Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series)

by Aury Dobsyn

  “His senses are better than ours. We must take caution,” he warned.

  “Soldiers?”

  “Nae. More likely ‘tis another animal.”

  They were startled when a female scream ripped through the air. Without thought, both riders put their heels to their mounts and raced in the direction of the terrifying sound.

  “Go back to the castle,” he ordered.

  “Nae.”

  Paen cursed her stubborn nature as they both crossed over on to Fraser land. A frightened horse flew passed them as they continued to charge ahead, praying the female who had screamed was not hurt or dead.

  Moments later they came upon a vicious, snarling boar snapping at Arth. In a tree, just beyond the two animals circling each other, was a young girl trembling with fear. Tears streaked down her petite face, and her dark hair was in wild disarray as she clung to the trunk of the tree.

  Roughly grabbing a hold of Ella’s arm, Paen hissed, “I told ye to get back to the castle!”

  She yanked her arm back and replied, “Nae, I won’t leave her.”

  “Nor would I.”

  “Then let me help.”

  “Curse all stubborn wenches!” He briefly looked at the figure in the tree, then back to Ella and spat, “Fine, but ye will do as I say.”

  “Aye.”

  As he took out his long bow, he said, “An single arrow will nae kill the boar, but it will distract him long enough for Arth to kill him or send him charging for me. If the latter occurs, loop around in my direction and get the girl.”

  “Aye.”

  Paen knew that Apollo was trained to attack when needed, which is the only reason why he conceded to Ella’s mulish demand.

  “Only when I give the command will ye get near the tree. Do ye understand!”

  “Aye.”

  “Go that way, slowly,” he said as he pointed in that direction. “Do nothing to startle the animals. I will go this way to divert the boar’s attention.”

  As Ella moved Apollo away from Paen, she saw him take aim and then fire an arrow into the side of the boar.

  Twisting in pain, the boar snorted then lunged towards the wolf dog. Arth deftly averted the attack and waited for the right time to strike. Ella was almost around to the other side of the tree when Paen let loose another arrow, burying it in the boar’s neck. The beast let out a high-pitched screech and then charged Paen.

  “Now, Ella,” he screamed as he took off, leading the boar away.

  Swinging Apollo around the tree, she yelled, “Give me your arm.” The girl wasted no time and was soon clinging to Ella’s back as Apollo tore through the woods.

  Relief surged through Ella when she saw that both Paen and Arth were safe and a good distance from the boar. When the beast finally gave up chase, she led Apollo over to them. Astonishment briefly crossed Paen’s features when he saw the girl they saved, but was quickly masked by indifference.

  “Follow me. Our horses need water and rest.”

  Ella made no comment as she followed him to the nearest burn.

  71

  After dismounting, Paen assisted Ella as he said, “Ye are in for a rare treat, sister, for ye are about to meet the most spiteful lass in all the Highlands.”

  Standing beside Apollo and Paen, Ella turned and looked up at the girl. Still shaking like a leaf, she had chestnut colored hair, pale blue eyes that were rimmed a darker shade, and pink pouty lips. The girl was few years younger than herself, she noted, then saw her eyelashes drop and stains of scarlet appear on her cheeks.

  “Kyla Fraser,” Paen began, “daughter to Laird Cormac Fraser and hellion of the Highlands. Petite she may be, but her tongue is as sharp as my blade.”

  And her beauty, he thought, just as deadly.

  When Kyla lifted hurt filled eyes, Ella pushed Paen out of the way to assist the girl from Apollo’s back. When he was about to speak, she snapped, “Not another word unless you intend to apologize to this frighten girl. I nae care that she is a Fraser, or the feud between the Macleods and her clan. Can you nae see how terrified she is?”

  Remorse hit him like a battling ram as he saw the truth to her words, and it only intensified when he noticed blood soaking through Kyla’s skirt. Moving Ella out of the way, Paen curved one arm around Kyla’s tiny waist, hauled her off the horse and cradled her slight weight in his arms. He carried her to a fallen tree by the burn, gently sat her down on the trunk then turned to Ella.

  “She’s hurt. Do something, now!”

  Startled by his abrupt change in tone and manner, she did his bidding without objection.

