Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (32 page)

Osgood felt guilty for not protecting Lady Ella, so
with his head lowered he said, “I only carried her that way so I wouldnae cause
her back more pain.” He paused, then added, “I take full responsibility. ‘Twas
my fault.”

Gavin knew his largest warrior would protect Ella with
his life and would have killed Lyall if she had not intervened. His voice was
low, taunt with ire when he said, “Osgood, ye are nae to blame for another’s
actions. Where is Lyall now?”

“Below, in the dungeon. Edric and Nicholas ensured
that he wouldnae be fit to walk or even lift his hand for a fortnight.” Osgood
knew his Laird would be pleased with that tidbit.

Bowen knew his stepson would kill Lyall for this
offense if he did not intervene and make him see reason. “I think banishment
would-”

A bellow of outrage, like a volcanic eruption, greeted
this comment and startled everyone at the table.

“He deserves death for-”

“Hear me out,” Bowen said, the only man within the
hall unafraid of Gavin’s explosive temper.

When Gavin regained a modicum of control, he
continued, “Ye are taking an English lady for wife. One who brings neither
dowry nor land, but the wrath of two English barons. Lyall has been a Macleod
his entire life. If ye put him to death because of his actions against Lady
Ella, it will only make it harder for yer people to accept her as yer wife.
Right now ye need peace within yer clan.”

Gavin’s thoughts were only of tearing Lyall apart,
limb by bloody limb, and not the repercussions of his death. As the hazy fog of
rage lifted, he saw clearly the truth of Bowen’s words.

“As always, yer council is as wise as it is valuable.
Aye, he will be banished from the clan for the duration of his life. If he
steps foot of Macleod soil for any reason, his life is forfeit. I will leave it
up to ye to relay my verdict of this matter and when and how he be escorted off
my land.”

Bowen’s pride was evident. “‘Tis difficult to see the
consequences of yer actions when a loved one his harmed, but I am proud of ye
for being able to do so. Lady Ella will have a hard enough time accepting her
new life without adding clan hatred into the mix.”

“Aye, ye are right,” Gavin acknowledged. “Unless there
is more ye wish to discuss, I will go ready myself for my wedding.”

After Gavin bathed, dressed and gave last minute
instructions to his family, he went to Ella. His face brightened at the sight
of her small, yet very enticing body stretched out on her stomach, sleeping in
the middle of the large bed.

As he walked over to the bed, tenderness and desire
washed over him as he took in the exquisite, fragile beauty. Her silver blond
hair looked like liquid waves cascading off the pillow and her smooth skin
glowed with pale gold undertones.

Her lavender scent intoxicated him as he traced her
well-defined jaw line with his fingertips, then the soft skin of her cheek. His
eyes were drawn to her full, pouty lips that suddenly rounded over straight,
pearl white teeth. She was awake and smiling at him.

Ella woke when she felt a gentle touch to her face,
and her heart leaped when she saw Gavin crouched down next to the bed with an
endearing smile. In a high, ultra feminine voice she said, “Your home!”

The way she greeted him was beyond welcoming, he
thought, as he watched her face brightened and heard the excitement in her
voice.

“Aye, little one, I’m home,” he began, “and I’ve heard
ye have been verra busy while I was away.” The blush that came to her face made
him laugh.

“I will send Maeve or Thea to help ye dress afore ye
meet me in the hall. There is somewhere I would like to take ye.”

“Afore you take me to this mystical place, or mayhap
after, could you take me to Colban’s cottage,” Ella said as she sat up from the
bed while Arth stretched next to her. “I promised to check his leg before the
evening meal.”

Gavin was astonished by her dedication to Colban, and
with admiration in his voice he said, “We can go before if ‘tis yer wish. I
would like to see my friend as well.” He paused to run his fingers along the
sleep marks on her face, made by the pillow. “Did ye enjoy yer nap?”

His touched inflamed her and she mumbled, “Aye, ‘twas
a rare treat to be sure. Having more energy than most, I never napped at
Greystone.”

