Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) Read online

  When Eva saw her son for the first time in over a sennight, she sprinted through the bailey sobbing like a babe, and then gathered her only son in her arms.

  When his mother’s wails lessened, Gabriel ran over to embrace his grandfather, Laird Alex Mackenzie, who was on bended knee waiting for him with outstretched arms. And he was quick to notice that the hardened warrior was quite emotional, which was a rarity to say the least.

  In the main hall an hour later, Gavin finished giving his accounting of the past sennight to Alex, Keir and Eva. Tension was high after absorbing what Ella had endured for Gabriel, along with the details of her dismal future.

  “Damn that whoreson,” Keir raged over the plight of the young lass, who had indeed saved his son’s life. “Ye canna take her back to England, Gavin. I forbid it.”

  Turning to his father, who had been unusually silent, Keir demanded, “We will offer her our protection.”

  Laird Alex Mackenzie looked around the hall to the people he loved most in the world. His grandson, still clinging to his mother, arose from her bosom, and cry out, “Please, Grandfather. We must help her.”

  Raising his hand for silence, Laird Mackenzie finally announced, “Lady Ella will be given our protection, along with our undying love and respect. It would be an honor to welcome her into our clan, however, I believe Laird Macleod has other plans for the Mackenzie savior.”

  Over the past decade, Alex had come to love Gavin as a son. He also could read him just as well as his natural sons. With a devilish smile, Alex asked, “Am I correct?”

  Gavin looked at the legendary Alex Mackenzie, the only man he was unable to best in swordplay, even though he was two score and five years of age. He grinned back at his mentor, and confessed, “Aye, yer correct, old man. I plan to make Lady Ella my wife on the morrow. She will fight me, for her love of Lady Eleanor is great; regardless, she will be my wife.”

  “Such loyalty is rare, especially among the English,” Alex stated. “But, she comes from good stock. Ye said she is a distant relation of Lady Eleanor from her mother’s side?”

  “Aye, why do ye ask?”

  “My wife was Eleanor’s older sister, but dinna share the same mother. I had briefly hoped that Lady Ella was related by blood to my beloved wife. Nae matter. I remember Eleanor as the smaller, younger version of my Emma. They adored each other, even though there was a ten-year age difference. From what ye tell me, she has nae changed and still possesses great love and devotion to others, especially her kin.”

  Alex’s smile faded as he added, “I most definitely intend to give both our king and England’s an earful about Greystone and Montgomery. I agree with Sir James’s assessment that King Henry is looking for any offense to be able to strip Greystone of his title and land.”

  “After I married Emma, King Henry confided that he sent Philip on the crusades in hopes he wouldnae return. He never trusted the vile man, and looked for evidence against him. With Sir James’s written testimony, the king will have the needed proof to condemn Greystone.”

  Running his hand through his blond hair, Alex continued, “In truth, ‘tis Montgomery who gives me great concern. He stands in good favor with the Henry for all his past deeds in battle and in the crusades. However, his life along with Greystone’s was forfeit the moment they took the whip to Lady Ella.”

  “Aye, I agree and thank ye for yer support, “Gavin stated.

  Alex glanced at Eva as she held Gabriel securely in her arms, and said, “I think the lad could use a nap afore the feast to celebrate his return begins.”

  Lady Eva looked down at her son, and saw that his eyelids were lowering fast. “Aye, ye are right. I will bathe him first, and stay with him while he naps.”

  Eva’s brothers, husband and father-by-marriage grinned as she walked out of the great hall.

  “For the next fortnight,” Keir began, “I will either have the company of my son in my bed or the absence of my wife. Either way, he will get all her attention.”

  Laughter filled the air as Keir continued, “’Tis a paltry sacrifice to have my son home again.”

  Turning to Gavin, Keir vowed, “Ye have my full support. Guy and Hamon will be informed of Gabriel’s return. As ye know they are both pledged to powerful lairds, but they too will give their support.”

  “I ask only that ye increase the number of men ye have guarding our borders, which I have done as well,” Gavin responded.

