PROLOGUE #2
I shrugged. “You’re right. She’s almost finished. Just a few touches here and there.”
What they didn’t know was that Darling Douglas, the young woman I’d hired to write the screenplay, was also perfect for the part of Fanny Price.
She was precisely what I envisioned Fanny to be; pretty, unpretentious, quiet, reserved.
.. tortured even. As part of the Shakespeare Upon Avon’s training program, she held much promise, and I had little doubt she’d be able to carry the movie.
“What do you say?” Susan said, breaking into my revery. “I’ve been working with Abbie on various costumes these past weeks.”
I offered her a shy and uncertain smile. “I don’t know. What do you think?”
“I’m in,” she quickly responded.
“So am I,” Holly added. “My voice is in top form, and Ayra and I’ve already begun to look at various musical options.”
“Count me in, too,” Penny said.
“My calendar is open,” Cliff said. “That is, if you still want me as your cinematographer.”
I grinned at him. He knew darn well that I wanted him. He was an Oscar winner after all.
“I haven’t had the chance to tell you yet,” Penny said, “but Cliff taught me a whole lot about lighting when I helped him with his documentary on Bath. Not that I want to take your regular guy’s job, but if you need a helping hand...”
“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” I looked at them all, then glanced back at Hugh, smiling as he gazed at me.
“Of course, I’ll still be able to tend to the accounting,” Penny added.
“And you know that I’ll continue to work to turn Moon Manor into Mansfield Park,” Jai said. “Anything you need, props, repairs, a drive into town, anything... you just let me know. And of course, I’ll take care of the catering.”
“You all are just so impossible,” I said. “How did I ever get so lucky as to have a gang of friends like you to rely on?” I ran my hand over my small but very important belly. “My child will be so blessed to have such an extended family. So many wonderful aunts and uncles.”
Hugh wrapped his arms around me, his hands landing on my belly. “I can’t begin to tell you what this means to us. Keely has been fretting about this for weeks.”
“Well,” I argued. “I wasn’t exactly fretting... but, you know.”
Everyone laughed.
“Yes,” Ayra said with a teasing wink. “We know. The invincible and all-powerful Keely never frets.”
“Well, now that that’s settled,” I said as I sat back down, and Hugh returned to his seat. “Let’s enjoy this very festive and very delicious feast.”
A huge roasted turkey was brought in as well as a goose, creamy mashed potatoes, plenty of veggies, cranberry sauce and, of course, a very tasty gravy.
“So,” Holly said. “Tell us about the cast.”
“Are there any actors we know?” Penny said between bites of turkey.
“If you mean any major names, no. Not really. I don’t think you’ll know many of the actors.”
“Who’s the biggest, most well-known name?” Holly said with anticipatory excitement.
“Well, let me see now.” I quickly went through the cast. “Oh, that’s right. She may not be a super big star, but she did just finish her big action movie, and you all know her; Susie Sweet.”
“Oh, Susie! Wasn’t she in Emma? What role did she play?” Abbie said.
“Emma, I believe,” Ayra said.
“That’s right. And I do think she did a wonderful job,” I said. “Even as an American actress, she finally got the British accent down right for her role as Emma.”
Hugh laughed, “After a lot of tutoring, though.”
I smiled at him, remembering how he stepped up to help save the film Emma that I was directing.
“What role will she have?” Holly said.
“Mary,” I said. “Mary Crawford.”
“Perfect,” Ayra said. “She is indeed perfect for that part.”
“And,” I went on. “Her brother will be played by her superhero action movie co-star.”
Holly gasped. “You mean, Mr. Maximum Overdrive himself?”
I nodded.
Penny and Susan also gasped.
“You got Ricky Stone to sign on to this movie?” Susan said. “What a coup.”
I was pleased with their reaction. I’d feared they’d doubt his capabilities after being in an action movie. After all, Jane Austen was about as far from a superhero action movie as you could get.
“And you still haven’t told us who’ll be playing Fanny,” Holly whined.
“Nor have you said who Edmund would be played by,” Penny said.
“Okay,” I said with a grin. “I’ll come clean.” I paused for effect. “Darling Douglas with take on the role of Fanny Price.”
“The screenwriter?” Ayra said with a skeptical gaze.
