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

knew we were married and he would have been a bastard.” Unable to look at him, she lowered her head. “Alexander offered to help me, but I had to agree to never tell anyone who his real father was. He kept me hidden and changed the date of birth. He threatened me if I told anyone.”

Ian crossed his arms. “How convenient you told no one.” A snarl escaped his lips as he spoke through his teeth. “Your son will die on the morrow, my lady. I must ask you to leave.” He stood up to walk away.

She screamed, “You can’t! Please, you must believe me. I chose your name.”

He stopped and looked back at her before he reached the door. “You named him Ian?”

She shook her head. “I wanted to, but Alexander would never have agreed to it. So, I did the next best thing—I named him Daniel.”

His smile faded.

“I remember that day you told me that you wanted your first born to be named Daniel. I did it for you. Oh, Ian. You only must look at him. He looks exactly like you.”

Ian stared at her as she sat on her knees against the floor. “Get up and sit on the chair,” he commanded.

She complied but was afraid to look at him. She heard him yell, “Guards!”

They came in and stood in front of him. “Get the prisoner they call Daniel.”

Katherine steadied her breath unsure of what Ian would do next. He stood by the door in silence until they entered with Daniel in chains. She stood up when she saw him running to him wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Mother? No! You should not have come.” He was covered with dirt and missing a shirt. His hair was matted to his face and a stench of body odor covered him.

Ian took the keys from the guard and unchained him while he watched him closely. Katherine kept hold of him as Ian took a few steps away.

She looked up to Ian. “Please my lord, we beg you to let us leave.”

He looked at Daniel and then focused on Katherine. The guards stole glances at each other watching their leader access the prisoner. After a few moments of silence, Ian cleared his throat.

“Take your son and leave immediately. My guards will escort you to your camp. If you ever cross enemy lines again, I will kill you both.”

Ian looked at Daniel. “May I suggest you train harder if you want to be a knight. Your skills are not ready for battle.” Daniel opened his mouth to give a retort to his insult, but Katherine squeezed his arm warning him to stay silent.

He spoke to one of the guards in Gaelic and then walked out of the room. The man looked at them both. “Let us leave quickly. His orders are to have you gone by the time he comes back for dinner.”

The other guards ushered them out, and Katherine could overhear them talking. They were shocked that Ian had let them go. It’s the first time they had ever seen him allow someone to leave.

After exiting, the guard gave Katherine a horse and ordered her to follow along. When they got close to Dorian’s camp, they took off on foot. Dorian was meeting with the guards and trying to come up with a plan to find Katherine. He spotted her and ran to her and Daniel. James hugged his cousin and Dorian sighed in relief. Their prayers had been answered.

Dorian gave orders to the men to clean up the camp, so they could head back home. “Tell me, did Ian see you?”

“Yes, but you were right. He was not the man I once knew. He is lost and hardened. But I am grateful he allowed me to have Daniel. He warned me to never return or he would kill me and my son.”

Dorian shook his head. “Not completely lost. Daniel is with us. Come let’s get farther away from here before we camp tonight. I don’t want him to change his mind.”

She agreed and was gathering some of her items when Daniel came to her. “Mama, I must know why he would let me go. His reputation proceeds itself, yet he showed me mercy. I know it was because of something you did.”

“Daniel there is something I must tell you. Let’s sit for a moment.” James handed him a clean shirt and then left to help Dorian. He dressed in front of her wiping his face with a cloth.

She took a deep breath and confessed, “Years ago, I met Ian Travis when I first came to Scotland. We became more than friends and secretly married. That is a secret that no one knew, and I became with child. We were to marry in front of the church when he returned from battle. But he never returned, and his family told me he was dead. Alexander agreed to help me and claim the child as his own. I had to agree to guard the secret with my life.” She looked at him as his eyes still held so much confusion. Reaching out to touch him, she rubbed his arm. “The truth is that Ian was imprisoned and was not dead. He came for me, but I was already married and pregnant with Mary. He asked me to go with him, but I refused and stayed with Alexander.”

His voice cracked as he asked, “Did you lose the child?”

“No, I had a beautiful baby boy who I cherished with all my heart.”

“He is my father?”

“Alexander was your father and you are an earl. He raised you and loved you. Ian never knew you existed until today although yes, he did sire you. It’s not his fault either. That is why he let you go.”

“That is why I look so different than my sisters?”

She smiled sadly. “Yes, you look just like Ian Travis.”

“I can’t believe this. I am so confused.” He rubbed his forehead with his hand. Looking back to his mother, he asked.