The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance

Helen Scott Taylor The Feast of Beauty

County Cork, Ireland

Surprisingly, wrap-around sunglasses looked rather good with a top hat, but Kate wasn’t so sure about bare feet and board shorts with a tailcoat. The combination made the man look only half-dressed. But he was so mouth-wateringly gorgeous she decided the fewer clothes he wore the better.

He stood on the front steps of Knock House and raised his arms to attract attention. The gesture was unnecessary. Every woman in the vicinity was already staring at him, along with most of the men.

«Welcome to my domain, my friends. I’m Esras Mac Lir, descendant of the sea god Lir, and Fairy King of County Cork and the Celtic Sea.»

Incredulous silence fell over the crowd, broken only by the birds twittering in the roses covering the front of the Georgian mansion, and the distant rumble of waves breaking against the rocky headland on which the house stood.

«I’m delighted to welcome London’s Barthurst Productions into my domain. They’re going to film an episode of their award-winning travel show Claudia’s Magic Carpet at my Midsummer Feast of Beauty. I can assure you that tomorrow’s feast will be a magical experience for everyone.»

Peter Hurst, the producer and Kate’s boss, leaned closer to Kate and whispered, «You sure this guy isn’t a retired rock star? He’s got that touch of megalomania that usually goes with too much money and a lifetime of sex, booze and drugs.»

«As far as I know he’s just a wealthy eccentric with an interest in Irish mythology. He sounded fairly normal on the phone when I set up the shoot,» she replied. Although she’d have booked him to film at the Feast of Beauty no matter how weird he’d sounded. She had her own reasons for wanting to visit this part of Ireland.

«If the Barthurst TV people would like to come forward, my right-hand man Faelan will show you to your rooms.» Esras then doffed his dove-grey top hat and bowed with an elegant sweep of his arm. He sported just-got-out-of-bed hair, as though a woman had been clutching it in the throes of passion. The spiky strands were light brown, but as he moved, his hair gleamed with unusual silver highlights.

Peter started forwards while Kate hung back, checking her clipboard for the long list of jobs that she as production assistant had to complete before the shoot the following morning. She had at least two hours of typing to do, what with Claudia’s script changes and the shot cards. And it was vital she found time this evening to go down to the little village of Knocknapog half a mile away.

Her grandmother had been born in the village and had lived there until she’d married and moved to England. Kate cradled the teardrop pearl pendant her grandmother had left her, rubbing her thumb over the smooth pink surface. Grandma’s last wish had been that Kate should bring the pearl back here. The trouble was, Kate had no idea what she was supposed to do with it now she had arrived.

By the time Kate got round to going to find her room, the only other member of the production company who hadn’t been settled was the star, Claudia Ravelle. She’d arrived late in a luxury limousine, which hadn’t been budgeted for.

Kate mounted the front steps of Knock House a few yards behind Claudia. The clicking of Claudia’s stiletto heels came to an abrupt halt. «Wow,» she murmured under her breath. Kate stopped and glanced around, silently echoing the sentiment. She didn’t know which way to look first. The floor was an intricate mosaic of tiny blue, green, turquoise and white tiles in a pattern of froth-tipped waves. The walls glowed with a detailed mural of some fantastical palace beneath the sea. White horses pulled a gold coach bearing a smiling crowned man, while multi-coloured fish and sea creatures frolicked around him.

Claudia gave a moan of appreciation. Kate tore her eyes from the artwork to follow the other woman’s gaze. The object of Claudia’s desire leaned against a wall wearing board shorts, his long golden hair trailing over muscular shoulders.

«Is that Esras?» Claudia whispered.

«Him? No. That’s Faelan, I think.» Kate could hardly believe she had missed such a gorgeous man earlier. She must have been too focused on Esras to notice anyone else.

As they approached Faelan, he stepped forwards. «May I show you to your rooms, ladies?»

Claudia paused in front of the guy and ran a long hot-pink fingernail across his chest. «I’d like to meet Esras first, big boy,» she simpered. Kate winced with embarrassment.

With a nod, Faelan opened a door for them. «King Esras is in here.»

«Maybe I’ll see you later, Faelan,» Claudia said in a breathy voice.

Although Kate had a lot of work to do, her curiosity got the better of her, and she followed Claudia into the room. The seascape painted on the ceiling was impressive, but it was the huge gold throne set with mother-of-pearl and sparkling green gems that made her mouth drop open — and the man sitting in it.

Gone were the top hat, sunglasses and jacket. Esras now wore only the board shorts and a loose green shirt with half the buttons undone, revealing tantalizing flashes of his smooth sculpted chest. Now she was closer, she could see that his skin was sun-kissed gold and his eyes an impossible glittering green. He was lean and muscular with a sheen of silver-gold hair dusting his forearms and legs. Rainbows danced along a string of flat mother-of-pearl beads around his neck.

Esras rose and came to meet them. His gaze passed straight over Claudia to settle on Kate. «You must be»—

«Claudia Ravelle,» Claudia said, stepping in front of Kate. «I present the travel show.» She swept back her hair seductively. «You might remember me from the hit series Murder Me with Magic.»

«Of course. Delighted,» Esras said with a brief frown that came and went so fast Kate wondered if she’d imagined it. He bowed then signalled to Faelan. «I’m sure you must be tired, Claudia. Faelan will show you to your room.»

Claudia smiled a bemused smile. She slipped her arm through Faelan’s and was swept out of the door without realizing she’d been summarily dismissed.

The clicking of Claudia’s heels and her occasional throaty laugh faded into the distance. Esras angled his head. For long moments, he stared at Kate with those incredible green eyes as though he could see right into her mind and into her soul.

Her hand wrapped around her grandma’s pearl and it seemed to pulse inside her fist. It was almost as if the pearl had come to life.

«You’re Kate Sullivan, aren’t you? We spoke on the phone.» A slow smile spread across his face like the sun rising on a new world. She blinked. For a moment, it looked as though flickering rainbows danced around him.

«How did you recognize me before you heard my voice?» she asked.

His smile widened and he flicked up his eyebrows in a wouldn’t-you-like-to-know expression. «Let me show you to your room.» He went to the door and held out a hand to her. After an awkward pause, she slipped her fingers into his because it seemed rude not to.

