Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (43 page)

His words came to an abrupt halt when Ella wrapped her
arms around his waist. With her head resting on his chest, she whispered,
“Thank you, Gavin.”

Unprepared for her tender show of appreciation, it
took Gavin a moment to reciprocate before encircling her in his arms and
brushing his jaw against her hair Feeling her small, warm body molded to the
contours of his lean frame made him realize how much he needed her touch.

“Will ye ride with me today, little one?”

So absorbed in the security of his embrace, Ella only
managed to nod her head and whisper, “Aye.” Although, apprehensive at being
alone with him, her overwhelming gratitude forbid her to deny such a small
request.

Gavin was elated by her acceptance, but soon a frown
crossed his features when he noticed men and women filling the bailey. And the
curious eyes of the former were on his wife. He quickly wrapped her in his
plaid and said, “As much as I enjoy the sight of ye in yer sleeping gown, I
think it wise to change before our ride.”

When Ella noticed she wore only a sleeveless, knee
length chemise, she clutched the ends of his plaid. “Aye, I’ll go now.”

Gavin and Paen watched her race off into the castle
with youthful excitement. They basked in the glory of her jubilation with
smiles of contentment transforming their features. She reappeared a candle mark
later, running through the bailey in her breeches, short sleeve tunic, and her
knee high boots that laced up the side.

Both men understood the practicality of wearing male
attire while she worked with the horses each morning, but Gavin did not care
for the appreciative looks cast her way by his men.

Before she reached them, Gavin said to Paen, “Tell
Tavish to go to the Mackenzies today. I want Eva to fashion something for Ella
that will . . .will. . .”

“Hide her better assets?”

“Aye,” he growled out before turning to fetch his own
mount.

The early morning mist faded to reveal a clear blue
sky when Ella and Gavin rode out of Doran Castle just after dawn. The scent of
pine hung in the air as he lead her north, towards Mackenzie territory, the
safest area on his land.

Riding beside Ella, Gavin openly admired the part of
herself she had kept hidden. Neither fear nor sorrow hindered her joy when she
rode atop Apollo. It was as if horse and rider were made for one another.

When they stopped hours later to water their horses,
he found her delight in the simplest things intriguing. With her breeches
rolled up to her knees and her feet bare, Ella successfully leaped from rock to
rock across the narrow burn and with Apollo unexpectedly trailing behind like a
pup. Startled by the affectionate horse, she fell into the water without her
normal grace.

Gavin threw back his head and roared with laughter at
the sight of his wife knee deep in the water, trying to look angry but failing
miserably.

His laughter was a full-hearted sound that made him
look ten years younger, Ella thought as she leaped on to Apollo’s back. After
dismounting on the bank of the burn, she rolled down her pants and put on her
boots, then joined Gavin on the boulder he perched upon.

“I believe that beast of yers would follow ye to the
ends of the earth,” he chuckled.

Looking over her shoulder at Apollo nudging Gavin’s
mount out of the way to get to some fresh grass, she said. “Aye, I believe you are
right.”

“Paen tells me that ye have taught him many useful
skills that would benefit our own horses, especially in battle.”

“Apollo is well trained to defend himself as well as
his rider if the need should arise.”

“Will ye show me?”

Tilting her head to the side, she asked, “You are
truly interested?”

Gavin was interested in anything she would show him,
so he replied honestly, “Aye, verra much so.”

“Very well then, I will show you,” she said before
jumping off the boulder.

Apollo was still grazing when she said, “Accendo.”

Without hesitation Apollo trotted over to her.

“Consurgo.”

Apollo reared up as his front hooves attacked the air.

When he came down, she continued, “Calcitro.”

The beast kicked his back legs out.

“Accumbo.”

Apollo lowered his body to the ground, so he lay on
his side.

“Eu.”

When he rose to his feet, Ella rewarded by stoking his
nose with affection.

“Aqua.”

Apollo trotted over to the water and began to drink.

Gavin was flabbergasted at the skills she had taught
her horse and all with verbal commands. When she returned to his side, he
asked, “Ye have taught other horses this as well?”

“Aye. ‘Tis nae so hard if you know how and are
patient,” she stated with modesty.

“If ye are willing, I would verra much like ye to
train our horses. Colban and Leif will assist ye. I also believe some of my men
would like to learn yer methods and help ye with this task. The miraculous
transformation in Righ has encouraged them to approach me on the matter.”

“Aye, I would enjoy that very much,” Ella said,
thrilled at his support and confidence in her abilities.

As the sun climbed to its peak, warming the
countryside below, their conversation drifted from horses, to educating
children, to improving clan revenue. Her keen mind and depth of memory
impressed Gavin, but it was her innovative ideas that held him enthralled.

“Plato believed all knowledge is innate from birth and
perfected by experiential learning during growth, until death,” she explained.
“If this is true then children, males as well as females, should become
apprentices of master craftsmen at an earlier age. Boys training in the art of
warfare begin as young as six summers, yet the boys who train to be craftsmen
begin their training at the age of ten and two. What think you of that?”

Gavin did not give his opinion, but said, “Most master
craftsmen hold the firm belief that children who apprentice too young are nae
mature enough with the responsibility that comes with the position.”

“Then why do boys trained in warfare begin so young?

“So they can develop their bodies in strength,
reaction and skill which takes years.”

“Developing the mind also takes years,” Ella
countered.

“Aye, I agree,” he said, thoroughly enjoying himself.
“The problem lies in getting the master craftsmen to agree to take on a younger
apprentices.”

