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

Ian sat down in a chair across from him. “Why would I help you? You are my enemy.” He tilted his head rubbing his jaw. “You’re not very smart, are you? I gave you a fair warning that I would kill you if you returned and I am not known for my mercy.”

He stared at him searching his face. Could this really be his father? The man had no feeling. What kind of man threatens to kill his own son?

“My mother has been taken by the English. They are going to kill her.”

Ian’s jaw tightened and for a moment he lost his composure but then he regained his hardened control. “Your mother is not my concern, and neither are you.” He stood up and towered over him with an intimidating glare. “I have many appointments today. You will be escorted out one last time. Don’t challenge me again.” He turned his back on him walking towards the fireplace.

Daniel panicked. He could not allow his mother to die. “You owe me.”

Ian turned quickly, nostrils flaring in anger. “I owe you nothing.”

Daniel met his eyes head on. “She told me the truth after we left. I know you are my father.”

Ian looked away and said nothing. He reached for a chair and pulled it towards him taking a seat.

Daniel took a deep breath after a few seconds. “I admit I was shocked and angry, but she would not allow me to speak ill of you. She said it wasn’t your fault that you never knew I existed. But now she will die because of you.”

Ian raised his brow in disbelief. “Because of me?”

“Her brother has gone mad. He is going to kill her because you took her from England when she was to marry some earl, causing them to lose favor in the king’s court. They lost their castle and holdings and now live in poverty. They want me to pay them, but we think it’s only a ploy. Once they receive the money, she will die.”

“She made her choice. I didn’t force her to go.”

“Her choice would have been with you.” He lifted the corner of his mouth. “She told me that your family convinced her you were dead, and she loved you very much. I don’t think she loved my father. But she was a good wife and mother. She accepted her circumstances.”

Ian grunted and crossed his arms. “Why don’t you ask your king for help?”

“There isn’t time. I have less than a month and I am desperate. I will go with or without you. I can’t allow them to keep her in prison and torture her.” He looked up trying to hold back the tears that threatened his eyes. “Please. I beg you to reconsider. I would pay you all the money I have if I thought it would help. I will never ask for anything ever again.”

Ian looked away as his jaw flexed in anger. He stood up and paced the solar seeming to mull over Daniel’s words. Reaching a table by his desk, he took a drink out of a wine goblet and wiped his mouth. Turning to Daniel, he sighed. “I will go to England but will not coddle you, Daniel. You will do what I say when I say it, or you will be left behind. When we bring your mother back to Scotland, you will never ask me for anything again. I raised no children and had no wife. It brings weakness to men to have distractions such as these.”

Ian took his knife off his desk and cut the ropes on Daniel’s hands. Daniel rubbed his wrists and tried to suppress a smile at the mercy he had been shown twice. Daniel drew his brow in confusion. “Sir Ian, you say you had no wife, but my mother said you secretly wed in the woods.”

Ian’s eyes briefly softened, but then he regained his hard stare. He waited for a second before answering, “Do you know the reason why so many couples wed in a church?”

Daniel shrugged listening to him.

“Because vows said without witnesses are often fabricated.” Ian’s words hung in the air. “Come Daniel, I will provide a chamber for you tonight and we will leave at first light.” Daniel realized he never answered the question.

“I have my cousin in the trees. May I get him?”

“Cousin?”

Daniel nodded. “Deanna’s son. We are of the same age and he is waiting to rescue me if needed.”

Ian huffed in exasperation and called one of the guards to get the cousin out of the tree.

Chapter 35

The next morning, they took a riding party to the English border.

Daniel kept a close eye on Ian as they rode. Accessing him, he took in his stature noting how enormous he looked on his horse. Even at his older age, his muscular build was far superior to many younger men. James stayed next to Daniel as he was leery of Ian’s men. Only twenty-five of his men joined the riding party, all seasoned warriors who had been with him for years. Tough and hardened, they looked savage with bloodstained tunics and stallion warhorses. If his men questioned the mission, they never complained. Not exactly welcoming to Daniel and James, but not dangerous to them either.

Ian spoke little but rode with determination. After hours of heavy pursuit, they rested the horses and ate some dinner. Ian made Daniel and James hunt while the men relaxed. When Daniel came back with ten rabbits, the men were already roasting some birds and eating. Ian made Daniel clean the rabbits and cook them for the next day. He also had to clean up after the men, shine Ian’s sword, and was given the first watch.

Daniel and James walked around the perimeter of the camp after the men went to sleep. He eyed Ian sitting against a tree, eyes opened watching him. Trust was earned, and he knew that Ian didn’t trust him. James finally had enough and sighed. “We