Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (13 page)

He did not understand why the sight of his men
enjoying her company, conversation, and laughter bothered him. There was
nothing unseemly or improper in the way they interacted with the alluring
captive. Nevertheless, with the exception of Paen who stayed to himself, it was
as if his hardened men had taken this broken angel under their protection. But
why?”

It came as no surprise to Gavin that Osgood had
immediately softened to the lass, despite his intimidating exterior, gigantic
size, and fierce reputation. His fiery red hair was as colorful as his jovial
personality, but incomparable to his integrity. However, it was the man’s
tender heart that stunned most people, especially where woman were concerned.
And all within the Macleod Clan believed that the two females who ruled his
world, his wife and daughter strengthened this innate quality of Osgood’s.

Gavin also understood why his youngest brother was so
quick to befriend her and offer her assistance throughout the day. Despite his
meager years of ten and seven, Tavish had always been adamant about defending
the weaker sex. A noble trait for any man to possess, Gavin reflected,
especially after witnessing the years of abuse their mother and sister suffered
at the hands of the former laird, their sire.

Edric, however, had let his hatred for the English
prevail over his integrity when he’d first met Lady Ella. Yet, once he learned
how grievously she suffered by the hands of her guardian, he had become eager
to atone for his earlier behavior.

Then there was Nicholas. Always levelheaded and
astute, he often noticed what most were blind to, a trait that was a blessing
and curse to Gavin. Although he was English by birth and a baron’s only son too
boot, had been with the Macleod Clan for nine years. Highly intelligent and not
ruled by seething hatred, the blond warrior was forever impartial and chose to
judge people for himself.

And therein was the source of Gavin’s sudden
irritation. He did not want his men besotted with the wench, constantly
reminding him of her fate. It would only result in making it more difficult to
send her back to England, even if Gabriel miraculously returned.

Long into the night, after everyone found sleep, Gavin
remained thoughtful while seeing to the first watch. His cantankerous mood at
present was not due to his men, he finally concluded, for they had no ulterior
motives beyond simple kindness to a female in need. He grudgingly realized it
was not his men’s infatuation with Lady Ella, but rather his own that he
feared.

As exhausted as Ella was, sleep did not come easy and
was due to the unwise thoughts she always avoided. Imaging a life with her
mother still alive only brought pain. Her clan, her family would never accept
her back into their hearts. Other thoughts danced in her head, and were just as
impossible as the dream of her father's forgiveness. And they all centered
around Gavin.

It became increasingly more difficult to deny how she
felt about the formidable laird with his striking blue eyes, sculpted physique,
and tender actions. Although his manner could be brusque, his words terse, she
knew they concealed his true emotion and the heart of a man so easy to love.

Ella shook her head to clear the absurd dream.
I
have chosen my path and it does not include anyone in Scotland. When I return
to marry Montgomery, Aunt Eleanor will be safe. I deserve my odious fate. I
cannot balk at the consequences of my unforgivable sin. Hardening my heart
against Gavin and the other warriors will be essential in the days to come,
especially since the more time I spend in their company, the more my heart
aches to remain with them in Scotland. Alas, it may already be too late.

The fire was all but glowing embers when Osgood woke
to take the remainder of the night watch. After the giant stumbled away, Gavin
walked over to Ella and immediately noticed that she trembled under his plaid.
He felt her head for fever, and then sighed in relief that she was cool to the
touch and merely cold from the night air.

Lifting the plaid, Gavin saw that she slept on her
side with all limbs tucked in close. He was mindful of her injury as he slipped
in behind her so his chest was to her back. Yet, when she wiggled her bottom
against his groin, sending blood to that very region, he almost regretted the
hasty decision to sleep with her in his arms. His distress was fleeting,
however, and came the moment he felt her arms and hands covered his. The
intimacy of the simple act was foreign to him, yet he welcomed it nevertheless.

Nuzzling his face into her hair, he inhaled her savory
scent, and then gently tightened his arms around the ethereal beauty. He fell
asleep moments later with one lingering thought in mind.
What would I give
for the chance to claim ye as mine, little one.

Ella woke the next morning to the sounds of people
moving about on the earthen floor a few paces away from where she slept. After
rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she noticed the fog amidst the gnarled trees
and that it stretched up to a murky sky. And then she startled.

Bolting off the bedroll, she chastised herself for not
waking before dawn, which was her habit since childhood. Although the deep
sleep had done wonders for her injury, she realized a moment later that she had
delayed the journey once again. The Macleods were eager to return to Scotland,
and she could not afford to anger them or they may reconsider sending her back
to England..

With the exception of Tavish, the men were milling
around the campfire. Her abrupt movements instantly halted their actions.

Gavin frowned when he saw her horrified expression.
Does
she know she slept in my arms throughout the night? Is that why there is fear
in her eyes?

“ I will hasten to ready myself and be able to ride in
a moment.”

She dashed off, leaving the men speechless and
bewildered.

Edric broke the silence. “Why is she so skittish this
morn? Does she think we will beat her for nae rising with the sun?”

“Aye, my friend,” Gavin began, “I believe she has been
trained to work from sun up to sun down, with nary a complaint.”

Although vastly relieved that his presumption had been
wrong, Gavin was not pleased to realize where her fear had derived from. With
Ella occupied and out of earshot, he decided to reveal what he’d learned about
their captive.

“When I spoke with the Abbott at Westshire Abbey, he explained
that she is treated like a servant, like a slave. Ye may have noticed that her
hands are rough, covered with calluses as well as scars. Nae the hands of a
gently bred lady.”

Osgood asked, “Dinna the Abbott confirm that she is in
fact a lady as well as a relation of Lady Eleanor and ward to Baron Greystone?

