Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series)

by Aury Dobsyn

  Leif stood 20 paces away, with another barely filled bucket, ready to replace hers, while Osgood sat on a bench next to the stable doors, eager for her to begin.

  For the first hour Ella prodded Righ with the stick to run around her in a circle as she repeated the Latin word for run, ‘cursor’. At first he put up a fight, but when he felt the stick lightly tap his backside, he conceded and began to run. He was still terrified and managed to stay as far away from her as the long reins would allow.

  After Righ ran a full circle, she said the Latin word for turn, ‘adverto’. She promptly moved the stick into Righ’s path, forcing him to switch directions. Each time he switched directions, he turned away from her, which she expected, but intended to change. The purpose of the activity was to teach Righ trust, along with some basic commands using positive reinforcement.

  Righ’s breathing was heavy and sweat covered his body as he continued the arduous task. She knew he would soon turn towards her in need of water and rest. After a dozen more failed attempts, he finally turned her way when switching directions.

  With a soothing, but excited voice she said, “Eu, Eu Righ! Eu!” This meant ‘good’ in Latin.

  He was panting hard from his exertion when she walked slowly to him and set the bucket of water down on the ground. Too tired to rear up or fight, he only eyed her with mistrust. She carefully backed away, giving him space to enjoy the short rest and water. The small amount of water would not even slightly quench his thirst, but it would teach him how to obtain what he craved.

  After Righ finished the water, she retrieved the bucket as she said the Latin word for good, over and over again. Before resuming, she allowed Leif time to exchanged the empty bucket with one filled with the same amount of water as the first.

  “Cursor. . .Cursor, “ she commanded after Leif had distanced himself. The stubborn horse didn’t move until she tapped his backside with the stick. She was pleased that he began running without a fight.

  After he circled her two times, she said, “Adverto.” Once again he needed the stick to be redirected and he also turned away from her. She continued this tedious task until he, for the second time, turned towards her. Righ was immediately rewarded.

  “Eu, Eu,” she said, then placed the bucket of water in front of him. This time, however, she did not back up as far as she had done previously. Little by little she was teaching him to be comfortable with her presence.

  Within a half hour, he completely caught on and was now allowing her to stand directly in front of him while he inhaled his water. She continued to praise him in Latin during his brief respites and used his name frequently. She had not attempted to touch him yet, knowing that would be the ultimate test.

  When Righ continued to succeed in turning towards her, she decided that he was ready for the next step. She pulled out the sugared apple cubes from the pocket of her breeches, then offered the treat to him when he finished the water.

  After three hours of constantly running around in a circle, she knew the horse would be hungry. He hesitated at first, then slowly moved his large head to her outstretched hand. He sniffed once, then gently took it from her hand. All the horses she had worked with in the past loved the delicious sugared apples.

  They were always stored in her saddlebag so she could give them sporadically as a treat or when training horses who had been abused.

  Righ had certainly been abused, and she was beginning to worry over the laceration on his flank. They still had not been cleaned, and the sweat that coated his body was only making his wounds worst. If she did not gain his trust soon, infection would set in, possibly kill him.

  Concern was soon replaced by relief when Righ began to nudge her hand for another treat after finishing his water. It usually took horses much longer to show such behavior. She rewarded him with another treat, while crooning praises in his ear. Keeping her movements very slow and light, she stroked his neck and was pleased he did not flinch or snort.

  As she backed away, he followed and then nudged her for another treat. She complied with his request, then gently stroked his neck before she took him to the water trough.

  As the horse drank his fill, she motioned for Leif to bring a bucket of oats, which he did with slow, tentative steps.

  The final hour spent with Righ was by far the most rewarding. He became meek and a bit affectionate as she rubbed him down and his behavior earned him another sugared apple cube. She laced it with yarrow, which would ease his pain and induce sleep. When he was completely dry, she took him back to his stall and began cleaning the lacerations, then coating it with salve. .

  When Ella walked out of the stables a short time later, Osgood and Leif were sitting on a nearby bench, staring at her in awe.

