Page 50 of Bound By Honor
The men’s gazes followed her as she slowly stepped forward. She walked with her head held high, a daughter proud of her father.
Of the three with her father, two were similar in appearance though one was younger. The elder of the two had an air of confidence about him. His fierce countenance reminded her of a golden eagle. Both had blue eyes that glistened like the sea. Brothers, she assumed, and handsome. Their hair was a red-brown streaked with gold from the sun. Their skin bore the look of seamen who spent much time in the sun, their jaws etched in well-trimmed beards. The third had hair the color of ripe wheat. His eyes might be green or hazel. All three were smiling broadly at her, their white teeth on display.
“Áine,” said her father, “this is Angus Og Macdonald, Lord of Kintyre,” gesturing to the one with the gilded belt, “and his brother, John, sons of Angus Mor. Their cousin, Duncan MacAlasdair, comes with them.”
She inclined her head and held out her hand to the Lord of Kintyre. “You are most welcome in our home, good sirs. We will do all we can to accommodate you and your men.”
Angus Og held her gaze for a long moment before addressing her. “My lady,” he said, bowing over her hand. He placed a gentle kiss on her fingers, his warm lips sending a sudden ripple of sensation coursing through her. She could not recall having experienced such before.
His stormy blue eyes fixed her with a piercing look as he rose. He seemed to hesitate and then said, “When my brother, Alexander, bid me come to Dunseverick, he failed to mention that hidden behind its walls was a rare jewel of unmatched worth.” Slowly releasing her hand, he turned to her father. “You honor us, Lord Cumee, in allowing us to meet your lovely daughter, for I have not encountered a more beautiful woman in all of Scotland and the Isles.”
Used to flattering words from men, Áine was tempted to dismiss these as well. He was not much older than she but his outward appearance was that of a rough warrior, one skilled in warfare who had come to do battle. Yet he had the calm assurance of a man content within himself and the regal posture of one used to giving orders and having them obeyed. His voice and manners were cultured and his compliment seemingly without guile. She decided to accept his overly lavish praise as a kindness. “You honor me with your unmerited praise, my lord.”
CHAPTER 10
ANGUS WAS CERTAIN the ground beneath him had moved, so strong was the current that drew him to Áine O’Cahan. The first time he gazed upon her loveliness his breath caught in his chest. Words came with difficulty.
He had been searching for a woman with whom he could share his life never thinking he would find her. Could O’Cahan’s daughter be the one? All this while, she had been here in Ulster, less than a day’s sail from his castle at Dunaverty.
It was not just her beauty that drew him, though he had spoken truth when he said he had never seen a more beautiful woman. She moved with the fluid grace of a noblewoman and her words were kindhearted and humble. Yet there was something about her he could not explain that pulled him to her like a strong undertow.
Her eyes were dark pools that glimmered on the surface and her skin was like cream, her berry-colored lips enticing. Framing all was her long hair hanging in waves like a curtain of midnight embracing her white throat and shoulders.
“My seneschal will show you to your chambers, Lord Angus,” said O’Cahan. “I expect you will join us for dinner?”
“Aye and we thank you.” Angus glanced at O’Cahan’s daughter, for he could hardly look away. “But I must first see to my men who are still with my ships. Might they set up camp in front of the castle?”
“They can and we will do our best to feed them. But you can also billet them in the homes of my chiefs if you prefer. They would be welcomed, coming as they are to serve Earl Richard.”
“I would be pleased to meet your chiefs but, as for my men, I prefer to hold them together and close until I know the earl’s plans and where he would send us. I told them to fish as I set off for the castle. By now, they should have dinner in hand.”
Lord Cumee laughed. “I admire a warrior who looks ahead and cares for his men. Go and return to us when you’ve seen to them. We can at least supply them with bread and honey and ale to quench their thirst.”
“I will see it done,” said Lady Áine.
“May I borrow horses for me, my companions and my guard so that we may be quickly gone and quickly return?”
“Of course,” said Lord Cumee. “We have a fine stable. And should you need carts and horses to pull them, those, too, can be at your disposal. My steward will meet you outside to assist you.”
Angus bowed to his host and smiled at the daughter. The smile she returned him was winsome. Already, Áine O’Cahan was fixed in his heart.
Outside the castle, while awaiting the steward, Duncan tossed Angus a smirk. “The most beautiful woman you have ever laid eyes on? Where didthatcome from? You, who barely notice women?”
Before Angus could reply, John said, “Well, sheislovely is O’Cahan’s daughter.”
Duncan shook his head. “Angus, mayhap you failed to notice that when she held out her left hand to you, on her right hand she wore a wedding ring.”
Married!He frowned. “I confess I did not see it.” Angus chided himself for assuming such a woman would be unwed.
“If she is her father’s chatelaine, mayhap her husband is away fighting for the earl,” offered John.
Angus knew his brother was trying to help explain the absence of a husband but it did not lift Angus’ spirits. To come so close to a woman who might be the one he had been searching for only to find she was the wife of another soured his mood.
He was still pondering this as the steward arrived to escort them to the stables.
It took the rest of the day for Angus to bring his men from the ships and see them ensconced in the valleys around Dunseverick. By the time he was ready to return to the castle, the heather-clad land was dotted with tents and campfires where his men roasted the fish they had caught along with meat they had brought from Kintyre.
As Angus, his companions and guard were leaving for the castle, a group of servants arrived bearing loaves of bread, honey and ale. “From Lady Áine with her blessing,” said the one in charge.
