Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (5 page)

Over the next hour as they rode to the abbey, the pain
in Ella’s back became excruciating, but she made no comment ,especially when
they arrived and she greeted her Uncle James.

“She stayed behind, but will meet us later this eve.”

Like Ella, James knew his sister would not be arriving
this eve, but he could not blame her for the unselfish act. In her place he
would have done the same.

James directed Ella’s attention elsewhere as he
pointed to the handful of horses tied a short distance away, “Go retrieve your
bow from my horse.”

She did as he commanded, sensing he needed a moment to
consider his sister’s decision. She gestured to Gabriel to follow her, but he
shook his head and said, “A moment, please.”

Ella nodded, assuming he was tending to his privy
needs, then left her two male companions.

Gabriel could see the pain in Sir James’s features as
he stared up into the brightness of the full moon. He quickly retrieved Lady
Eleanor’s missive and said, “I. . . I’m Gabriel. Aunt Elea. . .I mean Lady
Eleanor said ye would ken. . . um. . . who I. . .”

Sir James went down on one knee and said, “I know who
you are Gabriel. My sister sent a missive to the abbey explaining your
situation. I will gladly see you back to your clan.”

“Lady Eleanor bade me give this to ye and nae other,”
Gabriel said, holding the missive out to Sir James.

James read the letter twice and then groaned at the
contents.

My Dearest Brother and Most Valued Friend,

I know my absence has come as a surprise, or mayhap it
comes as no surprise. You, who have become my truest friend, watched with me
these last five years the cruelty and abuse Philip has bestowed upon our Ella.
I refuse to continue seeing our beloved girl destroyed by Philip’s detestation.

I sent my last missive before I learned the true
extent of Philip’s atrocious acts against Ella as well as the boy he holds for
ransom. It is my deepest regret to inform you that he has betrothed her to
Baron Montgomery and the wedding will be in a fortnight.

 As for Gabriel, for attempting to escape, Philip
ordered five lashes, which would have killed him. In the end, Ella took his
five lashes, along with five more from Montgomery.

Now you understand the need to see them safely to
Scotland. ‘Tis my hope that Gabriel’s clan will offer Ella their protection. If
they do not, seek out Mackenzie, but please use caution. I do not know if he
would aid us.

My presence here will provide the valuable time needed
to cross the border to Scotland. You have until the day after tomorrow before
anyone noticed Ella and Gabriel’s absence. Philip will most likely seek out
Roger Montgomery when he discovers the truth. I swear to you, I will seek
sanctuary at the abbey at that time.

Philip mentioned taking the boy from the Macleod Clan,
so head there unless Gabriel says otherwise.

My dearest brother, your love has given me hope for
the future. A new beginning starts today. Please do not come for me, until they
are safe. God keep you all.

With All My Love,

                                                                        
Eleanor

Tucking the missive away, James went to Ella and
gently turned her to face him. He cradled her face in his large hands, kissed
her forehead then asked, “Why did you not tell me?”

He pressed his forehead to hers and continued, “I will
kill him for this.”

“It was nae so bad,” she lied through gritted teeth.

“You never were good at telling a falsehood. If I
could, I would take this pain from you in a heartbeat.”

“I know you would, Uncle James,” she said with a weak
smile.

“Your aunt...,” he began.

“I will nae leave her.”

“She does not plan to come this eve.”

“I will return to Greystone, and then bring her to the
abbey.”

“Nae, don’t you see that she is giving you and Gabriel
the best possible chance to escape. I like it nae better than you, but her
sacrifice will not be in vain. I will return for her once you and Gabriel are
safe in Scotland,” James affirmed.

Stubborn as a mule, with the tongue of a viper, she
hissed, “We will meet you and Gabriel on the morrow at Chester Abbey.”

When James saw her sway dangerously, he realized she
could not journey to Scotland. He quickly changed tactics. “Your aunt will seek
sanctuary the day after the morrow. You will await her here until that time,
then the monks will see you to Chester Abbey. Once Gabriel is safe, I will
return for you both.”

“I can get her out-”

James halted her words with a wave of his hand. “I
will nae leave until you have given me your word that you will reside here for
the next few days. You are in no condition to journey to Scotland.”

“Very well, but I nae like it.”

“That is because you are my stubborn, little ox,” he
said with affection as he kissed the top of her head.

The pet name, or rather insult, he often used always
brought a smile to her face. She hugged him with what little strength she had,
then said, “You must be on your way, I will see myself into the abbey.”

James eyed her for a moment, then said, “Very well.
Gabriel, are you ready?”

“Ella is nae coming with us,” Gabriel choked out.

She knelt in front of the little boy, took his smaller
hand in hers, and said, “My courageous friend, I must stay to wait for Aunt
Eleanor, but ‘tis our hope to go to Scotland and make a new life there.”

“With my clan?”

“Aye, we will ask your clan for their protection.”

“They will give it. Mama and Papa will love you and
Aunt Eleanor.” He then looked up at James, and said, “Him too.”

Ella wanted to laugh at the little imp, but understood
why he was wary of her uncle. “If you wish, call him Uncle James. I think he
would like that very much. And if you’re good, he will tell you about the land
of the dragons and gryphons.”

“What are gryphons?”

“You will find out soon enough.”

A look of sorrow past his features before Gabriel wrapped
his arms gently around her, and said, “Thank ye, Ella. I will miss ye.”

“I will miss ye too.”

She soon stood alone in the clear moonlight after
watching Gabriel and James ride off. The cool night air did little to alleviate
the pain she felt seeing them leave without her. She doused the unwarranted
emotion, mounted Apollo, and then headed back to Greystone to retrieve her aunt

Ella was half way to Greystone, riding past the high
cliffs that overlooked the ocean, when she heard movement in the woods a short
distance away. Despite being in severe pain, she reined in Apollo, and then
listened intently. Hearing nothing but crickets at first, then suddenly a twig
snapped, followed by the whine of a nearby horse.

