The Matchmaker's Mistake

I sat in silence, Alice beside me. "I have managed two pages." I told her proudly, closing that boring excuse for a book. How could Rosalie Hale have managed to read this? "I may assert the ways of God to man, and justify eternal providence." I quoted.

"That is very true." She agreed.

"I believe we have done enough reading today." I threw the book down on the windowsill. "Although, such lofty thoughts require a moment to reflect on their value." I paused uncomfortably, for at least two seconds before picking up a larger book. "I think we deserve a look at our project." She nodded and edged closer to see the fine work we had done. "Our collection of romantic riddles is building up nicely." I smiled, flicking through the colourful pages.

"I wonder, Miss. Swan. You are not yet married, yet you are so charming."

"I assure you I have no intention of marrying at all, Alice. Someone very superior would have to come along, and even then I would rather not be tempted."

"It is so very… odd to hear a woman talk like that!" She said with great admiration as we stood.

"If I was in love, it would be a different thing, but I have never been in love, and I probably never shall. And without love why would I want to change my situation, I have fortune, I am occupied. I don't think there is a wife alive better of than me."

"But to be an old maid, like Miss Lloyd!"

"Oh, now I do not wish that to happen, if I thought I'd end up like Miss Lloyd I'd have married years ago!"

~*~

"Good afternoon, Miss. Swan." Mr Black said, doing a little bow.

"Well, Good afternoon Mr. Black. How nice of you to call."

"Well, I'm just bringing round this months church flower router. Oh, Mr. Swan told me you were compiling a list of riddles and verses of a romantic nature. So I… um… wrote a little contribution… for you. It's just a small verse. Very good."

"Thank you, Mr. Black, but would you not rather give it to Miss Brandon."

"Ah… um… Miss Brandon?... Well, you see…. I have to go, Good day Miss Swan."

~*~

"It is a riddle!" She bounced up and down, the letter from Mr. Black in her hand.

"Yes, he said it was for our collection but we both know it's about his regard for you. Although, I do wonder why it took him so long to express his feelings."

My first displays,

The wealth and pomp of kings.

Another view of Man,

My second brings,

The Monarch of the seas.

Thy ready wit,

The word will soon supply."

"Oh dear! I cannot decipher." She sighed in frustration.

"Well, look here, 'The wealth and pomp of Kings.' 'Kings' what does that suggest? Perhaps court. And 'Monarch of the seas', ship, maybe."

"Ship… court… Shipcourt!" She shouted happily.

"No! Courtship! It's courtship!"

"Oh Miss. Swan! I can hardly believe it!"

"Well try, I see you settled in the vicarage by summer."

~*~

"You know you're sister as well as I do Bella. She's late, something must have happened." Father worried.

"Nothing has happened, father. It takes a long time to gather up five children and their luggage for a Christmas trip."

"Do you think Miss Brandon is coming down with something? I heard her sneeze in the corridor. Baby Bella will be here soon, we can not have the house ridden with disease. Please do not tell me you invited her to come to dinner on their first night. It's bad enough having Cullen."

"Father do not forget, Mr Cullen may have insisted they all stay with him. He may not come though, I fear he has not forgiven me yet."

"Forgiven you? What on earth for?" Luckily, before I could answer the carriages pulled up. I waved, distracting Father from our conversation. Father ran over, as fast as an old man can, to greet them.

~*~

"Raw!" George shouted, chasing his brothers, sister and Edward up the stairs.

"George, you should be in bed! And you, Ella."

"Come on children, must do what your Aunt says."

"Can we play outside tomorrow, Uncle Edward?"

"You know what you're grandfather will say."

"Not a clue."

"How about you ask him."

~*~

"I wonder if we have time to have you a new dress made for the Weston's Christmas party. You must look demure but at the same time alluring." I told Alice, admiring my dress for the party. She sneezed loudly from the bed. "Oh dear, you definitely cannot go looking like that. Mr. Black will have to wait. Do not despair. You may not be able to make it to the party but this will be a wonderful test of Mr Black's regard."

~*~

"Good morning, Mr Black!" I called to him, whilst walking down the street with Martin.

