Celtic Knot

by Shannon MacLeod

  “There she is,” he exclaimed and jumped up to give her a quick hug. “So happy you’re back.” Meg appeared from the back room, and Lily could feel her volatile energy before she even turned around to greet her friend. “Meg’s happy you’re back too, aren’t you, darling?” Dan urged.

  “Of course I am.” Meg forced a smile and hugged her.

  Lily glanced warily at the pair. “Okay, what did I miss?”

  Dan stared at the floor. Meg turned on her heel and stomped out, muttering darkly in Irish under her breath. Lily’s eyebrows shot up at their odd behavior. “I’ll just…go get started, then,” she stammered, bolting for her small office. Right away she spied the manila envelope on her desk, addressed to her in familiar, slanted handwriting. Puzzled, she poured the contents out onto her desk. There were all her credit card bills, unopened, the keys to her apartment and mailbox, and a small note that said only I love you. Ian

  Her confusion deepening, she tore open the bills and discovered every one had a zero balance. He didn’t just pay them, he paid them off, she realized. She shot up from her desk, grabbed her cell phone and sent him a text.

  call me

  Lily dialed his cell number, which went immediately to voice mail. She tried his home phone–again, straight to voice mail. Sitting back into her chair, she closed her eyes, relaxed and allowed her mind’s eye to seek him out. She finally saw him, surrounded in white. Uncertainty took hold as she sent another text.

  where are you

  She waited, but a nagging feeling told her she was not going to get a response.

  * * * *

  Ian didn’t look down at the ringing cell phone in his hand, and it took every ounce of strength he possessed not to answer it. He stared unseeing out the window. Normally he enjoyed the view over the ocean, but the dense clouds obscured his vision. All he could see was fluffy whiteness and the occasional patch of blue sky. There were a few others in premier class on the Aer Lingus A330, but he took no notice of them. When the flight attendant asked if he cared for something to drink, his gaze never left the window. “Macallan. Neat.”

  * * * *

  “What do you mean, gone?” Lily asked,incredulous.

  Dan tried to keep his voice low so Meg didn’t overhear. “He came by late last night and dropped off that envelope for you.”

  Lily whirled, ran to Meg’s office and braced herself in the doorway. “What is Dan saying? Where is he, Meg?”

  For one horrible moment, Lily thought the tiny redhead would burst into tears. “Back home,” Meg said. “His flight left from Orlando early this morning, but he came over first to say goodbye. I was so mad by then I didn’t hear half of what he said. Oh darling, I’m so sorry,” she said, as tears welled and spilled onto Lily’s cheeks.

  “When’s he coming back?” Lily’s voice quavered.

  Her eyes wet with angry tears, Meg moved around the desk and scooped her into a tight hug. “He didn’t say and I don’t know,” she said when Lily’s sobs finally broke free. “I swear I could cheerfully choke him lifeless right now.”

  Dan entered the room, and obviously uncomfortable with the women’s tears, cleared his throat. “You know,” he began hesitantly, “I saw a wonderful television program on the American Indians once–”

  Meg’s emerald eyes flashed. “Daniel, seriously. Now isn’t the time…”

  He put his hand up to silence her. “Hear me out. The show I saw was about the American Indians and wild horses–you know, how they caught and tamed them.” Lily looked up and started to listen while Meg waited, tapping a sneakered foot in her impatience.

  “Well, what they do is pick out a wild horse and make friends with it. Takes a while to build up the trust, but eventually the horse gets closer and closer. When it starts getting really close, the Indian puts up a fence behind it.”

  Meg rolled her eyes. “Your point?”

  “Hush, woman.” He waved her off and continued with his story. “The horse doesn’t see the fence behind him and the Indian distracts him while the other sides are put up. When the horse realizes he’s caught, he kicks and screams and tries to escape, but he can’t because he’s all fenced in, see?”

  “So then what happens?” Meg asked, catching on.

  “After the initial panic wears off, the horse comes to realize that maybe getting caught isn’t such a bad thing, and if the Indian is gentle and gives the horse a little room and a lot of love and understanding, he’ll be worth all the effort it took to catch him in the first place.”

