Waiting for Mr. Darcy (26 page)

He hung his head. “I know. I was going to tell you and then I just…”

“What?”

“I guess I felt like a loser. You're a beautiful, successful woman who could have any man, and you were interested in me. I didn't know how I was going to tell you my personal life was a complete mess.”

“Whose personal life isn't a mess? Everyone has something to deal with. The point is, if you love someone, you take the good with the bad.”

“There's a lot of bad right now.”

“So we'll deal with it. I want to help you through this. I'm sure you'd do the same for me.”

“I would.”

She got up and sat next to him on the bed. “I know.” She kissed him. “How about we watch a little morning news?” She picked up the remote.

“You want to watch television now?” Nigel had something else in mind.

“Yes. I want to check the weather.” She turned the television on.

“You're heading up to Scarsdale, aren't you?”

“I have to see her for myself.” She turned the volume up.

“And that's our local weather for today. We now turn to Doug Moriarity for the latest in the world of celebrity news. Doug?”

“Thanks, Jane. Sources say that domestic diva Alicia Archer looked like she'd been hitting the cooking sherry when she attended the Sixteen to Watch exhibit at the Blanchard Gallery Friday night. She's reported to have staggered out of the gallery early, propped up by two other guests to a waiting car. As you know, Alicia Archer just launched a cookware line with two major retailers…”

Gabby turned the television off. “Oh, my God. Alicia is going to freak out.”

“But she wasn't drunk. She has MS.”

“We know that, but other people don't and they've assumed the worst.” She stood up. “Forget the weather report. I'm heading up.”

“I'm coming with you.”

“Do we need to stop by your place so you can change?”

“No need. I brought a change of clothes with me.”

“Good. That saves us time. Okay, I'm going to hop in the shower now.”

“It smells like the coffee is ready. I'll bring you a cup, too.”

“Thanks.” She went into the bathroom.

Nigel went to the kitchen and fixed the coffee. On the way back to the room he noticed the paper on the counter. There was a picture photo of Alicia, Lauren and Gabby. There were two empty champagne glasses near Alicia. “Oh no,” he groaned as he picked the paper up.

Gabby was toweling off when he got back. He handed her the coffee.

“Hmm, smells good.” She took a sip. “Is that today's paper?”

He handed her the paper. “You're not going to like it.”

Gabby's expression said it all. “This is insane. Alicia didn't drink the champagne. Lauren finished both glasses and now they're making Alicia out to be a lush.”

“Unfortunately a picture is worth a thousand words, even if it's wrong.” He kissed her forehead.

She sighed. “This is going to kill Alicia.”

“She has people around her who love her and know the truth who will help her get through it.”

“I know you're right.”

“Of course I'm right.” He kissed her forehead. “I'll be five minutes in the shower and we can get on our way.”

“Okay.”

Gabby shuddered to think of the effect the paper and press would have on Alicia's well-being. She'd spent so many years carefully crafting her image, only to have it blown to bits by misinformation. Gabby wondered if this was the thing she needed to finally admit to the world there was a kink in the armor of a seemingly perfect businesswoman and domestic doyenne. She knew that the very thing she tried to hide from the world was the one thing that could save her. But would she reveal it?

Chapter 18

With Kurt Jr., Gabby, Harrison, Lauren and Nathaniel at the table, Alicia's elegant dining room looked more like a war room.

“Does Alicia know about any of this, Nate?” Lauren asked.

“No. She's been pretty out of it with the muscle relaxers.”

“Well, it's not like she won't find out, even if we tried to keep it from her. It's news now,” Harrison said, disgusted.

“My mother doesn't deserve this.” Kurt pounded his fist.

Gabby rubbed his back. “We know, Kurt. It isn't fair.”

“She's sick, and for people to think she's a drunk kills me. Can't we sue?”

“I'm not a lawyer, Kurt, but I doubt it's actionable. We have to convince your mom to come clean about the MS. That's the only way. In the meantime I'll do what I can to keep the network appeased. The magazine and company board is another story,” Lauren sighed.

Nigel walked in. “Excuse me. I hate to interrupt.”

“That's okay, Nigel. What's up?” Nathaniel asked.

“A Winnebago just pulled up in the driveway.”

Kurt Jr. jumped up. “It's Grandma and Gramps.”

“I think we know who's telling her now,” Gabby said.

In walked Walt and Loretta Carlson. Walt was a tall, regal man with dark brown skin, silver beard and close-cropped silver hair. Loretta was a full-figured silver fox with light-brown eyes who wore her shoulder length hair in a bun. They were dressed casually in jeans and sneakers.

Kurt Jr. looked like a little boy again with his grandparents.

“Come here and give your Grandma a hug.” She squeezed him tightly. “How's my boy?”

“I'm good, Grandma.”

“You look good, Kurt.”

“So do you, Grandma. I like your jeans.”

“Thank you. I'm an old lady trying to keep it together.”

“You're doing a good job.” He turned to his grandfather. “Hi, Gramps.”

“Hey there, son. How are you?” They hugged.

