Waiting for Mr. Darcy (17 page)

“Good evening. I have a reservation under the name Becker.”

He checked the book. “Yes, Dr. Becker. Your table is ready.” He turned to Alicia. “
Mademoiselle
Archer, it is a pleasure and honor to have you here this evening.” He kissed her hand.

Alicia was surprised. “Thank you.”

“Please follow me.”

He led them to an intimate table for two near the window and away from the crowd. Once Alicia entered the restaurant, however, there wasn't much chance they'd go unnoticed for the night.

The maître d' held Alicia's seat. “Here you go.”

She sat down. “Thank you again.”

“No problem.”

Nathaniel was a little bothered by the way he fawned over his date.

“I will send your waiter over right away, Dr. Becker.”

“I appreciate that.”

As he walked away, Alicia couldn't help but laugh.

“What's so funny?”

“You are. You should have seen your face when he held my chair.” She chuckled.

“That's my job. You're my date.”

“I'm sure he knows that.”

“Well, let's make sure he does.” He picked up the wine menu. “Hmm. Are you in the mood for sparkling wine or champagne?”

She shrugged. “You pick.”

“Okay.” He studied the list.

The waiter walked over. “Good evening. May I get you something to drink?”

“Yes. We'll have the Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne Brut 1999.”

“Very good, sir. Glass or bottle?”

“Glass. I want to keep a clear head tonight.”

“Thank you.” The waiter left.

Nathaniel casually looked at all the people staring their way. “It seems you have some fans here.”

“Maybe,” she answered nonchalantly.

“There is no maybe about it, Alicia. The place started to buzz the minute you walked in. Let's face it, you're a celebrity.”

“Oh, please, I'm a celebrity in the world of domesticity.” She sipped her water.

“Excuse me?” A man tapped her shoulder.

“Yes?”

“Aren't you Alicia Archer, the host of
Everyday Elegance
?”

“Yes.”

He waved at a woman seated at a center table. She immediately got up. “My wife just loves you.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Oh my God, it is you! I'm Margaret and this is my husband Lionel. I watch your show every day.”

“That's so nice. Thank you so much.”

“I tried your recipe for no-bake lemon pie and it came out perfectly.”

“Oh, good.”

The waiter returned with the champagne. “Pardon me,” he said as he placed the glasses on the table.

“I'm having dinner with this gentleman this evening.” She tried to back out of the conversation gracefully.

“Oh, we're sorry. Margie, she's on a date. We should go back to our table.”

His wife turned to Nathaniel. “I'm sorry, but do you mind if we get a quick picture?” She went back to Alicia. “No one will believe us.”

Nathaniel restrained his laughter.

“Sure, but then we'd really like to order dinner.”

“Thank you.” Margaret hit her husband's arm. “Lionel, get the cell phone.”

She pulled another chair up and sat. “Okay, honey, take the picture.”

“Okay.” He snapped the photo.

“Now can you take a picture of the three of us, please?” she held the phone in front of Nathaniel.

“Sure.” Nathaniel took the phone and snapped the photo. The grateful couple hugged Alicia profusely before they went back to their table.

Nathaniel covered his mouth. “Now what were you saying about not being a celebrity?”

“Go ahead and laugh,” she chuckled.

“This date has gotten off to an auspicious start.” Nathaniel smiled.

They managed to get through the rest of their evening without further interruption. A couple of hours later they were seated on a park bench in Saxon Woods Park with coconut tiramisu to go and two spoons.

“Cheers!” They toasted with their raised spoons.

“After you,” Nathaniel said.

“Thank you.” She closed her eyes and savored the taste.

“So you like it?”

“Yes, it's very good.”

He tried a spoonful. “Oh yes, that is nice.”

She looked around. “I'm glad we came to the park for dessert. It's so relaxing here.”

“I'll say. You caused quite a stir at the restaurant.”

“I guess I did.”

“I'm pretty sure the head chef, owner and pastry chef don't make it a habit to pull up a chair with their patrons.”

“I'm sorry about that.” She was embarrassed by the attention.

“Don't be. It's nice to know what life in the fast lane is like.”

“Life in the fast lane?”

“Let me rephrase that, life under the celebrity spotlight.”

“That's a little better. Not much, but better overall.”

They ate quietly for a few minutes.

“Alicia, there's something I want to ask you.”

