Dreaming of Mr. Darcy Read Online Free PDF Page B

Jacobean manor house was the perfect answer to the great seat of the Elliots, and the nearby village of Ashbury was going to stand in for Uppercross, with the exterior of a fine Georgian house being used for the home of Charles and Mary Musgrove.
    It was always so much easier when filming could take place in as few locations as possible. It saved time and money and cut back on hassle. It was also particularly welcome for Adam, who was able to stay at his own home instead of booking into the hotel along with the cast and crew. He valued his privacy and preferred his own company once the working day was over.
    He thought again about the party. He’d done his best to make conversation with the assistant director, Les Brown, but nothing had come of it. Les had grunted and mumbled and then left to go to the Gents’.
    â€˜Take no notice of him!’ Beth Jenkins had said, sidling up to him in her slinky slashed dress. ‘He’s a total bore. You do know his nickname, don’t you? Les Miserable.’
    Adam laughed, and Beth took the opportunity to link an arm through his.
    She hadn’t been interested in him really, though. Adam noticed how she kept glancing back at the terrace, where Oli Wade Owen was standing.
    As Adam slowed down to take a bend by a church, he chuckled to himself. The only reason a beautiful actress would fling herself at him was in the hope of making another man jealous.
    Then there’d been Gemma. Sweet Gemma Reilly. At last Adam had met a woman who was as shy as he. He watched her hovering around the bar, stirring her drink, and watching the action from a distance. He’d spoken to her briefly before and had immediately warmed to her.
    â€˜All ready for the big day tomorrow?’ he asked as he approached her.
    â€˜As ready as I’ll ever be,’ she said.
    He looked at her pale face and the look of uncertainty in her eyes. ‘You nervous?’
    â€˜Yes!’ she said, the word leaping from her mouth. She looked surprised that she’d confessed such a thing.
    â€˜But you’re a great actress,’ Adam told her. ‘I’ve seen you in rehearsals, and you’re fabulous. I’m really excited about this production.’
    She looked up at him and smiled. ‘That’s really sweet of you.’
    â€˜I’m just being honest.’
    â€˜It’s just—’ she stopped.
    â€˜What?’ he asked.
    â€˜This is my first film, and I’m terrified of letting everyone down.’ Her eyes were wide and fearful.
    â€˜But you won’t,’ he said.
    She nodded. ‘I mean, what if I’m just not a very good actress?’
    Adam couldn’t believe what he was hearing. This was one insecure lady. There was only one thing for it—to lie. ‘But everyone feels like that on a film set.’
    â€˜They do?’ She didn’t look convinced.
    â€˜They certainly do. I was talking to Beth Jenkins before. She was shaking with nerves. I couldn’t believe it.’
    â€˜No way! Beth Jenkins is nervous?’
    Adam nodded, wondering where all this was coming from and if he could keep it up. He supposed it was just an extension of his storytelling abilities. ‘She said there hasn’t been a single film where she’s felt confident beforehand, but it’s those very nerves that drive a good performance.’
    Gemma nodded. ‘I was the same at stage school. Every performance gave me the shakes.’
    â€˜But I bet every performance was brilliant,’ Adam said.
    â€˜I’m not sure about that,’ she said with a little blush.
    â€˜You wouldn’t be standing here right now if anyone doubted your ability. A film’s too expensive a project to cast the wrong person,’ Adam said and then regretted it, as he saw her pale again. ‘Which is why you’ve nothing to worry about. Teresa was just telling me how wonderful you are. This production’s already in the can. It was,