Plead Forgiveness: Betrayed Twice (Loyalty Series)

by Dobsyn, Aury

  For the remainder of the morning they lay out on the widespread plaid, drinking in the sun’s warm rays as he related the tale. He spoke of his cruel, often violent father and the horrendous act he committed against his own family. Gavin’s harsh demeanor evaporated when the conversation turned to the benevolent generosity of the Mackenzies, and how they became friends, and later family through marriage.

  The enormity of his confession amplified the guilt Ella felt gnawing away at her heart. He omitted a painful part of his past and confessed how he failed his family, yet she refused to do the same. Inevitably, she would hurt the only people she had left in the world, the Macleods.

  Hearing all her father had done for Gavin and the Macleod Clan filled her with pride, but it also made it painfully clear that when her husband discovered the truth, he would be honor bound to set her aside.

  Although astounded by the depth of his emotions, Ella realized that he harbored tremendous guilt over not protecting his family. This revelation clearly explained Gavin’s need to protect those around him. It also made her love him just a bit more.

  “I will never fail my family again,” he concluded his story.

  “You did not fail your family. Your father is the sole cause of all the pain your family endured. He lied to you about where Paen was being fostered, aye?”

  “Aye.”

  “Had your father ever lied to you prior to this?”

  “Nae.”

  “So how were you to know that he would lie about Paen?”

  “I should have.”

  “Only if you had the ability to read minds, which you do not,” she stated, and then gave him a quick kiss. “Since your father had not lied to you before, you had nae reason to doubt his word.”

  Seeing his thoughtful expression, she asked, “Had your father ever hurt your mother before?”

  “He was unfaithful, but ne’er raised a hand to her or my sister before that day.”

  “So again, you had nae reason to suspect he would harm them, right?”

  Mulling over the gravity of her words, he then said, “Aye.”

  Ella took hold of his hands and said sincerely, “You are one of the greatest men I have ever known. ’Tis pride you should feel in yourself for saving your family and clan.”

  Gavin’s heart clenched, hearing his wife attempt to bring clarity to the most tragic period of his life. Although the burden that plagued him for so long remained, it dramatically lessened.

  “Thank ye, little one.”

  At high noon, Gavin and Ella returned to their chamber so they could dress prior to tending their duties. Afore leaving the chamber, he pulled her close, cupped her face in his hands and looked deep into her glade green eyes.

  “Nae matter yer past, I will always want ye, always protect ye. Ye are mine and I take special care of what belongs to me.”

  Hope sprung anew as Ella wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. She whispered, “You have nae idea how much those words mean to me.”

  Engulfing her in his embrace, Gavin did not miss the sincerity in her tone.

  He felt more light-hearted than he had in years, and he teased, “Now be gone wench, my men await and I will nae have ye coerce me back into bed.”

  When Ella felt his hand swat her bottom, she raised her eyebrows and said in saucy tone, “’Tis you, my lustful Scot, who is unable to keep his hands to himself.”

  Before he could react, she raced out of the chamber with undiluted laughter following in her wake. He gloried briefly in their shared moment. With a smile lingering on his face, he retrieved his sword and left the chamber.

  As he headed to the bailey, Gavin’s thoughts remained on his audacious wife. She brought such joy and warmth to his life, along with a profound surge of strength and determination.

  His indomitable resolute to conquer the two men that had hurt Ella so deeply remained fierce and unwavering. Philip of Greystone and Roger of Montgomery would pay with their lives.

  22

  “Ye have been grinning like a fool ever since ye walked into this cottage. A fool verra pleased with her husband, I imagine.”

  “Aye, that is true,” giggled Ella.

  Rachel had become very close to Ella since she arrived at the Macleod stronghold. She also discerned the sorrow that lingered underneath her confident surface. Yet now, seeing her bursting with joy, warmed her heart.

  “Tell me everything.”

  “Aye, but first I want to explain the stitches.”

  “Lady Esme already explained,” she said with an unconcerned wave. “I trust ye.”

