The Gypsy Ribbon Page 7

  Beth shook her head in amazement. Her best friend was going to be away on her honeymoon for five whole weeks, the longest they had ever been parted since becoming friends. “Lily said they’re staying at Ian’s little country cottage for the first week?” she whispered.

  Meg burst into laughter, then clapped a hand over her mouth when the wedding director cast a dirty look her way. “Little cottage, indeed,” she snorted more quietly. “It’s at least…” she counted on her fingers “…a dozen rooms or better. The stillroom alone is the size of this tent and I’ll bet you a box of chocolates he’s appropriated some of the staff from Ma’s house for their visit.”

  It was Beth’s turn to laugh, but she quickly sobered when the chamber orchestra began to play. “I think it’s starting,” she whispered. In confirmation of her guess, the director shooed all the ladies into single file. Lily was radiant, grinning as she gave the thumbs up sign. She is just gorgeous, the lucky girl. Beth sighed, gazing in dreamy envy at Lily’s flowing white lace gown, her unbound hair crowned with a wreath of tiny white flowers.

  She smoothed her own medieval dress, the tips of the long sleeves brushing the short clipped grass. The rich color accentuated her red curls, which tumbled loose around her face and down her back. Together the bridesmaids made a jewel toned rainbow: Beth in fiery crimson, Meg in emerald green, Leslie in royal blue, Heather in deepest purple and six year old Siobhan in gold. The groomsmen were clad in matching hues. “If you don’t know who you’re supposed to walk with, just look for your color,” the exasperated director finally snapped.

  Clad in their period finery the ladies left the pavilion one at a time, carrying bouquets of spring wildflowers. Beth walked with slow measured steps up the aisle. Holy crap, Ian’s pale, she cringed as she glanced up to her destination, looks like he’s going to pass out any minute. Thinking fast, she gave him an exaggerated wink. Ian rewarded her with a surprised chuckle, flooding his face with needed color. Sneaking a peek at the other groomsmen, her gaze was drawn to James like a magnet to steel. He was clad, as were all the men, in tall black boots, black trews, white poet’s shirts and velvet doublets. His doublet was crimson to match her gown, and she knew no other color would have done him as much justice as that one.

  She ventured a tenuous smile. His own smile back was warm and appreciative as his unwavering gaze swept over her. Mercy, is it getting hot in here? she thought, fighting the urge to fan herself. Blushing at the unaccustomed scrutiny, she concentrating on climbing the few steps, feeling his eyes upon her as she took her place on stage.

  * * * *

  James had been waiting anxiously for Beth to appear and when she finally did, he was not disappointed. Every single time I’ve laid eyes on her, she’s gotten lovelier and lovelier. I’ve got to ask Ian about it. If I’ve been bewitched, he would know. He chuckled at the thought until Sean fired him a warning glance to be quiet.

  Suddenly the music stopped and for a long shining moment, time hung suspended. A wave began as the people in the back rows rose to their feet, rippling toward the front. The soft strains of the bridal march filled the air and small gasps of appreciation were heard throughout the crowd. Dan reached out to touch Ian on the arm. “There she is,” he whispered.

  James craned his neck to see Lily, but couldn’t for the standing guests. Instead, he turned to watch his brother. It was obvious when Ian finally saw his bride, a look of undying adoration lighting up his face from within. When Lily came into view, the same expression was mirrored on her own face. Overcome with a flood of emotions, James blinked back tears. His vision blurred while he watched Dr. Evans proudly escort his daughter up the steps to her waiting groom.

  Lucky man, he thought, marrying a woman who loves you as much as you love her. Although overjoyed at his brother’s happiness, there was a wave of sadness that crashed over him at his own emptiness and although he’d never admit it, the tiniest bit of jealousy at Ian’s good fortune. He dropped his gaze to regain his composure. When he raised his eyes again, he found himself looking directly into Beth’s. To his utter amazement, he saw his own tumultuous emotions reflected there. She’s lonely too, he realized, giving her a gentle smile of understanding.

