Hiding Katherine GG Shalton (the read aloud family txt) 📖

within Scotland standards that my father and others will not challenge it and blame her. I do not care about a noble marriage. I only want to be your wife. I just need to give her some time to accept it. Can’t we keep it a secret for a little longer?”

He did not answer and instead leaned down to kiss her—a soft kiss that lingered until he could think of nothing else. He eased his mouth away and searched her face. “Did you really mean what you said? You only want to be my wife.”

“I did. I only want to be your wife.”

He moaned kissing her again. “Mmm. You taste so good. Please, I want you to stay with me tonight. In Scotland, we only need to make our vows to each other to be married. We don’t need a contract, your parent’s permission, or even a priest.”

Katherine drew her brow. “A handfasting?”

Ian smiled. “Nay, I don’t want a trial marriage. I want to be your husband if you’re willing. We could say our vows tonight and secretly marry. We won’t tell anyone. For the next three days, you will have time to ease the idea on your sister. After I return from the McGregor’s, I will take you to meet my family and we will have a big wedding. I don’t want to wait. I love you and want to be with you now in any way I can.”

Katherine’s head was spinning as she was caught up in the moment. “You love me?”

“I do. Please say you will say your vows with me.”

A smile lit up her face. “Yes, Ian Travis. I will say my vows with you.”

He spread out the blanket and motioned for her to kneel beside him. They joined hands and Ian took a piece of cloth to wrap their wrists together. She let out a nervous giggle as Ian used his mouth to hold the cloth, wrapping it tighter around them. He took her wrapped hands to his mouth for a kiss. Clearing his throat, he gazed at her. “I Ian Travis, son of George Travis, take you Katherine Tolland to be my wedded wife from this day forward. I promise to cherish, protect, and love you till death do us part. According to God’s holy ordinance, and thereunto I plight thee my troth.”

Tears glistened in her eyes as she trembled in happiness. He squeezed her hands reassuringly as a smile played on his lips.

She took a deep breath meeting his eyes with her own. “I Katherine Tolland, take you Sir, Ian Travis as my husband. I promise to love you and cherish you all the days of my life.” Nervously she searched for words taking a brief pause. Unable to think of anymore to say, she closed her eyes. “According to God’s holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my troth.”

He bent down and kissed her on the mouth. She broke away and squealed with delight. “We are really married?” He ripped the cloth to free their hands and she slid her arms around his neck as he pulled her closer to him.

“Yes, my love. You belong to me now. We will tell no one until you can have a proper wedding that you deserve with a beautiful dress and celebration.”

“Thank you.”

He started to kiss her again when they heard a horse. Ian jumped up and put his hand over Katherine’s mouth. “Shh. Let me check it out. Stay here.”

Ian went a few steps recognizing one of his men. “Randall?”

Randall jumped off his horse. “Sir! Thank God. They told me to find you—” he gasped for breath “—I have scoured the woods for the last hour with no luck. I finally saw the light of the fire and was hoping it was you. You must come quickly. Clan Moore is under attack.”

Ian ran his hand through his hair looking back to where he hid Katherine. He looked at the young warrior and put his hands on each of his shoulders. “Listen to me. I am not alone and have Miss Tolland with me. You must guard her with your life and keep her safe while I go back to the castle. Stay far behind me and don’t engage in battle. Keep her hidden from the keep until I give the war cry that all is clear. Understood?”

He nodded, and Ian went to get Katherine. “Sweetheart. I will not lie to you. One of my men just told me that the keep is under attack and I must go help. Please stay with Randall—he will guard you until it is safe.”

Katherine’s eyes widened with fear. “Attack? What about Deanna?”

He took her hand. “I have to go, Katherine. They need me. Please stay with Randall. I must know that you are safe, so I can focus on the battle.”

Katherine nodded unable to answer. Ian gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and mounted his horse taking off toward the castle.

Randall got off his horse to help Katherine mount. He whispered, “We will stay west of the castle and keep away from any stragglers that may eye the castle’s weaknesses. After we leave here, we must not speak again so they don’t hear us. Do you understand?”

Katherine nodded again unable to speak. Her body shook holding on to the warriors back. He was large but paled in comparison to Ian. Smelling of sweat and dirty clothes, she turned her face away from him to breathe easier. The silence was louder to her than noise, and she wished for some sort of sign that the clan was okay. Randall kept quiet and rode with determination as he maneuvered through the woods with expertise. Trying to keep herself calm, she closed her eyes blocking out the darkness of the night while holding on tightly. They rode for what seemed like forever, and all she could think about was the last few hours of her life. Was her marriage a dream? Silently praying for Ian’s safety,