Page 16 of Arranging Ayra
“Pride and Prejudice. My lifelong love affair with Jane Austen and her impossibly irresistible heroines. I want to invest in this project.”
“But Ayra...” She swallowed hard and loud. A hint of excitement gleamed in her eyes while her brow remained unconvinced. “I appreciate the offer, and that money, though less than what Blythe had promised, would surely go a long way. But I can’t let you do that. At least if you buy a house, you’ll have a home to live in. If this project falls flat... you’ll lose everything. I hate to think of you losing your investment.”
“I have faith in this project, Keely.Pride and Prejudiceis a timeless story. Generations of women have fallen in love with Mr. Darcy over the years. I have no doubt whatsoever that young women today will love him just as much. And I’ve been thinking of the changes that have been made to the original book. You’re right. These changes need to be made and they will enhance the story all while keeping the true essence of Lizzy and Mr. Darcy alive.”
She stood and faced me, her hand coming to lay gently on my cheek. “Dear Ayra. You are such a romantic, aren’t you. Perhaps a little too romantic.”
“You should talk,” I said. “You co-founded the Jane Austen Association with me.”
Keely sighed. “I did, didn’t I? Now I’m a bit more practical, aren’t I?”
“You’re filming a Jane Austen movie, aren’t you? You’re plenty romantic.”
Keely nodded and said, “I appreciate your offer, Ayra, but... if this is truly what you want to do...”
“It is, Keely. It is. With all my heart, I want this project to go on.”
She sighed.
“I thought you’d be more elated than that... even a little.”
“Having the money to go on with the production is one thing, however I still don’t have a producer. I can’t do everything on my own. I can’t deal with all the emergencies that come up; all the locations that renege, all the actors who don’t show up, all the costumes that turn out to be wrong, all the artwork that don’t suit the time period... everything. Absolutely everything! The costume designer walked out the moment she heard the investors had pulled out and the set decorator followed in her footsteps.”
I grasped her hand and held it tight. “I’m here, Keely. Anything and everything you need, I’m here. My head is swirling with ideas; ways to save money, ways to make what we have go a long way. I’m sure we can work it out.”
“You’ve always been so optimistic, even in the face of turmoil.
“I’ve already made arrangements with Jai to go into town tomorrow,” I said, pardoning my own little fib. “We’re going to go look for more appropriate artwork.”
“You already have your hands full with the music. You won’t have enough of the twenty-four hours in a day to do all this.”
“Trust me. I have more energy than I know what to do with. I’m ready to take on more. Keely, I can’t let this project come to an end, not now. I didn’t come all the way out here just to give up.”
The hint of a smile began to quiver on her lips.
“Come on,” I said. “Stop fighting me and get on board.”
She hesitated for a split second, then broke out in a broad grin. “I’ve always wanted to make a Jane Austen movie the way true fans, true Jane Austen enthusiasts would make it.” She gripped my hand and said, “You’re on. Oh, this will be great. We work so well together, and I know how much you love this story, and I just know that you’ll do your best to make it the greatestPride and Prejudiceever.”
“Great. Oh, I’m so thrilled.” I wanted to jump for joy. “I’m going to go back out and try to find Jai to confirm that we’re going to need to go shopping tomorrow.”
Floating on a cloud, I headed out to the rose garden, but Jai was nowhere to be found. I walked around, hoping to bump into him. I stray through the woodlands only to reach the edge of the lake with still no sign of him.
Suddenly putting on my producer’s hat, I looked out at the lake through new eyes. The sun seemed to be heading to the far end of the lake to set for the evening. Through the tall trunks of the trees, the rays of the sun would be spectacular.
Immediately, I imagined Lizzy and Mr. Darcy standing there. She would turn away from him, rejecting his proposal while he stood in the shadows. Of course, the camera would have to be set just right so as to avoid the tall tower. Then again, the tower could be used to capture amazing overhead shots of the surrounding countryside and of the manor itself. It could also be used to film the scene where Jane walks to Netherfield. Of course, it would have to rain... oh, we would figure that out, I’m sure. Yes. This would work perfectly. It would all be so perfect.
“Ahem!”
Startled, I let out a high-pitched yelp and jumped around.
“My apologies,” Barnaby said with the hint of a pleased grin. He stood in the middle of the path, tall and strong, every ounce of him a show of virility. Still attired in the very clothes the fictional Mr. Darcy was to wear. My heart skipped a beat, and I found myself at a loss for words. He was Darcy, Mr. Darcy! “You must have been deep in thought.” A touch of arrogance played on his brow while his gaze and grin were all charm. “It was not my intention to startle you so.”
Regaining my composure, I nodded my acceptance of his apology. “I have much on my mind these days. What brings you out to the lake, Mr. Darcy?”
“I’ve been looking for you. I was told by a crew member that you came this way.”
“You’ve been looking for me?” I said with much doubt. “Whatever for?”