  The first half of the ceremony passed quickly. James snickered at the guest’s reaction to the unconventional second half, this time earning both a surreptitious elbow to the ribs and a muttered “stifle yourself” from Sean for his trouble. For the initial vows and exchange of rings, Ian and Lily had chosen traditional fifteenth century vows spoken before a Christian minister. What the hell’s a troth, James wondered absently. The second part of the ceremony, however, was pure Pagan. Clad in the traditional hooded robe, the High Priest cast the circle where the bride and groom were handfasted. James listened intently as they exchanged their vows:

  “I, Ian, in the name of the Lord and Lady who reside within us all, and because of the deep and abiding love that I have for you in my heart, take you and you alone, Lily, to be my beloved wife. I promise to honor our union with words of adoration and actions of consideration. I pledge to work together with you, and to grow with you as your husband, your friend, your lover and your partner. My heart, my body and my soul, I give all to thee. Now, forever, and always, so mote it be.”

  “I, Lily… “

  That’s what I want, James thought. They’re going to be together for the rest of their lives. They’re going to have kids and grow old together and die happy. I want a love just like that.

  The music started again, signaling the end of the service. Arm in arm the newlyweds took their leave, followed by the twins who, in spite of hushed admonitions and the inevitable facepalm by the wedding director, held hands and skipped the length of the aisle. Two by two, the groomsmen and bridesmaids fell in behind them. James took his place at Beth’s side, offering his arm.

  Smiling shyly, she tucked her hand under the crook of his elbow, sparkling eyes dangerously close to overflowing. In an unspoken gesture of comfort he covered her hand with his own, pulling his arm tightly against his side. They completed their walk to the end of the aisle and once off the carpet, James brushed his thumbs gently over her cheeks to wipe away the trail of escaped tears. Leaning close to her ear he whispered, “I would tell you that you are the most beautiful woman here, but it is Lily’s wedding day, and that would be a disservice to her. So for today, I’ll tell you that you’re every bit as lovely as the bride, but tomorrow I’ll tell you the truth. You’re so beautiful you take my very breath away.”

  Beth’s face flushed with color, studying his eyes to an apparent attempt to gauge the sincerity of the compliment. As the wedding guests proceeded en masse to the reception area on the other side of the field he opened his mouth to speak again, but was interrupted the wedding director’s clarion call. “Back on stage, people,” she announced, clapping her hands loudly.

  Many, many pictures later, Beth and James headed out again in search of refreshments. Business was brisk at the open bars while everyone waited to be seated for dinner. “The food is amazing,” she marveled. Light hors d’oeuvres ranging from exotic crudités to smoked Nova Scotia salmon covered the straining banquet tables.

  James nodded. “A lot of this is traditional Irish wedding food,” he commented, snagging two boiled prawns from a passing tray. He handed her one and popped the other into his mouth. “But darlin’, what I’m in need of is something cold.” Taking her by the hand, he led her over to the bar and procured two glasses of champagne. Handing her one, he raised his glass to her and said simply, “To you.”

  A sharp whistle rent the air. Looking around for and locating the source, James nodded in acknowledgement and said, “Sean’s waving for us to sit down.” She followed him to their seats of honor next to the bride at the head table and smiled as he held her chair before taking his own seat. The food proved to be every bit as delicious as it looked. James groaned with delight at his first bite of the rare chateaubriand. “I was starving near to death,” he explained, “haven’t ha
d anything to eat today except breakfast and lunch, with a couple of small snacks in between like.”

  Beth recounted a conversation between Lily and Meg bemoaning Ian’s ability to empty a refrigerator in record time. “Do all of you have appetites like that?” she laughed.

  James gave her a wicked grin. “In all things, darlin’.” She gasped at his bold words, then giggled as he waggled his eyebrows.

  Shortly after dinner was underway, the toasts began. Some were touching and poignant, some were funny, but all were from the heart. Tears and laughter both flowed freely as glasses were raised again and again amid cries of well wishes and congratulations. Soon it was James’s turn to speak and he rose slowly, tapping his glass with his fork for silence. “I’ve thought long and hard about what I should offer as a toast for my brother and his beauteous bride. You’re all doing a bang up job with the toasting part, so I’ve decided instead to give a bit of advice.” He turned to Ian and Lily and raised his glass.

