Lily stared at her ring as if she had never seen it before.
“I believe the final carat weight was around two point four,” he said. “I didn’t want something that would overpower your delicate hands. It’s what they call an oval cut, but if you don’t like it, we can get you something else,” he added.
Lily’s eyes filled with tears as she realized how truly special it was. “I wouldn’t have any other ring,” she said.
He beamed. “About my livelihood. I am primarily an artist. Some of my pieces are on display in galleries throughout Europe and I have one piece at Trinity College in Dublin. You already know I’m the historical consultant for the Castle. Plus, I draw on walls.” He chuckled. “I’m in discussions with both the Ringling and the Tampa Museums of Art about projects for the coming year, so I anticipate being busy once those details are hammered out.”
She smoothed her skirt and cleared her throat. “Do you remember the morning that everyone in your family called? You said Sean had gotten good news about his job. What was that about?”
“Do you remember seeing the news story about the big diamond found, just over five hundred and two carats?”
Her father leaned forward, excited. “Was that one of yours?”
“Yes,” Ian answered proudly, “Now, mind you, there’s not much market for a diamond of that size, so likely it’ll end up in a museum or donated to be set into Her Majesty’s crown jewels. I haven’t been informed what the final plans will be.”
“The queen?” Lily and her mom chorused. “Of England?”
“Yes and yes.” He laughed.
“Have you met the queen?” Lily asked, incredulous.
“Once, but I was very small. They made me wear a kilt and I hated it. Now, about my family,” he continued. “You know about Sean and Megs, of course. Next is Seamus.”
“You said he was in New Zealand,” Lily said.
“That’s where he was then. When I called to tell him we were getting married, he was in Canada, I think.” When Lily looked puzzled, he chuckled. “Do you remember my serenading you. You said I sounded familiar? Seamus is the real singer in the family. He’s the lead singer for a band called Horizon–”
Lily cut him off before he could finish.“James!” she shrieked. “James Kelly is your brother? I should have realized by those green eyes. They’re my favorite band. I have all their CDs,” she explained to her parents.
Ian laughed. “I still call him Seamus. He’s been warned to be on his best behavior around you. Last is my baby sister, Heather. She’s studying to be a chef at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Wonderful cook, but she never puts enough food on the plates, at least not for me.” He thought for a moment. “I believe that’s everything.” He sat back and waited.
Lily studied him before she asked, “How many languages do you speak?”
“Fluently? Irish, English and French. I have a smattering of German and Dutch, and just enough Afrikaans to get by. Being that I’m in Florida now, Reef’s teaching me Spanish, but so far all I can do is swear and order beer.”
They all shared a laugh then the room went silent. Lily spoke first, and her voice was quiet. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this before now?”
Ian looked down at her hands clasped in his. “Sweetheart, I’ve had women chasing after me ever since I sprouted whiskers, but they weren’t interested in me so much as who my family was and what I stood to inherit. I grew cynical and took advantage of it on more than one occasion, I’m ashamed to say.” His color deepened as he continued. “When Dan and Megs moved here to the States to open the Castle, I jumped at the chance to join them and make a fresh start. And there I was just painting away, minding my own business, when I saw you walking up to the office with Beth, and you fair took my breath away.”
His smile was warm. “You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and I fell in love with you right there and then. And I thought that maybe, if you didn’t know anything about who I was, you could fall in love with me. Just…me. Not my family or the money. And then through all this, you returned my love so completely, and I became afraid of losing you because of my deception.”
Lily smiled, brushing back a stray curl from his forehead. “I think I should be mad at you for not trusting me sooner, but I understand why you’d want to keep it a secret.”
His gaze swept the room and returned to search her face. “So now you know all my secrets,” he whispered, “now will you move in with me?”
There was a sudden blur and a heavy thump. “I don’t remember a skylight in here,” Ian commented from his new position, sprawled flat on his back. “Is it new?”
Lily looked horrified until she realized her parents had already left the room. “I can’t believe I did that,” she snapped, but unable to maintain the facade of anger added, “You actually incited me to violence, you wicked man.”
Laughing, he pulled himself up on one knee. “I’m sorry, my darlin’, I couldn’t resist. The truth is, you being anything less than my wife would not be good enough for me. That is, if you’ll still have me.”
With a blissful sigh, she slipped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder. “Will you throw in making me breakfast, teaching me Irish and singing me to sleep every night?”
“On Sundays, only if you’ll talk dirty to me, and I get to pick the songs.”
“Deal.”
* * * *
It was a most memorable Christmas for all. Ian’s favorite thing was, of course, dinner. After everyone was stuffed, they lingered over dessert and coffee as talk turned to plans for the future. Ian turned to her father and asked, “Do you have a family attorney?”
Her dad’s brows knit for a moment before he replied, “Yes, why?”
“I’m going to be besieged by an army of them after the first of the year, first about the trust since I have completed my obligations to inherit, and second, about our marriage. I’d like to have someone you trust there to represent Lily’s interests.”
Lily jumped on that. “Obligations?” she asked, eyebrows raised.
