Read Online Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) by Aury Dobsyn - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Aury Dobsyn
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returned,” Edric suggested.
“I gave my word that when Gabriel is returned, I will
send her back to England,” Gavin explained as he looked for a safe place to
camp for the night.
“The sooner the better,” Paen spat as he rode up
ahead.
Regardless of what Paen and Edric believed, Gavin
sensed a rare purity about the lass riding a short distance behind with his
other men. He found himself looking over his shoulder frequently throughout the
day, unconsciously drawn to her, and greatly irritated by this odd reaction.
Gavin had noticed that her pace had slowed
considerably throughout the afternoon, which was strange considering her skill
on a horse would rival most of his men. It was more than fatigue, it was as if
all her strength has slowly drained from her body. Her flushed face was
alarming, and on occasion, she winced as though she were in a great deal of
pain. Assuming his rough handling last eve, along with Paen’s earlier this day,
caused her pain, Gavin felt profound guilt.
Edric slowed his mount to ride next to Ella, followed
by his laird.
Staring straight ahead, Edric asked their captive,
“Baron Greystone took ye in eight years ago, aye?”
“Aye.”
Continuing to avert his gaze from hers, he added, “Ye
speak of the man with obvious revulsion.”
“Aye.”
Turning to Gavin, Edric stated, “’Tis typical English
loyalty for ye, dinna ye agree?”
Gavin was about to respond to Edric’s comment, but
halted when he heard Ella’s question.
“What do you mean, typical English loyalty?”
“The English are nae even loyal to each other,” Edric
blatantly replied. “After losing yer parents the baron provided for ye, and ye
repay him with insults. Our hatred for the bastard is justified, but yers is
not. Ye make me proud to be a Scot, English.”
Lifting her chin, Ella stared straight ahead. She
refused to allow his cruel words to hurt or shame her. The ignorance of one man
was not important, she told herself.
After watching the regal way she refused to
acknowledge Edric’s insult, Gavin could not help but admire her dignity and
composure. Most females would have lashed out, infuriated by the direct
affront, but not Ella. She kept silent knowing her lack of response would
infuriate him far more.
And just as he predicted, Edric rode away, angered by
her lack of response. Gavin was now virtually alone with his captive as they
rode in silence for a few moments. From the corner of his eye, he saw her hands
trembling.
Without hesitation, he raised his hand high in the
air, and yelled, “Halt! Let us make camp for the night.”
He choose a small clearing, surrounded by lush green
foliage and cast in the sun’s fading light. Twilight would be upon them soon,
along with the cooler night air. The soothing, continuous sound of a nearby
burn over the rustling of leaves drew his attention.
Gavin dismounted, gave orders to his men, and then
looked over at the young woman. Still mounted on that beast of a horse, she
looked like some ethereal woodlyn fairy with her blonde hair in complete
disarray.
Ella needed to dismount, but feared she’d instantly
crumble to the ground, completely humiliating herself in front of the Highland
warriors. With caution, she turned and swung her leg around and was grateful to
feel strong, warm hands on her sides.
Grabbing hold of her narrow waist, Gavin pulled Ella
off Apollo, and then set her gently on the ground. He learned throughout the
day that she was mighty stubborn, often refusing to wait for him or one of his
men to help her dismount. Did she really believe we would not even assist
her from her mount?
When he heard her sharp intake of breath, Gavin
thought he might have hurt her. He was usually very cautious to use only a
fraction of his strength with females, but she was such a slight lass and
English too boot.
Annoyed by his unexpected concern, he asked curtly,
“Are ye well?”
“Aye, just a bit tired is all. Would I be allowed to
go to
“I gave my word that when Gabriel is returned, I will
send her back to England,” Gavin explained as he looked for a safe place to
camp for the night.
“The sooner the better,” Paen spat as he rode up
ahead.
Regardless of what Paen and Edric believed, Gavin
sensed a rare purity about the lass riding a short distance behind with his
other men. He found himself looking over his shoulder frequently throughout the
day, unconsciously drawn to her, and greatly irritated by this odd reaction.
Gavin had noticed that her pace had slowed
considerably throughout the afternoon, which was strange considering her skill
on a horse would rival most of his men. It was more than fatigue, it was as if
all her strength has slowly drained from her body. Her flushed face was
alarming, and on occasion, she winced as though she were in a great deal of
pain. Assuming his rough handling last eve, along with Paen’s earlier this day,
caused her pain, Gavin felt profound guilt.
Edric slowed his mount to ride next to Ella, followed
by his laird.
Staring straight ahead, Edric asked their captive,
“Baron Greystone took ye in eight years ago, aye?”
“Aye.”
Continuing to avert his gaze from hers, he added, “Ye
speak of the man with obvious revulsion.”
“Aye.”
Turning to Gavin, Edric stated, “’Tis typical English
loyalty for ye, dinna ye agree?”
Gavin was about to respond to Edric’s comment, but
halted when he heard Ella’s question.
“What do you mean, typical English loyalty?”
“The English are nae even loyal to each other,” Edric
blatantly replied. “After losing yer parents the baron provided for ye, and ye
repay him with insults. Our hatred for the bastard is justified, but yers is
not. Ye make me proud to be a Scot, English.”
Lifting her chin, Ella stared straight ahead. She
refused to allow his cruel words to hurt or shame her. The ignorance of one man
was not important, she told herself.
After watching the regal way she refused to
acknowledge Edric’s insult, Gavin could not help but admire her dignity and
composure. Most females would have lashed out, infuriated by the direct
affront, but not Ella. She kept silent knowing her lack of response would
infuriate him far more.
And just as he predicted, Edric rode away, angered by
her lack of response. Gavin was now virtually alone with his captive as they
rode in silence for a few moments. From the corner of his eye, he saw her hands
trembling.
Without hesitation, he raised his hand high in the
air, and yelled, “Halt! Let us make camp for the night.”
He choose a small clearing, surrounded by lush green
foliage and cast in the sun’s fading light. Twilight would be upon them soon,
along with the cooler night air. The soothing, continuous sound of a nearby
burn over the rustling of leaves drew his attention.
Gavin dismounted, gave orders to his men, and then
looked over at the young woman. Still mounted on that beast of a horse, she
looked like some ethereal woodlyn fairy with her blonde hair in complete
disarray.
Ella needed to dismount, but feared she’d instantly
crumble to the ground, completely humiliating herself in front of the Highland
warriors. With caution, she turned and swung her leg around and was grateful to
feel strong, warm hands on her sides.
Grabbing hold of her narrow waist, Gavin pulled Ella
off Apollo, and then set her gently on the ground. He learned throughout the
day that she was mighty stubborn, often refusing to wait for him or one of his
men to help her dismount. Did she really believe we would not even assist
her from her mount?
When he heard her sharp intake of breath, Gavin
thought he might have hurt her. He was usually very cautious to use only a
fraction of his strength with females, but she was such a slight lass and
English too boot.
Annoyed by his unexpected concern, he asked curtly,
“Are ye well?”
“Aye, just a bit tired is all. Would I be allowed to
go to
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