Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (39 page)

Ualan turned and faced the two beautiful women sitting
side-by-side on the opposite side of the table. The contrast of their hair was
like night and day, but their wee size was so similar they could be twins. And
both held not a pittance of fear of him.

With a smile, he winked at Ella and then set his gaze
on Fin. “Ye could do with some more flesh as well, my wee viper.” Placing a
trencher of warm bread, eggs and fruit in front of the two women, he continued,
“Now, neither one of ye will be leaving this table until ye finish that
trencher.”

Ualan turned his attention to making the morning meal,
but he was not deaf to the feminine giggles that followed his command. He was
thankful that the pair could not see the delight in his expression.

The following hour, while Ualan cooked, Ella and Fin
chattered away as they broke their fast. Fin’s pain lessened and she became
quite lively when she told Ella the story of how she came to work with Ualan in
the kitchen.

“It all started five years ago, when Laird Macleod
brought Ualan to the cottage I lived in with my father. I was an only child and
my father a widower, who was gone for long periods of time taking cattle south
to be sold. Ualan had a cottage not far from ours, but since he was unable to
walk at the time, it was asked that he stay in our cottage. I saw to his meals
and Lady Esme came each day to clean and bandage his wounded leg.”

Ella asked, “Why did he not just stay in the castle?”

Looking over to where Ualan was standing by the ovens
and satisfied that he was oblivious to their conversation, Fin answered, “He
did for the first few days, but then he demanded to stay in his own cottage. I
think ‘twas then he realize that he would nae recover from his injury enough to
continue as a warrior for the Macleods. He dinna want to see the pity in the
faces of the men he fought alongside for so many years.” Fin lifted her chin
and said with pride, “He was one of the finest warriors to fight for the
Macleods, ye ken. In Laird Macleod’s blackguard as well.”

“He looks every bit the warrior to me,” Ella
acknowledged.

Fin graced her with a warm smile, then in a hushed
tone went on with the story. “The first month I cared for him, his petulant
behavior and peevish remarks made me want to rip out my hair. The only time his
irritable mood gave way was when he was eating the meals I provided. He soon
became interested in how I cooked, started asking questions and before long I
was nae longer cooking for him, but with him.”

“What a wonderful way to befriend someone. Please
continue, I am eager to hear the rest of this tale,” Ella said as she ate the
remainder of the eggs.

With her bandaged hands, Fin pushed the empty trencher
away, then leaned into the table. There was a tremor in her voice when she
started again. “My father was livid when he came home and learned that his
young daughter had been living under the same roof with a grown man. But, since
it had been dictated so by our laird, my father could nae protest the
arrangement. He did, however, suggest that Ualan’s meals be brought to his
cottage each day, so my reputation wouldnae be damaged.”

“Ualan was able to walk by then, nae well mind ye, but
sufficient enough to make his way back to his own cottage. Over the next
sennight I brought Ualan meals once in the morning and once in the evening. And
since my father ne’er cared for my company, or me for that matter, I began to
spend more time with Ualan.”

Shame crossed Fin’s features as she divulged her
painful past. “My father was a verra cruel man, who blamed me for my mother’s
death. She died birthing me and for that he gave me neither love nor kindness.
One night, after drinking for many hours at his friend’s cottage, he returned
home full of rage and accusations. He called me a whore, said that I was trying
to seduce Ualan and that I would be punished for my sins.”

“How old were ye?”

“Four and ten.”

“You were so young. How did he punish you?”

Fin’s eyes drifted to the floor as she recounted the
horrific night. "He beat me continuously for the next few hours, sometimes
with his fist, other times with his belt, and only halted long enough to drink
more whiskey. When my dress hindered the belt from breaking skin, he stripped
me until I was completely naked, and then whipped me until I bled. My father
said I was vain and wicked, and that he would see that nae man looked at me
with lust in his eyes ever again. He then found a pair of shears and cut off
all my hair. Because he couldnae stand the sight of me, I was then locked in
the pantry.”