  Meg let go of Lily and turned to face Dan arms akimbo. “What is it you’re knowing that I don’t?” she demanded.

  “I don’t know anything. It’s just a show I saw once,” he shrugged then went back to his purchase orders.

  31

  Seven days…two hundred sixty-eight hours…one thousand, six hundred and eight minutes… ninety-six thousand, four hundred and eighty seconds...not that Lily had the presence of mind to count. A week had gone by with no word from or about Ian. Dan moped, Meg ranted. Renaud just looked lost. Beth and her parents did their best to console and comfort, but Lily stayed mired in such a funk not even thoughts of the upcoming holiday brought a glimmer of a smile to her face.

  On December twenty-first, the Castle staff worked up to the wire to get everything ready for the Festival of Yule celebration that night. Dan’s phone rang at two minutes before six, and after a hushed conversation, he slammed the phone down with a loud bang.

  “Nothing like waiting until the last bloody minute to call,” he muttered, pounding away on the computer keyboard to pull up employee records.

  “What’s wrong?” Meg asked, coming in to investigate the racket.

  “Alison’s sick. She can’t come in tonight and it leaves us extremely shorthanded,” he said, keeping his voice low.

  “Try Maria or Jocelyn. Beth’s working by herself until Esmeralda gets here, but that’ll be too late. Don’t ask Lily,” she added in a hushed whisper.

  Lily walked up from her back office and saw their worried faces. “What’s going on? Don’t ask Lily what?”

  Meg forced a smile. “Nothing, dear. Everything’s fine.

  “Sorry, not buying it.” When Meg broke down and confessed their scheduling dilemma. Lily waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. “Not to worry. I’d be happy to help out. What can I do?”

  Dan and Meg looked askance at each other. “She was…playing the lady for the fencing exhibition tonight,” Meg said. “I didn’t want to ask you, because…well, you know…I didn’t want to stir up any sad memories for you, dear.”

  A cloud passed over Lily’s heart, but she answered without hesitation. “I’ll do it.”

  Meg shook her head. “That’s very sweet of you, but you don’t have to. We can find someone else to fill in.”

  Dan hesitated and glanced up at the clock. Since the days had gotten shorter, the exhibitions had been scheduled earlier and the fencing show would start in less than forty-five minutes. “We don’t have a lot of time to discuss this, darling,” he reminded her. “If Lily feels she’s up to it…”

  Lily plastered on a brave smile. “It’s fine. I’ll be happy to help.”

  “Best get to wardrobe, then,” Dan said. “You know where to wait.”

  * * * *

  Her transformation complete, Lily paced nervously at the gypsy tent, watching her friend who was busy with the happy holiday crowd. Beth sent her a reassuring smile and Lily took a deep breath, trying to return it. She hadn’t counted on how all of the memories would come rushing back to her, and she half expected Ian to come strolling into the tent wearing that big easy grin. When he did not, her spirits sunk even lower.

  Beth’s gaze flickered first over Lily’s earrings then the necklace adorning her neckline. “You’re wearing his diamonds today,” she remarked.

  Suddenly self conscious, Lily’s hand flew to her throat. “I just thought maybe….I don’t know. Wishful thinking, I guess.”

  With a spirited “Bons
oir, demoiselles,” Renaud arrived at the tent on time. They were just ducking under the tent flap to go when Beth called out, “Hey, did you pull a card today?”

  Lily tried to remember, but after a moment shook her head. “No, I don’t think I did. Why?”

  Beth shrugged. “You hadn’t mentioned it. Better go,” she waved toward the market, “you don’t want to be late.”

  * * * *

  Beth watched them leave, her heart aching for Lily. Once they were safely out of sight she drew a single card and stared at the Six of Wands in disbelief. She clapped her hands and laughed out loud with delight, then shuffling her cards with a flourish waved her next guest in.

  * * * *

  Lily took Renaud’s arm, determined to give a good performance in spite of her melancholy. “Who are you fighting tonight?” she asked.

  “He’s new, but you’ve probably seen him around. His name’s Henri something. I’ve fought him a few times before. He’s good, but not as much fun to fight as Ia–” His voice faltered. “Merde. I’m sorry, Lily. I shouldn’t have said that,” he apologized.

