“The king is arrogant enough to believe he will make a decision and all will go along with it, there’s no doubting that. And as much as I do not want to be at war with the Douglass, I want Annabella more than anything else.”
“I have known it since the moment I saw you two together.”
“You did?”
“Aye, you have a special look for one another that only rests on the faces of those who truly love each other.”
Angus shook his head. “I admit, I would have never thought I would hear you speak like this, Father. Love, fealty, bairns? Are you certain you are the great Alexander MacDonald, Lord of the Isles?”
He chuckled. “I am Alexander MacDonald, but I am neither great, nor Lord of the Isles any longer. My legacy is to be a part of uniting this country, and while I do not believe the Stewart is the best man to lead us, he is all we have and we must believe that his vision can become a reality. It is now up to you to lead this clan, and do everything you can in the best interest of the people we swore to protect.”
“I will do that and more, Father. You honour me.”
“It is you who have honoured me. You display a greatness I have never achieved, and I am proud to call you son. I will be equally proud to call Lady Annabella my daughter.”
It was all too good to be true in one sense, and gravely concerning in another. Had his father truly thought through what it would mean to pledge allegiance to the Stewart king? What did that entail, exactly? Angus would never allow the man’s actions to cause harm to anyone he held dear. Not in his lifetime.
“Something concerns you?” his father asked.
“Aye, something is off, Father. All of this was too easy. Do you really believe the king will not attempt to claim all that is ours, now that we have sworn fealty to him? So we provide him with men when his campaigns require it, and that is all? And what of our agreement with Rorie MacKenzie? We swore to him we would remain vigilant with his clan to oppose the Stewart, unless we both agreed it was in our best interest.”
“The other clans have all partially agreed to the Stewart’s proposal, including MacKenzie.”
“Aye, Kenneth MacKenzie, his father, mayhap, but not the son. Since his father passed, Rorie has been chomping at the bit for an excuse to retaliate against the king. I know the feeling and, while you were imprisoned, I met with Rorie on a few occasions. He offered men to aid in your release, but I refused.”
“Why did you refuse?”
“Because I was certain I could locate you on my own, without involving anyone else. Enough blood has been shed for the sake of us all holding onto pieces of soil and sea.”
“So you do see that united we are stronger?”
“Aye, I do, but MacKenzie does not. The king has much in the way of amendments to make to his new laws before MacKenzie will agree. I have much to discuss as well, but will wait until this business with Annabella and the Douglas are settled. I do not wish to return to Finlaggan with my bride, only to prepare for war with another clan.”
“MacKenzie will have to find his own path in these affairs, Angus. You can only act in the best interest of our people. And what is our goal? Peace and a good harvest. If the king leaves us alone for the most part, we can have that.”
“And if he wishes to claim our lands?”
“Then we have a problem, but hopefully by that time Lady Annabella will be carrying your fifth strapping lad and she cannot be drawn into any conflict,” the older man said with a grin. “Now, never mind this talk of wars and invasions and alliances. You are about to enter into a marriage agreement, lad. This is a joyous day.”
Aye, thinking of Annabella made his pulse quicken. He would keep his eyes open for signs of trouble from the Douglas, but his father was right. He did not want anything to sully his time with Annabella once all this was sorted.
“We should go to the great hall to await the king and the Douglas,” his father said. “I feel useless here waiting for word.”
Angus was relieved. He had been pacing for an hour, becoming more anxious by the moment. Waiting was harder than any combat in which he had ever engaged.
Angus walked to the door and swung it wide just as the king’s advisor, Beaufort, was about to knock. “Ahhh, my lords, I come to collect you on the request of the king.”
“Has the Black Douglas arrived?” Angus asked.
“He has,” Beaufort said.
“And?”
“And the king has met with him, and asked me to collect you and bring you to his apartment.”
“Surely you attended the meeting with the Douglas and can tell us what we can expect,” Angus’s father said.
“I repeat only what the king wishes to fall from my lips.”
