Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (63 page)

Alex commanded silence once again.

“Most of ye ken Nicholas of the Mackenzie Clan, and
all of ye have heard of his heroic deed in rescuing Lady Eleanor and Sir James.
He may have been born English, but he has the heart of a Highlander, and I will
challenge any man who says otherwise. He has requested to speak this eve, and I
ask ye to honor him as ye honor me, for he deserves that and more.”

Rising to his feet, Nicholas thanked Laird Mackenzie
then said, “’Tis a great honor to stand before ye, the three most powerful
clans in Scotland and celebrate such a victorious day. I’ve been asked to share
with ye news from two of the finest people I have ever had the privilege to
meet, Sir James and Lady Eleanor.” He started to walk towards the center of the
dais.

“For his honorable service to the King of England as
well as the Mackenzie and Macleod Clans, Sir James has been awarded with the
Montgomery title, lands and estates.” The crowd roared their approval of his
announcement.

Standing before Ella, Nicholas took her hand and
helped her to rise, before he continued, “With heartfelt approval from King
Henry, Laird Mackenzie and Laird Macleod, I will be returning to England to
claim my bride.”

Turning to face her, Nicholas said, “Lady Ella, with
yer blessing ‘tis my deepest wish to marry yer aunt, Lady Eleanor.”

Stunned for the briefest moment, Ella then threw her
arms around Nicholas as her cries of joy were drowned out by the thunderous
cheers of the numerous clansmen.

“She has stolen my heart, lass,” Nicholas confessed.
“And, I will always be good-”

Ella interrupted as she wiped tears from her eyes.
“Aye, I know ye will treat her like gold and-” She stopped abruptly with a look
of concern, then acknowledged, “My aunt may be unable to-”

It was Nicholas’s turn to cut in with, “Aye, I ken,
but dinna care. There are many children who need good homes with loving
parents. We will nae be without bairns, and would like to make yer second child
our heir. It was Eleanor’s wish, and I whole heartily agreed.”

She hugged him again and cried, “Thank ye for saving
their lives. I canna ever. . .”

“I ken, lass, I ken. Ye can repay me with yer
blessing,” he whispered as he stroked her hair.

Laughing at such an outrageous comment, Ella knew she
would forever be in his debt, but she would have a lifetime to thank him for
this noble deed.

Nicholas held her for a moment as he shook Gavin’s
hand, then he gave her into the care of her husband. When they were all seated,
all eyes went to Laird Mackenzie, who commanded silence once more.

“My friends, we are here today to rejoice in the
victory against our English enemy, but more importantly to honor my youngest
child and only daughter, Bella.”

Again the mass of well-wishers came to their feet with
cries of joy and jubilation for the spirited girl they thought forever lost to
them.

Ella blushed crimson feeling the numerous eyes upon
her, and was thankful when they drifted back to her father as he continued.

“I will tell ye a story, my friends, of a man who had
three motherless sons and believed he had all he would ever need. That is until
he met the love of his life, and was further blessed when she gave him the
miracle of a daughter.”

Ella’s eyes became misty as she took hold of Gavin’s
hand and listened to her father.

“He was in this verra hall with Cormac Fraser, while
his beloved wife labored above stairs to bring forth new life. A life that was,
and still is, a reflection of our eternal love.”

Alex softly chuckled as he continued, “After fathering
three strong lads, this man arrogantly believed that only males sprung from his
seed. I thank God to this day that I was wrong.”

Gavin pulled Ella onto his lap, then pushed her chair
away as Alex continued.

“Laird Fraser did all he could to keep me from rushing
to my wife’s side when her cries of pain were heard within the hall. And ‘twas
unfortunate for him that he failed.”

“Knocked me out is what he did,” Cormac yelled out,
which was met with an abundance of laughter by all three clans.

“Aye, my friend, and I thank ye for standing by me
that day. Yet, I canna regret my rash action. I was able to hold my wife, and
see what most men are nae allowed to witness . . . the birth of their child.”

