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

rest of the evening. The earl insisted that she be allowed to rest and prevented her father from summoning her for dinner. Even Drake did not bother her. If nothing else, the earl’s authority allowed her one more day to escape before her upcoming nuptials. After her dinner was cleared away, she tried to lie back down and block out the thoughts of the morrow. She would be forced to attend her own betrothal ceremony and partake in the feast. The earl wanted the wedding as soon as possible, and they had planned to have it within a few months. Many important dignitaries were to attend, and they needed time to prepare. It would be at the earl’s estate.

After a few hours of tossing and turning, Katherine finally gave up on sleeping when suddenly she felt a presence in the room and felt a hand cover her mouth. Sitting up, a scream caught in her throat.

“Shh… my love, it’s me.” A large man loomed above her.

Trying to catch her breath, she thought it was a dream until recognition invaded her. He released her mouth and embraced her. Her emotions were so overwhelming that she sobbed in his arms unable to speak. He rocked her for a few moments before pulling back to touch her face.

“Ian! I thought I would never see you again.”

“Nonsense. You are my wife.” He kissed her briefly. “Now, I need you to listen to me carefully. There is much to say, but we have only a small window of time. We have subdued a few guards and I need to get you out of here. Very quickly grab your things.”

Katherine obeyed and took a satchel filling it with lotions, perfumes, shifts, and a few dresses. Ian took the bag from her and opened her chamber door. “Come, follow me.”

She followed him to another chamber a few doors down that used to belong to Deanna. “Where are you going?”

He put his fingers up to her lips and whispered, “We will speak soon, but not now.”

Katherine followed him into Deanna’s chamber and watched him as he went to the corner of the room. Ian went to the window and whistled. A few men showed up with a wooden pole and Ian picked up Katherine into his arms holding her next to the pole as he inched their way down to the ground. She did not recognize some of the men but was quickly covered her up with a shawl hiding her hair and obscuring her face. She followed the men through the crowds outside in the bailey inconspicuously as they wore the colors of the earl. They blended in and escaped through the gates unnoticed. Reaching the woods, several other Scotsman spoke to Ian in their Gaelic language. Katherine remained quiet and allowed Ian to tie her satchel to the horse and lift her up onto the saddle. He mounted behind her and they took off swiftly through the woods followed by a group of his men.

He held her close to him and after a few hours of riding, the group slowed down. A large man approached Ian speaking again in their language. Ian spoke back with a smile. “Now we can speak.”

Katherine hugged him. “They forced me, Ian.”

“Do you think I am cross with you?”

Katherine nodded. He kissed her cheek. “I know they forced you. Deanna told us. She also told us of the obscured window in her old chamber. When we scouted the castle yesterday, we heard about your betrothal celebration. It was a perfect excuse to blend in with the crowd.”

Katherine noticed the men following her conversation. She recognized Dorian coming closer to the couple. “It’s nice to see you, Miss Tolland.”

“Miss Tolland? Are we not to be related soon?”

Dorian smiled and agreed, “Yes we are, Sister.”

Ian looked back to another man she did not recognize. She removed the blanket and her hair fell in waves over her shoulders. Ian smiled and did the introductions, “Katherine, this is my brother Jakub. He came to help.”

The man took her hand and kissed it. “I now understand why my brother would search the country for you.”

Katherine blushed. “You’re too kind, my lord.” Noticing the men surrounding her and Ian, her thoughts took her to the irony of her life. Almost comical, she suppressed a grin. She was surrounded by the most savage looking Scotsmen yet was unafraid. There was no other place that she would rather be.

His brother tilted his head. “I don’t get it. You choose to be with the most notorious battle scared warrior in all of Scotland. I must know what kind of potion my brother used on you.”

Ian slid his hands around her waist and embraced her, pulling her closer to him. He scowled at his brother lightheartedly. “It was my charm. She begged me for my affection and I felt sorry for her.”

Katherine gasped and turned to hit him playfully. He laughed, and his brother and his men looked shocked at the display of playful banter. Jakub shook his head admitting, “That is the first time I have heard you laugh in years. My too serious brother has a weakness after all.” The men nodded their heads in agreement.

Ian straightened his face, seemingly annoyed at the men’s prying eyes. His normal somber expression took over his face. “It is time to part ways.”

Katherine looked at him in surprise. “Where will we go?”

Ian rubbed her arms reassuringly. “You and I will ride east with just a few of my men. We will take a ship back to Scotland. My brother will cover our tracks with his men headed north. It will throw off any soldiers who may wish to pursue you. They will know soon that you escaped.”

Katherine accepted his explanation and put the blanket back over her head and shoulders. The men spoke a few words in Gaelic and they were soon on their way. They rode hard for what seemed like several hours. They finally stopped by a stream and clearing