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

she found herself worried about becoming a widow before knowing the love of a man.

A whisper interrupted her woolgathering, “Miss? Are you well?”

Katherine nodded concentrating on the fires that sparked over the castle walls. They were up on a hill and she could only see the silhouette of smoke covering her view of the moon.

He dismounted the horse and held out his arms for Katherine. She fell into his waiting arms holding her breath until he put her down on her feet. He tied the horse to a tree and offered her his hand. She took it as he led her through several trees and then whispered, “We will climb this tree and hide in the brush.”

Katherine looked confused. “Why did we leave the horse back there?” He looked around and then answered, “I can’t take the horse. He would give away our hiding place if we hid in the tree he is tied too.”

It made sense and Katherine allowed him to lift her up into the branches. He climbed behind her helping her into the tree. He sat on a branch below her and they waited without speaking again. After several seconds, Katherine strained her ears for any sign of life beyond the castle walls. Other than a few sounds, she heard nothing. No metal hitting metal sounds of a sword fight, nor did she hear cries of men. The warrior she was with became restless and shifted back and forth, finally climbing higher in the tree trying to get a better look. It was eerily quiet, and a sinking feeling fell upon Katherine’s stomach. Could the clan be…? No! She couldn’t even think it. She took a deep breath and sent a silent prayer up for her family and Ian.

A loud scream made the hair on her arms stick up as it vibrated throughout the woods. It was deafening and didn’t sound human. The warrior raced down the tree and jumped on the ground. He let out a scream that sounded like he was wounded. Katherine was scared senseless at these shouts and covered her ears with her hands.

A deep voice yelled at her, “Don’t be afraid. Jump down, I will catch you. We must go. Sir Ian has summoned us at once.”

A slight panicky feeling came over her and she paused before jumping. “I don’t think I can make it.”

He let out a breath of frustration and climbed back up the tree. Holding out his hand, she took it and he carried her down. They reached the ground and he led her to the horse, helping her mount. He took off at lightning speed toward the castle. The gate was open, and the smell of blood invaded her nose. Katherine covered her eyes afraid of what she may see, only willpower to find her sister forced her to remove her hands.

Ian met them at the gates and swooped Katherine off the horse with one hand onto his lap. The sheer strength of him made her in awe of him. His touch was strong and made her feel safe. She buried her face in his chest. “I can’t look. Is Deanna well?”

He kissed her head. “She is in the castle. Dorian is gathering the dead. I will take you past the carnage, you don’t have to look.”

He took her near the great hall doors and helped her dismount, carrying her inside. Putting her down on her feet as they came into the hall, Deanna ran to her. “Katherine! Thank God! I was so worried.” She hugged Katherine and the girls cried. Claudia ran out from the kitchen and practically tackled Katherine. “Oh, Mistress! When I couldn’t find you, I was so worried.”

“I am well. I was taking a walk with Ian when one of his warriors told us the news. He hid me and kept me safe.”

Deanna looked at Ian approvingly. “Thank you, Sir Ian. I appreciate your assistance. We will reward you.”

Ian looked down at her with a piercing stare. With no emotion on his face, he spoke matter-of-factly, “I need no reward. I would protect Katherine with my life.” He walked away from the women to a group of his men. Deanna looked back at Katherine with a questioning gaze at his sharp response.

Dorian approached the women and said, “The healer is here to attend to the wounded. I must ready myself to leave. I am sure it was Clan McGregor with the ambush attack. They found a weakness in the walls. If Ian and his men had not been here, we would have suffered many more casualties. Maybe even lost the castle.”

Deanna gasped. “What will you do?”

“I spoke to Ian and we will go on the offensive. We leave within the hour. The men are preparing the horses and supplies. I will leave a few soldiers here for protection. But we must send a message to the invaders that we are united with other clans and will not stand for raiding or attacks on our land.”

Deanna reached out and put her hand on his arm as a sign of comfort. Katherine couldn’t bear to hear any more. Her stomach would not calm as she looked around for Ian. Finding him with his men, she didn’t want to disturb him. But when he glanced over at her catching the worried expression on her face, he excused himself and walked to her. She stepped away from Deanna as Ian approached, and they went to the corridor to speak privately.

“Katherine, my love. You are safe now. Dorian has agreed to pay my men and meet our terms. It’s more land for me and gold for my men. If that were the only reason, I would deny the request and stay with you. But if I aid them in this battle, your sister will be safer, and I know that pleases you too. Dorian said they were to be married.”

Katherine furrowed her brow and asked, “Married? Are you sure?”

“That is what he said. Not my business—my concern is only