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

that would not explain why they had asked for her specifically. Reaching the gate, she asked the guard to let her through. The interior walls were thick, and the gate creaked with each push the guard made. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she took in four men standing near the gate. She recognized them with dread as she tried to compose herself.

“Sister, we are relieved you are looking so well.” Darin her oldest brother stepped forward and embraced her.

Unsure of his mood and intentions, she stiffened at his touch. “It is a surprise to see you too, my brother.”

“Deanna, where is Katherine?” She turned seeing her other brother with irritation etched across his face.

“Drake, she is well. I am well too if you were wondering.”

“We heard there was some trouble at Clan McEntee.” Another man spoke behind her, surprising her and her composure.

Deanna turned toward the man, “Sir William! You scared me. Is my father nearby?”

The fourth man did not speak. He was huge and unrecognizable—likely a new warrior working for her father. Darin clasped his hands behind him taking a stance of authority. “Now that the reunion is over, stop being coy. Katherine’s betrothal has been signed and we are here to bring her home. Father stayed behind and sent us to fetch you both. He is very close to closing a deal for you as well.”

She dropped her mouth open. “Me?”

“Yes, you! Now, where is she?”

Deanna wavered in her confidence with her brothers. Darin and Drake were three years apart and were not as friendly or emotional as her other brother Donald. Darin, being the oldest, had taken on a lot of her father’s no-nonsense traits. He was groomed to take over her father’s lands as heir and fellow knight.

“She is safe. A lot has changed since we left England.”

Darin shook his head frustrated. “Deanna, go and fetch her at once. We are bringing both of you back to England. We have our soldiers and knights strategically placed in case we encounter any problems from this clan that has taken you in. I can only imagine how you both ended up here. We received quite the story from a traveling Scotsman from Clan McEntee. He told us about the trouble you caused when you saw your grandmother.”

Deanna’s nose flared furiously at such a remark. “Trouble I caused? Did this storyteller mention that he tried to sell both Katherine and me? We were starved and locked away like prisoners. We escaped, and some thoughtful men took us in.”

Darin snorted condescendingly. “Thoughtful men? In Scotland? I can only imagine the charms you showed them. You better not have soiled our sister. Her nuptials are to none other than the Earl of Delbert. Can you believe it? Father is beside himself to align with such a dynasty. The betrothal papers have been signed. He is the one that approached Father at court thinking that Katherine would be of age now. I guess he accidentally came across her on one of his visits and no one ever knew. Apparently, he never forgot.”

Deanna panicked trying to find a way to get a message to Katherine. The Earl of Delbert was near forty years old and she wouldn’t let them take her. “She is away visiting some friends. Perhaps you should come back.”

Darin stepped toward his sister losing his patience. He bent down and whispered near her ear, “Listen to me, you mischievous little trollop. You will go get her now or I will beat you for your insolence in front of all your new friends.”

Deanna’s heart fell into her stomach. “I am of age and am betrothed to a man in the castle. I will not go with you. I had already sacrificed enough for this family, and I will not be asked to again.”

Darin looked over at Drake, and Drake sighed loudly. “Let her be. She would probably be more trouble than she is worth on the trip back. If we have Katherine, then father will be happy.”

His words hurt more than she was willing to admit. She composed herself and looked at the men. “Katherine is her own woman now and no longer a child. I will tell her, and she can decide if she wants to see you.”

Darin’s jaw flexed as he clamped his mouth shut. After a pause, he narrowed his eyes speaking mockingly. “You will see that she comes down to the gatehouse. Or we will lay siege on this castle. My soldiers are awaiting my signal. Think of the men that would die all because of you. Maybe even your betrothed.”

Deanna gasped in alarm at his words. She would not be responsible for any more tragedy on these poor people who would soon be her family. They had welcomed her into their home. Their best warriors were gone, and she would not allow them to suffer anymore.

She glared at Darin assessing his threat. “Very well. I will see if I can find her. You will not step a foot inside of these gates.”

Darin lifted the corners of his mouth in a slow smile. “We await your return, dear sister.”

Deanna went back through the doors to the keep. She ran up the stairs to locate Katherine. As soon as she opened the door to their room, Katherine attacked her with questions. “Who was it?”

“Darin and Drake. Sir William was there too along with a knight that I did not recognize.”

Katherine paced in front of the bed. “Our brothers? I can’t believe they found us. What did they want?”

Deanna looked up at her with sorrow in her eyes. “You.”

“I won’t go. Is Father with them?”

“No, he stayed at the castle. He has negotiated for your hand. Darin said you are to be married to the Earl of Delbert—you will be a countess.”

Deanna saw Katherine begin to tremble with panic, she reached for her and touched her shoulder. “I can’t go. You don’t understand.”

“That is what I told them. I was adamant at first, but Darin said he had