  “Aye,” Alex began, “we will also send men back with ye to add to yer protection of Lady Ella. By now, England’s king has been informed of her abduction. King Henry will send his own men to fetch Greystone’s ward, since she is legally betrothed to one of his barons. ‘Tis a blessing that Father Logan is still here, for on the morrow he will see ye properly wed to Lady Ella. He will remain at Doran to verify the marriage to the English when they come.”

  Pointing a finger at Gavin, Alex stated, “I warn ye now, King Henry will send a midwife with his soldiers to examine her and validate her loss of maidenhead. If she maintains her virginity, they will have the right to take her back to England. Yer marriage will then be annulled, and she’ll be forced to wed Montgomery.”

  Slamming his fist on the table, Gavin spat, “Never! She belongs to me. Even if this threat dinna exist, I would still claim her for my own.”

  Alex thought on how similar Gavin was to himself at that age, when he had fallen in love with Lady Emma. Thinking about his dearly departed wife always brought on memories of his beloved Isabel. His sweet, wild minx of a daughter would have been much like this Lady Ella, if she had lived.

  “Come,” Alex said to Gavin as he stood. “Let us take a walk together, my friend, afore the celebration gets underway.”

  Alex lead Gavin to the garden Eva created in memory of Emma and Isabel Mackenzie. The winding path that ran through the garden was lined by scot pines and hazel trees with intersecting shrubs of juniper, mountain willow, guelder rose and spindle. Creeping willows partially surrounded the clearing at the end of the path and overlooked multiple cascading waterfalls. Massive boulders, bog myrtle, and aspen trees mixed with tall grass edged the bank of the burn as far as the eye could see.

  This enchanting place is where Alex had fallen in love with Emma, nineteen years ago. Ten years later, its where he had laid his beloved to rest, along with their beautiful daughter, Isabel.

  Since their death, Alex came here frequently to sit on the wooden bench beside their graves. Some days he relived the happy memories shared with those two beautiful souls, but most often, he asked his wife and daughter to forgive him for not protecting them as he should.

  Their death had shattered him, and only the love that he had for his sons had kept him from taking his own life. Even after so many years, the pain still raged. He’d always been suspicious of Greystone’s involvement with Emma and Isabel’s death, but had been unable to prove it.

  Recent events had only strengthened Alex’s hatred for Greystone, giving him the long sought after chance for retribution. Aye, he would help the worthy lass who reminded him so much of Isabel. A sudden memory of his daughter came to mind, one of his proudest recollections of his wee spitfire.

  The two lairds had been silent since departing the hall and coming to this sacred spot, when suddenly Alex startled Gavin with his famous grin. The younger man was momentarily confused, though he had learned long ago to always expect the unexpected from the legendary Mackenzie.

  “Have I ever told ye the story of Isabel and her desire to raid with her father and brothers?”

  In all the years of knowing Alex, never once had the man spoken of his daughter. Gavin did know, however, that the fair Isabel had helped Eva tremendously during her recovery, but had died shortly thereafter at the young age of ten. Gavin did not begrudge Alex this turn of topics, if anything he was intrigued to hear any story of the lass.

  “Nae, but I would be pleased to hear it.”

  Alex let his memory drift to that blessed day, and then spoke as if he were in
some glorious dream. “Isabel always adored her brothers, as they did her. From the time the lass could walk, she followed them around everywhere, mimicking their every movement and gesture. The boys relished the look of adoration she bestowed upon them and decided early that they would teach her skills they believed she would need.”

  “’Tis hard to imagine those three brutes with a wee slip of a girl,” Gavin chuckled.

  “Aye, she was just that. Like her mother, small and delicate, but also like me, stubborn and determined. By seven summers she rode bareback better than any lad under the age of twelve; and was able to swim the width of the burn and back, even when the current was strong. The boys were eight when she accomplished that feat,” Alex said with pride.

  “They also taught her how to handle a sword, fight with and without a dagger. . .”

