Always (18 page)

“Unattractive?” He looked stunned. “Why the hell do you think you’re unattractive? You’re more beautiful now than when I first saw you.”

“It’s very kind of you to say that, but I know—”

“I’m not kind. I told you I’d always tell you the truth.” His hands cradled her face. “Every day I look at you and see the changes and I’m
filled with a kind of wonder. Your skin glows and becomes satin and velvet at the same time. Your hair shines and ripples in the sunlight. Your entire body is ripening like a young tree that blossoms in the springtime. It’s all freshness and beauty and new life.” He looked at her with complete sincerity. “Can’t you see that?”

“No.” Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “But I’m very,
very
glad that you do.” She turned her head and kissed his palm. He was the wonder. How lucky she was to have found him. “Then perhaps you won’t be too embarrassed to stand up with me before a preacher.”

He went still. “What?”

“I’m asking you to make an honest woman of me.” She smiled shakily. “If you want to, that is. Kira said she thought you did, but if she was wrong, I’ll—”

“If I
want
to!” His face had the same radiant expression she’d seen the day she’d told him of Marna’s prediction about the baby. “Oh, God,
yes
, I want to.” His blue eyes blazed with joy. “You know damn well I want to marry you.”
He suddenly frowned. “Kira didn’t try to steamroll you into it, did she?”

“No, she merely pointed out that you probably wanted to make the baby legitimate. I find I want that, too.” She kissed him. “I like living in sin with you, but I believe I’ll love being married to you.”

He drew a deep, unsteady breath. “Tomorrow. We’ll fly to Marasef tomorrow and be married. I’m not taking any chances on you changing your mind.”

“I’m not going to change my mind. Why didn’t you tell me it was this important to you?”

“I was afraid you’d run for the hills,” he said. “You were so determined not to marry after your experience with Baldwin. I didn’t want to push you into giving more, when I had so much already.”

“You’re the one who’s done all the giving.” She smiled, her eyes misty. “We’ll have to see if we can’t change that, starting tomorrow. Now come to bed, you look terribly exhausted.”

“I am.” He gave her another kiss and stood
up. “It’s been a hellish two days. It was one blind alley after another. Every time we sent men out to raid one of the terrorists’ hiding places, we’d find he’d just flown the coop. There’s got to be an informer in the palace. That’s one of the reasons I have to go back. I have to plug that leak.” He undressed quickly, turned out the light, and slipped into bed. His arms went around her and he held her spoon fashion, his hand cupping her abdomen. “I like to hold you like this. I thought I felt a little flutter night before last. Is it time for that?”

“Yes, I’ve been feeling a little movement now and then.”

His breathing was already deepening, his arms growing heavy around her. “Tell me the next time it happens. I want to …” His words trailed off, and she thought he was asleep. Then he spoke again, his voice a drowsy murmur. “So much wonder.…”

The tears that had been brimming suddenly ran down her cheeks. Clancy. So dear. She loved him so much in that moment, she’d thought she’d explode with it. Oh, God, and
she hadn’t told him that she loved him yet. She
would
tell him tomorrow after they were married. Surely fate wouldn’t be so cruel as to snatch this happiness away. She didn’t think she could stand it if she lost Clan—No, she mustn’t be such a coward. Clancy had been all that was open and giving to her. She must be the same with him. He had lovingly taught her that a new beginning was possible for her. That beginning must be bright and brave and completely honest.

Lisa closed her eyes. She must try to sleep. She was going to be married tomorrow. But she lay there a long time before sleep claimed her, thinking about Clancy and their child and new beginnings. And Clancy’s last words before he went to sleep:

“So much wonder.…”

T
HE SLEEVELESS SHIFT
was sunshine yellow in a natural silk that looked fashionable yet understated. It didn’t hide the fact that she was pregnant, but it did give her a certain stylish elegance. It was the best she could do, anyway. She would really have to shop for a maternity wardrobe when she was in Marasef. Lisa turned away from the mirror. “I’m ready. It’s not exactly bridal, is it?” She grinned at Clancy. “You look much more impressive than I do.” He looked wonderful in his steel-gray suit. It contrasted beautifully with his golden
tan and deepened the blue of his eyes. “I haven’t seen you in a suit since you wore the tuxedo on the first night we arrived here.”

