Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (64 page)

“Aye, trying to get yer sister to rest was like trying
to halt the tides of the ocean. Lady Eleanor was nae help either, insisting
that regular physical activity was good for the babe.”

“Aye, I heard ye fought with her often after I left,
arguing that she miscalculated when Bella conceived.”

“My wife dinna show until her fifth month, and even
then she carried verra small. The only change in her body was to her belly.”

“Much to the envy of all women, I would assume.”

“Mayhap to them, but nae me. Just before her ninth
month, Lady Eleanor informed me that if Ella dinna birth the babe soon it would
grow too large for her to birth at all. My wife is naturally small, with hips
more narrow than most women. It was decided to give her herbs that would induce
labor pains. My fear for my wife was so great; it outweighed my want of an
heir.”

“Aye, I heard ye refuse to leave yer wife while she
labored through the night.”

Smiling at Guy, he explained, “'Tis my belief that a
man should stay by his wife’s side, and see the pain she endures while she
brings yer bairn into the world.”

“Most men would say birthing is women’s business, but
I agree with ye and my father that a husband should be present. That is unless
he is nae up to the challenge. Keir passed out when Eva birthed Gabriel.”

“Aye, but at least he did better the second time
around,” Gavin chuckled. “When his daughter was born, Keir managed nae to
swoon.” He would never forget how touched his wife had been that Eva and Keir
named their daughter after her and her mother.

As they made their way to the stables, Guy asked, “My
father said yer difficulties dinna end when yer son was born?”

“Yer sister is as stubborn as a mule. She insisted on
resuming her duties three sennights after our son’s birth. I refused and
demanded she wait the full six until her body recovered.”

“So when did she resume her duties?

“Three sennights,” he admitted grudgingly.

Trying to contain his mirth, Guy asked, “How is that
possible without the help of a wet nurse.”

“I have been married to yer sister for a year now, but
still she finds ways to amaze me. With the help of my mother, Thea, Rachel,
even my blackguard and the villagers, Ella was more than capable. In the mornings
she takes my son to the stables where Thea fights off Colban and Leif to tend
to my son. In the afternoon while Ella and Rachel see to the villagers, my son
is passed around like a jug of ale to the women as well as the men of my clan.
My son adores the attention my people lavish upon him, and by twilight he is so
exhausted he sleeps through the night.”

“There is much wisdom in this, I think,” Guy said as
he clapped Gavin on that back. “Are ye honestly dismayed by my sister’s
actions?”

They arrived at the stables to find another newly made
crib crafted by Iain. As norm, it was empty since the bairn was being tossed
around by Paen and Tavish. Thea was frantically trying to reclaim the giggling
babe, and Gavin sighed at his two dim-witted brothers.

He strolled over and took his son from his brothers,
then turned back to Guy and said with pride, “Nae, quite the opposite in fact.
Her methods will secure the love and respect between my son and his clan. At
almost five months of age, Alexander Bowen Macleod has already come to ken
them, recognizes their voices and puts trust in the people he will one day rule
as Laird.”

Ella came to Gavin’s side and nuzzled her son’s cheek
until he squealed with joy, then she kissed her husband.

“I was wondering when ye would remember me, wife,” he
teased.

“I would remember ye much sooner if ye would stop
referring to Alex as
yer
son instead of
our
son. I do recall I
helped a wee bit in making him, nae to mention carrying and delivering him.”

Gavin covered her mouth hungrily and with all the
passion he felt for his fiery wife while his son was pulled from his arms. He
looked up, saw Guy shaking his head as he held little Alex.

“Och, ravish yer wife in private, man. Dinna ye see
there are bairns around? Look at Thea, she is overwhelmed with shock.”

Thea was now on Paen’s shoulders, giggling at the very
familiar sight of her laird and his wife.

Gavin said to Guy, “I would most heartily welcome a
private moment to ravish my wife.”

Ella playfully slapped his arm, then hugged and kissed
her brother. As she reclaimed her child, she said to the babe, “Are ye ready to
go swimming with Mama and Papa?”

Guy asked, “Ye are taking the mite swimming?”

Gavin wrapped his arm around Ella, then said, “'Tis
the only way I can be alone with my wife and son.”

Laughter rang through the stable yard as Gavin asked
his wife, “Are ye ready, my love?”

“Aye,” she said with gleeful anticipation.

As Ella stared at her husband, she thought about the
amazing life and future he had given her. One that had purpose within the clan,
freedom to pursue her dreams, and roots that would bind her to him for
eternity. He was her best friend, her protector, her lover and her soul’s other
half. And her love for him knew no bounds.

Together they went to the cascading waterfall, where
the burn poured into the loch. It had become a very special place for them, a
place to seek solace and be alone with their son.

After swimming and playing in the frothy water, they
sprawled out on a plaid and Gavin relished in the sight of watching her
breastfeed their son. His wife fascinated him.

It had taken her a month and a half to regain her
natural slim, lithe shape. With the exception of her full breasts, her body was
as tight and firm as it was before pregnancy. It was mainly due to the fact
that she had resumed her duties so quickly after giving birth and her
insatiable need to be active. Ella was her happiest when she was being
productive and amongst her friends and family. Since he loved her so fiercely,
he conceded to let her have her way.

As she finished feeding Alex, she asked, “What are you
thinking as you stare at me so intently?”

Gavin took their son upon his shoulder, then began to
pat his back as he replied, “That I am happy that we have decided to wait a few
years before ye give me a daughter. I pity men who get their wife with child
every year.”

“Why is that?”

Gavin cleaned and wrapped their son in a plaid, then
rocked their bairn to sleep. “Living in fear for yer wife year to year. . . ”
He shook his head remembering the past year with Ella.

“Aye, I think my pregnancy was more difficult for ye
than me,” she chuckled.

“Aye, I canna argue with that. Furthermore, I would
nae give up moments like this, being with ye and wee Alex. Even if ye birthed
nae more bairns, I would be content.”

Ella settled Alex in the basket beside their plaid,
and then knelt before her husband as he lay on his side. “Ye would be content
with only one child?”

Pulling her to lay atop him, he nibbled at her lips as
he said, “Aye, sweet wife, as long as I have ye, I am blissfully happy.”

“I love ye more than I ever thought possible. Ye made
my dreams come true.”

He pulled away to look deep into the glade green eyes
he knew so well, then asked, “How is that?”

Smiling, she said, “I always dreamed of finding a love
as strong and powerful as the one my parents shared.”

Rolling his wife to her back, Gavin looked down at her
beautiful face and said, “The love yer father describe he had with yer mother I
thought was nae possible . . .that is until ye came into my life.”

“Love me,” she demanded.

“Always, my love.”

THE END

Author’s Note

Thank you for reading Plead Forgiveness, book 1 of the Loyalty Series.
This is my debut novel, and I fully acknowledge that it needs work. It is in
the process of being professionally edited.

Amazon states that when authors revise books, customers get the updated
version (Free) through the Manage Your Kindle page on Amazon.com
.
 

For more information, questions or comments, please contact me:

[email protected]

http://aurydobsyn.wix.com/aurydobsyn

 
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All rights reserved.

ISBN 10 147839708X

ISBN 13  9781478397083