Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (56 page)

Sacrifice yourself for the lives of your brothers and
nephew as well as the Mackenzie stronghold, which are all under my control. I
will expect you by dawn at the front gates.

G

Ella covered her face with trembling hands and gave
vent to the agony piercing her heart. She began to shake as the terrifying
images built in her mind. Within moments her fear turned into white-hot anger,
and a wave of rebellion washed over her. Dangerous thoughts took hold, forming
her own plan of attack, her own personal revenge.

Seething with mounting rage, she changed into a dark
tunic and breeches then took one of Gavin’s daggers. She grabbed her bow and
arrows with lighting speed, then her medicinal satchel as she choked back a sob
of leaving the love of her life. Using the secret passageway, she left the
castle and went to the stables.

With all the men occupied in the village and the women
in the hall, Ella was able to reach the postern gate and stables without
notice. The darkened shadows of night were as dismal as her thoughts when she
saddled Apollo, Righ, and Coisi. The latter was a black mare with an insatiable
desire and an innate ability to gallop at a fast pace for long durations. Her
Celtic name, Coisi, meant sprinter in Gaelic.

Branches thrashed and snapped as she rode through the
gloomy woods just beyond the castle and village. The glittering moonlight
glimpsed between tree branches helped to illuminate her way, but she was still
forced to ride with caution until she reached the burn.

She slowed the horses to a walk as they splashed their
way to the other side, where she would be able to gain speed and distance on
Fraser land. It was a risk, but it was the fastest way to travel north without
the hindrance of dense woods. Keeping close to the burn, she rode for at least
four hours, switching horses often, before she saw the old timber bridge she
needed to cross over onto Mackenzie land. Here, the burn was as wide as it was
deep.

She knew the bridge was still used by travelers, which
Paen had explained to her only a sennight ago when they were out riding.
However, it was not used by the Mackenzies or Frasers, since they had severed
ties years ago.

Her one advantage, she thought as she crossed the
bridge, was that she knew the hidden passageways throughout the Mackenzie
fortress. They had been built over a century ago and the knowledge of their
existence was given only to immediate family.

Whether it be redemption or revenge, she would see her
brothers and nephew safe, even if it brought her death.

Gavin returned to the castle when word came that his
sister and a handful of Mackenzie warriors had arrived at Doran Castle. Dread
lurched in his heart as soon as he entered the bailey and he saw their
panic-stricken expressions.

He embraced his sister and said, “Eva, my God, what
has happened?”

“Greystone arrived at our gates with Guy and Hamon,”
she began with tears coursing down her face. “They had been severely beaten and
Hamon was unconscious. Greystone demanded entrance and surrender or they would
kill Keir’s brothers.”

“Yer husband surrendered?”

“Aye, what choice did he have,” she defended. “Keir
ordered six of his men to take me and Gabriel out through the postern gate,
then to travel here. Gabriel was with us, but at the last moment he ran back to
be with his father. Gavin, I tried to go back for him, but Keir’s men would nae
allow it. They sent someone back for him, but I dinna ken if he was successful.
I’m terrified, Gavin ”

She became hysterical as she continued, “Greystone
says he is waiting for Alex to return and finish what was started years ago.”

“Let us go to the hall to plan our attack,” Gavin said
as he gathered his sister into his arms.

Upon entering the hall with his sister, he learned the
true horror of the night.

With a parchment in her hand, Lady Esme rushed over to
her son, daughter and husband and cried, “Gavin, she’s gone! Ella is gone!”

His bellow of outrage was cut short by his mother next
words.

“Ye must read this,” she said as she handed Gavin the
missive. “It was found in her chamber.”

Startling astonishment crossed his features as he read
the missive.
Dear God, Ella is Alex Mackenzie’s daughter. The daughter who
has been assumed dead for eight years.

Stunned to his core, Gavin was unable to give voice to
the unexpected discovery, so he handed the missive to Bowen.