Sucking in a breath, she kicked Apollo into a pace
that would be difficult, if not impossible to match. Leaning over her horse’s
neck, she raced along the cliffs towards the line of pine trees bordering the
forest entrance. Before entering the shelter of the dense woods, she turned to
look over her shoulder.

The quick glimpse confirmed a single rider, who was
from neither Greystone nor Montgomery, was following her. The man must be an
outlaw seeking to steal her horse, or worst her virtue.

Aware that he was gaining on her, she shifted her
weight in the saddle, and then used her left calf to turn Apollo right.
Galloping to the top of a small incline, she rode along the ridge, and then
abruptly cut back down the hill. Her heart pounded in her chest as she cleared
the narrow brook with easy grace and began weaving in and out of trees. She
headed into the shadows of the dense foliage, praying that limited light and
rougher terrain would prevent the man from continuing his pursuit.

Alas, it hindered him not at all. With righteous
indignation, she used the advantage of being more familiar with the land, and
then proceeded to lead him a merry chase.

Close to an hour later and no closer to Greystone, she
became aware of her sole disadvantage. More than one man was hunting her. They
had fanned out, herding her away from Greystone. The precarious position she
found herself in would not have been so grave if not for her rapidly depleting
energy.

Spying the English boy amidst the thick foliage, Laird
Gavin Macleod slowed his steed to a halt. He was beyond irritated that his
initial assumption had been wrong, and that this lad was no mere servant on
some errand for Greystone. No serf owned such valuable horseflesh or would have
the time to acquire the riding skills this boy obviously possessed. He surmised
from the colors and insignia on the horse that he was indeed from Greystone and
could provide the information needed to retrieve his nephew.

Gavin thought back four days prior when he’d learned
of his nephew’s kidnapping. Assailed by a wave of foreboding he could not
explain, he and his elite warriors waited an hour past Gabriel’s expected
arrival time before they departed Doran Castle.

They rode with haste in search of the traveling party,
and shortly thereafter found the bloody remains of his nephew’s slaughtered
escort. By sheer luck one had lived long enough to say, ‘Montgomery’s men took
Gabriel to Greystone. Ransom’.

Gavin sent men to inform Gabriel’s clan of the
abduction and he and his men were in route to England. He also gave special
instructions to notify the King of Scotland of the kidnapping since it broke
the peace agreement between the two countries. Gavin concluded with a warning
not to follow since more than likely it was a trap to lure Scotland’s most
powerful lairds into England.

Due to the weather, Gavin and his men were unable to
catch the men that kidnapped Gabriel before they secured the lad behind the
walls of Greystone. The Highlanders were enraged by this setback, but devised
another plan upon arriving a few hours ago. They surveyed the land and sought
out those who worked within the confines of the castle for the sole purpose of
gaining information.

Gavin’s hand fisted the reins as he focused on the boy
that caused them to waste precious time this eve. The whelp would pay dearly
for his folly, he thought, and then kicked his heels into the flanks of his
horse.

Reining Apollo to a halt, Ella listened intently as
she glanced around, praying the men had given up their chase. Unexpectedly, a
horse and rider burst through the shadows, viciously yanking her from her
saddle. She hit the ground hard and rolled to her stomach to ease the pain in
her back. While fighting to breath, she heard heavy boots stomping towards her,
and was quick to find her dagger.

Gavin was unable to abate his unleashed wrath as he
stalked the English varlet lying on the ground. Yet, when he moved to grab the
foolish twit, he was mildly surprised that the lad jumped to his feet and
sliced the air with a puny dagger. Beyond annoyed, the Highlander halted the
dagger the miscreant wielded with one hand, grabbed the front of the lad’s
tunic with his other, and then slammed him into the nearest tree. As expected,
the dagger fell harmlessly to the ground.

Hearing the thunderous beat of hooves coming his way,
Gavin turned his head, shocked by the sight of the boy’s horse charging him.
The animal gave an ear-piercing scream, then reared up on his hind legs a few
paces away.

“Call yer beast off or I will kill him,” Gavin warned
in a low, ominous tone.

When no response came forth, he slammed the boy into
the tree again, and then kept him suspended off the ground.

The lad whimpered in pain, then spat, “Go to hell!”

“If ye dinna value yer horse, so be it,” Gavin growled
as he threw the boy to the ground, and then pulled out his claymore. He knew
the reaction he would receive, and was not disappointed.

“Nae, do not hurt him,” Ella said as she flung herself
in front of Apollo.

Gavin stared in disbelief when the beast instantly
calmed. Obviously, the youth had a gift with horses, a trait he always
respected. Yet, when his men approached, the horse became agitated again,
moving closer to his young master.

“Tavish, take the boy’s horse. Water him, and then
return to camp,” Gavin ordered knowing his youngest brother would be able to
soothe the horse while he dealt with the English twit.

“Please be at ease,” Tavish said to skittish lad and
irate horse. “Ne’er would I hurt such a magnificent animal, but for now I must
take him.”

Ella watched as the young Scot, who looked to be a
year or two younger than she, walked away with Apollo. She gave no protest,
fearing if she did they would harm her horse.

Once the beast was out of sight, Gavin grabbed the boy
by his tunic and lifted him off the ground with one hand. He asked in a low,
feral tone, “Who are ye?”

The boy responded by landing a solid kick to the side
of Gavin’s knee, but with no strength behind the blow, he didn’t so much as
flinch. However, for the ludicrous act of fighting someone of his stature, he
slammed the youth into the tree yet again.