THIRTEEN

I rubbed my temples as I anticipated another day of negotiating with Barn. I was growing weary of playing the go between for him and Keely, but he was growing more and more demanding and less willing to cooperate with my suggestions.

“This is the scene we’ve been waiting for,” Keely said as we drove out to the small lake. “The weather is perfect and...” She looked at me. “Are you okay?”

I looked up at Barn’s pick-up truck ahead of us. With Barn at the wheel, we were all making good time as we followed him down the dirt road.

“Oh,” Keely said with an understanding nod. “I see.”

“We got up at four this morning,” I said. “We got everything ready. The actors went through make up, hair, wardrobe... all in the hope of capturing that magical moment with the morning sun glistening on Mr. Darcy’s smooth and muscular chest.”

She nodded again. “You’re afraid we won’t get the shot?”

“Yesterday I caught him giving wardrobe advice to one of the Bennet sisters, then he commented on some actor’s untidy beard, then tried to tell Mr. Bingley how to pronounce ‘harassment.’ It never ends.”

“It will soon enough, don’t worry.”

But I was worried, not only about the outcome of the movie and my investment, but also my relationship with Barn. Every time I intervened, I feared his reaction.

Shrugging, I glanced back at the line of trucks following us. “We’re putting so much into this scene. I’m beginning to wonder if that might be a mistake.”

“Don’t worry,” Keely said. “I think Barnaby knows the importance of this scene. He won’t mess this up.”

I wasn’t so sure. The last few days had been filled with little battles that were increasingly difficult to win. I’d almost begun to think that he was deliberately trying to ruin every single scene.

We arrived at the lake and I crossed my fingers.

“This is great,” Barn said as he hopped out of his truck. “Beautiful. Let’s get this scene done. I’m feeling sexy.”

I pressed a wry grin and glanced at Keely who looked up to the cloudless sky.

“Great,” she muttered, then turned to the crew. “I want a camera set up on the bridge, another one in that rowboat and a third...” She looked around for the best option. “How about we try one just about here to capture the entire view?”

“No,” Barn quickly said. “That angle is all wrong. I think the camera should be set up on the far side of the lake.”

Before I could argue with him, Keely stepped in. “You’re right, Barn.” She turned to the camera operator. “Go set up on the other side.”

Pleased, Barn turned to walk across the bridge.

I edged closer to Keely. “Why are you giving in to him so easily? I could have talked him out of it.”

She smiled. “I wanted the camera on the other side to begin with.”

“Ha,” I let out with a laugh. “That’s a risky game to play.”

“When I really want you to step in, I’ll give you a sign.”

“As you say.”

The sun slowly made its way up to the horizon and peered over it to give us the perfect lighting.

Bare-chested and with only his tight black pants on, Barn climbed the railing and dove into the water. Moments later, he stepped out glistening like a god. It was glorious and I instantly knew that Mr. Darcy fans would go wild at the sight.

“Cut!” Keely said at the end of the scene. “That was perfect. Everything was absolutely perfect. Let’s get back to the manor to meet up with Lizzy.”

“Hold on,” Barn said. He looked down at his wet chest. “Why not take advantage of this moment and... you know... make it linger a bit.”

“What do you have in mind?” Keely patiently asked.

“I could lay down in the tall grass and ponder on my relationship with Rho... I mean Lizzy.”

Keely pulled in a long breath, bit her bottom lip, then nodded at one of the camera operators who stepped closer to her. “Get a close up of his face...”

“And chest,” Barn added.

“Get his face and chest and let him ‘ponder’ for a minute or so and then call it a day. I’m heading back.”

We got back into the jeep and were silent most of the way back to the manor.

“It’s a good thing we’re getting close to the end of this thing,” Keely finally said. “His constant changes are driving me up a wall. We’re going to have to shoot the scene with Lizzy later.”

We got out of the jeep.

“How about a nice cup of tea out on the back terrace?” Keely offered.

“Sounds good.”

We headed straight to the back of the manor and plunked down at one of the small tables and ordered tea.

“I saw you sitting out in the garden yesterday,” she said as she carefully set her teacup down.

I smiled. “I’ve got a lot of things swirling around in my head. Sitting in the garden gives me a chance to unwind and concentrate on the music score.”

She let out a light laugh. “Geez. With everything going on and my constant headaches with Barnaby, I’d almost forgotten about that. How are things coming along?”

“Pretty good considering everything. Working on a romantic score for a Jane Austin movie isn’t easy when you’re stressed out.”

