Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series)

by Aury Dobsyn

  My God, the man has only been away one day and already I ache to be in his arms again, to hear his soft burr and see his hooded gaze.

  Gavin was dangerous. He could make her giddy with excitement or melancholy with awareness that their time would soon end. She chastised herself for craving a man and a life that was not meant for her. She could not open her heart to him, for the risk that he would learn her past would be too great.

  37

  The sun climbed the early morning blue skies as Ella was escorted by Osgood to Colban’s cottage. She was happy to see that the stable master in high spirits as his family ensured her that he was eating and sleeping well, with a great deal less pain.

  Since Colban was the stable master, she informed him about what had occurred at the stables yesterday and her progress with Righ. He was astounded and eager to see her methods. But, since he was confided to the bed, he was only allowed to hear about her great feat.

  “I will return this afternoon, but if you have need of me, I will be in the stables,” she said, then bid them farewell.

  When she and Osgood arrived at the stables, Leif was sitting on a bench with the five buckets slightly filled with water, long leather reins and the thin tree branch she had used the previous day, all laid out by his feet. Obviously, he was anxious to begin.

  For a quarter of an hour, Ella stood beside Leif as he began working Righ around in a circle. She then backed away, noting how determined the lad was and how quickly the horse responded to him.

  Joining Osgood by the archway to the stables, she saw how proud he was of his son. The giant soon left, returning with his wife, daughter and Lady Esme so they too could witness the stunning transformation of the wild horse.

  Lounging nearby, Arth jumped up and raced over to the group as they approached. Since Thea was in her father’s arms, he couldn’t get to littlest friend, but he could get to his newest. He planted himself next to Lady Esme, leaned his massive weight against the slender woman and rested his head on her hip.

  Laughing with delight, the older woman stroked his face and said, “Aye, ye are a good boy with a verra large head.”

  “I see you have gotten over your fear of dogs, Milady,” Ella observed.

  “Aye, I think I have,” Lady Esme acknowledged. “I plan to spoil him rotten as well. What think ye of that?”

  “’Tis a marvelous idea.”

  Maeve stood nearby, stunned by the change in her mistress towards the once feared beast. With a pensive shimmer in her eyes, she asked, “Do ye think he will let me pet him, too?”

  The warmth of Ella’s smile echoed in her voice, “Aye, I believe he is eager for your loving touch.”

  Maeve slowly reached out and slid her hand down the animal’s back. Arth’s tongue hung out the side of his mouth when he turned to cast adoring eyes up at her. Giggling, she said, “He does seem rather sweet with that silly grin and his tongue dangling about.”

  Thea wiggled to get down from her father’s arms, then with a springy bounce, she leaped over to Arth and plopped down beside him. When the trio of females and the wolf dog were settled, their attention turned to Leif and Ella working with Righ.

  Osgood explained to them Ella’s method of training horses while Leif demonstrated. After two hours Leif was able to control Righ’s movements, as well as approach and touch the horse.

  Ella was delighted with how quickly Leif was able to gain Righ’s trust, so she suggested, “Why don’t you take him for a long walk. It would do him good to be accustomed to being around other people.”

  “I could walk him around the village. And mayhap in a few days, I could try to take him through the village.”

  Impressed with his suggestion, she said, “Aye, I do believe you are in complete accord with my methods. Your suggestion is exactly what I would have done. You pleased me well today.”

  Leif blushed to his ears while his father, who had overheard her comment, burst out laughing at his son’s reaction to her compliment.

  Hearing his father’s booming laughter, Leif smiled as he shook his head, then said, “I think I will be taking that walk now.”

  Ella tried not to laugh at his embarrassment as he walked past her with Righ in tow. Leif was smiling so she figured he was well accustomed to his father’s humor.

  By the time Leif returned, his little sister and Lady Ella were seated atop Apollo cantering through the stable yard. He watched the beauty seated behind Thea, her wealth of fair hair blown into disarray by the wind and that infectious, warm smile that could stop a man dead in his tracks. She could be as playful as a child, intelligent as a scholar and regal as a queen, he thought as he continued to stare at the exquisite woman and unaware that his father approached.

