Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (50 page)

“Thank ye, little one.”

It was high noon when Gavin and Ella returned to their
chamber so they could dress prior to tending their duties. Afore leaving the
chamber he pulled her close, cupped her face in his hands and looked deep into
her glade green eyes.

“Nae matter yer past, I will always want ye, always
protect ye. Ye are mine and I take special care of what belongs to me.”

Hope sprung anew as Ella wrapped her arms around him
and rested her head on his chest. She whispered, “You have nae idea how much
those words mean to me.”

Gavin did not miss the sincerity in her tone as he
engulfed her in his embrace. Deciding to lighten the mood, he teased, “Now be
gone wench, my men await and I will nae have ye coerce me back into bed.”

When Ella felt his hand swat her bottom, she raised
her eyebrows and said in saucy tone, “’Tis you, my lustful Scot, who are unable
to keep his hands to himself.”

Before he could react, she raced out of the chamber
with undiluted laughter following in her wake. He gloried briefly in their
shared moment, then with smile lighting up his face, he retrieved his sword and
left the chamber.

As he headed to the bailey, Gavin’s thoughts remained
on his audacious wife. She brought such joy and warmth to his life, along with
a profound surge of strength and determination.

His indomitable resolute to conquer the two men that
had hurt Ella so deeply, was as fierce as it was unwavering. Philip of
Greystone and Roger of Montgomery would pay with their lives.

“Ever since ye walked into this cottage ye have nae
been able to stop grinning like a fool. A fool verra pleased with her husband I
would imagine.”

“Aye, that is true,” Ella giggled.

Rachel had become very close to Ella since she arrived
at the Macleod stronghold. She’d also discerned the sorrow that lingered
underneath her confident surface. Yet now, seeing her bursting with joy, warmed
her heart.

“Tell me everything.”

“Aye, but first I would like to explain the stitches.”

“Lady Esme already explained,” she said with an
unconcerned wave. “I trust ye.”

Rachel suddenly sobered and said in a sincere voice,
“I am eternally grateful to ye for saving my life, and that of my bairn. There
is nae need to question yer methods, for I have learned yer knowledge far
surpasses the likes of any in Scotland.”

Beaming at her praise, Ella said, “Well, we can remove
the stitches in a few days, and in a six sennights you and your husband can
resume your bed sport. Mayhap by next year you will give your son a sister.”

“Boyd and I have decided to wait a few years before
trying for another. I fear this ordeal caused my husband much grief. He
actually told me he would ne’er bed me again. It took me all morn to convince
him that we could continue to make love without making a bairn.”

“I have never seen a man so worried about his wife,”
Ella chuckled. “He loves you a great deal.”

“Aye, as I do him. I told him ye knew of herbs that
would prevent conception. Even though the church dinna condone such practices,
he feels my life is more important than dictating to those narrow-minded
beliefs.

“He is very wise. Most men don’t realize the dangers
involved with birthing a bairn each year. ‘Tis the main reason women die long
afore their husbands.”

“Aye, he agrees with ye on that. He also said he would
be content with just one, as long as I was by his side.”

“I thought you both agreed to wait a couple years to
have another?”

“Aye, in the end he did, but it took much convincing.”

The cry of Rachel’s son interrupted the conversation.
Waving to her friend to remain in the bed, Ella walked over to the newly build
crib made by Iain and picked up the red-faced bairn. She wondered why he was
crying, when only moments ago he had been fed and changed by the wet nurse.

Noticing the amount of clothing on the poor babe, she
admonished, “Is there a reason the lad has so many layers on?” As she striped
the squalling infant to only a thin sleeping gown, Rachel explained.

“I told the wet nurse to dress him warmly so he dinna
take a chill. I heard that is what kills most newborns.”

“Aye, ‘tis true if it was a cold winter’s day,” Ella
said with a smile. “Unfortunately, ‘tis a hot, summer’s day and he is very
uncomfortable being bundled up for a blizzard.”

