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

He leaned down and whispered to her, “I take it your name is Katherine. That is what I heard your sister call you.”

His voice was low and deep, his masculinity was a bit overbearing and she tried hard to find her voice. “Yes, my lord.”

He reached up and touched her hair. “Please call me Ian.”

She looked down unable to look into his eyes so intimately. The winds picked up and the group complained about the cold. Katherine pulled the fur tighter around her and Ian leaned against the tree to block the wind. He opened his plaid. “We would probably be warmer if we sat close together.”

Katherine’s eyes widened in shock at his suggestion.

He gazed at her face kindly. “I promise I don’t bite.”

She stared at him not moving. He reached for her and scooted her closer to him as he engulfed her in his massive arms. She did not resist and snuggled closer to block the wind. Smelling the woodsy scent on his neck, she smiled. Most warriors had terrible odor, but his scent was pleasant, and she laid her head on his chest. Nestled between his arm and thick thighs, she felt protected not only from the elements but from Derrick and the McEntee clan.

“Tell me, Katherine, how is an English lass with hair like spun gold and a face men would die for, all alone in Scotland with no husband or betrothed? Or is that who you’re running from?”

She pulled away slightly and considered his eyes. “Close to the truth. My father is an English knight and wanted a higher place at court. He planned to betroth me to the highest noble he could find, but my Scottish grandmother became ill. We came to pay our last respects without my father’s permission. I can’t imagine the wrath the household faced with our departure.”

He listened deeply, a trait she was not used to with men. He rubbed her hand gently. “What happened that brought you here?”

She closed her eyes. “It’s been awful! When we arrived in Scotland, my grandmother died, and her clan was unkind to us. They refused us an escort back to England and planned to sell us themselves. Before they could barter us off, the laird’s son laid claim on me. But his father had refused his pursuit and it made him angry. He told me he would take me away and helped me escape. His friend took me to the woods and provided two horses for our journey. My instructions were to wait for him. But my sister appeared and made me steal the horses even though I begged her not to. I am frightened they will find us and make us suffer their punishment for horse thievery.”

“Do you love this laird’s son?”

Katherine gasped and replied, “Nay! Deanna told me to use my woman charms on him so that he would help us.”

Ian tried to suppress a smile. “I am sure he would do anything possible for one of your charms.”

Kathleen rolled her eyes. “I doubt that. He is probably going to kill me when he finds us.”

He whispered, “Don’t be frightened. I know the clan you speak of and I will not let them harm you. What about your father?”

Katherine took a deep breath. “I hardly know. He is a harsh man and not to be trifled with. My mother died when I was young. Deanna is a widow—her husband was thrice her age and decrepit. She will not let my father make a match for her again and has decided not to return.”

“She has put you in danger.” He looked around at his men, who had found their own trees to lie against. He focused back on Katherine and kissed her fingers. “Your hands are cold. Let me warm them up.” He rubbed her small hands with his large ones and blew on them holding onto them closely.

“Deanna means well. She is only three years older than me and tries to be a mother too. She keeps me hidden mostly as she says I attract the wrong kind of attention.”

He blew on her fingers again. “She is jealous.”

Katherine shook her head. “Nay, she just worries about me.”

He grunted and reached for a bag near his feet. “Would you like some ale?” He took a drink and handed it to her. She accepted and put it up to her mouth swallowing a generous amount.

“Tell me, Ian. Why do the men fear you? Are you dangerous?”

He took a minute and mulled over her question. “Do you fear me?”

She took another drink and wiped her mouth. “Should I fear you?” She challenged his stare with one of her own not breaking away but trying to read his thoughts.

“I feel it’s important to keep my opponents guessing and a bit off guard. My words are few and I don’t give into mindless chatter. I let my skills do my talking.”

She looked away secretly hoping he would keep talking to her. Even his voice was manly, and she wanted to hear more. They sat in compatible silence for a few moments. He turned her hand over and placed a kiss on the inside of her wrist. He looked at her raising a brow. “So, tell me, Katherine. Have you ever been kissed?”

The hammering of her heart felt like it was going to come out of her chest. She pulled her hands away and held them next to her body. “That is an improper question, Sir Ian.”

A slight smile formed on his lips. “I take that as a no.”

She pressed her lips tightly together in protest and narrowed her eyes. “I was kept hidden most of my life not allowed to engage in the same amusements as my brothers or sister. I have not had the same amount of opportunities at romance as others my age. But I assure you, Sir, that I am not a child.”

He rubbed his lips eyeing her with amusement. “Oh, trust me, sweeting. I don’t see you as a child.”

She looked shyly