Page 39 of Arranging Ayra
“I know it would be a great sacrifice,” he gently added. “But none of this means that we still can’t see each other. We just have to be careful about how we go about it.”
“I know you’re right,” I finally said. “Everything you’re saying makes perfect sense.” I just hated the idea of constantly being in hiding.
“And that means Keely, too. You can’t let her know about this. I mean, it might be enough for her to want to fire me over this.”
I chuckled. “Yeah. I seriously doubt she would be happy to hear that I’m dating you. Okay. I promise. Mum’s the word. I won’t let anyone know about us.”
“And no one in the cast... least of all Rhonda.”
“Absolutely no one, Barn. This is our little secret.”
The idea of sharing a secret with him suddenly became quite thrilling. Only he and I would be in on it. It would be just one of the hundreds of things we would share.
I suddenly understood why he’d parked his car so far from the main house.
“So, let’s say goodnight for now,” he said as he leaned in to kiss me. Though not quite as passionate as the first, it was still a deep kiss that I wanted to lose myself in.
“I hate to do this,” he said, pulling away. “But I’m going to have to ask you to get out of the car here and walk the remainder of the way to the house. I want to be sure no one sees us.”
“I understand. And where are you off to for the rest of the evening?” I tried to make the question sound casual, but somehow it felt like I was checking up on him.
“I have lines to rehearse with Rhonda,” he said without an ounce of guilt or shame, just a matter-of-fact response to a professional question from his producer. “We have a big scene first thing tomorrow morning.”
I pressed a tight smile despite the lurch in my gut at the thought of him with Rhonda. “Well then, I’ll let you get to work.”
I stepped out of the car and watched him drive closer to the manor. Tormented, I slowly walked up the stone path that led to the side entrance of the manor. I was thrilled at this turn of events... dating Mr. Darcy... but... Argh.
I already ached.
*****
IAWOKE EARLIER THANusual the following morning. Throughout the night, my dreams had been taken over by Barnaby, as himself, as Mr. Darcy... with me... with Elizabeth... with Rhonda. The conflicting emotions left me restless and unable to get a good sound sleep.
Nonetheless, I got ready for the day and headed downstairs with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The moment I walked into the ballroom; I spotted Barnaby by the far wall; as handsome as ever in his Mr. Darcy garb. In close and quiet conversation with Rhonda, he didn’t notice me entering... Ouch.
But Keely did spot me. “Oh, good,” she said as she rushed up to me. “I’m glad you came down early.”
“You know I’ve been looking forward to watching this scene.”
“Oh, I know, and that makes my request all the more difficult to ask you.”
My heart sank, but I smiled. “I take it I won’t be able to watch this scene play out.”
“Sorry, but I need you at the lake.”
Surprised, I looked at her. “The lake? Which lake?”
“That’s the problem exactly. Moon Manor has two lakes: a small one and a larger one. The thing is I have issues with both of them. They each have their pros and cons and I’m having a hell of a time making up my mind. I need you to go out to take a good look at both. You have such a great eye for this sort of thing.”
“This is for the dive in the pond scene?”
“Exactly.”
“And what are your issues with both lakes?”
“I don’t want to tell you so as not to influence your judgment. Go out there, examine them closely and come back to tell me what you think.”
I nodded solemnly, the vision of Colin Firth diving into that pond fresh in my memory.