  “I am Lady Ella, Gavin Macleod’s wife,” she began as she knelt by the girl’s feet. “Will you allow me to look at your wound.”

  Paen was pacing behind her when he said, “She is a healer, lass. She will nae harm ye.”

  Refusing to look or even acknowledge Paen, Kyla said, “Aye, thank ye, Milady.”

  After lifting up Kyla’s skirts, Ella tore the hem of her own tunic and said to Paen, “There is clean linen in my saddlebag.” She quickly soaked the fabric in the burn, then bathed the blood and gash on the girl’s lower leg as she said, “Please, call me Ella.”

  Kyla was thunderstruck by the bold, yet compassionate Englishwoman, whose golden beauty stood out like the North Star in a darken sky. She was also astonished by her grasp of Gaelic. “Then ye must call me, Kyla.”

  Ella smiled, then said, “How did this happen?”

  “I was still mounted when the boar attacked, and I tried to kick it away so his tusks dinna impale my horse.”

  When Kyla heard Paen snort at the absurdity of her actions, she closed her eyes and let her shoulders hunch forward.

  “That was very brave, and is exactly what I would have done in the same situation,” Ella stated.

  Kyla’s eyes flew open in surprise and gratitude. “Thank ye,” she whispered.

  “Nae, Ella would have lunged at the beast afore it left the ground, to save her precious Apollo.”

  Both women looked up and saw the teasing glint in Paen’ eyes as he shook his head.

  Chuckling, Ella said, “Aye, and ye would have done the same for Righ had it come to that.”

  “Bloody right I would.”

  Ella noted that Kyla gloried in the shared moment, and that her back straightened with pride.

  “This will need to be cleaned three times a day, then rewrapped. In a sennight you will nae longer need the bandage.” With quick, experienced fingers, she finished tending to Kyla’s wound.

  “Ye work fast, my . . . ah . . . Ella.”

  “I have had much practice. Now, I would know why you were without escort?”

  “Och, who does that remind ye of my wee sister?”

  Glowering at Paen, she moved to sit beside Kyla and took the younger girl’s hands in her own. “Ignore him, sweetling. That is what I do when his words mean naught. Now, tell me truth?”

  Giggling at the pair, Kyla said, “Ye treat each other like brother and sister.”

  “Aye, she is just as annoying as the other one I have.”

  Paen ignored Ella’s scathing look, when he asked, “Why were ye alone, Kyla? The truth.”

  “I always speak the truth,” Kyla retorted as she jumped to her feet.

  “Nae, the last time we met,” Paen shot back.

  “Ye are far from sainthood, Paen Macleod.”

  He would have snapped back, had it not been for Ella’s bellow.

  “Enough! Kyla, please sit down. Paen, cease trying to start a fight.”

  When Kyla sat back down and Paen resumed his pacing, Ella calmly said, “Please explain why you were alone.”

  “My father and I had a disagreement while we were hunting. I was verra angry, and rode off when he dismounted.”

  “Why did you argue?”

  “He says he will wed me to an Englishmen.”

  A sudden chill went down Ella’s back. “Who?”

  “I dinna know. My father made an agreement with the King He
nry.”

  Paen asked in an irate voice, “What kind of agreement?’

  With hurt showing in her eyes, Kyla answered, “My father will give me away so he can wed Lady Jane of Pennsbury, the Englishwoman he lusted after while at court this year.”

  Realizing the insulting way she said ‘Englishwoman’ and that Ella was English, Kyla retracted, “I dinna mean that the way it sounded. We have all heard of yer heroic deeds. The way ye saved Gabriel Mackenzie from the lash, escaped with him from Greystone and how ye fought the bloody English with naught but bow and arrows.”

  Distraught, Ella asked, “How is it you know all this?”

  “Word travels fast in the Highlands. My father says that even though he hates the Macleods, their laird did right by marrying ye.”

  Ella blushed while Paen said, “I thought yer father would nae marry ye till ye were ten and six.”

  “I’m to be ten and seven in a month.”

  Ella gave her hand a little squeeze and said, “Will yer father have any say in the marriage?”

  “He said as much,” Kyla said with a shrug.