"Ah, good morning, Miss Swan, Mr. Cullen." Martin turned away to observe the shop windows.

"I'm afraid Alice is not with us as she is confined to bed with a cold."

"Oh, um… I'm sorry to hear that but I'm sure you're family is of much comfort." He said, gesturing to George and James who where playing Tug-of-War.

"What did you say about my family?" Martin said, becoming slightly defensive over his boys. "Why is it that all men believe they have right to comment about my family freely!"

"I, er, was just complimenting Miss. Swan on her fine collection of nephews. Yes, a fine set." Martin scowled before turning back to the display. "Are you going to the Weston's tonight?"

"Oh, yes. Even father has been persuaded! But you will not wish to go, Mr. Black, as Alice is so very ill." I hinted.

"I am very much looking forward to it!" He exclaimed, joyously for some bizarre reason. "Although, being a poor bachelor I cannot afford a carriage and if it should snow…"

"We are coming in two carriages for safety, you are welcome to come in one of ours." I elbowed Martin. Why was he saying this?

"Oh, that is very generous of you. I'll be delighted. Good day."

~*~

"Come on, let's get going. We don't want to be late." Father got into the carriage , leaving me and Martin waiting.

"It's going to snow." He said.

"Now, now, let's be optimistic. I've never seen father be so excited to go out." He scoffed.

"If you had not offered Mr Black our carriage we would be there and back much quicker!" I scolded.

"How could I not, when your manner towards him is so encouraging.

"Me? My manner? What an idea?!"

"Yes you. I found it remarkable how he seemed to want your attention."

"What a ridiculous thing to say. Me? He's interested in Alice Brandon!" he laughed.

"I am never wrong about these things." He said as we, climbed into the carriage.

"I assure you, Mr. Black and I are merely very good friends and nothing more."

"Simply an observation. But you might do well reconsidering your behaviour towards him."

"Oh, look. Here we are at the vicarage." I said distracting his from the conversation. How could I be? When Alice! No! There is no way I am at all encouraging Mr. Black!

"Good evening Mr. Cullen, Miss Swan." He said, climbing in next to me. I moved over to the window to allow him space but he just moved closer to me. Maybe Martin was r- No! No! He's probably just… cold. Martin was looking smug. I kicked him.

"I enquired about Alice this evening and was told she was worse."

"I don't know when I have ever looked forward to an evening out more!" What is wrong with this man!

"I know it will snow tonight." Martin said looking out the window.

~*~

Edward helped me out of the carriage once we had arrived.

"I wish you would learn to arrive at a party in a correct manner." I whispered harshly. "Why can't you bring a coach!"

"Because there is no need. I was on the point of walking but Bessie here," he gestured to his horse, "wanted an outing, didn't you Bessie?"

"A gentleman should arrive in coach and horses. If the Coles, who are traders, can afford a coach then the master of an abbey should be equal to it!"

"Are the Coles coming?"

"No! Of course they aren't!"

"Ah."

"I am ashamed to arrive with you."

"Don't be ridiculous, Bella. Anyway, you don't arrive with me, Mr Black is waiting to attend to you."

"Aw…." I sighed, "Please…"

"Miss Swan!" Mr Black called. I trudged over to him unwillingly.

~*~

"Ah, Mr. McCarty!"

"Bella, my dear, good to see you. Mr Black."

"Please tell me, Mr Weston, any news on Emmett, is he coming this evening?"

"Well, my son, though tied to his aunt, is a bit of a traveller."

"Do you think your father is comfortable in that chair?" Mr Black interrupted.

"Why don't you go ask him." He nodded.

"So he's always dashing of on his black stallion. Only the other day we heard he was on his way here and guess what happened!"

"Miss Swan! Miss Swan!" Mr Black called, beckoning me over.

"What?" I whispered once I'd reached him.

"If you would be so kind as to sit there, I'll fetch you a drink."

"No, thank you, I'm fine."

"And that was it." Mr Weston said as I reached him again. "I best go check if dinners ready."

"Well, isn't this lovely." The devil said, joining me once again.