She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, disoriented by the surroundings, wondering at the significance of his holding her hand. He obviously had an unconventional attitude to intimacy. Was it possible he expected to jump straight into bed with her? Heat blossomed low in Kate’s belly and her skin felt too tight. She cleared her throat. «What about my bag?»

«That’s already been taken to your room.» He gave her an amused smile. «Don’t worry. I’m not going to eat you, Kate.»

«Oh.» She bit her lip.

He tightened his grip on her hand and tugged her up the grand staircase in the centre of the entrance hall.

When they reached the top of the stairs, Esras led her along a wide corridor, threw open a door, then released her hand and stood back for her to enter.

The huge bedroom had a pearly sheen to the white walls, while the bedding, upholstery and carpet were all marine shades of green and blue. A king-size bed with a white and gold headboard dominated the space, the rest of the furniture continuing the white and gold theme. She was pleased the room contained a desk that she could turn into a workstation. She preferred not to share the production team’s mobile office. It always became a pigsty within hours of arriving on location.

As promised, her battered suitcase and bag sat on the bed.

«Bathroom’s over there.» Esras pointed at a door on the far side of the room.

She rested her hand on her laptop bag. «Thank you. This is. luxurious.» Kate gazed around knowing she would have little time to enjoy the comfort. She waited for Esras to leave so she could get on with her work.

When he didn’t move, she glanced back at him. His gaze was fixed on her pearl pendant, a curious expression on his face. «What brought you home, Kate?»

She stared at him, taken aback for a moment. «Home? Did you know my grandma? Do you know something about the pendant?»

His knowing gaze returned to her face. «Don’t you?»

She shook her head slowly. «I didn’t know my grandmother was born in Knocknapog until six months ago when she died and left me her pendant.» She cupped the gleaming pink teardrop in her palm. «I thought it was just jewellery. But there’s something strange about the pearl. I feel. antsy when I take it off, but it doesn’t feel quite right to be wearing it either.»

«That’s because the pearl wasn’t made for you. You should have your own, Kate.» He opened the door and held his hand out to her again. «Come with me and I’ll show you what it is.»

She hesitated a moment, but she’d come here for just this reason, to find out more about the pearl. He led her back down the stairs, then along an inner hallway to an older part of the house. He stopped outside a low wooden door and snapped back the three bolts securing it. An unearthly glow seeped into the darkened hall as he pulled the door wide. She followed him down a narrow winding stairway, the only light a luminous glow from the shells embedded in the walls.

After a little while, he paused and turned. «Do you need a rest? It’s quite a drop, two hundred steps.»

At her headshake, he moved on. The rushing of water sounded in the distance. As they descended farther, the noise grew louder and a cool breeze carried the scent of the sea up the stairwell.

«I’ve always loved the sea,» Kate said, almost to herself.

Esras turned and flashed her a smile. «Of course. You’re one of Lir’s people.»

Even as a little frisson of excitement passed through her, she shook her head. Esras had introduced himself as a descendant of the sea god Lir. Now he was trying to involve her in his delusion. But if she thought that, why did she instinctively trust him?

They emerged into an underground cavern lit only by the same luminous glow as the steps. The sea hissed in and out of an opening in the rocks. They had descended from the top of the cliff, where the manor house stood, to sea level and must now be inside a cave under the cliff.

She followed him along a tunnel leading deeper into the rock and they came out in a small grotto. Above the murmur of the sea, she heard a swishing, sucking sound. They stopped at a circular opening in the rock floor. Water swirled inside the hole, flickers of light and dark dancing in its depths. «The Whirlpool of Lir,» Esras whispered.

The pearl resting on Kate’s chest lifted towards the well, tugging at the chain around her neck. «Ahh!» She grasped it and hung on as it tried to jump from her hand.

«Don’t be frightened.» He put an arm around her waist, pulling her against his side. Her skin hummed with his nearness and she leaned into him, enjoying the thrill of touching him even while her heart pounded with uncertainty.

«Give me Lir’s favour.» Esras held out a hand.

«My grandmother’s pearl? What are you going to do with it?»

«Trust me.» He leaned closer and stroked the back of his fingers across her cheek. She breathed in the scents of salt, sea and fresh air from his skin, combined with a musky masculine fragrance. She stared at him, mesmerized, and her worries drifted away.

She unfastened the chain from her neck and placed it in his palm. He then removed the pearl from the chain. Before she realized what he was going to do, he dropped the pearl into the swirling waters.

«No!» Kate put a hand over her mouth, staring into the water. She turned her shocked gaze on Esras. «What have you done? Grandma left that to me.»

«She wanted you to bring her pearl back here,» he said gently.

«I know, but»—

«She wanted Lir’s favour returned to him.»

Kate stared into the water, tears pricking her eyes. The one memento she’d had of her grandmother was lost forever.

«Kate.» Esras stroked some hair that had escaped from her ponytail back behind her ear. «She wanted you to have your own favour from Lir. from me.»

Esras crouched and scooped a handful of the surging water into his palm. Instead of leaking between his fingers, the water formed a ball. He shaped it, scraping away blobs of water as though they were jelly. When only a small tear-shaped piece of water remained, he stroked it, chanting under his breath. Rainbows danced around him, glowed on the mother-of-pearl at his neck, glittered in the heart of the water droplet in his palm.

Eventually, the colours faded and the cavern was once again lit only by the luminous glow from the walls. Esras held up a pink-tinged pearl teardrop and then threaded it back on her chain. «This one will feel right because I made the favour for you. Wear it by your heart and you will never be far from me — or the sea.»

Kate let him refasten the chain around her neck and rubbed her fingers across the pearl. Tingles danced up her hand, spread across her skin, setting her nerves on fire until she longed to feel the soothing cool stroke of the sea over her body.

«How did you make this from water?» she asked.

«Pearls are always shaped by the sea, Kate.»

She stared down at the pearl, her mind churning with conflicting emotions. She prided herself on being practical and down-to-earth. The things Esras said and did clashed with everything she believed, yet she couldn’t deny what she’d seen with her own eyes — could she?

His fingertips slid beneath her chin and lifted her face so she couldn’t avoid meeting the bottomless green of his eyes.

«I’m your King, Kate. You belong with me.»

