiting for an Echo Two Volume Set

  A Summer in Brighton

  A Bevy of Suitors

  Love and Laughter: A Pride and Prejudice Short Stories Anthology

  The Earth and Sky Trilogy

  Co-Authored with Lelia Eye

  On Wings of Air

  On Lonely Paths

  On Tides of Fate*

  *Forthcoming

  This is a work of fiction, based on the works of Jane Austen. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel are products of Jane Austen’s original novel, the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously.

  A MATCHMAKING MOTHER

  Copyright © 2019 Jann Rowland

  Cover Design by Jann Rowland

  Published by One Good Sonnet Publishing

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 1989212107

  ISBN-13: 9781989212103

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, digital, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  To my family who have, as always, shown

  their unconditional love and encouragement.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter I

  Chapter II

  Chapter III

  Chapter IV

  Chapter V

  Chapter VI

  Chapter VII

  Chapter VIII

  Chapter IX

  Chapter X

  Chapter XI

  Chapter XII

  Chapter XIII

  Chapter XIV

  Chapter XV

  Chapter XVI

  Chapter XVII

  Chapter XVIII

  Epilogue

  For Readers Who Liked A Matchmaking Mother

  About the Author

  Prologue

  Few amusements could capture the imagination of a young lady of a certain age more completely than an evening of dancing. The sisters residing at Longbourn estate in Hertfordshire were as susceptible to the thought of such delights as any other. The ball at Netherfield Park, having been announced the previous week, was a source of much delight and anticipation, and even more so when the preceding four days had been dreary, the skies opening up and rendering them bound to their home as the earth about them became a sodden mass not fit for man nor beast.

  Of the ball, much has been said, and it behooves the author to avoid repetition and focus on other matters, such as might surprise the reader and lead to a tale yet untold. As the Bennet carriage pulled up to the door of the estate that evening, Elizabeth’s mind was filled with thoughts of the charming Mr. Wickham, of the dances she meant to share with him. Of less interest to her was the presence of Mr. Darcy, the man she had learned to detest, a man she meant to ignore and avoid as much as possible. But fate, it seemed, was destined to interfere with such plans in a manner Elizabeth could never have expected.

  The news that Mr. Wickham was not present for the evening’s entertainment, Elizabeth met with annoyance, but the absence of Mr. Darcy as a target of her ire was also denied her. Instead, Elizabeth stood speaking with her friend, Charlotte Lucas, for some time, exasperating herself against Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins—her father’s ridiculous cousin, who was set on giving her the unwanted distinction of becoming the companion of his future life—in equal measure. The only consolation was that Mr. Darcy appeared to have avoided the evening, and thus he would not intrude on her peace of mind. And while the thought of his attending a ball, a pastime he did not enjoy and would consider a punishment, had its appeal, Elizabeth could not find it in herself to repine his absence.

  Jane danced the first with Mr. Bingley—and a handsome couple they were—while Elizabeth endured Mr. Collins’s inept attentions, longing for the end of the sets promised to him, which would allow her to seek other, more agreeable partners. When she finally made her escape, Elizabeth found her attention caught by a pair of women she had never met.

  It was obvious upon a cursory glance that the two ladies were related, likely a mother and daughter, given their respective ages. Both were passing tall, blonde of hair and fair of face, the elder carrying herself with dignity and the posture of a woman of some quality, while the younger was smiling and happy, full of youthful life and hope. Elizabeth put the age of the elder at between five and forty and fifty years, the younger, perhaps eighteen.

  Of further interest was the appearance, at last, of the man she detested. Mr. Darcy was standing nearby, speaking to the two ladies—it seemed to Elizabeth he was giving them an account of the principal figures present in the room. Then their eyes fell on Elizabeth herself, and Elizabeth received a shock when the elder woman gestured to her, and Mr. Darcy, though not eager, if Elizabeth was any judge, led them to her.

  “Miss Elizabeth,” said he, executing a perfect bow, “my mother has requested an introduction to you if you will be so kind as to allow it.”

  The news that this was his mother—and likely his sister—was not so much of a surprise as that they would request an introduction. With her usual composure, Elizabeth gave her consent, curious about these ladies who claimed such a close connection to the ever-detestable Mr. Darcy.

  “Mother, Georgiana, I present Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the second of the Bennet sisters of the nearby estate of Longbourn. Miss Elizabeth, this is my mother, Lady Anne Darcy, and my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”

  The ladies curtseyed to one another, and Lady Anne spoke in a tone at once kind and cultured. “Miss Elizabeth. My daughter and I are pleased to make your acquaintance. You must excuse the suddenness of the application, for our decision to accept Mr. Bingley’s longstanding invitation was made only a few days ago.”

