Plead Forgiveness: Betrayed Twice (Loyalty Series)

by Dobsyn, Aury

  In a teasing voice, Gavin said, “Such modesty has nae place in are bed, especially since that magnificent body of yers excites me like nae other.”

  She gave him a shy smile and allowed him to cleanse her body. Seeing his intense gaze, she asked, “What are you looking for?”

  “Blood. Ye were so tight, I thought I might have . . . ” His sentence trailed off, satisfied with what he saw. After cleaning himself, he slid back into the bed and pulled her close. With her head and hand resting on his chest, he sighed in contentment.

  “What made ye come to me tonight? After the way I treated ye-”

  Ella put her fingers to his lips and said, “Nae, Gavin. You have treated me better than I deserve. I wrongly blamed you for the deaths of my aunt and uncle. I know that now. You risked your life to try to save them, and were prepared to give them a home as well as your protection for the remainder of their days. I . . . I . . .”

  The feel of his fingers stroking her cheek gave her added strength to continue. “Everything happened so fast, and I was so confused. Please, forgive me.”

  Gavin stopped her words with a kiss, and then said in a soothing voice, “Nae, little one. I lied to ye, and more than once. For that, I am truly sorry. ‘Twas nae honorable, but given the choice again between my honor and ye, I would choose ye.”

  He readjusted her so she was lying atop him, then asked, “Now, what made ye come to my chamber this night?”

  Seeing her bite her bottom lip, he grinned and said, “Ye heard what I said to that bitch.”

  Ella nodded and explained, “When I returned from delivering Rachel’s bairn early this morn, Alice was leaving the chamber across from yours. I . . . I had learned that ye kept yer. . . ah . . . leman in that chamber before ye wed me. Alice said you ordered her to return to the chambers she occupied before I arrived. While I bathed, she also said things that made me believe that . . that . . .”

  Cupping her face with his massive hands, Gavin said, “Trust me when I say this, once I had ye in my life, I wanted nae other. I dinna deny she occupied my bed on occasion afore I brought ye home. When the rain was heavy last eve, she asked to stay within the castle. I consented and sent her to the servant’s quarters. I dinna ken she took the chamber across from mine, especially since I spent the night in the hall waiting for ye to return.”

  “You spent the night in the hall just for me?”

  “Aye, I knew ye neither slept nor eaten, and I became worried.” Pausing briefly, he then added, “I will ne’er shame ye. I saw what that kind of shame did to my mother, and what it did to our family. I want better for the woman I wed, for ye. Since ye heard all of what I said to Alice, ye know she will nae longer be able to hurt ye or any other.” With a broad smile, he said, “I am proud of the way ye defended Thea.”

  “You should have given me more time with her,” Ella admitted then felt his booming laughter as she kissed his vibrating chest.

  Her kisses made his appetite for her return full force. Not giving her time to protest, he cupped her backside and said, “Time to ride, lass.”

  “Ride?”

  “Aye, wife. Here, let me assist ye to mount.”

  Ella found herself impaled and completely filled, and although unsure of this method, she soon caught on and found herself enjoying the control from the new position. She moved slowly at first, watching him cup her breast and hips, urging her to ride him faster.

  She took him to heaven, Gavin thought as he watched the spectacular view of his wife’s exquisite body. He wished for another pair of hands, so he could fondle both breasts as well as her perfectly curved buttock.

  They made love long into the night, each soaring to an awesome, shuddering ecstasy, then collapsing into each other’s arms. She remained sprawled on top of him when sleep claimed her.

  With tenderness, Gavin adjusted her pliant body so her back pressed to his chest, her sweet derriere nestled against his groin. He stroked her hip and thigh, and then fell into a blissful sleep.

  20

  Ella woke the next morning with her head pillowed on Gavin chest, her body snuggled into his side. After rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she noted that he remained asleep and looked more handsome than any man had a right to. She lowered her head back on his bare chest, and moved the blanket down so she could stroke his finely sculpted abdomen.