  “There are four things you must never do–lie, steal, cheat, and drink. If you must lie, lie only in each other’s arms. If you must steal, then steal away with each other’s heart. If you must cheat, may it be death that is cheated, and if you must drink, drink long and deeply of the joy found in the new life you create together. My brother and my sister, my wish for you is that you will always carry with you the happiness of this day, and a lasting love that will follow you from this life into the next. Slainte!”

  The loud chorus of Slainte! was returned immediately with a round of applause for the gracious words and Ian rose at once to embrace his younger brother. Lily stood as well, tears streaming over the heartfelt toast. She hugged James tightly and offered a toast of her own. “And I wish that you may find the peace, love and happiness you so desperately deserve, James,” she whispered.

  James smiled against her hair. “They say that wishes made by a bride on her wedding day always come true. I guess we’ll see now, eh?”

  Smiling, Lily released him and took Ian’s hand. “That’s not a wish, Seamus, that’s a feckin’ order,” she growled in a near perfect imitation of Ian’s soft brogue.

  Ian raised his eyebrows at them both and gave Lily a soft kiss on the temple. “Best do as she says, whatever it was. She’s a fierce one, my Lily is.” He leaned over and stage whispered, “I’m terrified of her.”

  Everyone laughed as they reclaimed their seats and turned back to their meals. Beth herded a stray broccoli floret around on her plate for a moment before commenting, “Your toast was beautiful. Did you write it?”

  “Most of it. Music comes pretty easy, but I have trouble stringing words together sometimes,” he admitted with a grin. “The feeling was genuine, though.”

  “I thought you did very well,” she assured him, turning her attention to the breadbasket. After a moment of deliberation, she chose a piece of hot soda bread and lifted it to her mouth for a bite.

  James raised his hand to stop her. “Here now, you can’t just eat it all naked like that. Let me fix it for you.” Taking the wedge of bread from her, he slathered it down with butter then drizzled it with clover honey. He held it up to her lips and said softly, “Try this.”

  She ventured a small bite and her face lit up with delight. “Mmm, it’s wonderful,” she sighed. He held it for her to take another bite, smiling to himself. The tip of her tongue darted out to catch the amber drop still clinging to her lower lip and a quiver coursed through him at the innocent gesture. Oh, this would be worth getting drowned for, he decided, buttering another piece of bread for her.

  After the magnificent wedding cake was cut a violin began to tune up and Beth tugged on James’s sleeve. “The music’s starting,” she whispered with excitement. The first number was a slow Celtic waltz for the bride and groom. Ian and Lily twirled beautifully surrounded by warm applause for the handsome couple. They were soon joined by Robert and Camille, Moiré and Sean, and then Dan and Meg.

  James grabbed Beth’s hand and said, “Come dance with me, darlin’.” Pulling her behind him, they reached the dance floor at the same time as Renaud and Heather. He gathered Beth into his arms and swept her up into the steps of the graceful dance.

  Beth’s panic showed clearly on her face. James leaned over and whispered into her ear, “Just relax, sweetness, I won’t let you fall.” With that, he pulled her a little closer and counted softly against her ear. “One, two, three…One, two, three…that’s it, you’re doing it. Just breathe and let me lead you.” It took a moment, but then her body began to relax as James took control. Within moments, they were dancing together as perfectly as if they had been doing it for years.

  “You see,” he murmured against her ear, “gypsies were born to dance. You just didn’t have the right…” He stopped before he could complete the rest of that thought out loud.

  She pulled back to look at him quizzically. “What were you going to say?” she asked.

  He smiled and adlibbed, “Just that you were doing great.” I am bloody intoxicated with this woman and I am liking it, he realized. He thought about what the morning would bring. An early breakfast with the family, a fast goodbye and an even faster limo ride to the airport to catch up with the rest of the band still on tour. He sighed, not ready to let the heady feeling go just yet.

  “What’s wrong?” Beth asked.

