Page 97 of Bound By Honor
She squeezed his hand. “He is with God now, my love.”
“Aye. That is a comfort.”
That night, they dined in the abbey with the chiefs and the monks on a meal of salmon, lamb and roast beef. Áine urged Juliana to eat. “You must keep up your strength for your boys.” They drank the wine Angus and others had brought and grew merry after the sorrows of the day.
When the trenchers were cleared and sweetmeats appeared, Malise, the aging Maclean chief, rose from his chair, drawing up to his full height. “We sail from here to Islay and the Council meeting where we install the next Lord of the Isles. But as you are thinking, consider this. Can there be a better man to lead us than Angus Og? We have observed him for many years as he has stood by his father and his elder brother. Often, he has fought our enemies, risking his own life to save us and our lands. Angus is a man of courage. He must be the one to lead us. There can be no other.”
Others rose to echo The Maclean’s comments. Áine marveled at the overwhelming support for her betrothed.
Finally, Angus rose. “As the Maclean chief correctly notes, the Council’s decision will be made at Finlaggan. However, before we sail for Islay, I would invite you to stay on Iona another day for a special ceremony. God has been gracious to me, for Lady Áine O’Cahan has consented to become my wife and Abbot Fionnlagh has agreed to marry us tomorrow in the abbey church.”
Smiles appeared on every face. Many shouts of “Aye” rose into the air.
From the crowded hall, the aged Macleod chief shouted to Angus, “’Tis obvious you have plucked the fairest flower of Ireland.”
Áine felt her cheeks warm at his words.
“Having met her,” the Macleod chief continued, “we approve.”
Áine looked up at Angus, smiling down at her, and sighed with relief.
CHAPTER 18
IT HAD RAINED during the night and Áine wanted to avoid exposing her wedding finery to the wet grass and muddy rocks, so Angus had thoughtfully arranged for her to change in the abbey in the same chamber where they would spend their wedding night.
Juliana and Nessa took the long walk with her to the abbey. The day was sunny and cool as they left the nunnery. Pale blue flowers growing amidst the short grass made for a pretty picture. Further on, Áine spotted rosy sea thrift flowers blooming among the rocks on the white sand beach off to her right.How lovely it is to be wed in spring.
Once in the abbey, Juliana decided to wait to welcome thecanonica, the women who lived in the nunnery without having taken vows. Many were from the noble families of the lordship and had expressed a desire to attend the wedding.
Nessa went with Áine to help her dress, expressing her excitement to be a part of this day so long in coming. “’Tis not just today, Mistress, but your new life. It will be such an adventure!”
“Doubtless, you are correct,” said Áine. She had lived through tragedy but she had not had much adventure. She was certain life as Angus’ wife would provide a wealth of it.
The bedchamber to which Áine was shown must have been one the monks reserved for visiting lords, so opulent were the furnishings. The walls were graced with beautiful tapestries, one depicting the Irish prince, Columba. A woven carpet in red and blue adorned the stone floor. The bed covering and bed curtains were of crimson velvet. White ermine furs were laid across the bed’s foot for added warmth.
A long narrow arched window invited in the afternoon sun. For warmth, a fire burned steadily in the fireplace. As well, a profusion of beeswax candles were arrayed on the stone mantel and bedside table.
Nessa carefully unfolded the gown of golden silk and laid it across the large bed. “See how the firelight shimmers in the silk?”
Áine stared not at the gown but at the bed beneath it, wondering what this night would bring. Certainly, it would not be like her first wedding night, which had been a painful introduction to the ways of a man with a maiden, although the instructor had been kind. This night, she hoped, would be a feast of love for two who had waited years to become one.
“I brought the circlet of gold your mother wore at her marriage to Lord Cumee,” said Nessa, proudly holding out the bejeweled band that fitted Áine’s head perfectly. Small rubies, emeralds and sapphires sparkled from the gold. “You will look like a queen.”
“I only hope Angus will find me so.” Today, she thought not of pleasing the chiefs and their wives; she thought only of pleasing Angus.
Nessa turned a bewildered gaze upon her as she helped her into the gown. “Mistress, you have only to look at the man when his eyes are upon you to know he is enthralled. Why, you could wear rags and he’d not complain.”
Juliana peeked her head in the door. “It is time. Angus is coming.”
A few minutes later, fully dressed, her long dark hair brushed to a gloss and secured by the golden circlet, Áine stepped through the door. There stood Angus, beaming. His hair and beard, with bronze and copper amid the light brown strands, had been finely trimmed. Blue silk, the color of his eyes, embraced his broad shoulders and body. Circling his waist was a gilded belt holding his sword and dagger. Áine smiled inwardly. She was marrying a warrior so she could hardly expect him to forgo his weapons just because it was their wedding day.
His gaze roved over her, a look of approval on his face. For a moment, he just stared. Then he offered her his hand. “Come, my beautiful bride, Abbot Fionnlagh waits at the altar to hear our vows and bless our marriage. And, Nessa, you will not be needed by your mistress tonight. Enjoy yourself.”
Áine took his hand and felt destiny leading, as if her whole life had been lived for this moment and what would come after. She did not think it possible to love Angus more, so full was her heart. Here was the man she had longed for as a girl. Here was the man God was giving her after so many years.
Hand in hand, they walked the decorated corridor with its painted tiles and arches. In the distance, she could hear the monks chanting their liturgical music. As she and Angus entered the church near the altar, the music faded and all eyes turned upon them.
Crowded into the abbey church were chiefs and their wives, the noblewomen from the nunnery, monks and the guards and men in the service of the lordship.