  With unabashed curiosity, she decided to take the opportunity that presented itself by peeking at the part of her husband she had yet to see, only feel.. With light fingers, she lifted the plaid to see his sex, and almost gasped aloud when she saw it growing larger.

  Quickly replacing the cover to its previous state, and then to her horror the plaid tented out. She bit her bottom lip as she tried to pull the plaid down, in hopes it would make what lay beneath go down as well. The tent only continued to grow. Lifting the plaid again, she stared in astonishment at the size. Dear God, did that really fit inside of me.

  Suddenly, her husband’s entire body started to shake and his highly amused laughter fill the air.

  “Is there something I can help ye with, wife?”

  Ella closed her eyes tightly, shook her head, and then slowly lowered the plaid to cover his nether region.

  “Ye can open yer eyes, little one?”

  Hearing his sweet tone, she turned to look at him, and then giggled at his pompous expression.

  “You must think I am a complete wanton.”

  Gavin cupped the back of her head and kissed her before saying, “Ye are a beautiful wanton.”

  Her mouth curved into an unconscious grin. “If that is what you think, you have only yourself to blame.”

  “I dinna deny that fact.”

  “Careful Macleod, your pride his showing,” she said, turning to get out of the bed.

  Hauling her back into his arms, with his chest to her back, Gavin said, “Aye, I do have pride . . . in my wife.”

  He caressed her breasts and lean belly.

  “Gavin?”

  “With ye naked in my bed, I will be hard as a rock every morn.”

  “I did that to you?”

  Her naivety and innocence aroused him. “Aye.”

  Filled with excitement, Ella wiggled her backside against his hardest part of his body, causing Gavin to groan. His arousing, skillful touch heated her flesh with sensual need. Yet, when she tried to turn and face him, he denied her silent request.

  With morning light streaming through the window, he would have a clear view of the scars that marred her back. She desperately wanted to divert his gaze as she yielded to his experienced hands.

  Gavin slowly entered her, bending her legs further so that he could delve deeper into her heavenly pool. He heard a slight gasp, but assumed it was from the new position and erotic sensation. He continued to stroke her as he surged and retreated like and ocean tide. In response, she panted and moaned for more.

  Sweet agony replaced the slight tenderness Ella felt when he began to make love to her. Their bodies found an exquisite harmony for long, breath taking moments before crying out their release and exploding in a downpour of fiery sensations.

  They clung to each other as if vines intertwined in a tree, savoring the feel of uncontrollable joy and contentment in the aftermath. Yet, the peace they captured together did not last.

  When Gavin pulled out of her warm body, she let out a gasp of discomfort, similar to the one he had heard moments ago. Pushing her so she lay on her back, he asked, “Why dinna ye tell me ye were sore this morn? I would nae have made love to ye again if I knew it would pain ye.”

  “The pain was minimal and brief, coming only in the beginning and just now,” Ella said as she stroked his cheek.

  “In future, wife, ye will tell me when ye are too tender to make love. I dinna want to hurt ye.”

  She kissed his chin and said, “Aye, but the small amount of pain was worth the pleasure you gave me, husband.”

  An arrogant smile replaced his frown of concern. “I enjoy hearing ye call me, husband.”


  “As I enjoy you calling me wife,” she chuckled. “Now, I believe I should return to my chamber. I would not want Maeve to come and find my chamber empty. They do not know that we . . . that I . . um . . .that we-”

  With uncontained mirth, he chuckled, “Enough. I get yer meaning, little one. I will go now and inform her to nae be concerned. Dress in yer chemise if ‘tis yer wish, but remain here. When I return, we will go to the loch to bathe.”

  “Oh, I would like that very much. But, I need to dress in more than my chemise if I will be leaving this chamber.”

  “Trust me. I will explain when I return.”

  Leaping off the bed, Gavin donned a fresh plaid while she slipped on her chemise. When Gavin opened the door, Arth enthusiastically greeted him. Yet, the moment the great beast saw Ella, he raced over to be with her.

  Gavin shook his head as the affectionate pair played on the bed, remembering the days when his clan shunned Arth. Yet now, because of Ella, his furry friend is no longer the pariah.