“Okay.”

“It's about your husband.”

“I see.” She paused. “I haven't been on a date since the eighties, but I do seem to remember something about it being bad form to talk about previous relationships on a first date. At least that's what all the magazines and books say.”

“Usually I'd agree. But in your case it's different. You're a…” He hesitated. “Um…”

Alicia decided to put him out of his misery. “I'm a widow. It's okay, Nathaniel. You can say it.”

He laughed nervously.

“What about Kurt?”

“How did you two meet?”

“We met in college.”

“Was it love at first sight?”

Alicia laughed. “Hardly. I was an economics major from Long Island and he was an environmental science major from California. Kurt organized recycling programs for old exam papers and textbooks. He put student carpools together to reduce carbon emissions and planted God knows how many trees and plants to beautify the world and clean the air.”

“He was ahead of his time.”

“I know. Kurt had no use for capitalistic econs, as he called us. I minored in creative writing, so I wasn't all bad, but still we argued and debated every time we saw each other.”

“Sounds like a love match to me.”

“Well, we were the last two people to figure it out. We officially began dating in our senior year and we got married a year after graduation.”

“Then along came Kurt Jr.”

“Yes, and we had our family.”

“You and Kurt didn't want more children?”

“It would have been nice, but I was lucky to get pregnant with Kurt Jr. I developed some problems afterwards and after going around in circles with the doctors, I had a hysterectomy.”

“I'm sorry.”

“It's okay. We were happy to make three our magic number.” Alicia looked far off.

“You still miss him a lot.”

“I do.” She nodded. “He was a wonderful, kind and giving man. He was so full of energy and life it was infectious. You couldn't help but have a good time if Kurt was there. When they told us he had pancreatic cancer, he did his best to keep his spirits up. It just seemed to take him so fast.”

“It's an awful disease.”

“That's why I started the Kurt Archer Memorial Fund, so we could raise money for more research into all cancers and to fund environmental projects to benefit the earth. It's what he would have wanted.”

“I bet you he's proud of you.”

“I hope so.” She looked up. “Now it's my turn to ask a question.”

“Shoot.”

“Do you have any lost loves, or maybe one that got away?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Really? I didn't think any woman could resist you.”

“Oh yes, it happened.”

Alicia sat back to listen. “I'm intrigued.”

“I knew the minute I laid eyes on her she was something special. I was smitten.”

“It's hard to think of you as being smitten.”

“Why?”

“I've seen gorgeous women fawn all over you and you're a pretty cool customer. Otherwise they wouldn't try so hard.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “They may have been gorgeous, but they were mostly lightweights. This woman was the total package. She was intelligent, beautiful and sexy as all hell.”

“She sounds perfect for you. What happened?”

“She wouldn't give me the time of day. I mean, she was polite and all, but I could never break through. So I developed a strategy.”

“What was your strategy?” She was intrigued.

“I noticed that my nice guy thing wasn't working, but when I teased her, I got a reaction and at least that was something.”

“And that was enough for you?”

“It had to be at the time. Now I think it's changed.”

Alicia looked confused. “I thought you said she got away.”

“I thought she did but then she invited me to dinner.” He took her hand in his. “And I have no intention of blowing it.”

“You were talking about me?” Alicia felt more than a little naïve.

“Yes. You blew me away the minute I saw you.”

“Don't do this, I cry at the drop of a hat.”

“A tough girl like you?” He caressed her hand.

“I'm a sap for romance.”

“Don't tell anyone, but so am I.” He grinned.

Off in the distance someone had Jason Mraz's “I'm Yours
”
playing on the radio.

He stood up. “May I have this dance?”

“What?”

“Come on, let's dance.”

Alicia put aside her shyness, rose and they began to dance. They did a little two-step and he twirled her around the lawn.

“I'm yours,” he sang into her ear.

She put her head on his shoulder and they rocked back and forth for the rest of the song. Once it trailed off he lifted her face up. “It's true. I'm yours.” He gazed into her eyes. They kissed tenderly under the tree as the summer breeze whispered romance.

A little while later they kissed good night on her front step.

“I'll call you tomorrow.”

“Is that still three days from now in guy talk?” She smiled.

“I'll call you tomorrow.” He kissed her again.

“Okay. Good night.” She turned the knob.

“Good night, baby. Sweet dreams.” He winked.

