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

but she would have to tell her she was traveling and unable to visit. Alexander seemed to have it all worked out. Katherine thought his art of manipulation was polished, a trait she would have to remember.

A few weeks after the birth, she asked Maribel where the earl was residing. No missives came but the one a few months ago delaying his return. The older servant claimed she was not aware of the earl’s whereabouts. But Katherine was convinced she was not completely truthful. Her demeanor changed anytime she mentioned his name. Katherine was unsure how to feel about his abandonment, he seemed genuinely smitten with her in the beginning, and she found it difficult to imagine he would purposely avoid her. Pushing her doubts aside, she spent her days bonding with Daniel. She couldn’t believe how much she could love him already.

Chapter 25

Exactly two months after the birth of Daniel, the earl arrived with a small army. Katherine could see them from her window and nervously dressed more appropriately for his arrival. Her nicer gowns were a little tighter on her than she remembered because her figure had changed after giving birth—her curves more accentuated by the dresses she wore. She made a mental note to stay away from the desserts.

Maribel interrupted her as she was plaiting her hair. “My lady, your husband has crested the hill and will be here shortly. I received a missive from a rider, it said we are to tell him that the baby was born yesterday upon his arrival.”

Katherine nodded and finished dressing. She remained sitting on her bed as she heard people filling up the hall below her chamber. Not wanting to leave Daniel, she waited for her husband to join her. Anxiety filled her chest as she tried to anticipate his reaction to the baby. She prayed he would accept him as he once agreed to. His absence played on her mind, and she wanted to know her place in his world.

Hearing the door open, she looked up into Alexander’s face as his shoulders filled the doorway. His hair was windblown, and his cheeks were reddened from the cold. He was bundled up in numerous furs. A smile crossed his face seeing her. “My love. You are a sight for sore eyes.”

Katherine looked over at Daniel lying next to her on the bed. The earl followed her eyes. He took a few steps to the bed and reached out to lift Daniel up to hold him. Katherine stood up beside him as he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

Katherine cooed at Daniel. “You have a son, my lord.”

Alexander kissed him on the forehead. “He is a fine son, indeed.” He took hold of his little hand and brought it up to his mouth giving it a kiss. “What is his name?”

“Daniel, my lord. Like in the Bible… Daniel fought the lions and was a good man.”

“I like it. Daniel is a strong name and he will be a strong earl.”

Katherine closed her eyes in relief. He had accepted her son as his own. She kissed him on the cheek. “I am glad you are pleased. I must admit with your long absence, I grew a little worried.”

He looked at her questioningly. “What do you mean? Why would you be worried?”

“About accepting Daniel.”

The smile faded from his face. He walked abruptly over to the bed and placed Daniel on top of the covers. He tilted his head studying her with a look of abhorrence. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, he walked over to the window and removed his furs laying them on top of the chair. He started taking off his gloves and made an audible breath of frustration. “I am a patient man, Katherine. But you have tested me.”

Katherine’s palms moistened as her nerves twisted in her stomach. She reached over to the table to hold herself still as his odd behavior was frightening her. “Forgive me, my lord. I am not sure I understand.”

He walked over and stood in front of her. She lifted her chin up to meet his eyes. His nostrils flared as he lifted his hand up smacking her in the face.

The sound and force caused her to lose her footing as she fell back onto the floor. Her hand reached her face smoothing the sting as tears filled her eyes. Shock overwhelmed her at the realization that her husband had just struck her. Not able to look at him as the rage boiled inside her, she kept her face down staring at the floor.

He rubbed his hand that had hit her cheek. “I hope I have your attention now. Apparently, my words were not effective the last time we spoke. Daniel is my son. There can never be a question. I told you this. Yet upon my arrival, you ask me if I would accept him? Why would you ask a father if he would accept his own son? If others heard you ask such a stupid question, they might talk. Your disobedience has made me question my decision to marry you. I hope this lesson will not have to be repeated. Do you understand?”

Katherine could barely breathe and remained silent. The earl shifted and spoke between his teeth, “Answer me!”

Katherine jumped, and her voice lowered in an angry scowl. “Yes, my lord.”

“Watch your tone, my dear. You are my wife and I will discipline you as I see necessary for your will is strong.”

Katherine remained sitting on the floor not wanting to address him. Alexander stepped away to the table and poured a glass of wine. “Katherine, this is not how I planned my arrival. I was hoping for some time alone with you, so we could enjoy some pleasure. I don’t like having to discipline you. But as your husband, sometimes I have no choice. You will learn to respect my authority and never question my word again. Also, you are to never ask servants of