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

on him. He waited a long second and then reached for it breaking the seal.

He unrolled it and read it. Rubbing his lips together he looked at his sister. “Sara, could you take the girls inside? I will come later and speak to you.”

Sara watched her brother closely and then complied without arguing. She walked her sisters inside and Daniel waited until they went through the door before addressing his family.

Deanna bit her bottom lip anxiously waiting for Daniel to speak. “What is it, Daniel?”

“Her brother Drake is holding her as a prisoner. He is demanding a fortune for her return. He has only given me one month or he promises me he will kill her. He said she owes her family a debt and she will repay it with her life. Once she dies, if I don’t pay him, then he will come after each one of my sisters.”

Deanna cried out, “Nay! They are mad! Are you sure it’s Drake? He was the one to warn us about Darin. Perhaps it was all a ruse when he visited?”

James spoke up. “Don’t believe the ransom demand. We must rescue her. I remember on one of Drake’s visit we had a conversation about my Aunt Katherine. Drake had mentioned he was concerned about Darin’s obsession with her. But perhaps he really spoke of himself? He said the family hated her after she escaped her wedding and Darin use to say he wanted to kill her slowly to make her pay. Drake thought he was mad but didn’t think he was a threat because he lived in England and she was secured in Scotland. I don’t think he will release her if you pay him. He plans to kill her.”

Deanna’s eyes widened in disbelief. “James, why didn’t you tell me? Drake spoke to me only about them losing their castle and they blamed Katherine. It also didn’t help that Alexander was rich and didn’t give them any coin.”

Dorian stared at his family thinking. “I think James may be right. But we need to stall them. Perhaps send them a letter back saying that Daniel is trying to come up with the money but may need some more time. Meanwhile, I will see if I can get any men from some neighboring clans to help us.”

Daniel remained silent thinking about what James had said. He would not allow them to kill his mother. He would rescue her. Dorian meant well but trying to get clan support on this side of Scotland would be nearly impossible in a short period of time. Most of his neighbors were neutral or did not support the king. They would not get involved or help him. Daniel knew he had only one choice. He would need skilled fighters to pull this off, and he only knew one person that may help him. He had to try.

Daniel convinced James to go with him. He left a note for Dorian, thanking him for his help, but he needed to see if they could get some assistance without clan support. He promised not to go to England without resources and would return if he needed to. James left a different note explaining to his parents that he felt an obligation to stay with his cousin and hoped they understood his need to help.

Chapter 34

They took off after dinner and rode the next few days reaching the rebellion stronghold a day earlier than they thought they would. Without several men to attend to, the riding was easier. They knew they had to hurry as Dorian was probably not far behind them.

Daniel didn’t tell James the truth of Ian Travis, only that his mother was a friend from his past and may agree to help. Ian’s last words rang in his head and made him a little wary. Returning was risky as he threatened to kill him and his mother, but it was a risk he would take to save his mother. He gave James his weapons and made him hide in the trees as he held up his hands riding his horse to the gates of the stronghold.

Three guards approached him with spears in their hands. “I come without weapons. I have a message for Sir Ian.”

The guards slowly approached Daniel and dragged him off his horse, pinning him to the ground. “You have two seconds to talk before we kill you…”

“I come in peace. I have a message Sir Ian must hear. Tell him Katherine’s son is here to see him.”

“No one sees the Cold-Heart.”

They pulled his arms behind his back tying them with rope. Daniel did not struggle but allowed them to tie him.

“He will see me.”

The guards pulled him up to stand and yelled at one of the archers on the wall. “Tell Isaac we have a new prisoner.”

Daniel jerked his body away. “Nay! I must see Sir Ian. If Katherine dies, he will kill you for your insolence.”

The men looked at each other and then one of the guards whispered to some other guards at the gates. He remembered Katherine. “Wait in the keep. We will let the dogs feast on what’s left of him if Ian won’t see him.”

One of the men twisted his arm. “If you lie, you will die.”

They walked him into the keep and another guard ran out. “He is in the solar and agreed to see the prisoner. He said to leave him tied up.”

They pushed him in the back and he fell to the ground. One of the guards dragged him up and then pushed him along until they reached the solar. A few knocks and they were told to enter.

Daniel saw Ian’s back as he poked at the fire. Without turning around, he told the guards, “Leave us.”

The men pushed him down in a small chair and closed the door. Ian turned around and cocked his brow. “Do you have a death wish?”

Daniel shifted in his seat as his hands were still tied. “No, Sir. I