Kate spent a terrible night tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The image of Esras with rainbows dancing around him plagued her mind. By morning, she had convinced herself that the rainbow light had simply been reflections from his mother-of-pearl necklace and his making the pearl had been a trick. He obviously hadn’t thrown her grandmother’s pearl in the water at all. He’d hidden it. Then by sleight of hand, he’d made her believe he’d created another one.

If he was loony enough to believe he was descended from a sea god, he was likely to be the type of man who’d pretend to have magical powers.

And like a complete idiot, she’d allowed herself to be sucked into his fantasy world. After working in television for two years, she should know better than to believe everything she saw.

Kate joined her colleagues and sat at one of the plastic tables by the catering van with her styrofoam cup of tea and an egg and bacon breakfast roll. She breathed the sea air, marvelling at the fantastic view of white-topped waves on the green Celtic Sea. From the rocky headland where Knock House stood, the land sloped down to the village of Knocknapog: a small harbour surrounded by a scatter of slate-roofed cottages with bobbing fishing boats riding the waves in the bay.

On the lawn in front of Knock House, Esras’ people and some of the villagers had started to erect stalls and tents for the Midsummer Feast.

As if her thinking of Esras had summoned him, he stepped out of the house, rested his hands on his hips, and surveyed the feast-day preparations. «Grand. You’re all doing a fine job,» he shouted to the workers. He had on his dove-grey tailcoat minus the top hat, this time with Hawaiian-pattern board shorts. His gaze found her and a smile kicked up the corners of his mouth. Kate’s stomach did a hot flip as she remembered his hard muscular arm around her waist, pulling her against his side. She quickly looked away and tried to pretend she hadn’t noticed him.

As he sauntered over to her, the pearl started to pulse against her chest. She ignored it, telling herself it was probably just vibrating with her racing heart.

«How are you doing this fine morning? Did you sleep well, my love?» His term of endearment caused a few raised eyebrows among the production team who were breakfasting with her. Kate’s instinct was to tell him that she wasn’t his love, but if she protested too much it would only confirm everyone’s lascivious suspicions.

«I slept well, thank you,» she replied. «The room’s very comfortable.»

«Wonderful.» Esras rubbed his hands together and glanced around at her colleagues. «I’m expecting you all to dress up for the Feast of Beauty. I have traditional costumes for you to choose from.»

«Ohh,» Claudia said, slipping on sunglasses as she joined them. «Did I hear something about costumes? What fun. I adore dressing up.» She put an arm through Esras’ as she accepted a cup of tea from Peter. «When can we see the clothes, Esras darling?»

«Right now if you like.» Esras turned towards the house, taking Claudia with him. The female members of the production team followed eagerly, while the two cameramen climbed wearily to their feet and trudged behind.

Kate had no intention of dressing up. If she did, she might end up on camera, and she hated herself on film. Although she didn’t want to see the costumes, the sight of Claudia hanging eagerly on Esras’ arm annoyed her. She stuffed the last of her roll in her mouth and washed it down with a gulp of tea, then followed the rest of her colleagues inside.

Everyone had trailed through to the back of the house to a room full of costumes. Each outfit was carefully covered and hanging on a metal rail. What kind of man had a storage room full of costumes in his house for goodness sake? Surely that proved he was weird.

Peter looked puzzled, while the cameramen grabbed the first things that came to hand and retreated quickly. Claudia and the other women oohed and ahhed over sparkly dresses while Kate watched from the doorway.

Esras came to her and caught hold of her hand. «I have the perfect dress for you. It’s the same sapphire blue as your eyes.»

She stood her ground when he tried to pull her into the room. «I grew out of playing dress-up years ago.»

The corners of his mouth dipped sadly although his eyes continued to sparkle with mirth. «All work and no play makes Kate a dull girl.»

His words hit a nerve. «Then I guess I’m dull,» she snapped and yanked her hand away from him. How would a wealthy eccentric like Esras understand that normal people didn’t get anywhere in life by wasting time playing dress-up and fantasizing about magic?

Work hard and you’ll get your reward in heaven, her mother had always said. And Kate wasn’t getting any work done watching Claudia fawn over stupid dresses.

Kate stomped back outside, found her clipboard, and started ticking off the jobs she had completed.

Three hours later, all her colleagues and Esras’ people were in costume and set to go. Esras walked regally down the four steps from his front door garbed in a gleaming silver and emerald cape over a pearly grey suit. Despite the theatrical costume, he still managed to look damn sexy. He wore a gold crown on his head decorated with mother-of-pearl and huge sparkling green gems. The stones looked like emeralds, but couldn’t be; otherwise, the thing would be locked up in a vault. Esras’ people had carried out his throne, and it was set upon a dais beside a smaller throne decorated with tiny pink and yellow shells.

«OK, people, are we all ready?» the director shouted. Kate glanced down at her schedule, pleased that they were starting on time despite the fact that most of the team had had to change clothes.

Dressed in an elaborate off-the-shoulder gown of silver and gold with a scattering of tiny crystals across the bodice, Claudia introduced the episode before the crew filmed Esras taking his throne.

«And now, we’ll witness the highlight of the festivities here today. King Esras will choose his Feast of Beauty queen,» Claudia said in her silky on-camera voice. She turned to Esras expectantly, obviously keen to be called up to sit beside him. A tense silence fell over Esras’ people and the watching crowd of villagers. Kate had assumed Esras would select Claudia. She had even pencilled Claudia’s name in at this point on her schedule. Still, she couldn’t deny a niggle of. what? Disappointment? Jealousy?

Esras remained silent for so long that people began to shift restlessly and the director muttered his annoyance. Kate stared at her clipboard, bracing herself to hear Esras call Claudia to be his Feast of Beauty Queen. Finally she looked up at him. His eyes were fixed on her, a hint of a smile on his lips. She seemed to fall into the green depths. A strange tingle that felt like bubbly water raced across her skin. The faint hum of voices and the noise of the feast day faded until all she could hear was the gentle hiss of the sea.

«Why are you ignoring me, Kate? You knew I’d choose you.» Esras’ words whispered on the wind.

Kate stared at him wide eyed. «I didn’t.»

«Kate is my queen,» Esras announced, and she snapped out of her trance with a jolt. Everyone was looking at her, some smiling, others with raised eyebrows, Claudia with daggers flashing from her eyes.

«You bitch,» Claudia grated under her breath.

