Plead Forgiveness: Betrayed Twice (Loyalty Series)

by Dobsyn, Aury

  In a strong, clear voice, Bowen gave his oath of loyalty, followed by the simultaneous oaths of all the kneeling warriors. Although, she knew of this Highland tradition, it still overwhelmed her.

  After the warriors dispersed to the side of the hall, the unexpected and uncommon occurred. Led by Colban and his family, numerous villagers entered the hall to stand before their laird’s wife.

  “I, Colban McGregor, come before you on behalf of the villagers,” he said confidently. He then waved his hand in the direction of the double arched doors that suddenly opened to the stone platform of the grand staircase that overlooked the bailey.

  Ella gasped at the numerous men, women and children standing in courtyard. Surrounded by darkness, the lit candles in their hands resembled a starry night sky.

  When her gaze ventured back to Colban and his family, they went in unison to one knee. The mass that stood behind them quickly followed, and those without swords placed their hands over their hearts. After Colban made his pledged of loyalty, the villagers in the hall and outside in the bailey did as well.

  With regal grace, Lady Esme lowered to one knee, as did Maeve, Ualan, Fin, and all who worked within the castle. After reciting their oaths, they cleared to the side of the dais.

  Ella gasped when she saw a single pair stride towards her. The sight of young Leif and wee Thea kneeling and pledging their honor, one after the other, shattered the last remnants of her composure. Falling to her knees, she gathered them in her arms and cried, “Thank you.” She then looked up and said, “Thank you all so much.”

  The sea of warm faces surrounding her burst out in loud cheers and applause. The women wept tears of enchantment, while the men nodded approvingly at her affectionate nature.

  After the children scrambled away, Ella turned to face Gavin. While holding his hand, she slowly descended to one knee before her laird.

  “Before God and my clan, I, Ella Macleod vow to love, honor, and protect you, Gavin Macleod. I give you my heart as I give you my loyalty, now and always.” The latter came out in a broken sob.

  No words or gesture alone ever affected Gavin so profoundly. Without another thought, he lifted Ella to stand. Keeping his gaze locked with hers, he then gradually lowered himself to one knee.

  “I, Laird Gavin Macleod, take ye, Ella Macleod, into family and clan, but more importantly, I take ye into my heart and soul. I will love and honor ye, protect and be loyal to ye, now and always.”

  She fell to her knees as he spoke, and he concluded with her in his arms.

  The thunderous cheers of the Macleod Clan vibrated the wall of the great hall when Gavin stood, still embracing his wife.

  The momentous occasion confirmed Ella’s decision to tell Gavin the origin of her birth and about the earth-shattering day when she killed her mother. Still encircled by his strength, she whispered, “’Tis my greatest wish to tell you this eve about my family and my past.”

  He lowered her to the ground, and then cupped her face with love shining in his eyes. “Aye, I would like that verra-”

  The ominous sound of horns blaring halted his words.

  28

  “Fire, in the village!” Someone shouted from the doorway.

  Pandemonium erupted in the great hall as Gavin grabbed her upper arms and said, “I must go. Promise me ye will nae leave the castle.”

  “I . . . I promise. Please, be careful,” she said in a shaky voice.

  He gave her a quick, hard kiss before saying, “Aye, my love.” He then rushed out of the hall..

  As the men of the clan took flight to put out the fires that threatened to consume their homes, the women busied themselves in the hall.

  They retrieved clean linen strips, blankets, clothes and buckets of water while Ella prepared large quantities of salve to heal burns and alleviate pain. She then put the mixture of barley seeds, anise, and comfrey into jars. She distributed it to the women in the hall, along with instructions on how to apply the remedy. Needing to change into a more serviceable gown for tending injuries, Ella excused herself from the hall.

  The moment she entered her chamber, chills went down her back, seeing the rolled up parchment on the bed. She careful opened it and read:

  Ella,

  You were wise not to reveal your identity and the heinous sin you committed. Your father will never forgive you for the death of his beloved wife, and your husband would never go against Alex Mackenzie.

  As always, I will help you escape your ill-boding future. I offer you a chance of redemption, in the eyes of your family.

