Page 111 of Made

The current Irish queen would just put on a big smile and act like gauche was the new “give”. To add to the overall airof displeasure, Evie would also have to change her dress. She couldn’t arrive in resplendent crimson holding a baby in neon fuchsia.

Not to make it about me, but as much as I pride myself on not telling my grown daughter what to do, if that had happened, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from asking what she’d been thinking. There’d be plenty of time for a fashion clash after Rhiannon could walk on her own.

So, the queen graced the occasion in a tasteful yellow, silk-shantung gown with a bustier bodice and handkerchief hem sleeves. Like Rhiannon, Evie looked good in just about anything, but her Titian-red hair was a stunning offset to the yellow of the dress.

Esme and Kagan arrived with us. Kagan hadn’t yet gone back to his Scotia digs. Neither Keir nor I wanted to ask how long he’d be using the cottage. We’d both rather he stay forever than be made to feel unwelcome. I suspected he didn’t want to be very far away from Esmerelda. That’s when it occurred to me that Esmerelda might not thrive living at the Scotia ruins. And Kagan might not thrive living in Hallow Hill. I put those thoughts aside, reminding myself of the hardest thing in the world. Thateverythingis not my business.

When the four of us stepped off my front porch so that we might enter the door opened by one of my more magical companions, I noticed the ten-carat red beryl ring Esme was wearing. In its way, it was as spectacular as my fake Tiffany-famed diamond. Perhaps better simply because it suited her to a tee.

I grabbed her hand and lifted. The priceless stone was set into a wide platinum band with Kagan’s name etched in a primitive font I couldn’t name.

“What’s this?” I said.

My friend blushed so deeply she could’ve auditioned for the part of Rose Red.

“It’s a… ah, ring.”

“Esme,” I laughed. “You don’t sound sure. Let me reassure you. Itisa ring. One that’s gorgeous. Probably priceless. And perfect for you. Question is, what does this ring represent? For instance, was it a gift?”

Kagan stepped in to stop the nonsense. “No. ‘Tis no’ a gift. ‘Tis a claimin’. Esmerelda is to be my wife. Soon.”

“Or later,” she interjected quickly.

“No,” Kagan corrected, “no’ later. Sooner.” Kagan laced his fingers through Esme’s then drew her knuckles up to his mouth to brush a kiss across them. His boyish appearance conveyed a newfound happiness I hadn’t believed was possible for my brother-in-law.

Keir and I exchanged delighted smiles. At one time, we both may’ve secretly thought there was no match for either of them anywhere under the sun. My spouse and I were ecstatic they’d found each other.

As I stepped into Eire, I knew immediately I was overdressed. While it was late December and quite crisp in Hallow Hill, Maeve had arranged for a warm, bright, perfect summer day to stage the festival that was ostensibly about my granddaughter.

“Two options,” I told Keir. “Either I go home and change into something weather appropriate now, or we stay until I begin to glow and then leave. Judging by what already feels like a hot flash, I’m thinking that may not be long.”

It was one of those times my mostly human disadvantages were a drag. The other three in my little party could change their clothes at will. With magic.

To Kagan and Esme, Keir said, “Go on ahead. We’ll be right back and catch up.”

Gotta love a flexible, easygoing man.

Given myself the recognition it deserves, I made some record-quick decisions about what to change into. Esme had created a midi length white summer dress ablaze with a print that featured gigantic red roses. I pulled it over my head, left my other clothes dumped on the closet floor, slipped into some natural straw wedgies, and added the pearl choker that Keir said was a fake, but a good fake. It was probably real, but everyone knew not to give me presents worth millions. I may be mother of the queen, but underneath my glamorous lifestyle, my soul is still middle class.

I was almost out the door when I realized the too-cute candy pink lipstick wouldn’t do with the “crimson” roses. I scrabbled through my lipstick drawer for something matching and found a winner. Not exact, but close enough.

I opened my closet door and did a gymnast’s victory jump with hands up in the air. “READY!!!”

Didn’t get a smile from Keir, but his eyes twinkled. Just as good.

Upon return to the festival, I said, “I know how I got this wrong. At one point, Evie was planning to wear velvet. No. Not just velvet. A long velvet gown, which would’ve been heavy andwarm!”

“Maybe Maeve changed her mind about what weather to serve,” he said.

“That would be just like her,” I grumbled under my breath. In full voice, I added, “But thanks to you, she’s been foiled again.”

“Hmm.”

“No. Really. Thank you for saving the day.”

That got a real smile. “You’re easy to please, love.”

“I have it on good authority that’s not true. You know how I know? Because you’re the only person who says so.”

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