Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) Page 11

  “How could you?” Trembling with ire and with a single tear streaming down her face, screamed, “You had no right to take my dress from my saddlebag, then malign my clothing before the others.”

  Stuffing her dress into her saddlebag, she spat, “Do you think I like wearing a torn, filthy dress that has been mended countless times over the years? Nae, I do not, but ‘tis the only one I own.”

  Ella held her head high and back straight when she stormed away, clutching the saddlebag to her chest. She would let no man, whether he be English or Scot, debase her.

  After cooling his rampant lust in the icy loch, Gavin returned to the camp to discover a very remorseful Tavish listening to the tirade of his obviously disgruntled men.

  Alarmed, he quickly scanned the forest clearing for Ella, then yelled, “Where is she?”

  Osgood came forward to explain. “When Tavish was looking for a clean tunic for Lady Ella, he found a verra shabby dress he thought belonged to a Greystone servant. Tavish dinna ken it belonged to the poor lass when he showed us.” He paused, then shook his head as he added, “We neglected to inform yer brother of her plight.”

  Understanding dawned on Gavin. “The fault is mine. I assumed Tavish kenned what we learned from Abbott Davis.”

  Turning to his distraught youngest sibling, he said, “Rest easy, brother. I will speak with her.”

  His gaze returned to Osgood. “Apprise him on what we learned from the Abbott,”

  Moments later, Gavin was not surprised to find her with her faithful horse, Apollo. The moonlight outlined her enticing figure, while her pale tresses swayed in the cool night breeze. And he could not help but smile at the way she clung to Apollo’s neck with her head buried in his dark mane.

  He had witnessed on numerous occasions that Apollo was fiercely protective of the lass. Even now, the horse curled his massive head around her slight form as if hugging her in return. Apollo had charged him like a wild boar on their first encounter, but now with her, he was as docile as wee pup.

  As Gavin approach, he assumed there would be tears and complaints. She probably expected Tavish be reprimanded for his poor conduct. But, he would not punish his brother for speaking the truth or hurting her tender feelings. Bah! Women were all alike, he silently told himself. She was his captive, nothing more.

  Apollo tensed, then lifted his head, and began stomping his front hooves. Ella knew he warned her that someone approached. And when she saw Gavin’s peevish expression and brisk pace, chills went up her spine. Apollo sensed the man’s ire, and moved his imposing body to shield her.

  Gavin extended his hand to the horse and stroked the beast’s mane until he was calm, then said, “Ye left camp. I would ken the reason?”

  “I . . . I was horrid. I lashed out at Tavish even though he spoke only the truth.”

  Stunned by her admission, Gavin continued to listen to her frantic explanation, and when she finished he cursed Greystone once again.

  “I willnae berate ye for defending yerself against such ill-spoken words.” He did not wait for her to respond. “I will, however, explain that my foolish brother believed that the dress belonged to yer personal maid, nae ye.”

  Her eyes widened to that bit of knowledge.

  “Tavish is shy when it comes to the lasses, and sensitive to the pain of others. He would nae more insult ye than he would me. In fact, he sings yer praises endlessly when ye are out of earshot.”

  Ella immediately felt contrite for her actions as well as an immense need to rectify the situation. She grabbed a hold of Gavin’s hand, and began dragging him back to camp. “We must return. I need to apologize and tell Tavish what a fool I am.”

  Amused by her adamant need to make amends with his brother, Gavin allowed her to pull him a few steps before abruptly halting their flight. When she turned to face him, and he saw that gorgeous face, he was spellbound. His gaze narrowed on her pouty lips that were too alluring, beckoning him for one taste. The urge to kiss her was overpowering.

  Without another thought, he roughly pulled her into his arms to taste the sweetness of her luscious mouth and feel the warmth of her tantalizing body.

  His touch intoxicated Ella, made her helpless against responding. Standing on tiptoe, she gave into the sensual kiss and wound her arms around his neck. His hands slid down her back, and then further to cup her backside, pulling her against the juncture of his thighs. She felt the stiffness of his manhood, his overwhelming ardor. And although it was wrong, she craved more.

