Plead Forgiveness: Betrayed Twice (Loyalty Series) (9 page)

Ella and Gavin
raced over the drawbridge just after dawn. The early morning mist faded to
reveal a clear blue sky and the scent of pine hung in the air as he lead her
north, towards Mackenzie territory, the safest area on his land.

Riding beside
Ella, Gavin openly admired the part of herself she had kept hidden. Neither
fear nor sorrow hindered her joy when she rode atop Apollo. It seemed that God
had specifically made this horse and rider for one another.

When they stopped
hours later to water their horses, he found her delight in the simplest things
intriguing. With her breeches rolled up to her knees and her feet bare, Ella
successfully leaped from rock to rock across the narrow burn while Apollo,
unexpectedly, trailed behind like a pup. Startled by the affectionate horse,
she fell into the water without her normal grace.

Gavin threw back
his head and roared with laughter at the sight of his wife knee deep in the
water, trying to look angry, but failing miserably.

His laughter, a
full-hearted sound, made him look ten years younger, Ella thought as she leaped
on to Apollo’s back. After dismounting on the bank of the burn, she rolled down
her pants and put on her boots, then joined Gavin on the boulder.

“I believe that
beast of yers would follow ye to the ends of the earth,” he chuckled.

Looking over her
shoulder at Apollo nudging Gavin’s mount out of the way to get to some fresh
grass, she said. “Aye, I believe you are right.”

“Paen tells me
that ye have taught him many useful skills that would benefit our own horses,
especially in battle.”

“Apollo is well
trained to defend himself as well as his rider if the need should arise.”

“Will ye show me?”

Tilting her head
to the side, she asked, “You are truly interested?”

Interested in
anything she would show him, he replied honestly, “Aye, verra much so.”

“Very well then, I
will show you,” she said before jumping off the boulder.

Apollo still
grazed when she said, “Accendo.”

Without
hesitation, Apollo trotted over to her.

“Consurgo.”

Apollo reared up
as his front hooves attacked the air.

When he came down,
she continued, “Calcitro.”

The beast kicked
his back legs out.

“Accumbo.”

Apollo lowered his
body to the ground, so he lay on his side.

“Eu.”

When he rose to
his feet, Ella rewarded by stoking his nose with affection.

“Aqua.”

Apollo trotted
over to the water and began to drink.

Gavin stood
flabbergasted at the skills she had taught her horse and all with verbal
commands. When she returned to his side, he asked, “Ye have taught other horses
this as well?”

“Aye. As long as
you are patient, it is not difficult,” she stated with modesty.

“If ye are
willing, I would like ye to train our horses. Colban and Leif will assist ye. I
also believe some of my men would like to learn yer methods and help ye with
this task. The miraculous transformation in Righ has encouraged them to
approach me on the matter.”

“Aye, I would
enjoy that very much,” Ella said, thrilled at his support and confidence in her
abilities.

As the sun climbed
to its peak, warming the countryside below, their conversation drifted from
horses, to educating children, to improving clan revenue. Her keen mind and
depth of memory impressed Gavin, but her innovative ideas held him enthralled.

“Plato believed
all knowledge is innate from birth and perfected by experiential learning
during growth, until death,” she explained. “If this is true then children,
males as well as females, should become apprentices of master craftsmen at an
earlier age. Boys training in the art of warfare begin as young as six summers,
yet the boys who train to be craftsmen begin their training at the age of ten
and two. What think you of that?”

Gavin did not give
his opinion, but said, “Most master craftsmen hold the firm belief that
children who apprentice too young are nae mature enough for the responsibility
that comes with the position.”

“Then why do boys
trained in warfare begin so young?

“So they can develop
their bodies in strength, reaction, and skill, all of which takes years.”

“Developing the
mind also takes years,” countered Ella.

“Aye, I agree,” he
said, thoroughly enjoying himself. “The problem lies in getting the master
craftsmen to agree to take younger apprentices.”

