Page 21 of Bound By Honor
Still watching the others, Rob nodded.
Angus wondered what his friend was thinking. If his grandfather, Robert the Noble, were to become King of Scots then Rob would himself be in line for the throne one day.
That afternoon as Angus was about to settle down to a game of chess with Rob at the far end of the hall, Alex came to bid him goodbye. “Do you sail to Islay?” Angus asked.
“Nay, I sail north to the coast of Lorne and Dunollie Castle.”
Dunollie!Angus could not fathom a mission that would take his brother deep into enemy territory. Excusing himself to Rob, who was just setting up the chessboard, Angus drew his brother aside where they would not be overheard.
“I know you are my elder by more than a decade, but still, I must ask. What business do you have at Dunollie, a MacDougall holding?”
His brother’s eyes glistened with excitement. “My business, younger brother, is a matter of the heart. Dunollie is where Juliana MacDougall lives and I plan to spend the winter wooing her.”
“You cannot mean it!” Angus hissed, incredulous. “You wish to marry a daughter of our enemy when you could have your pick of any lass in Scotland…or Ireland for that matter?”
“I do not want any lass. I want Juliana,” Alex insisted. “She is beautiful and educated. Besides, she will become a Macdonald. That is all you need to know.”
Seeing the look of determination on his brother’s face, Angus heaved a sigh. “I hope you know what you are about. Father will not be pleased and I see no good coming from such a misalliance. The MacDougalls stand with John Balliol and the Comyns.”
“You have yet to love a woman, Angus. When you do, you will understand.”
Angus watched his brother stride from the hall, tall and proud, the heir of the Lord of the Isles, obviously eager to be about his “wooing”, as he called it. Shaking his head, Angus returned to where Rob had just finished setting up the board.
“What is it?” asked Rob.
Taking his seat, Angus let out a sigh. “I fear my brother is about to make a mistake of serious consequence. But let us not speak of that.” He glanced up at his friend. “What of you? I thought you were in London where I hear you are to have that knighthood you have long sought.”
Rob moved a red pawn forward. “Aye, so my father tells me. We were in London just before we came to Turnberry. It was there I learned King Edward plans to bestow his favor upon me, and I am to be knighted early.”
Angus brought one of his own white pawns forward. “Doubtless you have earned it. Will you return there?”
“Aye, I must. We came north for this charter and to see my mother. The Crosraguel Abbey is of importance to my family. The Bruces endowed it and my father wanted to remind the bishop of that fact since Paisley Abbey has not always done right by the smaller monastery.”
Angus was aware of the squabbles between clerics, mostly over money, but he wanted to hear about Rob’s time in London as he had never been there. “What is it like to live in London at the court of the English king?”
Rob studied the chessboard, then made his next move, a canny one. “The accommodations are small but then I am a squire in training to become a knight so it hardly matters. I spend little time in my chamber. At the court, there is much pomp and extravagant clothing. Edward collects precious jewels and his garments, typically of red and white, are covered in them. The throne room is decorated overmuch and every occasion requires an elaborate ceremony.”
“What is the king like?”
“He can be ruthless and terrifies everyone. But there are beautiful ladies to dance with, fine horses and abundant food that make it tolerable.”
“Is there a girl you are fond of?” Angus moved another pawn, a risky move but it might gain him a lead.
“No. Most days I am so tired after training and jousting and keeping my knight’s armor and his horse in good order that I can scarcely keep my head from falling into my trencher at dinner.” Rob eyed one of Angus’ pawns, finally taking it. “Still, we are required to learn courtly etiquette, music and dance, as well as skill with a sword.” Looking at Angus over the chessboard, he said, “I expect you have gained some skill since we last met.”
“A bit. I will admit to adding a few weapons to those I carry from my training with the galloglass.”
“Galloglass? I hear they are fearless.”
“Aye, they are. My family trades in their skills. They are much in demand in Ireland where the feuding is continual.” Angus moved his bishop to an active square and thought about Rob’s pawn. “But tell me more of London town. I understand it is a great city.”
Rob sat back in his chair and let out a sigh. “The town is dirty and assaults one’s senses with wretched smells, but it holds many allures. You can find anything you desire in the stalls of London’s merchants.”
“Would you ever want to live there?”
The chess game forgotten for the moment, Rob leaned forward and said in a low voice, “For now, my future and mayhap that of my family are tied to England’s king, so I must spend time there, but London could never be my home. I would miss Scotland.”
That night, Angus had difficulty finding sleep. His brother’s words kept repeating in his mind. It was true. Angus had never loved a woman, not in the way his brother meant. He supposed he had begun to look more closely at the lasses he met, not unmindful of their lingering gazes and their flirting. But, like Rob, his path to manhood had not allowed him time for serious courting. Still, somewhere in his future, he hoped for a lass who could hold his heart, a woman he would want by his side, a woman he could love.
