“I didn’t think you did.”
Gabby read the article. She shook her head. “I don’t know what bothers me more, the fact that this happened or knowing my mother was right.”
“This isn’t the time to second-guess yourself, Gabby.”
“You’re right. I made a decision and I have to accept all the consequences, good and bad.”
“Who’s the artist?”
“It’s Ivana Andrik. She’s been trying to get into the exhibit practically from the moment it began.”
“I take it she’s not good.”
“What Ivana has is the mechanics, but that’s not the same as talent, passion and feeling. Her paintings are cold. Even a still-life painting is supposed to evoke a feeling. Otherwise it might as well be a Polaroid or a mug shot.”
“Apparently she feels otherwise.”
“Personally I wouldn’t let Ivana paint my toenails.”
“Ouch. You know if this is in one art section…”
“It’s in a dozen art sections.”
“You’re going to have to figure out how to handle this, and you have to tell Nigel.”
Gabby groaned. “Can we have one crisis at a time, please?”
“It should be so easy, Gabby.”
“I’m sorry you’ve got drama going on, too.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ve figured out what I’ve got to do.” She looked at her cell phone.
“You think Alicia’s going to be surprised to see her parents?”
“Surprised is a little too mild a word. Shocked and stunned is more like it.”
* * *
“Alicia?”
“Five more minutes, Mom.” She turned over. “Mom?” Alicia opened her eyes.
“Hello, daughter.” Her father smiled down at her.
“Dad.” She looked over at her mother. “Mom.” She sat straight up. “Oh, my God, who died?”
“Relax, Alicia, no one has died. Everyone is fine.” Her mother rubbed her hand.
“Is Samantha okay? Are you sure?”
“Samantha is fine and happy in Milan,” her mother reassured her.
“That’s a relief.” Alicia sighed. “So what brings you here? Did Harrison call you?”
“What would he call us about?”
“Come on, Mom. I know you know something.”
“You tell us, dear.”
“I had an exacerbation and I had to go to the hospital.”
“I thought you were supposed to be taking it easy while you were on hiatus.”
“I was taking it easy, Dad, but I had the cookware launch this week.”
“I’m sure you could have just gone to Herald Square, but you made several appearances.”
“How do you know that, Dad?”
“We keep up with you on your Web site. It lists your upcoming appearances.”
Alicia was impressed. “I didn’t know you bothered with the Web.”
“We tried to avoid it, but we had to surrender,” her mother added.
Alicia laughed.
Her parents looked at each other.
“So did you have this attack after the exhibit?”
“I guess you could say it happened during the exhibit, Dad.” She stopped to think. “How did you know about the exhibit?” Alicia grew concerned. “Mom and Dad, what’s going on?”
“There are reports in the paper and on the news about you. They’re saying you were drunk at the exhibit.”
“What did you say, Dad?”
“I think you heard me the first time.”
Alicia felt sick to her stomach. “I’m being accused of being drunk in public?”
“They’re running a photo of you with Lauren and Gabby. In the picture you have two empty glasses nearby.”
“But that’s crazy, Mom. I had two sips of champagne and I didn’t even finish the glass.”
“You know that’s not the point, Alicia.”
“You know what I’m going to say, don’t you?”
“Yes, Dad. You’re going to tell me that I need to let people know I have MS.”
“Your father’s right, Alicia. Keeping it a secret isn’t doing you any good and this whole thing proves it.”
“But Mom and Dad…”
“Oh no, you don’t, young lady. There’s more at stake here than just your name. You have the foundation to think about, too. All this negative press isn’t going to help raise money.”
“I can’t let that happen. It’s my tribute to Kurt.”
“We know. Listen, you have a house full of people downstairs who are here to rally and support you.”
“A house full of people?”
“Yes. Everyone is here, including our grandson.”
“I had no idea. I’ve been a bit out of it.”
“Granted. You need to rest and regain your strength. You’re going to need it for the fight you have ahead.”
Alicia groaned. “I really don’t know if I’m ready to do this.”
“Alicia, it might be too late to get in front of the story, but you can get the truth out,” her father said.
“I know you’re right, Dad.” She paused. “My goodness, I didn’t ask you when you got back.”
“We came in from Pennsylvania Dutch country and we’re heading back home. As much as we love the Winnebago, my back is looking forward to our Sealy Posturepedic.” Her father smiled.
“I can’t say I blame you.”
“By the way, Nathaniel is one of the people downstairs.” Her mother raised her eyebrows.
“He’s seems like a good guy. He cares about you,” her father said.
There was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
“Hi, Mom,” Kurt said.
“Hello, gorgeous, you’re a sight for sore eyes. Come and hug your mother.”
Kurt hugged her tightly. “Are you okay, Mom?”
“I’m fine, Kurt.”
“Grandma and Gramps talked to you, so you know what’s going on.”
“Yes, we did, son. Don’t you worry, it’s going to be fine. Your mother knows what she’s got to do.” He stood up. “We better get going. We’ve got to get on the expressway and you know how much fun that is, even on a Saturday.”