With the bairn in her arms, she walked over to the
window and allowed the slight breeze to cool him. Instantly, his cried ceased.

Rachel laughed at herself and said, “I admit I dinna
know much about bairns.”

Swaying back and forth with the newborn, Ella
admitted, “Truth be told, neither do I.”

“I find that hard to believe since ye delivered him.”

“Oh, I can assist with bringing them into the world
and I have learned a few things from the women in the village at Greystone, but
other than that my experience with bairns is limited.”

“If what ye say is true, than we can learn together.
By the way, ye have not asked what we have named him.”

“Aye, you are right. What have you and Boyd decided?”

Although Rachel had promised to wait for her husband
before revealing their son’s name, she decided against such folly. With a proud
smile she said, “We have named him Gavin James.”

Ella’s head shot up in disbelief.

Rachel saw the priceless expression on her face and in
a soft tone explained, “We named him Gavin because it was our laird who brought
ye to us. His middle name, James, is in honor of your uncle.”

Tears cascade down Ella’s face as Rachel continued,
“Partly because he returned our laird’s nephew to his family, but mainly
because he was part of ye. From what ye told us about the man, his heroics on
the crusade, his love of ye and his sister, the protection he gave ye during
yer time at Greystone, we felt verra strongly that his memory live on. We will
tell our son all the glorious stories of the man he was named after, so he can
tell his children.”

Ella could not stop the tears any more than she could
stop rain from descending or the sun from shining. She was still reeling from
what she had been told when Boyd burst through the cottage door.

Boyd took one look at Ella, turned to his wife and
said, “I thought ye were going to wait so we could tell her together?”

“I am sorry, husband, I just couldnae wait. Ye knew I
was bursting to tell her.”

“Aye, I ken,” Boyd said as he leaned down to kiss his
wife. “ I forgive ye.”

He then walked over to Ella and stroked his son’s
baldhead, as she stammered for a moment before blurting out, “I don’t know what
to say. . . I . . . he . . .”

Taking pity on the lass, Boyd said, “Ye dinna have to
say anything, Lady Ella. I pray my son will possess the integrity and honor
that clearly defined yer uncle.”

“Thank you both,” she whispered. “From the bottom of
my heart, thank you. You have given me a most precious gift this day.”

“Well, we are nae through just yet,” he said with a
chuckle as he exchanged a glance with his wife. “We would also be honored if ye
would be our son’s godmother, and yer husband his godfather.”

“I would like that very much.”

Rachel and Boyd took in the heartfelt gratitude in her
tone and expression. They had come to love her as did the rest of the clan. It
was not just because she was a gifted healer, it was because of her generous,
loving nature that made anyone who met her, loyal to her.

“I am glad that we have that settled,” Boyd added.
“Yer husband also agreed.”

“I thought he was training with his men?”

Rachel explained, “Aye, that is where Boyd just came
from. He trains three times a sennight with the men at arms.”

Ella asked, “Even though he is the blacksmith, he
trains as a warrior?”

“Aye,” Rachel began, “Laird Gavin encourages any man
healthy and willing to train with his men in warfare. During the time when his
father was laird, villagers were virtually defenseless, and many died as a
result. Although, ‘tis nae common, the Macleods have adopted this new practice,
for it gives us a sense of security.”

It was ingenious of Gavin to train as many men as
possible, Ella thought, even if they had other occupations. “I think it was a
very wise decision to train all, and nae a select few.”

“Speaking of yer husband,” Rachel began with a
mischievous grin. “I believe ye had something ye wanted to tell me about him,
aye?”

Catching the look that passed between his wife and
Ella, Boyd said. “Since ye ladies are eager to see me gone, I will take my son
and go to Colban’s cottage.”

He gently took wee Gavin in his arms, then noticed
Arth lounging next to the bed, and said with a nod towards the beast, “I
remember a time when he would nae even step foot in the village.”

