Page 33 of Persuading Penny
“It is, indeed,” I said, keeping my eyes on my travel mates. “That’s where I’m from. I’ve lived there all my life.”
His eyes lit up. “Isn’t that splendid. I can only hope that I should meet with you there and you could show me around.” At this point, he noticed my distracted glances.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “It’s been lovely chatting with you, but I see my friends over there. We all came to Southampton together...we got split up somehow, but...”
With a genteel bow of his head, he gestured toward the spot I’d been looking at most. “By all means, I would hate to keep you. It’s been a pleasure.”
I walked away at a brisk pace, but heard from afar, “I hope to see you in Bath.”
Yes, indeed, I thought to myself. I would like that very much.
TEN
After only two daysin Southampton, with the uncooperative weather making it impossible to shoot little more than two small scenes, we returned to Bath.
While the rain fell heavily in Bath as well, production moved indoors to shoot several scenes at our usual location.
“We’re getting close to shooting the concert scene where Anne runs in Frederick,” Keely said to Abbie. “Does your offer still hold?”
“To use Tillsbury Estate as the concert hall lobby? Absolutely. I think the great hall is more than large and ostentatious enough.”
I’d been with Keely when she’d analyzed the possibility of using the home of Abbie’s future father-in-law. Cliff had been there as well, standoffish as usual. Keely had ignored the tension, but alone with Cliff for a brief moment, he’d come up close to me.
“Seeing how we’re to continue to work on the same project, I think it would suit us both to be civil to one another.”
“It’s not in my nature, Cliff, to be uncivil, no matter what the situation. If I’ve kept my distance, it’s solely out of respect for you. You seem determined to snub me and I’ve no wish to impose.”
He glanced up as Keely returned. “Note well taken,” he said softly as he backed away.
My heart fluttered. That soft tone, the same tone he’d taken with me so many times; the soft hellos, the soft I love you’s, the soft good-byes.
“What do you think about the lighting, Cliff?”Keely said.
“It’s going to take a lot of lighting to make this gloomy space look like the well-lit lobby of an opera house, but it’s doable.”
“Expensively doable?”