  “I see ye are as affected by Lady Ella as the blackguard.”

  Startled, he turned to his father. “Aye.” He paused for a moment then added, “She saved Gabriel’s life when she took his whipping. Mayhap yers as well when she aided the Macleods in battle against the English. After all she’s done, how can ye send her back, especially when ye ken how she was treated?”

  Osgood was visibly shocked.

  “She deserves better, Father. This should be her home and the Macleods her family.”

  Turning serious, Osgood asked, “How did ye learn so much about her?”

  “Ye and mother talk verra loudly when ye think Thea and I are asleep.”

  Osgood snorted, then put his hand on his son’s shoulder and said, “’Tis true she has nae been treated kindly by her own. I canna say more except have faith in yer laird.”

  “Aye, Father,” he replied with a smile. He understood what his father was unable to tell him. As he took Righ to his stall in the stables, he felt confident that Lady Ella would become a Macleod very soon.

  Leif was just finishing rubbing Righ down when Ella came into the stables with Apollo. “You have done well this morning. After I see to his wounds and he has a small respite, you can continue working with him.”

  “Aye, milady. I look forward to it.” He would have continued, but Lady Esme strolled into the stables.

  “Ye both did a marvelous job with Righ, and I canna wait to see my son’s faces when they see what changes ye brought to spirited horse. They thought it would take months to accomplish what ye did in two days.”

  Leif straightened his shoulder with pride, then responded to the well-respected woman, “Thank ye, milady, but the credit is due to Lady Ella alone.”

  Both women smiled at his humble confession.

  “The credit is due ye both,” Lady Esme gently admonished, then gave him a look that said not to argue. “But now I must insist that Lady Ella take a wee rest.”

  When the kind, but stubborn older woman saw that Ella was about to argue, she added, “This is nae a request, young lady.”

  “Aye, milady, but please allow me a moment to apply the salve to Righ’s injury.”

  Lady Esme nodded, then strolled out of the stables as she heard Leif’s childish laughter.

  Ella threw a wet rag at him as soon as the commanding woman took her leave.

  “I saw that,” a voice came from the doorway of the stables, startling both Ella and Leif.

  Gavin’s mother smiled at the surprised pair, then strolled out once again, hearing their joyous laughter in her wake.

  38

  The sun was high in the sky indicating midday when Ella enjoyed the luxury of a lavender scented bath in the new chamber she’d been given. It had been explained by Lady Esme that the chamber she had used the past two nights actually belonged to Gavin. Since he was due to return, she would be given the unoccupied chamber next to his.

  Quite embarrassed, Ella did not argue with the new arrangement and gave in to the older woman’s gentle ministrations in assisting her to bathe.

  She had been shy about revealing her back to anyone the day before, but now it seemed silly to be so modest, especially since Lady Esme had already seen the bloody stripes marring her skin.

  Smiling at s
eeing the newfound trust blooming between her and her future daughter, Lady Esme said, “Ye seem verra happy today.”

  “Aye, it has been a wonderful day,” Ella admitted, but the joy in her eyes faded when she added, “Laird Gavin will return today. And on the morrow he will take me back to England. I look forward to seeing my aunt and uncle again.”

  “Ye love them verra much.”

  “Aye, I do.” Lost in thought for a moment, she then said, “Last eve, afore falling asleep, I thought how wonderful it would be …”

  Lady Esme finished for her, “For them to come live here with us. . . and ye.”

  Ella nodded, keeping her head bowed.

  With gentle fingers Lady Esme tipped her chin up, then said, “I pray for the same, my angel.”

  “You remind me of my mother.”

  Lady Esme had learned from her son that Ella had not disclosed anything regarding her parents and that it was a sensitive subject. With a soft, maternal voice she said, “Tell me about her.”