“Okay, Dad.”
Her father kissed her cheek. “You go get em, tiger. You know if you need us, we’ll be there in a heartbeat.”
“I know.”
Her mother kissed her cheek too. “You listen to your doctor and take care, like you’re supposed to. Okay?”
“I will, Mom.”
“We love you.” Her father smiled as he opened her bedroom door.
“I love you, too.”
Kurt sat on the edge of her bed. “Are you going to bite the bullet, Mom?”
“I don’t know that I have a choice anymore.”
* * *
With Alicia’s parents gone everyone lolled around the kitchen while Harrison made something to eat. Lauren’s cell phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. It was Randy.
“If you’ll excuse me,” she said as she left the kitchen and went into the living room. “Hi, Randy, I’m so glad to hear your voice.”
“Hi. I just got a break here and I saw the paper.”
“So you know what’s going on.”
“It’s ridiculous. How’s Alicia doing?”
“Physically she’s fine. I haven’t been up to see her yet. Her parents were here.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re there.”
“So am I.”
“You know, though, this thing got me to thinking about Ken.”
“It did?” She seemed puzzled.
“Yes. It’s all about the power of the press. Maybe you should take your story public. I have a friend at the paper…”
“I can see where you’re coming from, Randy, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why? It would put him on the defensive. I already called my buddy and he’s ready to talk to you.”
Lauren couldn’t
believe her ears. “You called him without consulting me? Why would you do that?”
“You won’t take my money. I had to do something, Lauren. You can’t let this threat hang over your life.”
“I don’t intend to let that happen.”
“So why don’t you tell me what are you going to do?”
“This is my problem. I have it covered.”
“I love you. I want to help. Why don’t you let me in?”
“Because I can handle it. I need you to trust me. I don’t need you second-guessing me.”
“I’m not second-guessing you, Lauren. I just can’t stand by and watch him do this to you.”
“I get it. Just call your friend back and tell him there is no story.” She paused. “Listen, I’m going upstairs to see Alicia. I’ll call you on my way back to the city.” Lauren closed her phone and went back to the kitchen. “Gabby, I’m heading upstairs. Are you coming?”
She got up. “I’m right behind you.”
When they got upstairs to Alicia’s room, she was watching the news report about her incident.
“What in the world?” Gabby went over and shut the television off. “Are you trying to make yourself nuts today?”
“I told her, Aunt Gabby, but she wouldn’t listen to me.”
“I had to see how bad it was.” She rubbed her forehead. “I have a headache.”
“See what good it did you?” Lauren went into the bathroom.
“I can only imagine the number of phone calls and emails that are coming in,” Alicia lamented.
“You can’t think about that now, Alicia.” Gabby sat on her bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Other than knowing my whole career and company are in the toilet, I’m peachy.”
“Don’t say that, Mom.”
“He’s right, you know.” Lauren returned from the bathroom with a couple of Tylenol and a glass of water. “Here, take this for your headache.”
“Thanks.” She quickly took the pills.
“Listen, it might be too late to get in front of this story, but you set the direction it takes from here.” Lauren sat down.
“She’s right, Mom.”
“I know. I just feel so stupid. If I had slowed down this week, this wouldn’t have happened in the first place. Gabby, I’m so sorry for ruining your big night.”
“Please, you didn’t ruin anything.”
“Blaming yourself now isn’t the thing to do. You have to look ahead.”
“I know, Lauren.” She chuckled softly.
“What’s so funny?” Gabby asked.
“I was going to call you two about having a meeting today to discuss Pride and Prejudice.”
“Who’s to say we still can’t. It might be just the thing to take your mind off all of this,” Lauren suggested.
Kurt Jr. got up. “That would be my cue to leave.”
They laughed.
“Come on, Kurt, don’t you want to sit with me for one meeting of the Austen Aristocrats?”
He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “I love you, Mom, but I’m not into chick flicks, even when they’re books. I’m going to hang out with the guys downstairs.”
“That’s okay, sweetie,” she laughed.
Kurt began to walk out.
“So you mean to tell us Sally has never dragged you to a chick flick?” Gabby asked.
“No. She’s an action/adventure lover like me,” he answered as he left the room.
“It figures my son would find the one girl who would love that kind of movie.”
“He is a charmer. I bet you she secretly watches Lifetime when he’s not around.” Lauren winked.
They laughed.
“Thanks, girls. I can always count on you to make me feel better.”
“What are fellow Aristocrats for?” Gabby asked.
“Now where are the books? I know you have three of them in here.” Lauren looked around.
“They’re on a shelf in my closet.”
“I’ll be back,” Lauren said, imitating the Terminator. “That’s the closest I ever want to come to an action flick.”
They laughed. Grateful for the distraction, Alicia spent two hours with Lauren and Gabby, engrossed in their favorite Austen book. It took Alicia’s mind off the task she had at hand and she was grateful.
