Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (24 page)

Ella paused to take in the breathtaking sight of the
grand hall. Thick wooden beams complimented the high loft ceiling. Colorful
tapestries depicting heroes, battles and castles lined the white washed walls.
The Macleod tartan was regally displayed, along with decorative shield, just
above the monstrous stone hearth at the opposite end of the hall. Bright
morning sunlight filtered in through the arched, wooden doors across from where
she had entered a moment ago. High quality, long wooden trestle tables with
wrought iron hardware were aliened perpendicular to the dais and high table.
The smell of fresh made bread mingled with the sweet scent of lavender and
chamomile.

As Ella took in her surroundings, she felt a cool
inviting breeze from the open grand entrance, and was momentarily unaware that
the air abuzz with conversation suddenly went silent. When she became conscious
of the horde of people staring at her, she immediately took a step back. Panic
brought a rose blush to her cheeks when she realized Maeve was nowhere in
sight.

“Ella!” A child’s voice broke the silence.

She heard the sound of rushes crunching under small running
feet, just before Gabriel threw himself into her arms. Tears of relief welled
in her eyes as she fell to her knees and hugged the little boy close. She knew
it was not proper behavior for a lady, but she didn’t care. All thoughts were
on Gabriel, her brother’s child, her nephew.

“Oh Gabriel, I was so worried about you these last few
days. I thought I’d never see you again,” she cried.

“I thought the same. Are ye well . . . yer back?”

Ella pulled the boy at arm’s length, saw the concern
in his eyes, and said, “Aye, I am well. Your uncles, along with the men they
traveled with, took very good care of me during our journey.”

“Aye,” the little boy giggled. “I heard ye took verra
good care of them as well. Osgood brags about yer skill with a bow and bravery
in battle. But, I was privy to yer bravery in England, and I made sure to let
everyone ken what ye did for me.”

Her blush intensified as she noticed everyone silently
listening to the youthful admission. She knew Gabriel did not understand that
men’s scars and women’s scars were viewed quite differently. Men did not want a
wife with unsightly scars down her back and women would sooner die than be
disfigured by a whip. She was not vain enough to care that scars marred her
skin, since the alternative would have been Gabriel’s life, and that was far
more precious.

Deciding to sway the conversation to a more affable
topic, Ella said, “I am just happy you arrived safely. I hear you will be
seeing your parents this afternoon.” She was thankful Maeve conveyed that bit
of information to her.

“Aye, my uncles will be taking me after we break our
fast.”

“Quit yer blathering, Gab,” Maeve cut in as she
approached. “Since ye scared me half out of my wits this morn, I would like ye
to escort Lady Ella to the dais.”

Noticing Ella’s bemused expression, the older woman
explained as she looked accusingly at the young lad.

“I am usually the one to wake Gabriel when he stays at
Doran, but this morn he was nae in his chamber. I canna tell ye how my heart
lurched at the sight of his empty bed.”

Ella was still on her knees holding Gabriel, while he
starred remorsefully at the ground. Gently tilting his face up, she looked into
his deep blue eyes, and whispered, “It warmed my heart to have you cuddle with
me this morn, but I think you owe Maeve an apology.” Her eyebrows lifted to
emphasize her words.

Gavin and his family watched and listened to the
heartfelt reunion. They smiled when Ella softly reprimanded Gabriel, which
clearly showed her respect for Maeve.

“She will make a fine mother,” Lady Esme stated, and
all seated at the high table nodded their agreement.

Pride filled Gavin’s chest as he surveyed the look of
admiration in all the Macleods within the hall.
Aye, she will be a fine
mother.

Gabriel adored Osgood’s wife and knew he had to make
amends. “I’m verra sorry I worried ye Maeve. He hugged her waist, then said, “I
was just so excited to see Ella. Will ye forgive me? I dinna like when yer
upset and give me the evil eye.”