“Aye,” Gavin replied.

“So why is she treated so poorly?”

“I dinna ken, but it changes nothing,” Gavin replied
as he grabbed the salve and bandages, then followed Ella.

Moments later, he came upon Ella as she knelt by the
water, washing her face with unusual vigor. She was obviously trying to rush
through her morning routine. He cleared his voice to gain her attention.

With water still cascading down her cheeks, Ella stood
and turned to face the formidable man whose devastating looks sent her heart
racing. Hooded blue eyes, fierce and impenetrable, locked with hers; instantly
making her mouth go dry and hindering any form of speech.

Irresistible, Gavin thought, as his gaze took in every
detail from the doe- shaped, green eyes, wind tousled blond hair, and that full
sensual mouth. Rosy hue dusted her cheeks, complementing unblemished skin that
glistened like light on the surface of a loch.

He then recalled Abbot Davis’s words, ‘Lady Ella has a
heart of gold and has given so much to so many, yet receives little and asks
for less. From dawn to dusk, rain or shine, she works and has thus since
arriving at Greystone. With each year, her treatment worsens. As of now, she is
little more than a slave.’

Confused that his wide-eyed expression rapidly
transformed into one of displeasure, Ella said, “You’re angry with me.”

“Nae. Come, let us change yer bandages.” His cool tone
conflicted with his true emotion.

Ella made quick work of removing her tunic and chemise,
and then presented him with her back. Chills rippled down her spine when he
unwound the bandages and she felt the warmth of his breath on her neck and
shoulders. Despite the brisk morning air, her body heated as he applied the
salve in slow circular motions.

It was immodest to be naked from the waist up with a
man who was not her husband, Ella thought, but there was no alternative. Oddly,
she felt neither shame nor shyness as his gaze and touch raked over her skin.
He took longer than usual to apply the salve, she noticed, yet by no means was
complaining.

He hesitated for a moment, and then slowly began
wrapping the linen around her upper body. When his calloused fingers brushed
the underside of her breasts, sending a tingling sensation throughout her body,
she could not help but think on how provocative and intimate it felt .

With the task finished, Gavin moved his hands over her
shoulders in a sensual caress, relishing in the feel of her petal soft skin. In
a husky voice, he asked, “Why did ye believe we would be angry with ye this
morning?”

When Ella tried to move away, Gavin pulled her into
his embrace, her back to his chest. Heat radiated from his body, drawing her
closer, making it hard to string words together.

“I promised not to be a burden. ‘Tis nae my usual
habit to be so remiss. In truth, I cannot recall a time I slept so deeply or
well as strange as it sounds.”

She shook her head as if confused by her own
confession, then turned suddenly to face him. “Mayhap it was the whiskey. I’m
unaccustomed to such strong spirits.”

Vastly amused by her assumption, however, Gavin knew
it was far from the truth. He decided not to reveal that the whiskey had naught
to do with her deep and blissful slumber, but rather that she felt safe in his
arms. And he found the idea of keeping her there much to his liking.

Gently rolling hills soon gave way to heather-covered
glens and windswept moors as the riding party of Highland warriors and their
English captive continued their journey north. Yet, it was not the majestic
landscape that caught Laird Macleod’s attention or even the dark clouds that
gathered above, but rather Lady Ella, and how at ease and liberated she had
become over the past few hours.

She genuinely enjoyed their sarcastic humor and
debating with them over horseflesh, and in turn, they appreciated her confident
manner and display of intelligence. It was clear to all that she knew much
about horses, and had strong opinions on how to train and bred them.

Osgood and Edric enjoyed seeing the fire in her eyes
when she spoke so passionately about her methods. And the results of her
efforts intrigued them. 

With a mischievous grin plastered on his face, Osgood
taunted, “Now lass, we live in the Highlands which demands that our horses be
bred to withstand the climate, but also have the strength and endurance to
tackle the terrain. I’m thinking yer pretty English horses would nae last one
winter.”

Deciding to contribute to the teasing so he could see
that quick temper of hers, Edric said, “Aye, our Highland horses and training
methods are far more superior than those ye have developed, but mayhap we will
allow ye to ride one of our horses so ye will ken I speak the truth. What think
ye of that?”

She did not look at him, Edric noted, and was curious
to hear how she would retaliate to his absurd accusations.

In Gaelic, she said, “I think ye are daft, Edric, with
naught but rocks between yer ears. What think ye of that?”

Since the Macleod’s assumed she did not know their
language, Ella thought it the perfect time to throw Edric’s words back at him.
But when silence followed her statement, she feared she may have overstepped
her bounds. It was short lived , however, when booming laughter filled the
summer air.

Turning to Gavin, Edric asked, “Did ye ken she spoke
Gaelic?”

“Aye, but I take it ye nae did.”

When Edric looked around at the others, Gavin winked
at Ella to let her know he’d been as ignorant as his friend had, but was
pleased with her jest.

Ella beamed at the silent praise, while the men mocked
Edric ruthlessly.

“Are ye sure ye are English, lass,” Edric chuckled.
“Ye must be at least half Scot, because I’ve ne’er met an English lady with
such spirit and wit.”

“And beauty,” Tavish added with a fierce blush that
made everyone turn to look at him.

“Aye, and beauty,” Gavin confirmed, startling Ella as
the others grinned.

“Ah . . . when . . . when will we reach your home,
Laird Macleod?” She tried to sound sincere as she changed the subject, but when
she her their boisterous laughter, she knew she failed.

“Day after tomorrow,” Gavin replied with a soft
chuckle. “Are ye eager to see our home?”

“I am most eager to see Gabriel and my uncle, and pray
they met with nae mishap on their journey. Do you think that they would have
continued onto Mackenzie land?”