  He met her gaze evenly. “Thinking about the morning. I’m just…hating to leave,” he said, then forced a smile. “That’s tomorrow though, darlin’, and we have all of tonight to dance and laugh. Let’s not waste a moment of it.”

  ****

  It wasn’t long before the band kicked the tempo up a notch and started playing more lively Irish music. No matter the age, nearly everyone was dancing in one form or another, high heels abandoned alongside the dance floor. Dark beer and whiskey flowed freely, along with wine and mead for the less stout of heart.

  Beth found that a drink or two was just the incentive she needed to attempt the whirling Irish dances. The floor was packed with couples switching partners every few minutes. After twirling once around the floor with Lily’s father she moved on to her next partner and found herself in Ian’s arms. With a delighted grin he asked, “Enjoying the party?”

  She laughed and said, “Absolutely. I’m having a gi-normous time!”

  Ian nodded with approval then waited a beat before casually remarking, “Seamus seems to be quite taken with you.”

  “Well, I think he’s pretty peachy too. Tell me, Prince, have you and Lily been matchmaking long?”

  He threw back his head and roared with laughter at her astute observation. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about, Beth, but I did want you to know something about him.” He glanced over to see James dancing with Camille and said, “Seamus is a good man with a big heart, never mind what you read in the tabloids. He’s a real decisive sort, you could say. When he makes up his mind about something, he wastes no time. If he sees something he wants, he goes after it. He’s always been like that, passionate and impulsive. A real Knight of Wands.”

  She drew back in mock alarm then narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “It’s impolite to go poking around in other people’s heads without their permission, Prince,” she admonished.

  He gave her a disarming smile in answer and spun her around. “I guess I just wanted to ask you to…I don’t know. We all worry about him. Maybe I’m interfering, but he’s my brother and I love him dearly. I just want to see him happy for a change. Here’s an idea. Why don’t you climb in my head and find the words I can’t seem to get out?”

  It was Beth’s turn to laugh and she gave Ian a reassuring smile. “I think I know what you’re trying to say.” She thought back many months ago to a day she had gone to see Meg to get information about Ian on Lily’s behalf and she echoed now what Meg had told her. “He’s a good man. He just needs a good woman to help sort himself out. Something like that?”

  Ian nodded. “Exactly like that, perceptive lady. You know, I never did thank you for makin
g Lily apply for the job at the Castle. I owe you.”

  “You more than made it up to me, Prince,” she murmured.

  When the song ended, Ian bent low over her hand and gallantly kissed her fingertips. “My thanks for the dance, milady.” Beth giggled and made to pull her hand away, but Ian tightened his grip. “Not so fast, mo cailin rua,” he whispered, the corners of his mouth twitching.

  Beth stared back at him in confusion. As if on cue, the sweet strains of a ballad filled the air and James appeared at their side as if by magic. “Mind if I cut in, brother?” he said to Ian.

  Ian bowed to Beth again then gave her hand to James, “Not at all. Enjoy.” He clapped his brother on the shoulder, winked at her then headed off in search of his bride.

  James slid his other arm around her waist, pulling her close enough to feel the heat radiating through his clothes. “I didn’t think they’d ever get around to playing something slow,” he commented as they swayed gently to the sounds of the uilleann pipes. They danced without speaking until James finally broke the silence. “I get the feeling I make you nervous,” he said with what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “Not quite the reaction I was going for, you understand.”

  Beth’s chin rose a notch. “I’m not afraid of you. I just don’t…know what you’re after. I know that I’m not up to the caliber of women I’ve seen you with, so I’m not sure what it is you’re doing. I mean, guys like you don’t look at girls that look…well, like I do.”

  James studied her carefully. “I’m not sure where you’re getting your ideas from, but here’s what I think. I like you. You’re funny and you’re beautiful and smart. No,” he said when she started to protest, “hear me out. I want to get to know you better. Now if that’s not something you’re interested in, you need to let me know right now so I can try to get you out of my system before you dig in any deeper.”

  Beth was speechless, not able to get even the smallest sound to come out of her mouth. Undaunted by her lack of response, he continued. “I’m leaving first thing in the morning, but I’ll be back.”