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. Heâd 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 Gentsâ.
âTake no notice of him!â Beth Jenkins had said, sidling up to him in her slinky slashed dress. âHeâs a total bore. You do know his nickname, donât you? Les Miserable.â
Adam laughed, and Beth took the opportunity to link an arm through his.
She hadnât 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 thereâd 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. Heâd spoken to her briefly before and had immediately warmed to her.
âAll ready for the big day tomorrow?â he asked as he approached her.
âAs ready as Iâll ever be,â she said.
He looked at her pale face and the look of uncertainty in her eyes. âYou nervous?â
âYes!â she said, the word leaping from her mouth. She looked surprised that sheâd confessed such a thing.
âBut youâre a great actress,â Adam told her. âIâve seen you in rehearsals, and youâre fabulous. Iâm really excited about this production.â
She looked up at him and smiled. âThatâs really sweet of you.â
âIâm just being honest.â
âItâs justââ she stopped.
âWhat?â he asked.
âThis is my first film, and Iâm terrified of letting everyone down.â Her eyes were wide and fearful.
âBut you wonât,â he said.
She nodded. âI mean, what if Iâm just not a very good actress?â
Adam couldnât believe what he was hearing. This was one insecure lady. There was only one thing for itâto lie. âBut everyone feels like that on a film set.â
âThey do?â She didnât look convinced.
âThey certainly do. I was talking to Beth Jenkins before. She was shaking with nerves. I couldnât believe it.â
âNo way! Beth Jenkins is nervous?â
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. âShe said there hasnât been a single film where sheâs felt confident beforehand, but itâs those very nerves that drive a good performance.â
Gemma nodded. âI was the same at stage school. Every performance gave me the shakes.â
âBut I bet every performance was brilliant,â Adam said.
âIâm not sure about that,â she said with a little blush.
âYou wouldnât be standing here right now if anyone doubted your ability. A filmâs too expensive a project to cast the wrong person,â Adam said and then regretted it, as he saw her pale again. âWhich is why youâve nothing to worry about. Teresa was just telling me how wonderful you are. This productionâs already in the can. It was,