Will seemed oblivious to their audience. “You haven’t talked to your parents since you left home?”
Ricky shook his head. “I google them occasionally to see if they’re still alive.”
“God. I’m so sorry. I can’t believe they did that.”
Ricky stuck his hands in his pockets, staring at the floor. “I wasn’t sure you’d…I mean, I didn’t come to the set because—”
Will laughed. “I’m so glad you came today! Jeez, Georgie and I talked about what happened to you. I even thought about hiring a private investigator.” He frowned. “Did you have anything to do with my being cast in the film?”
Ricky shook his head. “Pure coincidence. You know the screenwriter doesn’t have any say in the casting.”
Will snapped his fingers. “Hell! What am I thinking? You should say hello to Aunt Catherine.” He gestured to the corner of the room where the older woman was surrounded by her admirers.
Ricky raised an eyebrow. “What is she doing here?”
“She’s in the movie, playing Peggy.”
“Huh. I didn’t know that.”
“C’mon.”
Ricky sighed. “She never liked me.”
Will barked a laugh. “She doesn’t like anyone. Come and say hello. At the very least you can pay homage to the latest dog.”
One corner of Ricky’s mouth curved upward. “I have to admit that I’m curious.”
The two men fell into step as they walked toward Mrs. de Bourgh’s chair. Elizabeth followed. These developments were simply too fantastic to ignore.
Will stepped in front of his aunt’s chair like he was bearding a lion in its den. “Aunt Catherine, you have to see who I found!”
He gestured for Ricky to come forward. “Hello, Aunt Catherine. It’s me.” He cleared his throat. “I used to be Regina.”
She peered at him myopically, examining him from head to toe. “Regina? And now you’re a man, huh?”
“I go by Ricky now.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Hmph. You don’t make a half bad looking man.” She stared for another long moment. “At least you’re not a teenager anymore. Teenagers are so messy, leaving crumbs everywhere and spilling sodas. And they never dress appropriately.” Elizabeth managed not to laugh but just barely.
Finally, the older woman waved a hand at the chair next to hers. “Very well, Ricky. Come, sit by me and tell me what else you’ve been up to.”
***
Darcy was already at the table when the maître d’ showed Ricky to it. The two men shook hands. “Am I late?” Ricky asked as he slid into his seat.
“No, no.” Darcy waved this away. “Actually, I was a little early.”
This would be the third time he had a meal with Ricky—including the time his cousin had come for dinner at Pemberley. His parents had flown in from Europe, and Georgiana had come from San Francisco for the event. The evening had been awkward but not a complete disaster. Georgiana had been thrilled to see Ricky, and they had hit it off immediately. Darcy’s parents had been polite at least and had immediately flown back to Europe, much to his relief.
At their first dinner—only a few days after the wrap party—Darcy had arrived with a combination of trepidation and obligation. He barely knew this “new” cousin but felt it was his responsibility to integrate Ricky into the family.
To his relief, Darcy discovered that he rather liked Ricky, who was warm and amiable with a quick wit and a way with words. They had reminisced about summers in the Hamptons and the disastrous Christmas when the tree fell over. Darcy usually warmed to people at a glacial pace, but Ricky was unusually easy to talk to.
He was also enjoying some success as a screenwriter. While In the Shadows was the first of his scripts to be turned into a film, two others had been optioned and one was in pre-production. The cousins had even discussed doing a project together.
&nbs
p; Today their table was tucked into the back of the restaurant, but other diners were staring at Darcy and talking furtively. Fortunately, none had dared to approach his table with a request for a picture or autograph. He shifted uneasily, trying to keep his head down. Perhaps he should have had his new personal assistant make a reservation for a private room. So far they were leaving him alone, but if one person felt bold enough, the floodgates would open and every person in the restaurant would want something.