“That monster,” Ella growled. “How could he do that to
his daughter, his own flesh and blood?”

Tears welled in Fin’s eyes as she continued, “Locked
away, I could still hear him ranting and raving, bent on destruction. He took
the shears to all my cloths and broke every item I possessed. Sometime later,
when the cottage went silent, I realized my father had fallen sleep. Through
cracks in the pantry door, I saw the morning light fade into the afternoon,
then it was dark once again, and still my father dinna let me out.”

With love shining in her eyes, Fin glanced over at
Ualan then turned back to Ella as she finished her tale. “The next morning I
woke to Ualan’s angry shouts demanding to ken where I was and that he would nae
leave until he saw me. My father told him I was unwell and dinna want to see
him. Ualan pushed his way into the cottage and searched for me without success.
I was so cold and in so much pain, but did manage to scratch at the pantry
door. The door flew open a moment later and there Ualan stood, frozen with
shock at the sight of me. My father screamed that it was his right to punish
his daughter anyway he saw fit. Ualan almost beat my father to death before he
limped over to the pantry, wrapped me in his plaid and carried me to the
castle.”

“And do ye ken what the fool lass said to me?”

Startled, both women turned to Ualan when they heard
his deep voice, but his eyes were fixed on Fin’s alone.

“She told me to put her down so I would nae hurt my
leg. She weighs less than a bag of grain, and I was nae about to let her go.”

Turning to Ella, Ualan said, “Lady Esme insisted that
we both come live in the castle, and Laird Gavin banished Fin’s father from the
clan. While Fin recovered, I took over as cook and when she was well again, she
joined me in the kitchen.”

Ella saw no scars on Fin’s elfin face, but she did
notice that her hair was uncommonly short, just reaching her shoulders. She
took hold of her hand and said, “I am glad that your vile father was banished,
although I would have preferred a harsher punishment. And I am more than glad
that you and Ualan came to live in the castle. I think you both are wonderful,
and it is my greatest hope to be friends.”

With tears rimming her eyes, Fin looked at Ualan, and
then back at Laird Gavin’s wife. “Thank ye, Ella. I would like that verra
much.”

Ella broke into a wide, open smile, and then excused
herself from their company with the promise to return later that day.

She headed to the stables and explained to Paen and
Leif why she had been so late, which they both dismissed with a shrug. The day
passed quickly and she soon found herself back in the kitchen after the evening
meal. With her new friends, she laughed and jested until it was time to retire
for the night. Later in her bed, sleep came quickly, but it was anything but
peaceful.

“Ella, Ella, wake up! ‘Tis only a dream,” Lady Esme
said as she wrapped her arms protectively around the young woman.

“Yer safe, sweetheart. All is well,” she continued to
croon.

Gavin’s mother had been walking up the stone stairs to
the second floor, when she heard Ella cry out. Bursting into the chamber, she
quickly discovered that her son’s wife was having a terrifying nightmare.

“He was hurting her, beating her until she lay in a
pool of blood,” Ella cried as she clung to Lady Esme. “I tried to stop him, but
he was too strong. Uncle James was fighting to get to us, but he was bleeding.
He was hurt. And I couldnae help him. I couldnae help either one of them.” As
she sobbed in the older woman’s arms, she feared that her dream was a
premonition of the future.

“Shhhh, ‘twas only a dream, naught more. Ye have been
in a fretful state these past few days, and tonight yer dream reflected the
fear that plagues ye. I have often had nightmares when my sons were away
fighting in battle. My dreams are horrific, but when I wake, I realize ‘twas
only a dream. And when my sons come home, all is well again. “

Ella gave a slight nod, but remained silent. She was
content in the arms of the kind woman, who reminded her of her own mother.

“Do ye want me to stay until ye fall back to sleep?”

With tears streaming down her face, Ella nodded.

