Meet Me in Virginia (Far & Away #1)
Chapter 1
Chapter One
Williamsburg, Virginia
Three months ago, Alice Chadwick had been in love, on the cusp of tenure as a history professor, and had embarked on a dazzling adventure in London.
Everyone at the College of William they were on a crusade to tame the harshness of society and soften its sharp edges.
When a British film company embarked on a big-budget adaptation of Emma, one of Jane Austen’s most celebrated novels, they hired Alice to be the historical consultant on the film.
The choice of an American for such a plum appointment had been controversial from the outset.
Foolishly, Alice had believed that the high-profile accomplishment would strengthen her case for tenure at William & Mary.
“As I said, I’m not really allowed to talk about anything related to the film.”
Kingsley’s patrician face softened in concern and he lowered his voice. “Those old dinosaurs in your department aren’t going to give you any pushback, are they? A high-profile movie seems more influential than the dry academic articles they obsess over.”
Mrs. Wieland, the nosy widow from next door who was completely ignorant of the political infighting around academic tenure, approached holding a platter. “Crab cakes with mango salsa,” she proudly announced.
“They look delicious,” Alice said, eager to discuss anything other than her fading hope of tenure.
“I made them myself, but I used your recipe,” Mrs. Wieland said. “It took me three tries, but I think they’re as good as the ones you make.”
Alice gamely sampled a crab cake. “They’re better than the ones I make,” she said, causing Mrs. Wieland to beam with pride. It looked like Kingsley wanted to keep talking business, and Alice scrambled for an excuse to disengage.
“I should be helping Daisy with the drinks,” she said with a quick squeeze on Kingsley’s arm before heading to the kitchen.
She loved this tiny kitchen with its view over the herb garden and overhead rack of dangling copper pans. A butcher-block counter provided plenty of room to cook while demarcating the kitchen from the living area. Daisy was adding sprigs of mint to glasses of iced tea.
“Thank you for all this, but you shouldn’t have,” Alice said.
“Of course I should have!” Daisy said with a toss of her sleek blond hair. “So tell me … what was it like working with Sebastian Bell?”
“I can’t talk about—”
“I heard about the nondisclosure agreement, but come on. You can tell me.”
Sebastian Bell was the reigning heartthrob of British historical movies, and naturally the person everyone would want to know about. He was also at the top of the list of things Alice had been forbidden to discuss in the nondisclosure agreements.
Alice tried to sound at ease as she reached for trays of ice from the freezer. “I promised not to discuss anything on the set.”
Daisy rolled her eyes but moved on. “I’m sorry Kyle couldn’t come. He’s over at the country club working with Jack on the golf course.”