Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (4 page)

When Ella was almost free from the post, Eleanor discovered
a trembling boy clutching her niece’s hands.

“Where are ye taking her? Please, dinna hurt her.”

Eleanor did not know who the child was, but it was
obvious that he cared a great deal for Ella. She called for another servant,
“Matthew, cut him loose and bring him to my chamber. I will nae leave him here
to be tortured by my odious husband.”

Matthew freed the boy was freed from the post, and
then Eleanor knelt before him and cradled his face in her hands. “My name is
Lady Eleanor and I will nae harm you. I know you are scared, but please allow
Matthew to bring you to my chamber. I must tend to Ella’s back and may need
your assistance. Will you help me make Ella well again?”

The boy nodded with relief and confidence. He allowed
Matthew to pick him up, but kept his eyes on the servant carrying Ella while
they made their way into the castle. Tears fell down his cherubic face as he
watched the servant put her gently on the bed and turn her onto her stomach.

Eleanor ordered for hot water and clean linen as she
went to work removing her niece’s blood stained clothes. When Ella was naked,
save for linen covering her from waist down, Eleanor looked up to see Gabriel
facing the wall. She smiled at the little boy’s gentlemanly act, then said,
“You may turn back around.”

When he faced her, blushing crimson, she asked, “By
what name are you called?”

“Gab . . . Gabriel, milady.”

Their conversation suddenly came to a halt when they
spied Philip looming in the doorway.

“Wife, after you tend to Ella, your presence is
required down in the hall.” When he saw her cringe, his voice took on a harsh
tone. “The Baron of Montgomery will not be staying this eve, so please give him
the respect due him and bid him fare-thee-well.”

“Aye,” she sneered, then continued to work on Ella’s
back.

Eleanor learned an hour later of her Ella's betrothal
to Montgomery, the wedding set for a fortnight, and that her brother apparently
completed his five-year service and sent back to the King of England. She was
furious by the time she returned to her chamber, and knew that today’s events
were no mere coincidence.

Ella’s marriage to Montgomery, kidnapping a boy from
Scotland and James’s dismissal from Greystone were all part of some underhanded
scheme created by her husband. Although Philip warned her not to interfere with
his dictate, she did not plan to abide by his wishes. She was resolute, despite
the consequences, to see Ella and Gabriel safely away from Greystone. And when
she returned to her chamber, the heartwarming sight that greeted her only
strengthened her determination.

Gabriel and Ella were both laying face down on the
bed, holding each other’s hand and whispering words in Gaelic. 

“I learned your language many years ago, now will you
tell me how you were kidnapped?”

“I was kidnapped on the land owned by my uncle, Laird
Macleod.”

Ella recognized the name, knew the Macleods bordered
the Mackenzie’s to the south, but remembered little else.

Eleanor sank into the chair by Ella’s bed, and drank
in the sight of her two charges and their obvious bond. A small smile lifted
the corners of her mouth as she thought about her niece’s bravery and
compassion for young Gabriel. She had learned from the servants that after the
lad failed to escape, his punishment was to be five lashes to thwart future
attempts. Eleanor’s pride in her niece was without measure, because Ella took
the boy’s punishment that would have ended his young life.

Yet, a worried frown soon replaced Lady Greystone’s
prideful smile. Her niece thought herself to be made of iron, had a will that
could rival a highland warrior, and possessed more compassion than a saint.

Being skilled with a bow, Ella had often hunted for
the families that were in dire need, disregarding Philip’s threat to punish any
poacher severely Most of Greystone’s men would turn a blind eye, since over the
years Ella tended their wounds with such diligent care, and they could not
withstand seeing the girl harmed for her compassion. The people at Greystone
loved Ella and secretly supported her generous nature, but how would others
perceive her risky actions, Eleanor pondered. Therein lay the problem.

She was not sure if Gabriel’s clan would accept and
give her niece their protection, yet there was no other alternative. Gabriel
and Ella had to leave Greystone tonight and meet James at the abbey.

The missive Eleanor had received from James, not an
hour ago, stated that he feared for her and Ella’s life. They were to meet him
at the abbey after Philip retired for the evening, but Eleanor knew she had to
stay behind and give the impression she was tending to Ella and Gabriel. It
would give them at least a day or two before Philip learned of their escape and
sent men in pursuit. This would also mean Eleanor would never see her niece and
brother again.

As night fell so did Eleanor’s tears as she packed
items Ella would need for the journey. With her niece’s back torn to bloody
shreds, a large quantity of healing salve was added to the saddle bag, along
with clean linen and extra clothing. The salve and clean linen were crucial, as
they would reduce the risk of infection and eliminate potential fever.

In the pantry, Eleanor bit her lip as she thought
about what other items would be would needed for the journey. With the salve
made and sealed in a jar, she reached for her small wooden chest that contained
her medicinal herbs and tools. She restocked Ella’s medicinal satchel that
contained pouches of herbs to alleviate pain, bring fever down and reduce
infection.

Eleanor was confident that with her niece’s knowledge
in the healing arts and Gabriel’s assistance, James would be able to tend to
Ella’s back.

She wiped tears from her eyes before she reentered her
chamber. She would be strong, she told herself, for Ella’s sake.

“I will meet you at the abbey after I am excused from
the feast,” Eleanor lied. “Use the secret passage, as you know it will lead you
a fair distance from the castle. I thank God everyday my father had the sense
not to reveal its existence to Philip.”

The secret passageway was hidden in a locked and
unused chamber, located next to Eleanor‘s private solar. Ella and James were
the only other people who knew how to access the chamber without a key.