«You can’t have Kate,» Peter said, striding forwards. «She’s not dressed up. It’s much better if Claudia’s your queen. It doesn’t really matter who you have, does it? It’s just pretend.»

Esras leaned back and crossed his arms. The temperature dropped. Tendrils of sea mist crawled over the cliff into the garden and drifted between the stalls like wraiths bringing a damp salty taste to the air.

After a long awkward silence, Peter heaved a resigned sigh. «Go and put on a damn dress, Kate. And hurry up.»

Kate hesitated in an agony of indecision. She didn’t want to be filmed, yet she could barely contain the shivers of pleasure running through her. Esras wanted her to be his queen. Of course, she wouldn’t have minded if he’d chosen Claudia. After all, this was partly being staged for the television show.

«Kate,» Peter said in a warning tone. «I’m getting old here.»

«I didn’t choose a dress,» she said weakly.

«Look on your bed,» Esras said, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

Taking the stairs two at a time, Kate ran up to her room with Claudia’s make-up artist Tina on her heels.

On her bed, she found a beautiful deep-blue dress with a satin bodice decorated with a sparkling beading design and overlaid with tulle draping. «Oh, yes,» Tina said. «The man has got an eye for colour. This will go perfectly with your dark hair and blue eyes.»

After stripping off her jeans and T-shirt, Kate stood obediently while Tina fastened her into the dress. She squeaked in protest when Tina undid her bra and pulled the straps off her arms. «I can’t go out there bra-less.» Her mother would never be able to hold her head up in church again if her friends saw the show.

«The dress has spaghetti straps.» Tina held up Kate’s tatty bra with a pointed look.

With a sigh of acceptance, Kate plopped down in front of the dressing table. She watched in the mirror while Tina brushed her long dark hair and quickly applied make-up. Her teardrop pearl gleamed in the reflection, tempting her to think of Esras.

When Kate stood up for inspection, Tina raised her eyebrows. «You look pretty good when you make an effort. You have the most amazing pearly skin. Watch your back, though. Claudia’s going to be as mad as hell with you for stealing her thunder.»

Holding up the hem of her dress, Kate raced down the stairs and out the front door. The chatter outside hushed, making her pause. Everyone stared at her. One of the cameramen gave her a thumbs-up, and Peter smiled. «OK,» the director said, «keep it steady. You’re not running to catch a bus.»

As if in a dream, Kate listened to the instructions she normally heard from the other side of the camera. On her cue, she started walking towards Esras. He rose from his throne and held out a hand to her. Her heart thundered as his fingers slid around hers and he steadied her as she stepped on to the dais. A group of Esras’ people surrounded the throne. The beautiful women shone in brightly coloured dresses while most of the men wore grey or white. Faelan produced a small gold circlet decorated with tiny blue shells, and Esras placed it upon her head. His fingers lingered against her hair, stroking the strands back from her eyes.

«There you are now,» Esras whispered. «Doesn’t that feel right, my love.» His fingers brushed her shoulders and then trailed down her arms before curling around her hands.

The cameras and the people watching faded away as Kate gazed up into the emerald depths of his eyes. Faelan started to chant in a language she didn’t recognize, while the rest of Esras’ people joined in with occasional words.

Kate couldn’t take her gaze from Esras’ face. She had thought he was not much older than she was, but she had been wrong. His green eyes held a depth of knowledge that belied his youthful appearance. Even as warmth swirled through her body at the thought of touching his golden skin, a brush of warning slid down her spine. He touched a deep part of her that she’d pushed to the back of her mind and locked away, the fanciful part of her that adored her grandmother and made her mother angry.

Faelan stopped speaking and stepped aside. Esras pressed his lips to hers in a quick chaste kiss for the cameras, which was over before Kate had a chance to enjoy it, and then handed her into the smaller shell-clad throne.

Facing the onlookers, Faelan announced, «King Esras Mac Lir, rightful heir of the sea god Lir, has chosen his queen. All hail the Sea-Fairy King and Queen.»

While Esras’ people and the villagers cheered, Kate watched her colleagues working. Her cheeks flushed to think she would be the star of this episode of the series. She prayed her mother would be proud of her performance and not embarrassed by it.

Claudia strode forward and thrust a microphone under Faelan’s nose. «I suppose the King chooses a different queen every year,» she said, casting Kate a malicious glance. «Presumably it just depends on who happens to be available and willing.»

Faelan frowned at her before glancing at Esras for permission to answer. «No. When the King pledges himself to his queen, he does so for life.»

Faelan’s words took a few seconds to sink into Kate’s brain. She blinked at him, opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it again. Surely she’d misheard. When Faelan stepped away to be interviewed by Claudia, Kate turned to Esras. «I’m confused. Don’t you choose a different queen at each Midsummer’s Feast?»

The hint of mischief that usually sparkled in his eyes faded to be replaced by a deadly serious gleam that sent flashes of warning through her. «No, Kate. I usually preside over the festivities alone.»

She shook her head. «Then why choose a queen this year?»

«Because you came. I told you last night: you belong with me.»

Conflicting emotions ricocheted around inside her, stealing her breath. «But that ceremony. it wasn’t.» She swallowed so hard her throat hurt.

«The Union of Opposites ceremony bound us as one,» he said.

Kate jumped up, her legs trembling, plucked off her delicate gold crown and tossed it down on to the throne. When Esras reached for her hand, she snatched it away. «This doesn’t have any standing in law. I can leave whenever I want.»

Kate had expected a clever reply to her angry tirade; instead, tiny lines formed between Esras’ eyebrows as if he were puzzled. «But you accepted my invitation to be queen.»

«I didn’t know you were serious!»

Suddenly she realized the crowd had fallen silent. A quick glance around confirmed her fear that everyone was watching them — and even worse, the camera was still rolling. Heat flooded her cheeks, part anger, part embarrassment. When her mother saw Kate’s starring role on television, she was going to have a coronary.

«Come inside. I’m not discussing this in public.» Kate stepped off the dais gingerly, wary of her unsteady legs, and tried to keep her expression calm as she headed for the front door of Knock House.

The crowd stepped aside to let her pass. Most of Esras’ people eyed her with confusion, a few with disappointment. The villagers looked curious while her production-crew colleagues positively gloated over the unexpected conflict that added spice to the show.

As soon as she and Esras were inside with the door closed, she rounded on him. «What in hell’s name do you think you’re playing at? This is a performance; we’re pretending.»

