Page 42 of Arranging Ayra
“We can try. Worse that can happen is that we fall through and get wet.”
I laughed as I set my foot on the first board, then shifted my weight onto it. “A little squeaky, but it seems to hold.”
Growing bolder, we both stepped onto the bridge and walked to the center.
“I think the water here is even clearer than the larger lake,” I said as I looked deep into the crystalline water. “Mr. Darcy could come to this bridge...” I grabbed a hold of the guardrail and shook it. It held tight. “He could climb up on this and dive into the water. It would be fantastic.”
“There’s an old rowboat tucked away in the tall grass over there,” Jai said as he pointed to a spot just beyond the other end of the bridge. “You could get a camera operator straight out into the lake to get a shot of Mr. Darcy as he dives in.”
I nodded. “Yes,” I whispered, seeing the scene play out in my head. “He’ll take off his shirt, drape it over the side here. We’ve discussed having him take off his shoes and trousers as well.”
Jai looked at me with a funny grin but said nothing.
“Yes,” I went on with my vision of the scene. “A camera operator in the boat like you said, and one here on the bridge capturing the dive from behind.” I waved my hand over the water to indicate the movements I sought. “The water glistening under the sun.” I turned to look around. The morning sun was already high. “Where is the sun going to set?”
“That way,” Jai said aiming his hand just to the left of where the bridge met the far shore.
“Perfect. I really do think this could be perfect.” I grimaced somewhat.
“What is it?” Jai said.
“It’s just a shame there are no flowers here. A few specks of yellow and pink would really make it perfect.”
“No problem,” he said. “I could bring a few of the wildflowers from the field and plant there wherever you’d like.”
“You’d do that?”
“Anything to make this movie as perfect as can be.”
“You’re so sweet.”
“Come on,” he said with a gentle touch to my elbow. He led me farther down the bridge to where it rose slightly higher. “Look at that.”
I looked out over the water. Still just as lovely as where we’d stood just moments earlier.
“No,” he directed. “Look over there.”
I looked in the direction he pointed to and finally saw what he was referring to. In the distance, only slightly obscured by a few bushes, Moon Manor stood on a knoll, regal and distinguished.
“Well, that does it,” I said. “I’m sold. This is the spot. Mr. Darcy will jump off the bridge just down there.” I pointed to where we’d been. “And he’ll swim down this way, emerge from the water on that shore with Moon Manor right down there waiting for his return.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
I looked out onto the lake. Jane Austen surely could not have imagined a more perfect setting for Mr. Darcy’s plunge. Over and over again, the vision of Mr. Darcy jumping into this lake played in my mind.
“Thisis Pride and Prejudice,” I said to myself, for a moment forgetting Jai at my side until he inched closer.
“I’m glad you like it,” he said softly, as if reluctant to break into my revery.
“I love it.”
“You know, this particular view of Moon Manor was what sold me. As I stood here, looking over the lake and down at the manor, I knew I had to have it.”
“It is quite a romantic place.”
“Indeed,” he said. “Moon Manor is a place for love... for love to flourish and grow. If I’m lucky, one day, I’ll find someone who shares my love of this place. So many these days want to live in the city; big lights, action, busy, busy, busy. But I’m sure there is someone out there who will look out from this bridge one day and love it just as I do.”
I looked up at him and the dreaminess of his eyes. His lips were curled in a gentle smile, smiling more to himself than to me.