Trying to put on her boots on, Ella froze at hearing
her aunt’s words. “I will not leave you here. If something were-”

 “You know my absence from the hall this evening
will be noticed, “ Eleanor interrupted, “but yours will not. Once I am excused
from the hall, I will tell Cook the menu for the morrow meals and my maid that
she is excused until further notice.” Eleanor seemed pleased with this lie, and
watched to see her niece’s reaction.

“Nae, this is not a good plan. Let us all go now, as
fast-” Once again her aunt cut her off.

“Ella, my love, you must see that boy away from here.
I know you don’t understand, but he is in great danger.” She knew well how to
pull the strings of her niece’s heart.

Ella stared at her in confusion, then asked “Who is
he? What does Philip want with Gabriel?”

“All I know is that ransom is nae the sole purpose of
his capture.” After Ella agreed with a nod, she added, “Please, be careful.”

“You are going to meet us there, aye?”

Speaking the lie was painful, but if the headstrong
girl knew the truth, she would come back to Greystone. “Aye, of course I’m
coming, but not until late the eve. Two horses await you at the end of the
passage. I have packed your saddle bag with everything James will need to tend
you back....at least until I can get there.”

Eleanor had given Gabriel a missive, with instruction
to give it to James upon their arrival at the abbey and not to inform Ella that
he had this special duty. She knelt to give him a hug and whispered in his ear,
“You are the bravest boy I have ever known. Your parents would be very proud of
you this day.”

Gabriel had sensed goodness in the kind lady he had
spoken so often to this eve. “Thank ye, Aunt Eleanor. Ye remind me of my mama.
I ken she would like ye verra much.”

Eleanor choked back the sob that gathered in her
throat and said, “You tell your mama what I said, aye?”

“Aye,” he said as he gave her another hug.

Pride shone in Eleanor’s eyes when she spoke to Ella.
“You are so much like your mother in face, form and heart. She would have done
the same thing you did for Gabriel.” Her voice shook when she finished, “You
are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you with all my heart.
God keep you safe.”

It was as that moment Ella knew her aunt had no
intention of coming to the abbey. As Ella embraced her, she whispered, “I love
you, Aunt Eleanor. You’ve been a second mother to me.”
And I will come back
for you, I swear.

Gabriel thought it odd that Ella was dressed like a
boy wearing a tunic, breeches and knee-high boots. Being so slender with her
hair braided and tucked into the back of her tunic, she did resemble one. But
he made no comment on her attire as he looked down at his own.

An hour ago, Lady Eleanor gave Gabriel warmer clothes,
a mantle lined with fur and knee high boots to ward off the cold. He almost
laughed at Lady Eleanor and Ella’s insistence that he be clothed properly for
the elements. He was from the Highlands of Scotland, young though he may be,
his Highland blood was immune to the coldest English wind. But, he would not
laugh and risk hurting the feelings of his two saviors.

Ella took Gabriel’s hand and asked “ Are you ready?”

“Aye, more than ready. But, will ye be...well enough
…,” Gabriel halted his words when he saw her expression rapidly change. She
actually looked insulted. But, she was a lass and his parents taught him to
care for women, not abuse them.

With her free hand, she cupped his cheek and
whispered, “Look at me, Gabriel. I will get you out of this castle and see you
returned to your family.”

It was the look in her eye that convinced him to
believe her words.

“Escaping the castle will be very dangerous, but I
assure you it can be done,” she stated. “You were told about the secret
passageway, but nae how small and dark it will be once inside. Cobb webs line
the narrow walls and low ceiling. The only entrance to the passageway is in the
next room.”

Gabriel interrupted, “Ye say it be in the next room,
but we canna leave this room. Did ye forget the guards posted on the other side
of that door.” He pointed to the door Lady Eleanor had just used to leave the
chamber moments ago.

“Nae, I dinna forget, “she said imitating his Scottish
burr perfectly. Gabriel awarded her a smile of acceptance.

Pointing to the far wall, she continued, “We will go
through the hearth.” At seeing his look of disbelief she explained, “There is a
secret lever that will rotate the wall of stone, allowing us access to the
hearth of that chamber.”

Gabriel had heard about the secret’s each castle
possessed and asked, “Does that wretch who whipped ye ken about it?”

“Nae, my Grandfather felt that Philip could not be
trusted.”

“He was a wise man.”

She nodded then went on to more important topics,
knowing time was their enemy. “Once inside that room, you must be as silent as
the dead. Do you understand?”

When Gabriel nodded, she went on to explain, “There is
a trap door hidden under a fur pelt in the next chamber. The only way to open
it is with a steel bar we will find in the fireplace.”

With Gabriel’s full attention, his face indicating he
knew how important her words were, she became curious at the brave lad standing
before her. “Gabriel, how old are you?”

“Seven summers, why?”

“Seven summers,” she repeated. “You seem much older, I
would have guessed nine.”

“Papa says I’m big for my age, like him when he was a
lad.”

“Aye, but ‘tis more than that. Your maturity, courage
and ability to understand matters beyond your years are remarkable. You
continue to impress me”.

His face flamed red as he averted his gaze, but she
saw his shy smile and the dimple that appeared in his left cheek.

Unable to resist, she filled his dimple with her
finger as she giggled, “The hole in your cheek is most becoming.”

The dimpled disappeared as did his smile. He was
scowling at her, but she continued to grin as she whispered, “Let’s be gone
from here, my friend.”

After gaining access to the next chamber and slipping
through the trap door, the pair walked hand-in-hand as they descended the
secret stairwell and moved through the long passageway that led outside the
castle.

A sigh of relief passed Ella’s lips when she saw the
two black Arabian coursers, Apollo and Zeus. Both bred for endurance, strength
and speed, but the former was her pride and joy.

Aunt Eleanor gifted Ella with Apollo last year without
Philip’s knowledge, since he objected to giving his ward anything of value. The
prized stallion was not only powerful, but highly intelligent as well and was
completely devoted to her.