Alicia opened the door and stepped inside.
Nathaniel Becker was smitten with me.
She smiled to herself.

“I take it you had a good time.” Harrison had a glass of milk in his hand.

“Did you wait up for me?”

“Actually, I came down to get a glass of milk.”

“Oh, sure,” she said suspiciously. “A bomb couldn't wake you once you're asleep. Admit it, you stayed up.”

“So what if I did? I wanted to find out if you had a good time, and judging by your expression, I'd say you had a great time.”

Alicia put her bag down on the table. “I did.”

“That's good to hear.” He looked at the clock. “It's late. You can tell me all about it in the morning.”

“Okay.” She began to ascend the staircase.

Harrison peeked out the window. Nathaniel was getting in his car with a big grin plastered across his face. “I take it there will be another date?”

“I think so.”

“If the goofy look on Nate's face is any indication, I'd say there will be many more dates in your future.”

Chapter 12

On Saturday Bunny called to say that she and Mr. Blanchard were out at their country estate in the Hamptons, so Gabby's quick visit would be more of an all-day event. Naturally Gabby called for reinforcements. By ten a.m. Lauren and Alicia were in the back of a limo for what they thought would be a leisurely day of spas, shopping and lunch.

“I want it on the record I was lured here under false pretenses.” Lauren folded her arms.

“I second that.” Alicia raised her hand.

“You said it was going to be a girls' day in the Hamptons.” Lauren huffed.

“It is a girls' day. We're together and we always have a good time.”

“You left out the part about going to your parents' place for tea.” Alicia added.

“I know. I thought my parents were going to be in the city this weekend, and I promised my dad that I'd see him today.”

Lauren and Alicia looked at each other. Although Bunny made them feel tolerated, Gabby's dad had always made them feel welcome from the moment they'd walked through the door thirty-two years ago.

“You don't play fair. You know we love your dad.” Lauren unfolded her arms.

“Am I forgiven?”

“Is she?” Alicia asked Lauren.

“Oh, all right. At least we're dressed for it.” She pointed to the Yacht Club wrap dress she wore. “By the way, Alicia, I love that black and white number you have on.”

“Thanks.” She smiled. “You're not the only one who shops online. This is the Kiyonna Manhattan dress.”

“Nice.”

Gabby looked at her blue T-back sundress. “I think I'm the underdressed one here.”

Lauren dismissed her assessment. “Of course you're not underdressed.”

“Thanks. And if I haven't said it before, you guys are great for not jumping out of the car once you knew where we were heading.”

“Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind. But I like this dress too much to ruin it,” Alicia said jokingly.

They laughed.

“Seriously, you two are the best friends anyone could ask for.”

“Not so fast. I think we deserve a trip to Levain Bakery for one of those chocolate chip walnut cookies for dessert. Because you know not only are we going to have those little grass-filled tea sandwiches, but to add insult to injury, we're going to top it off with cottage cheese and fruit for dessert. ”

“It's watercress, Lauren. I promise you we're not having weeds.” Alicia laughed.

“You could have fooled me.”

“Come on, Lauren, maybe it won't be that bad.”

“You think so, Alicia?”

“We might have a yogurt parfait with fruit and granola, right, Gabby?”

“Right. Mother did say Cook has expanded her repertoire.”

“Maybe yogurt and fruit might not be so bad after all,” Lauren relented.

“Oh, my God, you are having good sex, aren't you? You just turned down chocolate.” Alicia was amazed.

Gabby laughed. “She's got you there.”

“Can I help it if I'm happy and I know it?” She winked.

“Is that a no for Levain Bakery?” Gabby asked.

“I reserve the right to revisit this, depending upon how good the granola is.”

“Deal.”

Alicia looked out the window. It was bumper-to-bumper. “Oh, great, we're stuck in Saturday morning Hamptons traffic.”

“At least you're not driving,” Gabby noted.

“True. However, it does give us the chance to hear about your date, Alicia.”

“Lauren, I already told you. I had a good time.”

“You went on your first date in twenty-three years and you think we're going to settle for the
Cliff's Notes
version?” Lauren scoffed.

“Oh, for heaven's sake, you two,” Alicia sighed.

“You've got nowhere to run.” Gabby smiled.

“Uncle.”

“It's about time.” Lauren clapped. “You had dinner at 42. Now that's a recipe for romance if I've ever heard one.”

