Hiding Katherine by GG Shalton (most difficult books to read txt) 📕

Katherine finally spotted the loch as they crested the hill. It was a beautiful setting next to the cliffs. A night out of the wind sounded fantastic. A few of the warriors dismounted to collect firewood. Others went hunting. Deanna slid off her mount into the leader’s waiting hands. He paused as he slowly set her down meeting her eyes with a seductive smile. She smiled back as he went to help Katherine and Claudia dismount. Quickly without the same affection, they were able to walk. Her wobbly legs could barely hold herself up.

Dorian whispered to the women, “I will set your bags in the cave, you can wash up in loch if you wish, and there is some privacy in the tree line.”

Deanna’s smile was plastered on her face as he spoke. “That is so kind of you, my lord. We will go freshen up and meet you soon.”

He bowed. “Dorian, please call me Dorian.”

She curtsied. “As you wish. Please call me Deanna.”

The loch was freezing. The trees gave a false sense of privacy as Katherine could see prying eyes trying to get a peek at the women.

“Don’t remove your cloak. Wash around it,” Deanna warned.

Katherine sighed in frustration. “The men are watching us.”

“Do you see Dorian?”

Katherine rolled her eyes, “You warn me constantly, so I will warn you, my sister. We are going back to England. This will end badly when the other women of this clan see you flirting with one of their own.”

Deanna chuckled. “I find him handsome and kind. I could do worse.”

Claudia smiled and agreed. “He is clean-shaven when the others look like savages. Though I did find one savage winking at me.” She giggled and covered her mouth with her hand.

Kathleen whispered loudly, “Stop it. We must not become attached! Remember they are Scots and they hate us.”

Deanna threw some water on Katherine. “Cool down!” Katherine narrowed her eyes and she splashed some water at Deanna. Claudia got between them and yelled, “Ladies!”

The women started laughing and walked back to the fire to warm themselves. Dorian came up beside Deanna and announced, “The men have arrived back with five rabbits. We should have something to eat soon.”

The women thanked him and sat down on some blankets. The men took out some ale and started drinking. Katherine declined when they offered her some. She wanted to keep her senses in order. Deanna accepted and so did Claudia. The food was served shortly afterward and some of the men started telling bawdy jokes. Katherine walked to the cave and made a sleeping pallet.

Dorian assigned a few of the warriors as guards that kept an eye on the outskirts of the camp. Katherine could see her sister’s silhouette illuminated by the fire from where she lay. The women were laughing at the jokes and drinking more ale.

Katherine covered her face with the blanket trying to block out the noise. Her whole body ached from all the traveling and her nerves were on edge. Her thoughts turned to her father, she could only imagine the beating she would receive at her insolence and running away. Hopefully, he would have mercy on her and let her return. Perhaps her marriage would be pleasant, but she couldn’t help but worry it would be to someone like her father. His punishments could be severe.

She peeked out of her cocoon of blankets and no longer saw Claudia. No telling where she was and who with. There were rumors back in her English household about her maid. But what surprised her more was her sister’s wanton behavior. She was acting like a giggling maiden when she was a widow of nineteen. Her face was very close to Dorian, and he kept touching her hair.

Katherine’s eyes grew heavy. What she thought was for just a moment was longer when she woke to darkness and silence. She removed the blanket from her face and saw flickers of light from the dwindling fire. Looking at her surroundings, she noticed mounds of blankets and plaids, but could not see who occupied them. Feeling a little frantic to locate Deanna and Claudia, she stood up and peeked at the people sleeping. After tripping over a few warriors, she finally spotted some light brown hair and bent down seeing her sister wrapped in the arms of Dorian fast asleep. She was livid. How dare her sister leave her to sleep in a cave full of unknown men to fend for herself? Although no one had bothered her, it was not the point. A few steps from her sister she spotted Claudia inside a fur with another man. What kind of women had they become? She walked back to her sleeping pallet and dragged the blankets over her head hoping to get some more rest. Unable to sleep, she watched a few of the warriors bending next to the fire. She thought they must be guards and watched them circling the camp putting more branches in the fire. A few moments later dawn broke the sky and the warriors made a call to wake the others.

The mounds of blankets began to stir, and the men stood up folding up their pallets. Deanna stretched and smiled at Dorian. He touched her face with a grin and turned to help pack up the camp. Katherine walked over to her sister glaring at her. “May I have a private word?”

Deanna narrowed her eyes and in a sarcastic tone replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.” She stood up and took a bow. “It’s too early for your attitude.”

Katherine huffed and grabbed Deanna’s arm. “Let’s go wash up down by the trees.”

Claudia followed the women and they stayed silent until they were obscured by some brush. Katherine placed her hands on her hips and whisper-shouted, “Are you both mad?”

Deanna smiled and placed a quick kiss on Katherine’s forehead. “Oh, little sister, don’t be cross with me. I am walking on the clouds this morning. Dorian is unlike