His eyes locked with his daughter briefly before he
continued, “As a hardened warrior, one who is fearless in battle, naught could
prepare me for the sheer terror I felt when the midwife told me I had a
daughter. Emma was a glorious sight as she fussed over the precious bundle. And
when she asked me if I wanted to hold my wee daughter. . .”

Alex shook his head as he admitted, “I regret my first
reaction was craven cowardice of the highest order. My hesitation to take the
wee bairn into my arms deeply hurt my wife. I explained that I dinna want to
harm the delicate perfection that was my daughter.” This was greeted with warm
smiles and soft giggles from those eagerly listening. “Aye, just as you all
have done, my loving and understanding wife burst out laughing, too.”

“After Emma convinced me that I would nae injure such
a fragile angel, I took my daughter into my arms for the first time. Mere words
could ne’er do justice to what I felt at that moment. Like a lightning bolt I
was hit, stunned by the sheer magnitude of love I felt for this priceless
treasure in my arms. Emma and I agreed to name her after my mother, Isabel, who
was a legendary woman in her own right. But, it was I who dubbed her Bella,
my
Bella.”

Alex was silent for a moment before stating, “There is
something to be said about having sons afore a daughter. Sons naturally become
protective and possessive of the young, spirited imp that trails after them.
Through her eyes, they are the most trusted heroes in her life, and in turn she
adores and imitates them. There was a marked and unique difference when it came
to my sons and daughter. As the lass grew, a time when it was expected for her
to engage in more . . . uh . . . feminine pursuits, our Bella’s interests, much
like her mother’s, were not hindered by her sex. Her brothers took the role of
mentor very seriously when they instructed her in riding, swimming, hunting,
tracking and aye, fighting.”

Alex laughed along with others in the hall, then
added, “Whether it be wrestling, sword play or using the bow, my lass became
quite adept in the skills she was taught. Like mother, like daughter, we always
said. As some of ye may remember, Emma was also quite skilled in some of the
more masculine arts.”

Ella whispered to Gavin, “Mama was verra accomplished
with daggers among other things.”

“That dinna surprise me, little one. Nae one bit,” he
said as he kissed the back of her neck and gave his attention back to Alex.

“Aye, my Emma could ride like the wind, throw a dagger
with speed and accuracy, but her passion was healing, which she taught her
daughter. Our Bella’s zeal to learn the healing arts matched the innate gift
she inherited from her mother. Emma’s pride was limitless when Bella learned
how to cure those in need, and read and write in multiple languages. Watching
the pair together was like seeing the sunrise and set each day. Nae matter how
often ye saw it, it’s pure beauty took yer breath away.”

Emotion choked Alex as he concluded, “Eight years ago,
I learned that death comes in many guises, and dinna always deliver a mortal
wound. If it had nae been for the love of my sons, Eva, and her family, as well
as the continuous support of my clan, I would have welcomed death.”

“Yet, as was God’s intent, I learned that I am blessed
beyond measure. I was gifted with three strong and honorable sons by an amazing
woman. My first wife taught me how to love, and receive love in return. It was
the pain of losing her that made me vow ne’er to wed again. A few years later,
by some generous miracle, I was graced with my heart’s true love, and a
beautiful daughter who is the spirited replica of her mother. God bestowed on
me ten years with my soul mate, and the knowledge that I will reunite with her
in
His
kingdom when my time here comes to an end. A man canna ask for
more.”

“Yet in spite of all I have been given, I discovered
that the good Lord has decided to lavish upon me once again.” Tears sprung in
Alex’s eyes as he concluded, “God must surly love me, for he has returned my
angel, my pride and joy, my sweet Bella.”

Ella flew into her father’s arms as the horde of
onlookers surged to their feet with deafening cheers.

Alex held his youngest child to his heart, and when
the roar of the crowd abated, a devilish grin crossed his features. He then
spoke to one and all. “The greatest mystery in life for a father is whether or
not there is a man alive who is good enough for his daughter.”

