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

gown until yours can be wash, we have a seamstress who has a trunk full of extra dresses.”

Katherine smiled in gratitude. “You are very kind. I would appreciate any dress that you can provide.”

The young woman tilted her head in question. “You are English?”

Katherine looked at Deanna who widened her eyes in alarm. Deanna cleared her throat to respond. “Only partially. We are both Scot and English. I hope you don’t hold that against us. Dorian was most kind in offering his protection until we can return to our father.”

The older maid put clean linens on the bed while the younger woman shrugged her shoulders in indifference. “A little Scottish is enough for me. I am glad to make your acquaintance. My name is Meg and Dorian is my cousin. Laura is one of my maids and can help you during your stay. We will serve dinner in a few hours and I will send up a few dresses for you.”

Deanna smiled. “You are most kind. Our maid Claudia is with us as well. I believe she will be along shortly.”

A knock on the door interrupted the women and a few men brought in a tub. A few others came in with steaming buckets of water and the women thanked them for their hospitality. Katherine was looking forward to a good soak.

The sisters washed their hair and cleaned the dirt and grime from their bodies. They wrapped themselves in blankets and sat by the fire to dry their hair. A few moments later, a woman arrived with many dresses that she laid out on the bed. She had a young boy with her who carried the women’s bags. They were relieved to have their belongings and tried on the different dresses the seamstress brought. Katherine settled on a green gown and Deanna wore a blue one. They combed their hair and styled it with ribbons that they had in their bags.

“Do you think Dorian will treat me differently now that he is home?” Deanna sat on the bed putting on her slippers waiting for Katherine’s reply.

“I hope not. The whole trip he seemed concerned with your welfare. He gave you his undivided attention. My fear is if Father doesn’t pay. Will we stop being guests and then become dispensable servants? Maybe sold off like Grandmother’s clan was going to do to us.”

“Let me remind you that it was I that was going to be sold off. You were going to be married.”

Katherine looked straight into her eyes and replied, “Not much of a difference if you ask me.”

Deanna turned to the looking glass and smoothed her hair with her hand. “How right you are, my sister. You are a fast learner.”

A knock on the door silenced them. Deanna answered as Claudia came in eating some fruit. “Are you hungry?”

Deanna placed her hands on her hips irritated. “Where have you been?”

“Forgive me. The kitchens are better than I have ever seen. I lost track of time.”

Deanna rolled her eyes. “We need a new maid, Sister.”

Katherine smiled while checking herself in the mirror one last time. She left part of her hair cascading down her back with the sides braided and arranged on top of her head. Claudia smiled while watching her. “Your man will not know what hit him when he sees you.”

Katherine looked away without saying anything. A knock on the door interrupted them and revealed Dorian. He gazed at the women and bowed. “You look beautiful, ladies. I will be the envy of every man there when I escort you both to dinner.”

Deanna stuck out her bottom lip. “I am happy to hear you didn’t forget about us.”

He brought her hand to his lips. “Forgive me Sweetheart—I had to attend to the families of my fallen warriors.”

“Oh, please forgive me. Of course, that is more important.”

Katherine smiled at her sister. “Sweetheart is it?” The couple looked at each other and laughed.

They entered the great hall and a hush came over the room as the other guests saw them come through the doors. Dorian escorted them to the dais where they sat with other honored guests and the laird. Dorian introduced the women to the laird, who gave them a huge welcome. His wife stood and greeted each woman with a hug.

Ian stood when he saw Katherine, and Dorian pulled out the chair beside him for her. Her heart pounded against her chest, but she graciously accepted. A few chairs down, Dorian pulled out the chair for Deanna as they spoke in whispers to the laird.

Ian leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You look beautiful this evening.”

She looked down at her lap bashfully. “Thank you, Sir Ian.”

“Ian. My name is Ian.”

“As you wish, Ian.” She quickly looked away and found it hard to concentrate on what was going on around her. Many of the men had noticed her, pointing toward the dais, and whispering among each other. A look of jealousy briefly came over Ian’s face, but he kept his senses.

The servants began to pass out the trenchers and platters of food entered the hall. Katherine felt famished and was looking forward to the fare. Ian helped put food in her trencher and sliced her meat with his dagger. After a few bites, he turned to her to ask, “Have you avoided me today?”

She was surprised by his direct question. “Not at all.”

He paused and studied her reaction. Looking around at the others, he was seemingly relieved they were in their own conversations. He whispered near her ear. “Was it the liberties I took last night?”

Her breath caught in her throat as he guessed her discomfort. He reached for her hand and held it under the table. “I beg your forgiveness if I made you feel uncomfortable. But your silence and indifference today has kept me tormented.”

She looked at him surprised. “I doubt that an inexperienced young maiden could keep a man like you in torment. You are afraid of nothing.”

He looked at her without smiling. Keeping his voice