“Beth,” Dan said softly, “who’s minding the tent?”
“Oh,” she yelped, “that would be me. Call me!” she said, making the universal hand gesture next to her ear as she ran for the door. “By the way, I pulled a card for you tonight after you left for the show. It was the Six of Wands.” With a wave, she was gone.
The joyful homecoming. Lily smiled.
Ian took Lily by the hand, and they moved toward the door to leave. He paused in the doorway and turned to face the couple standing there. He placed his other hand over his heart and bowed his head. “Go raibh mile maith agaibh,” he said in a reverent whisper.
Dan’s eyes misted over as he slipped a big arm around his beloved Meg, pulling her close.
“You’re welcome, my friend.”
32
They went straight to his apartment and once inside, Ian pulled her into a deep intoxicating kiss that made her body go weak with desire. Reluctantly he released her and said, “I fully intend to keep you occupied for the remainder of the night, but I need for you to do two things for me first.”
Lily waved a hand for him to talk faster. He smiled at her impatience; it mirrored his own. “I want you to call your parents and tell them, and I need to make an appointment to speak with your father,” he said in a rush.
She laughed. “Are you going to ask him for my hand in marriage?” When he did not respond, she looked at him in amazement. “That’s exactly what you’re going to do, isn’t it?”
Ian took her hand and nodded. “It would mean a lot to me to have your parents’ blessing.”
Lily smiled to herself and dialed her parents’ number. She relayed first the happy news then the request. “They want us to come over for Christmas dinner and you’ll have a chance to talk then,” Lily informed Ian, having ended the call. When Lily’s phone rang afterward, she announced it was Beth and her eyebrows lifted in unspoken question.
“Go ahead. I’ll be a couple of minutes yet,” Ian said, disappearing into the bedroom. He lit the candles in the bedroom and smoothed the sheets, then headed for the kitchen. There he popped open the waiting bottle of chilled champagne and poured them both a glass, smiling as an idea came to him. He eased into the great room, set the crystal flutes on the coffee table and motioned for her to keep talking, while he tugged out of his boots, the doublet, and the shirt underneath. She sipped the sparkling wine, her doe eyes riveted on him as he disrobed. With the flair of a male stripper, he unlaced his pants, slid them off with calculated slowness then swaggered over to her naked. By all outward appearances he was quite happy about it. Her eyes glowed with appreciation as she watched his impromptu performance. He bit back a smile of satisfaction when he heard Beth yell, “Lily? Lily! Are you still there?”
“Pay me no mind, love,” he said, motioning for her to continue with her conversation while he unzipped her gown. He nibbled the sensitive spot just below her ear before unfastening her bra so that it too could join the growing pile of clothing accumulating at her feet.
“Beth, I need to go– Oh!” she gasped when Ian found her nipple with his mouth. The phone fell to the floor, and Ian chuckled as he lifted her and carried her to their bed.
They exchanged kisses for an hour and made love for hours more with fierceness and passion, sweetly and with reverence. Ian had thought their lovemaking wonderful before, but the way Lily opened up to him so completely and welcomed him home left him with a feeling more overwhelming than he could ever have imagined, a rapturous bliss that consumed him. In the aftermath of their love, he lay helpless and weak beside her, his lips buried in the warm hollow of her throat. As he listened to her deep, steady breathing, he wondered what grand and glorious thing he had done to deserve such an angel and why in the world he had fought this wonderful feeling for so long and so hard. He said a silent prayer of thanksgiving then joining her in deep, restful sleep began to dream…
* * * *
He was nervous. No. Truth be told, he was scared witless. He was tall and well formed, he knew, in spite of having seen a mere sixteen winters. The priests assured him that the Goddess would not fault him for his lack of experience. She would see only that he came to Her pure in both body and spirit. The sarcen stones loomed tall and proud against the horizon, and when the sun sank low and the fires of Beltane began to appear on the distant hills, his agitation grew. The windswept plain echoed with the tattoo of the ritual drumming, and surrounded by the hooded priests, he waited near the stones for his Goddess to arrive.