Chapter 19
Nigel noticed Gabby’s reticence on the drive back into the city. He knew she was worried about Alicia, but after seeing her he’d expected she would be less preoccupied. For her part Gabby was trying to figure out her next move to save the exhibit’s good reputation and hers. When they got back, she went straight to the kitchen to make some tea. Nigel followed her.
“Have I done something? You were so quiet in the car.”
“No. Why would you say that?” Gabby asked as she put the kettle on.
He produced the newspaper. “I read the article in the art section.”
Gabby’s heart fell. “So you know.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
She got a couple of mugs from the cabinet. “What’s there to talk about? This is about a bitter artist looking for her fifteen minutes and a reporter who wanted to sensationalize a story where there is none.” She put the mugs on the table.
He sighed. “I knew I should have insisted on taking my painting out of the mix.”
“You asked and I said no. People loved your painting and it got one of the highest bids last night.”
“What about the other artists?”
“It’s publicity. They’ll benefit from being a part of the ‘scandal.’ ”
“I just think you’re being a little too casual about this. I’m more worried about it than you are.”
“Of course I’m worried. As a beginning gallery owner I was a 40-year-old divorced woman with a degree in art history I hadn’t used in nearly twenty years. I had to prove I belonged with every exhibit. Every artist I chose had to be the best. It took me years to build my reputation and get the backers and patrons I needed to make the Blanchard Gallery a success. Now someone wants to take that away in one night.” She stopped to catch her breath. “I come from a background where it’s all about keeping a stiff upper lip, so I’m sorry if you think I’m being too cool about it, but stick around. I’m pretty sure I can prove how broken I feel inside.” Gabby fought back tears.
Nigel got up and put his arms around her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” He rubbed her back. “Okay, sweetheart, you can let it out with me.”
Nigel held Gabby as she cried. She knew eventually she had to face Bunny and listen to her “I told you so” along with the crow she’d have to swallow for Sunday tea.
* * *
It was a breezy summer evening and Alicia sat on the balcony off her bedroom to look at the evening sky as it turned into night. Harrison brought her a glass of iced tea.
“Enjoying the evening?” he asked as he handed her the tea.
“Yes. This is my favorite time of day, you know.”
“It was Martha’s favorite time of day, too.” He gazed at the sky.
“There’s something about the color of the sky that’s so peaceful.”
“You know what you’ve got to do to bring peace to your life.”
She sighed. “Yes, I do.”
“Nate’s worried it’s going to be too much for you.”
“It certainly feels that way.”
“You have to look at it this way. Secrets have a way of weighing you down and you’re a woman who likes to move ahead and get on with things. Telling people you have MS will lighten your load.”
“He’s right,” Nathaniel agreed as he walked onto the balcony.
“How long have you been standing there?” she asked.
“Long enough.”
“I’m going to leave you two lovebirds alone now. If you need anything, you know I’m only a buzz away.”
“Thanks, Harrison.”
Nathaniel sat down in the chair next to hers.
“Are you enjoying the evening weather?”
“Yes. I’ve had a rather eventful day for someone who’s been in bed most of the day.”
Nathaniel chuckled. “That’s life in the fast lane.”
Alicia laughed.
Nathaniel took her hand in his. “I’m just happy that you’re all right. That’s the main thing.”
“I owe it all to you. If you hadn’t taken me to the NYU MS center, I don’t know what would have happened.”
“You give me too much credit. Dr. Hubert played a part, you know.”
“And how did you know to take me there instead of another hospital?”
“NYU is one of the best in the city and John is one of the top neurologists specializing in MS in the country. He’s also a good friend of mine from my days as a resident.”
“You had the inside track.”
“You could say that.” He kissed her hand.
Alicia smiled. “We still haven’t talked about what happened between us.”
“Yes, we have.”
“No, we haven’t. We’ve brushed over it.”
Nathaniel stood up, took her hand and pulled her to him. “How about a kiss?”
Alicia kissed him passionately. “Oh, that was nice,” he said, rubbing her back.
Without a word she kissed him even more fervently. Nathaniel felt something stir inside of him. “Alicia, let’s not get anything started we can’t finish.”
“Well, if you don’t want to finish the conversation, we can finish something else. Unless, of course, you’re not up to it.”
He pulled her close to him. “Does it feel like I’m not up to it?”
“No.”
“You were just in the hospital.”
“Yes, but I’m not dead. I’m very much alive and I want make love to you.”
That was all Nathaniel needed to hear. He picked her up and took her inside to the bedroom and laid her down ever so easily on the bed. He took his shirt off and slowly lowered himself as they kissed.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you, too.”
Alicia pulled her nightgown down around her shoulders and Nathaniel took it off the rest of the way. Although he wanted to take her right then, he slowed down to savor every inch of her body as if she were a fine wine. Alicia’s senses came alive with pleasure as he explored the breadth and subtly of every curve with his lips, teasing and tantalizing every inch of her body. The more he pleased Alicia, the more he fueled his own passion and longing. When neither could take any more, he removed the last barrier between them and then two bodies became one in the pure rapture of love.
Waiting for Mr. Darcy Page 27