Happy Birthday, Mr Darcy (4 page)

‘Katherine!’ Mia cried, instantly by her side.

A great sob left Katherine.

‘Oh, my goodness!’ Shelley said, leading Katherine towards an old wooden chair, pushing off the scraps of material which were strewn across it.

Katherine sat down and the crying continued for a few moments with Shelley and Mia exchanging anxious looks.

‘Is it the dress?’ Shelley said. ‘Is there something you don’t like?’

Katherine shook her head. ‘I love the dress,’ she said.

‘Are you not feeling well?’ Mia said. ‘Can I get you a cup of tea? From next door – not from here – that would only make you feel worse.’

Shelley nudged Mia in the ribs.

Katherine shook her head again. ‘No thank you,’ she said, giving a loud sniff. ‘Oh, goodness! What is wrong with me? I
never
cry. Well, apart from when my cat Freddie cut his paw on a broken bottle, and that moment in the
Sense and Sensibility
adaptation when Marianne thanks Colonel Brandon when he’s about to leave her room.’

‘Oh, well,’ Shelley said, ‘we
all
cry at that!’

‘I just feel so emotional,’ she said. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me.’

‘Brides-to-be are
meant
to be emotional,’ Mia said, kneeling down beside her. ‘It would be odd if you weren’t.’

‘Really?’ Katherine asked, mopping her eyes with a tissue which Shelley had handed to her and taking a deep breath.

‘Truly,’ Mia said.

‘I feel so silly,’ she said.

‘You’re not silly,’ Shelley said. ‘You probably just need a good night’s sleep.’

They were quiet for a moment with just the occasional sniff from Katherine and the gentle thump of Bingley’s nose against Shelley’s bedroom door as he tried to get out.

‘You’re not having second thoughts, are you?’ Mia asked gently, taking hold of Katherine’s shaking hand.

Katherine shook her head and pushed a dark wave of hair out of her face.

‘No, of course not.’

‘Then it’s probably just nerves,’ Mia said. ‘Like when I was about to have Will. I wanted him – of course I did – but it didn’t stop the nerves about going into labour and-’

‘
Please!
’ Shelley said. ‘No Technicolor details – we get the idea!’

‘Yes, nerves,’ Katherine said, nodding as if in agreement.

‘And nerves are good,’ Mia said. ‘For an actor, nerves mean a great performance because you care about the job you’re doing. You want to do well. Maybe it’s the same for you – you’re nervous because you care – because the day is important to you.’

Katherine looked up and smiled at Mia. ‘Maybe you’re right.’

‘Trust me – it’s nothing more than that.’

‘Here,’ Shelley said, ‘let’s get you out of the dress.’

‘Yes,’ Katherine said. ‘I wouldn’t want to stain it with my tears.’

A few minutes later, Katherine was back in her navy and white polka dot dress and her tear-stained face had just about returned to normal.

‘Okay now?’ Mia asked and Katherine nodded. ‘How’s about coming next door for a real cup of tea?’

Gabe was sketching in a notebook when Katherine walked in but quickly put it down and stood up to greet her.

‘Great to meet you at last,’ he said, shaking her hand.

‘And you too,’ she said, instantly recognising what Mia had seen in him. He was tall with strawberry-blond hair and a kind, open face and Katherine liked him instantly.

‘And congratulations on the upcoming wedding,’ he said.

‘Thank you.’

‘I’ll make the tea,’ Mia said, disappearing into the kitchen.

‘So,’ Katherine said, ‘you’re really into Jane Austen?’

‘I really am,’ Gabe said. ‘Mia made me read all the novels and I’m just working my way through the letters now. They’re wonderful.’

Katherine’s eyes sparkled with pleasure. A man who adored Jane Austen was a rare creature indeed.

‘And, of course, I’ve read your book,’ he said.

Katherine beamed with pleasure.

‘Which I’m hoping you’ll sign for me.’

‘I’d be delighted.’

Gabe reached across to the coffee table on which sat a pristine copy of
The Art of Jane Austen
and Katherine took a pen from her handbag – the fountain pen on which was engraved
‘So much in love’
– and signed Gabe’s book.

‘And this is Mia’s son?’ Katherine said, noticing a photo frame on one of the bookcases.

‘That’s our Will,’ Gabe said, smiling proudly.

Katherine smiled too. ‘He’s adorable,’ she said, taking in the rosy red cheeks and a head full of dark curls just like his mother.