“I have a solution
to that as well.”

“I’m sure ye do,”
he chuckled.

Ignoring his mirth
and doubt, she began, “Ye have many master craftsmen among the Macleods;
blacksmith, carpenter, tanner, weavers and candle makers to name a few. Yet there
are trades ye must depend on other clans to provide, such as masonry,
architecture, wool-stapler and skinner. Barter apprenticeship with other
clans.”

Thoughtful for a
few moments, Gavin earnestly stated, “I have ne’er thought to do so, but the
idea has merit. I will speak with the craftsmen on the matter. If they are in
agreement, I will negotiate with the other clans.”

“The duration of
the apprenticeship can be determined by the master craftsmen, but with set time
for the child to return home for visits. If I was a mother, I would not want my
bairn away from me for so long, which is customary.”

Gavin smiled at
the thought of her as a mother, with her fierce protectiveness. Softening his
tone, he said, “Aye, one of the terms included will be regular home visits. Do
ye have any other innovative ideas?”

“Aye,” Ella
enthusiastically replied. “With your ample production of wool, flax and cotton,
women could be sent to the Flemish master weavers to improve their skill as
well as learn to use the latest inventions in spinning. Brother Michael from
the abbey spoke of new frames that make the production quicker and the product
of better quality. This will increase clan revenue.”

I dinna ken ye had
an interest in weaving.”

“I assure you, I
don’t,” she said with a chuckle. “Brother Michael is one of the monks from
Westshire Abbey, and he often spoke of his home in Flanders. His kin, you see,
are among the master weavers who are known for making the most beautiful and
sought after religious tapestries in the world.”

“I have merchant
vessels that travel to France. Would this Brother Michael be willing to write
his kin on our behalf?”

“Aye, most
willing, I’m sure.”

“Then that is what
we will do. Now, which of the weavers should we send?”

“Mayhap, Helena
and her husband. As a carpenter, Iain will be allowed to assist in making their
looms, thus will be able to reproduce it when they return.”

Here is a true
mate, Gavin thought, one whose value is beyond measure. Most of the women who
coveted being his wife would have limited their duties to only running the
castle and bearing his children. Never would they have worked with him to
further the success of the Macleod Clan.

A sudden thought
came to mind, which Gavin then voiced, “I believe they are a wise choice, but
what if Helena is breeding.”

Ella chewed her
bottom lip before saying, “I do not think we have to worry about that for some
time.”

“Explain,” Gavin
said, recognizing that secretive expression of hers.

“Helena told me
that she and Iain want to hold off on having more children.”

“Did she ask ye
for herbs that prevent conception?”

Spellbound for a
moment, Ella finally confessed, “Aye, but I will only provide them once I speak
with Iain.”

“Wisely done. If
in the future she wants to bear more children, will she be able to do so?”

“Aye, once she
stops taking the herbs, she will be fertile again.”

“I take it they
presently use other methods to prevent conception,” Gavin said with a slight
smirk.

Ella felt her
cheeks flame when she explained, “Aye, when they . . . they make love, he does
not spill his seed inside her. Helena explained that this method takes away the
pleasure of the act.”

Gavin’s deep
chuckle followed her words.

“Aye, I canna
argue with that, and I’m nae against women taking these herbs as long as their
husband’s give ye consent. I understand why Iain and Helena wish to prolong
having another child.”

“Why?”

Gavin tone turned
serious when he explained, “Helena almost died bringing Obe, their youngest
child, into the world. Iain dinna want to risk his wife by having her birth a
child every year. ‘Tis nae healthy for a woman to bear a child so often,
regardless of what the church says on the matter.”

The shock of this
welcomed discovery hit her full force. “May I ask how you learned such valuable
information?”

“Alex Mackenzie’s
wife was an extraordinary healer. Although she is no longer with us, Alex
imparts her wisdom to all who will listen and benefit from such knowledge.”