Alicia laughed.

“What's so funny?” Gabby asked.

“It's definitely a romantic place, but I wouldn't say we had a romantic evening there.”

“What do you mean?” Lauren was confused. “I thought you said you had a good time.”

“I have two words for you,
fanaticus interruptus
.”

“You're kidding?”

“I'm not kidding, Gabby. The overall interruption didn't last too long, but when people start taking pictures of you with their cell phones, it sort of takes the wind out of the sails.”

“How did Nate take it?” Lauren asked.

“He was a good sport.”

Gabby shook her head. “I'm telling you, people are something else. You were in a sexy black dress with a good-looking man at a romantic restaurant with a view and somehow people still managed to mistake it for a Kmart appearance.”

“Yes. It was like they announced, ‘Attention, all diners. Alicia Archer's in kitchenware with her new table collection.' ”

They laughed.

“What can I say? It's the price of fame.” Alicia shrugged.

“I certainly hope you had a chance to make up for it later,” Lauren said.

“We did.” She smiled like a schoolgirl.

“Oh really?” Gabby's ears perked up.

“Not that kind of making up. We got dessert to go and drove over to Saxon Woods Park.”

“What did you get?”

“Tiramisu.”

“Oh, that was romantic.” Gabby giggled.

“We shared dessert, talked and then we danced.”

“You danced?”

“Yes, Lauren, I danced. It's not like I don't know how.”

“I didn't say that. I know you can dance.”

“Did you kiss?” Gabby asked coyly.

“What? Are we fourteen again?”

“No, but every girl wants to talk about the kiss. So?”

“Yes, and that's how we ended the evening.”

“That's sweet,” Gabby said dreamily.

“I take it you're going out again?”

“I think so. He said he'd call me today.”

“I'm so happy for you.”

“Thanks, Gabby, but all I did was go out on one date.”

“Still, it's a start.”

“Okay, now that we're all caught up with Alicia, how are things going with Nigel?”

“Good.”

“Oh, you'd better do better than that, Gabby. After all, he's the reason we're going to Long Island's version of
Brideshead Revisited,”
Alicia said.

“You'd better spill the beans. What's going on?”

“I have two words for you, Terrence Talbot.”

“No,” Alicia groaned. “She tried to set you up with him?”

“Yes. She made sure he just happened to be in the area around the gallery.”

“Who's Terrence Talbot?”

“He's the paint prince. His company manufactures the residential and commercial paints you see in the big home improvement stores.”

“How do you know him, Alicia?”

“I met him at a couple of charity events. He talked to me about the process they use to make different shades of white paint for at least half an hour. Frankly, it would have been more scintillating to watch paint dry.”

“Oh, he's that bad?” Lauren winced. “Bunny sent him your way, Gabby?”

“It figures,” Alicia added.

“I know and when I told her no thanks, she reminded me that I can't be choosy, since I'm not getting any younger or thinner.”

“Ouch, no wonder you wanted us to come today,” Lauren said.

“And I kind of told her I was seeing someone.”

“You kind of told her? What does that mean?” Alicia asked.

“I told her I had a date and didn't need Terrence.”

“Now she's going to be after you to find out who it is and you're not ready to tell her about Nigel.”

“No, I'm not. Do you think that's bad? I'm not ashamed of him.”

“No one thinks you're ashamed of him, Gabby. Tell her about him when you're ready.”

Alicia looked out the window. “We're getting closer.”

“I called Ian and told him I'd be here for a little while today. He's out here every weekend. He might drop by.”

“He's twenty-two years old. The last thing he wants to do in the Hamptons is come to his grandparents' place for tea,” Alicia laughed.

“She has a point,” Lauren added.

Gabby nodded. “I think I'm really building something special with Nigel and I want to enjoy it for a while before…”

“You put him through all of this.” Lauren pointed to the house as they drove onto the estate.

“Yes. Will you help me?”

“Of course we will, but eventually you're going to have to stand up to your mother.”

“I know, Alicia, but as long as I have my best friends and fellow Aristocrats, I'll be okay.”
I hope.

* * *

Situated on a little over one-and-a-half acres in East Hampton a block from the ocean, the Blanchard family's historical 6,000-square-foot three-story mansion was a sight to behold. Originally built in the early 1900s, it had been in the family for decades and undergone several transformations to update its style.

