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

if the rebellion has not reached our home here, I don’t trust him. He could send mercenaries to destroy our castle.”

She rubbed her lips holding her tongue. The thought of Ian hurting her, and the girls was asinine. He would never harm her no matter what people said.

Alexander placed his hands on her shoulder leaning down to whisper, “He is not the same man you met years ago. Please don’t let your guard down. His men are trained killers with a viciousness that wreak havoc on Scotland. Prison changes people, especially when tortured for years. His men would not hesitate to slaughter you and our children. Please Katherine, going to Dorian’s is the safest place for you to be. It kills me to admit to that, but his lands are neutral and have the protection of Ian’s family. They will keep you and the girls hidden until I can squash this rebellion.”

“What about Daniel? He is only sixteen and too young to fight.”

He patted her arm in comfort. “He needs to witness the travesty that is invading Scotland on the borders and in the mountains. I will keep him away from the fighting and he will only travel with the healers. I have warned him to not engage in the battle.”

“Please promise me you will keep him safe.” She pulled on his arm. “He thinks he is invincible. Although he is bigger than most men, he is still a child. Even if he doesn’t realize it himself.”

“He is my son, Katherine. I would give my life to protect him.” He reached out and touched her face.

His words stilled her as her eyes met his. For the first time in her marriage, she felt warm toward her husband. He really did love her son. That alone made her pause and she reached up to kiss him on the mouth. A long kiss and she released. “Thank you. Please be safe.”

“I love you Katherine.” She smiled unable to find any more words. They stared at each other for a moment before he opened the carriage door for her. She boarded as the girls all sat up and hugged their father goodbye. “We love you, Papa. Come for us soon.”

He blew a kiss to all of them and instructed his guards to protect the most precious cargo he owned. Mounting his stallion, he headed to Lord Dunbar’s to gather Daniel and an army of men to head to the rebellion in the mountains.

“Sister! I have not rested since we received the missive from your husband.” Deanna reached out and embraced her. Kathrine could not believe her eyes, Deanna was pregnant again. She was nearing thirty-six years old and was as big as a horse. Probably due to deliver any day. Leaning back from her hug, she could see the lines on Deanna’s face showing her age and her graying hair gave away the stress of so many children. This would be her eighth.

Katherine looked around her, eyeing her nieces and nephews standing behind their mother. “Come here all of you! Give your aunt a hug.” The children shyly stepped forward as Katherine embraced each one. Her daughters stayed near the carriage as Deanna reached out and welcomed each of them to her home.

Deanna picked up her one-year old son Richard and she walked back to the castle. “We will dine soon. I am happy you made it here before dinner. The children have been so excited to spend time with their cousins. The girls will share a chamber with Maddie and Janet. They are around the same age.”

Katherine nodded. “I can share a chamber as well.”

Deanna stopped walking, letting down her youngest from her hip. “Don’t be silly. Dorian is laird now and we have a chamber just for you. It’s small but comfortable. Dorian had a few chambers converted into two for more space.” She rubbed her stomach. “The kids keep coming.”

Katherine giggled. “I don’t know how you do it. I haven’t been pregnant again since Mary. She is going to be ten next month.”

Deanna looped her arm with Katherine. “You look the same as when you were seventeen. How have you not aged? Your body is a little curvier, but overall, you are as beautiful as the day we came to Scotland.”

“I have aged more than you know. Life for a woman is not easy no matter how many titles you have.”

“I am sorry to hear that, my sister. I wished you a life of happiness.”

Katherine looked away not wanting to talk about her troubles with her husband or the daily guilt that invaded her about her deception of her child’s father. Hurting Ian that day destroyed her, and she would never be the same.

“Here is your chamber. I asked the servants to bring in your trunks. Please relax and I will show the children to their chambers. We already have beds set up for them. We dine in an hour.”

Katherine thanked her sister and took a moment to lie down.

A month later, Katherine had settled into living with Deanna. Her daughters flourished in their unfamiliar environment and enjoyed the playmates they had with their cousins. There was always a game to play or an adventure to have. Katherine took to watching the children. Deanna gave birth a week earlier and was recovering. Dorian was not back from his trip and was not able to be there for the birth of his latest child—a son that she named Drake after his uncle.

Katherine thought back to their conversation after the baby was born. She was surprised about the baby’s name. Deanna did not mention that her brother Drake was in contact with her in any of her letters. Apparently, Drake had visited her a few years ago. Katherine was saddened to find out that her brother Donald had returned to help his family but died in battle at the border a few weeks later. It drove her father and her brother Darin over the edge. Drake