Waiting for Mr. Darcy (13 page)

“You have to stop being so paranoid, Alicia. She's just the managing editor.”

“Who has designs on my office, Gabby. I don't trust her, and after today I really don't think I'm imagining things.”

“What happened today?” Lauren asked.

“I got an email from my production manager about the cover layout and it was all wrong. They'd mixed up the summer and fall topics on the cover.”

“It could have been an honest mistake.”

“But it went down to production with my signature on it as if I approved it.” She paused. “That reminds me, there's a staff meeting on Thursday.”

“You're not going, right?” Gabby asked.

“No, I'm conferencing in by phone.”

“No, you're not.” Lauren sounded final.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I'm sure someone will be there to take the minutes and send you a summary.”

“A summary isn't the same thing as being on the phone.”

“I know, but that's the best you're going to get. You nearly drowned today, and all you can think about is calling in for a staff meeting. You have to rest.”

“The staff meeting isn't until Thursday. Listen, I promise I'll be a good patient until then.”

“Where have we heard that before?” Lauren said acerbically.

“I really will be good,” Alicia insisted.

Gabby and Lauren didn't buy it.

“Okay, listen, you two. Taylor has got the Three Stooges under her spell, which means she has the ear, or should I say pants, of three, of the twelve board members.”

“That still leaves nine others who aren't ruled by their pants,” Gabby reasoned.

“You know, I get the feeling there's something else going on here, Alicia,” Lauren said.

Alicia looked away.

“We're prepared to stay here all day until you tell us.” Gabby folded her arms.

Alicia let out a deep breath. “A few months ago Taylor walked into my office while I was in the midst of a very painful spasm, and it was all I could do to get her out of there. Ever since then it seems like she's lurking around, looking for the chance to take me down. That's why I agreed to go on the medication.”

Lauren put her arm around her. “Alicia, you're making something out of nothing. Now if you'd tell everyone about your condition, you wouldn't have to worry about someone finding out.”

“Do you really think the board or the shareholders would embrace an editor-in-chief and CEO with an incurable disease?”

“Come on, Alicia, this isn't the Dark Ages. If anything, you would inspire people,” Gabby said cheerfully.

“You think I would have inspired people this morning? Falling into the pool like some drunken idiot?”

“You're not an idiot.” Harrison entered with a tray.

“You tell her, Harrison,” Gabby said.

He put the tray on the table and sat down next to her on the bed. “Move over.” He smiled.

“I'm sorry, Harrison.”

“You know my Martha had MS, so you know I understand what you're going through.”

Alicia started to tear up. “I'm afraid, Harrison. I'm not normal anymore and I don't know what's going to happen to me.”

He handed her a tissue. “You're going to be fine, sweetheart. You are surrounded by people who love and care for you, and that includes that pesky neighbor of ours.”

Alicia smiled. “Who would have ever thought Nathaniel Becker would come to my rescue.”

Gabby raised her hand. “I did.”

Lauren raised her hand, too. “So did I.”

“That makes three of us.” Harrison smiled as he raised his hand.

“I guess I have to be nice to him now.”

“You think?” Lauren asked sarcastically.

“All right, I'll be nice.”

“Good, maybe you can be a little more than just nice. I really think he likes you.” Gabby poked her leg.

“I said I'd be nice. Don't push it.” She looked at the clock. “Is that the time?”

“Yes. It's almost four.”

“How long have you two been here?”

“Harrison called us this morning and we got here at about noon or maybe closer to twelve-thirty. Right, Lauren?”

“That sounds about right.”

“You have careers to worry about. You didn't have to run up here and check on me.”

Lauren hit her leg.

“Ouch.”

“That's for saying something so silly. Like you wouldn't drop everything if the same thing happened to us.”

“You're right.” She wiped her eyes. “So let's talk about something far more interesting, like your love lives.”

Harrison got up. “That's my cue to exit stage right. Let me know if you need anything, okay?” He kissed Alicia's forehead.

“Okay.”

“Have fun, girls.” He shut the door.

“Now here's the deal, Ms. Archer. You already know all you need to know for now about our love lives. We want to talk about you,” Lauren said and pointed at her.

“Oh, boy,” Alicia groaned. “Lucky me. Why is it only I rate this kind of attention?”

“You're the one who talks about romance and elegance, yet you live a life devoid of any of it.” Lauren looked around. “I mean, you have all the trappings, but no one to share them with.”

