Chapter 10
TEN
Wet and shivering, I leaned into Damen, relying on his strength as my mind cleared. I’d finally found the ability to breathe normally again and while I was still fuzzy on the details of what had happened, I knew I owed Damen my life.
“I would have died had you not shown up,” I muttered after a long moment.
“Shh,” he whispered. “Don’t think about that. You’re all right now and that’s all that matters.”
Clinging to him, I sniffed back the last of my tears and my heart finally resumed its natural beat.
“What luck that you were out here,” I said, pulling back to look at him. “This is so far from everything; from everyone.”
“Indeed.” He gripped my arms and stood up, stooping over me. “Think you can stand up?”
I nodded despite my uncertainty. With his help, I got to my feet and stumbled a bit. Still a little lightheaded, I leaned heavily into him.
“Steady now.” His hands were gentle yet firm as he held me.
I found my footing and he carefully let go.
“I think I’m okay now,” I said, smiling at him as a violent shiver shook me. “Thanks to you.”
“I wish I had a coat to offer you, but... alas,” he said. “Let’s hurry and get you back to the house. Perhaps you should see a doctor.”
I was unable to hurry, so we slowly made our way back. The sun was high and hot which helped to calm the shivers. Walking also helped to send much needed blood throughout my body, warming me more.
Every once in a while, the uneven ground left me leaning on him and I’d apologize, but for the most part I held my own.
“I went out to the pond to consider a scene I might be doing there,” he said. He looked at me with a playful grin. “I didn’t anticipate such a turn of events. You turned my quiet and contemplative afternoon into one of adventure and action.”
“Sorry about that. I assure you, it wasn’t my intention.”
“Oh, don’t apologize. It’ll be an amusing story I’ll tell my grandkids someday.”
I laughed, pleased to see I hadn’t ruined his day.
“I believe I’ve seen a few of your movies,” I said, eager to talk about something else. “You’re really very good.”
He smiled. “I try my best. Of course, I do have my share of critics. There’s always someone out there who just thinks that I’m a pretty boy with no talent.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” I said, upset that anyone would say such a thing.
“Well, I must admit that most of my roles have been the romantic lead. After this Jane Austen movie, I’m hoping to get a more serious role... something a little more dramatic.”
“I have no doubt you will.”
“What movie did you see me in?”
“Get Caught Up,” I said. “You know... where you’re tricked into thinking the girl is an art buyer for a big shot gallery...”
“And she’s really an art student who’s having trouble getting a passing grade.”
“That’s the one.”
We laughed and I absentmindedly leaned into him.
“I can’t wait to see you in this movie,” I said after a few silent steps. “Have you ever done a period movie before?”
“No. I admit I’m a little intimidated by the prospect. I have to speak more like a well-educated gentleman,” he said with a more pronounced accent.
“Oh!” I said with a laugh. “And you do it so well. You’ll be wonderful. I have no doubt.”
Moon Manor came into view, and I slowed my pace, unwilling to have the moment end. It was so nice, just the two of us, just chatting, just walking.
I suddenly realized that once back inside that house, I might never have the chance to be alone with him again.
“Would you mind if we stopped in the garden a moment?” I said, looking for any excuse to prolong my time with him. “I’m still all wet and I would really like to avoid the questioning glances I’m sure to get inside.”
“I understand.” He gestured to the one bench that wasn’t shaded by the tall trees. “There’s a bit of sun here. It’ll help get you dry in no time.”
With a slight shiver I sat down, relieved to see him quickly sit down beside me.
I chuckled softly. “I must tell you, you’ve charmed my mother like few men ever have. She really thinks you’re a very special man.”
He laughed. “I was instantly charmed by her. I think I’ve always had a soft spot for the vulnerable.
My own grandmother had such a gentle heart, was such a kind soul.
Not that your mother is as old as my grandmother was, but I always feel the need to make things easier for people who face adversity. ”
“So kind of you. My mother has been through a rough time lately. At times it makes her a little... well, unhappy... which can make her a little unpleasant. But she really is a wonderful woman.” I looked up at him, my heart jumping every time I looked into his eyes.
I wanted to melt into him. Should I tell him?
Would he think me silly? “She’s a wonderful mother,” I said instead.
“I’d already determined that,” he said. “I would have to assume that her daughter has the same qualities. Strong, resilient... kind.”
Huh? Did he just compliment me?
“She’s been a great influence on me,” I said, my heart pounding like crazy.