  Gavin hastily sought out Maeve and explained with a wide grin Ella’s whereabouts. He eagerly made his way back to his wife, so he could resume where they had left off. He wanted to talk with her and make love to her. Nae, he silently corrected himself. Making love to his beautiful wife would have to wait until she fully healed, which he hoped would be by this eve.

  When he returned to his chamber, Arth lay on his back, absorbing all the love and attention Ella so effortless gave the big, hairy beast. He knew that Arth had taken to spending each night in Ella’s chamber. Probably because she allowed him on the bed, Gavin mused. However, in truth, Arth simply adored her, and she spoiled him rotten.

  As Gavin sat beside her on the bed, he scratched Arth’s neck and said, “There is much I wish to discuss with ye, one being this overgrown mutt. I ne’er thank ye for what ye did for him and my mother.”

  “And you will never have to,” Ella stated.

  He grinned at her, and then asked, “Did ye have dogs growing up?”

  “Aye, wolfhounds,” she replied without thinking. “I loved them as if they were my siblings.”

  “Will ye tell me more of yer childhood or mayhap yer parents?”

  “There’s not much to tell.” Trying to switch topics, she said, “Are we still going to go to the loch?”

  “Aye, lass.” He paused briefly, before adding, “’Tis my hope that one day ye will want to share with me tales of yer family.”

  “I have told you about my family.”

  “I would ken about yer parents and siblings.”

  “It pains me to speak of them.”

  “I will nae push ye,” he said as he took hold of her hand, “but I will remain hopeful.”

  “Thank you.”

  21

  Ella wanted no regrets, only blissful memories of what she and Gavin shared while they were together. Although deceiving him in this manner and denying the truth of her past was selfish, a small part of her still hoped for a miracle.

  Gavin’s thoughts strayed in a different direction and focused on learning about her parents. He predicted that if he could earn her trust, she would reveal her past. He decided to impart stories of his own family, in hopes she would do the same.

  Leading her over to the connecting doors of their chambers, he explained, “During my grandfather’s latter years he became obsessed with engineering hidden tunnels and doors. He never finished concealing these doors, as ye can see without the tapestry ‘tis verra noticeable. My grandfather’s pride is what lay between the doors.”

  When Ella stepped into the space, she saw only two doors and two walls of stone. Not wanting to hurt his feeling, she said, “Aye, ‘tis grand space your grandfather built.”

  Chuckling, he moved her to stand in front of one narrow strip of stone and said, “Push hard against this stone wall.”

  She pushed the unmovable wall hard, then zealously said, “Aye, it is a very sturdy wall.” With a hint of sarcasm, she added, “I can see why you are so proud.”

  “Och, vixen! Turn that stone counter clockwise.” He then pointed to a stone near her left hand.

  As the stone turned she heard the faint sound of a bar sliding, and then unexpectedly the entire wall of stone opened like a door, exposing a staircase.

  Her jaw dropped open, which he helpfully tipped back up as he gloated, “Impressed, I see. Were the hidden passageways ye used to escape Baron Greystone similar?”

  “Nae, they consisted mainly of trap doors and rotating fireplaces.”

  “Rotating where?”

  “Rotating to the fireplace of the next chamber.”

  With a candle in hand, Gavin lead her down the winding stone staircase, as he admitted, “My grandfather would have liked that idea.”

  “Are there many hidden passageways in the castle?”

  “There are quite a few. Each tower has an escape route, and most of those have multiple barriers.”

  “Barriers?”

  “Aye. If someone were to learn about them, more than likely they would become trapped within,” he explained as they came to the end of the staircase. “I will show ye what I mean.”

  After only a few paces, Ella saw that a massive wall of stone effectively blocked the tunnel. “I imagine there is a way through this barrier.”

  “Aye, let us see if ye can figure it out.”

  Excited by the challenge, she explored the wall, twisting and pushing each stone until she finally admitted defeat. “Will you show me?”