  Rachel suddenly sobered and said in a sincere voice, “I am eternally grateful to ye for saving my life, and that of my bairn. There is nae need to question yer methods, for I have learned yer knowledge far surpasses the likes of any in Scotland.”

  Beaming at her praise, Ella said, “Well, we can remove the stitches in a few days, and in a six sennights you and your husband can resume your bed sport. Mayhap by next year you will give your son a sister.”

  “Boyd and I have decided to wait a few years before trying for another. I fear this ordeal caused my husband much grief. He actually told me he would ne’er bed me again. It took me all morn to convince him that we could continue to make love without making a bairn.”

  “I have never seen a man so worried about his wife,” Ella chuckled. “He loves you a great deal.”

  “Aye, as I do him. I told him ye knew of herbs that would prevent conception. Even though the church dinna condone such practices, he feels my life is more important than dictating to those narrow-minded beliefs.

  “He is very wise. Most men do not realize the dangers involved with birthing a bairn each year. ‘Tis the main reason women die long afore their husbands.”

  “Aye, he agrees with ye. He also said he would be content with just one, as long as I am by his side.”

  “I thought you both agreed to wait a couple years to have another?”

  “Aye, in the end he did, but it took much convincing.”

  The cry of Rachel’s son interrupted the conversation. Waving to her friend to remain in the bed, Ella walked over to the new crib Iain built and picked up the red-faced bairn. Since the wet nurse fed and changed him moments ago, she wondered why he cried.

  Noticing the amount of clothing on the poor babe, she admonished, “Is there a reason the lad has so many layers on?” As she striped the squalling infant to only a thin sleeping gown, Rachel explained.

  “I told the wet nurse to dress him warmly so he dinna take a chill. I heard that is what kills most newborns.”

  “Aye, if it is a cold winter’s day,” Ella said with a smile. “Unfortunately, it is a hot, summer’s day and he is very uncomfortable being bundled up for a blizzard.”

  With the bairn in her arms, she walked over to the window and allowed the slight breeze to cool him. Instantly, his cried ceased.

  Rachel laughed at herself and said, “I admit, I dinna know much about bairns.”

  Swaying back and forth with the newborn, Ella admitted, “Truth be told, neither do I.”

  “I find that hard to believe since ye delivered him.”

  “Oh, I can assist with bringing them into the world, and I have learned a few things from the women in the village at Greystone, but other than that my experience with bairns is limited.”

  “If what ye say is true, we can learn together. By the way, ye have not asked his name.”

  “Aye, you are right. What have you and Boyd decided?”

  Although Rachel promised to wait for her husband before revealing their son’s name, she decided against such folly. With a proud smile, she said, “We have named him Gavin James.”

  Ella’s head shot up in disbelief.

  Rachel saw the priceless expression on her face and in a soft tone explained, “We named him Gavin because our laird brought ye to us. His middle name, James, is in honor of your uncle.”

  Tears cascaded down Ella’s face as Rachel con
tinued, “Partly because he returned our laird’s nephew to his family, but mainly because he is part of ye. From what ye told us about the man, his heroics on the crusade, his love of ye and his sister, the protection he gave ye during yer time at Greystone, we felt verra strongly that his memory live on. We will tell our son all the glorious stories of the man he is named after, so he can tell his children.”

  Ella could not stop the tears any more than she could stop rain from descending or the sun from shining.

  Boyd suddenly burst through the cottage door, took one look at Ella, and then turned to his wife. “I thought ye were going to wait so we could tell her together?”

  “I am sorry, husband. Ye knew I was bursting to tell her.”

  “Aye, I ken,” Boyd said as he leaned down to kiss Rachael. “Yer forgiven.”

  He walked over to Ella and stroked his son’s baldhead as she stammered for a moment before blurting out, “I do not know what to say. . . I . . . he . . .”

  Taking pity on the lass, Boyd said, “Ye dinna have to say anything, Lady Ella. I pray my son will possess the integrity and honor that clearly defined yer uncle.”

  “Thank you both,” she whispered. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You have given me a most precious gift this day.”

