“I’ll need at least fifteen.”
“You have five.”
“And when I walk out of here and meet your mother at her car after only five minutes—”
“Fine, fifteen.” Deneford sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “Just get on with it.”
“First of all, thank you for hearing me out,” Julia said, with a small, wry smile to show that she understood it was under duress. “Let me be perfectly clear: Paige Lyons is an exceptionally talented young actor with tremendous potential. She’s dedicated to her craft, well-liked by her colleagues, reliable, and a pleasure to work with. That’s why I didn’t want her to leave our show.”
Deneford studied her. “Fair enough.”
“It was selfish of me to interfere when you offered her such a wonderful opportunity.” Julia drew in a deep, shaky breath. “All the more so because the sixth season ofA Patchwork Lifewill be our last. At the moment, Paige is available to appear in your film. You should cast her while you still can, because if you don’t, some other, more perceptive director will, and they, not you, will take credit for givingher the breakthrough role that launches her as Hollywood’s newest, brightest star.”
“I did intend to cast her,” he pointed out. “You convinced me not to.”
“I shouldn’t have.” Julia took the DVD from her tote and went to the flat-screen television in the media cabinet on the opposite side of the room. “This will remind you why you should have followed your instincts.”
Inserting the DVD into the player, she pressed play and crossed the room to turn out the lights. She remained by the switch while the reel played, watching Deneford closely for any reaction, but he kept his expression carefully neutral.
When the film ended, she turned on the lights and returned to her seat. “Well?” she prompted, concealing her sudden anxiety. She had hoped for a spontaneous expression of enthusiasm while he watched, or at least a smile.
“She’s very talented,” he allowed. “That’s why she was my first choice for Emily.”
“Have you given the role to anyone else?”
“Not yet. We haven’t drawn up a contract, but we’re nearly there.”
“Then why not cast Paige as you originally planned?” said Julia, impassioned. “Come on. Give her the part. I’ll even sweeten the deal. I’d be happy to throw in a bottle of wine from Charles’s cellar—he was quite the sommelier, as you well know—or my Louisa Matthíasdóttir landscape. I know you admire her work.”
“I do. And that’s a tempting offer.”
“Then what’ll it be? Wine or art? Or both?”
“Neither.” A slow grin was spreading over his face. “I have something better in mind.”
Julia studied him, vaguely uneasy. “I can’t imagine what.”
“No, really, this is a great idea. You’ll love it.”
That did nothing to inspire confidence, but Julia reminded herselfthat she had promised Paige she’d do whatever it took to fix her mistake. “Fine. Let’s hear it.”
“This might surprise you, but I want to offer you a role.”
“Wow. Yes, Iamsurprised,” Julia admitted. “Who would I play? Emily’s elderly grandmother? A crotchety old housekeeper?”
“No, no, no. I’m not talking about my movie.” He chuckled at the very idea. “I want you to be in my nephew’s new TV series.”
“Oh. I see.” Julia braced herself for the worst. “Is it a decent role, at least?”
“It’s an ensemble cast, but you’d have a standout part.” He held up his hands as if framing a shot. “Celebrity Jury, a new reality series in which twelve of America’s most popular stars determine the fate of plaintiffs and defendants embroiled in the quirkiest cases ever brought before the court.”
“A reality show?” Julia exclaimed, dismayed. “I loathe reality television—except forThe Amazing Race. Could you cast me inThe Amazing Raceinstead? I’m sure I could convince Nigel to be my partner.”
“My nephew isn’t directingThe Amazing Race.”
“ButCelebrity Jury, really?” Julia protested. “This sounds terribly irresponsible. How could you allow a dozen celebrities to decide whether someone goes to prison, or worse? That’s not entertainment. That’s a travesty of the judicial system.”
“What are you talking about? Celebrities serve on juries all the time. Oprah Winfrey was on the jury for a murder case in Chicago back in August. If Oprah can do her civic duty, so can you.” Deneford waved a hand, dismissive. “Anyway, you wouldn’t be hearing criminal cases. It would be small claims court stuff, civil cases. The plaintiffs and defendants would have to apply to be on the show, they’d be thoroughly vetted, and they’d have to agree to abide by the jury’s decision.”