“I’ll await ye in the hall,” he said in a hard voice,
then stormed from the chamber.

Leaping out of bed, she caught hold of his hand before
he reached the door. “I have angered you?”

“Nae. ‘Tis the way ye were treated at Greystone that
causes my temper to flare.” He kissed her forehead to soften his tone, then
took his leave.

A sudden primitive warning sounded within her. Would
Gavin forsake his vow to return her to England? He knew that if she did not return,
it would be her aunt who would pay the price. Nae, she told herself,
Highlanders prided themselves on their word of honor. And Gavin would never
harbor such betrayal or act with such deceit. As Ella struggled with
uncertainty, she hastily dressed in the clothes Lady Esme had set out for her
while she slept.

Slipping into the ivory white chemise, she immediately
noticed the fine quality of the linen. It was silky, smooth and lighter than
anything she or even her aunt had worn. The side less surcoat was a stunning
ice blue, with silver embroidery at the hem and was made from very expensive,
soft wool. By the time Thea entered the chamber, she was nearly dressed.

“Milady, I was sent to help ye dress.”

When Ella saw Thea’s forlorn expression, she explained,
“I’m sorry, sweetling. I am unaccustomed to someone helping me dress, but it
would please me greatly if you would assist me with finishing the task.”

The little girl brightened instantly, then bounded
over to help her with the thin girdle.

“’Tis beautiful,” Thea exclaimed as she held out the
belt, made of fine leather and studded with small sapphires throughout its
length.

Ella’s eyes widened at the exquisite item, then asked,
“Am I really to wear such a costly piece?”

“Aye,” Thea giggled. “Lady Eva sent it along with the
dress and shoes, specifically for ye. She designs and makes all sorts of
wonderful clothes for everyone here. Well, she dinna make all the clothes
herself, she has many women who help her.” She fixed the girdle so it hung low
on Ella’s hips and dipped down in front.

A quarter of an hour later, Thea stood back to admire
her work. The bulk of Ella’s luminous tresses fell in soft, smooth waves down
her back. The front adorned an interweaving thin braid that started at one ear
and ran to the other side, stopping just below her breast.

“Ye look beautiful, like a princess from a fairy
tale.”

“Thank you for making me feel beautiful, but we both
know you are the princess,” Ella stated with a smile. She held out her hand and
said, “If you are ready, I believe ‘tis time we go to the hall.”

Thea took hold of her hand, then looked up and said,
“I am glad ye have come here, Lady Ella.”

“Me too, Thea.”

“Ye look good, old man,” Gavin said to Colban as he
took a seat next to his friend’s bed.

“Aye, I feel better than I did two days ago. My leg is
still broken, but much better, thanks to Lady Ella.”

Colban looked tenderly at the woman who had entered
his cottage a moment ago, accompanied by his laird. She was talking with Rachel
and Helena, his brother’s wives, but she returned his smile when she heard her
name. She was a bonnie lass, who had come often to check on his leg and always
stayed to listen to his stories. She spoke little of herself, but he had
already learned much about her from Osgood, as well as what would happen later
this day.

The stable master was thankful she came when she did,
because he and his family had a gift for her. They were all very excited and
eager to tell her their contribution to the token of thanks. They were now just
waiting for Boyd and Iain to return so they all could be present.

Colban cleared his voice to get the attention of the
trio of females, then said, “I believe Lady Ella came to see me, nae my
brother’s shrewish sisters.” He loved his sisters-by-marriage and teased them
endlessly whenever they were near.

Rachel put her hands on her hips and said in a saucy
manner, “Shrewish are we! Wait till supper and ye will see how truly shrewish
we can be.”

Helena laughed and boasted, “Rachel, while Colban
recovers, we can teach him a good lesson on how to treat his wise, loving and
verra underappreciated sisters.”