  Sacrifice yourself for the lives of your brothers and nephew as well as the Mackenzie stronghold, which are all under my control. I will expect you by dawn at the front gates.

  G

  Ella covered her face with trembling hands and gave vent to the agony piercing her heart. She began to shake as the terrifying images plagued her mind. Her fear swiftly turned into white-hot anger, and a wave of rebellion washed over her. Dangerous thoughts took hold, forming her own plan of attack, her own personal revenge.

  Seething with mounting rage, she changed into a dark tunic and breeches then took one of Gavin’s daggers. She grabbed her bow and arrows with lighting speed, then her medicinal satchel. She choked back a sob, leaving the love of her life. Using the secret passageway, she left the castle and went to the stables.

  With all the men occupied in the village and the women in the hall, Ella reached the postern gate and stables without notice. The darkened shadows of night were as dismal as her thoughts when she saddled Apollo, Righ, and Coisi. The latter was a black mare with an innate ability to gallop at a fast pace for long durations. Her Celtic name, Coisi, meant sprinter in Gaelic.

  Branches thrashed and snapped as she rode through the gloomy woods just beyond the castle and village. Moonlight pierced the tree branches, helping to illuminate her way. Nevertheless, she rode with caution until she reached the burn.

  She slowed the horses to a walk as they splashed their way to the other side, where she would be able to gain speed and distance on Fraser land. Although risky, it was the fastest way to travel north without the hindrance of dense woods. Keeping close to the burn, she rode for at least four hours, switching horses often. She approached the old timber bridge that crossed over onto Mackenzie land. Here, the burn was as wide as it was deep.

  Crossing the bridge, she thought on her one advantage. She knew the hidden passageways throughout the Mackenzie fortress. Her ancestors had built them over a century ago.

  Whether it redemption or revenge, she would see her brothers and nephew safe, no matter the price.

  29

  When Gavin learned that his sister arrived at Doran Castle, escorted by a handful of Mackenzie warriors, he hastily returned to the keep.

  Dread lurched in his heart, seeing her panic-stricken expression. “Eva, my God, what has happened?”

  “Baron Greystone arrived at our gates with Guy and Hamon, both severely beaten. Baron Greystone demanded entrance and surrender or they would kill Keir’s brothers.”

  “Yer husband surrendered?”

  “Aye, what choice did he have,” she defended as tears streamed down her face. “Keir ordered six of his men to take me and Gabriel out through the postern gate, then to travel here. At the last moment, Gabriel ran back to be with his father. Gavin, I tried to go back for him, but Keir’s men would nae allow it. They sent someone back for him, but I dinna ken if he succeeded. I’m terrified, Gavin!”

  Hysterical, she continued, “Baron Greystone says he is waiting for Alex to return and finish what they started years ago.”

  “Let us go to the hall to plan our attack,” Gavin said as he gathered his sister into his arms.

  Upon entering the hall with his sister, he learned the true horror of the night.

  With a parchment in her hand, Lady Esme rushed over to her son, daughter and husband and cried, “Gavin, she’s gone! Ella is gone!”

  His bellow of outrage ended when his mother thrust the
parchment at him. “Ye must read this. I found it in her chamber.”

  Startling astonishment crossed his features as he read the missive. Dear God, Ella is Alex Mackenzie’s daughter. The daughter assumed dead for eight years.

  Stunned to his core, Gavin did not give voice to the unexpected discovery, instead, handed the missive to Bowen.

  Both Bowen and Eva read the missive as Lady Esme continued, “Aye, but I ken Ella would nae kill her own mother.”

  “Aye,” Gavin agreed as shock yielded to fury. “But, Baron Greystone convinced her otherwise. Bloody hell, Ella was only ten summers at the time. For eight years that bastard manipulated her into believing . . . and that her father. . .”

  He ran his fingers through his hair and spat, “I dinna ken all of it, nor do I care. All that matters is getting her back, along with her brothers and Gabriel.”

  Eva stood flabbergasted and whispered, “Isabel . . . Bella is alive.”

