Hiding Katherine by GG Shalton (reading women .txt) 📗

“You have known him less than a day. Don’t fool yourself.”

Claudia giggled and said, “The one they call Bufford told me I had eyes the color of the sea. He is very romantic.”

Katherine’s patience was at an end. “You two are being ridiculous. Instead of falling all over yourselves for these Scots, we should be planning our escape.”

Deanna straightened her shoulders trying to fix her dress. “Katherine, you need to grow up. We would never make it back to England alone. At least we are safe with them and they have offered us a place to go. After meeting Dorian, I am not sure if I want to go back to England and be forced into a marriage with an old man that drools and tries to touch me. No thank you. I will take my chances here.”

Katherine stared at her in disbelief. “Are you serious?” Tears welled up in her eyes. “Do you think Father is looking for us?”

Deanna’s face softened, and she reached over to hug her sister. “Katherine, listen to me. I know you have romantic ideas of marrying some great man that Father has picked out, but you need to get that idea out of your head. Father will sell you to the highest bidder which most likely will be an old noble. It would be a miserable life. Stay with me and I will take care of you. You’re only sixteen. You have never known a man’s touch and you don’t want it to be decided by your father who will make love to you.”

Katherine wiped her nose and nodded. Deanna looked her in the eyes. “Stay covered for now. Once we reach Dorian’s keep, we can decide when it will be safe to take it off.”

The women completed their ministrations and joined the warriors to continue their journey. Dorian helped them mount their horses and they took off over the hill toward the north.

They rode hard and rested for lunch. A quick snack of leftover rabbit and some berries kept the group satisfied until they reached late afternoon.

The day grew tiresome and Katherine was sick of watching her sister fall all over herself flirting with Dorian. Claudia’s never-ending giggling was also raking on her nerves. It was obvious to her that the men accepted the women due to their charms and lack of female companionship in the woods, but what would happen once they arrived at their destination? Her worries and frustration came full circle as she contemplated her future and options. There was no escape and her lot in life may be to stay hidden.

“Hold!” One of the warriors yelled and lifted a spear. He looked a bit wild in the eyes and gestured with his hands for all to be quiet. He pointed toward a path of trees and a few other warriors smiled. Katherine’s vision was a bit obscured by her covering and she could not tell what they were looking at. A few of them galloped toward the woods and she heard loud grunts and growl sounds. She looked back at Deanna who kept her finger in front of her closed mouth shushing her. One of the warriors let out a cry and the others hollered aloud. Katherine was finally able to see the fuss and award of skilled hunting. Two of the men had hunted and killed a wild boar. It was huge and would make quite the meal for the night’s supper.

Dorian smiled delightedly. “We will feast tonight!” One of the other warriors laughed and added, “We will feast for a few days!”

The men spoke in Gaelic and asked Deanna for her horse because they needed it to help carry the boar. She was happy to ride with Dorian, and the men celebrated and laughed at their prize as they took off toward the open fields.

An hour later, Dorian stopped the group at the sight of horses coming toward them down the hill. The men put their hands on their swords as a group of warriors approached them. Katherine could see the colors of the plaid from the distance and Dorian grabbed her reins slowing their decent.

One of his men faced him and said, “I think it’s the one they call Cold-Heart. I recognize his legendary stallion.”

Dorian looked back at his men. “Not to mention his legendary size. Everyone stays close until we know if we will have trouble.”

The massive leader pulled his horse in front of the group while his men flanked him on each side. Katherine peeked from under her covering. Her breath caught in her throat taking in the sight in front of her.

The man was enormous—he was well over six feet tall with huge muscular arms and thighs that looked like they swallowed up the saddle. She had never seen a man that looked so alarming. His long dark hair was pulled back in a band and his face showed a few battle scars near his chin. He was young but had a mature look about him. His hardened jaw was clenched as he scowled, causing all of them to shift in their saddles uncomfortably. He stared at the group assessing each warrior without any sign of emotion on his face. It was unnerving!

Finally, he moved his eyes in their direction. A deep voice echoed in the silence of the men, “Dorian? Am I correct?”

Dorian nodded assessing his greeting. He lifted Deanna out of his saddle placing her on the ground beside Katherine’s horse. All three women shivered nervously at the encounter. Dorian took his horse forward flanked by two of his men in front of the group. Katherine quickly weighed her surroundings hoping to find an escape route in case she had to run.

Dorian nodded his head and spoke in Gaelic. The men spoke a few words back and forth and eventually looked at the women. Dorian switched to English, so they could understand. “They are English. We found them hiding in the woods. Apparently, escaping from Clan