  “That was truly amazing,” Osgood praised as he came to his feet. “I admit, I had my doubts at first, but now he is as docile as a lamb.”

  “He did well today, but this method will need to be continued in order for him to make progress. Tomorrow, I want your son to do as I did today.” Turning to Leif, she asked, “That is, if you are willing? I truly think if anyone can continue with Righ, ‘tis you.”

  Leif was so excited that he threw himself into her arms and hugged her with more strength than she expected.

  “I take it you are indeed willing,” she chuckled.

  “Aye, ye have taught me a great deal this day. I thank ye.”

  “You are most welcome, and I look forward to teaching you more on the morrow. Feel free to ask any questions.”

  While the threesome made their way back to the keep, Leif plied her with various questions about training horses. She loved seeing his enthusiasm as well as answering his intelligent questions.

  As they walked through the bailey, she noticed the numerous smiles and friendly greetings cast her way. She was not used to so much attention, since most of the people at Greystone were warned not to converse with her, especially in public.

  She would miss the Macleods and the warmth she felt in their presence when she returned to England. As she entered the keep, she told herself not to allow these people into her heart, for the pain would be too great when she was forced to leave them. But, she feared it was already too late.

  36

  “I must go and see to the evening meal, but I will send Thea to help ye dress,” Maeve said, after assisting Ella with her bath and tending to her back.

  “There is nae reason to, for I can dress myself,” she explained.

  “My wee daughter will be so disappointed if ye dinna allow her this duty. She has been looking forward to it all day with hopes ye will ask her to brush yer hair.”

  Ella slipped on her chemise, then eyed Maeve with a knowing smile on her face. “Aye, after hearing all that, how can I refuse.”

  “Ye have a kind heart, lass,” the older woman said with a guilty giggle as she left the chamber.

  Alone in the chamber, Ella was about to open the chest at the foot of the bed, when she heard a scratching sound at the door. Ella quickly threw on a robe, and then opened the door. Like a whirlwind, Arth rushed in and leaped on the bed. With time to spare, she played with the exuberant animal until Thea entered the solar.

  Ella was pleased that the little girl held no fear of Arth and bounded onto the bed to give him as much affection as he gave her.

  They arrived in the crowded hall a short time later, hand-in-hand, with Arth close on their heels. Everyone rose when they spotted her, smiling warmly as she hastened to the dais.

  “You are not leaving me,” she told Thea, then squeezed the child’s hand to emphasize her words. She realized how foolish she was acting when Thea responded with a giggle.

  Lady Esme and Nicholas greeted her halfway, then led her to the high table, while Thea ran to the kitchen to help her mother. Greetings were cast her way, which deepened the blush spreading rapidly across her face.

  By the time the meal was served, the high table consisted of Lady Esme, Bowen, Nicholas, Edric, Osgood and Maeve, as well as Leif and
Thea. Ella was surprised and very pleased that Osgood and Maeve’s children were in attendance. Usually children were fed before the meal, unless it was the laird’s decision to include them.

  “Gavin is their Godfather,” Lady Esme said when she noticed Ella eyeing the children. “He takes much pride at having them join us for the evening meal. And Leif and Thea simply adore my sons and relish the time spent with them and the rest of the blackguard.”

  “It pleases me to know how kind Gavin is to them. Leif aided me a great deal today.”

  “Aye, he told us much about his afternoon,” Lady Esme said with a chuckle, remembering how the braggart child went on and on about Ella’s amazing gift with horses.

  “Aye,” Bowen chimed in, “he is most eager to repeat your efforts on the morrow. I also heard from Maeve that ye have asked little Thea to come meet your horse, Apollo.”

  “You have heard correctly,” Ella began, “and I do hope she will come. Apollo is extremely gentle with children. He is like a large puppy, most eager for attention.”

  At hearing ‘puppy’ Bowen couldn’t resist asking, “I heard ye also called Arth, puppy.”

  She stared at Bowen in bewilderment.

