Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) (33 page)

“Ye emphasized the importance of keeping yer hands
clean when tending an illness or injury,” Rachel said as she knelt in front of
her. “The soap contains no perfumes or dyes.”

Tears blurred Ella’s vision as she looked inside and
saw 12 square spaces in which her medicinal bottles fit perfectly, along with
the two given to her by Rachel. She closed the small chest and traced the
intrinsic design square carved on the lid, then gave equal attention to the
satchel.

Helena knelt beside Rachel at Ella’s feet and said,
“Yer tools are on the inside pockets of the satchel, along with some extra
linen. With the material Lady Esme gave to me, I made a few drawstring pouches,
as well as an apron that has pockets for needle and thread.”

Taking out the apron, Ella noticed immediately the
time and effort that went into making the functional garb. The apron, soap,
chest and satchel were all made with such thought and love. When she finally
looked up to speak, tears were the only thing that came forth. She tried again.

“This . . .’tis all so. . .I can’t. . . begin to ever.
. . thank you.” Her smile was accompanied by more tears.

Gavin was stunned at the generous gift, but more so by
Ella’s emotional reaction and genuine gratitude. The glimpse of the strong,
courageous woman moved to sobs of joy due to a gesture of thanks made his heart
swell. She was beyond any dream or vision he had ever conjured up when he
thought of his future wife. His desire for her painfully escalated with each
passing moment.

By the time she had thanked Colban and his family
numerous times as well as hugged each member at least twice, Gavin was more
than ready to go. He was ready to claim her body and soul, but knew he had to
wait until after the private supper with his family.

His mother had been right when she suggested having
the evening meal before the ceremony, since Ella would more than likely be too
enraged to sit through a celebratory feast.

When they finally entered the hall, she ran over to
his family to show off the gift Colban, his brothers and their wives had
bestowed upon her. They were equally impressed with the fine craftsmanship,
along with the work it took to design and create all the items.

His mother was not looking at the satchel or the small
chest, Gavin noticed, but at Ella’s child-like pleasure at receiving such a
thoughtful gift. He put his arm around her shoulders and said, “Thank ye.”

Lady Esme was misty eyes when she replied, “I dinna ken
what for, and I will nae hear another word about it.” She paused, then in a
softer voice said, “She really is so beautiful, Gavin. Ye are a lucky man.”

“I agree and think ‘tis time to begin the meal. I am
eager to make her my bride, even if by doing so will forfeit any affection she
had towards me. Given time, I pray she will come to understand why I must do
this, why I will nae let her go.”

“Aye, just be patient, and she will see the truth.”

Throughout the evening meal laughter was heard,
stories were told and more than one jest was said by those surrounding the
wooden trestle table on the dais. Everyone enjoyed themselves, including Ella,
whose laughter was contagious and gracious manner was admired by one and all.
When Gavin noticed that twilight was fast approaching he decided it was time.

“Afore the last rays of the sun disappear, I would
like to take Ella for a walk down by the loch. If ye will excuse us.” He took
hold of her hand, then left the hall without another word.

A knot formed in Ella’s stomach as she and Gavin
silently made their way to the loch. She sensed that he had something important
to discuss with her, something she would not like.

They stood side-by-side as they watched the sun
disappear into the loch. After a few moments she picked up a rock and threw it
so it skipped along the water surface. When she stood from retrieving another
rock, she felt his presence behind her.

Turning to face him, she asked, “Why did you bring me
here?”

Gavin put his hand on her shoulders, and in a deep voice
said, “Ye will nae be returning to England.”

Horrified, Ella could only stare. And then the
enormity of his deceptions and lies became all too clear. Slowly backing away
from him, she shook her head as if to ward off a bad dream.

“Nae, you gave me your word that you would return me,
and I will hold you to it. You cannot do this. My aunt and uncle as well as
your clan would be in danger. How can you risk so many lives? Nae . . . I will
not allow it.”

Angrily, she marched past him as she stated, “I am
leaving now. You cannot stop me. I am not your concern, not now, not ever.”

Gavin made no move to stop her, just said, “Ye will
nae be leaving. I am taking ye for my wife.”

Whirling around, Ella roared, “What? Are you mad? Nae,
Laird Macleod, I will not consent to becoming your wife. Do you honestly
believe I would marry you knowing it would mean the death of my only family.”

His voice turned low and hard. “Regardless if ye marry
me, ye will nae be leaving my home. The only chance Lady Eleanor and Sir James
have is if ye wed me.”

“I don’t understand.”

Covering the distance between them, he lied for the
first time in his life. “I promised Sir James that if ye agreed to the marriage
I would aid him in rescuing his sister from Greystone. I have offered my protection
and home, as well as the protection of the Mackenzies, to yer family. As we
speak Alex Mackenzie is on his way to inform the King of Scotland about
Gabriel’s abduction, along with written documentation from Sir James and
myself.”

Gavin took a step towards her and stated, “The best
chance yer aunt and uncle have is if the Macleods aid them, but that will only
happen if ye wed me this night.”

Trembling from the betrayal, she asked in a shaky
voice, “My uncle has agreed with this?”

“Aye, as well as yer aunt. They want ye safe, and as
far away from Greystone as possible.”

“Why should I believe ye?”

“I give ye my word of honor that-’

“Your word means naught and you have nae honor,” she
screamed, knowing full well how much value a Highlander puts on both.

Gavin’s fist clenched at his sides and his face
distorted with rage as she continued, “Why would you marry me? I’m English. I
have nae dowry or anything of value. I have not even been trained to manage a
castle. I’m ignorant of all domestic skills females are required to possess,
especially those of a noble lady.”

Ella turned away as she continued, “You do not even
know me? You do not know the horrible things I have done. Trust me, I’m the
last person you should want for wife. If you knew, you would not even want me
on your land.”