As they got closer to the door, they saw Mary waiting at the entrance for them. A pleasantly plump woman, Mary Cummings had been the house manager for the Blanchards since Gabby was ten. Although graying, she still had the same spark in her brown eyes and the temperament to work with Bunny's exacting standards.

The driver got out.

“Here we go, ladies,” Gabby said.

They stepped out of the car.

Mary walked over. “Hello, girls. It's good to see you.”

Alicia hugged her. “How are you, Ms. Cummings?”

“I'm doing well, young lady. You look good.”

“So do you.”

Lauren hugged her next. “It's been a while.”

“I know.”

Mary turned to Gabby. “Hello, my girl.” She grinned as she hugged her.

Gabby had been close to Mary growing up. Whenever her mother would chide her for her eating habits, Mary was there to reassure her that she was pretty, no matter what size she was. Plump all her life, she shared a kinship with her young charge and Gabby was grateful.

“Hi, Ms. Cummings.” She smiled widely.

“Now there's the smile I love so much. Come on in, girls.”

While the house looked stately from the outside, it was cozy. The Fifth Avenue townhouse didn't have the same warmth with its marble and granite entryway. The entry here was wood leading up the stairs to a bay window that overlooked the immense backyard.

“Your mother and father are in the great room.”

“Thanks, Ms. Cummings.”

“I'll be there in a minute to help serve the tea.” She went off to the kitchen.

When they walked in, they saw Mr. Blanchard.

“Daddy.”

“Hey, sweetheart, how's my girl?” he said softly.

“I'm good, Daddy.” She threw her arms around him.

When Gabby was a little girl she thought her father was the smartest, strongest and most handsome man in the world. At well over six feet, four inches with sandy blond hair and blue eyes, he fit the bill for many years until the stroke. Even though he could no longer scoop her up in his arms, in Gabby's mind's eye every hug lifted her ten feet off the ground.

“I brought two other people to see you, Daddy.”

“Hi, Mr. B, it's good to see you.” Alicia kissed him on the cheek.

“Indeed it is, Mr. B. How are you?” Lauren added as she kissed his cheek.

“I'm surrounded by lovely ladies. What more could I ask for?”

“Richard, I have the blanket for your legs.” Bunny entered the room.

“Hello, Mother.” Gabby went over and hugged her mother.

“Hello, dear. I didn't hear you come in. Your dad wanted a blanket for his legs.” Carefully and lovingly she placed the blanket over him. “Is that good, honey?”

“Yes. Thank you, my love,” he said softly.

“You're welcome.” She kissed his forehead and then turned to Lauren and Alicia, who were on their feet.

Alicia spoke first. “Hello, Mrs. Blanchard. You look well.”

“Hello, Mrs. Blanchard, I second that.”

“Thank you, Alicia and Lauren. Please sit down and be comfortable.”

They sat back down.

“I am so glad you could make it here today. I know what a nightmare traffic is.”

“We got caught in a little traffic snarl, but it wasn't too bad, Mother.”

“The Hamptons aren't what they used to be. Years ago it was a nice getaway from the heat of the city, and now with everyone descending on the beaches, it looks more like Coney Island.”

“I could go for a Coney Island hot dog.” Mr. Blanchard smiled longingly.

“I'll have to get a couple for you, Daddy.”

“You'll do no such thing. He has to watch his diet.”

“Okay, Mother.” Gabby winked at her father. She'd sneak one to him.

“Alicia and Lauren, Gabby tells us your show is doing quite well. Congratulations,” Mrs. Blanchard said.

“Thank you. I'm very happy with it.” Alicia smiled.

“And since you're the producer, Lauren, I'm sure you have a lot to do with its success.”

“I think we make a good team.”

“I always said teamwork was important,” Mr. Blanchard piped up.

“You're right about that, Mr. B,” Lauren said.

Just then Mary came in with the tea service, followed by two maids with the additional refreshments. As they set up the table, all three were shocked to see the tea sandwiches had been replaced by mini quiches, canapés, mini focaccia with olive tapenade, real fruit tarts, scones and madeleines.

“Well, Alicia, Cook is quite anxious for your comments. She got the recipes from your show.”

“I'm flattered.” Alicia beamed.

“So please help yourselves and Mary will serve the tea,” Bunny said graciously as she got up to make a small plate for Mr. B.