Plead Forgiveness: Betrayed Twice (Loyalty Series)

by Dobsyn, Aury

  Edric barred her way as she reached the stables, and regretfully said, “I’m sorry lass, but ye canna go after them.”

  She pounded on his chest until he finally grabbed her wrists and pleaded, “Please, this is the last thing I want do to ye.”

  Like a whirlwind, Ella broke free and sprinted to the fence that enclosed the field where the horses grazed. Without slowing, she put two hands onto the high wooden rail of the fence, and then vaulted over with agile grace.

  Watching motionless from the bailey, Gavin and Paen took in her mad dash to rescue her beloved horse. Her pain at losing her best friend tore at both their hearts.

  Without looking at his older brother, Paen said, “Gavin.”

  Gavin did not respond at first, instead he watched Edric and Tavish chase his wife down for long moments, until they finally tackled her to the ground.

  His eyes remained on the disturbing scene when he said, “Aye, go and bring him back by whatever means necessary. I will nae let that bastard continue to wreak havoc on my wife’s heart.”

  Gavin watched Paen ride over the drawbridge on Righ’s back, confident that his brother would return with Apollo. More than likely, Philip ordered the soldiers to kill the horse, leaving the animal’s mutilated body on Macleod land. I will nae allow them to destroy the animal my wife holds so dear.

  A short time later, Edric stood in front of his laird with Ella unconscious in his arms. Gavin took his wife’s beautiful, unmoving body into the shelter of his embrace as he listened to Edric explain.

  “I think she fainted, Gavin. She fought like a wild cat, and then all of a sudden her body went limp. Scared ten years off my life, thinking I hurt the poor lass.”

  “She scarcely eats of late, though its improved, it renders her weaker than norm and much too thin.”

  “Aye, I agree,” Edric confirmed. Glancing around, he asked, “Ye sent him?”

  “Aye. Philip has taken enough from my wife.” He turned and stalked off to the castle, leaving Edric and Tavish to stare in his wake.

  Ella awoke a few hours later and noticed Gavin standing by the window, staring out into the darkness. Anguish rained over her, remembering Apollo and her fight to get him back from the Englishmen.

  “Get out,” she ordered.

  He turned and faced her for a moment, then without comment left her chamber. The raw despair she felt made her numb to his woeful expression. He allowed the English soldiers to take Apollo. She could not forgive him.

  An hour before dawn, Gavin woke Ella and carried her from the bedchamber.

  “What are you doing? Where are you taking me?”

  He ignored her icy tone and futile struggles as he said in an emotionless voice, “Be still and quiet.”

  The command, given by Gavin the warrior, not Gavin her husband, sent an icy chill down her spine. Unable to fathom his intend she stilled instantly, until she saw this mist covered stables. His brisk walk solidified her fear. Dear Lord, he’s taking me back to Greystone. He wants rid of me.

  She began to struggle in earnest.

  “I won’t go back. Nae, you can’t do this.”

  He stopped with a bewildered expression as she pleaded, “Don’t take me back to him, please.”

  Within the blink of an eye, Gavin put her down then took hold of her shoulders and asked, “Ye think I am taking ye back to Greystone?”

  “I . . . I only cause others death and sorrow.”

  He raised her chin with gentle fingers and said, “Ella, ne’er speak those words again, for they could nae be further from the truth. Ken this, wife, I will ne’er let ye go. Ne’er!”

  His invisible warmth enveloped Ella, making her feel safe and wanted. With an intense expression, he stroked her cheek as she asked, “Then why . . .?”

  Lightly taking her hand, he said, “Trust me.” When she opened her mouth to reply, he dragged her along and said, “Nae, ye stubborn woman, dinna argue.”

  Just before reaching the stables, Paen walked out holding the reins to a dark colored horse. Her horse.

  “Apollo! Apollo!”

  Seeing his master, Apollo jerked the reins from Paen’s grip, and then trotted over to her. With his large head, he nuzzled her body while she crooned in his ear.

