Page 110 of Bound By Honor
“Her birds?”
He shook his head. “’Tis nothing.”
As he took a step to leave, Juliana said, “Angus, Áine needs you. She worries you might hold her to account.”
Angus turned to meet the concerned gaze of his brother’s widow.
“Nay, I do not blame Áine. I never would. I only want to comfort her, to see her well. Take care of my men, will you? I go to her.”
He found Áine as Juliana had said, sitting alone, wrapped in her cloak.
“My love,” he said as he came up behind her.
“Angus!” she cried, turning at his voice. “I have lost your son.”
He lifted her from the chair into his arms and kissed her. “Nay, my love. You have given me a son, Alexander, and you will give me more children. A healthy birth is not always certain.”
Casting her gaze down, she said, “I just never thought it would happen to me. But my father’s death, the burial. I did not realize how it all affected me.”
“We have each other and our two sons. God has chosen to take this one early but there will be others. You must believe it.”
“When I hear you speak, I do, Angus.”
With his arm around her, he guided her to the fire and called for spiced wine. “You will be pleased to know I have a reprieve for a time. King Edward has agreed to a truce in his war with Scotland.”
“Did you find the MacDougalls?”
“Nay. They have hidden themselves in the wilds of Argyll. Did Brian find a fostering with the O’Neills?”
“He did and seems quite happy about it. Did you see Alexander?”
“Aye. He is walking and keeping his nurse busy.”
A storm blew into Lagavulin Bay the next morning, bringing much rain to the isle. Angus and Áine stayed at Dunyvaig for the next week, enjoying time with each other and Juliana and their young nephews.
One morning when he caught Juliana alone, he expressed his thanks to her for her kindness to his wife. “’Twas a great compliment to you, my lady, that in my absence, Áine came to you for comfort.”
“I was happy to be there for her,” replied Juliana. “I have not forgotten how she comforted me.”
CHAPTER 20
Dunaverty Castle, Kintyre Peninsula
IN MARCH of 1302, Angus received word that King Edward, short of manpower and willing to make concessions, had finally met Richard de Burgh’s price. In exchange for canceling his debts to the Dublin exchequer of £16,000, the Red Earl agreed to lead an Irish force in the king’s next Scottish campaign.
Ulster’s earl then called upon Angus, asking for ships to help transport the hundreds of horses and thousands of men that would accompany him to Scotland. In his capacity as Admiral of the Western Isles for King Edward, Angus agreed.
Meantime, life continued as Angus, Sir Hugh Bissett and John MacSween once again pursued the MacDougalls. While Alexander MacDougall no longer pillaged the Isles, Angus was not satisfied. He wanted justice and, with that in mind, he and his partners drove them from the sea back into Lorne and Argyll.
As the business of King Edward and the lordship allowed, Angus returned home to Áine and his young son. He treasured those times of peace in a world preparing for war.
That autumn, Angus received a letter from Rob telling him of his summer wedding and his orders from Edward to turn out men to fight in the upcoming Scottish campaign.
I wish you could have been there, Angus. Elizabeth and I were married at my father’s manor of Writtle, near Chelmsford in Essex by the Archbishop of Canterbury. My bride, as you would expect, was beautiful, led to the altar by her father, Richard de Burgh. A lavish buffet followed with garlands of flowers everywhere. Many English earls and knights attended. It was like the times before when I was at King Edward’s court, lavish in its pageantry and decoration.
The Scots may consider me a traitor for my time with the English, but I consider the blood that will be shed in my serving Edward may save my country. If the crown can be passed to a certain Scot with Edward’s blessing, how much better that would be. You encouraged me not to lose hope.
De Burgh told me he has agreed to lead an Irish force in Edward’s campaign next year—some four thousand strong, mayhap more. I, too, have been ordered to produce foot soldiers—two thousand of them—and as many cavalry as can be mustered from Carrick. “Bring all you owe and more besides” were Longshanks’ words.
