Page 85 of Bound By Honor
“He does.” Re-reading the relevant part of the letter, she said, “King Edward marched his army into Scotland and defeated the rebel leader William Wallace at a place called Falkirk. Since then, Wallace has resigned as Guardian. Angus says his friend, Robert Bruce, is likely to be named a Guardian together with John Comyn, the Lord of Badenoch.”
Her father sat back, shaking his head. “That will never work. The Comyns are the enemies of the Bruces. They are the enemies of the Macdonalds, too, for that matter. Worse, the Red Comyn of Badenoch is a hot-tempered man who wants power and would betray his own mother to get it.”
Her father’s face was lined with worry, the crevice between his dark brows deepening. His hair, too, had recently gained more gray. When he climbed the stairs to his bedchamber, he sometimes breathed heavily, which caused her to worry for his health. He was only in his fifth decade, still strong and, yet, recently, she had observed a tiredness about him that was not there before.
Glancing down at the letter, she continued, “Angus believes Wallace was betrayed at Falkirk by John Comyn, the Earl of Buchan, who, he says, left the field with his cavalry in the heat of battle.” Áine was exasperated trying to understand the relationships. “Really, Father, this is all so confusing. Why would this Comyn betray a fellow Scot who is rousing the country to fight for freedom?”
“You forget the Earl of Buchan was the one who led the attack on the Bruce castle at Carlisle that began the war. I am certain it goes down badly that the young Bruce supports Wallace, whom I hear is very popular with the people. Buchan’s cousin is the Red Comyn. It was his father who competed for the crown of Scotland. Moreover, the Red Comyn’s mother is John Balliol’s sister. With Balliol’s abdication of the throne, doubtless the Comyns think to take up the cause of their family.”
“Angus told me the Comyns are also allies of the MacDougalls.”
“They would be,” commented her father. “They are all related by marriage.”
“According to Angus, after King Edward’s victory at Falkirk, he set out to attack Robert Bruce but, by the time the king reached Carrick, Bruce had burned the castle at Ayr to keep it out of English hands and then disappeared. In response, the king destroyed the Bruce castle at Lochmaben in Annandale.”
“I can only imagine the temper the king must have been in. How were things left?”
“It seems King Edward has departed Scotland, leaving his English garrisons to hold the country until he can return. I find it interesting that the Bruce lands were not given to Edward’s followers and loyal knights, as he did the lands of other Scots. What can that mean?”
“Only one thing,” said her father, his hand stroking his beard. “He intends to take the Earl of Carrick back into his peace.” Chuckling, he added, “King Edward has always had a fond regard for the youngest Robert Bruce. Some say he favors him over his own son, Prince Edward.”
Áine placed the letter in her lap and sat back, staring into the flames, thinking about all she had learned.
Her father interrupted her musing. “Have you thought more on whether to accept the young Macdonald’s suit?”
She nodded. The answer came easily for she’d had much time to reflect upon it. “I would be hard-pressed to reject his suit, Father, as my love for him grows.”
“He is much like his father, the great Angus Mor, a man of principles, wisdom and courage. Young Angus will hold close those he loves and protect you with his life. Of that, I have no doubt.”
“I know Angus to be a good man but I worry about his being in constant danger. Were I to wed him, would I lose him to Scotland’s constant wars?”
“You cannot let the times in which we live dictate your choice of a husband. No one lives forever, Áine. My own time, I feel, grows short.” She opened her mouth to protest but he held up a hand. “I would see you in your own home surrounded by your children when that time comes. Your brother will always give you a home here, but he will marry one day and his wife will be the lady of Dunseverick, not you. Kintyre’s lord is a good man and his heart for you is clear to all. You must not forget that Angus can protect Brian, who will one day be seen as a possible heir to the kingship of Tirowen and therefore a threat to those who would have it for their own.”
Her father was right. She could not stay in her comfortable nest when the world around her was changing, and she must think of Brian. She had come to love Angus and would stand with him. He would protect both her and Brian. “Then it is well that my heart belongs to him.”
Dunyvaig Castle, Isle of Islay, Spring 1299
ANGUS HAD SPENT the last year with his brothers and Duncan, keeping King Edward’s peace in Argyll and the Isles. Mostly, this came down to fighting the MacDougalls, who were a slippery lot. They could retreat into the hills of Argyll to one of their holdings, disappearing for weeks, only to reappear in galleys supplied by the Comyns to attack an isle or a chief under the Macdonalds’ protection.
The Isle of Mull was ever in contention. How the MacDougall’s ravaging of the Macdonald Isles furthered Scotland’s war for freedom from England, Angus could not say.
“If the reports from the chiefs in the north be true,” said Angus, breaking his fast in Dunyvaig’s great hall with Alex, John and Duncan, “Alexander MacDougall and his minions have vanished into the mist yet again.”
Duncan smirked. “Mayhap he celebrates King Edward’s pending marriage to the King of France’s half-sister.”
“Hardly that,” said Alex, “but he may be taking advantage of the respite Edward’s absence will bring.”
“I should think Edward’s young bride, who is more than forty years his junior, will keep him well occupied and out of Scotland this summer,” replied Duncan with a mocking smile.
John grinned at the suggestion.
Angus nodded. “A lull in the fighting while Edward remains in England will be welcomed by all.”
“Which leaves Alexander MacDougall free to poke his nose in other places,” put in Alex. “I might as well use this opportunity to speak with Earl Richard. If he plans to join Edward’s autumn campaign in Scotland, he will want our ships for transport.”
“What would you say to leaving John and Duncan here to manage the lordship and keep watch for the MacDougalls while you and I sail to Ulster?” asked Angus. “Assuming they are willing,” he added with a nod in their direction. “I could put you in at Dunluce’s shore while I go on to Dunseverick. It is time I took a bride.”
Smiles all around greeted this statement.