  She was innocent, Gavin reminded himself as he removed his hands from one of her greatest assets. He then cupped the sides of her face, pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. His breathing was heavy, as was hers, and he knew they needed this moment to bring their bodies under control.

  When he opened his eyes, he smiled when he saw hers still closed. She was trembling slightly, which only confirmed her purity.

  “Open yer eyes, little one. I beg ye, dinna be afraid of me.”

  “I am more afraid of myself, my Lor. . . my Lai . . . Laird Macleod.”

  He chuckled at her befuddled mind, then said, “Gavin.”

  “Aye, Gavin. I mean nae, Gavin. This . . . this must stop.” She pulled away as she shook her head.

  “Do ye deny that ye feel-”

  “I deny nothing, but it must end. I must be chaste when I marry Baron Montgomery, otherwise Greystone will kill my aunt.”

  In a dry voice laced with sarcasm, he asked, “And ye believe being the sacrificial lamb will save yer aunt?”

  “Aye.”

  “Then ye are more naive than I thought,” he snorted in a humorless voice.

  “Tell me, wise one, what would you have me do,” she retorted. “Should I allow you to seduce me afore I return to England as well as disregard the punishment that I, along with my aunt, will endure for my shame. I will nae allow it.”

  “Seduce, I dinna think so my little wanton. If ye recall it was I that ended our kiss.”

  Ella could only stare at the man she only moments ago thought was greater than the moon and all the glorious stars in the sky. She fought back the tears, but was powerless against the pain his words caused. What a fool she was to believe he cared for her. She was nothing to him, just the means to get Gabriel back and mayhap a quick tumble.

  His eyes showed satisfaction as he stated the truth. Lowering her head, Ella refused to speak another word to him. Assailed by a terrible sense of bitterness, she headed back to camp.

  Regret so profound engulfed Gavin. He saw the pain his words caused her, said only to salvage his pride from rejection. She walked away with her head down, looking so disheartened that he cursed his pride and bloody mouth.

  He looked up at the darkened sky, and prayed to God for answers to this burden that weighed so heavily upon him. Yet, in his heart, he knew the answer. He wanted her to stay in Scotland, stay with him, but her sense of honor would not allow her to give into such a selfish temptation.

  Therein was the problem and it was coupled with his commitment to his clan, the responsibility of seeking a profitable marriage, one that would ensure prosperity for his people.

  But, how can I send Ella back to England knowing her dire fate. . . and mine without her.

  20

  Hidden within the shadows, Gavin watched Ella as she knelt by his youngest brother. She took hold of his hands, looked straight into his eyes, and then made her apology. Tavish was grinning ear-to-ear, obviously overjoyed and relieved. And when Ella awarded him further with a dazzling smile, Gavin felt a raw surge of jealousy and a tightness in his chest. He instantly turned from the sight, deciding that distance from her would be the most beneficial course of action at present.

  While partaking in the evening meal with Tavish and the others, Ella unconsciously glanced around the campsite, wondering why Gavin had yet to join them. It was hard to admit, if only to herself, that she did want to see him before she retired for the night.

  When everyone finished their meal, Ell
a took their bowls and washed them in the burn. She returned to find that most of the men were in their bedrolls, and Osgood gestured to the one he had thoughtfully prepared for her. She smiled at the kind man, and then went to put the bowls down by the fire.

  “I would have done that in the morn,” Nicholas said as he took the burden from her hands.

  “Nae, you have done too much for me already. I am more than happy to help clean, especially since I did not help prepare the meal.”

  Nicholas smiled at her, and when she walked to her bedroll, he winked at the others and said, “Ye are good, wee lass.”

  She turned instantly and spate, “I’m nae a wee lass, you over sized barbarian.”

  Bellows of laughter from the other men, who knew how she detested being called ‘wee lass’, greeted this.

  Knowing they were teasing her, Ella smiled and immediately felt her mood lighten. Moments later as she drifted off to sleep, she was bothered that Gavin had not returned, and still very hurt by his words.

