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

his men fought? They were savage killers. None of the McGregor’s are left.”

Deanna felt frightened. “And you think Katherine is safe with him?”

Dorian rubbed her arm consolingly. “For your sake, I hope so.”

Deanna looked at Claudia with worry in her eyes. Soon Dorian called his men to mount their horses, so they could be on their way. Claudia and Deanna mounted their horses and followed the group.

After an hour of riding, the women fell behind the group wanting to speak privately. Claudia turned to Deanna and whispered, “I hope Katherine is well. That man seems a bit possessive of her. What do you believe are his intentions?”

“I don’t like it. But she won’t listen to me. It seems her silence only encourages him. But what are we to do? We are at their mercy and no one will challenge him.”

“She seems a little enamored with him.”

Deanna rolled her eyes and responded, “Of all the men in England and Scotland, my sister falls for the one they call the Cold-Heart.”

Claudia giggled and covered her mouth, so no one would hear her.

Chapter 7

After a few hours of riding, Ian asked, “Katherine? How are you feeling?”

“My stomach has settled finally.”

“I know it was disturbing for you. I wish I could have shielded you from witnessing the battle. But it was an ambush and we had no choice.”

“I have never seen so much blood. I will never forget the stench in the air.”

“Try not to think about it.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

“Where are my sister and maid?”

“She is with Dorian. They will meet us tonight. I wanted you near me to make sure you were safe.”

“Thank you.”

They reached O’Donnell’s loch and Ian excused himself to scout out the area for safety. A few of the men went fishing and hunting for the night’s meal. Other men unloaded furs and blankets and laid them around the huge fire pit. One of the men set up a tent and moved Katherine’s saddlebags into it. The men spoke in Gaelic and she was unable to decipher their next move.

Katherine wandered off from the fire pit and walked along the brush. She gathered berries and wild onions to help with the evening meal. She walked farther away from the group so engrossed by the size of the loch. Movement in the brush gave her a moment of panic, but upon further inspection, she saw a puppy. Katherine looked around for the mother and any brothers and sisters, and finding none, she picked it up giving it kisses.

“Lucky dog.” A deep voice rumbled behind her. Katherine gasped and turned around spotting Ian standing behind her.

“Oh! You frightened me.” She held the puppy tightly against her chest. Ian took a step near her and petted the dog. He looked down into her bag and noticed the onions and berries. “That looks good. What are the smashed flowers for?”

“Forgive me. Sir Ian, but it’s the smell. If I place them in my handkerchief, I can smell them instead of your men.”

He tilted his head back and laughed. She looked at him smiling and said, “I am glad you find it so humorous.”

He crossed his arms playfully. “I should be offended.”

“I’m not talking about you. But your men.”

Ian nodded his head. “Of course, my sweeting. Now, let’s put that puppy back where you found him. The mother may be looking for him and won’t be too keen on seeing you with him.”

Katherine nodded and placed the puppy back by the trees. She took his extended elbow and walked with him by the loch. They enjoyed the breeze and noises of nature as they strolled. After a few minutes, Katherine breathed in deeply. “This is the most relaxed I have felt since being in Scotland, although it may be a false sense of peace.”

Ian stopped walking and looked down at her. “Why do you say that?”

“It’s a façade. When we reach Dorian’s clan, they may not accept us. Dorian said he would wait for payment from my father, but what if my father’s anger still burns and he refuses to pay? What will Dorian do with us? He is not the laird, and the laird could turn us out. I also fear that Clan McEntee could still be looking for us.”

He reached for her face and bent down placing his forehead on top of hers. “Worry not. I will help you.”

She closed her eyes as he brushed a kiss across her lips. She took her hands and wrapped them around his neck. He lifted her slightly off the ground with his embrace before setting her back down on her feet.

“Now, let’s get back to camp before I ravish you in the middle of the field.” She opened her mouth to protest then closed it when she saw him wink at her with amusement.

The men were bragging about their catch when they returned to camp. Nine fish in all and seven rabbits with a few birds rounded out the meal. Skewers of meat were set up over the fire and the smell of the roasting meat made Katherine’s stomach growl. One of the cooks took her onions and berries and added them to the pot of the fish they were stewing.

Katherine took a seat on a blanket and warmed herself by the fire. Ian spoke to some of his men and gave out a few orders. After he cleaned up, he took a skewer of the cooked meat and sat by Katherine. Taking out his dagger, he cut up some meat for her, so they could eat together.

“It’s delicious.” She licked her fingers enjoying the juicy meat. Ian smiled and bit off some meat from his dagger. They sat in companionable silence as they finished the skewer and drank some ale.

“Do you think my sister will be here soon?” She looked around the camp as darkness started to fall.

“I do.”

She accepted his answer and leaned back on the blanket looking up into the sky. He