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

last thing I remember was seeing someone who looked like Ian, perhaps one of his brothers? I feel so daft because I thought it was him.”

Alexander did not smile. He watched her face for a moment and then put the cup back on the table. “Katherine, I know this is difficult. Not only for you but for our whole family.”

“I don’t understand? What are you saying?”

He rubbed her arms and struggled with his words. “My love, it wasn’t one of his brothers.” He leaned over and kissed her hands. “Apparently, Sir Ian has been a prisoner of the rebels for last five years. We didn’t know. He survived the fall from the cliff but was captured. The necklace had fallen from his neck when they carried him to the others and one of the rebels threw it into the fire. He escaped a few months ago and went to his family’s castle to recuperate. Jakub told him that we had married and encouraged him to stay away as we had a growing family and were very happy.”

Katherine felt the blood drain from her face. She took short breaths trying to wrap her head around what he was saying. Ian was alive? The love of her life did not die? She pulled her hands away from Alexander and covered her face sobbing. Alexander rubbed her back letting the silence comfort her.

After catching her breath, she looked up at her husband with red – rimmed eyes. “He must hate me.”

“Katherine, it matters not how Sir Ian feels about you. You are my wife and the mother of my children. Nothing has changed.”

“How can you say that? I am Ian’s wife. I told you that. He is Daniel’s father.” She bit her tongue watching the scowl form on his face. A distant look came across his eyes and she flinched covering her face.

He picked up the empty cup and threw it across the room. It bounced off the wall breaking into tiny pieces. Katherine jumped and covered her mouth with her hands.

“Listen well, my wife!” he spoke through his teeth as he clenched his fists.

“I will warn you only once. If you ever repeat such vile words again, I will lock you in the dungeon for at least a month. You will lose access to your own children. Do you understand me?”

Katherine was shaking finding it difficult to breathe. She nodded hoping that would satisfy him.

“Listen to me carefully. Ian’s family refused to leave until he speaks with you. They feel it’s his entitlement due to his sacrifice for Scotland. I disagree, but with the clan wars and some nobles coming to visit today, I feel it’s necessary to comply. We will make the meeting quick and then you can spend the rest of the day in your chamber.” He paced in the room visibly upset, tightening his fists while muttering under his breath.

Finally, he stopped pacing running his fingers through his hair. “You will only speak to Ian in my presence. You will never mention any vows you took in the woods and will refuse to acknowledge any backwoods marriage. Simply deny it. You will never tell him about Daniel. That would cause our son to lose his titles and no one would believe you anyway.” He walked to the bed sitting down placing his hands in a light chokehold around her neck threatening her as he rubbed her pulse with his thumb. “You will not leave me, Katherine. Don’t even think about it.” He let go of her neck and snarled in desperation, “Those children are mine and if you so much as look at Ian too much, I will take them from you. I will personally speak to the king and Ian will be stripped of any titles or land that he has in Scotland. Do you understand? You will suffer the rest of your days if you betray me. I will make it my cause to make sure all that happens before I kill you. I will never let you live to be with another man. You know that I am a powerful man and have the king’s ear.”

Katherine hated him at that moment. All she wanted to do was throw herself into Ian’s arms and welcome him home. But she would never risk her children’s lives for her own gratification. She would comply and rip her heart out of her chest to hurt Ian and appease her husband.

Chapter 29

Katherine straightened her dress but left her hair hanging. Alexander had not given her any time to prepare herself and walked her to his solar. Ian and a few of his brothers were waiting. They all stood when she entered. Her eyes searched for him and rested on the man she loved. Her heart soared looking at him and she found it difficult to look away. Alexander walked her to the other side of the desk and she took a seat.

He cleared his throat. “Well, I have agreed to give you a few moments to speak to my wife. We have dining plans soon and I would ask that you make it quick. I have already wished you well and commended you for your service to the king. You made a heroic sacrifice and I am sure the king will reward you later.”

Ian’s face hardened as he looked the earl up and down. Without any emotion in his eyes, he spoke in a deep tormenting tone, “I wish to speak to Katherine alone.”

The earl arched his brow challenging Ian. “Please remember her title, Sir Ian. She is a married woman. Lady Katherine will not be left alone with you. It would be inappropriate, and frankly, my patience is at its end. This news has obviously upset my wife and with her delicate condition in carrying our fourth child, she will not be alone with you. If you have nothing further to say, I will ask her to take her leave, so she can rest.”

Ian’s glare