Dreaming of Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly Read Free Book Online

stairs.
    â€˜Extraordinary,’ she said to herself.
    ***
    Things got a bit chaotic after that. The next time Kay opened the door, she came face to face with a droopy sort of a man who was stubbing his cigarette out in Kay’s new terra-cotta pot. He didn’t say anything, only nodded and pushed into the hallway, where he hollered, ‘ Teresa! ’
    Kay jumped.
    â€˜ Les! ’ Teresa shouted back, appearing on the landing. ‘Everyone with you?’
    â€˜They’re on their way. I’ve got Gemma, Sophie, Beth, and Oli. The others are okay at The Palms.’
    â€˜Their rooms okay?’
    Les nodded.
    Before Kay had time to hear more, there was another knock on the door.
    â€˜Is this Wentworth House?’ a young woman with a pretty, heart-shaped face and blond curly hair asked.
    â€˜Yes, it is.’
    â€˜I’m Sophie,’ the woman said. ‘Sophie Kerr.’
    Kay frowned. She’d heard the name before. Recognition suddenly dawned as she ushered her inside. ‘You were in The Solitary Neighbour .’
    Sophie nodded. ‘I was. How sweet of you to remember. That was years ago.’
    Kay smiled. The Solitary Neighbour was a Gothic Victorian made-for-TV movie, just the sort of thing that Kay lapped up, and Sophie had played the heroine.
    â€˜So you’re in this production of Persuasion now?’ Kay asked, hoping she didn’t sound too starstruck.
    â€˜Henrietta Musgrove,’ Sophie said. ‘The boring sister who doesn’t get to jump off the Cobb and nearly break her neck in the name of flirtation.’
    Kay laughed.
    â€˜To be honest, I don’t mind. At least I don’t have to risk an injury doing stunts like Beth will.’
    â€˜Beth?’ Kay asked.
    â€˜Somebody mention my name?’ a voice called, and Kay and Sophie looked around to see the red-haired actress entering the bed and breakfast.
    â€˜ Beth Jenkins! ’ Kay all but screamed.
    Beth batted her eyelashes. ‘Oh, a fan,’ she said.
    â€˜I can’t believe it! I just can’t believe it. I’ve just been reading Persuasion —look!’ Kay ran into the sitting room and came out holding the book.
    â€˜Well, how funny!’ Sophie said.
    â€˜I had no idea it was being filmed here.’
    â€˜Yes, well, one has to slum it occasionally,’ Beth said, looking up and down the narrow hallway. ‘My last job was filming in a villa in Marbella. Stunning views. Simply stunning. Got to top up my tan and everything.’
    â€˜Yes, but Jane Austen heroines are meant to be pale and interesting,’ Sophie said, ‘and not look like an old leather handbag.’
    Beth glared at her, and Kay’s mouth dropped open. She couldn’t believe it. There were two famous actresses standing in the hallway of her bed and breakfast, and they were fighting!
    â€˜I’ll show you to your rooms,’ Kay said.
    â€˜I want a double,’ Beth said. ‘With a view.’
    Kay nodded. ‘Sophie?’
    â€˜Oh, just stick me in anywhere,’ she said with a wave of her hand.
    â€˜Do you have any bags?’ Kay asked.
    â€˜Oli’s bringing them,’ Beth said.
    Kay wondered who Oli was. Probably some poor put-upon assistant.
    â€˜This is the best double,’ Kay said. ‘You can see the Cobb and the whole of the front.’
    â€˜Is there a bath? I must have a bath and a shower.’
    Kay nodded. ‘The shower’s above the bath—’
    â€˜Oh, God! Not one of those pathetic pieces of work that dribbles tepid water, is it?’
    â€˜Don’t pay any attention to her,’ Sophie said. ‘She’s nothing but a spoilt brat.’
    Beth turned around to face Sophie, and for one frightening moment, Kay thought Beth was going to punch Sophie.
    â€˜And there’s a lovely twin next door,’ Kay said, thinking it wise to move Sophie out of harm’s way.
    â€˜Oh, it’s lovely!’