Lily sighed in her sleep, snuggling closer against Ian and she too dreamed…
In spite of the herbs she had been given to help her relax, she was still apprehensive. The priestesses had told her when the God came to her, there would be fleeting pain but afterward great pleasure. She had prepared for this role since birth–had often dreamt what it would be like, and hoped the offering of her body would please Him.
When the drumming began, the priestesses led her into the ring of standing stones and to the altar stone in the core of the inner ring. They removed her linen robe and laid her back against the unyielding stone, each touching her with a parting blessing. The flat stone was cool and smooth beneath her skin. She lay naked beneath the sky, her body painted with symbols and markings so ancient, they harkened back to the time before time was. She heard a soft movement and closed her eyes to steady her racing heartbeat.
Ian moaned softly and pulled Lily tighter against him…
The priests adorned him with the royal robe and horns of the stag king and led him to the inner circle, without words indicating he should enter. He stepped into the center, and saw Her lying on the altar stone. She was beautiful, the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, and his hunger for Her was both fierce and immediate.
He crossed the remaining steps to Her slowly, knowing that as the Maiden, She was as nervous as He. Their eyes met. His, the deep green of the grass covering the high hill of Tara, Hers were the misty blue-gray of the stormy Irish Sea.
The primal drumming grew louder as He climbed atop the stone, and lying next to Her, kissed Her tenderly. She returned His kisses deeply and sweetly in Her innocence and they clung to each other, exploring their bodies with youthful curiosity.
The drums were deafening when He finally rose over her, and She opened Herself to Him to welcome Him home. The pain was fleeting and must have been forgotten in moments, because She moved with him as if they were one, joining in the consummation of the Great Rite.
…Wake now and complete the circle…came the silent command.
* * * *
They cried out in unison as they woke, staring with disbelief into each other’s eyes. Without a spoken word or a sound, they continued where the ancient memory left off. When at last the brilliant stars were within their reach, their cries of fulfillment were exultant, triumphant, and primal in their intensity, rocking them to their very core.
They lay shivering and entwined together until the shockwaves subsided, and before sleep overcame them again, Ian whispered against her ear, “We found each other again, mo anum cara.”
She smiled against his chest, soothed by the lullaby of his beating heart. “Yes, beloved, we did.” Once again they both fell deeply asleep, and no more dreams came that night.
* * * *
The following days were sheer bliss for Ian and Lily, and when Christmas Eve came, they joined Dan and Meg for dinner. Lily brought a crystal wine decanter for Dan and Meg’s bar, which they both loved, but the undisputed highlight of the evening was when Meg tore open the wrapping of Ian’s gift to them.
Dan was struck speechless at the sight of the royal portrait, but Meg’s reaction wasn’t nearly as subtle. She raised a hand to her mouth and tears began to fall. “It’s beautiful,” she cried, hugging her brother tightly, and it was only a moment before Dan joined in as well.
Ian rose to help Meg hang the portrait in the great room while Lily and Dan lingered over their coffee in the dining room. Giving Dan a smile she said, “It’s
so nice to see them getting along.”
Dan laughed heartily. “They all fight like cats and dogs, but you won’t find a family that loves each other more.” He leaned in and lowered his voice. “You haven’t heard Ian and Ja…uh, Seamus…go at each other yet, but you will. Like twins, those two. Me, I think the egg split and Seamus just waited two years to be born out of sheer stubbornness. Let me tell you a story, though, while they’re out of earshot.”
He settled back in his chair and warmed to his tale. “It was the summer before I started college. My family and I were visiting the Kellys. One night, Ian, Seamus and I snuck out the second story window of the Kelly house, shimmied down the roof and went to a party Ian and I had both been forbidden to go to. Now, I wasn’t quite eighteen, Ian was probably all of sixteen, so Seamus couldn’t have been more than thirteen or fourteen. We didn’t want him to go, him being too young and all, but he begged and we said okay...”
Dan paused in his story when the hammering started in the great room. He held a finger up and said, “Wait for it…”
Bam! Bam! A bloodcurdling howl of pain erupted from the other room. Dan put his hand on Lily’s arm to prevent her jumping up. “All right in there?” he called.
“I’ll just get you some ice, dear,” Meg said over her shoulder on her way to the kitchen. She smiled at Lily. “For future reference, he’s a menace to himself and others with hand tools,” she stage whispered.
