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

The earl said goodbye to his hosts and his men mounted and were ready to go. The earl stepped inside the carriage with Katherine to ride for a few hours with his new wife.

The earl slid onto the opposite bench from her and closed the carriage door. They waved goodbye out of the window to Dorian and Deanna. After a few minutes, Katherine leaned back into the carriage and tried to relax although the rough roads were slinging her around in the carriage. Her new husband watched her intensely with an apology on his face. He finally broke his stare. “It was hardly a wedding celebration. Forgive me, my dear, for not providing a better afternoon. I promise to make it up to you.”

“There is no need, Husband. I know our wedding vows had to be rushed. I put no fault on you.”

A smile formed on his lips as he moved from his seat to sit beside her. He reached for her hand rubbing it between his. “You were the most beautiful bride today. I feel honored to be your husband. I will spend my life trying to make you happy.” He turned her hand over and kissed her palm. Her heart beat against her chest. The guilt consumed her, and she felt unfaithful to Ian. This marriage happened too quickly, and she was not ready to say goodbye to her feelings for her first love. Looking up at her new husband, she recognized the desire in his eyes. Knowing he would claim his husbandly rights soon, she wrung her hands in despair.

He put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. “Why don’t you try to rest a bit? We have a couple hours before we stop at Lord Grant’s estate. He is a friend and I sent a missive with one my men to prepare a room for us tonight.”

Katherine woke a few hours later. The earl met her eyes. “You’re awake?”

Katherine nodded. “Forgive me, I must have been tired from all the excitement.”

“Quite all right, my dear.” He pointed out the window. “The light from the village is coming into view. We should stop in a few minutes.”

She smiled. “That sounds wonderful. My muscles ache from sitting in the carriage for so long.”

Chapter 23

The carriage stopped in front of an old castle with the biggest walls Katherine had ever seen. The knights met them outside of the moat and lowered the drawbridge for them to enter. An older man and middle-aged woman met them in front of the keep. The woman wore her hair hidden in a wimple and her dress had a high neckline. She looked at Katherine with her braided hair uncovered, disapproval written on her face. A quick twitch of her eyebrow was soon covered up as she moved her attention to the earl.

The woman curtsied as her husband bowed. “My lord, we were honored to receive your missive. I have asked the servants to prepare a feast.”

The earl smiled. “That is good of you, Samuel. I have brought my new bride. May I introduce Lady Katherine, Countess of Barragan.”

The woman curtsied unable to meet Katherine’s gaze. The older man bowed. “It is an honor, my lady.”

“Katherine, may I introduce, Sir Samuel and his wife, Mrs. Merritt.”

Katherine smiled and curtsied in return. “It’s so nice to meet you both. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Mrs. Merritt held out her arm. “If you will come this way, I will show you where you can freshen up before a late dinner.”

The earl touched Katherine softly on the shoulder. “I have some business with Samuel and will meet you later to escort you to dinner.”

Katherine arrived at the chambers, and a few servants had already prepared a bath and delivered her trunks. Katherine enjoyed the quick soak and was careful not to get her hair wet. She wanted to get ready quickly, so she could eat. The hour was drawing late, and her stomach reminded her that she had skipped lunch. After her bath, she donned her green gown and plaited her hair. Waiting by the fireplace for Alexander to arrive, she grew weary. After sitting and staring at the fire for what seemed like a long time, she decided to find Alexander. Leaving the chamber, she realized she didn’t know where to look. A servant passed by and curtsied.

“Miss, excuse me? Have you seen my husband?”

“Yes, my lady. He is down the stairs speaking to Sir Samuel.”

Katherine thanked her and walked to the end of the corridor. As she glanced around, she noticed the silhouette of her husband shadowed by candlelight in the stairwell. He was whispering, and she couldn’t help but lean against the wall to listen. Not wanting to admit that she was eavesdropping, she convinced herself that she was simply waiting for him to finish before she interrupted his conversation.

A stern voice echoed up the stairs. “The rebels need to be controlled is all I am saying. I have lent support to Dunbar’s cause and the extra income has lined the king’s coffers.”

Sir Samuel faltered, “I agree with you, my lord. It’s just that some say it’s striking a deal with an enemy to squash a domestic dispute. Any deal with the Irish is a bad deal.”

“Do you question me, Sir Samuel? Need I remind you that I own the deed to your land? Don’t make me regret giving you another month to pay your rent and taxes. You will send another load of goods to the Irish, just as we had planned. In exchange, they will sacrifice their own men to stop the rebellion. The last thing we need is for them to join forces with our rebels.”

A strained whisper squeezed out of his mouth, “But Sir Burney said many Scots died in the counter attacks. Our lands are burned, and castles sieged. He refuses to pay until the king takes action.”

Katherine heard a thump