  “It seems it was,” replied Elizabeth, responding with pleasure, instinctively knowing this woman was not at all like her insufferable son, “for we had no word of your coming. Given as I am to understand that you are the daughter of an earl, I might have thought the news would be all over Meryton within minutes of its being announced.” Elizabeth grinned at the ladies. �
�Surely the visit of the daughter of a peer is not so inconsequential to Miss Bingley that she would neglect to mention it to anyone.”

  The ladies laughed at her jest, and Miss Darcy exclaimed: “I might have expected Miss Bingley to be the main bearer of such tales!”

  While Mr. Darcy shot his sister a quelling look, Lady Anne only shook her head with fond amusement at her daughter’s words. It seemed neither lady had missed the inference in Elizabeth’s statement.

  “It is for that reason we did not wish the Bingleys to announce our coming,” said Lady Anne. “Though I am the daughter of an earl, I am more particularly pleased to be known as the mother of my two children and another in a long line of wives who have helped make my son’s estate what it is today.”

  “I can see where such attention might become tiresome,” said Elizabeth, attempting a diplomatic approach, yet pleased the lady seemed so humble.

  For the next several moments the ladies continued to speak, Mr. Darcy remaining silent, like a sentinel standing guard over them. The conversation of the two Darcy women was interesting and enjoyable, though it contrasted with the silence of the gentleman, rendering Elizabeth confused as to how they could be members of the same family. Within a few moments, Elizabeth realized she appreciated these ladies very much and hoped she would be in a position to call them friends before long.

  Soon, however, the social demands of the evening took precedence, and Elizabeth’s partner for the next sets arrived to claim her hand. If she thought, however, that would be the end of her congress with the Darcy women for the rest of the evening, she soon learned her mistake, for the ladies approached her several more times before the dinner hour, engaging her again in their interrupted conversation. From what Elizabeth could determine, they were willing to be introduced to all and sundry, even speaking with Sir William for almost ten minutes. It also did not miss her notice that it was to her they returned repeatedly.

  As the supper hour edged closer, Elizabeth noted as she danced that the three stood together, again in earnest conversation, with Mr. Darcy shaking his head while the women seemed to be exhorting. Then, soon after the exchange, the dance ended, and Mr. Darcy approached her.

  “Miss Elizabeth,” said he with his usual proper bow, “might I solicit your next sets if you are not engaged?”

  Surprise did not even begin to cover Elizabeth’s reaction as the implications made themselves known to her. Knowing, however, she would appear a simpleton if she stood and stared at him, she answered, though with more composure than coherence, her willingness to stand up with him. If he noted her discomposure, Mr. Darcy said nothing of it, merely expressing his anticipation and then leaving her for the moment.

  “Did Mr. Darcy just ask you to dance?”

  “It seems he did, though I would never have credited the possibility,” replied Elizabeth, turning to Charlotte, who had approached her.

  Charlotte fixed Elizabeth with a pointed look in response. “You would not? Did you not inform me—with a certain amount of glee, I might add—of your refusal of Mr. Darcy’s offer at my father’s party in October?”

  “But he only did so at your father’s urging!” exclaimed Elizabeth.

  “Had he not been willing, he might have ignored Papa,” rejoined Charlotte. “I love my father, but I am aware he is pompous at times. I dare say many others have acted the same in the past.”

  While Elizabeth opened her mouth to respond, the memory of Mr. Darcy suggesting they dance a jig at Netherfield filled her mind, and she found she could not respond. Though she had thought at the time it was nothing more than an idle comment—and she still felt that way—the thought crossed her mind that it may have been something more. The very thought of Mr. Darcy having any interest in her, considering his words at the assembly, brought Elizabeth back to her senses, and she made a jesting comment back to Charlotte, one which seemed to satisfy her friend.

  Had Elizabeth any expectation of Mr. Darcy’s interest, it would have been dashed by his behavior during their sets, which turned out to be the dances preceding supper. For the entire first dance, the man remained silent and grave, immune to her attempts to prompt him to speak, his gaze often fixed on her in earnest contemplation, which was not at all new, though there was nothing in it that Elizabeth could interpret. When Sir William stopped them during the second dance, referring to his expectation of Jane’s imminent change in status, Mr. Darcy’s eyes were on the couple for the rest of the dance, and his look was not at all friendly. Thus, when the music faded away and the time came to escort her to dinner, Elizabeth wished to be away from his company, lest she say something in her annoyance which would be both pointed and caustic.

  “I am happy you shall sit with us for dinner,” said Miss Darcy when Elizabeth arrived with her escort to the supper room. “Did you enjoy your dance with my brother?”

