Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) Read online

  She noticed that they all had different shades of blue eyes, except for Edric whose eyes were hazel. All were under a score and ten, and had a few days of hair growth on their granite-like faces. Their colossal size made her feel small and very vulnerable.

  “My men have more important matters to see to than entertaining ye,” Gavin announced, bringing her out of her stupor. “Ye will ride yer own horse, but if ye try to escape, I will see yer arse black and blue for a sennight. Do we understand each other, wench?”

  Ella’s eyes widened as she digested his acerbic words, and then she nodded, indicating that she understood.

  It was ludicrous not fear this man, but Ella sensed that Laird Macleod would not harm her, even though his words suggested otherwise. What she did fear, however, was her father if he learned of her presence in Scotland. With great effort, she turned the somber thoughts of her sire, the man who had banished her years ago, to her current situation.

  Needing to put distance between her and the formidable laird, Ella walked over to Apollo. She mounted without assistance, but with extreme discomfort. Believing she disguised her pain, that is until she looked over and saw Osgood’s look of concern.

  “Lass, are ye well?”

  The burly man’s sweet disposition contrasted greatly with his fierce appearance. He had been nothing but courteous and respectful to her from the start.

  “Aye, Osgood,” she said with a smile. “Thank you.”

  “Finest horse flesh I’ve seen in a long time,” Osgood stated as he looked over her mount. “He has stamina, speed, and strength which are qualities we Highlanders look for in our horses. Where did ye acquire him, if ye dinna mind me asking?”

  Taken back by his obvious appreciation for Apollo, she answered with pride. “Westshire Abbey. We breed some of the finest horses in all of England. Apollo was actually caught in the wild and sold to the abbey over a year ago.”

  Raising his eyebrows, Osgood asked, “We?”

  “Aye, every afternoon for the past five years I’ve worked at the abbey to help with breeding and training the horses.”

  His bellow of laughter drew everyone’s attention, and instantly made Ella regret being so open.

  “Why would Greystone have ye work with fine horse flesh rather than do what’s norm to ladies, like making soap and tapestries?”

  Conscious of the men staring at her, Ella lowered her head when she responded. “It was decided by Aunt Eleanor, Uncle James and Abbott Davis that it was the safest place for me. And for allowing this, Greystone is given many fine horses as payment for my work.”

  Her statement did not settle well with Osgood who, along with Tavish, now rode beside her.

  After a moment of silence, Tavish asked, “Why would ye need a safe place? Safe from who?”

  At that moment Ella wished she had been born mute, especially since this was a topic she avoided like the plague. She had no desire to discuss her life at Greystone with the men who had kidnapped and were taking her against her will to Scotland.

  Her gaze settled on the distant horizon when she replied, “It does not matter.”

  7

  A few pale streaks of mauve were all that remained of the sunset when Ella and the Macleod warriors rode into the cloud of pine- scented forest. Ahead of the group, Gavin spoke privately with Edric and Paen in regards to his conversation with Abbott Davis.

  “Sir James is the illegitimate brother of Lady Eleanor, and is well-favored by King Henry for his service to the crown when he fought in the crusades. By order of the king, Sir James commanded Greystone’s army for the past five years and during that time gained more loyalty from the men-at-arms than the baron himself. The Abbott believes that King Henry is eager to find fault with Philip in order to replace him with Sir James.”

  “We canna trust the English in this, that much I ken,” Edric emphatically stated.

  “Aye, even the Abbott,” Paen agreed.

  “We will nae ken until we reach home in a few days,” Gavin interjected.

  “Ye should still ransom her even if Gabriel has miraculously returned,” Edric suggested.

  “I gave my word that when Gabriel is returned, I will send her back to England,” Gavin explained as he looked for a safe place to camp for the night.

  “The sooner the better,” Paen spat as he rode up ahead.

  Regardless of what Paen and Edric believed, Gavin sensed a rare purity about the lass riding a short distance behind with his other men. He found himself looking over his shoulder frequently throughout the day, unconsciously drawn to her, and greatly irritated by this odd reaction.