  “I thought I’d never see you again. I thought you were lost to me forever. My best friend, how I’ve missed you.”

  Paen dusted himself off as he walked over to Gavin and said, “He made camp just over the Macleod border, intending to kill the beast. I arrived just before he completed the deed.”

  Gavin barely listened to his brother’s explanation, focusing solely on his wife’s joyous reunion with Apollo. After a few moments, he asked, “Did ye kill him? Truth be told, I would nae be angry if ye did.”

  “Regrettably, nae,” Paen said with a smirk. “His name is Hugo and I offered him a fat purse. He will gladly tell his lord that the horse is dead. His quite young, and had nae wish to kill the beast..”

  “Really,” Gavin said with disbelief.

  “Aye,” Paen chuckled. “Hugo mentioned how poorly Greystone treated Ella. He also spoke of her gift for healing, and that on many occasions she had aided him and his family when others would have turned away.”

  “Aye, that dinna surprise me.”

  “I ken what will, though,” Paen proclaimed. “Hugo threw the purse back to me and said that it would have made him sick to kill the animal Ella adored.”

  Visibly shocked, Gavin said, “I dinna believe an Englishman would refuse money from a Scot.”

  “Now that Hugo nae longer serves under Sir James, his former commander, he wants to leave Greystone. Especially since Philip dismissed so many good men from service because of their strong loyalty to Sir James.”

  “Pray tell me, why did Hugo carry out Greystone’s order to reclaim and destroy Apollo if he dinna want to serve the man any longer?”

  “Hugo has neither the money nor connections to leave the Greystone.”

  “How did it end?”

  “I gave the young pup back the pouch of money and told him to seek out the Baron of Thornton.”

  “Good. I believe the years are softening ye, brother,” Gavin said, proud that his brother sent Hugo to Nicholas’s cousin.

  “Nae the years, but yer daft wife.”

  “Daft,” Gavin said with raised eyebrows.

  Paen chuckled, “With nae thought of herself, she fought Edric, leaped over a fence with the grace of a deer, and then had to be taken down by two Highland warriors. Aye, Gavin, daft, but verra spirited.”

  “Ye would have done the same for Righ.”

  “Ye ken me well,” Paen replied, and then in a solemn tone added, “I’m proud to call her sister.”

  Gavin smiled at his brother before his focus returned to his approaching wife. She embraced Paen, who in turn hugged her with brotherly affection.

  With his arms around her, Paen whispered in her ear, “Yer husband sent me.”

  Stunned, Ella abruptly pulled away, and then saw the sincerity in his eyes. She hesitantly glanced over at Gavin, who stood with his arms crossed over his chest, staring at her with a benevolent expression.

  When her appreciative eyes locked with his, Gavin knew Paen had given him the credit for the return of Apollo. He did not want her gratitude, but rather, that radiant smile of hers. Content to see her happy, and before she could offer the needless words of thanks, he turned the conversation to her attire.

  “Wife, as much as it kills me to say this, yer lack of dress is undesired at the present moment.” He took off his plaid and said, “Let us cover ye. I dinna care for others to see ye without-”

  His words halted abruptly when Ella wrapped her arms around his waist. With her head resting on his chest, she whispered, “Thank you, Gavin.”

  Unprepared for her tender show of appreciation, it took Gavin a moment to reciprocate before encircling his arms around her. He then brushed his jaw against her hair Feeling her small, warm body molded to the contours of his lean
frame made him realize how much he needed her touch.

  “Will ye ride with me today, little one?”

  So absorbed in the security of his embrace, Ella only managed to nod her head and whisper, “Aye.” Although, apprehensive, her overwhelming gratitude forbid her to deny such a small request.

  Elated by her acceptance, Gavin then saw the bailey swiftly filling with men and women. A frown crossed his features noticing the curious eyes of the former on his wife. He quickly wrapped her in his plaid and said, “As much as I enjoy the sight of ye in yer sleeping gown, I think it wise to change before our ride.”

  When Ella noticed she wore only a sleeveless, knee length chemise, she clutched the ends of his plaid. “Aye, I’ll go now.”