“I heard that! I could be bleeding internally for all you know and you’re cracking wise,” came the indignant bellow from the great room. After a moment, Ian stuck his head in the dining room entrance and gave Lily a sly wink. “Wanna play doctor later?”
Meg reappeared moments later carrying an icepack and rolled her eyes at her sympathy-grabbing brother. “Here,” she said, giving Ian a playful shove then following him back into the great room.
With a chuckle, Dan continued his anecdote. “Anyway…long story short, the party got way out of hand, and the Garda–that’s the Irish police–came and hauled the lot of us off to jail.”
Lily gasped and said, “It must have been big trouble when your parents caught wind of it.”
Dan shuddered. “You have no idea. The Garda all knew us, knew our families, and since we were underage, they called our parents from the station. When the guard told us Ian’s dad was on the way to get us, Seamus broke down and cried like a little girl. Now, don’t get me wrong. Mr. Kelly was a good man, but he was a scary bastard when he got his temper up. Their dad looked like a thundercloud when he picked us up, never spoke the first word all the way home. Ian told his father it was his fault Seamus was there, that he made him go. Seamus got off free and clear, and Ian took both beatings. Never told his dad the truth, either, so far as I know.”
Lily smiled. “That’s a pretty strong sense of family loyalty.”
Dan shook his head and gave her hand a pat. “No, sweetheart. That is love, pure and simple.”
* * * *
Lily and Bella spent Christmas Eve at Ian’s apartment and they exchanged their gifts over breakfast. He was ecstatic with the velvet doublet embroidered with the Kelly family crest, just as she had known he would be. Ian in turn gave her a velvet box with the now familiar G symbol. Inside she found a beautiful diamond tennis bracelet, dainty and brilliant. He helped her fasten it, but when she protested the extravagance, he silenced her with a tender kiss. Even Bella was remembered with an engraved sterling silver dish–filled to the rim with gourmet albacore tuna.
He also brought out gifts he had purchased for her parents: an exquisite blown glass Celtic cat from Ireland for her mother and a decorative decanter of twenty-one-year-old Glenfiddich for her father. Ian kissed her on the cheek as she finished her breakfast and whispered, “I do love you.”
Lily beamed back at him and echoed his words, but seeing his pained expression, knew something was amiss. “Is everything all right?” she asked. He gave her a faint smile before he rose and left to get dressed.
Lily chose a pleated georgette dress in a flattering shade of hunter green, with a ruffled neckline that showed off her necklace. The matching short jacket was long sleeved, and the ruffles at the end of the sleeves drew attention to her slender hands and her engagement ring. The new bracelet sparkled at her wrist. She swept her hair up into an elegant chignon and applied a light touch of makeup. Matching green pumps completed the ensemble, and she slipped them on, ready to leave.
Peering into the small mirror behind the bar in the great room, Lily did a last minute check of her hair and makeup. She saw the slight movement through the mirror first and her mouth fell open. Not trusting the reflection, she turned to view him.
Ian walked slowly into the room, adjusting his cuffs. I’m seeing him for the very first time, she realized with a shock. He seemed taller. Authority and confidence rolled off him in waves. Lily wasn’t sure what kind of dark gray suit he wore, but she knew expensive when she saw it–the suit molded to his frame as if custom made, the light gray stretch dress shirt was complemented by a moss-green silk tie expertly knotted into a full Windsor. His cufflinks were diamond, his only other jewelry a large bloodred carnelian ring and what she was certain was a Rolex. His hair was smoothed away from his face and pulled back with a dark leather clasp. Noting her astonished expression, he flashed a dazzling smile and crossed the room. Cradling her face in his hands, he placed a tentative kiss on her forehead. “No questions, please,” he murmured. “You take my breath away, my beauty. You are lovely beyond measure.”
“I could say the same for you,” she said, forcing her voice to remain even.
He frowned at her cool tone. “Men aren’t lovely, sweetheart, but I’m hoping it means you find my attire acceptable?”
She gave him a pointed once over from his head all the way down to the tips of his Italian leather dress boots. Narrowing her eyes, she jabbed her finger into his chest to punctuate each word. “I have a lot of questions, Ian Kelly, and I can promise you’re not going to dodge them for very much longer.”
