Page 19 of Arranging Ayra
“Lovely?” Mr. Darcy said. “She’s barely tolerable.”
Elizabeth’s face was the perfect blend of quiet indignation and stony indifference.
“She may be suitable for you,” Mr. Darcy went on. “But she is hardly handsome enough to please me.”
“But she has yet to dance,” Mr. Bingley said. “I have no doubt she would very much welcome your advances.”
Mr. Darcy chuckled without humor. “Tis now my role to give consequence to unappealing young ladies slighted by other men?”
“Of course not,” Mr. Bingley muttered.
“Then go on. Enjoy the smiles of your partner.”
Mr. Bingley left him to sulk alone, while Elizabeth’s jaw suddenly set tight with determination. Ignoring Mr. Darcy entirely, she walked past him to join a friend at the other end of the room.
Giggling and smiling, Elizabeth and her friend occasionally shot glances towards Mr. Darcy, clearly irritating the haughty aristocrat. Mustering her courage, Elizabeth returned to Mr. Darcy.
“You seem quite bored,” she said. “Perhaps you would enjoy yourself more if you danced.”
“I hardly think so,” he said, barely looking at her.
She clamped her lips tightly and turned to walk away.
“Cut!” Keely shouted. “Great work, everyone.”
“Are we good to go?” Barnaby said. “My lines were flawless.”
Indeed they were, I thought. He was such a perfect Mr. Darcy. Yet it seemed rather presumptuous of him to say so.
“You can go, Barnaby.” Keely turned to the extras and actress playing Elizabeth. “If you could all stay a moment longer. I just want to slowly close in on Elizabeth’s face as she is rejected by Darcy. Just one quick shot and we’re done for the day.”
Everyone went into place.
“Charlene, can you just touch up her cheek there.”
Charlene dutifully popped onto the set to powder Elizabeth’s cheek and popped out.
The close up was shot and we were done for the day.