“I am impressed.
Most men want as many children as their wives can produce.”

Gavin’s eyes locked
with her when he stated sincerely, “If a man cares deeply for his wife, then
two or three bairns are more than enough.”

Although he
neglected his duties shamefully this day, the smile Ella bestowed upon him made
it all worth it in the end.

Clouds covered the
sun, cooling the morning air when Ella and Gavin reined in their horses and
took them to the burn. For the past sennight, they rode together each morning,
and so far, only pleasant conversation passed between them.

“King Richard
built Westshire Abbey for the sole purpose of breeding the horses he brought
back from the crusades. Their horses differ from our own, being faster and
having more endurance,” Ella explained as Gavin tucked a piece of her hair
behind her ear.

Her silky voice
and arresting smile rendered him speechless more than once this morning.

Giving his
attention back to her words, he asked, “Why dinna Richard give one of his
noblemen the duty to breeding the horses he brought back from the crusades?”

“Richard believed
that the monk’s records of breeding lines would be more accurate than that of
his nobles, and that they would be more honest and patient in their work.”

“Aye, a wise
decision. I am glad they were good to ye.”

The jubilation
Ella felt being with Gavin as they rode across the land or engaged in endless
conversations began to soften her heart. He obviously cared for her and acted
to protect her as well as her family. She no longer blamed him for her aunt and
uncle’s deaths, realizing Philip’s true intentions. However, regardless how
much she came to respect her husband, mayhap even love him, in the end it would
be for naught. Once he discovered who she was, he would banish her just as her
father had done.

When Gavin saw the
animation leave Ella’s face, he asked, “What’s amiss, little one?”

“I think we need
to return to the castle,” she replied, hiding her true emotions. “I promised to
look in on Colban as well as Rachel. Her time is near, you know.”

Although not
fooled by her evasiveness, he let it go and said, “Aye, I ken. Our midwife has
been tending the wife of one of Mackenzie’s men, but she has been sent for.” He
paused then asked, “Will ye ride with me again on the morrow?”

“Aye, if that is
your wish.”

“Aye, that is what
I wish, that and much more,” he said in a husky voice as he lifted her to
Apollo’s back.

Ella understood
the underlining meaning of his words and choose to remain silent while they
rode back to the castle. Her heart pounded in her chest when she reached her
chamber to change into a gown, but not from sprinting up the stone stairs,
rather from the impact of Gavin’s words.

As she leaned back
against her chamber door, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart, a
terrifying realization washed over her. What would her father and brothers do
when they discovered her here in Scotland, married to Laird Macleod? Her oldest
brother, Keir, and his marriage to Gavin’s sister, Eva, unite the Macleods and
Mackenzies.

Once Gavin
discovered her identity, he would annul their marriage. It broke her heart to
admit the truth, that soon the Macleods would not want her, just like the
Mackenzies.

Over next
fortnight, Ella slowly emerged from her grief, spending more time with Gavin
and his family. She attended the midday and evening meals in the hall, but
continued to break her fast with Ualan and Fin, who became close friends and
confidantes.

Like Colban and
his family, Ualan and Fin continued to encourage Ella to forgive her husband.
Although loyalty to Gavin, the cooks also displayed their loyalty to Ella.

The smell of fresh
baked bread hung in the air of the kitchen one morning while Ella tried to
explain to Ualan and Fin why she could not accept Gavin.

“I do not belong
here. I bring nothing to the clan.”

Caught off guard
by her statement, Ualan instantly stopped rolling the dough in front of him. He
stared at her for a moment, and then replied earnestly, “Ye bring joy to all
those around ye, especially to me and Fin.”

Fin nodded her
agreement with a sincere smile.

“There is
something I did that I am not proud of, things which would cause you to regret
those kind words,” Ella said, averting her gaze.

Ualan and Fin
looked at each, startled by her confession. Without hesitation, they both took
a seat next to her.

