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

his earlier behavior. Any reassuring comment could ease the tension she felt throughout her body.

A question in his eyes was quickly replaced with assurance. “I did not notice. He is not the best conversationalist. We will leave in the morning and I doubt we will visit again any time soon. Don’t worry, love. I have many entertaining friends whose company you will enjoy including the king.”

She gave him a forced smile as she felt his fingers move from her hand to her hair. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “You are so very beautiful and all mine.”

Scooting his body next to hers, he kissed her nose and then brushed his lips against her mouth. Her lips parted as he slid his tongue in playfully deepening his kiss. His fingers gently ran across her jawline as he pulled away and began kissing her neck. Katherine lay motionless trying to push away the guilt. The last man to touch her this way was Ian. Trying to loosen her tension, she felt Alexander run his hands down her arms and embrace her hands moving them around his neck. She complied and held them there as he opened her robe and kissed her chest. She felt his hands move up her thighs, moving her night rail up and over her head. Instinct and embarrassment made her hands move to cover herself, but his hands were too quick. He gently pushed them out of the way, so he could see her by the candlelight. “You are more beautiful than I ever imagined.”

She knew then that her duty had come. Katherine submitted to her husband and allowed him to make love to her. He was a gentle lover and tried to please her. But it was not the same as it was with Ian. With Ian, they had so much passion that she wanted to stay with him always. With Alexander, she was relieved when it was over and lay still in his arms. Alexander pulled her close to him. “That was everything I imagined. You have made me very happy, my love.”

Katherine was not sure what to say. She pondered her thoughts and soon heard his breathing steady as he fell into a deep sleep beside her. Relieved, she allowed her nerves to subside and fell asleep too.

Katherine woke the next morning alone. She washed her face and dressed in a brown wool dress. The weather was getting colder and she wanted to be comfortable. The servants carried her trunks back down the stairs as she followed behind them. Alexander eyed her near the front door of the keep and walked over to kiss her on the cheek. “Do you want to eat breakfast? Or are you ready to depart?”

Katherine adjusted her cloak and gloves. “I am not hungry and wish to depart.” Alexander took her arm and bid good day to Samuel. His wife and her staff curtsied as Katherine and Alexander walked past them. Alexander helped Katherine into the carriage and joined her as they rode off.

“We have another few days before we reach my northern estate. It’s a small family castle that was owned by my mother. We mostly use it for hunting and it’s very secure—well away from the rebels and border scuffles. You will be safe there until our child is born.”

The corner of her mouth came up. She was pleased that he referred to the baby as his child. Perhaps she was mistaken about the incident on the stairs. Taking her guard down for a moment, she pressed her lips together thinking of a way to thank him. “My lord, I marvel at your generosity and I am in your debt. Your decision to help me despite my circumstances will never be forgotten.”

He bent over and kissed her on the forehead. “You are mine now, Katherine. That means the child that grows inside you is mine. From this point forward, we will never mention anything but that truth as we know it to be now. We must say it and think it. Never have a doubt in your mind or voice. Do you understand?”

Katherine nodded, yet a small piece of her held on to the thought that she would tell her child the truth one day.

“Say it, Katherine!” She jumped slightly, surprised by the edge in his voice. Not wanting to upset him, she whispered, “I am yours.”

He shook his head frustrated. “No, I want you to say… my child is Alexander’s. He is my husband, and this is his child.”

She was apprehensive watching his face turn red. “The child is yours, Alexander.”

“Say it again!” he spoke through his teeth visibly shaken.

Her eyes burned as she tried to hold back her tears. “The child is yours.”

He reached over and took both of her hands lifting them to his mouth. “And so are you.” She stared at him searching his face, not understanding his change of moods. He frightened her, and she knew not to let down her guard again.

He dropped her hands and reached for a bag with some bread and cheeses in it. He ate some of the food not looking back at Katherine, who kept her hands in her lap afraid to make any more comments. This side of her husband was disturbing, and she feared for her future.

Chapter 24

The next couple of days of traveling took a toll on Katherine. Scrunched up in the carriage may have been worse than having chaffed legs from a horse. Both were intolerable, but she was happy to finally arrive safely at Alexander’s estate. The staff was minimal and only one man and two women—the maid and the cook—met them outside. The man took care of the stables, and there were a few guards who manned the gate, but for the most part, it was empty. Many chambers were unused and only a small corner of the castle was livable.

Most of Alexander’s men waited outside as he spent the afternoon with her inside the