“Not what you think,” Ian explained quickly. “In order to take control of our individual trusts at age twenty-five, it is stipulated that we attain no less than a Bachelor’s degree in an established field. I received first class joint honors in Art and History from the University of Leeds, and I hold a Masters from the Royal College of Art in London.”
“Are you going to insist on a prenuptial agreement?” her dad asked.
Ian’s smile was warm and full of love. “Nothing like that, sir. This is to make sure Lily is provided for in the event that something were to happen to me, and were we to be blessed with any children, them as well,” he said, taking Lily’s hand and stroking her fingers with his thumb.
Her mom lit up like a bag of sparklers, no doubt at the thought of grandkids. “So have you talked about having children?”
Lily glanced at Ian and they burst out laughing. “In a roundabout sort of way, yes,” she admitted.
Her mother poured more coffee and produced a plate of Christmas sugar cookies. Both men complained about how much they had eaten even as they helped themselves to several. “Have you picked a date yet?”
“The end of April,” Lily said firmly.
Ian’s face didn’t register even a trace of surprise.“That sounds perfect, my sweetheart.” He winked. “And have you given thought to a honeymoon destination? The entire world is yours to go where you wish.”
“I honestly have no idea, but from the expression on your face, I think you might,” Lily joked.
He grinned. “I inherited my grandmother’s cottage in Eire. It’s on a huge parcel of land, beautiful riding country. You know, I don’t think I’ve ever asked–do you ride?” When she shook her head, he brushed it aside. “No matter, I can teach you, or I can take you up with me. Either way, it’s one of the best ways to see the countryside.”
“Now there’s a tough choice–riding alone or snuggled in your arms. I’
ll have to think long and hard about that…” she mused, then shared in the laughter that followed the outrageous lie.
“Here’s my thought. We could stay there for a week then go sightseeing–Newgrange and the Burren, Tintagel, Holyrood Palace…Stonehenge?” he added with a mischievous smile.
“Yes!” Lily squealed with delight, throwing her arms around him.
“Goodness, how long are you planning to be gone?” her mom asked.
“Dan and Megs are expanding the Castle,” Ian said.“Construction begins at the end of May. If we get married at the end of April, I have five or six weeks before I’d be needed back, provided I can get all the plans done before we leave. Is that enough time?”
“It sounds perfect.” Heat climbed her cheeks as she remembered that he had already told her whenever or wherever they went, her entire first week would be spent naked and in bed.
34
Lily wandered through the rows in the overcast late winter afternoon, carrying a bouquet of fresh cut flowers. She searched until she found the name she was looking for, crouched and put the flowers in the ceramic vase atop the monument. Her fingers traced over the inscription, Beloved Son Lucas Alan Bell. “Be at peace, Lucas,” she whispered and bowed her head to say a silent prayer for him. Rising, she turned and walked back to the car where Ian waited for her. He leaned against the car, watching her with a look of glowing admiration. When she reached him, he pulled her into a tight embrace and whispered, “You are the kindest, most forgiving person I have ever known.”
She smiled at the unexpected compliment. “Ian,” she asked after a moment, “do you think maybe Lucas pushed you out of Irena’s way on purpose?”
Ian’s brow creased in thought. “You cared about him once and that means there must have been something good in him. I’d like to think that his last act was a noble one.” Opening the door for her he asked, “Are you ready?”
She nodded. “I am now, sweetheart.”
* * * *
In early spring, Dan and Meg invited Ian and Lily over for a potluck dinner. After the dishes were cleared, Dan suggested a game of darts. While they played, Meg commented to Lily, “We’re going to need to talk about your honeymoon trousseau this week.”
Dan looked just as baffled as Ian felt. “What the hell is a trousseau, and why does she need one?” Ian demanded, deliberately wedging himself between Lily and Dan on the couch. He fixed his friend with a ferocious glare. “Slide yer big arse over, Dan–she’s mine.”
“Knickers and frilly things,” Meg retorted as she lined up her first dart then scored a triple seventeen.
“Knickers not so much, but I’m okay with the frilly things.” He grinned, waggling his eyebrows when Lily poked him in the ribs playfully. “Make sure you pick out the ones that’ll look best on the floor.” Lily gasped in mock affront, while Dan laughed.
“Lily,” Meg said, stifling a giggle while trying to sight her next dart, “be a dear and kick him for me, please.” Ian coughed loudly when Meg threw, but her dart came to rest in the dead center of the bull’s-eye. She turned and gave him a smug look. “Nice try, amadan.”
Struggling to hold a straight face, he reached for his glass. “Pollen,” he explained then blew out a heavy sigh. “I’ll give you fair warning, darlin’, just so you can be ready for it. Ma’s already on about when she’s getting grandchildren.”
“What did you tell her?” asked Dan. Meg paused then turned to hear his answer.
Ian shrugged. “I told her not to worry, got it all planned out. The wedding is Saturday evening. That gives me Saturday night and all day Sunday, so I’ll do my very best to have Lily knocked up by the first of the week.”
When both women shrieked and laid siege to Ian with sofa pillows, Dan howled with laughter.
