Plead Forgiveness (Loyalty Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

lass and his parents taught him to
care for women, not abuse them.
    With her free hand, she cupped his cheek and
whispered, “Look at me, Gabriel. I will get you out of this castle and see you
returned to your family.”
    It was the look in her eye that convinced him to
believe her words.
    “Escaping the castle will be very dangerous, but I
assure you it can be done,” she stated. “You were told about the secret
passageway, but nae how small and dark it will be once inside. Cobb webs line
the narrow walls and low ceiling. The only entrance to the passageway is in the
next room.”
    Gabriel interrupted, “Ye say it be in the next room,
but we canna leave this room. Did ye forget the guards posted on the other side
of that door.” He pointed to the door Lady Eleanor had just used to leave the
chamber moments ago.
    “Nae, I dinna forget, “she said imitating his Scottish
burr perfectly. Gabriel awarded her a smile of acceptance.
    Pointing to the far wall, she continued, “We will go
through the hearth.” At seeing his look of disbelief she explained, “There is a
secret lever that will rotate the wall of stone, allowing us access to the
hearth of that chamber.”
    Gabriel had heard about the secret’s each castle
possessed and asked, “Does that wretch who whipped ye ken about it?”
    “Nae, my Grandfather felt that Philip could not be
trusted.”
    “He was a wise man.”
    She nodded then went on to more important topics,
knowing time was their enemy. “Once inside that room, you must be as silent as
the dead. Do you understand?”
    When Gabriel nodded, she went on to explain, “There is
a trap door hidden under a fur pelt in the next chamber. The only way to open
it is with a steel bar we will find in the fireplace.”
    With Gabriel’s full attention, his face indicating he
knew how important her words were, she became curious at the brave lad standing
before her. “Gabriel, how old are you?”
    “Seven summers, why?”
    “Seven summers,” she repeated. “You seem much older, I
would have guessed nine.”
    “Papa says I’m big for my age, like him when he was a
lad.”
    “Aye, but ‘tis more than that. Your maturity, courage
and ability to understand matters beyond your years are remarkable. You
continue to impress me”.
    His face flamed red as he averted his gaze, but she
saw his shy smile and the dimple that appeared in his left cheek.
    Unable to resist, she filled his dimple with her
finger as she giggled, “The hole in your cheek is most becoming.”
    The dimpled disappeared as did his smile. He was
scowling at her, but she continued to grin as she whispered, “Let’s be gone
from here, my friend.”
    After gaining access to the next chamber and slipping
through the trap door, the pair walked hand-in-hand as they descended the
secret stairwell and moved through the long passageway that led outside the
castle.
    A sigh of relief passed Ella’s lips when she saw the
two black Arabian coursers, Apollo and Zeus. Both bred for endurance, strength
and speed, but the former was her pride and joy.
    Aunt Eleanor gifted Ella with Apollo last year without
Philip’s knowledge, since he objected to giving his ward anything of value. The
prized stallion was not only powerful, but highly intelligent as well and was
completely devoted to her.
    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