Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (22 page)

James was thoughtful for a moment as he resumed
pacing, and then added, “My sister has proven to be barren these past eight
years, and ‘tis my belief that Philip only kept Eleanor alive so he could bend
Ella to his will, forcing her to marry Montgomery.”

Hearing this, the Macleod black guard all turned to
look at their laird.

.“I see you have already come to this conclusion,” the
Englishman stated.

Gavin nodded, not trusting himself to speak just yet.

“I also have reason to believe that Philip has agreed
to marry Baron Easton’s daughter upon my sister’s death.”

Gavin asked, “So ye dinna bring Ella because ye feared
her aunt would be killed?”

“Aye, that was one of the reasons. She also had just
been whipped and a journey to Scotland could have killed her. Since I had been
banished from Greystone, I only learned that Ella was flogged when they arrived
at the abbey late that eve. Eleanor desperately wanted me to take Ella to
Scotland, but I feared greatly for her health on such a journey.”

“She is stronger than she looks,” Gavin adamantly
stated. “Dinna complain or slow us down in least bit.”

James was not surprised by Gavin’s admission or that
the laird’s men confirmed this statement with obvious pride and respect. With a
smirk, he said, “Ella would cut out her own tongue afore complaining, and I’d
wager she rides a horse better than any of your men.”

When the blackguard started to protest, Gavin held up
his hand for silence.

“He speaks the truth, but that is nae important right
now. Sir James, is there any other reason why ye would nae bring her?”

“Aye, the girl is as stubborn as an ox on a blistering
summer day,” he replied bitterly. “She would never willingly leave Eleanor, so
my only choice was to leave her in the care of the monks at the abbey.”

“We dinna find her at the abbey but rather the forest
just beyond, riding to Greystone,” Gavin said dryly.

This did not go over well with Sir James, but before
he could vent his ire, Laird Macleod halted his words.

“Aye, but it matters naught. Tell me this, who are her
parents?”

“She never speaks of them,” James began, “but my
sister told me that Ella is a distant relation through her mother and was left
orphaned eight years ago.”

Tavish interrupted by asking, “Why does she call Lady
Eleanor ‘Aunt’ and ye ‘Uncle’.”

“When Ella arrived, Eleanor had just lost her father,
sister and niece as well as her unborn child. It comforted Eleanor to be called
aunt, and Philip never disputed it. However, he did make it clear that he was
to be referred to as Lord Greystone. As for me, she calls me uncle on her own
accord and only in private. I never had the heart to correct her.”

When James continued, sincerity was etched in his
words and tone. “Ella is the most important thing Eleanor and I have in this
world. We want her safety and happiness above all else. I have learned that
Gabriel is the son of Keir Mackenzie and grandson to Laird Alex Mackenzie, who
was married to my eldest sister. I know him to be a fair man and ‘tis my hope,
along with my sister’s, that he will grant Ella his protection.”

“Nae,” Gavin stated in a strong voice and without
hesitation.

Everyone in the hall turned and waited for him to
explain, but Gavin did not comply. He sat back in his throne-like chair,
crossed his massive arms over his chest, and waited for Sir James to speak. And
he did not have to wait long.

“Why the hell not? The girl has risked her life for
the boy, yet she will be denied-”

“Gabriel is Mackenzie,” the mighty laird said, as if
it were explanation enough.

“What is wrong with the Mackenzies?”

“My sister is married to Laird Mackenzie’s eldest son,
they are kin and our greatest ally, but Ella will nae be a Mackenzie.”

“Why?”

“Because Ella will be my wife, and I am a Macleod.”

The black guard smiled broadly at their laird’s
decision, while James walked over to stand in front of Gavin.

“Tell me why you want her for your wife?”

Gavin stood, and then spoke slowly, enunciating each
word. “She is my heart, my life.” He paused for a brief moment, then added, “I
refuse to lose her, and vow to end the lives of both Greystone and Montgomery.”

Sir James stared at Laird Macleod and judged his
sincerity before replying.

“I know you do not need my blessing, but you have it.”
He locked hands with Gavin in a firm handshake, and then added, “Know this, if
you do not keep her safe, I will kill you.”

Grinning, Gavin said, “I dinna think ye would comply
so easily.”

“I have learned more about you from Gabriel, Lady Esme
and Bowen then I cared to admit,” James chuckled. “But, I must warn you,
wedding her will nae be easy.”

“With her, nothing ever is.”

“Immovable as a mule she will be, but her heart is in
the right place. I leave on the morrow, so be prepared that given the chance,
she will follow. Wed her with haste, for I can assure you that Montgomery has
already made the king privy to Ella’s abduction. Henry will send men to
retrieve her, but I highly doubt he knows that Gabriel was abducted first. Once
Eleanor is safe, I will inform the king of Greystone’s and Montgomery’s
deception.”

“I left a message with Abbott Davis for Phillip,”
Gavin began. “I indicated that Ella would be returned unharmed in a fortnight,
provided that Gabriel arrived home safely. After I wed Ella, my men and I will
ride to Greystone and aid you in any way we can.”

Paen stood and walked over to Gavin and Sir James.
With a slight smile he said, “We can put Tavish or one of the smaller men in a
dress to pass him off as Ella for the journey to England. Greystone and
Montgomery will have men on the lookout for us, and if he dinna believe we have
her, Lady Eleanor will be in greater danger.”

“Aye, there is much wisdom in this plan,” James said
as he clapped Paen on the back.

Over the next hour, strategic plans were made for the
upcoming days, including informing Laird Mackenzie, who would report to
Alexander II, King of Scotland.

It was past midnight when Gavin retired for the eve
and entered his chamber. His mother greeted him with a warm smile as she sat
sewing by the flickering fire. The sight of Ella slumbering in his bed would
have been a thing of beauty, if not for the colossal beast sprawled out beside
her. And to his astonishment, Arth only raised his head for a brief moment,
then promptly fell back asleep.

