Chapter 11 Darling
ELEVEN
Darling
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IT WAS HARD TO UNDERSTAND and difficult to accept how Lord Barry’s sudden arrival at Barry Park affected me. I was a twelve-year-old, gawky little girl all over again. I was the outsider sent to live with a wealthy family friend. I may as well have been an uneducated and ill- mannered waif.
I stood there, frozen and unsure as I watched Matthew and Lord Barry leave the ballroom. I hesitated. I knew they would have so much to say to one another, but a part of me wanted to participate in that conversation.
After a heartbeat, more of a hesitation, I followed them out and down the hall. But their conversation was barely one at all. Lord Barry shouted out his order that the whole production vacate the property by morning.
“Father, you're being unreasonable.”
“And as lord and master of this dwelling, it is my prerogative to be so.”
“But, so many people are relying on, on... this is their...” Matthew stammered as he tried to reason with his father.
“I won’t be changing my mind, son. Not tonight, not tomorrow nor the day after that.” And with that he turned and left Matthew standing alone in the hall.
“Matt?” I said softly as I came up to him.
Red-faced, he turned to me. “He’s being completely unreasonable. There is no true reason for him to throw everyone out. I have no doubt fatigue from his trip is partially to blame.”
I took him by the hand and led him to the library, shutting the door behind us.
“He’s behaving like a tyrant,” Matthew said, his balled-up fists pounding the air.
“We can’t let our emotions get the better of us,” I said, fighting to control my own roller coaster of emotions.
“He’s infuriating,” he said as he paced in front of the fireplace. He stopped suddenly and looked at me. “And what’s his problem with Keely’s father? What’s the deal there? Did you see how he changed mood so suddenly.”
I nodded. Indeed, it had been impossible to miss.
“What was that?”
“I have no idea,” I said. “Whatever it is, it’s enough to make him forego his chance of seeing Barry Park up on the big screen.”
Matt stopped pacing and threw himself into one of the four wingback chairs set up in front of the grand fireplace.
His fingers dug into the upholstery of the chair’s arms. “I don’t want to sound selfish, but this was going to be my big break.
This movie is sure to make or break me. If this fails. ..”
“I know what you mean. This movie is a big deal for me as well.”
“Of course, I’m aware that hundreds of people are relying on this production for their next paycheck. It’s not only me and you.”
I nodded. “Indeed.”
I daintily sat on the edge of the chair beside him, resisting the urge to reach out and set my hand over his. “I can understand that your father is upset at seeing his house filled with strangers. This is perhaps his way of telling you that he should have been advised despite his absence.”
Matthew shrugged. “I guess.”
“You know how your father likes to be in control of every situation.”
“To say the least.”
“On the other hand, he clearly has a desire to show his magnificent home to the world. Despite his frustration, his ego was very much flattered by that prospect.”
“He has, indeed, always been excessively proud of Barry Park. It was once rumored that Barry Park would get a spread in Architectural Digest, but that never materialized. He was devastated. So now, to have his home prominent in a Jane Austen adaptation; it doesn’t get much better than that.”
“So then, why the sudden turn around?” I said.
“I have no idea.”
“Well, we’d better find out and we’d better find a way to appease him and keep this production here at Barry Park.”
I stared into the fireplace. No fire burned, but two small dry logs were set over a nest of kindling, ready to warm the room for whomever may need it.
Matthew leaned back with an exasperated huff. “This is my big chance. Damn it. Does he not realize how much this means to me?”
I nodded, wanting to stop the circular dialogue, but sensing his need to vent.
“If your father insists on closing down production, we’re doomed. Moon Manor isn’t ready yet, at least, not enough to accommodate us all again.”
“I was just starting to feel comfortable with everyone. I’ve had interesting conversations with Hugh and just yesterday I had lunch with Jai and Gabriel. We have so much in common and it’s so easy hanging out with them.”
“Same here... with the women. I absolutely revere Keely, and I love Abbie, and Ayra is such a sweetheart. Beyond these strong and important women, I adore the entire cast, I enjoy my time in the chair chatting with Greta and Valerie who do my hair and makeup. Brenda in wardrobe is a little harsh and very methodical, but she’s such a darling underneath it all.