Mia entered the room with the tea. ‘So, you’ve spied our little angel, have you?’

‘Mia, he’s absolutely gorgeous!’ Katherine said.

‘And he’ll have a little cousin before too long,’ Mia said.

‘Yes, how’s Sarah?’ Katherine asked, remembering Mia’s older sister.

‘Getting larger by the minute,’ Mia said. ‘Honestly, she looks as if she’s about to explode.’

‘Darling, it’s not really surprising. She is due in a couple of weeks,’ Gabe said.

‘Yes, but I was nowhere
near
as big as she is!’

‘I’m sure you were absolutely the right size,’ Gabe said, kissing the top of her head.

‘And are you and Warwick planning children or is that something I shouldn’t ask?’ Mia said.

‘Mia!’ Gabe cried. ‘Give them a chance. They haven’t even walked up the aisle yet.’

‘Oh, Gabe! You’re
so
old-fashioned. Life isn’t all perfect and all in the correct order like a Jane Austen novel.’

‘But Austen novel’s
aren’t
perfect. Think of Willoughby and Colonel Brandon’s ward, and what might have happened to Georgiana Darcy if wicked Wickham had had his way.’

Mia laughed. ‘Don’t you just
love
a man who knows his Austen?’ she said, placing her arms around his waist and giving him a squeeze.

Katherine smiled and her gaze returned to the photograph of young Will and she couldn’t help wondering if that’s what the future held for her. She’d never thought that she was the kind to marry and have a family; her work had been her life up until this moment. Yet, here she was planning a wedding to the man she loved and who knew where that would lead her?

Chapter 6

Dan Harcourt had returned from a morning ride with Perseus and was just cleaning out the stables when a tall redhead entered the yard.

‘Helloooo,’ she cooed, peering into the dark depths of each stable in turn until she found Dan.

He stepped out into the sunshine, his red-gold hair catching the light. His skin was richly tanned and the checked sleeves of his shirt had been rolled up to reveal tanned arms that were now covered with a fine layer of dust.

‘Good morning,’ he said, looking at the stranger. She was wearing a pair of skin-tight navy jodhpurs and a white blouse that was open at the neck to reveal a very deep cleavage.

‘I’m Carmel Hudson,’ she said, extending a perfectly manicured hand. Dan shook it, surprised at the strength of her grip. ‘You’re going to be giving riding lessons, I understand,’ she said.

‘That’s right,’ Dan said with a smile. ‘I’m hoping to take a few pupils from next month.’

‘Good,’ she said, ‘because my little Charlotte wants some lessons. We’ve just bought her her first pony but I’m not the best teacher, I’m afraid.’

‘How old is she?’

‘Eight and very headstrong. Like her mother,’ Carmel said with a little laugh that sounded like breaking glass. ‘I’m afraid you won’t find her an easy pupil. I’m
much
easier.’

Dan’s eyes widened a fraction and he cleared his throat.

‘And
I’d
like to book lessons too,’ she added, looking him up and down.

‘I’m not sure I could teach you anything, Mrs Hudson,’ he said politely. ‘I hear you’re quite a horsewoman.’

‘Please, call me Carmel,’ she said, ‘and I’m sure you could teach me an
awful
lot and I promise to be the best pupil ever.’ She flashed him a coy smile.

‘Well, we could book a preliminary lesson and see how we go from there,’ he said. ‘Why don’t you give me a call in a couple of weeks? We’re still setting things up here and we’ll be more organised by then.’

‘I’ll do that,’ she said, holding his gaze.

‘Was there anything else, Mrs Hudson?’

‘
Carmel!
’ she said, her voice breathy with frustration. Dan nodded. ‘And, yes, there was something else. We’re at Hunter’s Lodge – the converted barn on the road to Bewley Green. You know it?’

‘I’ve ridden by a few times,’ Dan said.

‘Yes, I’ve seen you,’ she said.

Dan swallowed hard.

‘You’ll have to come round for dinner some time,’ she continued. ‘My husband’s away a lot and I get a bit ... bored. It’ll be nice to have someone to talk to. About horses. I think we have a lot in common.’

‘I’m afraid my evenings are rather busy with this place and my family, Mrs Hud-’

‘
Carmel!
’

‘Carmel,’ he said. ‘But I look forward to our first lesson.’

‘Right,’ she said, appraising him through half-closed eyes.

‘So, give us a call, okay?’ Dan said with a nod as he turned to disappear into one of the stables.