“Haven't we beaten this horse out of existence yet?”

“No. “

“Terrific.” Alicia's face fell.

“Both Lauren and I know you had a great thing with Kurt, that he was your Mr. Darcy. But we think there is someone else out there for you.”

“You're talking about Nathaniel, aren't you?”

“Yes. He kind of fits the bill, doesn't he? He's tall, dark, handsome and somewhat brooding, like Mr. Darcy.”

“And he does drive you crazy.” Lauren winked.

“Okay, you two. I appreciate your enthusiastic approval. I promise I'll be nicer to Nathaniel, but that's as far as I'm going.”

“Why?”

Alicia made up her mind not to talk about it anymore. She picked up her soup. “It's cold now. Can you ask Harrison to heat it up, please?”

Lauren took the bowl. “Sure. You're off the hook for now.”

“Thank you. How about we watch
Emma
?” Alicia asked, hoping to quickly change the subject.

“You know she's not going to let us say another word.” Gabby got up. “I'll get the DVD from downstairs.”

“I'll heat up your soup and get some popcorn for the movie.” Lauren headed for the door.

“Thank you.” Alicia smiled.

“I hope you know this conversation isn't over.”

“Believe me, I know.” Alicia nodded.

“We'll be back.” Gabby grinned as she and Lauren left the room.

Alicia knew she'd only bought herself a little more time. She had to do something for Nathaniel. After all, he had saved her life, and just being nicer didn't seem like enough.
What do you get for the man who saved your life? I don't think Hallmark makes a “thank you for saving my life” card. I have to do something personal
, how personal she didn't know.

Chapter 9

A couple of hours later after Lauren and Gabby left, Alicia felt a little restless lying in bed. “Oh,” she sighed as she attempted to find a comfortable position.
This isn't going to work. I have to do something.
She flung the covers back and got out of bed. Alicia put on a pair of jeans and shirt and went downstairs.

Harrison was at the table reading the paper. “What are you doing out of bed?”

“I'm fine, Harrison.”

“You nearly killed yourself this morning.”

“Believe me, I know, but it's over with. Can we please move on?” she begged.

“I hope you learned a lesson.”

“Yes. I'll never leave the house again without my keys.”

Harrison rolled his eyes. “You are so stubborn.”

“I know that, and so do you.”

“Did you enjoy the movie with the girls?”

“Yes.
Emma
is one of my favorite movies, even though I've seen it a hundred times or more.”

“I know. Are you hungry for something more than soup now?”

“Yes, but I thought I'd come down and make dinner.”

“Are you sure you feel up to cooking?”

“You know I always have energy to entertain.”

Harrison was perplexed. “What do you mean, entertain?”

“I thought that maybe you would invite Nathaniel to join us. He did save my life today.”

He was dumbfounded. “You want to invite Nate to dinner?”

“Sure.” She went over to the refrigerator. “Do we have lamb chops?”

“I think so.”

“Good. We can have lamb chops with a lemon-basil sauce, Mesclun salad and…” She put her hand on her hip. “Do we still have the pound cake I made?”

“Yes. I don't know how much is left.” He went over to the counter and lifted the cake dome. “It's not too bad.”

Alicia looked over. “That's plenty. I have lemon curd and raspberries to make individual trifles. All I have to do is make whipped cream to top it.”

“Sounds like a plan to me. What do you need to me to do?”

“I need you to go next door and invite Nathaniel.”

“Why don't you just call him yourself?”

“Do we have his phone number?”

Harrison went over to the counter drawer and leafed through her phone book. “Here it is.”

He took the phone off the base and dialed. “Here you go.”

“No, you talk.”

“Hello?”

Alicia reluctantly took the phone. “Hello, Nathaniel. It's Alicia.”

“Hello, Alicia. How are you feeling?”

“I'm good, thanks.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Umm, the reason I'm calling is to invite you to dinner tonight to thank you. Uh, I'll understand if you already have plans…”

“I'd love to. Thank you.”

“You would?” She seemed genuinely surprised.

“Yes. What time should I be there?”

She looked at the clock. “Dinner will be ready in an hour. Is that all right?”

“Sure. I'm looking forward to it.”

“Okay. We'll see you then.”

“Okay.” He hung up.

Alicia stood with the phone in her hand. Harrison laughed as he took it away from her.

“You look nervous.”

“I'm not nervous.” She began to gather the ingredients. A few things rolled on the floor.

