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

seat on a fallen tree. He sat beside her looking out over the fields. “It is my wish that you will stay with me and not return to England.”

“Indeed?”

Dorian bent down and kissed her. “Aye, I want you to be my wife.”

Deanna squealed and threw her arms around his neck. “Yes! I want that too.”

He hugged her and held her close to his chest. She couldn’t stop smiling. “I can’t wait to tell Katherine.”

Dorian pulled away from her, his smile fading. “Do you think she will go back to England without you? I don’t mind if she lives with us if that is your wish.”

“I must think about it. I don’t wish to bring your clan trouble. My father can be callous when it comes to money and he sees Katherine as a way to a better life. He has provided only a puny dowry for her in the hopes that her beauty would have men forget themselves and their money.”

Dorian sat quietly absorbing what she said. “My men would protect her with their life if you say the word.”

“I could never ask them that. Besides she has a champion who already can’t keep his eyes off her. He will be leaving soon, and we will need to decide if we contact my father or not. Eventually he will send guards to the McEntee clan and come looking.”

Dorian cracked a smile. “Speaking of her champion, he has agreed to help my clan with the McGregor’s. They are afraid of his clan and he thinks he can negotiate on my behalf. His price was steep, and we will need to sell off some land to pay him. But it will be worth it. I honestly think the only reason he agreed to help us was not the money, but to spend a few more days with your sister. She has captivated him and all our men, including his own, don’t know what to make of it. They said he has spoken more in the last few days than in all the years they have known him.”

“Positively unsavory if you ask me. I will be glad when he is gone. Katherine is not herself around him.”

“Not too soon, I hope. He may be a mystery, but his help is most welcomed.”

He put his hand out for her and they walked back to the keep.

Chapter 10

Ian waited for Katherine during the evening meal. He didn’t want to rush her into a decision, but he was running out of time. He agreed to train with Dorian’s warriors for three days before departing to McGregor lands. After they returned from the McGregor’s, Ian wanted to take Katherine to his home.

Katherine’s face lit up when she saw Ian in the doorway. “Sir Ian, I bring well wishes.”

He held out his arm. “You look lovely this evening,”

Katherine blushed as they took their seats up on the dais. He noticed her sister’s close watch of the them throughout dinner.

After dinner, Ian asked Katherine to take a walk to the stables. She followed him out the doors and as they approached the stables, he pulled her to the side. She looked at him worriedly.

He stared her for a moment and leaned down. “Do you trust me?”

Katherine raised her brows cautiously. “I think so.”

“I will take that answer for now.” He motioned toward the horses. “I want you to ride with me on my horse. There is a special place that I discovered today that I want to show you.”

Katherine agreed and mounted his horse. Ian straddled behind her and they took off out of the keep into the darkness of the woods. They rode for at least an hour before Ian slowed. In the distance was a rocky ledge that overlooked a cliff. The loch was lit up by the moonlight, and the sounds of the night were singing.

Ian cleared his throat. “The view is beautiful during the day. I knew I wanted to bring you here. Forgive me that you can’t see it as well at night. I will start a fire to keep us warm.”

He found some wood and started a small fire. He removed the furs from his horse and retrieved some ale from his saddlebag. “Please sit and relax. I wanted some privacy, so we can talk.”

Katherine pulled one of the furs around her shoulders taking a drink of the ale. Ian sat beside her taking her hands into his. “My sweeting, I thought about you all day today. Please don’t keep me in suspense any longer. Have you made your decision?”

“I have not spoken to my sister. My maid feels I should let her get used to the idea before telling her my plans. Give her a chance to see us together and a chance to know you better.”

Ian looked down rubbing her hand with his thumb. “Does that mean you agree to be my wife?”

She looked him directly in the eyes as she replied, “I want nothing more.”

He reached for her, pulling her tightly against him. “You have made me the happiest of men.”

Katherine hugged him back and then pulled slightly away. “We must not announce it yet. It will be our secret. My sister is convinced that she knows what is best for me. She does not know you the way that I do. Let’s give her some time to know you.”

Ian touched her face in adoration. “I am only here a few more days and will leave with Dorian to go to the McGregor’s. Upon my return, we will return to my family’s castle and announce our betrothal. Will that be enough time?”

Katherine hesitated. “I do not know. Please, Ian, you must understand. We talk with confidence regarding our father and choosing our own husbands, but the truth is that we are both very afraid. Not to mention the McEntee clan. My marriage will ruin my father’s plans for me and my family would hold my sister responsible. She feels if my match is noble even