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

worried about their welfare and the lack of funds to survive. The cousin her family was living with was not faring much better than they were. They had lost the support of many nobles favor due to Katherine leaving the Earl of Delbert at the altar.

Deanna seemed hesitant in telling Katherine too much about Drake’s visit. Their anger at Katherine fueled their hate and Deanna said Drake feared for her safety as her family plotted revenge. He was not in support of hurting Katherine and had asked Deanna to warn Katherine in person. Not to put any of the concerns in letters. She made a promise but was forbidden to see Katherine, so she did not tell her until she arrived.

Katherine shivered at the warning. Besides the border wars and the rebellion, she now had to think about her own family plotting their revenge against her. Would they not take responsibility for their own actions? She wished Alexander would send them money, but he refused. She was not allowed to touch his money. What could she do?

The children were running around playing a game. Her oldest daughter Sara was the winner. Normally shy around others, she seemed to laugh and come out of her shell among her cousins. She looked the most like Katherine of the three, although her cheek had a defined dimple like her father.

“Let’s go clean up and have some supper,” she called out to the children.

They groaned. “Just a little longer, please Mama.” Katherine could not deny her little Mary and agreed to let them play a little longer. She stood up looking at a flurry of activity near the gates. Walking up to see who was arriving, she dropped her basket. Daniel stood beside his stallion drenched in sweat. Her heart dropped as she ran toward him. His face was dirty, and stains riddled his clothing. Tears were pooled in his eyes as he grabbed on to Katherine holding her tightly as he trembled. Seeing her child in such a state, she began to cry as well. “What has happened, Daniel?”

“Oh Mama, it was so awful. I can barely say the words.” He took a deep breath and backed away to stand in front of her. Trying to gain his breath he stared into his mother’s eyes. “It’s Father.”

Katherine’s hands went to her mouth. Her throat tightened, and her eyes burned with tears. “Is he…”

Daniel’s eyes filled with tears again, nodding. Katherine wrapped her arms around her son as he sobbed into her shoulders. “He wouldn’t let me go with him, Mama. I could have saved him. It’s my fault.”

Katherine cupped his face. “Never say that! Your father loved you very much and would never want you to save him. This is not your fault!”

From the corner of her eye, she saw Deanna approaching with her son James. He had gone inside to tell his mother the news and to ask for her to comfort Katherine. Deanna reached them with James’s assistance and wrapped her arms around Katherine. “I am so sorry, my baby sister.” She reached up studying Daniel for a moment and then kissed him on the cheek. “Let us go inside so you can rest.”

Katherine looked at James. “Can you get the children? We must tell them the news.”

Katherine took a deep breath staring into the fire while drinking some wine. Putting the kids to bed was heartbreaking. All three girls wanted to sleep in her room and finally fell asleep in her bed. She would have to sleep on the floor. Despite Alexander’s shortcomings as a husband, he was a devoted father. Emptiness overcame her thinking of her future. She was now a widow with four children and had no idea what provisions, if any, were made for her. Daniel was now the earl, so she would probably remain in her home in Edinburgh. Alexander’s body was taken to Edinburgh for burial. She would like to return home, but Daniel begged her to stay put until the rebellion was stabilized. He had promised his father that he would keep her at Deanna’s until their safety could be guaranteed. Katherine wanted to bury Alexander but would not upset her son further by leaving.

Her eyes grew heavy and before long she fell asleep. Her sister shook her awake and she sat up realizing that she had never gone to bed and had remained in the chair by the fireplace all night.

Chapter 32

“Katherine, wake up. We have to talk.” Deanna handed her a piece of parchment that had a note written on it from Daniel.

Katherine rubbed her eyes and yawned. “What is it?” She looked down and gasped after skimming the short letter. Daniel had left with James to join the troops. He wanted to avenge his father’s death and told her not to worry. Her chest felt heavy and a groan escaped her lips. “How could he do this? He knows we are grieving and need him! His father would have never wanted him to do this. I can’t stand this!”

Deanna patted Katherine’s hand. “Sister, I have sent word to Dorian to see if he can stop them.” She wrung her hands worriedly. “Sister, there is something else I must ask you, but I am not sure if this is the right time.”

Katherine saw the hesitation on her face and asked impatiently, “Well? What is it?”

“I had not seen Daniel since he was a little boy. His appearance shocked me. He has grown into a man and his resemblance is unbelievable to another man we once knew. Almost identical.”

Katherine’s resolve broke from years of pent-up deception. “Oh, Deanna. I’ve wanted to tell you for so long.” Deanna embraced her sister and stroked her hair as she cried in her lap. After a few moments, she sat up and looked at her begging, “Please don’t think ill of me.”

“Stop it. I would never think ill of you. You loved Ian and were to marry him. Did