  Though Elizabeth had rarely found anything more disagreeable, she could hardly say so to the man’s sister. “Mr. Darcy is an excellent dancer,” said she, using every measure of diplomacy honed by living her life as Mrs. Margaret Bennet’s daughter.

  “He ought to be,” said Lady Anne, shooting a mirthful glance at her stoic son. “His father and I devoted much attention to his education in ensuring he knows the steps, so this evidence of his diligence is welcome.”

  “It is evidence I do not believe you lacked before,” replied Mr. Darcy. In his manner, Elizabeth found a warmth she had not thought he possessed, so cold had he always been to every one of her acquaintance.

  As they sat together and continued to speak, Elizabeth was interested to witness Mr. Darcy’s interactions with his mother and sister and contrast them with his occasional comments to Elizabeth herself. While he was much as he ever was, reserved and restrained, there was an undercurrent of affection in his eyes, his words almost gentle, particularly when addressing his sister. Clearly, he adored her and would do anything for her.

  His mother, on the other hand, provoked a degree of deference Elizabeth would not have thought possible in such a prepossessed man. When Lady Anne spoke, Mr. Darcy remained silent and attentive, and when he responded, his arrogant tone was softened. Not that he always agreed with her. In fact, they disagreed on more than one occasion and were both intent upon defending their positions. But whereas Elizabeth had never experienced the gentleman’s interest or respect for her own opinion, he gave it to his mother and sister without thought.

  After some time of sitting together, in which Elizabeth found herself unaware of what was passing in the room around them, Jane happened to pass close by, and as Lady Anne indicated she had not yet made Jane’s acquaintance, Elizabeth beckoned her sister closer. The two ladies stood to greet Elizabeth’s sister, and the introduction was thus performed. Jane, as was her wont, greeted the new acquaintances with her usual serenity.

  “I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” said Jane. “Do you mean to stay in the area long?”

  Elizabeth did not miss the glance shared between Miss Darcy and her mother, though she was not as adept in understanding its meaning. “At present, I do not think we mean to depart,” said Lady Anne. “But it is possible our plans might change.”

  “Then I hope you enjoy your time in Hertfordshire. Though I have heard others speak of Mr. Darcy’s estate in glowing terms, and understand Derbyshire to be more picturesque than Hertfordshire, I believe we have some beauties to tempt you.”

  Lady Anne laughed and pressed Jane’s hands. “I believe you do. This is a worthy part of the kingdom, Miss Bennet, and I assure you we are in no hurry to leave it.”

  With Jane added to their little group, the dynamic changed ever so slightly. Now there was someone else to share in the attention which they had lavished on Elizabeth herself, and she was able to witness a little more and consider the actions of those around her. For Elizabeth, character study had always been a favorite pastime, and she used the opportunity to determine further the characters of the two ladies. She was not disappointed.

  “Do
you play, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth?” asked Miss Darcy after a time of talking with them.

  “Lizzy does,” replied Jane. “I only play a very little, but Lizzy is skilled.”

  “Do not speak so!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “When they learn the truth, it will only be that much more disappointing!”

  Lady Anne and Miss Darcy laughed, though Jane only looked with mild amusement at her sister. The most surprising response came from Mr. Darcy.

  “On the contrary, Miss Elizabeth, I have rarely heard anything which gave me more pleasure than when you played at Lucas Lodge.”

  At first, Elizabeth thought to tease the man back for making such a caustic observation concerning her playing. Then she reconsidered, for she realized Mr. Darcy was entirely serious. Mr. Darcy praising her! In Elizabeth’s wildest dreams, she never would have thought such a thing possible.

  “It is inevitable my daughter will turn the conversation to music,” said Lady Anne, caressing Miss Darcy’s cheek with affection. “And my son has excellent taste, so I hope you will forgive me, Miss Elizabeth, if I believe his account rather than your attempt at modesty.”

  The comments put Elizabeth off balance such that she was unable to respond. Then the opportunity was lost, for an interruption came from a most unwelcome source.

  “Cousin Elizabeth,” came the pompous voice of Mr. Collins, “I hope you will attribute my intrusion, not to any unseemly motive, but to the discovery of an astonishing discovery, the likes of which I never would have thought to make. It has come to my attention that not only is Mr. Darcy, Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s nephew in attendance tonight, but that only today, Lady Anne Darcy and Miss Darcy have come to Netherfield!”

  “And who are you, sir?” demanded Mr. Darcy, clearly annoyed with the parson for speaking to them without an introduction.

  “My name is William Collins,” said Mr. Collins with a bow so low Elizabeth thought his head might touch the floor. “I have the great pleasure and honor of being your aunt’s parson. I am also in the happy position of informing you that Lady Catherine and her excellent daughter were in the best of health only eight days ago!”