Dreaming of Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly Page B

was a porch, he thought; otherwise he would have been soaked to the skin by then.
    Finally the door opened. ‘Oh!’ Kay said.
    â€˜Hello,’ Adam said, noticing her face was flushed and her long toffee-coloured hair had been piled on top of her head in a funny sort of bun.
    â€˜I was under the bed,’ she said.
    He gave her a quizzical look.
    â€˜Vacuuming,’ she explained. ‘Did you forget something?’
    â€˜No. Can I come in?’ he asked, knowing he was the kind of guy who girls didn’t automatically invite into their homes. ‘It’s a bit blustery out here.’
    â€˜Oh, right,’ Kay said.
    â€˜There’s something I want to ask you,’ he said as he walked inside, waiting for her to close the door behind them. ‘They’ve broken off filming at the Cobb. The weather’s too bad. They’re going to do some of the Uppercross scenes—up in the Marshwood Vale.’
    â€˜Where you live?’
    â€˜Nearby, yes. I was going to drive up there and wondered if you wanted to come along.’ He paused, his heart thudding in his chest. This isn’t a date, he told himself. There’s no need to get tied up into nervous knots about it.
    â€˜Right now?’ she asked, her bright eyes widening.
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜I don’t know,’ Kay said. ‘There’s so much to do here. I’ve got beds to make and towels to wash and carpets to vacuum and sinks to clean. And I’ve got to prepare a meal for tonight.’
    Adam watched as she puffed out her cheeks.
    â€˜Okay,’ he said.
    â€˜Maybe another time?’
    â€˜No. I mean—okay—I’ll help you,’ he said. ‘I’ll make the beds and wash the towels and vacuum anything that needs vacuuming.’
    She gave him a quizzical look. ‘Why?’
    â€˜Because I think you should come and see Persuasion being filmed, and I want to show you the Marshwood Vale.’
    Kay looked thoughtful for a moment.
    â€˜All the cast will be there. I’m sure they’d be happy to see you,’ he added, and he watched as Kay’s expression changed.
    â€˜You’ll really help out here?’ she asked.
    â€˜Of course. Just point me to the nearest sink that needs scrubbing.’
    A smile broke across Kay’s face, and Adam found himself mirroring it. He’d known this would be a good idea.

Chapter 12
    There followed a mad frenzy of vacuuming, dusting, and scrubbing as Adam and Kay worked their way around the bedrooms of Wentworth House. Bed sheets were straightened and tucked, pillows and duvets were shaken and fluffed, towels were swapped and washed, and everything else was cleaned until it shone.
    Finally, when Kay was quite sure everything looked perfect, she turned to Adam. He was ready with a smile for her.
    â€˜I think we deserve the rest of the day off, don’t you?’
    Kay nodded. ‘That’s certainly a job well done,’ she said. ‘Thanks so much for helping. If you ever give up the film world, there’s a job for you right here.’
    â€˜I might take you up on that,’ he said, thinking how wonderful it would be to work alongside Kay all day. How distracting it would be too. No, he decided, he probably wouldn’t get any work done at all, if he knew she was just in the next room, because the temptation to down tools and take her in his arms and—well, it just wouldn’t be viable, would it?
    â€˜Let’s get going, shall we?’
    â€˜I’ll just get changed,’ Kay said.
    Adam nodded and decided to take himself downstairs to the living room. Being on the same floor as Kay getting changed was more than any sane man could bear.
    It was a funny little room with its nicotine-coloured wallpaper and flowery carpet, but Kay had made it wonderfully homey. There was a glass vase of freesias on the windowsill, and two big lamps promised a warm glow once evening set in. She’d also