  “Is your father a good man? Will he take into consideration your wishes on a husband?”

  “Aye, he will hear my-”

  Paen interrupted with, “Aye, she has great skill in blistering a man’s ears.”

  When both women glared at him, he laughed and said, “God must have a wicked sense of humor if he sought to bring ye two together to torment me.”

  “Aye, you are truly blessed, dear brother,” Ella said with a lift of her dainty chin, then turned her gaze back on Kyla.

  “I think it best we take you back.”

  “How do ye purpose to do that,” Paen began, “when the verra sight of me will incite the Frasers to attack.”

  “Easy,” Ella began, “We leave you here. I will return-”

  “Nae, honey,” he interrupted. “Ye will nae leave my side.”

  “What if Lady Ella rode in front of ye,” Kyla suggested. “They would see only two females. I will explain to my kin before they close the distance and recognize ye.”

  Paen’s eyebrows shot up by her clever suggestion and he asked, “Ye want me to trust ye?”

  “I have ne’er given ye a reason not to,” she vehemently stated. “Ye and Ella saved my life. I would nae discredit that act by letting harm come to either of ye. Ye have my word.”

  “We shall see. Let us be off then.”

  Kyla was true to her word when her father and twenty of his men came storming through the woods a quarter of an hour later. Ella, Paen and Kyla had just crossed the border onto Fraser land and came to a halt when they saw approaching riders.

  When her father and his men were in earshot, Kyla blurted out, “Father, they saved my life. Nae harm shall come to them, this I swore.”

  Laird Fraser was confused by his daughter’s words until he came to a stop and saw his enemy. He growled out, “Paen Macleod, ye have nae business on my land and-”

  Kyla moved Apollo in front of her father, blocking his view of her two saviors, then spoke softly. “Father, did ye nae hear me? I would nae be alive if they hadn’t rescued me. A boar attacked, and I was thrown from my horse. I tried to climb up a tree, but wouldnae have made it that far if it hadn’t been for their dog.”

  Laird Fraser looked at the beast that stood staring at them from the edge of the woods, then pointed at him and spat, “That dog?”

  Kyla turned and saw Arth, then said, “Aye, he verra friendly and-”

  “Verra friendly,” her father roared. “’Tis a wolf, nae a dog.”

  “He is only half wolf,” Ella corrected.

  Paen closed his eyes and shook his head at the daft words of the lass in front of him.

  “And who the hell are ye?”

  “Lady Ella, wife to Laird Macleod.” When she saw his eyes widen in surprise, she continued, “The alternative to us returning your daughter to safety would have been her walking unescorted and unarmed back to yer castle.”

  When Lair Fraser was about to reply, she added, “I suggest you keep a civil tongue in your head if you do not want me to cut it out.”

  Paen covered his eyes with sheer frustration. “Ye just had to add that last bit, dinna ye.”

  Ella didn’t reply, just kept her gaze fixed on Kyla’s father. He was still digesting her words, while his men snorted and grunted in disbelief.

  “I see the rumors about ye are true,” Cormac Fraser said with narrowed eyes.

  “Rumors rarely are,” Ella countered.

  Highly amused, the laird corrected, “True, but in this case they are. Suffice it to say, yer courage is well noted and respected. I have nae like for kidnapping and abusing children, even the nephew of my enemy. What ye did to save that child was the most selfless act this old man has heard in a long time. And I will nae argue with the woman whom I hold in high regard.” He gaze turned to Kyla when he said, “I thank ye both for saving the life of my daughter.”

  “Thank ye,” Kyla whispered to her Father, then leaped off her horse. When she saw Ella dismount, she walked Apollo over to her and handed over the reins.

  Ella pulled Kyla into an affectionate embrace and said, “’Tis evident your father loves you very much. Express your wishes calmly, and I believe he will listen to you. And remember, if you ever have need of me, send word through your maid as we discussed.”

  “Ye are a good woman, Ella Macleod,” she said before turning to Paen. “I . . . I thank ye, from the bottom of my heart.”

  Paen’s fleeting look of surprise was quickly concealed, followed by a cool nod.

  A short time later, back on Macleod land, Ella asked, “Will you tell me about Kyla and-”

  “Nae.”