  Alex paused when he saw the look of astonishment on Gavin’s face, and then clarified, “Wooden swords and daggers. They also assisted me in teaching her how to use a bow and make her own arrows.”

  “She reminds me of Ella,” Gavin acknowledged.

  “Aye, me as well. For her wee size and little strength, she was far better than anyone could have imagined. The boys’ dinna stop there and proceed in teaching her to hunt, track and fish. Isabel was also passionate about anything her mother taught her, which was reading, writing and of course healing.”

  “But, back to the story. The day the boys and I were to raid a northern clan, Isabel had the notion she’d be joining the raiding party.”

  “How old was she?”

  “Eight summers. Aye, my little minx met us in the bailey with her small wooden dagger and deadly bow and arrows. Ah, but the best part was what she was wearing. Damn, if the hellion dinna look like a wee Highland warrior. She’s cut her plaid so it fell to her knees and secured it with a thick leather belt stolen from one of the stable boys. The remainder of the cut plaid was draped over her shoulder and child-size jerkin.”

  Laughing, Gavin asked, “Child-size jerkin?”

  “Aye, she had one of my men fashion it for her, and on my order no less. She also wore blue paint on her face and had cut her waist-long hair till it fell just below her shoulders.”

  Alex and Gavin laughed so hard, they cried.

  “Guy, who was always her favorite, noticed her in the bailey first. He nudged me, then whispered, ‘I believe the last and best of our raiding party has arrived,’ he then gestured to Isabel. And there afore my eyes was my sweet baby, dancing towards me with nae a hint of remorse on her proud, smiling face.”

  “Ye probably wanted to throttle her,” Gavin assumed.

  “Mayhap at first, but she looked so adorable all I could do was gather her into my arms and tell her how proud I was to be her father. She responded by hugging me close, telling me how proud she was to be my daughter, and then she looked over to Guy, and said, ‘I told ye Papa would let me go raiding. He appreciates me and my skill’.”

  Wiping the tears from his face, Alex chuckled, “Since everyone was laughing at the site of the littlest warrior they’d ever seen, Isabel believed she’d gained my approval. Even Emma was smiling at the site of our daughter in my arms ready for battle.”

  “Before explaining that she’d nae be coming on the raid, I boxed Guy’s ears for failing to inform me of my wee lass’s intensions. However, he did try to help the situation by telling her that Papa would never take his favorite child on a dangerous raid. As was norm, she argued, stating that Papa had nae favorites amongst his children.”

  “I quickly confirmed that she was indeed my favorite, much to the delight of her brothers. The boys then explained that she was also far too important to them to risk on a raid; they always knew how to placate her. A scant moment later Isabel was in her mama’s arms, waving good-bye and telling us to be safe or she would be verra, verra angry.”

  As Gavin’s mirth waned, he said, “Thank ye for sharing that story with me. I never met Isabel, but Eva absolutely adored the wee lass and thought of her as a sister.”

  “I dinna speak of her often, but hearing about yer Ella made me think of my Isabel. ‘Tis good that I dinna have to force ye to marry her. I would have, ye ken.” He paused then added with sincerity, “The road ye take may be full of obstacles, but I promise ye this, ‘tis worth it in the end.”

  “Aye, she is worth it and so much more.”

  33

  ENGLAND-GREYSTONE

  “Montgomery, it’s about time. I have been eager to learn the details of your meeting with King Henry.”

  Roger Montgomery had just entered the hall Greystone, still seething with ire over Philip’s failure to keep the Scot brat from escaping and his intended from being kidnapped. As soon as he had learned about the latter, hell’s fury was but a candle flame to his rage.

  Montgomery had just been informed that his men, the ones sent to retrieve his bride, were all dead. The young squire, and lone survivor, also explained how the Macleods defeated them.

  “All is well just as I said it would be. I told the king I abducted Laird Macleod’s nephew merely for ransom, but he escaped. He is aware that Macleod killed my father and the death went unpunished.”

  Philip asked, “Did he question why you did this after eight years?”