Gavin stood and smiled before asking, “Do ye still
ponder this enigma, old man?”

“Aye, son that I do. But dinna fash, I’ll be letting
ye ken soon enough.”

Alex gave his daughter into the waiting arms of her
husband, then turned to the three clans before him and announced, “I, Alex
Mackenzie, would like to announce the betrothal of my daughter and Laird Gavin
Macleod.”

This was greeted with cheers and applause as Ella said
with a giggle, “Father. . I . . uh . . I assure ye that Gavin and I are . .that
we . . we are verra much wed.”

Those at the high table burst out laughing when Alex
gave his daughter a reproachful look and admonished, “I dinna think so, honey.”

“But . . .” Her words trailed off when her father
turned his gaze and attention to Gavin’s men.

“Osgood, ye are an honest fellow. Pray tell me, did ye
witness yer laird marry my lass?”

The highly amused redheaded warrior stood, wiping away
the joyous tears in his eyes, then clearly stated, “Nae, Sir, I dinna witness
such a momentous occasion.”

“Edric,” Alex began, “Ye are a good man that I trust
will speak the truth. Did ye witness the vows between yer Laird and my Bella?”

“Nae, Sir. It saddens my heart to declare that I was
nae present for the marriage proclaimed by Laird Mackenzie.”

“Paen, Tavish, ye are Laird Mackenzie’s brothers, his
own flesh and blood. Surly if such an event took place, ye were witness to it.”

Both brothers stood and Paen stated, “Nae, Laird
Mackenzie, and I have my doubts that said vows were actually spoken. Ye must
realize that ye, the father of the bride, would have to give his approval of
such a union.

“Papa, ye jest with us!” Ella exclaimed with a giggle.

Alex turned to his stunning daughter, then said with
no amusement in his voice, “Nae, my wee angel, in this I dinna jest. I have
waited many years to fulfill this dream of giving my only daughter into
marriage. After I came to ken Gavin, Laird of the Mackenzie Clan, I had decided
that there was nae finer man for my daughter. Ye were only ten summers, but yer
mother and I had agreed on betrothing ye to Gavin when we returned from
England. Although that dinna happen, I believed fate intervened. As I see it,
ye were destined for one another.”

A fortnight later Ella and Gavin were not wed in the
church where her parents had exchanged vows, but within the special place her
parents had fallen in love. It had been the bride’s teary wish to be wed to the
man she loved near the mother who would forever live in her heart.

As was tradition Alex Mackenzie placed her hand in
Gavin’s, then stepped back with radiant joy shining in his eyes, and watched
his baby exchanged wedding vows with the man he had chosen for her eight years
ago.

After the union was sealed with a kiss, Gavin
whispered, “Ye are my happiness, little one, my heart’s true love.”

“As ye are
mine. And throughout eternity our hearts and souls will be united as one.”

ONE YEAR LATER

“Dinna ye ever leave,” Gavin said in mock anger to
Guy, his wife’s brother.

With mirth in his eyes and a chuckle on his lips, Guy
replied sarcastically, “I see the time we have spent in each other’s company
has been as special for ye as it has been for me.”

“Bae, ye, yer brothers, yer father and my sister have
been the bane of my existence this past year,” Gavin snorted.

The mid morning sun amidst a cloudless sky bathed
Doran castle as Gavin and Guy stood atop the stone stairs of the keep, looking
out beyond the bailey to the stable yard. Both men continued to banter as they
watched the familiar scene of Ella working with the horses, while Thea and
Colban were tending to their laird’s four and a half month old son.

“Ye have the look of a man who has had all his dreams
come true,” Guy said as he glanced at Gavin.

“Aye,” he said with a broad smile. “Seeing both my
wife and son hale and hardy, after enduring a year of hell, warms my heart.”

Chuckling, Guy asked, “A year of hell? Ye canna
honestly believe that.”

“Och, ye have nae idea.”

“From what I remember my sister was healthy throughout
her pregnancy, only occasional morning sickness. And that she remained active
up until her time to deliver.”