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 sprang 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.”

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.