Leaning back against the pillow, Lady Esme tightened
her arms around the lass, and then began to hum softly until she slumbered once
again. She carefully eased out of the bed, then kissed Ella’s cheek before
leaving the chamber.

The lingering trepidation Ella felt the previous night
covered her like a thick fog, preventing her from focusing on any task or
conversation. By midday she excused herself from her usual routine and went to the
barbican to walk the parapet wall that overlooked the vast countryside. The
warm early June weather was coupled with a slight breeze, making it more than
tolerable.

Ella wore a deep blue side less tunic over a dove
white, short sleeve chemise. The garment was loose, but pulled together with a
thin leather belt that hung low on her hips. Since her back was still healing,
it was preferable to other styles of dress that required a tight fitting
girdle. Her aunt and uncle often had remarked that they would love to see her
dress thusly. Like a lady.

For hours her gaze remained fixed on horizon while she
walked the parapet wall. She hoped to see a sign of Gavin returning with her
family and prayed they were all well.

Suddenly, off in the distance she spotted riders
coming towards the castle. She was unable to identify who or how many rode in
the party, but nevertheless, her excitement peaked.

Running to one of the guardsmen, she asked, “Do you
see what I see? Pray, tell me I am nae imagining riders coming this way?”

“Nae, Lady Ella, yer eyes dinna deceive ye.”

Horns blared for a moment, warning all within the keep
that riders approached. The guard then said, “I will escort ye to the hall,
milady.”

Although, she had no wish to leave, Ella allowed
herself to be escorted into the bailey, where Paen and Tavish were waiting.
Within moments the bailey filled with curious men and woman, all wanting to
know if their laird returned with Lady Ella’s family.

“We should wait in the hall,” Tavish suggested.

Neither Paen or Ella moved as they stared at the
battlements, waiting for the identity of the riders to be confirmed.

Paen left their company briefly, then returned with
disappointment in his eyes when he said to Ella, “’Tis nae Gavin. The men were
sent by Greystone with a message for ye.”

Fear, stark and vivid, glittered in her eyes. She
choked back a cry as a cold knot formed in her stomach. A spasmodic trembling
took hold of her body when she saw two Greystone soldiers admitted and escorted
over to her and Gavin’s brothers. The expression on the English soldier’s faces
was contrite as they handed her a written missive.

She unrolled the missive and read:

My Dearest Niece,

It is my deepest regret to inform you of the death of
Lady Eleanor of Greystone and Sir James. After word arrived that you broke your
betrothal to Baron Montgomery and married against your guardian’s wishes, my
dear wife was so consumed with grief that she tried to run away.

As for Sir James, he ignored the King’s command to
return to his service and attempted to aid her folly. They were both caught on
the cliff above spitting caves.

When my wife’s bastard brother would nae relinquish
his hold on my wife, I was forced to stab him. Unfortunately, before I was able
to get my wife out of harm’s way, the cliff ledge gave out and both Eleanor and
James fell to their death.

I hope you will not blame yourself for their death’s
or let the loss of your only family mar your newfound happiness in your
marriage. I have sent your belonging, along with Eleanor’s favorite tapestry,
to give you comfort while you grieve. I will keep you in my prayers and heart
always.

Until Our Paths Cross Again,

Philip Canbury, Baron of Greystone

Acute pain, so raw and primitive, overwhelmed her. And
when she dropped the parchment, and watched it float to the ground as her body
violently trembled. She felt hands try to pull her into an embrace, but she
broke free and bolted from the bailey. Tears blurred her vision as ran away
from everyone and everything. Her need to be alone outweighed all else.

Paen allowed her to break away from him, and then
watched her disappear through a postern gate. She was going to the loch, he
guessed, since it was the only place she could grieve in solitude. He quickly
read the missive, then was handed a sack containing the remnants of the
shredded tapestry. He cursed viciously at the devastating blow while his mother
rushed over to him.