Author's Note: Hey everyone! Here is the beginning of book 2. Naturally, this hasn't been through the editing process so much could change when I actually publish the book. If experience tells me anything, lots will change. I love any and all suggestions you have. As promised, I have WAY more Darcy and Elizabeth in this book, but because its a matchmaker business I have to pair someone. I decided to give Mary a story. As a middle child myself, I feel like I have to pay attention to Mary and let her have a voice. Middle children unite! But don't worry, thats just bonus material between Darcy and Elizabeth.

In the meantime, you can grab a copy of book 1 today!

AMAZON: link/128

KOBO: link/154

iBOOKS: link/142

NOOK: link/150

GOOGLE: link/158

Have a great Thursday everyone. XOXOXOX

Kristi

CHAPTER 1

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

She almost turned and went back the way she came, but Elizabeth had changed her running path three times now 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. She'd been running this one for years and it made her angry that she was giving it up to avoid William Darcy with his form hugging running shorts and his billion dollar running shoes that were probably manufactured to his foot specifically 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'd 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 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. Coming around 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 her ear bud off.

"I was waiting for you?" Standing next to a bench he had one leg up 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 a refined palate. Everyone knows it's a pretense and their just doing it because no one else will. Darcy was weird food. Like a skunks nose dredged through butter and coated with cookie crumbs. At first you think he could be kinda sweet, even enjoyable until you get 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 legs and Elizabeth could swear she heard the ripple of his muscles when he moved. Where did the guy find the time get a body like that? It couldn't be from running alone.

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 dropped his legs and stood before her, hands akimbo.

"When you continue to call me Ms. Bennet it's kinda hard to believe other wise. 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."

"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 did not 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 end mix signals or was about the business.

"I, ah…did you enjoy your run?" He seemed pleased he found a topic. The slight smile briefly threw her and she wasn't sure she heard 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?" Even is walk was straight and proud. 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 weighted 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 nice relief but 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 that enjoys making pleasantries. It's okay to get right to it." She wanted to cross her arms put purposefully left them at her side so as to no come across resistant.

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

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

But as quickly as she's seen it, it was gone.

"Do you mind if I bring up work?" He waited for her to start walking and fell in 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 Lady 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 is now, which is wrecked, she became overwhelmed with anger.

Yes. That's seen growth and extra income from all the sign ups was nice, but if she paid off Lady Catherine, Darcy and et all 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 cafe and Elizabeth gasped. Struck with a sudden sadness. Her friend wouldn't be in 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's been several changes recently. Must be difficult to adjust too."

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 which was affecting the great people of town of Meryton. "You asked if I had a decision?" She wasn't about to any further personal feelings with him. Her anger, frustration, and common courtesy would be all he'd get. He did, after all, say that 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?

"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 no Elizabeth?" He said with added emphasis on her name.

"William. I have one week to either pay off your aunt or 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 am paying the price for her poor judgment and inability to see read a person. In fact, my entire family is paying the price essential as I employ all my 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 Lady 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 am able to pay off Lady 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 Lady Catherine then we continue to automate Meryton Matchmakers so eventually it is not the business my sister and I established nor is it sustainable for us. What then Mr…. Er William. 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 will have to ensure that when we leave things are sorted." He said it with such ease. As if it were that simple.

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. It was all happening to 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.