  When Gavin woke Paen a few hours later to resume the watch duty, his brother said, “She sleeps poorly this night.”

  She was indeed restless, letting out faint cries in her sleep.

  “Her dreams dinna agree with her. ‘Tis understandable, considering what she has been through.”

  Surprised by his brother’s admittance, he asked, “Yer opinion of her has changed?”

  “Mayhap softened, but nae changed,” Paen confessed before taking his leave.

  Gavin moved his bedroll beside Ella, lifted the plaid that covered her, then gently pulled her into his arms. As soon as her head rested on his shoulder with her hand on his chest, she immediately fell into peaceful sleep. He, on the other hand, remained awake long into the night thinking on the days ahead.

  What if I did decide to keep her? How would my clan treat her? More than likely, they would abhor her because she’s English and that her guardian had kidnapped Gabriel. But, if Gabriel was at Doran Castle because of her efforts, would they honor her? Or would they fear what her presence would bring to the Macleods?

  Gavin knew very little about the beauty that captivated him. He decided on the morrow he would learn about her parents and where she lived before becoming Greystone’s ward. With that last thought, he joined the sweet lass in his arms in peaceful sleep.

  21

  Gavin was startled awake, not by the sunlight streaming through the early morning mist, but by the hushed voices a short distance away. He immediately noticed that Paen was missing, and surmised that he was talking to someone further in the woods. Determined to find out who the unknown man was, Gavin disentangled himself from Ella, then woke his men. He quickly grabbed his sword, and then took flight into the forest.

  Scant moments later, Gavin came across Paen in deep conversation with Warin, Nicholas’s cousin.

  “Laird Macleod, I have urgent news. With the help of Lady Ella, Gabriel escaped Greystone Castle. She took him to Westshire Abbey, where Sir James waited to give him escort. He is the former commander of Greystone’s army, and pledged to his sister, Lady Eleanor, that he would return Gabriel to his clan.”

  Gavin asked, “How did ye learn this?”

  “Once I saw Philip depart the castle, I requested an audience with Lady Eleanor and explained my presence at Greystone. She confided to me that Lady Ella took Gabriel to the abbey, and from there would be aided by Sir James to Scotland. She also said that when her husband ordered that the lad be whipped for-”

  “What,” Gavin roared. “He dared to-”

  “Nae, Gabriel was not whipped,” Warin quickly corrected. “Lady Ella willingly took his punishment, knowing the boy would not survive such a brutal lashing. It was said that your nephew tried to escape, and his punishment was to be five lashes.”

  Stunned beyond measure, it took Gavin a moment to find his voice, and when he did, it was a thunderous bellow.

  “Then why does she have ten bloody lashes on her back?”

  Warin flinched, then replied, “Lady Ella’s husband-to-be decided to give her five more for interfering with Gabriel’s punishment.”

  “Did she know that she would receive five extra lashes for protecting Gabriel?”

  “Aye. She covered his body with her own, held his hands as each lash came down. Never pleaded for mercy or cried out.”

  Gavin could not believe what he was hearing. She sacrificed herself for a Scot, one whom she had never set eyes on before that day.

  He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, then asked, “Did Lady Eleanor explain why she would do such thing?”

  “Aye, she said that Lady Ella knew Gabriel would not survive the punishment. I spoke with many within the castle. They all say the girl has a kind heart and generous nature. On more than one occasion, she has taken the punishment meant for another. Now, we must hurry. Baron Montgomery’s men are near, and will attack within the hour.”

  “Is their lord among them?’

  “Nae.”

  Gavin ran back to camp with Warin and Paen close on his heels, then yelled out orders to his men before grabbing Ella and Tavish.

  “Stay close to the horses and out of sight. They will attack from the south so ye will see the battle. I dinna ken how many, but if ‘tis more than 15, ride north and dinna stop until ye reach Macleod land.”

  Gavin pulled Tavish in close. “I need ye to protect Ella. I want nae harm coming to ye or her. Do ye understand?”

