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

Ian stepped into the room closing and locking the door. He slid his arms around her waist. “You’re my wife, and I won’t sleep without you. Ruse or not, we are married.” He swooped his hand under her legs, lifting her against his chest and carried her to the bed.

“Ian, we can’t. What if your mother comes to look for me?”

He shrugged indifferently. “I am sure she is asleep by now. But even if she is not, I don’t think she will disturb you. She knows you have traveled for hours and need some rest.”

He laid his head on the pillow moving closer to her, running his fingers through her hair. “Your hair is so soft. I love the smell of it.” He lifted her hair to his nose taking in a deep breath.

She giggled. “I assure you it’s the soap. When I am on the road for days, I start to smell like your men.”

He laughed. “Never.” He took her hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss it and gazing into her eyes, he whispered, “I have thought about you constantly since my mother took you away. I need to be with you tonight. Please say that you agree.” He buried his nose into her neck and started kissing behind her ear. Gently moving her hair to the side, he took her earlobe into his mouth. She slid her arms around his neck allowing his roaming hands the access they craved.

The next morning Katherine woke up alone. She missed his warmth but felt a little relieved that she wouldn’t have to explain their behavior to his mother. The last thing she needed was to have Ian caught in her chamber. She wanted the women to like her and not question her purity in her marriage bed. Her face burned with the memories of their previous night together. Her husband made love to her a few separate times and her reactions to him made her feel a bit like a wanton. Deanna said marital relations were horrible with her husband, yet Katherine enjoyed it. Was that wrong?

A maid brought in some warm water with a clean washcloth and placed it on the table. She looked over and smiled when she saw that Katherine was awake.

“I brought you some water, Mistress.” She curtsied and walked out the door. Katherine made herself get out of bed and went to wash. Afterward, she put on a clean shift and gown. Plaiting her hair was a little challenging, but she managed. A few dabs of rose water behind her ear and she was on her way.

Ian’s mother was waiting for her in the great hall. “You look very lovely this morning. I believe you have the curiosity of our entire clan.” She chuckled and winked her eye. “I spoke to Ian a few minutes ago. He had to check on his men but told me I only had one hour with you for a dress fitting because he made plans to take you for a ride. He asked the kitchen to prepare a basket.”

Katherine smiled and ate quickly. They went to a weaving room, and a few women came to take her measurements. Katherine picked out a light blue color for her dress. The women commented how excited they were to have a wedding at the keep. Ian’s mother told them she had invited many other clans to celebrate.

“Come child, I must get you back to Ian. But don’t stay on your ride too long. We are having an annual clan celebration tonight and of course, we will celebrate the new engagement as well.”

“As you wish, my lady.”

The woman smiled and took her hand. “Please, call me Marion. After all, you will be my daughter-in-law soon.”

“Very well, Marion. I want to thank you for your hospitality today. I only wish my own mother could have been here to help me prepare to be a married woman.”

Marion knitted her brow with concern. “Where is your mother?”

Katherine took a deep breath and replied, “She died shortly after I was born. Her mother raised me until a few years ago when she returned to her homeland of Scotland to marry an old suitor from her childhood.”

“So, you do have a bit of Scot in you?”

“It would seem so. Although my mother was half English and my father never allowed us to acknowledge our Scottish roots.”

Marion looped her arm through hers. “I think that makes you very special, my dear. I see why you have taken my son’s heart.”

Katherine smiled as she walked with Marion to the yard. Ian approached them soon after. “The horse is saddled, and I have a surprise for you.”

Marion let go of her arm and gave them each a hug. “I will see both of you later.”

Ian nodded and took Katherine to the horse. They shared one and he took her into the woods away from the inquisitive eyes of the keep. Katherine loved to lean back on him as he took them through his familiar stomping grounds. After an hour of riding, he stopped the horse and dismounted. He placed his hands around Katherine’s waist and helped her down. She was a little confused as to where they were because all she could see was brush. He tied the horse and took the basket. He guided her through a maze of bushes and trees and over hills. She could hear water rushing but had no idea how close they were to it. After climbing up what seemed like a mountain, they looked over the edge and her eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s beautiful!” She tried to take in the scenery. There was a beautiful waterfall on one side of the mountain, the sparkling water falling into the river below. It was pristine, and the color of the water was like nothing she had ever seen before. Lush greenery grew up the sides of the rock with a ledge on the cliff big enough to jump from. Ian took