  “Aye, she did, but I doubt she remembers,” Nicholas explained. “An hour afore we returned home last eve, we stopped at the loch to bathe and refresh the horses. That is, with the exception of Ella, who was fast asleep. Paen stood guard over her a fair distance away and when we returned, she slept with her arm wrapped around the enormous beast.”

  Ella felt her face flaming as Nicholas continued the tale, “At first we were shocked by Arth’s uncommon behavior, but a moment later we understood why. She spoke in her sleep, calling him puppy and praising him endlessly as she stroked his thick black fur. Arth looked to be in heaven, since most people are usually verra uncomfortable in his presence.”

  Laughter rang from the high table, but Ella did not share their mirth. She was deeply saddened by the way people treated Arth. Her gaze traveled below the table, to the loving animal lying by her feet. His gentle nature and need to be accepted were so obvious to her. And she wondered how anyone could turn away from him.

  “Why are people afraid of him? Granted, I have not known him long, but he seems very sweet and friendly.”

  “’Tis mainly the women who fear him,” Bowen explained. “My wife was attacked by two wolfhounds when she was a child, and when the other women learned her story, they too kept their distance.”

  Turning to Lady Esme, she was about to ask her about the attack, but was unable to when Thea blurted out, “I dinna fear Arth.”

  Osgood looked at his little daughter and said in a gruff manner, “Ye are a bairn, nae a woman. Ye will nae be a woman for another score of years.”

  “She will be a woman in half that time, Ozzy,” Maeve stated in reply to her husband’s absurd statement.

  “She will be a bairn until I say otherwise,” Osgood bellowed.

  His outrageous statement was greeted with instant laughter. It was obvious to all how much the giant loved his wee daughter, and how hard it would be for him to see her grow into a woman.

  By the end of the meal people disappeared quickly, leaving the hall practically empty with the exception of only a few. Lady Esme sat in a wing-backed chair by the hearth with a small weaving frame in her hand and a tapestry hanging off her lap, while Bowen, Nicholas, Edric and Osgood continued to speak at the high table. Maeve went to the kitchen, while her children played nearby with Arth.

  Ella took a seat by the older woman’s feet, who immediately asked, “Would ye like me to ask one of the servants’ to bring ye a frame? This tapestry could use another pair of hands.”

  Embarrassment was paltry to what Ella felt at that moment. Unlike most women, she had no knowledge of how to weave.

  “I…um…I do not want to ruin your beautiful tapestry.”

  “Nonsense,” Lady Esme said as she searched the hall for a servant.

  Just as Ella was about to declare her lack of domestic training, Lady Esme’s attention was diverted to Leif and Thea playing with Arth.

  Noticing the concern lingering on the older woman’s brow, Ella said, “He will not harm them.”

  “How can ye ken this?”

  “Just watch Arth and the children for a few moments. Do you see his wide eyed expression and how his tail wags vigorously as he lowers the front his body in an invitation to play.”

  “Aye,” Lady Esme replied.

  “And now what is he doing?”

  “He is rolling onto his back,” the older lady observed.

  “Does he look aggressive to you?”

  With a keen eye, Lady Esme watched the children play with the wolf. Arth nuzzled Thea’s hand, then sprung to his feet and began lapping her face with wet kisses, which made little girl giggle with delight.

  “How did ye get Thea to accept Arth? I thought she feared him as I do.”

  “Arth was in my chamber when Thea came to help me dress. She did not seem to fear him then, or now.”

  When Lady Esme was about to reply to Ella’s statement, Maeve approached to bid them good night, and then bustled the children and her husband from the hall.

  Without his playmates, Arth searched for Ella, then lumbered over to lounge by her side. He pressed his huge body up against her out stretched legs, then thumped his tail against the fur pelt when she began stroking his back.

  Ella praised him softly, aware that Lady Esme was watching intently, then turned to the nervous woman. “Do you want to know a secret about all animals?”

  Lady Esme nodded.

  “They all fear quick movement and sharp sounds, much like humans. Would you agree with that assessment?”

