Chapter 10 Keely #2
“I do apologize for the misunderstanding, Father. I believed you’d be in America a few weeks longer.”
He waved his son’s comment away. “Kenneth was to return and join me, but he never came back. I had no other choice than to come to see what was happening with him. I don’t need to tell you that... this! This is not what I expected!”
“I can tell you, Lord Barry,” Darling said through the crowd, but he seemed not to hear her. “Kenneth is doing much better. His fever is down and he’s resting peacefully.”
Lord Barry looked at the people in the room, at times with a grimace and occasionally, when his gaze fell upon an attractive actress, with a genuine smile.
Darling went up to him, her quiet demeanor sure to calm his ferocity. The older man turned to her, then looked her up and down and an avuncular smile took over his face.
“Darling. Is that really you? My dearest little girl. What a lovely woman you’ve become.”
“Thank you, Lord Barry. That’s very kind of you. I would very much like to introd...”
“You’re all grown up now,” he cut in. “I must admit, I didn’t expect you to become such a beauty. You were always a rather plain looking little girl. But look at you now.”
She blinked for a moment, no doubt caught off guard by the unnecessary comment about her youth. She then swallowed and smiled. “Thank you, Lord Barry. That’s very... very kind of you. But if you’ll allow me, I would just like to...”
The older man turned to his son. “Isn’t it wonderful how our little Darling has turned into a true lady. Just look at her.”
“Yes, indeed, Father.” Matthew smiled at Darling without truly looking at her.
“In fact,” Lord Barry went on. “Once these mongrels have cleared out of my home, we should throw a party in honor of our beloved Darling. Wouldn’t that be nice, dear. Right here in this ballroom, in fact.”
“Oh, Lord Barry,” Darling said with an obvious blush on her cheeks. “That really isn’t necessary.”
“Oh, absolutely it is. I wouldn’t dream of letting this opportunity pass us by. You’re a grown woman and you deserve... well, a coming out ball, as it were.”
“If I may sir,” Darling said more forcefully. “Matthew and I are in the midst of shooting a movie here at Barry Park. That is why all these people are here. This is the cast and crew of an upcoming Jane Austen screen adaptation.”
“A movie?”
“Yes, sir, indeed.”
“Jane Austen?”
“That’s right. You are a fan of her books, are you not?”
Sniffing the air with obvious pride, he hooked his thumbs into the belt loops of his trousers and looked around the ballroom. “Jane Austen, you say?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Pride and Prejudice?”
“Mansfield Park, sir.”
He grimaced slightly. “I would have preferred Sense and Sensibility. Or even Emma.”
“Those are all wonderful books, but they’ve already been done, sir.”
He shrugged. “I did always fancy this place worthy of appearing in a film of some kind.” He pursed his lips. “Jane Austen. Mansfield Park. Yes! I think that works.”
“This is a wonderful chance for you, sir. If this movie is like Keely’s previous productions, it will be a huge hit, and the world will see your magnificent home in all its glory.”
He beamed with a degree of pride that was almost disconcerting. I began to fear he might interfere with the production, wanting us to highlight this room, or not show that one.
With warm eyes and a kind smile, he turned to Darling. “You did always know what to say to sooth my ire, dear girl.” He took her tiny hand and sandwiched it between his massive ones. “I’m happy to see that that hasn’t changed.”
“I’m happy that you’re happy, sir. If I may, I would like to introduce you to the producer of this movie.”
I stood and met them halfway.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Lord Barry,” I said, my hand extended. “I’m Keely and it has been an honor working on this movie in your exquisite home.”
He released his hold of Darling and took my hand in his, giving it a solid shake. “And I am Lord Randolph Barry and if you are truly doing a Jane Austen movie here, the pleasure is all mine. Mi casa es su casa.”
“How very kind of you, sir,” I said.
“What portions of my estate are you using?” he said.
“Oh, virtually all of it, sir. The ballrooms, the drawing room, and the immensity of these gorgeous grounds. We have so many outdoor spots to choose from; the pond, the forest, the gardens.”
He beamed with pride.
Seeing Darling take a step back, I took the lead and went on to introduce Lord Barry to Hugh, Jai and Ayra as well as Abbie and Gabriel.
“These are all really great people, Father,” Matthew said as he gestured to everyone.
“I can see that, son. I can see that.”
“And did Keely tell you that her husband, Hugh, is a big time lawyer... from the Pembroke family.
Lord Barry’s eyes lit up as his brow rose. “A Pembroke. I’ve heard some mighty impressive things about some of the cases you’ve won... very impressive.”
“Thank you, sir,” Hugh said. “I do my best.”
“He has partnered with Donaldson Lee,” Matthew went on. “And they’ve built quite a law firm.”
“Who did you say?” Lord Barry said with a strange and unexpected change of tone.
“Donaldson Lee, a great lawyer in his own right.”
The older man’s nostrils flared, and his eyes bulged out. “Who!?”
“Donaldson Lee,” I said. “My father.”
“Your father!?” The light in his eyes grew dim and his cheeks red.
“Yes, sir.”
He glared at me, then shot a sharp and icy glance at Matthew.
“We need to talk,” he growled.
Stunned, I stood there watching the two men quickly leave the room. What had just happened? How had our warm exchange turned so suddenly into a cold exit?