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

my whereabouts in the future. If I want you to know where I am, then I will tell you.”

Katherine refused to make eye contact with him and brought her knees up to her chest burying her face against them.

He leaned his head back finishing his drink. Pressing his lips together, he sighed loudly. “I have asked the servants to prepare a bath for me in my chambers. When I am finished, we will eat dinner alone in your chamber. I will be sleeping in here with you tonight. Please prepare yourself.”

She could hear him walk to the door leaving the room. Once the door was closed, she let out the sob that she had been holding. Her husband was a monster and nothing like she had imagined. She married him in haste and knew not of the abusive man he proved to be. Perhaps she should have married Ian’s brother? Even the Earl of Delbert was gentle and kind. Then again, he may have turned on her once the vows were made. The only man she ever trusted was Ian.

Finding the strength to stand, she went to the looking glass and ran her fingers over the welt on her face. Wincing at the touch, she reached for a washcloth to soothe the pain.

Katherine brushed out her long curly hair and left it alone. She would not plait it and hoped it would cover the mark on her cheek. She found no reason to change her dress or apply perfume. Pleasing her husband was not her priority. She fed Daniel and held him against her as she sat on the chair by the fire. The servants came and delivered the food and then left. Katherine’s thoughts took her to the times at her home when she would dream about her future marriage. Never did she think she would live in such a harsh climate in Northern Scotland. She looked down on Daniel as he stared into the fire, she held him closer thinking of Ian.

She heard the door open but did not turn. Footsteps came closer and a hand swept across her shoulders. The smell of fresh soap invaded her nostrils as she heard her husband’s deep voice, “Is he asleep?”

“No, he is awake, but content.” Katherine switched arms to make Daniel more comfortable.

“Give him to Maribel. I want to spend some time alone with you.” Katherine stiffened as he rubbed her shoulders. Quickly standing up to avoid his touch, she stepped away from him. “I will call her.” She went to the door and asked a maid to get Maribel who came a few seconds later taking Daniel.

Katherine returned inside the chamber eying her husband drinking some wine. “Come and sit. I am very hungry.” He held out the chair and she took a seat as he sat in the chair beside her. “Tell me about your days since my departure.”

Katherine moved the food around her plate. “I followed your instruction and stayed in my chamber mostly. A walk in the garden was the highlight of my week until Daniel was born. Most of my time has been spent caring for him.”

He bit into a piece of chicken and chewed it quickly. “We will need to hire a wet nurse. I will have Maribel make some inquiries in the village. There are times I will need you all to myself.”

Katherine pressed her lips together to keep her complaints to herself. She did not want a wet nurse but knew it would be a futile attempt to complain to her husband. Dinner ended too quickly for her preference, and Alexander took her hand. “You’re too far away from me. Come sit on my lap.”

Trying to keep peace and avoid another incident, she stood and sat on his lap. He buried his face into her neck and rubbed her back. “I missed you.”

Katherine remained quiet as her husband began kissing her neck and running his fingers through her long hair. His kisses moved to her jaw and then her lips. She went through the motions of lovemaking as her husband carried her to the bed. Letting him have her body was not the same as giving him her heart.

Alexander held her close to him when he finished. He ran his finger softly over her arm. “I want to take you to my estate near Edinburgh in a few months. It’s twice as big as this one. The rebels are getting too close to my estates in the west and I want to keep you safe.”

He laid soft feather-like kisses along her shoulders. “I saw your brother a few weeks ago.”

Katherine stiffened as he continued to kiss her. “My brother?”

He pulled away and lay back on the pillow keeping his hand on her arm. “Only briefly. I had to go to England to represent the king regarding the border wars. They are getting more hostile and our forces are stretched thin. I met with the king of England’s advisors. While I was there, a man was making a scene with the guards demanding to see me. My men almost had him arrested.”

Katherine’s forehead creased in worry. “Arrested?”

“Don’t worry, love. I agreed to see the man after he claimed to be a relative. He said his name was Darin. I guess he had heard I was coming to England and that we were married. According to some of the men, he was not welcome at court anymore, so he came to the manor I was staying at.” He shrugged and fluffed the pillow. “Speaking of your former life, your previous fiancé was at the advisor’s meeting too.” He chuckled and shook his head. “He was not happy about our marriage. But his wrath was aimed at your father and brothers. You will be happy to know he is now betrothed to someone else. Some foreign princess that the king is gifting him with.”

Katherine eyes widened. “His wrath?”

He nodded his head. “Apparently, your father had to pay the earl a hefty sum for your disappearance