Page 54 of Bound By Honor
“I would not venture onto a field of battle if the day has already been won by another.”
“There is no field of battle concerning me, Lord Angus, and nothing has been won.” Her gaze flitted away.
“I do not mean to embarrass you.”
She returned her beautiful eyes to him. “You did not but you move like lightning where others would proceed slowly especially since I give no encouragement.”
“They are fools and, while I am not slow, I can be patient.”
They resumed their walk and she pointed out the nesting fulmars and other birds that found sanctuary in the clefts of the rocks.
“We have many seabirds in the Isles,” he said.
She gazed north. The sun’s golden streak was gone, leaving twilight’s muted shades. “I have never traveled to your Isles but I have heard much of them.”
“One day, you must see them.” He hoped to be the one to show them to her. Searching for another subject as they neared the castle, he said, “Tell me about your son.”
“Brian is three, a delightful child, happy and eager for adventure. He has the red hair of his father, an O’Neill trait.” Then facing Angus, she said, “My husband was Niall O’Neill, King of Tirowen, slain three years ago.”
Angus could see the pain reflected in the depths of her eyes and knew she had experienced something horrible. “Were you there?”
She nodded and shut her eyes tightly. “He was cut down before me. Even now, I can see it in my mind.” Opening her eyes, she said, “My son and I barely escaped with our lives.”
He took her hand and held it to his chest. “If I have anything to say about it, Lady Áine, you will never experience anything like that again.”
CHAPTER 11
ANGUS AWAKENED as a breeze from the sea wafted into his chamber, carrying with it the morning’s meager light. Remnants of his dream flickered through his mind, images of a dark-haired beauty smiling up at him. The blood in his veins coursed with new vigor. His world had changed. Áine O’Cahan had changed it forever.
Rising, he splashed water on his face and peered through the arrow slit facing the sea. The castle was sheathed in mist beneath a cloud-filled sky. Impatient to be about the day’s business, he dressed in his tunic, padded coat and mail then went down to the great hall where he accepted the bread, cheese and ale servants hastily set before him.
Soon he was joined by his brother and cousin, lifting their heads in greeting as they silently slipped onto the bench across from him.
Observing their bleary eyes, he asked, “Have you no words for me this morning?”
Duncan slowly let out a breath as if pained. “You have no idea the sacrifice we made for the sake of diplomacy last eve. When you went for a walk with Lady Áine, we sat around drinking with the O’Cahan chiefs and your galloglass.”
“Aye,” agreed John, his hands cradling his head. “Overmuch, I fear.”
Angus was tempted to smile at the “great sacrifice” but, instead, said the one thing he thought might encourage them. “Well, at least we do not face battle this day.” He had come in from his walk with the beautiful Lady Áine the night before to speak briefly with her father and the O’Cahan chiefs before going to his chamber. Thus, he had avoided the rounds of drinking that must have ensued.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up to see his galloglass guard filing into the hall. Angus acknowledged them with a nod as they joined him at the table, appearing only slightly more alert than his brother and cousin.
The door leading to the kitchen swung open. Áine O’Cahan glided into the hall in a yellow tunic that shone like bright gorse, cheerful on this cloudy day. She must have been awake for some time as her lovely eyes were bright and her smile engaging. In her arms she carried a platter of cold meats.
Smiling at Angus, she set the platter on the table. “Good morning.”
A lord’s daughter typically would not be serving guests, which made Angus appreciate the gesture more than he could say. “And to you, my lady. I trust you did not rise with the dawn just for us?”
“I am here for you and your men who ride to Dunluce. After all, warriors cannot perform on bread alone and the earl may not offer you food until evening.”
His guard, still waking up, nodded their approval. One of them covered a yawn as he reached for a slice of cold meat.
Duncan, too, stabbed a piece of beef with his eating knife. “We thank you and your father for your hospitality, my lady.”
Angus agreed. “Aye, you have been gracious. But, to help, I will ask my men who remain behind to fish and hunt to feed themselves and add to your larders.”
“We will gratefully accept their gifts,” said Lady Áine. “With many men away, there are fewer to hunt and fewer to tend the fields and the cattle, sheep and pigs. But I will send some cheese, salted pork and ale to your men to add to what they have.”