He opened his mouth but she didn’t give him a chance to answer. «We’ve only known each other for a few hours. I can’t imagine why you thought there was anything serious between us.»

«Calm down, Kate.»

«Don’t try to tell me it’s got anything to do with the pearl you made. You might be able to fool most people with your magic tricks. I’m not so easily suckered.»

Esras set his crown on a table, then unfastened his cloak and draped it over a chair before turning back to stare at her. His assessing gaze probed her. «Why are you so angry, Kate?»

She threw up her hands in exasperation. «First you pretended to throw Grandma’s pearl down a well. Then you conned me into believing you’d made another one especially for me. Now you’ve got me to dress up and go through some freaky ceremony, and you’re trying to tell me to take it seriously. You’re nuts!»

«Why are you frightened of following your heart?»

Kate pressed her fingers to her temples. «I am following my heart. Working in television is my dream. I’m a damn good production assistant.»

«Do you enjoy your job?» Esras asked in an annoyingly reasonable tone of voice.

Who did the man think he was? A psychiatrist? «Of course I do,» she snapped back.

Esras stepped closer to her, bringing with him the salty fresh-air scent of the sea. «Does your work bring you pleasure? Does your work make you feel more alive than you’ve ever felt before?»

«Don’t be ridiculous. Everyone knows working in television is tough to start with. The rewards come later.» And there was no way she could give up her dream job. Not when her parents had subsidized her by letting her live at home until she moved up the career ladder far enough to support herself.

«I only invited Barthurst Productions here because of you, Kate.»

«What?» She blinked at him.

«The first time I spoke to you on the phone, I heard the music of the sea in your voice and knew who you were.»

He stepped closer and raised a hand. His fingertips brushed the teardrop pearl hanging in the valley between her breasts. Tendrils of heat shivered across her skin.

«You’re one of the Rainbow People descended directly from King Manannan Mac Lir and Queen Fand.» He kneeled at her feet and pressed a kiss to her hand. «You have more right to rule the people of Lir than I do, my love.»

Kate’s anger dissolved at the note of sincerity in Esras’ voice. However crazy she thought him, he obviously believed everything he’d told her. Her head wanted to be mad, her heart had softened the moment he knelt and kissed her hand.

She sighed. «Oh, Esras, can’t you see this isn’t going to work? I have a job. I’m leaving with the Barthurst people tomorrow.»

He climbed to his feet again. She didn’t resist when he eased her closer and enfolded her in his arms. She pressed her cheek to the hard plain of his chest, breathing his enticing male fragrance while listening to the steady beat of his heart. When his lips touched her temple, she closed her eyes, not wanting to admit that she could easily get used to this.

«Kate, why don’t you want to accept who you are? Your grandmother must have told you something about her life in Ireland.»

Happy memories of Grandma swam inside Kate’s head like a shoal of sparkly fish. She remembered sitting at her grandmother’s feet when she was a little girl. While her mother worked, her grandmother had cared for her. The old woman had spun such magical tales of fairies and leprechauns and people who lived in a city beneath the sea — the Rainbow People.

Kate’s breath trembled as memories she had denied and tried to forget flooded back. She remembered ribbons of coloured light flowing around Grandma as she spoke. How the old woman would capture the light in her hands and mould dolphins and seahorses out of the rainbows.

Then one day her mother had come home early and caught the end of a story. There had been screaming, shouting, and tears. And no more stories. Ireland had become a taboo subject.

That’s when she’d been sent to the convent school, and the endless chores and lectures about hard work had started. She could hear her mother’s favourite advice: Forget your grandmother’s fanciful ideas. Work hard and you’ll get your reward in heaven.

«You must have had an inkling that there was something here for you, or you wouldn’t have come,» Esras whispered.

«I came to find out about the pearl.» Had she also hoped to recapture the sense of magic from Grandma’s stories?

Esras’ fingers stroked circles on her back, managing to both soothe and stimulate in equal measure. «Do you trust me, Kate?»

Her head said no because her mother would disapprove of Esras and everything he stood for. But even as the word «no» formed in her mind, from a level deeper than mind where instinct ruled the word «yes» rose to her lips.

He withdrew slightly and cupped her face in his hands, staring down into her eyes. «If you trust me, really trust me, to keep you safe, I’ll give you unquestionable proof of who you are.» He leaned down and brushed his lips lightly across hers.

A shock passed through her out of all proportion to the chaste kiss. The tight, hot ball of yearning in her stomach expanded, making it hard to breathe. She’d had boyfriends before, but she’d never felt this immediate, overwhelming need to touch and be touched.

«Kate,» he prompted. «Do you want proof of who you are?» She sucked in a breath, held it a moment before she had the control to speak. «Yes,» she whispered. «Show me.»

Esras took Kate down the spiral stairs to the sea cave beneath Knock House again. She didn’t ask him how he intended to prove that she belonged to a race of sea fairies. Just asking such a question validated the crazy idea.

In the cave, Kate inhaled the salty sea air and paused to enjoy the rhythmic swish as the water hissed through the opening that led out to the vastness of the Celtic Sea.

She glanced around but saw nothing other than the undulating water and the rocky shelves and nooks in the cave wall that she’d seen the first time they came down. «Where is this evidence?»

«Patience, my love,» he said with a smile. «We need to get in the water.»

«What? Swim?» Kate stared into the shadowy green depths. As a child, she’d adored swimming in the sea. After years of living in London, she’d almost forgotten the pleasure of sand beneath her toes and the power of the sea moving around her body.

Kate looked down at the silky blue dress, which was the most impractical garment she’d ever worn and certainly unsuitable to swim in. «I haven’t got a bathing suit.»

«You don’t need one. Just take off your dress.»

Kate’s eyebrows shot up. He must have noticed she wasn’t wearing a bra. «If you think I’m skinny-dipping with you, you’ve got another think coming.»

His eyes slid down her body, lingering on her barely covered breasts; he gave a wry grin. «Can’t blame a guy for trying.»

After shedding his grey jacket, he unbuttoned his silky shirt before pulling it off, leaving himself bare-chested. He held out the shirt. «Put this on. It’s not ideal to wear for swimming, but it’s better than a long dress.»

He turned his back. Kate quickly slipped out of her dress and draped it over a rock, before donning the shirt. At least she was wearing panties that could pass for bikini bottoms.