  “Aye, he did. I told him that since my bride-to-be would come to me without a dowry, who better to make up that lost then my hated enemy.”

  “He believed you?”

  “Aye, for it’s not far from the truth. However, he was displeased that your ward had nae dowry.”

  “As if you need it. Your wealth and estates outweigh any other baron in his realm.”

  “Be that as it may, he wants you to dower the little bitch, but I care little for that. I have enough wealth from my previous marriages to last me a lifetime.”

  “The king believes Ella is a distant Welsh relation of Eleanor’s mother. I am still surprised it was so easy to convince him of that fact.”

  “Aye, he does.”

  “Good. What else did Henry say?”

  “He has sent men to Scotland, along with a midwife, to retrieve my betrothed.”

  Momentarily confused, Philip asked “A midwife, you say?”

  “Aye, the Scots, especially the Highlanders, are well known for taking unwilling English brides. The only way to keep them is through marriage.”

  “Hell, I had not thought of that.”

  “Since learning that Ella sided with them during the battle, ‘tis possible that Laird Macleod will take her for wife. Only marriage to a laird would prevent the king’s soldiers from returning with her.”

  Philip had learned only yesterday, from the lone survivor of the battle against the Macleods, of Ella’s participation. He had not anticipated Montgomery learning so quickly.

  Clearing his throat, Philip said, “I see you have been well informed.”

  “Aye, as soon as I came through your gates moments ago, the squire who survived the battle told me all. The little bitch I will take as wife fought alongside the Scots and against her own countrymen. I vow she will pay dearly for that insult.”

  “You still want her, even if the Scots have had at her?”

  “I assure you, she will be mine. Now answer me this, the Scot brat was not seen by the squire. Have you learned how he escaped or how Macleod managed to kidnap Ella?”

  “I belief she snuck out of the castle with the boy, then went to the abbey. Sir James took shelter after he was dismissed from service. More than likely he took the boy back to Scotland.”

  “It makes sense, but why did he not just give the boy back to the Macleods?”

  “Sir James is highly skilled at remaining undetected while traveling, a skill he picked up on the crusades I would imagine. He also would have left in the cover of the night, with the moonlight guiding his way.”

  “So why did he not take Ella with him? And how did she end up with the Macleods?”

  Philip stood and started to pace as he said, “I suspect that he learned she was whipped
and thought the journey to difficult for her fragile state. The Macleods probably captured her when she was in route to the castle.”

  Leaning forward, Montgomery growled, “Do you also know how they manage to leave the castle without being seen?”

  “A hidden passageway would be by guess. As you know, I inherited this castle through marriage, and obviously I was not privy to all its secrets.”

  “A good beating and your wife will tell you all.”

  “Aye, but it will take more than one beating.”

  “You think?”

  “I know, for I started beating her days ago and have learned naught. When Sir James returns, its whereabouts will be revealed. He will then die, along with my beloved wife.”

  “Why would Sir James return?”

  “He will return for his sister. He must suspect I seek another bride, for he is not a stupid man. Eleanor has been barren for eight years and unable to give me an heir. If I annul the marriage, I lose my title and lands. Only by her death will I maintain all and have the right to take a second wife, one whom is able to breed. I cannot wait until she dies of natural causes. I will kill her and blame Sir James.”

  “The king did ask about Sir James?”

  Philip stiffened at the mention of the man well favored by the king, then asked “What did you tell him?”

  “That his five years of service at Greystone had ended and he was released to return to court.”

  “And?”

  “He said it would be good to have him back, and that he planned to award him with a title and land.”

  Philip relaxed, then suggested, “Let us revise our plan in chance that Ella has been wed.”

  “My thoughts exactly. But know this, I will have her either way, along with my revenge against the Macleods.”

  “Aye, and I will have my revenge against the Mackenzies.”

  34

  In the great hall, after Lady Esme dressed Ella in one of her daughter’s old gowns, the pair enjoyed the noon meal with Edric, Nicholas and Osgood.