Chapter eighteen - The orangery
Shortly after dinner Jessica slipped out of a side door and walked the short distance along a gravel path. The orangery was close to the Hall, yet completely detached from it. Sebastian had asked her to meet him there no earlier than eight p.m.
He'd promised something special to mark their final night in Derbyshire.
The glorious stone structure was at least twenty meters in length, with wide, arched windows that ran almost from floor to ceiling; the large expanse of glass out of proportion with the surrounding walls. At the end, the windows were replaced by glazed doors that could be opened wide to let in the cooling summer breezes.
Around the outer edge a partially solid roof supported a delicate tracery of ironwork, glazed to let the most light in. The long back wall had recently been painted a dazzling white to reflect sunlight back into the room, helping all manner of tropical plants and fruits to thrive. Terracotta tiled paths meandered between sunken beds crammed with abundant foliage.
Not knowing where Sebastian would be—or even if he'd arrived yet—she followed the narrow walkway that ran closest to the wall, pausing occasionally to push back the large glossy green leaves and spiky fronds that blocked her way.
In the middle she found an open area with a small fountain, where water trickled from a trio of thin trumpets played by a curly haired cherub. The water droplets falling onto carved marble shells made a relaxing, almost musical sound.
It was all quite beautiful, but there was still no sign of Sebastian.
The broad edge circling the fountain was just the right height for sitting on, so Jessica perched on it, allowing the stream of water to play over her fingers. Silver and bronze coins thrown in by visitors glinted at the bottom of the wide bowl, importuning whatever deity they believed in with pleas for good fortune.
Jessica hadn't brought any money with her, but she didn't need any luck. She already had her heart's desire.
"A penny for your thoughts."
She whirled around, smiling when she saw him standing behind her. "I was only thinking how I don't have any pressing need to wish for something. I have everything I want right now."
"And now so have I. Come." Holding out his hand, he took hers into his keeping and led her silently through a second section of large-leaved plants until they reached the end furthest from the door. Rather than another glass wall, as Jessica expected, she found a solid semicircular alcove—well hidden from anyone standing by the fountain. The ceiling of the alcove curved upwards into a half-dome shape and she imagined that this intimate space might have once been filled by a chaise longue, strewn with cushions and shawls, where a former mistress of the house conducted her dangerous liaisons. Today a large, square picnic blanket took its place. On top sat a scattering of cushions, a punnet of ripe strawberries, a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
"I take it you have a friend in the kitchen?"
"I have friends everywhere." Sebastian's grin was boyish. "My dad used to tell me that my best friend at school should be the dinner ladies, and he was right. I always enjoyed extra helpings and preferential treatment. I suppose the habit has stuck." He sat down on one side of the blanket and reached for the bottle, loosening the wire cage with a deft twist before he eased the cork out with a gentle pop. "Sometimes, if you give the catering staff a smile and a wink they're so overwhelmingly grateful that you've brought a speck of cheer into their miserable existences they'll do anything for you."
Dropping onto the blanket next to him she accepted a half filled glass. She wasn't a huge fan of champagne. It went to her head far too quickly and always left her with a hangover in the morning, but one glass wouldn't kill her.
Sebastian stretched his legs out and propped himself up on one elbow, turning towards her as he held his glass up for a toast. "Well, what shall we drink to?"
"Oh, I don't know. The end of a wonderful week? I can't believe we only have one more day here. Exley Hall is an amazing place, and I've had so much fun living in the past. It seems a shame that we have to return to the modern world."
He reached for her free hand, drawing her closer. "The magic doesn't have to end, you know. You're based in town, aren't you? I can drive you back home tomorrow if you like, and maybe we can pick up something from my favourite take-away."
She had made some friends while working with various casts, but very rarely had those friendships survived past the end of a project. Although she'd daydreamed about seeing more of Sebastian after the week was over, she was realistic enough not to expect it. In this case he'd exceeded her expectations. "That would be lovely. Thank you."
"No problem." Sebastian picked up one of the strawberries, holding it out for her. "Still, as we're sitting in such a romantic place we ought to make the most of it while we're here." He leaned towards her for a kiss, their lips sharing a familiarity borne of frequent practice, both onstage and off.
Jess wished there was a way to capture this perfect moment so she would never forget it. The evening sun warmed the air in the orangery, intensifying the sweet scent of the strawberries. She breathed it in, relishing the sweetness mingled with the sharp bouquet of the champagne, the fresh outdoor fragrance of the plants, and Sebastian's own unique smell; a mix of his favourite shower gel and cologne. She took another sip from her glass as they laughed together, reminiscing over their experiences of the past week.
Sebastian ran his fingertips along her cheek, through her hair, and down the column of her neck. He relieved her of her glass, setting it safely to one side as he took Jess in his arms, laying her gently back onto the blanket. Their lips came together again, and Sebastian deepened the kiss as he moved closer, cradling her in his embrace.
As their mouths parted, she felt the warmth of his breath against her ear. "Lizzy ... ah, Lizzy. You smell delicious."
"Jess," she whispered absently. His head jerked back, a frown creasing his brow, as though he wasn't quite sure what point she was trying to make. She looked into his eyes. "My name's Jessica, remember?"
A knowing smile twisted his lips. "That might be what your parents called you, but right now you're my Elizabeth." He distracted her by slipping his hand boldly under her t-shirt and running a finger along the line of lace decorating her bra. "This bit is Lizzy ... and so is this." Fingers trailed across to the other side. "And this bit is definitely Lizzy." He spoke purposefully as his hands moved across her stomach and over her hip, pulling their bodies closer together.
She stiffened. "You know, that joke's getting a bit tired now. Using our character names has been fun, but when we're alone like this I'd be more comfortable if you called me by my own name."
"Why?"
Jess moved him back so she could sit up. "Because then I'd know you were kissing me, rather than some character Jane Austen created."
"What's in a name?" he declaimed in his strong clear voice. "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. So Jess would, if she were not Jess called..." Sebastian winked as he lifted one shoulder in what might have been an apologetic shrug. He drained his glass and poured another. "It's fun to role-play. I've always wanted the opportunity to explore the two halves of Darcy. The honest, honourable man on one side, versus the passionate, brooding, determined Master of Pemberley, like some Regency Jekyll and Hyde character. Darcy must have his Elizabeth, and doesn't every woman secretly dream of being ravished by the dangerous Mr. Hyde rather than the sensible Dr. Jekyll?"