Esras turned back and scanned her from head to foot appreciatively. Then he flicked open the button on his trousers and began to undress himself. A burst of shocking hot need arrowed through Kate. She should turn around while he undressed, but she couldn’t take her eyes off him as he slid the grey trousers down his thighs and stepped out of them. His underwear was plain white cotton. She stared for so long that by the time she managed to tear her gaze away her cheeks were flaming.

Crouching, he scooped water over his head. Her eyes tracked the drips that trickled from his hair to his chest and snaked down his golden skin over the ridges and dips of his muscular torso to soak into his underwear.

When she looked back at his face, his eyes sparkled and his lips curved in a wicked smile.

«You tease,» she accused.

He gave her a satisfied male grin and held out his hand.

She hesitated. «We can’t be long. The director will go ballistic if we don’t go back soon.»

Esras shrugged. «There’s plenty going on at the feast for him to film.» He held out his fingers. «Hold on to my hand until I tell you it’s safe to let go.»

«But if we’re only going swimming.»

Esras’ smile dropped away. The serious intensity she’d seen in his eyes earlier returned. «Trust me, my love. Hold my hand.»

«What are we going to do?»

«All I can promise you is that you’ll enjoy it.» Clasping her hand firmly, he stepped into the water. Kate followed, the first shock of cold quickly passing as she went deeper.

They swam towards the cave opening, Esras pulling her while she swam one-handed. Sunlight glinted off the ripples as they emerged from the shadows. The Celtic Sea spread out in front of them for as far as they could see.

He pulled her closer, treading water. «Now, we go down.»

She looked down through the water at the rays of sunlight painting wavering green-gold streaks across his body. He moved behind her and slid an arm around her waist, holding her loosely against his chest. She filled her lungs and they ducked beneath the surface.

He angled them down, swimming surprisingly fast out to sea. She scanned the area, expecting to see whatever it was he wanted to show her before they had to return to the surface. Fish slid among fluttering fronds of kelp and seaweed, while even down here rays of sun pierced the water with golden warmth.

Her lungs started to burn and panic quivered in her muscles. Esras was still descending. They were so deep now, she wasn’t sure she could hold her breath long enough to reach the surface again. She should have told him that she was out of practice. She hadn’t been swimming for years. She struggled in his grasp, but his arm only tightened around her waist. She tried to turn, see his face, signal her distress, but he kept going down so fast that the momentum prevented her from escaping his grip.

When she was certain she couldn’t hold her breath a moment longer his voice slid into her mind. «Relax and stop fighting it, my love. Trust me.»

The last air leaked from her lungs in a shower of tiny bubbles that raced away to the surface. In that moment, a strange calm came over her. She stopped struggling and closed her eyes. The water skimmed her breasts and legs, Esras’ warm chest pressed tightly to her back, his hard muscles rippling against her as he swam. She became aware of his heart beating, sure and steady.

Water filled her mouth and nose. She waited. not for pain and death, because she knew they wouldn’t come.

«Breathe.» Esras’ voice whispered into her head, soft as a caress. And she obeyed him.

Strength and energy flooded into her with the water. Her nerves tingled, blood surged. She heard sounds she hadn’t noticed before, squeaks and clicks and deep rumbles and booms that echoed through the water.

She tried to turn to smile at him but he held her tight.

«We’re going to ride a current. Be ready.»

Ahead the water plunged and churned, dragging at the seaweed and scattering debris like a storm. She tensed as they approached; then they were sucked into it, being tossed and buffeted by the current, moving so fast Kate couldn’t see anything but foaming water.

Esras wrapped his other arm around her, hugging her tightly to his body. She felt as though she was white-water rafting without the raft.

«When I tell you to, swim hard,» he said inside her head. «Now.»

Kate kicked and pulled with her arms for all she was worth. Esras’ muscles flexed against her back as he swam with one arm, holding her with the other. After they broke away from the turmoil, the sudden peace of the still water came as a relief. He loosed his arms, releasing her, and let her float beside him. For the first time since they’d dived, she saw him. Her breath caught in her lungs. Everything about him had become more beautiful beneath the water. His hair gleamed with a patina of silver, his skin glowed pale gold and his green eyes shone like starlight through emeralds.

«You’re gorgeous, Kate,» he said.

She’d been so entranced with Esras, it hadn’t occurred to her that she might look different. The buttons on the silk shirt she was wearing had come unfastened, but she hardly registered that her breasts were bare. She was mesmerized by the subtle play of colours across her opalescent skin.

Esras gathered a handful of her long hair and held it in front of her face so she saw the gleaming polished ebony strands. He stroked his fingertips across her cheek, traced her jaw. «I wish you could see your eyes as well. They put sapphires to shame,» he said.

His fingers trailed down her neck and along her collarbone, drifting lower to the swell of her breasts.

Kate wanted to tell Esras how luscious he looked, but she didn’t know how to speak underwater. Instead, she reached out and slid her palms over his shoulders and chest, revelling in the solid strength of his muscles.

His arms closed around her. He drew her closer and kissed her forehead and her cheeks. Then his mouth covered hers. His lips were firm and cool, but his tongue was hot in contrast to the cool seawater as she opened her mouth and he deepened the kiss.

Too soon, Esras pulled away. «You’re so distracting. You nearly made me forget why I brought you here.»

Kate raised her eyebrows and pointed at herself. Hadn’t he wanted to prove to her that she was different? He’d certainly done that. Whatever decisions she made about her life when they returned to the air, she would never be the same person again.

«Try to speak to me. Focus on your pearl as you think what you want to say,» he said.

She put her fingers on the teardrop pearl against her chest and concentrated. «Hello, sexy.»

He laughed, a rumble in the water as well as the sound in her head. «Hello, gorgeous. You learn fast.»

He kissed the tip of her nose, his fingers grazing tantalizingly low across her belly. He stilled, staring into her eyes. A hot needy tension thrummed between them. «I really want to take you back to my bed, but before we leave I must show you your heritage.»

They swam side by side until they reached the edge of a cliff beneath the sea. Esras stopped and released Kate’s hand. «We’re going deeper now, so I need to make some lanterns.» He cupped his hands together as if modelling clay, then spread his palms to release a glowing ball. It floated beside them while he made four more in the same way.