"I knew it!" Martin called. "It's snowing!"

"I can't stay, I must leave!" father panicked.

"I've just been down the road," Edward told us, stepping in from the cold. "The snow is no more than half an inch anywhere, no one shall be marooned here!"

~*~

"Martin!" I called as he walked past our coach following Harriet. "This is our carriage."

"That's alright. I'll calm your father and Mr Black can escort you." He chuckled, 'Please don't' I mouthed to him.

"What a splendid idea!" Mr Black said happily, climbing into the carriage opposite me. I moved as far away from him as possible as the coach set off.

"How fortunate we are alone, it must be written in the stars." He seemed to fall forwards towards me. "Miss. Swan make me the happiest man in the world. I adore you. Although, that will not come as a surprise. I will all but die if you refuse."

"Mr Black! Stop this at once! You have obviously been drinking!" I said slapping his hands away from me. "Might I remind you of your attachment to Miss Brandon!"

"Um, what are you on about?" He asked sitting back on the chair.

"I'm talking of your love for Miss Brandon! And you profess your love for me! What fickleness of character! I am astonished!"

"I have never played the slightest attention to Miss Brandon, except as your friend!" He said confused. "For herself, I couldn't care less if she lives or dies!" He laughed. "Everything I have doe in the past few weeks was for you. Surely that was… obvious?" I looked at him shocked. It all made sense now. How foolish I have been! "I know I am a novice, in the ways of love. But how can you pretend you do not have feelings for me?"

"Hmm… let me think… maybe because I don't have feelings for you! Am I to understand you never preferred Miss Brandon?"

"Never! Miss Brandon is a good sort of girl and no doubt there can be some that overlook the, ere, circumstances of her birth. But I think that I do not have to stoop to her level. No, my hopes were entirely for you. Led mainly by the encouragement you gave me!"

"You are mistaken, sir. I only thought of you as a suitor for my friend. I am sorry that you are mistaken but I never gave you any encouragement. I have no thoughts of matrimony at the present.

~*~

"This is your fault Bella!" I shouted at the mirror that evening. Was he really admiring me rather than Alice all this time? Edward's voice rang through my head, He knows he is a handsome man and will never marry cheaply. He wants my money? I looked at my reflection as realisation dawned on me.

How am I going to tell Alice?

~*~

"I received a very strange letter from Mr Black saying he is very sorry he cannot make it over to see me. No mention of you, dear Bella. It's strange as I do not remember inviting him over for Christmas. He says when the snow is clear he is going to visit Bath. His friends have begged him for his company." I quietly left the room for the gardens. I grabbed a shawl.

"Bella?" Edward called. "Where are you going?"

"To visit Alice."

"In this weather?"

"It's not a long walk, I'll manage."

"Suit yourself."

~*~

"I understand," Alice croaked. Her small porcelain-like face stained with tears. "It is only natural that it should be you, Miss Swan, that he proffered. I never could of deserved him. It is only because you are so good a friend that you thought it possible."

"It's all my fault. And I bitterly regret the pain that I have caused."

"No. You must not take any blame. You are all goodness and he is so very far above me. It was foolish and conceited of me to raise my sights to him. It was you who he asked to marry. Maybe you would change your views on matrimony?"

"Certainly not! I would not change my mind especially not for someone as-"

"There is no blame attached to anyone but my self."

"He will regret his decision, Alice, for you are a far better person than I could ever be."

~*~

"I do try so very hard to forget Mr Black, it's just he is such an superior example of man hood. That verse he wrote was so fine and noble, although it was meant for you. 'Ready wit' – you see, of course he could never have meant me!"

"Oh look! A lovely new window display." I said, distracting her from 'Mr. Black.'

"Oh! I believe those are very like the gloves Mr Black chose last year, just as it was getting colder… The brown with rabbit fur so elegant."

"I wonder if Miss Lloyd is home."

"Miss Lloyd." I greeted her as she opened the door. "I know that it is Thursday and therefore no possibility of hearing any news from Rosalie, but do you have any news of Miss Hale?"