“I'm okay, Gramps. I've had better days, but overall I'm good.”

“You're talking about this nonsense in the papers with your mother.”

“Yes, Gramps.”

“Well, you can trust that we'll get this straightened out.” Mr. Carlson looked around. “It looks like we walked in on a meeting or something.”

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Carlson.” Lauren smiled.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Carlson. It's good to see you,” Gabby said.

“Lauren and Gabby, it's good to see you girls. I knew if anything was going down with my daughter, you two would be right here.” Mr. Carlson hugged both of them.

“Hello, girls, it's wonderful to see you.” Mrs. Carlson hugged them as well.

“It's great to see you too, Mrs. Carlson. You both look great,” Lauren said.

“Thank you, dear.”

“Hi, Walt and Loretta, it's good to see you.”

“Harrison, my man, how's it going?” Mr. Carlson shook his hand.

“I'm hanging in there.” He kissed Mrs. Carlson's cheek. “Loretta, you're as lovely as ever.”

“Thank you.”

“So where is our girl, and what is this rubbish we're hearing on the news?”

“That's what we were talking about,” Nathaniel piped up.

“You're the neighbor, aren't you?” Mr. Carlson looked at him suspiciously.

“Oh, Walt, cut that out. You know he's the one Alicia's been seeing. Don't pay him any mind. He knows who you are.”

Nathaniel laughed nervously.

“Well, young man, you're also a doctor. Can you bring us up to speed?” Mr. Carlson asked.

“Alicia had an attack. I took her to the NYU Multiple Sclerosis Center and they treated her. She's okay now.”

“That's the real story, but the story in the papers is something else entirely,” Mrs. Carlson said.

“Where is she?”

“She's in her room, Gramps.”

“All right, Loretta, you know where we're going.”

“I'm right behind you.”

They went upstairs.

Lauren waited until they were upstairs. “Gabby, can I talk to you?”

“Sure.”

“Let's go into Alicia's office.”

Gabby looked puzzled. “Okay. I'll be back, Nigel.”

“No problem, baby, I'll be right here.”

They went to the office. Lauren closed the door.

Gabby sat down. “Okay, Lauren, you've got my attention.”

Lauren handed her the newspaper. “I think you should look at this.”

It was an article about the exhibit, with a picture of an artist and one of Gabby and Nigel holding hands. “I didn't see this.”

“I didn't think you did.”

Gabby read the article. She shook her head. “I don't know what bothers me more, the fact that this happened or knowing my mother was right.”

“This isn't the time to second-guess yourself, Gabby.”

“You're right. I made a decision and I have to accept all the consequences, good and bad.”

“Who's the artist?”

“It's Ivana Andrik. She's been trying to get into the exhibit practically from the moment it began.”

“I take it she's not good.”

“What Ivana has is the mechanics, but that's not the same as talent, passion and feeling. Her paintings are cold. Even a still-life painting is supposed to evoke a feeling. Otherwise it might as well be a Polaroid or a mug shot.”

“Apparently she feels otherwise.”

“Personally I wouldn't let Ivana paint my toenails.”

“Ouch. You know if this is in one art section…”

“It's in a dozen art sections.”

“You're going to have to figure out how to handle this, and you have to tell Nigel.”

Gabby groaned. “Can we have one crisis at a time, please?”

“It should be so easy, Gabby.”

“I'm sorry you've got drama going on, too.”

“Don't worry about me. I've figured out what I've got to do.” She looked at her cell phone.

“You think Alicia's going to be surprised to see her parents?”

“Surprised is a little too mild a word. Shocked and stunned is more like it.”

* * *

“Alicia?”

“Five more minutes, Mom.” She turned over. “Mom?” Alicia opened her eyes.

“Hello, daughter.” Her father smiled down at her.

“Dad.” She looked over at her mother. “Mom.” She sat straight up. “Oh, my God, who died?”

“Relax, Alicia, no one has died. Everyone is fine.” Her mother rubbed her hand.

“Is Samantha okay? Are you sure?”

“Samantha is fine and happy in Milan,” her mother reassured her.

“That's a relief.” Alicia sighed. “So what brings you here? Did Harrison call you?”

“What would he call us about?”

“Come on, Mom. I know you know something.”

“You tell us, dear.”

“I had an exacerbation and I had to go to the hospital.”

“I thought you were supposed to be taking it easy while you were on hiatus.”

“I was taking it easy, Dad, but I had the cookware launch this week.”

“I'm sure you could have just gone to Herald Square, but you made several appearances.”

“How do you know that, Dad?”

“We keep up with you on your Web site. It lists your upcoming appearances.”

Alicia was impressed. “I didn't know you bothered with the Web.”

“We tried to avoid it, but we had to surrender,” her mother added.

Alicia laughed.

Her parents looked at each other.

“So did you have this attack after the exhibit?”

“I guess you could say it happened during the exhibit, Dad.” She stopped to think. “How did you know about the exhibit?” Alicia grew concerned. “Mom and Dad, what's going on?”

