The Gypsy Ribbon. Shannon MacLeod

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СКАЧАТЬ you’re here. We can get started now,” she called to the harried director. Camille was a bit on the frantic side herself as she grabbed Beth by the arm and led her over to two women. Both were petite with flame colored hair, the younger of the two pregnant. “Beth, this is Moire Kelly and Meghan Wilde, Ian’s mother and sister. Wait, you work for Meg, so you already know her.” Camille glanced around, spied her next target and took off toward him at a trot. “Ian! I need to talk to you about…”

      Beth laughed. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Kelly. You too, Meg.”

      “I’m delighted to finally meet the famous Beth. Ian and Lily have told me so much about you.” Moire smiled.

      Meg giggled and took Beth’s hands in hers, giving them a happy squeeze. “You look lovely this evening, Beth. That dress is stunning on you.”

      Murmuring her thanks, Beth picked at the knit again where it clung to her hips. Meg gently swatted her hand away. “Stop it,” she whispered. “You look wonderful.”

      Attired in a lovely floral dress that swirled around her when she moved, Lily glided up bearing two plastic cups. She took a sip of one and handed the other to Beth, who peered into it and sniffed. “What is this?”

      The bride-to-be grinned and took her friend by the arm. “It’s mead, kind of a spiced wine honey thing and it’s excellent. C’mon, I’ll introduce you around.” She led her to the edge of the crowd gathered near the stage and pointed out the other family members present. “You see the tall black-haired man talking to my dad? That’s Ian’s brother Sean. The ginger-haired lady next to him is his wife Leslie. She’s from Scotland, has the coolest accent. Sean runs Gallia Diamond Corporation from where they live in South Africa. They’ve got three of the most adorable kids. Their twins Siobhan and Ryan are our flower girl and ring bearer.” She sipped her mead while they walked. “All the Kelly brothers and sisters are just about two years apart. Sean’s the oldest, then Meg, Ian’s in the middle, then James and Heather.”

      A tall blond man walked by with a pretty young woman on his arm. His face lit up when he saw Beth and Lily. “Beth!” Renaud exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. One of the Castle’s most popular cast members and fencer extraordinaire, the handsome Frenchman was also one of Beth’s good friends. Releasing Beth, he turned to Lily and shook his head with mock sadness. “Lily, ma chere, you I dare not touch. Ian might see and I like my face just as it is, thank you. You look tres belle, Beth,” he added. “Have you met Ian’s sister Heather? She’s studying to be a chef at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. You’re due to graduate soon, non?”

      “Mais oui.” The beautiful green-eyed blonde smiled sweetly. “I feel as if I already know you,” she said, clasping Beth’s hand. “Ian and Lily speak of you so often.”

      Beth laughed and replied, “Only the good stuff is true, though.” She had just lifted her cup to take a sip of her drink when she sensed a presence behind her. She froze, holding her breath in anticipation. There was only one Kelly left to meet.

      “Me next,” a lilting baritone purred. The bearer of said voice stepped into view and Beth’s heart skipped several beats as she gazed into the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen. Lily grinned and introduced the newcomer.

      “Beth, this is James Kelly, Ian’s brother. James, meet my best friend and maid of honor, Beth Vargo. You’ll be escorting her.”

      Beth’s tone belied the excitement shivering through her body as she calmly offered her hand. “Pleased to meet you,” she said.

      * * * *

       Mine.

      His entire body resonated as that one single word exploded through him. James took her hand and brushed his lips across her fingertips, his gaze never leaving hers. “The pleasure is all mine, darlin’,” he said softly.

      Christ almighty, she’s gorgeous. Now this was a real woman. They stared at each other without speaking until the wedding planner clapped her hands and called, “It’s time to get started, people.”

      James managed to tear his gaze away first. Turning to Lily he grinned and said, “I believe Renaud is escorting Heather and as I have now found my partner, you should probably run along and find that homely bastard you’re marrying.” He looked around in feigned alarm. “Feel free to not tell him I said that.”

      Laughing, they all moved toward the center of the field where the rehearsal began in earnest. James still hadn’t released Beth’s hand, instead tucking it into the crook of his arm while they walked. “So you’re Lily’s best friend,” he said conversationally. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Ian thinks highly of you. High praise indeed since he doesn’t think highly about hardly anyone.”

      Beth hesitated a moment before speaking. “The Prince is…quite the piece of work,” she said slowly, “but he worships the ground Lily walks on and I approve of that.”

      James doubled over with an explosion of laughter. “The Prince? Sweet Jaysus, where’d that name come from?” he wheezed, once he was able to speak again.

      “It’s short for Prince Charming,” Beth confided solemnly.

      James snickered again. “Prince, indeed. Aye well, he does have something of a noble bearing. Not poor common folk like me, I’m afraid.”

      “Common isn’t a word I’d use to describe you,” Beth said then bit her lip as if to catch the words. James didn’t comment but cast a sideways glance at her and smiled.

      * * * *

      The rehearsal went as well as could be expected considering the amount of irreverent fun the alcohol had initiated. After an hour and a half, the newly hoarse director was somewhat optimistic that everyone knew where they were supposed to be and when. With a stern admonition to be on time and sober for the wedding, she turned them all loose to leave for the rehearsal dinner. The group started as one toward the parking lot, but once there began a spirited discussion about who was riding with whom.

      Ian and Lily pulled Beth aside. “Would you like to ride over with us?” Ian asked, snaking his arm around Lily’s waist and giving her a playful tickle. She smacked his hand in mock exasperation.

      “Nah, I hate being without my car,” Beth grinned. “I’ll see you both over there.” Her spine tingled and she got all shivery inside, knowing that when she turned around, James would be standing there. And yes, he was.

      “I didn’t drive and I don’t really know the area,” he shrugged. “Would you mind if I rode with you? I promise to behave,” he said with a crooked grin, “unless of course you don’t want me to.”

      Beth gave herself a mental pat on the back for resisting the urge to throw herself on him right there and then, and nodded numbly that yes, it would be fine if he rode over with her. Lily waved and called back, “Drive carefully!”

      Ian gave James a hard look but said nothing as he spun on his heel and followed his fiancee.

      Casting a wary glance toward the back of his retreating brother, James turned to Beth and said cheerfully, “Ready?”

      Waving for him to follow her, Beth headed for her car. She was relieved that it was for the most part pretty clean, all the fast food bags having been cleared out and nearly all of the French fries recovered from their hiding place under the seat. СКАЧАТЬ