Esras took her hand, guiding her down vertically. The lanterns floated on ahead to light their way. Instead of the water getting colder as they went deeper, it became warmer. Finally, Esras stopped and pointed down at the valley floor.

All Kate saw was the seabed below them. She frowned at him.

«Touch your pearl, Kate.»

She wrapped her fingers around her pearl and a veil lifted before her eyes. In the valley below, a city of glowing white houses appeared. She pulled her hand from his and swam on. Her heart thudded with excitement. This must be the underwater city from Grandma’s stories.

Multicoloured mosaic floors gleamed, while bright murals decorated the walls — similar to the decorations inside Knock House.

But where were the people?

Kate reached the seabed and floated down between the buildings to street level. From higher up, she’d seen only colours and shapes. Down here, she noticed the buildings were falling down, the mosaic floors fractured. Heaps of sand and shells lay in the corners of empty rooms. Seaweed and sea creatures had moved in, growing between the rocks of the tumbledown walls and the cracks in the tiles.

It was deserted.

Her heart contracted painfully and her eyes pricked with tears that were lost in the sea. These had been her people. She knew it as surely as she knew the sun rose every morning and went down at night.

Esras floated down at her side, an eddy of sand swirling about him.

«What’s happened to them?» she cried.

He touched her shoulder and gave a sad smile. «Manannan’s Kingdom was wiped out millennia ago by the Irish Tuatha Dé Danann. This ancient ruin has only survived because it’s still protected by the powerful magic of the sea god. The people of the rainbow are light through water; they spread peace and love. But the Tuatha Dé Danann walk a dark path, imposing their will with the sword.»

«We were no match for them. Most of the survivors were scattered to the four winds and, like you, their descendants have no idea who they are. Only a few of us still live together in our tiny demesne in County Cork.»

Bereft and confused, Kate turned into Esras’ arms and rested her cheek against his chest. She felt as though she had found her people only to lose them again immediately. She relived the misery she’d felt as a child at being denied the magic of her grandmother’s stories. Why had her mother been so violently opposed to her finding out about her people? They must be her mother’s people as well.

Esras stroked her hair back from her face. «There’s something I want you to see.»

He took her into a massive building that resembled a Greek temple, except each of the supporting columns was a sculpture of a man and woman entwined in each other’s arms. «We do not worship a god, we worship couples as the Union of Opposites.»

He stopped and let her find her feet before taking her in his arms. «The ceremony that joined us at the Feast of Beauty was the ancient Union of Opposites. In the eyes of the Rainbow People we’re now man and wife.»

Kate tried to remember why she’d been so angry with him over the ceremony but couldn’t. Being with Esras now felt like the most natural thing in the world. «What do you normally do to celebrate the Union of Opposites?» she asked.

A smile spread over his face, his eyes glittering. «Make love.»

Anticipation quivered through her. She slipped her arms around his neck, moulding her body to his, wanting to forget her melancholy. «Let’s celebrate.»

Esras cupped the back of her head, then leaned down and kissed her. The unusual sensation of the salty water mingling with their lips and tongues drove her wild. The overwhelming need to possess and be possessed beat in every cell of her body like an elemental force. The tumultuous sea ran through her veins, urging her to be wild and unrestrained.

She pushed the silk shirt off her shoulders and it floated away. His hands cupped her breasts, stroking and teasing. She traced the shape of his muscles with her fingers, sliding her hand down the ridges of his abs. He made a needy sound as her fingers slid further.

Esras pushed off his underwear and soon her panties floated away as well. «We usually make love topside,» he said. «It’s easier. But I can’t wait. Clamp you legs around me.»

He gripped her thighs and pressed himself against her sensitive flesh, drawing groans from them both. She clung to him with her arms and legs, digging her heels into his buttocks as he thrust inside her. When they were as intimately linked as it was possible for a male and female to be, they stilled in unspoken assent. They floated together just above the soft sand in the temple beneath the towering statues of ancient lovers.

She had never felt such a sense of peace in the middle of overwhelming desire. Did this mean she was in love?

His fingers gripped her buttocks, then he started to move inside her, slowly, sensuously. His lips traced her throat and shoulder before teasing her nipples.

The water held them in its embrace, playing over her skin like silky fingers as the pleasure built inside her. Waves of sensation flowed through her body. They floated to the ground and her back landed on the soft sand. His green eyes burned with the intensity of his need. Kate touched his finely carved lips, felt the hot touch of his tongue on her fingers. Ecstasy burst through her, sweeping her away from reality to a place of pure sensation.

They clung together as the flutters of pleasure faded, their heart rates steadied, and their bodies settled in sated lethargy. Kate unhooked her legs from around Esras’ hips; she felt relaxed and dreamy. Esras started to drift away from her. He held out a hand for her to lace her fingers with his. He closed his eyes and they glided together, letting the water take them where it would.

When Kate recovered from her pleasure-soaked haze enough to open her eyes, Esras appeared to be asleep. With his hand still linked to hers, he floated above her. His lean muscular body glowed with a subtle gold light while his hair shimmered in a silver cloud around his head. A tremor passed through her, ending deep in her belly where it gathered in a tense knot. She wanted him again so badly she ached. But mixed in with the need was a hint of caution.

He was incredibly beautiful and desirable. From what she knew of him, he was also kind and generous and he had a mischievous streak. Was it possible she’d fallen in love with him after only knowing him for twenty-four hours?

Whatever she felt for him he’d only chosen her to become his queen because of her heritage, not because he loved her. A little chill passed through her. Suddenly she yearned to feel the sun on her skin.

Esras had proved to her that she was one of Lir’s Rainbow People. She hadn’t decided yet if that meant she had an obligation to them. But she was sure of one thing: it didn’t matter whether she was human, or even Queen of the Rainbow People; she was not going to stay with Esras unless he actually loved her.

So much had changed for Kate while she’d been underwater. She felt as though she’d been away from Knock House for half a lifetime, not mere hours. Yet when they returned, the Feast of Beauty was still in full swing. A bonfire roared in a fire pit and the smell of roasting meat drifted on the air.

Kate had changed into her jeans and a T-shirt when she and Esras got back. He had gone to speak with his people while Kate stood near the production company’s mobile office, watching the revellers celebrate. Gus the cameraman roved among the crowd, filming interesting people and events to include in the show.