  Gavin and Paen watched her race off into the castle with youthful excitement. They basked in the glory of her jubilation with smiles of contentment transforming their features. She reappeared a candle mark later, running through the bailey in her breeches, short sleeve tunic, and her knee high boots that laced up the side.

  Both men understood the practicality of wearing male attire while she worked with the horses each morning, but Gavin did not care for the appreciative looks cast her way by his men.

  Before she reached them, Gavin said to Paen, “Tell Tavish to go to the Mackenzies today. I want Eva to fashion something for Ella that will . . .will. . .”

  “Hide her better assets?”

  “Aye,” he growled out before turning to fetch his own mount.

  13

  Ella and Gavin raced over the drawbridge just after dawn. The early morning mist faded to reveal a clear blue sky and the scent of pine hung in the air as he lead her north, towards Mackenzie territory, the safest area on his land.

  Riding beside Ella, Gavin openly admired the part of herself she had kept hidden. Neither fear nor sorrow hindered her joy when she rode atop Apollo. It seemed that God had specifically made this horse and rider for one another.

  When they stopped hours later to water their horses, he found her delight in the simplest things intriguing. With her breeches rolled up to her knees and her feet bare, Ella successfully leaped from rock to rock across the narrow burn while Apollo, unexpectedly, trailed behind like a pup. Startled by the affectionate horse, she fell into the water without her normal grace.

  Gavin threw back his head and roared with laughter at the sight of his wife knee deep in the water, trying to look angry, but failing miserably.

  His laughter, a full-hearted sound, made him look ten years younger, Ella thought as she leaped on to Apollo’s back. After dismounting on the bank of the burn, she rolled down her pants and put on her boots, then joined Gavin on the boulder.

  “I believe that beast of yers would follow ye to the ends of the earth,” he chuckled.

  Looking over her shoulder at Apollo nudging Gavin’s mount out of the way to get to some fresh grass, she said. “Aye, I believe you are right.”

  “Paen tells me that ye have taught him many useful skills that would benefit our own horses, especially in battle.”

  “Apollo is well trained to defend himself as well as his rider if the need should arise.”

  “Will ye show me?”

  Tilting her head to the side, she asked, “You are truly interested?”

  Interested in anything she would show him, he replied honestly, “Aye, verra much so.”

  “Very well then, I will show you,” she said before jumping off the boulder.

  Apollo still grazed when she said, “Accendo.”

  Without hesitation, Apollo trotted over to her.

  “Consurgo.”

  Apollo reared up as his front hooves attacked the air.

  When he came down, she continued, “Calcitro.”

  The beast kicked his back legs out.

  “Accumbo.”

  Apollo lowered his body to the ground, so he lay on his side.

  “Eu.”

  When he rose to his feet, Ella rewarded by stoking his nose with affection.

  “Aqua.”

  Apollo trotted over to the water and began to drink.

  Gavin stood flabbergasted at the skills she had taught her horse and all with verbal commands. When she returned to his side, he asked, “Ye have taught other horses this as well?”

  “Aye. As long as you are patient, it is not difficult,” she stated with modesty.

  “If ye are willing, I would like ye to train our horses. Colban and Leif will assist ye. I also believe some of my men would like to learn yer methods and help ye with this task. The miraculous transformation in Righ has encouraged them to approach me on the matter.”

  “Aye, I would enjoy that very much,” Ella said, thrilled at his support and confidence in her abilities.

  As the sun climbed to its peak, warming the countryside below, their conversation drifted from horses, to educating children, to improving clan revenue. Her keen mind and depth of memory impressed Gavin, but her innovative ideas held him enthralled.

  “Plato believed all knowledge is innate from birth and perfected by experiential learning during growth, until death,” she explained. “If this is true then children, males as well as females, should become apprentices of master craftsmen at an earlier age. Boys training in the art of warfare begin as young as six summers, yet the boys who train to be craftsmen begin their training at the age of ten and two. What think you of that?”