“You look beautiful.” He put his arms around her. “You’re always beautiful, but this morning you have a glow.”

“I’m happy.” Lisa pressed a kiss on his cheek. “I think I must be old-fashioned, too. I like the idea of getting married. Will it be difficult being married in Marasef? What about all the bureaucratic paperwork?”

“Alex will fix it. I’ll call him as soon as we go downstairs and tell him to arrange for a special license.” He stepped back and turned her toward the door. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

“I’ll have to tell Kira. Do you suppose she would be willing to be a witness? I don’t really know anyone in Sedikhan yet, and—”

A knock sounded on the bedroom door. Clancy crossed the few remaining paces and opened it.

“Oh, you’re already dressed,” Kira said. “That’s a relief. I didn’t want to disturb you,
but it’s almost nine-thirty and there’s still so much to do before—”

“Good morning, Kira,” Clancy said with a touch of irony. “There’s nothing like starting the morning with a bit of your usual zaniness. Now slow down and elucidate.”

“Elucidate,” Kira repeated as if she were savoring it. “I’ve always loved that word. Perhaps because I seldom manage to achieve the blessed state of elucidation.”

“Try,” Clancy suggested.

She wrinkled her nose impishly at him. “All right, but it’s not nearly as much fun.” She drew herself up with regal dignity. “Will Mr. Donahue and Miss Landon please have the courtesy to descend to the foyer so that we may proceed to Marasef?” She dropped the pose. “In other words, will the two of you get your asses in gear so that you don’t miss this scrumptious wedding I’ve planned for you?”

“Wedding? But how did—” Lisa broke off. “Don’t tell me; let me guess. Marna.”

Kira nodded. “She woke me up at six and told me it was going to be today.” She shook
her head reproachfully. “You could have given me a little more time. I’m not a miracle worker, you know. I’ve been on the phone since seven inviting all the guests. I’ve called Zalandan and Philip and Pandora and …” She waved an all-encompassing hand. “Oh, everyone. The ceremony is set for noon at the palace with the reception directly following it.” She frowned. “I would have preferred an evening reception, but I thought that would have been too strenuous a day for Lisa.”

“We were just planning a simple ceremony,” Lisa said faintly. She felt as if she were being swept along by a tidal wave. “I don’t know.…”

“This will be simple,” Kira assured her. “Nothing to wear you out, I promise.” Her expression suddenly became grave. “It won’t really be a social occasion. We just want to be there and share your happiness. Marna’s tribe has a saying that to share joy is to share the soul. The only people who will be there are the people who love Clancy and want to love you.” She smiled gently. “Let us share your joy, Lisa.”

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” Clancy said. “What has been planned can be unplanned.”

A very pregnant bride, a roomful of strangers who would be wondering, as Kira had, if she was good enough for Clancy. It wasn’t an inviting prospect, yet these were Clancy’s friends and he must want them to share this important moment in his life. It was a little thing to give, compared to what he had given her. “Why should I want to do that? It sounds wonderful.” She smiled at him. “That’s why you brought me to Sedikhan, remember? You wanted me to meet your people.”

“Marvelous,” Kira said. “Now I suggest you hurry downstairs and have your breakfast. You have twenty minutes to do that, and then I figured you could take Lisa on to Marasef in your helicopter. I’ve arranged for a chauffeur from the palace to meet you at the airport and take you to Alex and Sabrina. I’ll follow you in the helicopter you used to fly here last night and bring Galbraith and Marna.” She stopped for breath. “Okay?”

Lisa chuckled. “Okay. I have only one question.”

“What? Oh, Lord, have I missed something?”

“No, I just wanted to know why you thought you weren’t suited to rule a country. You obviously could reorganize the entire social structure of the world single-handed, if it suited your fancy.”