  “It’s okay,” she assured him. Inside, however, she was dying, she was certain of it. She masked her emotions as well as she could, and they walked on toward the market square.

  On cue the second suitor, a tall, lanky man with black hair and a bushy mustache, approached and challenged Renaud. Dan and his courtiers appeared, and everyone moved toward the main arena. Renaud escorted Lily up to the stage and she dutifully gave him her scarf as a favor. She sat next to Meg, who patted her arm with concern and asked, “Are you all right, dear?”

  Lily swallowed hard. “I’m grand, Meg, thanks.” Oh wonderful, now I even sound like him, she thought miserably, forcing herself to watch the field and not think about the last time she occupied this position.

  The battle was well fought, and when Sir Renaud disarmed Sir Henri, the crowd cheered. Renaud helped Henri up and waited until the other man left the field, waving to the crowd. He approached the stage, awaiting his cue.

  Dan’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker. “It would appear Sir Renaud has defeated Sir Henri. What say you?” When the crowd yelled their agreement, Dan nodded. “And what would you have as your reward, sir knight?”

  “A kiss from the lady, your majesty,” Renaud answered.

  Dan’s voice rang out again with the familiar question. “My loyal subjects, has he earned his reward?” The crowd cheered again, giving their approval. When the noise died down, Renaud climbed the steps and Lily stepped forward to present her hand for his reward.

  “Nay!”

  Dan shielded his eyes from the glare of the floodlights. “Who dares say nay? Show yourself!” he roared.

  The crowd standing at the entrance parted and Ian, dressed as the highwayman, strode toward the stage with his hair unbound and cape flying behind him. The cry that Lily had been stifling escaped her lips. He approached the steps and bowed low before a bewildered Dan and Meg then turned a brilliant smile on Lily, who stood staring at him, hands covering her mouth lest it betray her again.

  The crowd hushed when Ian stepped back, produced a pair of leather gauntlets and threw them at Renaud’s feet.

  “I challenge you for the lady’s honor, Sir Renaud.”

  Renaud stared at Ian as if he had seen a ghost. “I wasn’t really going to kiss her,” he whispered frantically.

  “Pick them up,” Ian ordered, gesturing to the man-at-arms who had come running to take his cape and scabbard. Renaud reluctantly did so, and moved toward his side of the field to take up his position. The crowd cheered again and waited for the next contest.

  Lily’s heart leapt to her throat when the two men began to fight. Ian fought as a man impassioned with the ultimate purpose and it was only moments before Renaud lost his balance. Ian pressed the advantage, knocking him to the ground and disarming him.

  His sabre pointed at Renaud’s chest, Ian whipped his head up and looked at Dan, who bellowed, “The match goes to the challenger. What say you?” Again the crowd roared in agreement. Offering his hand, Ian helped Renaud up and they spoke quietly for a moment before Renaud ran off the field at full speed, grinning wide and waving to the crowd.

  Lily glanced at Dan, who made a soft blowing noise that sounded suspiciously like a horse whinny before he boomed over the PA system, “What would you have as your prize, sir knight?”

  Ian walked slowly up the steps onto the stage and made a courtly leg to each monarch. Meg’s face was dark as a roiling thundercloud and she muttered something vaguely obscene in Irish. Ignoring her sibilant tirade, Ian blithely waved a hand over his ear like a fly buzzed around it. She snorted in derision.

  Lily stood waiting with one hand to her throat and the other over her heart, tears sparkling in her eyes. Taking her hands in his, Ian bowed his head then raised shining emerald eyes to meet her gaze. “I should never have left you, my love,” he said.

  “No, you shouldn’t have,” said Lily, her voice trembling with a myriad of emotion.

  He nodded. “You deserve far better.”

  “Yes, I do,” she agreed.

  “I come before you now to beg your forgiveness, my lady, and to offer my solemn vow that if you would have me, ne’er again will I stray from your side.”

  The crowd leaned forward as one to listen, and there wasn’t a sound in the entire arena as everyone awaited her response. Lily’s mouth twitched at the courtly words and she raised her chin, staring long and deeply into his eyes. After a lengthy pause, she responded in kind. “I will forgive you, my lord, but be warned, I shall hold you to your vow and should you play me false, the consequences will be dire indeed.”