“Right.” He was tickled.

“Just help me.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

While Alicia cooked the lamb chops and made the sauce, Harrison tossed the salad, then set the table. As he walked between the kitchen and dining room he watched Alicia methodically put a lovely, sumptuous and even sexy meal together.

“Harrison!” she called.

“Yes?” He quickly went back into the kitchen.

Alicia balanced three desserts in her hands. “Would you please hold the fridge open for me so I can put these in to chill?”

“Sure.” He held the door while she put them in.

“Thank you.”

He looked at the clock. “I think you'd better go change.”

“Oh yes.” She took her apron off. “I'll be back in ten.”

“Take your time,” he said as she walked out. “Believe me, he thinks you're worth the wait.”

“You just had to say it, didn't you?”

“Would you expect any less from me?” He chuckled.

Once upstairs in her room Alicia stood in front of her closet. “Oh, my God, I have Lauren's disease. What am I going to wear?” She sat on the edge of her bed
. What's wrong with me? It's not a date and even if it were a date he's already seen me in my bra.
She hung her head.
I can't believe I'm letting this drive me nuts.
She stared into her closet. “There it is.” She got up.

When the doorbell rang, Harrison answered it.

“Hi, Nate, come on in.”

“Thanks.” He stepped in carrying a bottle of wine. “I wasn't sure what was on the menu, but I brought Cabernet Sauvignon.” He showed it to Harrison.

“This will go nicely with the lamb chops you're having.”

“You're not having dinner with us?” Alicia asked as she descended the stairs.

Both men were speechless as Alicia descended the stairs in a cotton short-sleeved dress that showed off a little cleavage and her shapely legs.

“No, Edie Buckley asked me to be a fourth at bridge tonight.”

“Why didn't you mention this to me earlier?” She walked over.

“I guess in all the excitement of the morning it slipped my mind.” He picked his keys up. “I think you're in good hands here.” He kissed her cheek. “Enjoy. Have a good night, Nate.”

“You too, Harry,” Nathaniel grinned.

Harrison walked out.

“You look lovely.”

“Thank you.”

“It smells great in here.”

“I hope you're hungry.”

“I brought my appetite.” He hesitated. “I wasn't sure what wine to bring but I settled on Cabernet Sauvignon. Harrison said we're having lamb chops.”

Alicia nervously combed through her hair with her fingers. “Yes. Cabernet Sauvignon goes nicely with lamb. Good choice.“ She paused. “I guess we should go in.”

He stepped out of her way. “After you.”

Alicia and Nathaniel were greeted by a very romantic table setting complete with candles and mood lighting.

I'm going to kill Harrison,
Alicia thought.

Nathaniel looked quite pleased. “This looks terrific.”

“It does.”

“Allow me, please.” He held her chair out.

“Thank you.” She sat down.

Nathaniel spied the wine opener on the table. “Shall I?”

“Please do.”

He opened the wine and poured two glasses before taking a seat.

Alicia raised her glass. “Here's to my rescuer. Thank you.”

“I'm glad I was there.”

Once they toasted, Alicia timidly sipped her wine. Nathaniel found her nervousness cute. She was usually a pretty cool customer.

He looked at his plate. “This looks amazing. How is this prepared?”

“I seasoned and pan cooked the lamb chops, then I made the lemon basil sauce to finish. I was going to make a summer vegetable like asparagus, but then I thought you would appreciate a nice light salad.”

“I'm a bachelor, Alicia, I appreciate any meals that don't come in a box or bag.”

She laughed. “Then dig in.”

“I will.” He cut into a lamb chop and took a bite. “Oh, this is amazing.”

Alicia was tickled as she prided herself on her ability to prepare lamb chops that were moist and cooked perfectly instead of overcooked and dry. “I'm glad you like it.”

He took a few more bites. “You know, Alicia, I've always wanted to know what inspired you to be the domestic diva you are. I know you can cook, but you've taken it to another level.”

She put her napkin down. “No one has asked me that in a long time.” She pondered a moment. “I wish I could say it was some glorious family tradition, but it was necessity. My parents worked full time and they really didn't have the time to make meals for my younger sister and me. As the oldest I pitched in to cook, and that's when I realized I liked to cook. So I started experimenting with new recipes and trying them out on my family…” She trailed off. “The rest is history.”

“Somehow I think there is more to it than that.”