“I have a solution to that as well.”

“I’m sure ye do,” he chuckled.

Ignoring his mirth and doubt, she began, “Ye have many
master craftsmen among the Macleods; blacksmith, carpenter, tanner, weavers and
candle makers to name a few. But, there are trades that ye must depend on other
clans to provide, such as masonry, architecture, wool-stapler and skinner.
Barter apprenticeship with other clans.”

Thoughtful for a few moments, Gavin earnestly stated,
“I have ne’er thought to do so, but the idea has merit. I will speak with the
craftsmen on the matter. If they are in agreement, I will negotiate with the
other clans.”

“The duration of the apprenticeship can be determined
by the master craftsmen, but with set time for the child to return home for
visits. If I was a mother, I would not want my bairn away from me for so long
without seeing them, which is customary.”

Gavin smiled at the thought of her as a mother, with
her fierce protectiveness. Softening his tone, he said, “Aye, one of the terms
included will be regular home visits. Do ye have any other innovative ideas?”

“Aye,” Ella enthusiastically replied. “With your ample
production of wool, flax and cotton, women could be sent to the Flemish master
weavers to improve their skill as well as learn to use the latest inventions in
spinning. Brother Michael from the abbey spoke of new frames that made the
production quicker and the product of better quality. This would increase clan
revenue.”

I dinna ken ye had an interest in weaving.”

“I assure you, I don’t,” she said with a chuckle.
“Brother Michael is one of the monks from Westshire Abbey, and he often spoke
of his home in Flanders. His kin, you see, are among the master weavers who are
known for making the most beautiful and sought after religious tapestries in
the world.”

“I have merchant vessels that travel to France. Would
this Brother Michael be willing to write his kin on our behalf.”

“Aye, he would be most willing.”

“Then that is what we will do. Now, which of the
weavers should we send?”

“Mayhap, Helena and her husband. As a carpenter, Iain
will be allowed to assist in making their looms, thus will be able to reproduce
it when they return.”

Here was a true mate, Gavin thought, one whose value
is beyond measure. Most of the women who coveted being his wife would have
limited their duties to only running the castle and bearing his children. Never
would they have worked with him to further the success of the Macleod Clan.

A sudden thought came to mind, which Gavin then
voiced, “I believe they are a wise choice, but what if Helena is breeding.”

Ella chewed her bottom lip before saying, “I don’t
think we have to worry about that for some time.”

“Explain,” Gavin said, recognizing that secretive
expression of hers.

“Helena told me that she and Iain would like to hold
off on having more children.”

“Did she ask ye for herbs that would prevent
conception.”

Momentarily speechless, Ella finally confessed, “Aye,
but I told her that I would only provide them once I spoke with Iain.”

“Wisely done. If in the future she would like to bear
more children, will she be able to do so?”

“Aye, once she stopped taking the herbs, she will be
as fertile as she was before.”

“I take it they have been using other methods to
prevent conception,” Gavin said with a slight smirk.

Ella felt her cheeks flame when she explained, “Aye,
when they . . . they make love, he does not spill his seed inside her. Helena
explained that this method takes away the pleasure of the act.”

Gavin’s deep chuckle followed her words.

“Aye, I canna argue with that. I’m nae against women
taking these herbs, as long as their husbands give ye consent. But, I believe
there are other reasons Iain and Helena wish to prolong having another child.”

“What other reasons?”

“Helena almost died bringing their last child into the
world,” he explained in a serious tone. “Iain dinna want to risk his wife by
having her birth a child every year. ‘Tis nae healthy for a woman to bear a
child so often, regardless of what the church says on the matter.”

The shock of this welcomed discovery hit her full
force. “May I ask how you learned such valuable information?”

“Alex Mackenzie’s wife was an extraordinary healer.
Although she is no longer with us, Alex imparts her wisdom to all who will
listen and benefit from such knowledge.”

“I am impressed. Most men want as many children as
their wives can produce.”

Gavin’s eyes locked with her when he stated sincerely,
“If a man cares deeply for his wife, then two or three bairns are more than
enough.”

Although he had neglected his duties shamefully this
day, the smile Ella bestowed upon him made it all worth it in the end.

Clouds covered the sun, cooling the morning air when
Ella and Gavin reined in their horses and took them to the burn. For the past
sennight an unspoken agreement had been established to ride together for a few
hours each morning. And so far, only pleasant conversation passed between them.

“It was built by King Richard for the sole purpose of
breeding the horses he brought back from the crusades. Their horses differ from
our own, being faster and having more endurance,” Ella explained as Gavin
tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear.

Her voice was silky, he thought, but it was that
arresting smile of hers that had rendered him speechless more than once this morning.

Giving his attention back to her words, he asked, “Why
dinna Richard give one of his noblemen the duty to breeding the horses he
brought back from the crusades?”

“Richard believed that the monk’s records of breeding
lines would be more accurate than that of his nobles, and that they would be
more honest and patient in their work.”

“Aye, ‘twas wise, and I am glad they were good to ye.”

The jubilation Ella felt being with Gavin as they rode
across the land or engaged in endless conversations had begun to soften her
heart toward him. It was obvious that he cared for her and acted to protect her
as well as her family. She no longer blamed him for her aunt and uncle’s
deaths, realizing Philip’s true intentions. But, regardless how much she came
to respect her husband, mayhap even love him, in the end it would be for
naught. Once he discovered who she was, he would banish her just as her father
had done.