Peter the producer huffed up the hill towards her looking harried with his glasses on top of his head. «What the hell happened to you? I needed you to go with Gus to log his shots and answer questions people might have.»

«Sorry,» she mumbled. Kate had always worried that if she did something to displease Peter she might jeopardize her reputation for reliability. She had been so determined to make her career in television that she’d worked relentlessly for a pittance and hardly received a thank you from Barthurst Productions. Her mother had told her that the early starts and late nights were character building. Now she felt as if her employers had taken advantage of her.

Esras sauntered towards her, a sexy smile on his face as his eyes caressed her. His hair once again looked brown with silver highlights and his skin just lightly tanned. Every nerve in her body fizzed with awareness at the sight of him. He stepped behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist as he had while they were underwater, and pressed his mouth to her ear. «You are the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen.»

His words enfolded her heart like silky ribbons. Closing her eyes, she revelled in the feel of his strong arms around her and the sun-warmed seaside smell of his skin. He feathered tiny kisses down her neck and nipped gently at her shoulder. She had only kissed him underwater, and she wanted to taste him in the air. She turned in his arms and looped hers around his neck.

His lips met hers and she lost herself in the heat of his mouth as their tongues tangled. Finally, she broke the kiss and he grinned at her. «I can’t wait until the feast ends so I can take you up to my bed.»

There was no doubt that he wanted her to stay, but she ached to know how he really felt about her. He often called her my love, but did he love her or was that simply a casual endearment?

Peter scowled at them. «It’s obvious what you’ve been up to for the last few hours when you should have been working. You’re as bad as Claudia.»

Kate blushed. She’d been so focused on Esras that she’d forgotten where she was. But she hadn’t done anything wrong. And she certainly did not sleep with half the men who were guests on the show like Claudia did — and Peter knew that. He was just being a jerk.

«I’m quitting, Peter.»

«What?» His mouth dropped open.

She gave a faint smile. «I’m sure you’ll find another slave who wants to work in television.»

As Peter stomped away to tell the director, Esras pulled her back into his arms. «Don’t feel bad. You had to give up your job if you’re going to stay with me,» he whispered.

She stared up into his face. «Why, Esras? Why should I stay?»

Shock flashed in his eyes. «We’re destined to be together. Otherwise I wouldn’t have made love to you in the temple.»

A little shiver of relief passed through her but she couldn’t shake the niggling doubt in the back of her mind. «By destined do you just mean we suit each other really well, or is it something more?»

A frown creased Esras’ forehead before he managed to hide it. An answering bolt of concern shot through Kate.

«I’d better tell you the full story.» He glanced at the noisy crowd surrounding them. «Let’s go somewhere quieter.»

He led her around the side of the house to a lush private garden. They followed a narrow winding path between the riotous fragrant shrubs and came to a circular pool containing a beautiful fountain in the shape of a dolphin shooting water from its mouth. Esras pulled her down beside him on a stone bench hidden in an alcove overlooking the pool.

«What did your grandmother tell you about the Rainbow People?»

Kate stared at the cascading droplets pattering into the water, the sound soothing her jumpy nerves. «Fairy stories really.» She shrugged. «The last time she spoke to me about the kingdom beneath the sea was when I was five. Then my mother banned the stories. She virtually banned me from seeing Grandma as well.»

Esras pulled her hand on to his thigh and ran a finger lightly across her palm, tracing the lines. «The woman you knew as your grandmother was older than you think. She was really your great-great-great-grandmother.»

Kate’s breath hissed in.

«I knew her as Aine. She was once our queen.»

«Grandma?»

«In 1865 she fell in love with a human and had to follow her heart to England. Before she left, she read the future in Lir’s whirlpool and foretold that one of her female descendants was my destined bride. She made me king so that when you came to me you could take your rightful place as queen.»

The blood rushed out of Kate’s head, making her ears hum. How old did that make him? She tried to do the maths in her head, but her brain refused to work. She pulled her hand from his grasp and jumped to her feet.

«Kate, my love.»

«Just give me a moment.» She moved away from him and ended up by the pool. She stared at the bobbing pink water lilies, trying to calm her swirling thoughts so she could make sense of what he’d said. The memory of his mind-shattering kisses and the feel of his sculpted muscular body made it impossible to believe he wasn’t young. She glanced over her shoulder at him to make sure she wasn’t losing her mind. «You don’t look more than thirty.»

Esras grinned wryly. «I’ll be 219 on 11 August. People of Lir live for centuries. That means you will as well.»

Kate turned on unsteady legs and collapsed on to the edge of the pool. Centuries? «What happened to Grandma’s other female descendants? Are they here?»

Esras rose and came towards her. «You’re the first of Aine’s female line to take after her. The others took after her human husband.»

Kate’s breath stilled in her lungs as the truth hit her. «Mum?»

«She isn’t one of us,» he said softly.

Kate rocked back. Not one of us. That explained so much that had happened over the years: the way Mum had cut her off from Grandma, her antipathy to Ireland, her fear of the sea. She must have been frightened of losing Kate and maybe a little resentful that the gene, or whatever it was that defined the Rainbow People, had passed her by.

Esras went down on his knees before her and reached for her hands. When he touched her she quivered inside, half of her wanting to fall into his arms, the other half still struggling to come to terms with his revelation that she would live for hundreds of years.

«I’ve waited a long time for you. If your mother hadn’t hidden you from me, I’d have claimed you when you were eighteen.» Esras leaned closer, resting his cheek against hers. His lips brushed her ear. «I love you, Kate.»

Pleasure blossomed in her chest. His fingers stroked the inside of her wrists and trailed up her forearms to find the sensitive skin inside her elbows. A tingle of need raced across her skin.

«Do you think you’ll grow to love me?» he asked.

Whether her relationship with Esras was destined or not, she could no more resist him than she could hold back the tide. «I do love you.» She pressed her lips against his neck.

He gave a little sigh as his arms encircled her, pulling her on to his lap. His lips found her mouth, his kisses gentle at first, but soon becoming more demanding. After long minutes, he pulled back and whispered, «Together we’ll search for our lost people. The People of Lir will become strong again now I have you.»

«Can we talk about that later?» Kate pulled his face down again and kissed him. When he sucked in a breath, she smiled. «Do you think anyone will miss us if we don’t go back to the feast?»