  “Aye, I will protect her with my life,” Tavish responded, knowing this was an honorable duty.

  “I want ye safe as well, dinna be foolish. Remember what I taught ye.”

  Turning to Ella, Gavin cupped her face with both hands. “Ye will retrieve yer dagger and bow from my saddle.” With that said, he kissed her with all the fear and possessiveness he felt for her, and then left to prepare for battle.

  Concealed within the dense foliage of the forest a quarter of an hour later, Ella and Tavish watched in horror as the Macleods attacked Montgomery’s men with ruthless determination.

  It was obvious to Ella that the slow and cumbersome English soldiers were no match for the quick and agile Highland warriors.

  “They are amazing,” she said in awe. “I have never seen such fierce warriors.”

  Tavish smiled with pride, then said, “Aye. The Macleods are reputed to have superior warriors with keen battle instincts.”

  Suddenly, another wave of Montgomery soldiers entered the fray, tipping the scale four to one in favor of the English. Both sides fought on foot, the Scots wearing only kilts and jerkins, while the English wore chain mail armor.

  “Tavish, we-”

  “We must leave, I ken.”

  With her bow in hand, she turned to face Tavish, and then stated, “Nae, we must fight.”

  He stared at her with disbelief. “We?”

  “Aye, we. I’ll not allow Montgomery’s men to slaughter the Macleods. They are attacking their back like cowards, ‘tis nae honorable. Now go, they have great need of your sword. I will do what I can from here.”

  He watched her go down on one knee, notch an arrow in her bow, and then let it sail through the air with surprising accuracy to pierce the neck of an Englishman.

  Tavish was shocked at first, then smiled. “Aye, milady. Yer wish is my command.”

  Bellowing the Macleod war cry, he rushed into battle, bringing his claymore down on an English soldier about to strike Paen from behind.

  Praying she did right by the Macleods, Ella slammed all of her arrows into the ground so they would be easier to grab, and then began her own attack on the English. Her next shot found shelter in the chest of an Englishman about to severe Osgood’s head from his body. Her aim was true as she let loose arrow after arrow, quickly killing one soldier after another.

  When Gavin saw Tavish fighting by his side, he silently vowed to tan his arse black and blue for disobeying his command. Wielding his broad sword with intense fury, he slashed through the chest of yet another man just as an arrow fl
ew past him.

  He assumed the arrow was meant for him until he turned and looked down. The arrow was embedded in the heart of an Englishman, whose sword was still raised as he fell to his knees a few paces away. He berated himself for not guarding his back better, then looked to see who had just saved his life.

  His heart all but stopped at the sight of Ella wielding her bow on the outskirts of the battlefield. Her next shot killed a soldier who hid amongst the tree, waiting to strike Nicholas who fought two of his comrades.

  With acute anxiety and immense pride, Gavin watched in awe as she defended the Macleods against the English. Dread quickly replaced wonderment when he saw a dark shadow of a man appear behind her.

  Just as Ella notched her last arrow, her bow was viciously yanked from her hands by an English soldier towering over her. She flinched when he swung her weapon above her head, slamming it against the tree adjacent to her. Shards of wood splintered around her like falling snow as she removed her dagger from her boot. Heedless of the consequences, she lunged towards her assailant with the blade aimed at his chest.

  Anticipating her attack, the English soldier ruthlessly seized her wrist and twisted it until the fragile bones threatened to break. As he intended, she released the dagger.

  “Bitch! I’ll teach you to attack your own,” he growled out, then ruthlessly backhanded her.

  Pain exploded in her cheek and eye, leaving her dazed and her vision blurry. She was no match for his massive size and overpowering strength, but she refused to surrender. She fought like a wildcat, clawing and kicking, cursing the beast of a man to hell.

  He half dragged, half carried her further into the woods, and away from the battle.

  “Fight me all you want, for I promise I will nae be gentle whist I take you like the whore you are. Did you enjoy spreading your legs for dirty the Scots? Nae matter. You will be well used by the time we return to England.”