“There are reports in the paper and on the news about you. They're saying you were drunk at the exhibit.”

“What did you say, Dad?”

“I think you heard me the first time.”

Alicia felt sick to her stomach. “I'm being accused of being drunk in public?”

“They're running a photo of you with Lauren and Gabby. In the picture you have two empty glasses nearby.”

“But that's crazy, Mom. I had two sips of champagne and I didn't even finish the glass.”

“You know that's not the point, Alicia.”

“You know what I'm going to say, don't you?”

“Yes, Dad. You're going to tell me that I need to let people know I have MS.”

“Your father's right, Alicia. Keeping it a secret isn't doing you any good and this whole thing proves it.”

“But Mom and Dad…”

“Oh no, you don't, young lady. There's more at stake here than just your name. You have the foundation to think about, too. All this negative press isn't going to help raise money.”

“I can't let that happen. It's my tribute to Kurt.”

“We know. Listen, you have a house full of people downstairs who are here to rally and support you.”

“A house full of people?”

“Yes. Everyone is here, including our grandson.”

“I had no idea. I've been a bit out of it.”

“Granted. You need to rest and regain your strength. You're going to need it for the fight you have ahead.”

Alicia groaned. “I really don't know if I'm ready to do this.”

“Alicia, it might be too late to get in front of the story, but you can get the truth out,” her father said.

“I know you're right, Dad.” She paused. “My goodness, I didn't ask you when you got back.”

“We came in from Pennsylvania Dutch country and we're heading back home. As much as we love the Winnebago, my back is looking forward to our Sealy Posturepedic.” Her father smiled.

“I can't say I blame you.”

“By the way, Nathaniel is one of the people downstairs.” Her mother raised her eyebrows.

“He's seems like a good guy. He cares about you,” her father said.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

“Hi, Mom,” Kurt said.

“Hello, gorgeous, you're a sight for sore eyes. Come and hug your mother.”

Kurt hugged her tightly. “Are you okay, Mom?”

“I'm fine, Kurt.”

“Grandma and Gramps talked to you, so you know what's going on.”

“Yes, we did, son. Don't you worry, it's going to be fine. Your mother knows what she's got to do.” He stood up. “We better get going. We've got to get on the expressway and you know how much fun that is, even on a Saturday.”

“Okay, Dad.”

Her father kissed her cheek. “You go get em, tiger. You know if you need us, we'll be there in a heartbeat.”

“I know.”

Her mother kissed her cheek too. “You listen to your doctor and take care, like you're supposed to. Okay?”

“I will, Mom.”

“We love you.” Her father smiled as he opened her bedroom door.

“I love you, too.”

Kurt sat on the edge of her bed. “Are you going to bite the bullet, Mom?”

“I don't know that I have a choice anymore.”

* * *

With Alicia's parents gone everyone lolled around the kitchen while Harrison made something to eat. Lauren's cell phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. It was Randy.

“If you'll excuse me,” she said as she left the kitchen and went into the living room. “Hi, Randy, I'm so glad to hear your voice.”

“Hi. I just got a break here and I saw the paper.”

“So you know what's going on.”

“It's ridiculous. How's Alicia doing?”

“Physically she's fine. I haven't been up to see her yet. Her parents were here.”

“Well, I'm glad you're there.”

“So am I.”

“You know, though, this thing got me to thinking about Ken.”

“It did?” She seemed puzzled.

“Yes. It's all about the power of the press. Maybe you should take your story public. I have a friend at the paper…”

“I can see where you're coming from, Randy, but I don't think that's a good idea.”

“Why? It would put him on the defensive. I already called my buddy and he's ready to talk to you.”

Lauren couldn't believe her ears. “You called him without consulting me? Why would you do that?”

“You won't take my money. I had to do something, Lauren. You can't let this threat hang over your life.”

“I don't intend to let that happen.”

“So why don't you tell me what are you going to do?”

“This is my problem. I have it covered.”

“I love you. I want to help. Why don't you let me in?”

“Because I can handle it. I need you to trust me. I don't need you second-guessing me.”

“I'm not second-guessing you, Lauren. I just can't stand by and watch him do this to you.”

“I get it. Just call your friend back and tell him there is no story.” She paused. “Listen, I'm going upstairs to see Alicia. I'll call you on my way back to the city.” Lauren closed her phone and went back to the kitchen. “Gabby, I'm heading upstairs. Are you coming?”

She got up. “I'm right behind you.”

When they got upstairs to Alicia's room, she was watching the news report about her incident.

“What in the world?” Gabby went over and shut the television off. “Are you trying to make yourself nuts today?”

“I told her, Aunt Gabby, but she wouldn't listen to me.”

“I had to see how bad it was.” She rubbed her forehead. “I have a headache.”

“See what good it did you?” Lauren went into the bathroom.

“I can only imagine the number of phone calls and emails that are coming in,” Alicia lamented.

“You can't think about that now, Alicia.” Gabby sat on her bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Other than knowing my whole career and company are in the toilet, I'm peachy.”