  Gavin had noticed that her pace had slowed considerably throughout the afternoon, which was strange considering her skill on a horse would rival most of his men. It was more than fatigue, it was as if all her strength has slowly drained from her body. Her flushed face was alarming, and on occasion, she winced as though she were in a great deal of pain. Assuming his rough handling last eve, along with Paen’s earlier this day, caused her pain, Gavin felt profound guilt.

  Edric slowed his mount to ride next to Ella, followed by his laird.

  Staring straight ahead, Edric asked their captive, “Baron Greystone took ye in eight years ago, aye?”

  “Aye.”

  Continuing to avert his gaze from hers, he added, “Ye speak of the man with obvious revulsion.”

  “Aye.”

  Turning to Gavin, Edric stated, “’Tis typical English loyalty for ye, dinna ye agree?”

  Gavin was about to respond to Edric’s comment, but halted when he heard Ella’s question.

  “What do you mean, typical English loyalty?”

  “The English are nae even loyal to each other,” Edric blatantly replied. “After losing yer parents the baron provided for ye, and ye repay him with insults. Our hatred for the bastard is justified, but yers is not. Ye make me proud to be a Scot, English.”

  Lifting her chin, Ella stared straight ahead. She refused to allow his cruel words to hurt or shame her. The ignorance of one man was not important, she told herself.

  After watching the regal way she refused to acknowledge Edric’s insult, Gavin could not help but admire her dignity and composure. Most females would have lashed out, infuriated by the direct affront, but not Ella. She kept silent knowing her lack of response would infuriate him far more.

  And just as he predicted, Edric rode away, angered by her lack of response. Gavin was now virtually alone with his captive as they rode in silence for a few moments. From the corner of his eye, he saw her hands trembling.

  Without hesitation, he raised his hand high in the air, and yelled, “Halt! Let us make camp for the night.”

  He choose a small clearing, surrounded by lush green foliage and cast in the sun’s fading light. Twilight would be upon them soon, along with the cooler night air. The soothing, continuous sound of a nearby burn over the rustling of leaves drew his attention.

  Gavin dismounted, gave orders to his men, and then looked over at the young woman. Still mounted on that beast of a horse, she looked like some ethereal woodlyn fairy with her blonde hair in complete disarray.

  Ella needed to dismount, but feared she’d instantly crumble to the ground, completely humiliating herself in front of the Highland warriors. With caution, she turned and swung her leg around and was grateful to feel strong, warm hands on her sides.

  Grabbing hold of her narrow waist, Gavin pulled Ella off Apollo, and then set her gently on the ground. He learned throughout the day that she was mighty stubborn, often refusing to wait for him or one of his men to help her dismount. Did she really believe we would not even assist her from her mount?

  When he heard her sharp intake of breath, Gavin thought he might have hurt her. He was usually very cautious to use only a fraction of his strength with females, but she was such a slight lass and English too boot.

  Annoyed by his unexpected concern, he asked curtly, “Are ye well?”

  “Aye, just a bit tired is all. Would I be
allowed to go to the-”

  “Aye,” Gavin began, “goes bathe in the burn before the men come back. Dinna take over long or I will be forced to come after ye.” Of course, despite his gruff tone, it would be no hardship to see her wet, naked body.

  Releasing her, he watched as she clutched a saddlebag to her chest, and then head down the hill towards the burn. He took Apollo’s reins and walked the stallion over to where Osgood and Tavish waited with the other horses.

  “Apollo, my friend, ye truly are a beautiful creature,” Osgood said in a cheerful voice, before adding, “Ye master is nae bad either.”

  With a glare, Gavin asked, “So, ye are warming to the English lass?”

  “Anyone who treats their horse the way she does canna be all bad.”

  Despite himself, Gavin grinned as he handed Osgood Apollo’s reins. The giant always judged a person by the way they treated their horse. Those who knew little about responsibility and duty owned abused horses. It was a man’s duty to care for what belonged to him, whether it be kin, land, sword or horse. A fine horse, such as Apollo, spoke highly of Ella’s character, at least in Osgood’s opinion.

