Page 87 of Bound By Honor
“Oh, that. Yes, I heard.”
“That means, Little Prince, that I am to become your father. Does that please you?”
Brian’s young face lit with happiness. “Yes! Does that mean we will go to live with you?”
“Aye, but we will visit your grandfather and uncle often.”
“Why do you sail your brother’s galley?” she asked Angus as they walked to the castle.
“Alex is at Dunluce where I will retrieve him in a day or two. He discusses with Earl Richard his next transport to Scotland in the service of King Edward.”
Seeing his men waiting at the edge of the promontory, she said, “Have your men join us in the castle. We will see them fed and given lodging for the night. They might as well be a part of what will certainly be a celebration.”
Angus beckoned the crew and told them to follow.
Inside the great hall, a fire burned steadily. Áine’s father and brother faced them with expectant gazes. “Am I to be the father-in-law of Kintyre’s lord?” asked her father.
“Aye,” said Angus, “and happy I am to convey the news that Áine has agreed to become my wife.”
“Is it not wonderful?” said Brian, his blue eyes large as he looked up at his grandfather. “I am to live in his castle.”
“The Macdonalds have many castles,” replied Dermot, who then congratulated Angus.
Áine spoke to her father’s steward about providing lodging for Angus’ crew. “They can join us for the evening meal.” She relayed this to the captain and he acknowledged her words with a nod as he and the crew followed the steward.
Returning to Angus where he stood with her father, brother and Brian, she heard her father say, “You can be wed in Ireland, should you choose. Dungiven Priory is ours and has a small but lovely church.”
The four turned their eyes upon her.
Taking Angus’ hand, she gave him a teasing grin. “I care not where we are wed, only that we are wed in a church.”
“Very well,” said her father. “Let us toast to this grand occasion and then we can discuss the dowry.” Áine sent Brian back to his tutor and stayed with the men long enough to toast the wine to her future with Angus. A peace settled about her now that the decision had been made. She was certain this was God’s will for her.
ANGUS HAD GIVEN MUCH thought to Áine’s dowry. Seated before the fire, facing Lord Cumee, who was attired in a tunic of fine green woolen, Angus broached the subject. “I have enough lands and gold, my lord, so I would ask neither for Áine’s dowry. You have something I value far more, something the Lordship and the Isles need, something we will welcome with open arms.”
The O’Cahan returned him a puzzled look, the wisdom of his years reflected in his lined face. “What could that be?”
“Men. Men of an age with me to make their home in the Isles and build a future there. I will give them land to farm and raise cattle, to fish and pursue their crafts. I will also equip them with arms and train them, if need be. Though I have fought often enough with them to know they are valiant warriors who will heed my call in a time of war.”
Angus could see the idea intrigued the older lord as he pondered the request. Finally, he said, “’Tis a wise thing you ask. How many men?”
Angus did not hesitate. “At least a thousand. I would ask they include young chiefs who will marry the daughters of the chiefs of the lordship. All should be volunteers. Do you think you can raise that many?”
“We will see,” said Lord Cumee, stroking his beard. “We will see.”
Angus and Áine, accompanied by Brian and the hound, Lir, were walking the promontory that afternoon. When Brian and Lir went ahead, Angus described the dowry he had sought.
“You asked formen?” she said, incredulous.
“Aye. We have many men in the Isles but still there are some isles with few families on them and chiefs with beautiful daughters in need of husbands. Aside from that, I need men in this time of war to stand with me, men who will defend our Isles as their own. What do you think of it?”
She smiled, shaking her head, he hoped in wonder. “I think it very clever of you. And I rather like the idea of so many Irishmen joining me in your Isles.”
Brian ran back to ask, “What castle shall be our home?”
“Well, Young Prince,” began Angus, tousling his patch of red hair, “as your uncle said, the lordship has many castles from the tip of Kintyre to Skye in the north. My favorite is Dunaverty on Kintyre. You can see it from here.” He pointed toward the shadow of land on the eastern horizon.
Brian shaded his eyes. “Oh, ’tis not far.”