  Gavin saw the tears cascade down his sister’s cheeks as she absorbed the newfound knowledge. “Aye, Eva. She is my wife, and nothing will stop me from getting her back.”

  His mother put her hand on his arm and said, “We must send word to Alex Mackenzie to inform him that his daughter is alive.”

  “Laird Macleod,” yelled a Macleod warrior rushing into the hall. “We have just received word that Laird Mackenzie has just passed through the gates.”

  Profound relief flooded Gavin. He needed of the legendary Highlander to get his wife back, and Alex would soon learn that his daughter lived.

  Turning to his mother, Gavin asked, “When was Ella last seen?”

  “Two hours ago.”

  “Och, that dinna-”

  His words died in his throat by the sudden arrival of Alex Mackenzie bursting into the hall bellowing, “Where is she? Where is my daughter?”

  Gavin asked, “Ye ken?”

  “Aye,” Alex replied with agitation, “I learned the truth when Lady Eleanor, Sir James, and Nicholas appeared before the King of England.”

  “They are alive?”

  “Aye, but Sir James was badly wounded, which is why it took so long to reach the king’s court. After hearing their testimony, King Henry gave us permission to dispose of Baron’s Greystone and Montgomery as we see fit. Now, where is my daughter?” He roared the latter.

  “Read this,” Gavin said as he handed Alex the missive.

  The greatest warrior known throughout Scotland and England wore fear like a tunic. It showed, stark and vivid, for all to see. The despair and longing lay naked in his eyes when Alex asked, “She is nae here, is she?”

  Seeing such anguish in the man, he respected above all others, felt like a mortal wound to the gut. With a strong hand, he gripped Alex’s shoulder and said, “Yer daughter’s bravery is immeasurable. A trait she has inherited from her sire nae doubt. She left when we received word of a fire in the village. We discovered Alice and Lyall’s bodies near the burning cottages. I suspect the siblings joined forces with Baron Greystone after I banished them. ‘Tis likely that Alice left that missive for Ella while everyone feasted in the hall.”

  “Death was too good for either of them.” The angry retort hardened Alex’s features.

  “Aye, I agree. Now, let us plan our attack afore we ride out.”

  Alex nodded. “I have twenty men, along with Nicholas. They will arrive within the hour.”

  “Good, we will need as many men as possible.”

  Gavin and Alex were eager to depart, but knew success depended on strategy. They spent the next hour planning how to rescue their loved ones, take back the Mackenzie stronghold, and kill their mutual enemy. During this time, Gavin learned the full extent of Greystone’s deception over the past eight years, as well as Montgomery’s treasonous deeds against the King of England.

  “The moment my daughter let loose the arrow aimed at the man attacking her mother, some fiend knocked her unconscious. My Bella never saw what her arrow hit. Baron Greystone took advantage of this information, and used it against her for eight years. That bastard produced a missive stating that . . .”

  Gavin, his mother, sister, and blackguard sat in silence while Alex regained his composure.

  After a moment, Mackenzie continued, “Stating that I would kill her if she ever returned to Scotland. Philip told Eleanor the same story, and showed her the missive as well. That whoreson preyed on my ten year old daughter, used her pain and grief . . .”

  Alex took a deep breath, and then explained, “Eleanor tried only once to get word to me, but Philip intercepted the missive.”

  “In eight years, Lady Eleanor tried only once to-”

  Alex halted Gavin’s angry tirade with a malevolent response. “He dinna punish Eleanor for the deed, but he did let loose his wrath on my daughter. He beat her so severely that she couldnae walk for a fortnight.”

  Rage filled curses echoed through the hall by Gavin and his men, while a short distance away, the doubled doors of the great hall burst open. Nicholas and twenty Mackenzie warriors entered bedlam and learned what had transpired in their absence.

  Mackenzie continued, “Eleanor believes Baron Greystone killed Emma, as well as their father. Philip had an arrow wound to his shoulder when he returned from killing the brigands blamed for the attack on my wife, daughter, and men. The men riding with him that day had only injuries caused by a sword. Eleanor discovered his wound days later, but at the time thought naught of it. Only recently, when I told her how Emma died, did she realize what Baron Greystone had done. My daughter’s shot was true. Her arrow sank deep into the flesh of the man who murdered her mother and my wife. Eleanor also explained that Emma had tried to hide our daughter, but alas our wee Bella would ne’er leave her mother to confront an enemy alone.”