“What did you really tell her?” Lily demanded.
“That was what I told her. No, wait…” Ian giggled and rolled into a protective ball like a hedgehog, seeing they were readying to pummel him again. “I said when you were ready, we’d talk about it. We’ve got plenty of time. I want you all to myself for awhile before I have to share you.”
“Speaking of the time,” Lily said, gesturing to the clock. It was late, and he stood with her to go.
While Lily got their coats, he picked up their glasses and followed Meg into the kitchen. “When are you flying out?” Meg asked.
“Day after tomorrow, first thing in the morning. Seamus’s appointment is at ten am, he said. I should be back the next day by noon.”
“Did he tell you why he wants you to go? Doesn’t it seem odd he asked you to be there when he talks to his manager?” she wondered.
“The feeling I get is, Seamus doesn’t trust that bastard further than he could pick him up and throw him, and he’s got that pegged right. Maybe he just wants someone there he knows is on his side.” He shrugged and said, “Anyway, thanks for having us over, Megs.” He reached out to give her a big hug then jumped back like he had been shocked. They stared at each other for a tense moment. “Megs?” he said, pointing to her abdomen and the tiny spark of the new life growing within. Understanding dawned and a wide grin spread across his face. “It’s in the spring, Megs.”
“Shut up, you.”
“We need to talk. It’s not nice to keep secrets, you know,” he admonished.
“No, we don’t need to talk and my secrets are mine to keep,” she snapped. “And if you tell Dan before I do, I’ll beat you senseless, pregnant or not.” She beamed up at him with a loving smile and he smiled back.
“Thanks for all the help you’re giving Lily and me,” he said, “it means a whole lot. You know, I probably should tell you how much I love you more often than I do.”
She nodded sagely and admitted, “Aye, well, I guess I could actually come out and say how much I love you more myself.” They burst into laughter.
“We still need to talk, though,” he warned.
“No, we don’t,” she said, pushing him toward the door.
“Yes, we will.”
“Not.”
* * * *
The third week of April was upon them before they knew it and Lily was busy pacing a rut in the floor of Ian’s apartment. Ian and her dad were enjoying a wee dram in the kitchen and her mom sat on the couch watching her. “Honey, they’re going to love you. Relax. You’re flitting about like a bee in a bottle.”
When the men joined them, Ian must have seen how she felt because he immediately embraced her. “You’re going to be fine. They’ve all promised to be on their best behavior,” he said, checking his watch. “We need to get going, though.”
“Let me grab my purse,” Lily said, and headed down the hall toward the offices. She paused for a moment to admire the dozens of family pictures and portraits that had been returned to their original places on the walls.
With Ian and her parents, she walked the footbridge across the lake to Dan and Meg’s apartment. Grinning from ear to ear, Dan met them at the door and ushered them into the happy pandemonium. Ian placed an arm about Lily’s shoulders and kept it there. She was glad of the reassurance as she prepared to meet his family.
Upon walking through the door, they were met with shouts of welcome as everyone pressed forward to greet the newcomers. One small woman pushed her way through the crowd and stood before them, waiting patiently to be introduced. “Ma, this is Lily,” Ian said with pride. “Lily, meet my mother.”
She was just as Lily had pictured her, a petite flame haired beauty resembling an older version of Meg except for the piercing blue eyes with which she looked her up and down in assessment. Bravely, Lily stuck out her hand. “I’m very pleased to meet you.”
Moiré Kelly had a bright, dimpled grin. “None of that now, you’re family,” she said, engulfing her in a tight hug. “Oh, she is a pretty wee thing, isn’t she now?” She gave Ian a fierce scowl. “’Tis a wonder a sweet girl like this is willing to have anything to do with you at all, wild as you look. How’s that haircut coming along, my lad?” Wh
en Ian groaned , his mother waved a hand at his discomfort. “Come meet your family, dear,” she said to Lily. “Ian, introduce your bride.”
He took her by the hand, and led her first to a tall, striking man with black hair and green eyes, standing next to a slender freckled woman with ginger hair. “This is Sean and his lovely wife Leslie.” He dropped his voice to a loud whisper. “She has a funny accent, but doona ye say anything aboot it–she’s sensitive, ye ken.”
Sean hugged Lily and Leslie laughed, giving Ian a pinch for his impertinence. “It’s a pleasure,” she said to her in a thick Scots burr, “but they’re the ones with the accent. I’m just the voice of reason here in all this madness.”
Ian cupped his hand around his mouth. “Where’s your monkeys?” he called loudly. Immediately, three small children tumbled out of the kitchen, yelling with delight. Ian dropped to one knee and all three flung themselves into his waiting arms and smothered him with kisses.
“I have someone special for you to meet,” he said. “This is your Aunt Lily.” He stood and presented the children to her. “This is Ryan and Siobhan, they’re six, and this is Davy, he’s four.”
One by one, Lily shook their hands and told each how happy she was to meet them.
“She’s pretty, Uncle,” Siobhan whispered shyly. Ryan nodded in agreement with his twin.
“I think so too, poppet,” Ian whispered back, but Lily heard him and smiled.
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