They’ve all become family... like sisters. ”
He looked at me and smiled. “It’s good to see you so fulfilled, Darling. Despite always being reserved and hidden in the shadows, you’ve always had an artistic flair, and I’ve often wondered where that flair would lead you. This movie... this role is so you.”
I pressed a tense smile, fearful this may be the end of the line for my artistic flair. When would a chance like this come again?
“How can we convince your father to allow us to continue?” I said.
“You said Kenneth was doing much better.”
I nodded. “He is.”
“Good enough to return to California... and bring my father with him?”
I laughed. “I don’t really think he’s that well. I mean, he hasn’t even come down for dinner yet, never mind flying back to America.”
He shrugged and sighed. “You know, I’ve grown quite fond of having this big, old place all to myself... and the cast and crew, of course.”
“Of course,” I echoed with a grin.
He chuckled but said nothing.
“We need to tap into your father’s ego,” I said. “Perhaps one of the prop guys could make a mockup poster centered around Barry Park.”
“Maybe.”
“You mentioned fatigue. Perhaps after a good night’s sleep he’ll reconsider, and we won’t have to fuss at all.”
“That’s wishful thinking if ever I saw it.”
“Okay, what if we set up a meeting... you know, fine cigars and aged whiskey... between your father and Hugh. Then, they could talk it out.”
“I doubt that would work.”
The door to the library creaked open.
“Who enters?” Matt called out.
No response.
Matt grasped the armrests of the chair and prepared to rise. “Who is there?”
He stood when no answer came. “Who...?”
“Don’t get your boxer briefs all in a bunch. It’s just me, little brother.”
I turned to see Britney peeking around one of the many columns in the library.
“What are you doing here, Brit?” Matt said. “We’re not seven years old anymore. Isn’t time you grew up?”
“Oh, stop being such a fuddy-duddy. You would love to be seven years old again.” She glanced at me with that same grin of disdain I knew so well. “Wouldn’t you, Dar-r-ling?”
As a child, I’d quickly learned to hate, positively loath the way she would say my name, and that hatred had not diminished one bit.
She swaggered closer, bright and bubbly in her pink and yellow jumper. “I hear that Father isn’t too happy with you and your band of friends, dear little brother.”
“He’s just a bit confused with everything that’s going on. He arrived unexpectedly, is fatigued and no doubt concerned with Kenneth’s condition.”
“Right. Confused,” Britney said with complete lack of conviction. “Fatigued.”
“Darling and I are going to find a way to convince him to allow us all to stay. This production is too important.”
“Does Father know that these friends of yours have been altering a good number of rooms here at Barry Park? Just yesterday I passed the gray room and was shocked to see it now in seafoam green. Positively shocked, I tell you.”
Matt rolled his eyes. “You’ve never concerned yourself with anything here, Britney. Why start now?”
She ignored his question. “And, once in demure and serene hues, the front drawing room is now an ugly dusty rose color and with a distasteful wallpaper that I wouldn’t want to see in a garage toilette.”
“You exaggerate slightly, don’t you think?”
“I don’t know,” she said with a haughty air. “Why don’t we ask Father what he thinks about these changes? You know how he likes to have a say in these matters.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Matthew shot out.
“You really are so adorable when you put on full display your na?ve and childish outlook on the world. You should know me better by now, little brother. I would not hesitate to tell Lord Barry all of the horrible things you and your friends have done here... his beloved home...” She sniffed back nonexistent tears. “... barely recognizable.”
Before I could consider the consequences of my actions, I stood and went to her. “What possible benefit could you derive from such a spiteful act? Your only motivation is to hurt Matthew.”
She smiled, that ugly and knowing smile that seemed eternally reserved for me. “Benefit?” she said, twirling a lock of her hair. “From telling Lord Barry what I know, I would benefit only in the satisfaction of putting you all in your place. However...”
She let the word linger.
“Come on, Britney. Don’t keep us waiting all night.”
“However,” she began again. “Perhaps there is a way I could benefit from not telling Lord Barry.”