  “Aye.” Instead of moving to the stone barrier before them, he went to the wall of the tunnel, and then pushed a small square shaped stone inward. A door opened to reveal the curved passageway three paces in length, but it took them to the other side of the barricaded.

  “That is quite clever. I assumed that secret was in the barricade itself.”

  “As would most people, that or they would think the tunnel is nae longer used.”

  Moments later, they exited the tunnel using a door that opened like a portcullis. On the opposite side of the door, long vines of ivy hid its whereabouts.

  With Arth on their heels, they walked hand-in-hand through the wooded area that lead to the loch a short distance away. The playful animal ran circles around them, until Gavin threw a stick into the water for him to chase.

  Beams of sunlight reflected off the glistening water of the wide spread loch as Ella took in the splendor of her surroundings. Mist billowed out in soft clouds where the white, frothy cascade of water plunged over flat rocks to the lower rippling pool. Sun-baked rocks, lichen and moss, with lush grasses and bog myrtle growing among the towering pines encircled the loch.

  “I have never seen such beauty,” she said as butterflies danced around her.

  Never taking his eyes off her, he replied, “Neither have I.”

  While the sun warmed the air, Gavin and Ella played like children in the blue-green water of the loch. They took special delight in playing with Arth, until he left to hunt in the nearby woods. After a lengthy swim, they bathed one another and soon gave into the urge to make love once again.

  Basking in the afterglow of their wild mating, Gavin teased, “So, my wee virago, is the pain still nae so bad? Does the cool, magic water still continue to ease all discomfort?”

  She lunged for him, but he quickly sidestepped her attack, and then roared with laughter when she sank like a stone in the deeper water. His mirth quickly vanished when she did not resurface.

  Gavin rushed over to where she went under, and then sighed with relief when he felt wee hands tug on his solid legs. He grinned at her failed attempt to pull his feet out from under him. Reaching into the water, he hooked his arm around her meager waist and lifted her so they were chest-to-chest. When he gave her a supercilious smirk, she purposely spit a mouth full of water into his face.

  Railing in faux anger, he threw her from his arms to go crashing back into the water. When she resurfaced, the sweet laughter that came from her was like a sirens call. He dove fo
r her as she tried to swim away, but he caught her foot and reeled her in like a fish on a hook. This also effectively raised her chemise, giving him a delightful glimpse of her bare bottom. His hand instantly went to the creamy flesh, cupping both round cheeks.

  “Gavin,” she shrieked, but the giggles that followed killed the outrage in her voice.

  Fully aware of where this love play would lead, he relented, and then turned her around. As he pushed her flaxen hair from her face, he listened to her soft voice.

  “Plato once said, ‘Ye can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation,’” Ella stated as she wrapped her arms and legs around him.

  “He was a verra wise man,” Gavin replied. “Our priest, Father Logan, often quoted Greek philosophers throughout our childhood. That particular quote he used during the first year of our alliance with the Mackenzie Clan.”

  She stiffened at hearing the name of the clan she was born into, yet no longer belonged. He thankfully did not notice.

  “It took me far longer than it should have to trust the Mackenzies, who single handedly save my clan from extinction.”

  “Why?”

  “My father raised me to believe that the only clan to be trusted is yer own, but that is nae the only reason. At the time, the Macleods were half starved and in constant battle against other clans, whom my father had angered with his raids. The Mackenzies have always been and still are the most powerful clan in all of Scotland. They also had my sister, Eva.”

  Gavin’s expression turned grim as carried her out of the water. He gently set her down, covered her with a fresh plaid, and then wrapped another around his waist.

  “Please, continue,” said Ella. “I have heard your mother’s version, but I imagine it differs from your own.”

  With her hand on his chest and her doe-eyes wide with earnest empathy, she encouraged him to relate the painful past. He never spoke of that day, not to anyone other than those directly involved. It is an odd sensation, after so many years, wanting to confide in Ella the tragic events of his past.

  “I will tell ye everything, but first we must get ye into the sun. Yer lower lip is blue and quivering,” Gavin stated.