  “She was so beautiful, kind and loving,” Ella began, fully animated. “Like you, she knew my thoughts before I spoke them. We would talk for hours about everything and anything. This may come as a shock, but I was quite a talkative child.” She giggled when Lady Esme gave her a look that said she wasn’t the least bit shocked by her statement.

  “Mama loved to help people and often stated it was her purpose in life, that and having me. I truly believe she had a gift for seeing the good in people and events.”

  Ella smiled as her thoughts filtered back to a day long ago. “I remember one afternoon, when my parents were teaching me how to ride, we were caught in a atrocious storm and forced to seek shelter. Papa explained that he did not want to risk injury to his wife or daughter. He took us to a nearby cave that was gloomy, but warm and dry. Then for hours, Papa entertained us with glorious stories of Vikings and dragons.”

  “When the storm passed, we emerged from the cave to find our mounts gone. Papa was none-to-pleased to have to walk the entire way back home and ranted that the afternoon had been wasted. Mama just laughed and said that any time spent with family, is time well spent, nae matter the circumstances.”

  “Mama went on to say that good things can come from the most miserable experiences. Papa stared at her wet hair and dress for a moment, then told her she looked like the most beautiful drowned rat he had ever seen.”

  Lady Esme chuckled, but did not interrupt.

  “We laughed too, even Mama. Just before reaching our home, we came to the bridge that we had used earlier that day and had intended to use again. But, the bridge was nae longer there.”

  “What happen to the bridge?”

  “When we looked over the ridge, we saw that it had collapsed into the water below. Shards of wood were scattered around the bank and boulders that lined the river. But, that was not what sent chills down our spines.”

  “What did ye see?”

  “Three dead horses. Our horses,” Ella replied.

  “My God, that could have been ye.”

  “Aye, Papa said the same. He kissed Mama afore he asked me what I learned from this experience. I said that I learned that Mama was always right.”

  Lady Esme burst out laughing thinking of a young Ella telling her father such a thing, even though it was true.

  As she assisted the young woman out of the tub, she said, “Yer parents sound like fine people. I wish I could have met them. I would have enjoyed learning about what a hoyden ye were as a child.”

  “Hoyden!”

  “Aye, ye heard me correctly. I was much the same when I was a young lass, boisterous and a wee bit unruly. Naught wrong with that 'tis my way of thinking.”

  The two women continued to talk, laugh and enjoy each other’s company until an hour later when Lady Esme tucked Ella into the bed, insisting she nap for an hour or two.

  She bestowed a kiss to her forehead, then reluctantly left the chambers, predicting that Ella would need to be well rested when she was told Gavin’s intentions for her future.

  There was much to be done before the evening meal, so she rushed off to find Maeve and begin the ordeal of planning her eldest son’s wedding.

  It would not be the wedding she had hoped for Gavin, but he reassured her that a more traditional celebration would be planned for a later date. She understood that he needed to wed and bed Ella as soon as possible, otherwise within a sennight English royal soldiers would come and take Ella from them.

  She was also concerned about the difficulty her son would have convincing Ella, and more importantly bedding her if she was unwilling.

  As a child, Gavin had witnessed his father take unwilling women to his bed. He and his brothers never forgave their father his bloodlust after battles and vowed long ago to never follow in their father’s footsteps.

  39

  Gavin returned by mid afternoon, warmed and hopeful by the bright summer sun. His mother and Bowen greeted him and his brothers, then led him to the hall to inform him all that had occurred in his absence.

  All was ready for his wedding this eve, which included a private supper, reserved for only family and the blackguard. The chapel and his bedchamber had been made prepared for the ceremony and bedding. Eva had sent with her brothers a package for Ella containing a gown suitable for the ceremony, as well as a number of other items her new sister would need.

  As Gavin listened to his mother, a serving girl poured him another ale, then before leaving she patted Arth on the head. Yesterday, we he noticed that Arth had not followed him to the Mackenzie’s stronghold, he assumed the wolf dog went off to hunt. Obviously, Gavin assumed wrong. He now realized that Arth must have returned to Doran Castle to be with Osgood, Edric and Nicholas.