Matthew and I looked at one another then back at her.
“What?” we both said.
“I want the benefit of a part in your movie. That would really be a nice trade off, don’t you think.”
“Come again,” Matthew said with a disbelieving shake of his head.
“You heard me. Get me a part in this movie and I will convince dear old dad to let us stay on. You know how he can’t refuse me anything. Otherwise, I tell him how disgusting you’ve all been and insist that he, indeed, kick you all out. Perhaps even charge the production for damages accrued.”
“Britney,” I said. “Giving you a part is not up to us. We have no say in the casting. That’s Keely and Ayra.”
“Exactly,” she said. “Didn’t I just hear you say that they’ve become like your family? Like sisters?”
Her grimace on the word ‘sisters’ said so much.
“Well, yes, but that doesn’t mean that I have any influence over their decisions.”
She shrugged. “That’s not my problem. Figure it out. Get me a part, or I shut the whole show down.”
“You’re being unreasonable,” Matt said.
“Find a way,” she said simply.
Resigned, I looked at Matthew. “I’ll go talk to Keely.”
Grabbing my hand, he stopped me. “She’s my sister, my responsibility. I’ll go talk to Keely.”
I glared at Britney as I passed by her. “I’ll go with you,” I told Matthew.
Once in the hall, I rushed to keep up with his quick steps. “What are you going to say?”
“I have no idea. My sister is a selfish child who only thinks of herself? My sister, who has absolutely no acting experience, would like to appear in your movie? My sister is going to ruin everything if you don’t give in to her demands?”
“So, in other words, Britney is going to ruin this movie one way or the other; either shut it all down or put on such a poor performance that the critics will have a field day.”
We continued in silence and finally found Keely seated in the front drawing room with her husband, Hugh.
I knocked lightly on the wall just outside the doorway. “I apologize for interrupting, but...”
Keely waved us in. “That’s all right. Come in. We were just discussing our unfortunate encounter with Lord Barry.”
“Quite a character,” Hugh said.
Matthew chuckled. “I guess you could say that.”
“Any hopes of convincing him to allow our production to continue here?”
“I have no doubt that I could convince him to have his home on display in a big movie production, but we do have a bit of a hurdle to deal with.”
“What do you mean, hurdle?”
“Britney,” I blurted out.
“You sister?” Keely stood as she frowned and looked to Matthew. “What does she have to do with this?”
Matthew and I looked at each other then back at Keely to both say, “She wants a part in your movie.”
“Hmm.” Her pensive and concerned expression didn’t hold much promise. “Has she any experience?”
Matthew shook his head. “Not even a play in primary school.”
“I see.” She glanced at Hugh who shrugged.
“It need only be a small part,” I said.
She smiled and her eyes lit up. “Yes. Indeed. I think your timing might just be fitting.”
Surprised, Matt and I exchanged hopeful glances.
“Are you saying that you might have a role for her?”
“Indeed, I think I might. You see, Sonia Martin had to pull out of the production. She’s been hinting at her departure for a while, and I think she feared being blackballed if she simply quit. But your sister may very well give her a way out.”
“Remind me again, what role did Sonia Martin have,” Matthew said.
Keely smiled and put a hand to his shoulder. “Your eldest sister, Edmund.”
He laughed at his own ignorance. “Sorry. Yes. I’d forgotten.”
“It could be quite interesting to have your own sister playing, well, your sister. I think it may add more believability, and there is that slight resemblance... in the brow... the eyes.”
I failed to see the resemblance but didn’t argue. If Britney got the part and the production could go on, our work here was done.
“Well, then,” Matt said. “It’s settled?”
Keely nodded. “It’s settled.”
“Good. Good. We won’t bother you any longer.”
We walked out of the room, and I turned to him, seeing the same perplexed look on his face that I was certain was on mine.
“Quite a coincidence, isn’t it?” he said.
“Indeed. Very curious timing, indeed.”
I didn’t want to overthink the situation. I didn’t want to consider what could have caused Sonia to leave her role.
The important thing was that Britney had a role in this production, and the show could go on.