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

causing problems again. Apparently, they are gaining strength and our extra men can no longer contain them. Commander Bradley says they have a new leader now and no one knows much about him, just that he is a harsh warrior and fights with a vengeance. Many have joined his cause against the king and with England always causing problems around the borders, we need to make some alliances if we are to survive.”

“We are always fighting the border wars and the rebels come and go.”

Alexander shifted his feet looking into the fire. “It’s different this time. I can feel it—the rebels are growing stronger than ever before. We need more men, but with the clans choosing sides, it’s not going to be easy.”

Katherine looked up at him trying to reassure him. “I am sure you will think of something. You always do.”

“I am confident we can outmaneuver them—I just need some time with the king.”

The next few days flew by, and Katherine spent as much time as she could with Daniel. At twelve years old, he was older than most boys that went away to foster, but she hated to part from him. Training as a knight was very important and this was his first step. A great earl would have to know how to fight alongside his men.

He was already taller than her, nearly six feet. He wore his dark hair in a band and his resemblance to Ian was astonishing. She never mentioned it though. It would break Alexander’s heart and cause friction. He was proud of his only son and would never accept that he was not his father. Most of the nobles had never met Ian Travis. With his scarred face and long beard, people would not recognize the close match of his eyes and face with his son. But Katherine did. She had seen Ian clean-shaven and knew every part of who he was. There was no doubt that Daniel was his son. She often thought about him over the years and wondered how he was doing. Was he married now? Did he have a family? She tried to block her mind from those thoughts but found it difficult.

Spending time with Daniel meant spending your time riding. It was all he wanted to do. Taking the dull sword that Alexander had given him when he turned twelve years old, he practiced relentlessly as they rode around the loch. “Oh, Daniel. Let us stop and rest. We have a picnic. I am sure there are many other invisible soldiers that you can run through later.”

He chuckled. “Very well, Mama. If you are tired.” He pulled back on the reins and brought his horse to a stop. He dismounted and went to help his mother. Daniel was a very caring young man who adored his mother and treated her like glass. Alexander hid his disciplines with her to the privacy of their chamber. Katherine was thankful as she didn’t know how Daniel would react if he witnessed anyone punishing her.

“Come and sit with me, Son. It’s a beautiful day.” She took the basket and sat on a blanket that Daniel had spread out.

“Mama, do you think that I will be a great warrior and fight the rebels?” He held his sword up in the air swinging it around and around.

Katherine smiled. “Of course. Your battle skills run in your blood.”

He smiled satisfied with her answer. “Do you think Father is great fighter?”

“Yes, that is what I meant. Your father is a powerful earl and was a great fighter in his younger days.”

“I will bring honor to our home and become legendary.” He took a seat and filled his mouth with berries.

“You must eat more than berries. A great fighter must keep up their strength.”

He reached for some bread and took a big bite. “I will eat extra every day.”

Katherine watched him chew, marveling at his strength of a man yet in a child’s mind. She wondered how big he would get.

“I received a letter from your Aunt Deanna. She is sending her son James to foster with you in a few months. It may be fun to have a cousin with you.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know him very well. Father never wants us to visit. But perhaps we will get along when we foster together.”

“I hope so. I haven’t seen him in years.” She thought of what he said about his cousin. Deanna had five children now—three boys and two girls. Her two youngest children, Katherine had never seen. Alexander did not like her to visit or have them visit. He thought Deanna was too much of a bad influence on her and discouraged any communication. Alexander also wanted her to receive no communication from her family in England. They had tried sending her letters, but Alexander gave strict orders to the staff that no letters were to be given to her. Although a few snuck by. Deanna brought her news about her brother’s financial trouble and asked her to send some funds to help them. She said it was not for Father, but for her brothers and their household that were suffering. Katherine had no money without asking Alexander. And when she did, he grew very angry and forbade Deanna from speaking of it again.

Deanna used to sporadically show up uninvited, but on her last visit, Alexander asked Dorian to stop the visits. He complained that he needed Katherine to be able to travel at a moment’s notice and she could not if Deanna was there. It upset Katherine, but she did not argue and accepted his decision.

Of the few letters she did receive, Deanna told her Dorian had run into a friend of Alexander’s and he told him that Daniel would be fostering with Lord Dunbar. He was an old friend of Dorian’s family and they accepted to have their son foster there as well. Deanna was relieved that he would be close to Katherine and living with his cousin. Katherine hesitated