TWELVE

“ O kay, people,” Keely called out. “I need everyone in their places.” She turned to the lighting guy. “Gabriel, I want you to keep artificial lighting to a minimum for this first shot.”

He nodded his understanding.

Looking out at the scene, I could almost remember word for word Jane’s description. A festive scene with music and dance.

The women, cast and extras, were all dressed in fancy gowns, their hair curled and pulled up, and their make-up minimal. The men were equally formal and ready for a pleasant night in the ballroom.

“In exactly ten minutes, the sun will be streaming in through that window,” Keely said, pointing to the window behind her. “I want to take full advantage of that golden light before relying on candles and artificial light. Everybody got that?”

The main actors as well as the extras nodded, although Barn’s nod was quick and curt.

Please don’t make Keely miss her cherished golden light, I silently pleaded. This definitely wasn’t the time to argue with her vision.

Lizzy and Mr. Darcy stood in the very spot that the sun was to light up any moment now. The extras around them took their mark. Everything was perfect.

“Music,” Keely called.

The pianist played a gentle melody that hugged the background.

Keely turned to the camera operator. “We’re going to keep it tight on them both... waist up.”

He nodded.

“Barn and Rhonda...” Keely said, as the setting sun sent a ray of light through the window and into the ballroom. It struck the floor at the pair’s feet and began its steady ascent, lighting Lizzy’s gown perfectly.

“Action,” Keely called out.

The pair stood close to one another, both bathed in that magical light. Their eyes sparkled as they gazed at one another, each saying their lines with ease.

A chill ran up my spine... a bittersweet chill. Seeing my favorite book come to life in such a magical way was what I’d long dreamed of... but... Watching Barn so close to Rhonda, that look in his eyes...

He’s just acting, I told myself. He’s a very good and convincing actor.

But still... my heart ached, just a little bit.

“Keep rolling,” Keely called out as the initial portion ended.

They filmed until the sun completely left the room.

“Cut!” Keely stepped forward. “Thank you all for indulging me in this all important scene.” She looked at Barn and Rhonda. “You two looked absolutely fabulous in that golden light.”

She turned to her tech guys. “Okay. Let’s set up for the next sequence.”

I stepped closer to her. “That scene with the fading sunlight was genius.”

“Thanks,” she said as she glanced at the story board. “To tell you the truth, I didn’t think it would work.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “Just expected someone to mess up and ruin the shot.”

“Well, everything turned out perfectly.”

Her eyes were on Barn. “Any minute now, I expect him to come and complain about something or other. Okay,” she called out as she turned away from me. “Let’s go.”

With everyone in place, Keely prepared to start the next shot.

“Actually,” Barnaby said in the haughty manner of Mr. Darcy.

“Here we go,” Keely murmured under her breath.

Barnaby took a step closer. “I think this shot would be far more evocative if you really came in close to my face and caught the look in my eyes.”

“Well, Barnaby,” Keely gently said. “Since we’re already set up to shoot it this way, why don’t we try it and...”

“No,” Barn said much like a disgruntled child would. “The most important thing in these scenes is my emotion. My disdain for Elizabeth, my growing admiration for her, my fondness for her and, ultimately, my unwavering love for her. You can’t get all that from afar. The audience is going to want to see my eyes, deep into my eyes.”

Keely pressed her lips in exasperation and glanced sidelong at me.

Her exasperation was my cue to speak up. Alright. Here goes.

“Barnaby,” I called out as I headed his way. I purposefully put on a bright and understanding smile.

He looked at me, his stern eyes quickly going soft. “Yes, Ayra?”

He smiled with uncertainty, but his smile broadened as I got close enough to speak only to him. “What is it, love?”

My insides did three somersaults. He was all tenderness and adoration. Adoration for me? It certainly seemed that way.

“What is it?” he asked again.

“Oh,” I said, suddenly remembering the task at hand. “I don’t mean to argue with you,” I said softly, “but, then again, I do know this book backwards and forwards, as you well know.”

He nodded.

“It does seem to me that a close up in this particular instance wouldn’t really do the scene justice.”

“Oh?”

“You see, your interaction with Bingley is crucial here. If we close in to your face... to your eyes, well, we lose too much of that full body tension.” I smiled and looked up and down the length of him. “After all, that body of yours says so much; the way you hold yourself, your strong shoulders... it all lends well to the entirety of the emotion of the moment.”

I knew I was laying it on a little thick, but...

“You’re right,” he said with an understanding nod, pulling his shoulders back as if to emphasize my words. “You’re absolutely right. Thank you, Ayra.”

“I knew you’d understand.” I turned and winked at Keely. “We’re all good. Let’s get this scene over and done with, people.”

Keely mouthed a silent thank you .

Several scenes were shot without issues from Barnaby. But as I watched him ‘acting’ with Rhonda, the chemistry between them became more and more evident. There was an ease about their interactions. His hand lingered over hers even after Keely called ‘cut.’ His eyes were steadily on hers.

Damn.

They were Mr. Darcy and Lizzy.

A producer couldn’t hope for a better pairing. Right. I should be happy. They were going to make this movie a success... so believable. So damned believable.

My heart raced, but not with the adoration I felt for Mr. Darcy or Barn. It raced with uncertainty, with a sense of betrayal.

He’s just a good actor, I told myself again.

He’s simply that good of an actor.

He’s good.

He’s good.