  “Well, we are nae through just yet,” he said with a chuckle as he exchanged a glance with his wife. “’Tis our wish for ye to be our son’s godmother, and yer husband his godfather.”

  “I would like that very much.”

  Rachel and Boyd heard heartfelt gratitude in her tone and expression. They had come to love Ella, as did the rest of the clan. She is a gifted healer with a generous, loving nature that made anyone who met her, loyal to her.

  “I am glad that we have that settled,” Boyd added. “Yer husband also agreed.”

  “I thought he was training with his men?”

  Rachel explained, “Aye, that is where Boyd just came from. He trains three times a sennight with the men at arms.”

  Ella asked, “He trains as a warrior even though he is the blacksmith?”

  “Aye,” Rachel began, “Laird Gavin encourages any man healthy and willing to train with his men in warfare. During the time when his father was laird, villagers were virtually defenseless, and many died as a result. Although, ‘tis nae common, the Macleods adopted this new practice, that gives us a sense of security.”

  Ella thought it ingenious of Gavin to train as many men as possible, even if they had other occupations. “It’s brilliant to train all and not just a select few.”

  “Speaking of yer husband,” Rachel said with a mischievous grin. “I believe ye had something ye wanted to tell me about him, aye?”

  Catching the look that passed between his wife and Ella, Boyd said. “Since ye ladies are eager to see me gone, I will take my son and go to Colban’s cottage.”

  He gently took wee Gavin in his arms, then noticed Arth lounging next to the bed, and said with a nod towards the beast, “I remember a time when he would nae even step foot in the village.”

  “Now he is welcomed in every cottage,” Rachel said as she stroked Arth’s head.

  “Aye, I like that very much, and imagine Laird Gavin does as well,” Boyd chuckled.

  When both women gave him a bewildered look, he explained, “Each afternoon ye two tend to the injured and ill, often in other people’s homes. We, yer husbands, worry less when ye are accompanied by Arth.”

  Rachel asked, “Why would ye worry? The Macleods would ne’er harm us?”

  As he opened the cottage door, Boyd stated, “’Tis our duty to worry over those we love, wife.” He left without another word.

  “He speaks for Gavin as well,” Rachel said with raised eyebrows.

  Ella shook her head.

  “Aye,” Rachel confirmed, then halted Ella’s protest by raising her hand. “Before we continue this discussion about whether or not yer besotted husband loves ye, I will have the details of last eve.”

  Long moments past while Ella divulged all that occurred the night before. When she finished, Rachel first cursed Alice’s black heart, then softened when she said, “Aye, he does love ye. I am certain of that, but dinna worry that he has nae said the words, they will come.”

  “Thank you, Rachel. You are my dearest friend, and now that you are nae longer in danger I will tell you this . . .” Pausing for a moment, she then shouted, “Never, ever do that to me again! Do you know how my heart sank when Lady Esme said you were in labor, and had been in labor for hours! I love you, which is why I command you never be so daft again. Do we understand each other?”

  Tears ran down Rachel’s face, not because her friend screamed like a banshee, but because of the true depth of the woman’s care and concern for her. She was not a noble woman, but rather the soap maker of the village and wife to the blacksmith. Yet, here stood Laird Macleod’s wife declaring how much she loved and valued her as a friend. She is truly a remarkable woman.

  Blinking back the tears, she whispered, “Aye, Lady Ella. I love ye too.”

  “Ella,” she spat, then continued her tirade. “And you will rest now, right?”

  “Aye, Ella,” Rachel replied as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “Good, then I will see you on the morrow,” she proclaimed as Arth followed her to the door.

  However, before Ella took her leave, her stern expression broke into a wide grin, sending Rachel into a fit of laughter.

  *

  On her walk back to the castle, Ella came across Lady Esme in the garden just outside the castle’s curtain walls. Unlike most English gardens and due to Scotland’s colder climate and poorer soil, more trees than flowers filled the landscape. Another difference was the sheer size, being over a furlong in width and length.