He grinned at her. “And they will all be answered today, my love. I just need to talk to your father first.”
33
They arrived at her parents’ house in time for a quick cup of coffee before church, but the moment they returned from the service Ian could wait no longer. “Dr. Evans, I believe Lily mentioned I’d like to speak with you privately?”
“Of course, Ian,” Dr. Evans said, gesturing down the hall to his office, and the two men disappeared into it, closing the door behind them. Waving for Ian to take one of the overstuffed leather chairs, Lily’s father took a seat behind his large desk. “Now, then, is this the part where you ask me for my daughter’s hand in marriage?”
Ian stiffened, then seeing the amusement in the older man’s eyes, chuckled. “Fair play,” he said. “Yes, I’m supposing it is.”
“First things first, though,” Dr. Evans said, relaxing into his chair. “I’ve got some questions for you. The first thing you need to tell me about is your suit. Armani?”
When Ian nodded, Dr. Evans whistled. “Christ, that must have set you back. I also noticed the Presidential on your wrist. Excellent choice. Nice car you’re driving too, and although I’m no jeweler, Lily’s diamonds seem pretty pricey. Especially on what some might romantically call a starving artist’s salary,” he said. “Now–would you like to tell me what it is you really do so I can decide whether or not I’m going to let you to marry my daughter?”
Ian took a deep breath and began to talk.
* * * *
Lily paced in the kitchen, and it was all she could do to keep from breaking down the office door to find out what was going on. “They’ve been in there for over an hour,” she fretted.
“I’m sure everything’s fine, honey.” Her mom patted her hand reassuringly. “Your father and I just have some…concerns…but it’ll all work out for the best. You’ll see.”
Another half hour crept by and when the office door opened at last, Lily spra
ng up and ran to the kitchen door.
“Mother, would you and Lily join us in the living room?” Dr. Evans called, waving for the two ladies to have a seat on the couch. He cleared his throat and addressed Lily. “I’m sure you know Ian came to ask me for your hand in marriage. Before this goes any further, I need to hear it from you. Do you love him?”
She nodded, looking at Ian uncertainly, but he did not return her gaze. “With all my heart, Daddy,” she answered.
“Enough to marry him?” her father asked, casting a sideways glance to where Ian stood still as a stone, eyes lowered.
She nodded again, the hair on the back of her neck prickling at his tone. “Yes, I do.”
“Well,” he said, “Ian tells me he feels the same about you. In light of this, speaking for your mother and myself,” he paused to look at her mom for her consent, “we will give you our blessing–on one very important condition. Ian hasn’t been forthcoming with you about himself and his family…”
Lily went cold.
“…but he has explained his reasons to me, and I do understand why.” He gave Ian a resolute stare and said, “You’re going to have to tell her the truth, and if she still wants to marry you after that, you have our blessing.”
With a nod, Ian pulled up the hassock, sat before Lily and took both of her hands in his. She met his gaze levelly even though her entire body trembled with apprehension.
“You’ve had a lot of questions, and up ’til now I’ve managed to get round most of them one way or another.” He gave her a tentative smile. “When I first met you, all you knew was that I was a painter for the Castle and I filled in occasionally to help the actors out. I asked Meg and Dan not to give you any information about me, about our family, and by the time I was ready for you to know, I was unfortunately over my head in the deception.”
He took a deep breath. “My name is Marcus Ian Kelly. I’m the second son of Marcus Ryan Kelly, and the great-grandson of Seamus Ian Kelly, the founder of the Gallia Diamond Corporation,” he said. “My two brothers, two sisters and I hold controlling interest in the corporation. Gallia currently has seven mines in operation in South Africa and Botswana. Your ring,” he said, holding up her hand, “came from Botswana. When I was out of the country, I flew first to Ireland then to South Africa to see my brother Sean, our company CEO. I selected the rough cut stone and watched while one of our master gem cutters cut and set your ring. I used your ring to size it,” he said, putting his hand to where her ring still hung around his neck under his shirt. “When I put it on your finger, you are the first person to ever have had it on and like you, it is flawless and one of a kind.”
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