Gavin’s fierce demeanor disappeared when he saw how
utterly terrified and vulnerable she had become.
Dear God, she thought she
wasn’t worthy.

His voice softened when he said, “Ella, I have more
than enough wealth and land. And I dinna ken if my mother and Maeve would even
allow ye to take their duties, unless ye truly wanted them.”

Standing behind her, he put his hands on her shoulders
and continued, “Ye say I dinna ken ye, but I disagree. I ken ye would rather be
our clan healer than order servants to do yer bidding. I ken ye would rather
train and breed my two stables of horses than see to salting the meat or
purchasing spices from traveling merchants. I also ken that ye want to be part
of a family, a family ye can embrace without thought of punishment. I also ken
ye want to feel safe.”

Gavin turned her to face him, then cupped her cheeks.
“I will always protect ye with my life. Please, understand why I do this.” He
paused for a moment, then said, “What kind of man would I be if I allowed ye to
return to England, knowing the abuse, misery and shame you would suffer.”

There was no choice to be made. He was determined to
keep her regardless of her wishes. If she did not marry him, her aunt and uncle
would be killed without his aid. It tore at her heart to realize that he was
not the man she thought him to be, that he only cared about his wants, his
needs. Aye, she would marry him, if only to save her family. But, she would not
love him, not ever.

“I will marry you, but in name only. Also, I will
travel with you to England on the morrow.”

Gavin did not argue, just took her by the elbow and
led her to the chapel as he silently cursed her for being so stubborn and
headstrong. Never in all his score and seven years had he declared himself so
openly to a woman. He was giving Ella his name and protection, along with a
much better life. Yet, instead of being grateful, she makes futile demands. S
he
will be my wife in all ways, for I will nae risk losing her.

Father Logan, along with Lady Esme and Bowen were
waiting at the altar when the bride and groom arrived. Throughout the short
ceremony Ella made no eye contact with anyone and spoke only one word to the
priest.

“Aye.”

Ella’s mind felt hazy when Gavin slipped a ring on her
finger and gave her a tender kiss, sealing the union between them. Instantly,
she recognized the stone, now set in intrinsically designed silver setting. If
she had doubts before that her Uncle James consented to the marriage, they
vanished the moment she saw the precious gem.

She remained silent as her new mother-by-marriage
escorted her to the bedchamber. And after several failed attempts to get her to
speak, Lady Esme helped her into sleeveless shift, and then departed the
chamber.

When Ella was finally alone, she drained two goblets
of wine to soothe the anguish that flooded her heart. She looked again at her
wedding ring and the beautiful stone her uncle gave Gavin. Tears silently
coursed down her cheeks, and after a few moments she bolted the door. Assailed
by a terrible sense of bitterness and raw defeat, she threw herself onto the
bed and yielded to the compulsive sobs that racked her body.

After the short wedding ceremony, Gavin did not join
his family and guard in the hall, opting to seek solace in his own chamber. He
did not have the heart to be near anyone except his wife, but he would not go
to her yet. Instead he stood in the dark listening to her soul wrenching sobs.
She had bolted the door moments ago, which he knew was to prevent him from
entering.

She was unaware that he could easily enter her chamber
from the very door he stood by now, listening and waiting for the right moment.
Hell, there was nae ‘right moment’.

An hour later, covered only waist down by a plaid, he
silently moved inside her chamber. Slowly, he walked over to the bed and gazed
down at her. She slept on her side, with her lower legs exposed from the bed
coverings and her blond tresses spread out over the pillow. She looked so
innocent and vulnerable in her sleep, the urge to protect her, even from
himself, overwhelmed him.

He removed his plaid before slipping into the bed,
then molded her soft curves to the contours of his lean body, with her back to
his chest. He lightly began to caress her hips, while he inched her knee length
shift up around her waist.

When he began to kiss her neck, he realized the wine
he smelled on her breath made her sleep deeper than normal. She was
unaccustomed to the non-watered down wine, he knew his mother had left in her
chamber.

He untied the back of her gown, then gingerly slipped
the garment off as he rolled her onto her back. The only light in the darkened
chamber came from the glowing embers in the hearth, and it illuminated the
beauty of his wife’s naked body.

Sliding his hand over her taunt stomach to the gentle
swell of her hips and thighs, he savored the feel of her smooth skin. He buried
his face in her neck, breathing in her intoxicating scent as his lips explored
her soft ivory flesh. Trembling hands traveled up her silken body, until he
captured one small globe. He fondled her perfectly shaped breast that was
neither to large nor to small, then teased her nipples until they were as rock
hard as he was. When he gave equal attention to the twin globe, he noticed her
restless movement.

Ella was dreaming of massive hands stoking a gentle
growing fire that sent waves of heat to her core. A delicious sensation of
masculine lips seared a path down her neck, shoulders, and to the buds that
were swollen to their fullest. She instinctively arched toward the flaming
touch as fingers drifted to the apex of her thighs, to the pearl of her
womanhood. At that moment the dormant sexuality of her body had been awakened,
and her body was flooded with desire.

Her desire was short-lived, as a moan of delight
slipped past her lips, waking her from her sensual dream-like state. She gasped
as a large male body lowered over hers.

Gavin’s ardor was inflamed by her eagerness for his
touch, which did not lessen, even when he realized she was fully awake. He had
been more than grateful for the time to arouse her sweet body, making her hot
and wet for his tender invasion. Alas, the tantalizing persuasion was over.

He nudged her slender legs apart with his knees, and
then settled his stone-hard body atop her, with his manhood resting at the
entrance to his heaven. He held both her wrists above her head with one hand,
while his other adjusted her legs so they were bent beside his hips.