  The crowd started to cheer, but Ian raised his hand for silence. “My sweetheart,” he said and releasing her right hand, took her left in both of his. “I have but one more question for you.”

  Everyone watching gasped aloud and the unshed tears in Lily’s eyes began to fall in earnest as Ian slowly went down on one knee. “My lady, will you marry me?” he asked. From his doublet pocket, he pulled out the ring and slid it onto her finger.

  Lily stared at him in confusion, then disbelief, then wonderment and a smile lit her face. “Yes, my lord, I will marry you!”

  The audience leapt to their feet and the cheers were deafening when Ian stood and pulled her into a passionate kiss then swept her into his arms. He bounded down the stairs still carrying Lily, calling back over his shoulder with a wide grin, “Never mind the kiss. I’ll have the whole lady as my prize, your majesty!”

  Lily wound her arms tighter around his neck and waved at Dan, whose grin was in danger of splitting his face in two. Wide-eyed and ghostly pale, Meg appeared to be in serious need of medical attention.

  * * * *

  A few minutes later in their office, Meg was beyond livid at both husband and brother. “You knew about this, and you let me believe…you let her believe…oh!” Her hands flew about while she stalked around the office, her tirade alternating between the occupants and the ceiling. “You’re both going straight to hell and so help me…”

  When Meg paused long enough to take a breath, Ian spoke up in Dan’s defense. “It wasn’t his fault, Megs. I begged him not to tell you. I didn’t want you to give it away.”

  Meg crossed her arms in a huff and opened her mouth to blast her little brother into the middle of next week, but Dan stepped in front of her. “Hush, woman,” he soothed. “Isn’t this what you wanted all along?” She gave him a grudging smile then laughed and threw her arms around him. “You have to admit, love, it was a grand proposal.” Dan chuckled.

  Lily leaned back on the couch, enfolded in Ian’s arms and giggling as he nuzzled her happily. “Was that romantic and memorable enough, my lady?” Ian murmured against her ear.

  “Oh, yes,” she sighed. “It was like something out of an epic poem.” She stroked his face, and he kissed her fingers as they trailed across his lips.

  He sang to her softly, “One kiss, my bonny sweeth
eart…”

  She put her finger against his lips to silence him. “Not that song,” she said, “they both died at the end.”

  “I’ve every intention of dying with you, love, but not for at least a hundred years or so,” he whispered. She heaved a deep, blissful sigh at his sweet words and laid her head against his chest.

  Meg rolled her eyes heavenward. “Unless of course she kills you first, which I think is very likely. Lord knows I’m sorely tempted to. So where’d you go?” she questioned, but Ian’s eyes flashed an unspoken warning.

  “Home,” he said curtly. Meg said nothing, but held out her hand to see Lily’s ring. Her eyes widened then narrowed when she looked at it more closely. then she turned that shrewd look on Ian. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a sound, Ian shot to his feet. “Daniel my friend, it has indeed been an evening to remember, but I grow weary of this inquisitive harpy you’ve married. Come, my sweet,” he said, offering his hand to Lily, “We’ve important matters to discuss.”

  Meg sputtered at being dismissed in such a fashion. “Don’t you for one minute think–”

  “Meggie me darlin’,” he crooned, “I’ll answer all of your questions very soon. I promise.” He glanced down at her feet then at her face and tried his best not to smile. “Don’t kick me, Megs. That’s Lily’s job now.”

  The office door burst open and Beth came barreling inside, careening to a stop in front of Lily. “Is it true?” she shrieked. “Merciful heavens, tell me it is. Did the Prince finally get his head out of his–” She stopped and cleared her throat. “So…ah…did he really propose?”

  Everyone in the office burst into laughter. “Yes, he did. On both accounts,” Ian said dryly as Lily showed off her engagement ring.

  Beth whistled at the large diamond solitaire. “Trust you not to do things by halves, Prince. I officially approve this union.” She grinned and threw her arms around Lily. As soon as she released Lily, she had Ian locked in a bear hug, then for good measure hugged Meg and Dan too.