"Do I?"
"Insufferably so.Ye know what ye look like.There is no need for me to encourage ye further."
He laughed and drew her hand through his arm.
"Wait," she said.
He stopped.
She held out the folded cloth.He looked at it, then at her, then opened it.
The new purse lay in his palm.Dark linen, flat and wide-mouthed, buttonhole stitch along the edges.On the face, in gold thread, his initials: C.S.Beneath them a small thistle no larger than his thumbnail.
He was quiet for a long moment.
"Una, this is exquisite," he whispered.
"It is nothing elaborate.I had limited material on the road."
"Hush," he said."I love it."
He turned it over in his hands.Then he unhooked the old pouch at his belt, transferred the contents, and fastened her purse in its place.He pressed it flat and looked down at it.Then he looked at her.
"Perfect," he said."Just like ye."
She blushed.
He placed his old purse on the corridor table, then reached into the breast pocket of his leine and drew out a fine gold chain."Turn around."
She turned.The intricate gold chain settled cool at her collarbone and she felt his fingers at her nape, then his lips brush against the back of her neck.
"There," he said.He turned her back, straightened the pendant, and held her at arm's length."Now ye're ready."
***
THEY WALKED DOWN THEcorridor and Ros and Tam straightened.Ros looked at Cormac, then at Una, then back at Cormac.He said nothing.His expression said everything.
Seumas appeared from the alcove and stopped.He took them both in: the matching plaid, the gold at her throat, the purse at Cormac's hip.He grinned."My lady.Ye look exceptionally well."
"Aye, now stop gawking at my wife," Cormac said with a smirk.
***
AT THE DOORS TO THEassembly hall, Cormac and Una were about to enter when a messenger handed him a note.His jaw set.Then he looked at her.
"There is a matter I must attend to."He pocketed the note."I cannot bring ye with me and I am not happy about leaving ye to walk in there alone."
"Is it from yer friend ye met with this morning?"she asked.
"Aye."
"All right," she said.
He exhaled."Seek out Nessa the moment ye are inside.She will find ye if ye cannot find her."He took her hand in both of his."Ye are my wife and ye are the bonniest woman in all the world.That is all anyone needs to know, and it is more than enough."He kissed her firmly."I will come to ye as soon as I am able."
Then he was gone down the side corridor.
Una stood alone in front of the double doors.She heard the noise of the gathering on the other side.