  Gavin asked, “How did Philip keep Ella’s identity from those in the castle? I canna believe that someone dinna notice her accent or even her name.”

  “Philip planned well. He kept my daughter hidden in a tower for six months, forcing her to speak with English accent. Once accomplished, Philip changed her identity, and explained that by doing so would keep her safe. He thought it believable to name her after his wife, but to prevent confusion he shortened it so that it sounded similar to her own pet name. My daughter’s real name is Isabel, but we always called her Bella. Philip also concocted a story that she was a Welsh distant relation.”

  Bowen asked, “Would Philip have hurt his wife, Lady Eleanor, if Ella revealed the truth?”

  “Aye,” replied Alex. “Neither Eleanor nor Bella were allowed at court, which greatly limited their communication to the outside world. Eleanor dinna want to risk Ella’s life on the chance that the missive Philip fabricated was true. She dinna tell a soul, nae even her brother, Sir James.”

  “Ye mentioned Baron Montgomery committed treason,” Paen reminded Alex.

  “Aye. When I arrived at Windsor, I learned that Henry had taken ill. The royal physicians proved useless, unable to explain or cure the mysterious sickness. When Eleanor arrived with her brother and Nicholas, as ill as the king was, he demanded to see them at once. Henry learned the truth about Philip while the gifted healer cured his affliction. Shortly thereafter, we discovered that Baron Montgomery had coerced a royal physician to poison the King of England. Needless to say, the physician was put to death, as will Baron’s Greystone and Montgomery should they return to England.”

  With maternal concern lingering on her brow, Lady Esme asked, “Sir James, is he well?”

  “Aye, under his sister’s care, he will fully recover. King Henry has rewarded Sir James’s years of service with Baron Montgomery’s title and all of his lands.”

  “’Tis fitting. He deserves that and more.”

  “Aye, he does,” Alex agreed. “I will be gifting him as well, for keeping my daughter safe during the five years he served at Greystone.”

  “He also aided in the escape of Gabriel,” Gavin stated.

  “Aye,” Alex choked out, as thoughts of what his wee da
ughter suffered to protect his grandson. “My Bella . . . she endured . . . she dinna even ken Gabriel was her nephew.”

  Gavin put his hand on Alex’s shoulder and said, “Ye have the right of it, but nae more talk of the past. I want my wife back and a painful death for the men who have hurt her.”

  Right before his eyes Alex transformed back into the battle-hardened warrior he had always known and admired. His expression turned fierce when he asked, “Do ye love my daughter?”

  “More than my own life,” Gavin stated with conviction.

  Comforted by his words, the older laird said, “Aye, ‘tis good, since I wouldnae hesitate to end yer life is ye unwisely said nae.”

  “Ye dinna have to worry, for she is my heart,” Gavin said just before he spotted Ualan standing by the hearth.

  “Come, my friend,” he said to the burly man. “I have need of ye this eve. Ye have heard all, aye?”

  Toying with the dagger in his hand, Ualan nodded then said, “Tell me what is needed, for I will nae rest until she is back.”

  With pride, the Macleod laird looked at the surly cook, who had at one time been one of the greatest warriors. Although Ualan still limped, through the care of Ella he had made great strides towards returning to his former occupation.

  Once Ualan stood by his side, Gavin asked, “I trust yer claymore is ready, for we leave within the hour.”

  Ualan nodded, not trusting himself to speak as gratification and pride filled his chest. It had been many years since he rode out with his laird and the Macleod warriors to defend their land and the people they loved. It was Ella’s determination to see him walk and ride without pain that made this moment possible.

  As Ualan listened to Gavin and Alex explain the rescue mission, he saw Fin at the top of the stone stairs that lead to the kitchen. Even with the tears staining her cherubic face, she shared his elation that he would contribute to the return of their mistress, their friend.