  Lady Esme was explaining Colban’s good fortune and that he would be completely healed in less than two months, when Arth’s huge body leaned into her legs. She affectionately put her arm around him and stroked his black fur as she continued retelling the story.

  Gavin raised his hand to silence her, then swept the same hand toward Arth and asked, “Mother, would ye like to explain? When I left, ye feared this dog as if he were Satan himself, but now I find him cuddled up to ye like some damn lap dog.”

  “First,” his mother began, “ne’er raise yer hand to silence me again. I taught ye better than that.” Ignoring her son exasperated look, she continued, “If ye had nae interrupted, I would have explained that Arth and I are now good friends.”

  The smile on her face told Gavin she was enjoying this too much. “How?”

  “Ella.” She gave only one word, as if that was explanation enough for her change in heart.

  “I see.” He didn’t of course, but he figured when she was gone Bowen would explain.

  “What else has occurred during my absence?”

  “I will let Bowen explain the rest while I see to baths for ye and yer brothers,” she excused herself, leaving Bowen to inform her sons about Lyall. As she took her leave, she passed Osgood, Edric and Nicholas just entering the hall.

  The threesome smiled, noticing that Arth followed close on her heels and that she did not seem to mind her new shadow. When they were seated, Bowen explained about Arth.

  “The other women have begun to accept Arth as well, but he only follows Lady Ella or my wife around the keep.” Bowen chuckled as he issued that statement and the other men were soon to follow.

  “Gavin, I fear we have been replaced,” Tavish began, “but, I dinna mind over much. To nae see fear in mother’s eyes is well-worth it.” He saw that his older brothers heartily agreed with him.

  Noticing that Osgood, Nicholas and Edric seemed unusually anxious, Gavin instantly recognized that something was amiss. Turning back to Bowen, he said, “I advise ye to convey all that has occurred since I departed.”

  “Afore ye left we discussed Lyall and agreed that he should take over Colban’s duties in the stables,” Bowen reminded his laird.

  “Aye.”

  Osgood decided he shou
ld be the one to explain. “I was taking Lady Ella to Colban’s cottage when I was asked to demonstrate something to the younger warriors training in the bailey. She was content to wait on a nearby bench until I completed the task. When I turned to check on her a brief moment later, I saw her running in the direction of the stables. As I chased after her, I heard the sound of a horse being whipped.”

  Paen interjected in his usual low, menacing voice. “Righ?

  Osgood nodded, then continued, “When I reached the stable yard, I saw Ella rip the whip from Lyall’s hands, tie it in a knot and sling it onto the roof of the stables. She cursed Lyall for his ignorance, called him a beast, and a variety of other ignoble names.”

  Paen smirked at hearing Ella’s defense of his horse.

  Gavin was not smiling when he growled, “Continue.”

  Osgood was fully aware that his laird would hit the roof at hearing the next part, so he braced himself as he related, “Lyall grabbed her by the front of her tunic, lifted her off the ground and slammed her into the wall of the stables. He kept her suspended in the air, then froze when he felt the tip of her dagger on his throat, just afore I hauled him away.”

  Edric broke in to explain fully and in detail the conclusion of the story. He did not withhold Lyall’s words to Ella or that she lunged for him, and would have attacked him if Osgood had not thrown her over his shoulder.

  Gavin’s anger became a scalding fury, and his face a glowering mask of rage. That someone had dared to touch her, to hurt her and that it was one of his own men only intensified the seething storm inside him.

  Osgood felt guilty for not protecting Lady Ella, so with his head lowered he said, “I only carried her that way so I wouldnae cause her back more pain.” He paused, then added, “I take full responsibility. ‘Twas my fault.”

  Gavin knew his largest warrior would protect Ella with his life and would have killed Lyall if she had not intervened. His voice was low, taunt with ire when he said, “Osgood, ye are nae to blame for another’s actions. Where is Lyall now?”