“Now he is welcomed in every cottage,” Rachel said as
she stroked Arth’s head.

“Aye, I like that very much, and imagine Laird Gavin
does as well,” Boyd chuckled.

When both women gave him a bewildered look, he
explained, “Each afternoon ye two tend to ailments and injuries, often in other
people’s homes. We, yer husbands, worry less when ye are accompanied by Arth.”

Rachel asked, “Why would ye worry? The Macleods would
ne’er harm us?”

As he opened the cottage door, Boyd stated, “’Tis our
duty to worry over those we love, wife.” He left without another word.

“He dinna speak only for himself,” Rachel said with
raised eyebrows.

Ella shook her head.

“Aye,” Rachel confirmed, then halted Ella’s protest by
raising her hand. “Before we continue this discussion about whether or not yer
besotted husband loves ye, I will have the details of last eve.”

Long moments past while Ella divulged all that
occurred last night. When she finished, Rachel first cursed Alice’s black
heart, then softened when she said, “Aye, he does love ye. I am certain of
that, but dinna worry that he has nae said the words, they will come.”

“Thank you, Rachel. You are my dearest friend, and now
that you are no longer in danger I will tell you this . . .” She paused for a
moment, then shouted, “Never, ever will you do that to me again! Do you know
how my heart sank when I was told that you were in labor, and had been in labor
for hours afore you decided to call for me! I love you, and ‘tis the sole
reason I am commanding you to never be so daft again. Do we understand each
other?”

Tears ran down Rachel’s face, not because her friend
was screaming like a banshee, but because of the true depth of the woman’s care
and concern for her. Rachel was not of noble birth. She was the soap maker of
the village and wife to the blacksmith. But here stood Laird Macleod’s wife
declaring how much she loved and valued her as a friend. She knew Ella was
different from other nobles, but she had not realized how truly remarkable this
wee woman was until today.

Blinking back the tears, she whispered, “Aye, Lady
Ella. I love ye too.”

“Ella,” she spat, then continued her tirade. “And you
will rest now, aye?”

“Aye, Ella,” Rachel replied as she wiped the tears
from her eyes.

“Good, then I will see you on the morrow,” she
proclaimed as Arth followed her to the door.

However, before Ella took her leave, her stern
expression broke into a wide grin, sending Rachel into a fit of laughter.

On her walk back to the castle, Ella came across Lady
Esme in the garden just outside the castle’s curtain walls. Unlike most English
gardens, it had more trees than flowers, which was due to Scotland’s colder
climate and poorer soil. Another difference was the sheer size, being over a
furlong in width and length.

“Good day, Lady Esme.”

Hearing the familiar voice, the older woman turned and
gave a knowing smile to her son’s wife. “Good day to ye, lass. Ye are
positively glowing on this fine day. Must be this fine Scottish air or mayhap
just a good night’s rest last eve.” The latter was delivered with a wink.

Ella blushed crimson as she groaned, “Does everybody
know then?”

Immensely enjoying the moment, Lady Esme shook with
laughter. Hooking an arm around the young woman’s waist, she admitted, “Aye,
most likely. Although, there is one who dinna ken how ye passed the night. I
suggest ye keep the details limited when ye speak with her.”

Aghast, Ella asked, “You want me to tell someone how I
past the night?”

“Heaven, nae, child! Just let her ken ye are well. She
was quite worried about ye, lass. Thinks ye may be cross with her too.”

Lady Esme walked Ella to the other side of the garden
where Thea was on her knees digging in the soil.

“Aye, the wee lass feels as though she failed ye. She
regrets nae telling her parents sooner about Alice. It took her brother an hour
to finally coax it out of her.”

Hearing voices a short distance away, Thea turned and
saw the two women, then scrambled to her feet. With her hands clasped behind
her back and her head slightly bowed, she stood rooted to the ground. Normally,
she would have raced over to greet Ella, but not today.