  Gavin did not give his opinion, but said, “Most master craftsmen hold the firm belief that children who apprentice too young are nae mature enough for the responsibility that comes with the position.”

  “Then why do boys trained in warfare begin so young?

  “So they can develop their bodies in strength, reaction, and skill, all of which takes years.”

  “Developing the mind also takes years,” countered Ella.

  “Aye, I agree,” he said, thoroughly enjoying himself. “The problem lies in getting the master craftsmen to agree to take younger apprentices.”

  “I have a solution to that as well.”

  “I’m sure ye do,” he chuckled.

  Ignoring his mirth and doubt, she began, “Ye have many master craftsmen among the Macleods; blacksmith, carpenter, tanner, weavers and candle makers to name a few. Yet there are trades ye must depend on other clans to provide, such as masonry, architecture, wool-stapler and skinner. Barter apprenticeship with other clans.”

  Thoughtful for a few moments, Gavin earnestly stated, “I have ne’er thought to do so, but the idea has merit. I will speak with the craftsmen on the matter. If they are in agreement, I will negotiate with the other clans.”

  “The duration of the apprenticeship can be determined by the master craftsmen, but with set time for the child to return home for visits. If I was a mother, I would not want my bairn away from me for so long, which is customary.”

  Gavin smiled at the thought of her as a mother, with her fierce protectiveness. Softening his tone, he said, “Aye, one of the terms included will be regular home visits. Do ye have any other innovative ideas?”

  “Aye,” Ella enthusiastically replied. “With your ample production of wool, flax and cotton, women could be sent to the Flemish master weavers to improve their skill as well as learn to use the latest inventions in spinning. Brother Michael from the abbey spoke of new frames that make the production quicker and the product of better quality. This will increase clan revenue.”

  I dinna ken ye had an interest in weaving.”

  “I assure you, I don’t,” she said with a chuckle. “Brother Michael is one of the monks from Westshire Abbey, and he often spoke of his home in Flanders. His kin, you see, are among the master weavers who are known for making the most beautiful and sought after religious tapestries in the world.”

  “I have merchant vessels that travel to France. Would this Brother Michael be willing to write his kin on our behalf?”

  “Aye, most willing, I’m sure.”

  “Then that is what we will do. Now, which of the weavers shoul
d we send?”

  “Mayhap, Helena and her husband. As a carpenter, Iain will be allowed to assist in making their looms, thus will be able to reproduce it when they return.”

  Here is a true mate, Gavin thought, one whose value is beyond measure. Most of the women who coveted being his wife would have limited their duties to only running the castle and bearing his children. Never would they have worked with him to further the success of the Macleod Clan.

  A sudden thought came to mind, which Gavin then voiced, “I believe they are a wise choice, but what if Helena is breeding.”

  Ella chewed her bottom lip before saying, “I do not think we have to worry about that for some time.”

  “Explain,” Gavin said, recognizing that secretive expression of hers.

  “Helena told me that she and Iain want to hold off on having more children.”

  “Did she ask ye for herbs that prevent conception?”

  Spellbound for a moment, Ella finally confessed, “Aye, but I will only provide them once I speak with Iain.”

  “Wisely done. If in the future she wants to bear more children, will she be able to do so?”

  “Aye, once she stops taking the herbs, she will be fertile again.”

  “I take it they presently use other methods to prevent conception,” Gavin said with a slight smirk.

  Ella felt her cheeks flame when she explained, “Aye, when they . . . they make love, he does not spill his seed inside her. Helena explained that this method takes away the pleasure of the act.”

  Gavin’s deep chuckle followed her words.

  “Aye, I canna argue with that, and I’m nae against women taking these herbs as long as their husband’s give ye consent. I understand why Iain and Helena wish to prolong having another child.”

  “Why?”

  Gavin tone turned serious when he explained, “Helena almost died bringing Obe, their youngest child, into the world. Iain dinna want to risk his wife by having her birth a child every year. ‘Tis nae healthy for a woman to bear a child so often, regardless of what the church says on the matter.”