Carmel stood for a moment or two as if stunned that he’d dismissed her thus and then strode out of the yard just as Robyn was entering it. Robyn watched in wide-eyed wonder as the red-head sashayed down the driveway.

‘Dan?’ she called, finding the stable he was mucking out.

‘Hello,’ he said. ‘Where’s Cassie?’

‘Pammy’s  taken her down to the village hall for the coffee morning. ‘She likes to show her off,’ Robyn said. ‘Who on
earth
was that woman?’

‘Carmel Hudson,’ Dan said, resting his weight against a broom for a moment. ‘She wants lessons for her daughter. Charlotte.’

Robyn did a double-take. ‘Oh, Dan!’

‘What?’

‘I’ve heard
dreadful
things about that child.’

‘What dreadful things?’

‘I was talking to Amy in the village. Her son started at the primary school this year and that girl made his life a misery. She’s a dreadful bully!’

Dan laughed. ‘Do I look as if I can’t handle an eight-year old girl?’

‘It’s not just the girl I’m worried about,’ Robyn said. ‘What about her mother?’

‘What about her?’

‘Carmel Hudson is a
terrible
flirt.’

‘How do you know?’ he asked.

‘How do I know? The whole village knows!’

‘But you’ve never even met her,’ Dan pointed out.

‘I don’t need to. Amy told me-’

Dan shook his head. ‘You shouldn’t listen to village gossip.’

‘So, she
wasn’t
flirting with you, then?’ Robyn asked.

‘I don’t know,’ Dan said, ‘but I can assure you,
I
wasn’t flirting with
her.
’ He placed his dusty, tanned arms around Robyn’s slim waist and kissed her on the tip of her nose. ‘Carmel wants riding lessons too.’

‘
She
wants lessons?’ Robyn cried. ‘But she’s the best horsewoman in the whole of Hampshire! Or so I’ve heard,’ she said with a little blush.

‘We can all improve our technique,’ Dan said.

‘I don’t think it’s her riding technique she’s interested in improving,’ Robyn said.

Dan grinned and then slowly wiped one of his thumbs across Robyn’s forehead.

‘What are you doing?’ she asked.

‘Trying to iron out the frown that’s sitting there.’

‘Well,
you
put it there, Mr Harcourt!’

He looked into her eyes and shook his head. ‘You’re not jealous, are you?’

Robyn pouted. ‘I just think you sometimes forget that you’re a very handsome man and that women find you attractive.’

‘I’m also a very happily married one,’ he said and Robyn could protest no further because he kissed her.

Chapter 7

It was Thursday afternoon when Lily Lawton’s silver Audi pulled up at The Old Vicarage in a skidding halt which Warwick heard from his study. He put his fountain pen down carefully, making sure it didn’t roll off his desk into oblivion again, and walked across to the large sash window. Dear Lily, he thought, here to pour doom and gloom on the proceedings, no doubt.

His big sister was forty-four and a well-worn cynic when it came to romantic relationships. He had actually thought twice about inviting her to the wedding but she was his only close relative and, cynic or not, he couldn’t bear the thought of her not being there.

‘
Married?
’ she'd cried down the phone when he’d told her the news. ‘You’re getting
married?
Whatever for?’ she’d said in the manner of Sir Walter Elliot in the 1995 version of
Persuasion
when Captain Wentworth declares his intentions towards Anne.

Warwick had tried to make her believe that he was in love but his message hadn’t seemed to get through.

Now, he left the comfort of his study to answer the door, opening it to greet his sister who was standing on the doorstep in an immaculate trouser suit in steel-grey and a pair of enormous sunglasses even though the sky was overcast.

‘Lily!’ he exclaimed, giving her a hug.

‘Watch the hair, Warwick darling. I’ve just had it done.’

‘It looks marvellous,’ he said, admiring the elfin cut which showed off her sharp cheek bones. She looked so like their mother, he thought, ushering her in.

‘I’ve brought wine,’ she said, taking a bottle of white out of her enormous handbag. ‘I don’t know about you but this wedding makes
me
want to drink! I still don’t know why you insist on marrying,’ she said.

They walked through to the living room at the front of the house and sat down on a Knole sofa that virtually filled the space with its grandeur.

‘Because, dear sister, I’m in love,’ Warwick told her again with a happy sigh.

‘You don’t have to get married just because you’re in love. Just have the occasional sleep over like I do. It’s
much
easier!’ she said, removing her sunglasses at last.