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

soldiers in the woods and they would lay siege on the castle if you did not go with them.”

Katherine pressed her hand against her stomach. “I told Ian I would marry him. I am already betrothed. I gave him my word.”

Deanna stared at her. “Ian? Are you mad? They call him a killer without mercy. He is calculating and brooding all the time. He preys on the weak and bribes them for protection. Men like Ian do not marry.”

“How dare you! He is the man I love, and I will not allow you to say such horrible things about him. I will marry Ian.”

Deanna stood trying to mask her concern. “Very well. Then go tell our brothers. I am sure once you explain that you already gave your word to Ian that they will leave us alone.”

Deanna felt a twinge of guilt about challenging her sister to go speak to their brothers. They would never allow her to stay in Scotland and she wouldn’t blame them. Katherine had lost her mind if she wanted to marry Ian Travis. Perhaps the Earl of Delbert would not be that bad. After all, he was rich by everyone’s standards. Katherine would be well kept and want for nothing. Her life in England would be secured.

They walked past the gatehouse and saw their brothers waiting by their horses. Darin walked toward them as the other men followed. “Where is your veil?”

Katherine lifted her chin confidently and said, “I don’t wear it anymore. My betroths name alone gives me protection.”

Darin seemed to be accessing her words. “Betrothed? Are you referring to the Earl of Delbert?”

“No, I never agreed to that betrothal. I am to marry Sir Ian Travis.”

Sir William studied her face disapprovingly. “Stop jesting. You know that your father would never allow you to marry a Scotsman. Let alone one with that reputation. I have heard of him and none of it is good. How did you ever meet such a man?”

“He actually found me, and I gave him my heart.”

Darin laughed. “How touching. Now we must go as Father waits for us.”

Katherine looked at Deanna with fear in her eyes. Deanna used her motherly tone trying to ease her. “Katherine, as much as I want you to stay with me, Father will never allow it. His temper must be over the top by now with the time we have been gone. You must go back. It’s what he would want.”

Katherine shook her head disbelievingly at all her siblings. “Is no one listening to me? I will marry Sir Ian and will be his wife.”

Darin let out a sigh, his demeanor now furious as he marched to her. “Katherine, it’s obvious your time away has changed your manners. I will not tolerate any more of this nonsense. You will mount that horse with me and we will be on our way. Don’t test me. I would hate for any of your new friends to suffer because of your disobedience.”

Katherine twisted her body in an attempt to run back to the gates. Drake caught her and took her kicking and screaming to his horse. “Enough talk. We will leave now.”

The men mounted as Deanna ran to Katherine trying to reassure to her. “Katherine, forgive me. I only want what is best for you. You’re my little sister and I love you. Please don’t hate me.”

Katherine was screaming. “Don’t let them take me. Help me!”

Deanna shook with tears as her brothers departed quickly from the castle. She could hear Katherine’s cries long after they left. She stayed outside of the gates looking in the direction they took her hoping they would bring her back. But she had to convince herself that Katherine would be safe and better off without Ian Travis. Her father was too excited for the alliance to punish her.

The next few days were the hardest in Deanna’s life. She felt like such a traitor to her own kin. Her dearly beloved sister. Regret overcame her, she should have fought to keep her.

Claudia gave Deanna little comfort. Her dalliances caused her to miss the day’s events. She was frantically worried about Katherine’s departure and her position. Deanna reassured her that she would speak to Dorian when he returned regarding a position within the keep.

Deanna spent the next few days learning the layout of the castle and getting to know the village inhabitants. Dorian’s uncle was the laird and had gone with the men. His wife spent most of her time in her room, only coming out at dinner. She was a plain woman, on the thin side, but polite. Dorian’s sister kept Deanna entertained, and accompanied her on walks. Her mind would not settle as it often went to Dorian’s well-being or Katherine’s look of betrayal. Her heart hurt to think of her sister hating her forever. She hoped that her marriage would bring her happiness and that in the end Katherine would forgive her. Deanna had felt Sir Ian was not the type that would ever marry or settle down. He was a savage and feared among men. He could break a man with one of his massive hands. She wondered if he was always so menacing looking. How her sweet, beautiful sister could be so captivated by him astonished Deanna.

“Deanna?” Deanna looked at Sara, who was Dorian’s oldest sister, a blond woman with brown eyes. “Have you heard the news?”

“No, I was on my way to the healer for some herbs. What news?”

“We had riders approach saying the men should be here in a few hours!”

A feeling of relief fell upon Deanna. “That is wonderful news. I will change at once.” She raced up the stairs to change her dress and ready herself for Dorian.

Deanna stood beside Dorian’s family. The village stood behind the castle gates to welcome the men back. Deanna’s heart beat hard hoping that Dorian would return unharmed. After several minutes of staring at the gate, the sound of metal opening broke her thoughts. She anxiously