  “Good day, Lady Esme.”

  Hearing the familiar voice, the older woman turned and gave a knowing smile to her son’s wife. “Greetings, daughter. Ye are positively glowing on this fine day. Must be this fine Scottish air or mayhap just a good night’s rest last eve.” She delivered the latter with a wink.

  Ella blushed crimson as she groaned, “Does everybody know then?”

  Immensely enjoying the moment, Lady Esme shook with laughter. Hooking an arm around the young woman’s waist, she admitted, “Aye, most likely. Although, there is one who dinna ken how ye passed the night. I suggest ye keep the details limited when ye speak with her.”

  Aghast, Ella asked, “You want me to tell someone how I passed the night?”

  “Heavens, nae, child! Just let her ken ye are well, for she is quite worried that ye will be cross with her.”

  Lady Esme walked Ella to the other side of the garden where Thea knelt on the grass, digging in the soil.

  “Aye, the wee lass feels as though she failed ye. She regrets nae telling her parents sooner about Alice. It took her brother an hour to finally coax it out of her.”

  Hearing voices a short distance away, Thea turned and saw the two women. She quickly scrambled to her feet, but stood rooted to the ground. Normally, she would have raced over to greet Ella, but not today.

  Turning to Lady Esme, Ella said, “Will you excuse me? There is someone important I must speak with.”

  “Aye, go to her. I will see ye both back at the castle.”

  When Thea saw Ella kneel on the ground and open her arms, she cried in relief before surging forward.

  Ella embraced her wee friend, listened to her cries of apology, then sat cross-legged on the grass with Thea on to her lap.

  “Shhh, I am not angry with you, love.”

  “But I hid under my parent’s bed, and dinna tell anyone until twilight. When Leif found me, I told him what Alice did. He’s the one who told Mama and Papa, and Laird Gavin, too.”

  Brushing Thea’s hair from her tear- drenched face, she whispered, “Alice is to blame, not you, sweetling.”

  Thea’s eyes widened in disbelief when Ella added, “I, too, think Alice is scary, and if I could fit under your parent’s b
ed, I would have been right there next to you.”

  Thea giggled at her lie. “Nae, ye would have fought, just like ye did.”

  “Aye, I did. Alice is a grown woman, much bigger and stronger than you are. My papa always told me that only cowards hurt those who are weaker than themselves.”

  “My papa told me the same,” Thea exclaimed.

  “Do you believe him?”

  “Aye, now I do.”

  “Mayhap, I was wrong to attack Alice, but I could not to stand by and allow her to harm someone I love.”

  “Mama said ye did right. She wanted to follow yer lead, but Papa wouldnae let her.”

  Ella burst into laughter at the thought of Thea’s protective mama. “Your parents love you so much, Thea. I hope you know that. Promise me that if anyone ever hurts you again, you will tell them, your brother, or me.”

  “I promise.”

  “Good. Now, I think it’s time to return to the castle so we can bathe and help each other dress for the evening meal.”

  A fortnight ago, Thea burst into Ella’s chamber and saw the scars that marred her skin. The little girl’s eyes instantly had widened, but only for a moment. She then walked over to Ella, kissed her shoulder and told her she was the most beautiful women, next to her mama of course. From that day forward, Thea applied the healing salve to Ella’s back twice daily, which added to her other duty of helping her mistress dress for the evening meal. However, more often than not, Ella did the same for Thea, who, like all children, hated to bathe.

  “Aye,” Thea giggled, elated that Ella harbored no ill will towards her.

  Using the postern gate, Ella and Thea entered the bailey and stopped to watch the men practicing with swords. Although Ella started to feel intense fatigue, she refused to yield to the weariness, wanting to watch the glorious sight of Gavin and Paen cross swords. She stood in awe, noticing their agile, fluid movements, mixed with incredible speed and strength.

  Aware that his wife watched a short distance away, Gavin made haste to disarm his brother, which in the end took longer than the norm. Yet, he could not fault Paen for being such a good swordsmen. “You have improved.”