  “Aye, I suppose we all startle easily.”

  “Especially if they have been treated cruelly in the past,” Ella said thinking about Righ.

  “Aye. Bowen often called me skittish when we were first married, but he understood the reason. My first husband made my very sensitive to harsh sounds and unexpected actions.”

  “How did Bowen handle that?”

  Recalling the memory, she laughed before explaining, “The poor man had to move at a snail’s pace when I was near. He never raised his voice either and constantly reassured me that he wouldnae harm me.”

  “If you treat Arth the way Bowen treated you, I think you would be more than pleased with the results. Do you want to try?”

  “I. . . I dinna know if I can. He seems so loving with my sons and Bowen, and I often wondered if he just dinna like women. But seeing him with ye and Thea . . .”

  “Lean down and try to pet him. And like Bowen, move slowly.”

  With hesitation Lady Esme slid her hand down the animal’s back, surprised at the softness of his dark fur, but when Arth’s head popped up, she gasped and snatched her hand away.

  The beast, feared by all, showed no aggression to the abrupt movement. Instead he sat up and faced Lady Esme, while she leaned back in the armchair with her hands pulled into her chest.

  Arth gradually lowered his large head to her lap while looking up at her with his enormous, almost pleading, golden eyes. She had always thought him a beautiful and intelligent animal, whose loyalty to her sons warmed her heart. But, could she trust this animal, which by nature was a born predator?

  Looking up, she saw her husband grinning like a fool and nodding his encouragement from the high table. Next to him, Nicholas and Edric were giving her supportive smiles. Her gaze fell to the soft, golden eyes begging for her acceptance. Arth’s big head took up most of her lap, and his tail was pounding as rhythmically as her heart.

  Lady Esme sighed, then tentatively slid her fingers into his black fur as Arth leaned his body into her legs and turned his head into her palm. Tears sprung into her eyes as the old fear slowly faded. She had shunned Arth for a year and caused others to follow her example. And now, this forgiving animal was teaching her to trust once again.

  “As a child I adored my father’s wolf
hounds,” Lady Esme began, “and they always treated me with kindness and loyalty. Not once did they ever harm me. I was nine summers when my uncle visited with his two new wolfhounds. Foolishly, I believed they would be loving and affectionate like my father’s dogs. I quickly realized they were naught like the dogs I grew up with. They attacked me as soon as I ran up to them. When my father’s dogs saw me being attacked, they came to my rescue. Unfortunately, my arms and legs were severely bleeding, and my fear of dogs was born.”

  As she pet Arth, she realized that for years she had only thought about the dogs that attacked her, not the ones who tried to protect her. She silently vowed to befriend the loving animal and encourage the other women to do the same.

  Esme was so engrossed in Arth, she had not realized that her husband, Edric and Nicholas were standing by her chair. When she looked up and saw their look of supreme satisfaction, she was unable to suppress a childish giggle. Ella was still sitting by her feet stroking Arth’s back, with a radiant smile on her sweet face.

  “I do believe ye have a gift, my dear,” Lady Esme acknowledged. “Ye heal the body as well as the soul. I think my sons will be quite shocked when they return home on the morrow.” She giggled again, then added, “I will enjoy seeing their jaws drop when they see all ye have accomplished in just one day. Ye are a blessing, child, a true blessing.”

  In bed later that eve, with Arth slumbering at the foot of the bed, Ella was a bundle of restless energy. She was astonished by the sense of fulfillment and acceptance she experienced today, but she found that there was something missing. Gavin.

  It was an awakening admission that left her reeling, but she couldn’t deny the evidence any longer. Throughout the day, she had the very overwhelming desire to share with Gavin what she had accomplished. She was most eager to see him again. But, as she absorbed that last thought, reality hit, and she hurtled back to earth.

  She would be returning to England and begin the misery that fate decreed. She would marry Montgomery. She could not lament that fact. Her aunt would be safe and that was all that mattered. Trying not to dwell on her future or the man who would be her husband, her thoughts settled again on Gavin.