“Evil eye indeed,” Maeve chuckled. “I canna stay mad
with ye, but if ye do it again, I’ll be tanning yer backside till it’s the
color of ye plaid.” She gave him a tight squeeze, and then smiled down at his
grinning face.

Ella stood slowly, eyeing the Mackenzie plaid Gabriel
wore. It was dark blue with two thin red and white stripes. The sight of it
unlocked painful memories.

Her troubling thoughts were soon interrupted by
Gabriel, who grabbed her hand and pulled her through the crowded hall.

Gavin, his family and the blackguard were spellbound
by the radiant beauty, and openly starred as she curtsied.

When Ella lifted her head, she was instantly
self-conscious of her appearance. Her cheeks flamed red as she looked down at
her dress and said, “You don’t like my dress, do you?”

Bowen coughed to hide his amusement, and then with his
wife, walked over to Ella. He held out his hand to the English beauty, and was
pleased that she didn’t hesitate to take it.

“On the contrary, my dear, I think they like yer dress
overly much,” he said just before he kissed the top of her hand. “’Tis a
pleasure to meet ye, Milady. I am Bowen, proud and noble husband of Lady Esme.”

Ella smiled at the charismatic man, instantly warmed
by his greeting. His enormous size and powerful frame would have intimidated
her, if not for his kind, intelligent eyes. He was an attractive older man,
with dark hair sprinkled with gray and a body that bespoke of continuous
physical training.

Her eyes danced with merriment as she recalled what
Gavin had told her about him. “Aye, the legend among men.”

With a wicked grin, Bowen glanced at his wife and
winked, and then said, “Aye, legend among men. I believe my wife can attest to
that.”

Lady Esme rolled her eyes heavenly at the impudent
comment. Turning to Ella, she said, “As ye see, God chose not to bless my
husband with even a pittance humility, but rather a wealth of arrogance.”

Ella’s mirth could not be contained in the presence of
the witty couple. Their love was clear to see and envied by all. They were an
attractive couple, whose eyes glowed with adoration for one another.

“Mother, if yer old warhorse is through trying to
charm Lady Ella, mayhap he could escort her to the seat beside me so we may
break our fast,” Gavin said from the other side of the table.

Bowen laughed heartily and said, “Warhorse . . . aye,
that is what yer mother called-”

Lady Esme smacked her hand over his mouth and warned,
“If this old warhorse keeps it up, he will be sleeping in the stables this
eve.”

Bowen lifted her hand, kissed it, and then said, “I
wish only to serve ye, my love.” He then led Ella around the table to Gavin.

Ella was pleased with the uncommon table arrangement
on the dais. Seating people on both sides of the trestle table, she realized,
allowed for those at the table to converse with everyone, not just the ones
seated beside them.

With an appreciative glint in his eyes, Gavin took in
the sight of the ravishing beauty. She wore a pale yellow side-less surcoat
with silver embroidering overtop an elbow length white shift. A thin leather
belt hung low on her slender hips, accentuating her exquisite form, which was
soft and firm in all the right places. Her silky blond tresses complimented her
slightly golden, flawless skin completion. And she was without a doubt the most
beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. When Gavin glanced around the hall
and saw the way his men stared at her, he realized he was not the only one with
that opinion.

Heat flooded Ella’s cheeks when she noticed the sultry
look Gavin cast her way. She had never felt more beautiful than she did at this
moment. After giving him a shy, appreciative smile, the need to avert her gaze
was overwhelming.

“There are nae words to describe ye, Milady,” Osgood
began. “Ye take our breath away.”

“’Tis the dress,” she said meekly, then turned to Lady
Esme. “Thank you for allowing me to borrow this beautiful dress, Milady. I
swear to take special care, and will return it this eve.”

Oblivious to the sympathy that clouded the eyes of
those surrounding her, Ella continued, “I admit, I am unaccustomed to such finery,
but very thankful for the opportunity.”

When no one responded, she said in a concerned voice,
“Forgive me if I have said something wrong, I . . .”