  Pouting, Ella whined, “Why not?”

  He glanced at her briefly, before averting his gaze. “That look may work on Gavin, but it will nae work on me.”

  Noting how satisfied she was about their adventure, he added, “Speaking of yer husband, I dinna believe he will be as happy as ye seem to be.”

  “Why? I thought he would welcome an alliance with the Frasers.”

  “I doubt there will be an alliance, but that is nae why he will be angry.”

  “Why will he be angry?’

  Her worth is still unknown to her, Paen thought. Her innocent expression made him realize how unaccustomed she was to people caring for her welfare. And the only ones who had were dead.

  With patience, he explained, “Ye put yerself at risk when ye dinna follow my order to return to the castle.”

  Ella hung her head, saddened that she had disappointed Paen.

  “Lift yer chin, my wee hellion.” When she did, he continued, “Ye are part of our clan and our family. They would be devastated if ye were harmed.”

  “Really?”

  “Aye, especially yer husband,” he said, then watched as her sweet smile returned.

  “Aye, ye love him as well. That is good to my way of thinking.”

  When she blushed crimson, he added with a chuckle, “I will nae reveal yer secret, for those words must come from ye alone. And dinna fear he will nae return them. My brother has loved ye from the moment ye threw yerself into his arms, after he killed the Englishman who dared to attack ye.”

  “Thank you.”

  He waved off her words, then spat, “Och, enough of this coddling. Let us ride and together we will confess our sins.”

  72

  It was high noon when Laird Macleod unleashed ire after hearing the details of Ella and Paen’s excursion. His thunderous roar made servants take flight from the great hall, leaving it empty save three.

  Palms flat on the trestle table, face reddened with rage, Gavin stared at his wife and brother. They looked like two errant children waiting to be punished.

  “Explain, wife, why ye dinna follow Paen’s orders to return to the castle?”

  “I wanted to help,” she replied in a small voice.

  “Help! Ye wanted to help! Bloody hell woman, th
e last time ye wanted to help ye were almost raped. The time before that ye were left scarred for life. Do ye nae care what happens to ye?”

  Nothing could have prepared Ella for the searing pain his words caused. Blinking back the tears, she shot to her feet and railed, “I heard nae complaints when I helped save you and your men.”

  Her voice broke when she continued, “Nor when ye learned I took Gabriel’s lashing. Do you think I stopped to ask the name of the boy tied to the whipping post afore I covered his body with my own. Consequences, be damn, when a child is about to be whipped or a frightened girl is attacked by a wild boar. All that mattered then and now, was that they were in trouble.”

  A tear streaked down her face when she added, “And if my troublesome nature and scarred body infuriate you so much then get rid of me, for I will not change.”

  Gavin and Paen were speechless as they watched her run from the hall.

  “I should nae have said that,” Gavin said with obvious remorse as he lowered his body to the chair and put his head in his hands.

  “I agree, ‘twas most unwise,” Paen said with brutal honesty, still seated across from his brother. “Ye let yer fear speak, nae yer heart. Aye, her recklessness is maddening, but there is reason behind it as well.”

  When Paen saw his brother lift his head, he asked, “Do ye dare deny ye love her?”

  “Aye,” Gavin said without hesitation. “I love her more than I believed was humanly possible. ‘Tis that love that compels me to keep her safe, regardless of the sacrifice.”

  “’Twas her valiant nature and loving spirit that captured yer heart,” Paen assumed.

  “Aye.”

  “Then dinna ask her to change the part ye love most about her. Accept her for who she is, and the stress she will nae doubt bring to yer life.”

  Seeing Gavin’s mood lighten, he added, “Well, nae just yer life, every bloody man who calls himself a Macleod. But, she is well worth it.”

  “Aye, she is,” he said. He stood, rounded the table, and then slapped the younger man on the back. “Thank ye.”

  “Bah, be gone,” Paen said as he waved him away. “Go mend the bridge ye broke.”

  Moments later Gavin knocked on his wife’s chamber door and waited for the reply that never came. He tried to enter, but found that it was bolted from his invasion. With rising determination he stalked to his chamber, passed through the connecting door and pushed aside the tapestry.