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

were displayed and people had finished the feast, her father stood with a glass of wine in his hand.

“It’s with immense pleasure that my daughter has returned home and will be joined in marriage to the Earl of Delbert. May I be the first to congratulate the couple on their betrothal?”

The rest of the hall stood and pointed their glasses to the couple. Katherine blushed with the attention and the earl placed his hands over hers to ease her discomfort. He stood up with his glass and spoke to the hall. “Thank you. I look forward to the ceremony.”

He sat down beside Katherine as she took a drink of her wine. The hall was loud and yelling their support of the union. Her father held up his hand to quiet them. “We will move the tables and set up music for your enjoyment. Welcome to our home.”

The servants came out to set up the hall to accommodate the masses of people who were coming for the betrothal celebration. The earl leaned over and whispered near Katherine’s ear, “Will you walk with me?”

Relieved, she nodded wanting to escape the crowds. She was overcome with all the strangers and the noise levels. The earl helped her out of the chair and whispered to her father. He nodded his head and continued his conversation with a couple of knights.

Katherine accepted his arm and walked with him out the doors to the garden. They walked in comfortable silence until they reached a break in the path. The earl slowed and stopped walking as she turned to look at him.

“Do you remember the day I came to visit? I watched you from afar in the garden.”

Katherine was embarrassed at her lack of knowledge. “I apologize, my lord. I vaguely remember our encounter. I was kept away from most people.”

He smiled reassuringly. “It’s all right, my dear. The important thing is that I am here now. I will not keep you away from people. I will take you to court soon to meet the king.”

Katherine looked down unable to keep eye contact. The earl was polished and refined. One the richest noblemen in England, yet her heart belonged to someone else. Ian may not have courtly manners, but she loved him. His rugged looks and massive size scared a lot of people, but she found him handsome in his own way. Ian captured her affection with his gentleness and she would never love another man the way she did him.

Breaking her thoughts, she answered the earl, “That is very kind, my lord.”

He studied her face and took her hands in his. Bringing them to his mouth, he kissed them and stared into her face. “Please call me Robert. May I call you Katherine?”

She nodded and smiled at his gentlemanly tenderness. “Very well, Robert.”

He put her hands down and took a deep breath, walking a little farther into the garden. He sat on a bench and patted the seat beside him. Katherine sat down looking out into the darkness.

“I heard you were recently in Scotland visiting your grandmother? I offer my condolences that she passed away.”

Katherine’s heart pounded a little faster not knowing the story he was told. Unable to understand where the conversation was leading, she swallowed and tried to think of something to say. “Yes, she was like a mother to me.”

He shifted in his seat. “I am happy you are back now. I must tell you that I was very pleased that your father had not betrothed you to another. My wife died last year from fever and we never had children.” He looked down before looking toward the garden. Taking a second to gather his thoughts, he turned his head trying to capture her attention. “I never forgot the day I saw you in the garden. And after my mourning period, my first thought was to find out about you.”

Katherine bit her bottom lip. “Most people say my father was unwise for not betrothing me at a young age like he did my sister. I guess it doesn’t matter—he is over the moon that you made an offer. I must admit that I am perplexed by your interest—my dowry cannot be tempting.”

He chuckled. “I need no dowry. I am a very wealthy man. My prior wife came with a huge dowry, but our marriage was out of obligation. It was not what I wanted and was arranged years ago by my parents. I finally upheld the agreement around three years ago.”

Katherine met his gaze confused. “Why do you wish to marry again so soon after an unhappy marriage?” He slowly reached out to touch her face. “I am choosing this one. I saw you two years ago and could never get you out of my mind. I will be a good husband to you.”

Katherine wanted to pull away as she saw his face coming toward her. She stiffened as he brushed his lips across hers. She felt nothing but betrayal in her chest. The earl leaned back and smiled. “You are as sweet as they come.”

Katherine tried to put some space between them and slid away from him standing from the bench. “I think we should head back. My father will scold me for not having a chaperone.”

He smirked. “I doubt that, but I will escort you back all the same.”

Katherine said her goodbyes and the earl deposited her back with Drake. A kiss on the hand and seductive stare caused her to look away from his parting. Her brother escorted her back to her room. She was happy to avoid her father most of the evening. The last thing she wanted to hear about was his triumphed match. The neighboring lords were shocked at their good fortune. Her father would brag to anyone who would listen. The household was very pleased that they would be aligned with the earl’s protection. Once near her chamber door, Drake stopped and looked at her. “You did well tonight, Sister. He doesn’t seem like a tyrant.