Both Bowen and Eva read the missive as Lady Esme
continued, “Aye, but I ken Ella would nae kill her own mother.”

“Aye,” Gavin agreed as shock yielded to fury. “But,
Greystone has convinced her otherwise. Bloody hell, Ella was only ten summers
at the time. For eight years that bastard manipulated her into believing that
she was to blame for her mother’s death and that her father. . .”

He ran his fingers through his hair as he spat, “I
dinna ken all of it, nor do I care. All that matters is getting her back, along
with her brothers and Gabriel.”

Eva stood flabbergasted, then said, “Isabel . . .
Bella is alive.”

Gavin saw the tears cascade down his sister’s cheeks
as she absorbed the newfound knowledge. “Aye, Eva. She is my wife, and nothing
will stop me from getting her back.”

His mother put her hand on his arm and said, “We must
send word to Alex Mackenzie to inform him that his daughter is alive.”

“Laird Macleod,” yelled a Macleod warrior rushing into
the hall. “We have just received word that Laird Mackenzie has just passed
through the gates.”

Profound relief flooded Gavin. He would have need of
the legendary Highlander to get his wife back, and Alex would soon learn that
his daughter was alive.

Turning to his mother, Gavin asked, “When was Ella
last seen?”

“Two hours ago.”

“Och, I thought at least we would be able to catch-”

His words died in his throat by the sudden arrival of
Alex Mackenzie bursting into the hall bellowing, “Where is she? Where is my
daughter?”

Gavin asked, “Ye ken?”

“Aye,” Alex replied with agitation, “All was
discovered when Lady Eleanor, Sir James and Nicholas appeared before the King
of England.”

“They are alive?”

“Aye, but Sir James was badly wounded, which is why it
took so long to reach the king’s court. After hearing their testimony, King
Henry has given permission to dispose of Greystone and Montgomery as we see
fit. Now, where is my daughter?” He roared the latter.

“Read this,” Gavin said as he handed Alex the missive.

The greatest warrior known throughout Scotland and
England wore fear like a tunic. It was stark and vivid, for all to see. The
despair and longing lay naked in his eyes when Alex asked, “She is nae here, is
she?”

Seeing such anguish in the man who was like a father
to Gavin was like enduring a mortal wound. With a strong hand, he gripped
Alex’s shoulder and said, “Yer daughter’s bravery is immeasurable, a trait she
has inherited from her sire nae doubt. She left when we received word of a fire
in the village. Alice and Lyall’s bodies were discovered near the burning
cottages. I suspect the siblings joined forces with Greystone when I had them
both banished. ‘Tis likely that Alice left that missive for Ella, then fled
back to her brother.”

“Death was too good for either of them.” The angry
retort hardened Alex’s features.

“Aye, I agree. Now, let us plan our attack afore we
ride out.”

Alex nodded, then said, “I have twenty men, along with
Nicholas. They will arrive within the hour.”

“Good, we will need as many men as possible.”

Gavin and Alex were eager to depart, but knew success
depended on strategy. The next hour was spent planning on how to rescue their
loved ones, take back the Mackenzie stronghold, and kill their mutual enemy.
During this time Gavin learned the full extent of Greystone’s deception over
the past eight years as well as Montgomery’s treasonous deeds against the King
of England.

“As soon as my daughter let loose the arrow aimed at
the man attacking her mother, she was knocked unconscious. My Bella never saw
what her arrow hit. Greystone took advantage of this information, then for
eight years used it against her. That bastard produced a missive stating that .
. .”

Gavin, his mother, sister and blackguard sat in
silence while Alex regained his composure.

After a moment, Mackenzie continued, “Stating that I
would kill her if she ever returned to Scotland. Eleanor was told the same
story and shown the missive as well, but dinna believe as Bella did. That
whoreson preyed on my ten year old daughter, used her pain and grief . . .”

Alex took a deep breath, then explained, “Eleanor
tried only once to get word to me, but it was intercepted by Philip.”