Although Gavin shook his head in exasperation, he was
pleased by Arth’s insistence to remain close to Ella. He then followed his
mother into the connecting solar.

The door connecting the two chambers was hidden and
covered by a tapestry. It opened to reveal a small space and another door,
which gave access to a linking solar. The area between the two secret doors
also harbored a narrow set of stairs that descended to a passageway that led
outside the castle. It had been designed by Gavin’s grandfather to be used as
an escape route if the castle was ever under siege. Only his mother, siblings
and the blackguard were aware of its existence.

The candle she held gave sufficient light to see that
her son was troubled. With concern, she asked, “What vexes ye this night?”

“I learned much from Sir James about Ella.”

“Dear God, tell me ye will still be able to wed the
lass.”

He was not surprised she knew his intentions.

“I will wed her when I return from the Mackenzie’s.
The day after, I will take my guard and travel to Greystone for Lady Eleanor.
She will be in danger once my marriage to Ella is discovered. Bowen will
explain all to ye.”

“Aye, he will.”

“Tell me, how is she?”

“Our beautiful angel is well and has been sound asleep
for the past few hours. When Maeve was leaving the chamber, Arth barged in and
planted himself on the bed. I was terrified for her-”

“He will nae harm her,” Gavin cut in.

“Aye, he just settled down with her. Nevertheless, I
was nae about to leave her alone with him.”

It warmed Gavin considerably that his mother would
stay and guard Ella, despite being deathly afraid of the beast.

“I am verra pleased with ye choice of wife,” she added
with a smile.

“I am glad ye approve, but our wee angel will turn
hellion when she learns she will nae be returning to England. She fears greatly
for her aunt if she dinna wed Montgomery. She will nae willingly wed me, even
with Sir James’s approval.”

Running his fingers through his dark hair, he
continued, “She is stubborn and willful, but she is also selfless and deeply
loyal to those she loves. Lady Eleanor and Sir James are her family, and the
love they have for her is beyond measure. Above all else, even their lives,
they want her safe. This I admire and respect greatly. I will keep Ella safe
nae matter the cost, but I will also do what I can for Lady Eleanor and Sir
James. If all goes well, they will have the protection of the Macleods as well
as a home.”

“And if all dinna go well?”

“Let us pray that dinna happen. For the past eight
years, the only people who cared for Ella were Eleanor and James. Her heart
will break if anything were to happen to them, and I canna let that happen.”

“Ye are a good man. Rest assure, we will see her
through this difficult time.” She patted his cheek as if he were still a lad of
five summers, then left the solar and walked down the corridor to the chamber
she shared with Bowen.

When Gavin reentered his chamber, the fire was just
glowing embers, but it provided ample light to see Ella snuggling with Arth in
his bed. Standing at the foot of the bed, he stared at the mutt for a moment,
and then cocked his head to one side.

Knowing that he was not allowed to sleep on the bed,
Arth instantly obeyed the silent command and went to his own pallet in front of
the hearth.

Ella stirred when the bed shifted, but did not wake as
Gavin gathered her into his arms. He was immensely pleased when she buried her
face against the corded muscles of his bare chest and slid her hand over his
stomach.

It was heaven to feel her beautiful body melt to his,
but hell not to awaken that body with passion and make love to her long into
the night.

Gavin awoke an hour before dawn, spooned to Ella’s
lithe body, and hard as a rock. He was dying to lift the hem of her chemise and
feel the petal soft skin of her bottom. The night proved more difficult than he
had anticipated. When his large hand slowly caressed her hip, he knew he would
need to take a long swim in the frigid loch before going to the hall.

After grudgingly detaching his body from the enticing
one in his bed, he covered her with the blankets and looked over at Arth lying
by the hearth. Ella seemed to accept him last eve, but she had been asleep and
chances are she would not remember the huge beast. Arth should come with him to
the loch, he thought, since it was uncertain how she would react to the wolf.

With only a plaid wrapped around his waist, Gavin went
to the tapestry and opened the hidden door, but stopped when he heard Arth move
from his pallet. He turned expecting his loyal pet to be on his heels, and then
chuckled when he saw that his wolf had other plans.

Arth gracefully leaped onto the bed, walked to where
Ella lay on her side, and then made himself comfortable in the crook of her
legs. Gavin rolled his eyes and hoped to God Ella liked big dogs, because Arth
seemed to have adopted her.

The icy loch did indeed cool his raging ardor and when
he returned to his chamber, he was quick to notice the new body in his bed.
Ella and Arth were still in the same position as they were before he left, but
now Gabriel was fast asleep in her arms.

Gavin smiled at the trio, then dressed and departed
the chamber. He entered the hall moments later and greeted by his mother, Bowen
and Sir James.

Sir James looked amused but very appreciative, Gavin
thought, as he watched his mother smother the man with love and care.

“Now James, ye are certain ye have eaten yer fill? Ye
will nae be leaving my company until ye are full to bursting.”

“Aye, Lady Esme,” he chuckled, “I have eaten enough eggs,
bacon and bread to last me a sennight. Trust me when I say, I’m in nae danger
of starving any time soon.”

“Ye will nae be starving, since I have taken the
liberty of packing ye an ample supply of food and drink.”

Bowen coughed loudly, and then said, “That is nae all
she packed.”

She gave her husband an irritated wave, and then
admitted, “I also packed clean tunics, breeches, plaids to keep ye warm, and
various other items I believed ye may need.”

“Those various other items include bed rolls, cooking
utensils and weapons,” Bowen informed the very stunned Sir James. He then
added, “She noticed ye were low on arrows, ye now have enough to last ye a full
year.”