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

low, he confessed, “That is not true. I am afraid of you. You hold my heart in your hands.”

She swallowed hard. Looking up at this fearless warrior whose fierce reputation was the talk of legends, her body trembled. His giant hand gently held hers with affection—something she never felt with anyone before. Glancing around the hall, she realized that not a man in this room would challenge his warrior skills, yet no one saw this side of him that spoke to her in the kindest of ways.

He rubbed her hand with his thumb under the table where no one could see. “Let’s take a walk after dinner. I need to speak with you alone.”

After dinner, they excused themselves and went outside. He pulled her arm tightly through his and brought her fingers to his mouth. “You drove me mad through dinner. I have waited to get you all to myself since I saw you enter the hall.”

She blushed. “Your words are smooth and drip with honey.”

He laughed. “They are true. And I suspect you torture me on purpose now that I have confessed my devotion to your cause.”

She walked beside him as he took them off the path near the castle walls toward some overgrown grass. He stopped and pulled her next to a tree to obscure the views of any guards near the castle gatehouse.

She looked up at him trying to read his face. His hand gently pulled her hair back away from her face. “Dorian has asked me to stay another day. The council wishes to engage me in a proposition. I can only imagine it is to hire us to fight with them. We have been known to lend our services if the cause and price are right. Though I am not sure if they can afford us. My men are expensive warriors but effective. My clan is allied with his now, so there is no conflict of interest. Although, it depends on the terms if I shall stay past tomorrow. I am due for a visit at home in a fortnight. I gave my word to my brothers.”

“Do you wish to stay for only the proposition?”

He smiled at her innocent question and reached for her chin with his hand. “Nay. I wish to stay longer because of this.” He bent down and brushed his lips with hers. She slid her arms around his neck burying her face against his chest. He held her tightly against him. “If I leave, I want you to come with me.” He took a deep breath watching her closely by the light of the moon. “I have my own tower in my family’s castle with many rooms that belong only to me. It goes unused mostly because I am never at home. I also have a few other small castles that belong to me as well.”

She slanted her head in confusion. “You want me to stay with you?”

“You’re in my constant thoughts. I dreamt about you last night and want you as my wife. I know this proposal may not be proper in your world. Our union would not be arranged by our parents. But due to our circumstances, I am not able to negotiate for you properly. I would give anything to have you as my own and beg your father for his permission if it were possible. You must believe me, I have never wanted anything more.”

She stared at him in shock. “I don’t understand. You have only known me a few days. I am English, and your family would probably disapprove. Besides, you may grow bored of me once you bed me.”

He shook his head. “Never! I know that wouldn’t happen. I am the fourth son and have not been arranged in a marriage to anyone. They knew my wild ways and felt I would never settle. I used to claim I would never take a wife and they had accepted that. I had thought females weakened a man and kept my distance from any of them that wished to tie me down.” He looked away and ran his fingers through his hair searching for words that came hard for him.

She searched his face “Why such an aversion to females? Have you been hurt?”

“I have never allowed a female to get close enough to hurt me. My life has been about battles and leading men. Living up to a reputation and trying to make people fear me were my pursuits. I have never wanted anything different.”

“That is sad, Ian.”

He cupped her face. “Until now. You are unlike any female I have ever known, and I find myself thinking about you all the time. Please say you will be my wife and put me out of my misery. My desire for you builds each day. I wish to be a good husband and father. You will want for nothing.”

She stepped away from him. “This has taken me by surprise. Although, I must admit I find it tempting to seal my own destiny. It would destroy my family, but I am finding myself wanting to follow my heart. Please let me discuss this with my sister. I will give you my answer tomorrow.”

He smiled and kissed her again quickly. “Tomorrow.”

They walked back to the castle in comfortable silence.

Chapter 9

The next morning the hall was filled with people when Katherine entered for breakfast. Looking around she didn’t find anyone familiar at first glance. Deanna had not been in their room when she returned from her walk with Ian last night. One of the maids told her that Deanna was given a private room and had asked not to be disturbed. Katherine could only imagine why she didn’t want to share a room with her. Waking up alone, she was without a sister or a maid. Some maid Claudia was! Katherine ended up dressing and pulling her hair back in an easy style all by herself.

She noticed Ian walking toward her as she looked