Fin put her arm
around her shoulders and asked, “Ella, we love ye more than ye will ever ken,
and there is naught that ye could have done that would change the way we feel
about ye.”

“I love you both,
too. That is why it will hurt when you learn the truth.”

At first, Ualan
thought Ella had given her virginity to another man before marrying Laird
Gavin. He then remembered seeing the evidence of her purity on the bed sheets
the morning after her wedding.

In a uncommonly
soft voice, Ualan asked, “Lass, will ye tell us what ye believe ye have done?”

“Nae, but soon all
will know and hate me,” Ella confessed.

Fin asked, “Did ye
commit this horrible act before or after ye came to the Macleods?”

Enshrined in acute
misery, she replied, “Afore. . . many years ago.”

Knowing that Ella
is ten and eight summers, Ualan asked, “How old were ye when ye committed this
grave sin?”

“Ten.”

What heinous crime
could a child of ten commit, Ualan asked himself. A child’s foolish
imagination, he realized a moment later. However, she is nae longer a foolish
child, so why does she still believe such folly?

“Yer were but a
child,” he began, “what could ye have possibly done to warrant such a belief?”

“I am truly sorry,
but I cannot tell you and should not have spoken of it.”

“Nae, lass,” Ualan
said, covering her hand. “I am glad ye trusted us enough to speak of it, even
if ye have nae revealed all. We will nae tell a soul, but ken this, ye are nae
alone. Ye will ne’er be alone.”

He stood, and then
walked over to check the ovens before continuing, “We have all done things we
have come to regret. Time is an amazing thing, lass. It brings wisdom and the
ability to see clearly events of the past. Ye fear what others will discover,
but mayhap what ye remember is nae what others would see.”

Ella rushed over
to hug him and said, “Thank you. I will think much on your words.”

He gave her a
quick squeeze, and then said in his usual gruff tone, “Now be gone! Food dinna
cook itself, so there is much work to be done.”

The two women
giggled at the capricious man whose mood and tone changed as often as the direction
of the wind. Ella hugged Fin, and then headed to the stables, unaware of the
person lurking in the shadows.

Ualan asked, “Ye
heard?”

“Aye, I heard,”
Gavin replied as he walked into the kitchen.

“What do ye make
of it?”

“I dinna ken, but
intend to find out,” he replied to his trusted friend. “Eight years she has
carried this burden. . .” he paused for a moment to make a few connections in
his head. “Her parents died eight years ago, and shortly thereafter, Greystone
became her guardian.  

“So ye think it
has to do with her parents’ deaths?”

“Aye, it makes
sense. She refuses to speak of her parents or how they died, so mayhap she
blames herself for their deaths.”

Fin interjected,
“As a child, Ella may have blamed herself for their deaths, but as a grown woman,
I find it hard to believe that she dinna the truth of the matter.”

Gavin mulled over
her word. “Unless someone confirmed it continuously for eight years.”

Fin exclaimed,
“Dear God, who would do such an evil thing to a child?”

“Her guardian, the
Baron of Greystone.”

Outraged, Ualan
asked, “Why would the bastard do that to the lass?”

“Philip told Ella
that death follows her,” Gavin explained with a pained look in his eyes. “First
her parents died, and on the day she arrived at Greystone, Eleanor’s father,
sister, niece and lastly her own child died.”

Fin gasped at the
horror Ella had faced after losing her parents. She wanted to weep for her new
friend and the pain she suffered at such a tender age.

Equally aghast,
Ualan asked, “How did ye learn of this?”

“Sir James
explained all to me afore he left.”

Ualan nodded his
head in understanding, then said, “Go to her now. She needs ye more than I
realized.”

“Thank ye both for
being so good to her.”

“We are the ones
who should thank ye,” Ualan confessed.

He nodded then
left the kitchen in search of his wife, whom he found moments later in the
stables.