Plead Forgiveness: Betrayed Twice (Loyalty Series) Read Online Free Page A

followed on
the other side of the fence.
    “Now you try.”
    Mimicking her slow
movements, Paen fed the two stallions and began to stroke their heads. He
turned toward Ella and asked, “Should I use the Latin commands ye use?”
    “It will help his
progression, but if you rather-”
    “Nae, I want to
continue as ye have done. Will ye teach me these Latin words? I only remember
‘good’ and ‘turn’.”
    “Aye, I will teach
you the words.”
    Paen lifted his
brows and said, “And more about training horses?”
    She stared at the
hardened warrior who spoke with child-like eagerness. “Aye, I will teach all
that I know.”
    An hour later, the
threesome headed to the village with Apollo and Righ in tow and Arth on their
heels. As instructed, Leif warned the villagers to keep their distance while
they worked with Righ in an attempt to socialize him. The villagers did as bade
with a smile, and waved at the odd group when they passed.
    If anyone thought
it strange that Laird Gavin’s new wife, his bastard brother, and a stable boy
walked two gigantic stallions, with a wolf dog trailing behind, they did not
comment on it.
    Unbeknownst to
Ella, Colban and his family had explained to the villagers why Laird Gavin
forced Ella into marriage. They also affirmed Ella’s heroic acts, generous
nature, and remarkable skills in healing. In response, the people of the
Macleod Clan disregarded her English heritage, and now eagerly awaited a chance
to welcome the amazing woman.
    The threesome
returned to the castle at twilight, exceedingly happy with the day’s progress
with Righ. Unfortunately, their happiness ended the moment they learned who
awaited them in the main hall.
     
    *
     
    Paen and Leif
protectively flanked Ella when they entered the hall and greeted Lady Esme.
    “Our priest has
explained to the king’s men that ye are my son’s lawfully wedded wife and that
ye will nae return to England. They brought with them a midwife to examine ye
and verify yer lack of virginity.”
    “How did they know
to bring a midwife?”
    Lady Esme
grimaced, but answered, “The King of England has dealt with similar situations
in the past. I am sorry, but ye canna refuse. They will allow me to be present
during the examination.”
    One of the king’s
soldiers stepped forward, obviously impatient to finish the task.“Is this Lady
Ella?”
    Lady Esme stepped
in front of her new daughter and glared at the soldier as she said, “Aye.”
    The English
soldier gestured for the midwife to take the young woman above stairs and
examine her. He then turned back to Lady Esme and said, “If Lady Ella is still
a maiden, she comes with us and the marriage will be annulled.”
    Mortified, Ella
followed the midwife and Lady Esme above stairs.
    Lady Esme and the
aging midwife reentered the hall a short time later with confirmation that the
lady in question was indeed wife to Laird Macleod. The king’s party left, but
their presence lingered.
     
     
    The great hall
filled with numerous Macleods for the evening meal, yet the mood remained far
from jovial. Seated at the head table on the dais, Lady Esme, along with Paen
and Tavish, spoke with Father Logan.
    “She refuses to
come to the hall for the evening meal, but I canna say I blame her. Suffering
the humiliation of the midwife’s examination will hardly lift her spirits,”
Lady Esme declared.
    With a look of
pity, Father Logan shook his balding head and said, “Aye, but we knew that King
Henry would send a midwife. Praise God, ‘tis over now. I would like to stay on
until Gavin returns. The lass may need to speak with me during this difficult
time.”
    Lady Esme smiled
at their long-time priest, whom they shared with the Clan Mackenzie and a few
other neighboring clans. “Aye, Father, ye are always welcome here.” Her
attention turned to Maeve, who just returned from Ella’s chamber.
    “How is she, Maeve?”
    Wringing her hands
in her apron, Maeve answered, “The trencher of food I brought