Page 86 of Bound By Honor
“An excellent idea,” said Alex with enthusiasm. “I will let Juliana know. We have servants aplenty to help with our growing brood of sons, so she should not mind my absence.”
Angus nearly choked on the piece of bread he was swallowing. “Mind? Juliana has given you a son nearly every year you have been wed. More like, she will welcome the time apart!”
Duncan and John laughed.
Alex reached out and cuffed Angus on the back of his head. “Very well, we will sail tomorrow.” Directing his attention to Duncan and John, he asked, “Are you willing to manage things here at Dunyvaig?”
“Aye,” they said in unison.
Then, to Angus, he offered, “If she deigns to wed you, your O’Cahan bride should bring you a fine dowry.”
“I have thought some on that subject,” said Angus. “Should she agree to marry me, I have a proposal for Lord Cumee. You would be surprised if you knew what I intend to ask for. ’Tis neither gold nor land.”
The beach at Dunluce Castle on the coast of Ulster
THE VOYAGE SOUTH from Islay to Ulster was short and, though the dark blue sea was wind-tossed and the spring air chilled, the sky above was a clear blue. Angus watched as the galley neared the cliffs, the beach was rock-filled and treacherous in approach. High up on the clifftop, amidst the carpet of green, he could see a profusion of yellow and gold wildflowers.
The experienced captain made short work of beaching the Lord of the Isles’ large galley. Joining his brother in the stern, Angus prepared to bid Alex good day. Offering his forearm, which Alex grasped, Angus said, “May your negotiations with de Burgh go well. Send word to Dunseverick when you are ready for me to return.”
His dark hair whipped by the wind, Alex replied, “Do not expect me to summon you before tomorrow at the earliest. I am hoping Earl Richard will lend us some of his fine horses to hunt this afternoon so that we may dine on venison this eve.”
Angus laughed. “’Tis a good plan though the presence of your bows and arrows will announce your intent before you can ask.”
“Aye, mayhap, but de Burgh is a generous host so he will not mind.” Then, fixing Angus with a steady gaze, he said, “May God grant you the answer from your lady you are hoping for.”
“Her letters have given me hope.” In truth, Angus was anxious to have her answer and prayed it would be the one he could not live without. For some time, he had imagined his future only with the beautiful Áine O’Cahan.
Shifting his bow to his back, Alex climbed over the gunwale to the rock-strewn beach. The dozen men comprising his guard and favored men, who would remain with him at Dunluce, lifted their bows and arrows and followed suit. This being a social visit, they wore tunics and cloaks but no mail.
Angus shouted, “Godspeed,” and waved as his brother and his men took the winding path up to the castle. Then he ordered the shore detail to push the galley back into the water. Once done, they clambered aboard and the crew set to work, rowing for Dunseverick. Angus turned his mind to the narrow shingle shore awaiting them and the lady who was never far from his thoughts.
ÁINE HAD BEEN TOLD by a guard that a galley had arrived at Dunseverick. With her excitement rising, she hurried to the promontory to gaze down at the shingle far below, her long hair blowing behind her. Brian, freed from his tutor to greet the arriving visitors, had joined her, his wolfhound beside him.
The Galley of the Isles pennant of the Lord of the Isles flew from the mast. For a moment, she wondered if Angus’ brother had come to see her father. But then she spotted Angus’ light brown head turned to blazing copper by the sun. He waved to her from the galley’s deck.
She raised her hand in greeting. “’Tis the Lord of Kintyre!”
Hearing this, Brian waved enthusiastically.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for Angus to ascend to the promontory. Brian ran ahead with Lir to meet him. Angus reached the top and bent to speak to her son who went on to meet Angus’ men.
Angus strode toward her. Without a word, he took her into his arms and swung her around.
“Put me down! What will your men think?”
He laughed. “My guard will be relieved. The crew will think their lord’s brother is daft with love for his lass.” Setting her feet on the ground, his blue eyes looked long into hers. “My beautiful Áine, I have come to pose the question. Will you be my wife? I cannot wait a minute longer to know if you are to be mine. Tell me, what is your answer?”
Smiling with joy, she said, “Yes, Angus. My answer is yes.”
“Then I am the happiest of men.” He kissed her soundly and she enthusiastically returned his kiss. He turned to his men who had arrived on the promontory. Standing with them was Brian, staring open-mouth. Angus called, “The lady will marry me!”
Cheers went up from his crew, making Áine’s cheeks heat to know they had been watching them all this while.
Taking her hand, Angus said, “Come, we’d best tell your father and brother the good news.”
“What good news?” inquired Brian who had left Angus’ crew to join them.
“Did you not hear? Your mother has agreed to be my wife.”