I nodded. “That’s the one. And, as for Edmund, I’m considering a young unknown who shows promise. Then again, I have also been looking at a slightly older more seasoned and versatile actor. It’s a toss-up at this point. Hopefully, I’ll come to a decision before my head hits the pillow tonight.”
“I’m really impressed, Keely,” Cliff said. “Susie Sweet and Ricky Stone... I think you have a winning combo right there. If you manage to get someone as impressive to play Fanny and Edmund, it’s almost a guaranteed success.”
“I agree,” Holly said.
The others all nodded.
The dinner dishes were cleared, as was the turkey and fixings. As dessert was brought in, Meg came to whisper in my ear.
“You have an unexpected guest, Miss Keely.”
I smiled and nodded. “Please show her in.”
She left and moments later Darling Douglas entered the room.
“Well, I’ll be,” Ayra muttered. “If it’s not Fanny Price herself.”
I stood to greet her then turned to my guests. “Members of the Jane Austen Association...” I nodded at the men, “and their respective spouses, allow me to introduce Miss Darling Douglas... or, as Ayra so aptly put it, Miss Fanny Price.”
“Good evening,” Darling said, her voice fragile and soft. “I do apologize for interrupting your meal.”
“No need to apologize,” I said quickly pointing to the additional chair Meg had brought to the table. “Everyone is thrilled to meet our principle actress. Your very presence is an inspiration.”
“Indeed,” Ayra said.
As the women of the Jane Austen Association greeted and began chatting with Darling, Meg once again came to announce another surprise guest.
I frowned and shook my head. “I’m not expecting anyone else,” I said.
“The gentleman claims to have been invited by one of your guests.”
I discreetly looked at the guests around the table and caught Gabriel’s questioning gaze.
I cocked my head slightly to the side, silently asking him if he knew about this.
Gabriel was our pastor but also Abbie’s husband who helped provided his family estate Tillsbury for the film location of my other Jane Austen films, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion in Bath.
He instantly understood and nodded.
Trusting him, I told Meg to let the surprise guest in.
Gabriel stood and came around the table in anticipation of the new guest’s arrival.
“I know we’re all excited to have Miss Darling to play the part of Fanny Price,” Gabriel said.
“I have to confess, Hugh did ask me if I knew someone who could play one of the characters in Mansfield Park about a month ago. Well, here’s my suggestion.
I would like to introduce to you my personal pick for the part of Edmund. ”
The young man walked in. Tall, with a lean athletic build, he had a warm smile and deep brown eyes. A tousle of blond curls gave him an angelic look. Handsome and kind-looking, he did looked the part.
Gabriel put his arm around the young man’s shoulder. “I met this young man years ago at seminary school and I’ve had the privilege of seeing him in a number of in-house plays over the years.” He grinned as he looked at me. “Abbie and I convinced him to read a few lines for us.”
“I see,” I said with a nod.
“He’s not a pro,” he went on, clearly trying to sell me on the young man’s abilities. “But he has heart and, like I said, he is Edmund. He’s even a clergy in training, just as Edmund is.”
“And the young man’s name?” Hugh asked.
“Matt,” Gabriel said with pride. “Matt Barry.”
At the sound of his name, Darling pulled away from her quiet conversation with Penny. “Did you say Matt Barry?”
“Indeed, I did.”
She rose to face the young man. “Matt?”
“Darling?”
Gabriel looked from one to the other, as we all did.
“Matthew Barry?” Darling said, still in disbelief.
“Looks like you two know one another,” Gabriel said.
“Matt is a very good friend of mine,” Darling said. “We’ve known each other for years. I spent many years at Matt’s family estate, Barry Park.”
“It’s good to see you, Darling,” Matt said. “It’s been a while.”
“I cannot believe it,” she said, approaching him. “Am I to understand that you will be the Edmund to my Fanny?”
Matt looked at me. “If you’ll have me, it would be my pleasure.”
I gulped. Matt was perfect as Edmund, and Darling was perfect as Fanny.
Looking around the room, the entire group thought so, too.
The chemistry was definitely there. “I trust Gabriel and Abbie’s judgement.
And just from looking at you together these few moments, listening to you, seeing you with Darling.
.. I can honestly say, it was meant to be. ”