“Is she also the one who taught you to swim?”
With a giggle, I playfully slapped his arm. “Stop teasing,” I said through my laughter. “I told you. I do know how to swim. I simply panicked in that moment, that’s all.”
“If you insist. Perhaps one day we could go back to the pond and go for a swim.”
“With all those snakes and frogs and who knows what else? No thank you.”
“Well, in that case, perhaps we can find a pool somewhere.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I said as I twisted around to face him. “I’d much prefer to see you on solid ground.”
His eyes locked on mine. “Me, too. Solid ground suits me just fine.”
*****
FOR NEARLY AN HOUR, I’d sat before the mirror in my room, looking at my reflection and trying to see myself through his eyes.
Earlier when we finally entered Moon Manor, we’d parted ways. I was nearly dry and there was no one around to question my disheveled state.
“Go take a nice warm shower and I’m sure you’ll feel much better,” he’d said, his smile alone enough to warm me. “I know I’ll feel better after a good shower.”
Indeed, the hot shower had washed away what remained of the cold pond water on my skin. I’d felt so much better... except for the intense longing to see him again.
Now, tired of simply thinking about him, I headed down to the main floor to seek him out. I didn’t want to appear too obvious, so I meandered from room to room. I watched the workers for a while as they took one large room and split it into two smaller rooms.
I moved on to another room where three women were reading their lines with much animation.
Finally, I found myself in the piano room. I went to the piano, hit a few keys, but my heart wasn’t in the mood to play. I felt no music in me. My every thought was on Damen.
“Another chance to hear you play?”
Startled, I turned to see Major Cooper standing in the doorway.
“Major Cooper,” I said, eager to go find Damen. “No. Not tonight. I have other things to tend to. Very important things to do. I do apologize.”
Before he could say anything more, I hurried past him, and out to the garden.
“Holly?”
This time I knew it was the voice I longed to hear. I turned to him, once again enchanted by his very being.
“Damen,” I said, quickly closing the space between us. “I’ve spent the rest of this afternoon going over and over what I went through at the pond. And I went over and over your part in it. I truly wish to repay you. You must allow me to show you my gratitude.”
He smiled and looked up and down the length of me.
Wearing a long-sleeved red sweater and a flowing white cotton skirt, I felt pretty, elegant, and refreshed. The sweater showed off my figure, but the long skirt was demure, modest, yet feminine with enough sheerness to be a bit intriguing.
“I must admit, it’s nice to see you dry and looking so wonderful,” he said. “I was worried you may have a caught a cold or something, you were shivering like a leaf. I regret not giving you a coat or a blanket to warm you up or take you to see a doctor.”
“I assure you, there was no need for that. A nice hot shower and I’m as good as new... and wishing to show you my gratitude.”
“Oh. Yes. Yes. Your gratitude. Tell me, what do you have in mind?”
Oh, gee. I hadn’t thought that far. I couldn’t very well offer to prepare him dinner. Not only did Moon Manor take care of that, but I hardly knew how to cook. Truth be told, all I wanted was to spend more time with him; a chance to get to know him a little better.
He grabbed my hand. “How about a stroll through the garden? I think I could accept that as gratitude.”
I smiled, nodded, blushed. “That would be lovely.”
We walked slowly, our arms occasionally brushing up against one another.
“I’m to meet with a few of the actresses for a scene later. Word has it we’ll be shooting that one soon.”
“It must be so exciting. Mind if I watch?”
He clasped my hand in his and patted it with the other hand.
“I think I would like that very much. I could use a bit of support. Jane Austen isn’t really more forte, but all the actors who appeared in a Keely Lee Jane Austen film end up winning an award or getting better roles.
It’s a real step up for any actor’s career. ”
“Oh!” I squeezed his hand, such was my excitement. “Yes. I want to watch you, and cheer you on. I’m sure you’ll be great in this role. I want to see you become this character in this movie.”
“Willoughby is the name,” he said with a jaunty tilt of his head. “At your service, Madame.”
“Willoughby?” I remembered that name before. “I read Sense and Sensibility a while ago in school, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I’m a bit fuzzy at the moment with the names of each character. Must be my traumatic near-drowning experience earlier today,” I said blinking into his eyes.
He touched my forehead with the back of his hand and said, “Or you do have a bit of a temperature. Perhaps it’ll be better to get you back inside where it’s warmer.”
“Yes,” I said, letting him lead the way, my head floating like a cloud.