“There was more to it. Cooking was a way for me to express my creativity and show love to the people I cared about. I didn't come from one of those touchy-feely and share-your-emotions families. My mother worked in the junior high cafeteria and my father was a math teacher. They had to work hard for my sister and me to have a better life. Cooking was the least I could do to repay them.”

“You're a good daughter.”

“I try to be. Now that I've got the show, my books and the magazine, it feels good to do things for my parents.” She started to laugh.

“What's so funny?”

“I was just thinking about my parents. They always wanted a Winnebago, and my sister and I went in together and got them one for their forty-eighth anniversary. Now they're off to see the real America, or as my sister says, they're off terrorizing the countryside.” She let out a hearty laugh.

Nathaniel was tickled to see her so unguarded. “Your parents sound like fun.”

“They are fun. We had a GPS installed, but somehow I know they're still arguing over who can read a map better.”

He laughed.

Alicia sipped her wine. “This is good. I'm glad you brought it.”

“Me, too.”

Alicia put her glass down. “There's something I want to say, but I'm afraid you'll take it the wrong way.”

“Go ahead and say it. I'm a big boy.”

“I'm surprised you were available for dinner tonight. You usually have…company.”

Nathaniel laughed. “That's your polite way of saying I have a lot of women traipsing in and out of my place, isn't it?”

“Yes. Emily Post covers a lot of situations, but this isn't in any of her books.”

“Maybe she should add a chapter. I bet she'd sell more books.”

“I bet you're right.”

“Anyway, to answer your question, even I need a little down time. Did that answer your question?”

“Yes. Thank you for not getting offended.”

“It's not a problem, Alicia. I don't offend easily.”

“That's good to know.” She took another sip of wine. “I'll change the subject a little, Nathaniel. Why did you go into medicine? Like my mother says, your family has been walking in high cotton for some time.”

“Well, I was never interested in the moneymaking end of the family wealth. I wanted to help people, and I really liked medicine.”

“I see. So why do you practice in Scarsdale?”

“Socialites need good doctors, too,” he quipped.

“Somehow I don't believe that's the reason.”

“I'll bite. What do you think my reasons are?”

“I suspect it has something to do with all those exotic photos and keepsakes you have in your house.”

“Interesting theory…”

“I've traveled enough to know the difference between an African souvenir and a handmade gift.”

“And I thought you were too out of it to notice anything this morning.”

“I couldn't help but notice. Am I on the right track?”

“You're very perceptive.”

“So while everyone here thinks you're off on another wild extended holiday, you're really on a mission.”

“I work with Doctors Without Borders in Africa. The number of AIDS cases in Africa is astounding, and the fact is most of those numbers don't include the countless villages where nearly all the women and children have AIDS. They are the poorest people, with no access to any of the drugs that can help prolong their lives.”

Alicia was moved by his sincerity. “Wow.”

“The trade-off for me is I spend time here treating migraines, stomach ailments and allergies, so I can make a difference with my time and money to help those who really need it.”

“You know what really impresses me is that you don't just write a check at a charity luncheon. You give of yourself. That's truly wonderful.”

“Thanks.” He smiled. “Don't spread it around. It might ruin my hard-won reputation.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” She finished her glass of wine.

In the course of an hour Alicia went from thinking of Nathaniel as a doctor/playboy to a doctor with a conscience. It appeared she'd found more than just a rescuer in him; he was a real unsung hero, much like her Kurt.

After dinner Alicia and Nathaniel retired to the living room for dessert and coffee.

Seated comfortably on the sofa, Nathaniel licked his spoon like a little boy. “I'm telling you, Alicia, you spoiled me tonight.”

“My pleasure.”

He put the dish down and leaned closer to Alicia. “There's something else I've always wanted to know.”

“I'm listening.”

“I always see Lauren and Gabby here. You three are like the three amigos. You guys have been friends a long time.”

“Yes. We met at Miss Porter's Boarding School in Connecticut.”

“I've heard of that place.”

“It's an
expensive
girl's boarding school. Lauren's from Bayside and I'm from Amityville. Our parents couldn't afford to send us there. We both went on scholarships. Like you, Gabby's family had money, so she had no problem getting in.” She sighed. “Anyway, we were three scared girls away from home for the first time and we just bonded.”

“You were lucky.”

“I couldn't have ordered better friends.” She started to snicker.

“What's so funny?”

“I was just remembering. Gabby told her parents she was bringing two friends from school home for break. The look on her mother's face when she saw us…”