  With Edric and Paen hunting deeper in the woods, Osgood and Tavish seeing to the horses further down the burn, Gavin and Nicholas were alone in the small clearing.

  After building a fire, Nicholas spread out the bedrolls, and Gavin quickly noticed an additional pallet. He crossed his arms over his chest, and then eyed Nicholas, waiting for him to explain.

  Seeing his laird’s scowl, Nicholas acknowledged, “Aye, she sleeps on a pallet this eve, nae tied to a tree.”

  Unlike most people, Nicholas never feared speaking his mind, and Gavin highly valued the blond warrior’s opinion. And he sensed Nicholas had a strong opinion on the way he treated the young woman thus far.

  With his arms still crossed, Gavin lifted his eyebrows, silently amused that Nicholas had not waited for his permission on the matter. “I take it ye believe I was overly harsh with our captive.”

  “Aye that I do,” Nicholas said as he stood, facing his laird. “Lady Ella dinna deserve to be treated in such a foul manner, and I think ye agree with me.”

  The look on Gavin’s face when his gaze fell upon Ella was easy for Nicholas to read. Lust mixed with admiration, which could change to pure rage when he spied his men mistreating her. Gavin may be able to hide his feeling for Ella from the others, including his own brothers, but Nicholas was more perceptive than most.

  “Aye,” Gavin stated.

  As Nicholas added more wood to the fire, he noticed Gavin’s gaze fixed on the narrow trail to the burn. “Ye care for her, that much is obvious, at least to me.”

  “Nae, I care naught for the hellion. My concern is solely for my nephew, and she is the means to see that he is returned.”

  “Ye still dinna believe her story, despite the fact that we have been following the same tracks all day. Tracks that verra well could be from Sir James and Gabriel.”

  “As always, I’m grateful for yer subtle guidance,” Gavin sarcastically replied.

  Nicholas laughed, and then said, “Let your instincts guide ye, nae yer hatred for the English or the worry in yer heart for Gabriel.”

  Gavin heaved a heavy sigh before taking off his leather brigandine and preparing himself to bathe after Ella. Bare chested, he began sifting through his saddlebag as he conceded, “The lass will have a pallet this eve; in truth, she has earned it. I heard nary a complaint from her all day, yet to look at her, ye would think she was either exhausted beyond measure or in inexplicable pain.”

  “Aye, I picked up on that too. Hopefully, a hot meal and a warm pallet is all she-” Nicholas stopped when his laird raised a hand for silence.

  Listening intently for a scant moment, Gavin then unsheathed his sword and moved to where he could see down the hill to the burn. Ella was nowhere in sight. However, he heard the distinctive sounds of a snarling beast ripping through fabric.

  With Nicholas close behind, he tore through the woods towards the unmistakable threat of a wild animal. Sword in hand, Gavin was determined to slay the dangerous creature, yet was completely unprepared for the sight he came upon a scant moment later.

  Amidst the strong currents of the burn, Ella fought to stay atop a boulder that peaked above the freezing water, while on the riverbank two crazed boars ravaged her discarded clothing as they waited for their next meal to come out of the water.

  Sprinting to the burn, Gavin was confident he could get past the beasts that instantly turned to attack him once he was in view. He ran into the water, and was quick to realize why she had not stayed closer to the bank.

  Instead of gradually sloping as Gavin expected, after a few steps the ground beneath the burn suddenly dropped away. Chest deep in the water, he quickly glanced over his shoulder and spied Osgood and Tavish coming up behind the boars. His men would make the kill quick and easy, which is why he did not help their effort.

  Gavin’s concern was for Ella, knowing that her body would not last long in such icy water. Living in the Highlands of Scotland, he was accustomed to such frigid temperatures. He was also an unusually large man, which helped to insulate warmth within his body. Ella’s slender body would only be able to withstand a few moments at most. Unfortunately, she had long surpassed that short period.

  With strong strokes, he closed the distance between them, while cursing himself for not coming sooner. The fading sun provided just enough light to see her naked upper body hugging the tip of a boulder that protruded from the water surface, and her submerged lower body battling the forceful current, threatening to pull her from the safe haven. The water was too deep for her to stand, but not for him, he realized when he stopped swimming an arm’s length away from her.