She set her hand over mine. “I’m sorry. That’s my fault. I shouldn’t have burdened you with the whole Barnaby issue. I need to step up and... well, put my foot down,” she said with a laugh.

“Don’t worry about that,” I said. “I don’t mind dealing with him. It’s just...” I let out a laugh of my own. “I guess I didn’t expect it to be so constant.”

As if on cue, Barnaby came around the corner and made a beeline for our table. Without waiting for an invitation, he grabbed a chair from a nearby table and set it down at our table and sat down.

“Glad I caught you both here,” he said as he slammed the script on the table nearly spilling our tea. “I was looking at this scene between Lizzy and Wickham.”

No, I thought. Oh, my God, no. Don’t meddle in scenes that don’t even involve you.

“What about it?” Keely calmly said.

He pointed to the open page. “I thought the scene would work better if I came up to them and made my affection for Lizzy clear.”

“I’m sorry, Barnaby,” Keely said rather firmly. “There is a reason that Mr. Darcy is not in this scene. You have to trust the flow of the story. You have to trust the timing in which certain things – like Mr. Darcy’s emotions – are divulged.”

He looked at the pages in front of him. “But...” He pushed the script towards her. “Just take a look at what I jotted down.” He tapped the script with his finger. “Look at what I would say to him.”

I glanced at the script as Keely read it and immediately shook my head. “It doesn’t work, Barnaby,” I said before Keely finished. “What’s marvelous about this romance is the slow burn... the... the sexual tension that builds up over time. I’m sorry, but as a loyal and devoted fan to all that Jane Austen has ever written, I cannot allow that simmering romance to just be brought to a boil so abruptly.”

“Simmer?” he said with a quizzical air. “Boil? I don’t get it. What are you talking about?”

Keely and I looked at one another then turned to him. “It’s a girl thing,” we said.

He laughed as he stood up. “You women. I’ll never understand how romance works for you. It all seems far too complicated.” Still chuckled, he walked away.

“Well,” Keely said as she let out a relieved sigh, “that ended better than I expected.”

I finished my last sip of tea and stood. “While I have all these emotions boiling over, I’ll go up to work on the music a bit.”

“Good. I’m hoping to have a chance to hear what you have soon.”

“Soon,” I said simply as I left her.

*****

S OMETHING ABOUT THAT script meeting with Barn sent me on a new musical journey. Going over the scenes where tension built between Lizzy and Mr. Darcy, I moved my melody to a different register, bringing a bit more angst to the tone.

Finally, two days later, I brought my music sheets to Keely.

“Ready to hear what I’ve got?” I asked.

“Can I take a look?” she replied, reaching out for the sheets.

“Sure.” I handed them to her.

Nodding, she read the notes, tilting her head to the side on occasion and then frowning. “This is interesting,” she said, clearly doubting my choices.

“Come to the piano,” I said.

She followed me and stood by the piano as I sat down to play.

I began the opening sequence. “This is the overriding melody for the movie. These notes...” I played as I’d written. “Come back again and again.”

“Very hummable,” she said. “I like that. It’s the sort of melody that can stay in your head a long time.”

Then I came to the portion she’d doubted. “This is when the tension builds up.” I played the unusual passage. My fingers laid on the keys with the same tension the scene evoked. I felt Lizzy’s angst. I felt her disdain for Mr. Darcy all while understanding her growing interest in him.

A faint smile came to Keely’s lips as she nodded. “Yes,” she whispered. “I get it now. It works. It really works. You’re a genius, Ayra.”

“There you guys are,” Jai said as he entered the room. “I thought I heard pretty music coming from somewhere.”

“We’re having a little listen of Ayra’s music for the movie.”

“Yes,” he said. “Sounds good... even from a distance... and even though I know little to nothing about music, I know what I like.”

Other crew members also entered the room.

“You finally have the music down?” one of them said.

“Play the part that you just played for me,” Keely said. “Listen to this part, guys.”

Everyone was silent as I once again played the part.

“There’s something so powerful and poignant about that one strained note,” Jai said.

Keely looked at him. “For someone who knows little about music, you certainly do capture the essence of it.”

“All the makings of a great arranger/composer,” another crew member said.

I felt the heat of a blush rush to my cheeks and suddenly my fingers were unsteady on the keys. But it wasn’t because of the praise of the crew members. I suddenly noticed the way Barnaby looked at me.

He’d come in as I’d played and now stood behind Keely, his eyes riveted to me. The gleam in his eye was unmistakable. He was surprised by my talent and impressed.

Barnaby... impressed... by me. Now, that was a first. Perhaps a first in a long line of opportunities to impress him.