Kira shook her head. “If I did, you wouldn’t want to live in it. Pure chaos. Clancy will tell you.” She smiled. “This is different. This is joy. I’m very good at joy.” She turned away. “Now please hurry. I have to get dressed myself, and I still have to make sure the flowers are delivered on time.” She was hurrying down the hall as she spoke. “I’ll see you in Marasef.”

“You know, I bet she
is
very good at joy,” Lisa said softly as she watched Kira disappear down the corridor.

“But then so are we,” Clancy said as he took her hand. “And we’re getting better all the time. Shall we go down to breakfast? We’re already two minutes behind Kira’s schedule.
We’ll have to make it up somewhere or face the consequences.”

They made up the two minutes by skipping a second cup of coffee at the end of breakfast and were walking across the courtyard toward the helicopter precisely on time. Besides the familiar blue-and-white airship, there was another bright canary-yellow helicopter sitting some thirty yards distant.

“Mr. Donahue.”

They turned to see Marna hurrying toward them. “I have something for you.”

“Another talisman?” Clancy’s brows raised quizzically.

“In a way. It’s an ancient Tamrovian coin severed in two.” She handed one piece to Lisa and the other to Clancy. “I have put a very powerful spell on it. If you both carry it with you during the ceremony, you will never be parted.”

“That’s a spell I’d be willing to try to cast myself,” he said gently. He turned and opened the helicopter door. “Thank you, Marna.”

Lisa impulsively leaned forward and kissed Marna’s cheek. “I’ll keep it always.”

Clancy lifted her into the helicopter and then jumped in himself. A moment later a turn of the ignition sent the propellers whirring, and the blue-and-white helicopter lifted off with sluggish awkwardness. Then it rose, turning and gaining speed with a certain amount of grace. It made a ninety-degree turn and set course for Marasef.

Marna stood watching with a faint smile as the helicopter sped toward the horizon. The strong sunlight glittered on the slightly unwieldy body of the craft and caused a mirror reflection on the steel fittings of the propeller. It looked terribly vulnerable and alone in the vastness of the harsh blue sky. Vulnerable. Marna’s smile vanished. Her pupils dilated as the shock hit home. The airport. Vulnerable. She turned and ran across the courtyard. She had to get to Kira.
The airport
. It was going to happen at the airport!

–––

Clancy opened the door of the helicopter and lifted Lisa to the tarmac. The shrill scream of a jet taking off on a nearby runway caused her to flinch. It was isolated at this private section of the airport, but still close enough to the main terminal to be subjected to the abrasive noise level. “This is coming as quite a culture shock. I never realized how quickly I could become accustomed to the desert quiet at the castle.”

“It’s only for today. By sunset I’ll have you back at the castle a stodgy married lady.” He grinned. “If I can manage to get you away from Honey and Sabrina and Billie. They can be very persuasive, and they’re not going to be satisfied with a few hours’ acquaintance. They’ll be backed up by Zilah and Pandora, and I think we’re going to have our work cut out for us getting away to our quiet retreat.”

She frowned uncertainly. “Are you sure they’ll be that eager to get to know me? You mean a great deal to them, according to Kira.”

“I’m sure. Kira was right, you won’t find anything intimidating about any of them.” He
touched her lips lightly with his index finger. “They’ll love you, acushla. Trust me.”

She drew a deep, shaky breath. “I will.” Her sudden smile was rainbow bright. “Always.”

“Always,” he repeated softly. “I like the sound of that word. We’ll have to go more in depth about that later.” He took her elbow and turned away from the helicopter. “But right now I think I’d better get you to the palace and into the bonded state of matrimony. There’s one of the palace limousines parked beside the hangar.” He gestured toward a long gray Cadillac with the Sedikhan crest on the driver’s door. “That must be for us. Kira will be pleased that her arrangements are going like clockwork.”

“They wouldn’t dare do anything else,” Lisa said. “Kira and Marna are quite a combination. Together they could move mountains.”