Gavin suddenly realized that she was not bitter or
angry about the way she had been treated at Greystone. She accepted the work,
the clothing and the punishments as if it were deserved.

“Ye have said nothing wrong,” Gavin stated. “Be seated
so ye can share my trencher. After we eat, my men and I will take Gabriel back
to the Mackenzies.”

Her smile vanished when she heard his icy tone.

Noting her distress, he whispered in her ear, “Nae,
little one, ye look beautiful in that gown. In truth, ye look beautiful in
anything ye wear. ‘Tis just that I’m nae used to wanting a woman the way that I
want ye.”

Her jaw dropped, but she did not respond.

Gavin almost laughed at her attempts to ignore him as
she eagerly participated in the conversation at the table. Her charm and
intelligence drew people to her like a breath of fresh air. He watched for a
few more moments, and then pulled her elbow to gain her attention.

“While I am gone, I would ask a favor from ye. My
stable master, Colban, suffered an injury to his lower leg two days past. My
mother believes his leg is broken and that the bone will need to be reset. He is
in great pain and believes he will lose his leg. He shares yer love of horses,
and I fear what will come of him if he can nae longer ride.” He covered her
hand, then added, “He is my friend, and I would greatly appreciate anything ye
could do for him.”

Without hesitation, she replied, “Aye, of course I
will help him. I will go now to retrieve my medicinal satchel, but I will need
a few other items.”

“I will have Osgood retrieve it for ye, but only after
ye have broken yer fast. Once I depart, ask my mother for aught else ye will
need. She will then take ye to Colban's cottage.”

For the remainder of the meal, Ella and Gavin spoke
about Colban and the healing arts. She told him the various ways she used to
set bones, and he was fascinated by her vast knowledge. He was eager to learn
more about the injuries and ailments she had treated, but unfortunately Gabriel
stole her attention by crawling onto her lap. The boy then proceeded to tell
her about his journey with Sir James.

A quarter of an hour later Gavin, his brothers and
nephew prepared to take their leave. Horses were brought from the stables by
Leif, Osgood’s adopted son, and Ella took the opportunity to introduce herself
to the young boy.

As Ella approached, his piercing blue-gray eyes stared
at her oddly, and widened when she said, “You must be Leif. I have heard you
have a gift with horses. I too love horses, and have helped train and bred them
for many years.”

Leif was stunned that the goddess-like woman knew his
name, let alone spoke to him in such an amiable manner. He took the hand she
offered, kissed it lightly, and then bowed. “My parents have told me the
remarkable tale of Lady Ella. Ye must be her.”

“Aye. Do you think later today I may come by to speak
with ye and see the stables?”

“Aye, Milady. I am most interested in yer horse,
Apollo. I have seen to his care and am in awe of his gentle nature.”

Gavin came to stand by the two engrossed in
conversation about horses, and said, “Apollo may seem gentle now, but I tell ye
this Leif, he has a vicious streak that rivals the devil.”

“Aye, Laird Macleod has the right of it I’m afraid,”
Ella chuckled. “But, handled with care, Apollo will never cause you harm.”

“Aye, Milady, he will only ken kindness from me,” Leif
vowed.

“Then I’m happy to know he is in your care.”

Ella stepped aside, allowing him to lead the horses to
the men waiting in the center of the bailey, and then whipped around at the
sound of a dog barking. She realized an instant later that it was not a dog,
but rather a giant wolf, and he was running straight for her.

Without fear, she went down on one knee, and then held
out her arms. The bark alone confirmed he was not to be feared.

In his enthusiasm, the beast knocked her over,
lavishing her with friendly licks to her face. He became more excited when she
stroked his black fur and laughed at his playful antics.

“What a good boy you are. Aye, you are very friendly
and big too.”

“I see ye have met Arth,” Gavin said with a relieved
smile.

Arth was now in her lap while Ella continued to play
with the enormous animal. Giggling, she looked up at Gavin and said, “Aye,
indeed I have. He is wonderful. Does he belong to you?”