"Miss Swan, something most unusual has happened!" She took our hands pulling us into her small home's living room. "What a surprise she gave us! No sooner than her letter arrived, she did!" In the living room sat the most beautiful girl in the world. None other than Rosalie Hale herself. She had long, wavy blond hair, a tanned skin tone and sparkling blue eyes. And she was wearing the most stunning blue ruffled dress.

"Miss Hale! How nice to see you once again! This is my friend Alice Brandon."

"Rosalie was invited to Ireland with the Churchill's to visit their daughter and her betrothed, Mr. Newton."

"You and Miss Churchill are almost like sisters, Rosalie."

"Yes," Miss Lloyd said, "she's a lovely girl so elegant and graceful, beautiful too, but not as beautiful as Rosalie."

"Aunt." Rosalie scolded.

"Oh, I am sorry, my dear, but it is the truth."

~*~

"Excuse me, sir!" I shouted at a man riding his horse. "You seem lost, sir."

"I am not lost." He smiled, slowing his horse. He was a large man, not in a weight issue but he had extremely large muscles. He has a baby-like face with curly dark brown hair and dimples.

"Oh, excuse me for thinking you where a stranger to these parts and did not know your way you seemed undecided as to where you are going. May I help you in the right direction?"

"You know this area?"

"I have lived here all my life. I think you'll find me quite accurate."

"I'm sure I would, but I have no need of your direction. I know exactly where I am. Thank you for your trouble, all the same." He nodded before riding of in the direction of the McCarty's.

~*~

"She look's a little subdued. Are you sure she is not ill, Bella?" Esme asked. Alice had been quite blue recently and we had no idea why.

"She is not ill, she is a little unhappy."

"Alice, dear, would you like a little tea? And cook has made some very pleasant biscuits." Alice looked up from our book, her eyes red and puffy.

"I wonder, have you heard the news?" Edward asked, placing him self on Esme's other side.

"Oh, good. News. We are in need of entertaining."

"Mr. Black is to be married!" Miss Lloyd came in shouting. Alice gasped, and began crying again. "Oh, what an emotional girl, we are all so happy for him. He has been in Bath these four weeks only and he is engaged already! How very sudden, but where love is concerned! Her name is Tanya Denali and she is worth £20,000!"

~*~

The clock chimed four.

"Bella!" Father called. I hurried, I peaked through the gap in the door to see Mr. McCarty and father engaged in conversation with a third member who was most definitely not Mr. Cullen.

"Ah Bella, dear." Mr. McCarty acknowledged me first. "This is my son, Emmett." The third man turned round. He was the man who I had met the other day.

"It is nice to meet you, Mr. McCarty." I said pretending we had not met, I would not wish his father to know I had seen him first.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Swan." He said pulling my aside, "Thank you for helping me find my way here, I might never have made it. Each time I come close to visiting my conscience is dragged back to my aunt as she is very ill."

"That is very noble of you."

"Whilst I am here I must visit a family, Miss Lloyd, I believe."

"Why on each would you want to visit her?! She is the soul of all things boring!"

"Well, I met her niece, Rosalie Hale, in Weymouth, and I must talk to her about… something."

"Well good luck, I shall see you one day again, If you do not die of boredom." I said before exiting the reception room.

"Bella," Mr Cullen called from outside.

"Ah, Mr. Cullen what do you need here."

"Just on my daily visit, but I see you have guests."

"That is Mr McCarty and his son! Emmett has come home at last!"

"Really? I was beginning to wonder if Emmett really existed."

"He continues to surprise us all.

~*~

"Did you hear, Bella? Miss Hale got a grand piano delivered to her house from a secret admirer!" Esme told me on one of our shops.

"A secret admirer, who could it be?"

"Well, I, for one, think it to be Mr Cullen."

"Really? Why would it be him?"

"Well, he was talking about her quite a bit at my home the other day with Emmett, when Emmett mentioned her piano skills and Mr Cullen said 'Why it is a great shame she has nothing to express her talents with.'"

"Oh please, it could not be Mr Cullen." For a gentleman would never risk a ladies reputation, unless… he was most ardently in love.