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

stretched out beside her holding his head up on his elbow studying her face. “You are complicated to read.”

“I am afraid I am very ordinary, Sir Ian. At least in my mind, I am. Not skilled in the art of conversation. I had very little practice growing up. I was confined to my home and had only my family as companions. But they grew weary of my chatting and tattling choosing to spend their time elsewhere. Especially my brothers.” She laughed out loud. “My father allowed very few visitors near me. Only his close advisors. I didn’t understand at the time, but I do now…”

“What do you understand?”

“I may be young, but I am not dim-witted. The men in my life see me as a pawn and not as a person. They say other men see my beauty. But I don’t feel beautiful. I feel sad. Women are not kind to me and men want to use me for either a conquest or financial gain.”

She studied his reaction to see which one he fitted into. He drew his brows in concern as she sat up looking into his face. “Which are you, my lord? You say you will help me, but would you help me if I were not beautiful?”

He looked down thinking of his response. “An honest question deserves an honest answer. The truth is that I don’t know. I won’t lie to you and admit your beauty is very tantalizing. But there is more to you than beauty. Your unspoiled innocence intrigues me. I don’t usually spend a lot of time with women. I used to think men who spent too much of their time with women were weak. But now I am not so sure.”

She watched his expression trying to memorize his features. He made her feel like she could talk about anything. “I respect honesty. Tell me, Ian. Did your family arrange a marriage for you?”

“I am the fourth son and never thought I would marry. A few of my brothers had their marriages arranged. Being tied down to one woman never sounded appealing and we would poke fun at those who did. Meeting you yesterday, made me think about it. Honestly, I am not used to talking this much. Part of my strength is staying quiet and listening. Listening can make others vulnerable.”

The ground shook as the sound of hoofs beat against the ground. Ian shot up to his feet and reached for his sword. One of his warriors held up his hand to calm him. “It’s Dorian.”

Ian looked down and held out his hand for Katherine, she accepted it and stood up to greet the party. Her sister’s face relaxed when she met Katherine’s eyes. Dorian slowed down and helped Deanna quickly unmount.

She ran to Katherine and hugged her. Ian kept his hand on her lower back in a possessive gesture. Deanna looked up at him and then back to Katherine. “Come let’s speak privately.”

Katherine looked up at Ian who showed no emotion. He stared at Deanna for a long second then nodded his head and stepped aside. The women scattered away leaving the men to set up camp. Claudia stayed and helped the men prepare their meal.

“Tell me, Sister. How do you fare? You were without words and looked positively ill when you left this morning.”

“I am well. Ian has taken care of me.” The women stopped by the loch to wash up. Deanna took a cloth and wiped the dirt from her face. She pulled out the soap from its wrappings and used it to take the stench away. She handed it to Katherine, so they could share.

“What is he like? He seems so serious and hardly speaks. All the men fear him. Even Dorian is cautious of him.”

Katherine smiled. “I know the stories about him. But the man I know is not a savage at all.”

“You like him.”

“Aye. He kissed me.”

“Only a kiss?”

Katherine drew her head back shocked at her question. “It was enough. He did not ravish me if that is what you are thinking. Although I may have let him.”

Deanna gasped. “You do not know what you are saying. Your maidenhood is your prize. Don’t give it away without his vows.”

“My virtue is mine to give to whom I please. Not to who my father or any other man tells me to.”

Deanna sighed. “I stand corrected. I couldn’t agree with you more.”

Katherine smiled at her and looped their arms as they walked back to the camp.

Katherine approached the fire and Dorian took Deanna’s hand. He had some food set aside for her and she joined him on his blanket. Ian was sitting beside him and motioned for Katherine to sit next to him.

Dorian looked at Deanna. “Some of the men have battle wounds along with two of the horses. I spoke to Ian and we will camp here a few days, so they can recover before we journey to my keep.”

Deanna nodded. “Of course.”

The men were singing some Scottish tunes after dinner that night. Ian kept hold of Katherine’s hand and she enjoyed his closeness. As the fire dwindled, Katherine felt her eyes grow heavy and the last thing she remembered was Ian whispering in her ear to lean back on him, so she could rest.

The next morning, she woke next to Ian covered in furs near her sister. They had not used the tent and slept in the open. She stirred enough to wake Ian as he looked down at her and smiled.

“You look refreshed. I can’t believe the things you speak about in your sleep.”

Her eyes widened before seeing the smile slide across his face. “I know for a fact, that I don’t talk in my sleep.”

“So you say.” He reached out and touched her face with his hand gently. “I am going to check on everyone and will be back soon.”

Katherine nodded and got up out of the furs. She straightened her dress and found Claudia speaking to a few of the men. They went to