“In eight years, Lady Eleanor tried only once to-”

Gavin’s angry tirade was cut short by Alex’s
malevolent response. “He dinna punish Eleanor for the deed, but he did let
loose his wrath on my daughter. Beaten so severely she was unable to walk for a
fortnight.”

Rage filled curses echoed through the hall by Gavin
and his men as the doubled doors of the great hall burst open. Nicholas and
twenty Mackenzie warriors entered bedlam and learned what had transpired in
their absence.

Once everyone was seated, Mackenzie continued,
“Eleanor believes it was Greystone who killed Emma, as well as their father.
When Phillip returned from killing the brigands he blamed for the attack on my
wife, daughter and men, he was wounded in the shoulder by an arrow. Yet, the
men who rode out with him that day returned only with injuries caused by a
sword. Eleanor discovered his wound days later, but at the time thought naught
of it. Only recently, when I told her how Emma was killed, did she realize what
Greystone had done. My daughter’s shot was true. Her arrow sank deep into the
flesh of the man who murdered her mother and my wife. Eleanor also explained
that Emma had tried to hide our daughter, but alas our wee Bella would ne’er
leave her mother to confront an enemy alone.”

“How did Phillip keep Ella’s identity from those in
the castle,” Gavin asked. “I canna believe that someone dinna notice her accent
or even her name.”

“Philip planned well. My daughter was kept in a tower
for six months learning to speak with an English accent. When this was
accomplished, Phillip told her the only way to keep her safe was to change her
identity. From the day forward she was known as Eleanor, but called Ella, named
after her distant relation. My daughter’s real name is Isabel, but we have
always called her Bella. Philip thought it believable that she was named after
his wife, but to prevent confusion he shortened it so that it was similar to
her own nickname, one which she would respond to.”

Bowen asked, “Would Phillip have hurt his wife, Lady
Eleanor, if Ella revealed the truth?”

“Aye,” replied Alex. “Neither Eleanor nor Bella were
allowed at court, which greatly limited their communication to the outside
world. Eleanor dinna want to risk Ella’s life on the chance that the missive
Phillip fabricated was true. She dinna tell a soul, nae even her brother, Sir
James.”

“Ye mentioned Montgomery committed treason,” Paen
reminded Alex.

“Aye. When I arrived at Windsor, I learned that Henry
had taken ill. The royal physicians proved useless as they were unable to
explain or cure the mysterious sickness. When Eleanor arrived with her brother
and Nicholas, as ill as the king was, he demanded to see them at once. Henry
learned the truth about Phillip while the gifted healer cured his affliction.
Shortly thereafter it was discovered that Montgomery had coerced a royal
physician to poison the King of England. Needless to say, the physician was put
to death, as will Greystone and Montgomery should they return to England.”

With maternal concern lingering on her brow, Lady Esme
asked, “Sir James, is he well?”

“Aye, under his sister’s care he will fully recover.
King Henry had rewarded Sir James’s years of service with Montgomery’s title
and all of his lands.”

“’Tis fitting. He deserves that and more.”

“Aye, he does,” Alex agreed. “I will be gifting him as
well, for keeping my daughter safe during the five years he served at
Greystone.”

“He also aided in the escape of Gabriel,” Gavin
stated.

“Aye,” Alex choked out, as thoughts of what his wee
daughter suffered to protect his grandson. “My Bella . . . she endured . . .
she dinna even ken Gabriel was her nephew.”

Gavin put his hand on Alex’s shoulder and said, “Ye
have the right of it, but nae more talk of the past. I want my wife back, and I
want a painful death for the men who have hurt her.”

Right before his eyes Alex transformed back into the
battle-hardened warrior he had always known and admired. His expression turned
fierce when he asked, “Do ye love my daughter?”

“More than my own life,” he stated with conviction.

Comforted by his words, the older laird said, “Aye,
‘tis good, since I wouldnae hesitate to end yer life is ye unwisely said nae.”