  Then he froze, consumed by rage.

  8

  Gavin had seen scores of horrendous acts of brutality and injustice throughout his life, but never had he seen a young girl, so slender and small, flogged to the severity of drawing blood.

  Long, bloody lacerations covered the length of her ivory back, making the contrast as distinct as night and day. Fury heated the blood coursing through his veins, as his mind accepted what his eyes did not want to believe. Ella, the wee hellion, had been severely whipped.

  The bloody crisscross lash marks from her shoulders to just above her buttocks temporarily paralyzed Gavin, but he forced himself to act with uncommon gentleness until he could later unleash his wrath on the man responsible for this act.

  He moved behind her, and with deft fingers, pried her hands away from the rock.

  “I’m here, little one, ye can let go. I will take care of ye.” Hearing his own words, he realized how true they were, and how possessive he felt for the fragile beauty.

  He felt her small body tremble violently and saw that her lips were pale blue. Although it caused her great pain, he curled one arm around her back, the other under her legs, and then swiftly carried her from the loch.

  “Fetch me a plaid, now!” Gavin roared when he reached the bank.

  While Osgood and Tavish tore their own plaids from their shoulders, he noticed that they had successfully killed the two boars.

  Slowly lowering her feet to the ground until she stood quivering before him, Gavin held her close as his men came running with their plaids. When he heard her faint whisper, he bent his head forward to catch her words.

  “Gavin, pleeease,” she begged as her hands and forehead rested on his chest. “Don’t tell yourrr men. Theeey will thiiink I’m weak. Pleeeese.”

  Hearing his name on her lips was sweeter than the finest wine, but short lived when he absorbed her plea. Her ludicrous request angered him for a moment, and then pride sunk in. She would rather suffer than appear weak.

  Scots respected strength in body and spirit. Like him, when his men learned of the flogging she endured, they would know the true extent of her strength.

  Unable to fulfill her wish, Gavin whispered in her ear, “Shhhh. All will be well. Nicholas
is learned in the healing arts, and we will need his help to tend yer wounds.”

  When Gavin lifted his head, Nicholas, Tavish and Osgood stood before him, completely horrified by the sight of Ella.

  Seeing the young woman’s slender back rich with newly made bloody lash marks, Osgood cursed, “Merciful God!” Unfolding his plaid, he quickly covered her nude body.

  Hearing the Macleod warriors around her and feeling their eyes on the torn flesh of her back, pierced Ella with humiliation. Her eyes remained closed when Gavin wrapped her in a warm plaid and carried her back to camp.

  “Osgood, I will need plenty of hot water. Tavish, clean strips of linen,” Nicholas called out as he kept pace with his incensed laird.

  Nicholas and Gavin wore identical expressions, seething fury masked with calm determination as they laid Ella on a pallet close to the fire and rolled her onto her stomach. The blazing fire illuminated the small clearing and exposed her body to all before Gavin covered her waist-down with a dry plaid.

  With Nicholas on one side of her, Gavin on the other, she turned her head to look at the latter. He looked infuriated, she thought, but also oddly concerned. She suddenly jerked when a cold wet cloth began to bath her back, sending chills and pain up her spine.

  Gave cursed, turned his gaze on Nicholas, and then demanded, “I must ken what ye plan to do.”

  Nicholas finished cleaning her back, looked at Gavin with sorrow in his eyes, and then said, “Infection has set in, and her wounds . . . her wounds will need to be cauterized.”

  Ella flinched when Gavin suddenly jumped to his feet and stomped away. She saw him move to the other side of the fire, silently fuming. Moments later, he seemed to regain some balance of control, and returned to kneel by her once again.

  “Ella,” Gavin began, “do ye understand what we must do this eve? Cauterizing the lacerations. . .” He paused to take a deep breath, and then continued, “Nicholas is well versed in healing and familiar with this type of. . . of method of closing wounds. I am sorry, but this is the only way to kill the infection. Yer back has gone too long without care. Had ye told us-”