Laughter filled the tiny cottage, and Gavin could not
help noticing how comfortable Ella was with Colban and his family. It was
obvious they had spent much time together and shared an easy camaraderie, even
though she was English and noble, and they were Scots and peasants. It was as
if those differences never existed.

Gavin watched as Ella fussed over Colban and then
Rachel, who would give birth soon if the size of her swollen belly was any
indication.

“Och, woman, that protruding belly of yers knocks over
everything in its path. I’m surprised its nae knocked over my cottage,” Colban
teased.

“Colban, since you have nary to do while you recover,
I told the midwife that you were more than willing to help with the birthing,”
Ella politely said. “By that time you will be able to walk around and the
midwife would be grateful for a second pair of hands.”

“Nae way in hell will I be near that harpy when her
time comes,” Colban chuckled. “I remember my own wife laboring throughout the
night and into the day. I snuck into the cottage to see how she fared, and the
curses she bellowed at me still haunt my dreams. She told me she would cut my
manhood off if I ever did this to her again.”

A roar of laughter followed his statement.

The stable master was thoughtful for a moment as he
thought about his wife. With a smile he said, “But, when she held my wee
daughter in her arms, she apologized to me and said I may keep my manhood. Ah,
she was a good woman and I was proud to be her husband. She helped me raise my
brothers, who were much younger than myself, and gave me two fine daughters
before the Lord decided to take her.”

Extending his hand to Rachel, who took it without
hesitation, Colban said, “I believe that she watches over all of us and that
she will be by your side to give ye strength when the bairn comes.”

“Thank ye, ye old wretch,” Rachel said as she kissed
his weathered cheek. “I feel better kenning that the woman I admired and tried
to emulate as a child, will be with me during my time.”

Helena walked over to Rachel and said, “Labor with the
first child is always long, but both the midwife and Lady Ella have said ye are
healthy and will have nae problems. Moreover, ye will have Beth’s gentle spirit
on yer shoulder. I remember when I had my son, I felt her with me. I canna
explain it, but ye will feel it too.”

Rachel would have spoken, but her husband burst
through the door, followed by Iain holding a large brown sack.

Both Rachel and Helena squealed with delight and
rushed over to their husbands. All four grinned at each other with gleeful
anticipation dancing in their eyes.

Colban saw Ella’s bemused expression as she watched
the foursome, and said “Lady Ella, please have a seat by me. Ye too, Laird
Gavin. My family and I would like to show our appreciation for all ye have done
these past few days.”

Once Ella and Gavin were seated, Iain gave a brown
sack to his oldest brother, and then stepped back to enjoy the presentation
with his wife in his arms.

Colban opened the sack to reveal a leather satchel
that had been specifically designed to hold Ella’s medicines and tools for
healing. His voice was choked with emotion when he said to his savior, “Ye
deserve this and so much more.”

He handed her the leather bag, and then continued, “We
felt that such a gifted healer deserves a proper satchel to hold all the items
she uses on the ill and injured.”

As Ella’s fingers glided over the leather, Colban
explained, “’Tis made from tough raw hide, hand dyed maroon leather pieces,
which are studded together with silver rivets to increase durability. The
matching buckles on the shoulder strap and front flap are also made from
silver. When ye lift the flap, ye will notice it is quite large with various
sized pockets on the inner walls. If ye will, pull out the wooden chest and my
brother will explain.”

Gavin assisted her by taking the satchel once her
trembling hands took out the wooden chest.

Boyd stepped forward and said, “Iain sanded, carved
and stained the oak chest, while I made the iron straps that line the side
boards and corners, as well as the hinges. The hook and eye closure is made
with a smoother iron so ‘tis easier to lock and unlock the chest.”

When Iain saw the tears streaming down Ella’s face, he
moved to help her open the chest and said, “Our gift all started with this
small chest. We saw that ye had to wrap yer small medicinal bottles in cloth so
they would nae break.” As he showed her the well crafted inside, he continued,
“All yer bottles are there along with two filled with a liquid soap, which
Rachel made.”