Hiding Katherine

Bending down, he sat beside her. “What are you reading?”
She closed her book quickly. “Just poems.”
His body was bulky, and he smelled of the outdoors. “Poems? A waste of an afternoon if you ask me.”
She faced him ignoring his jibe about her poems. “What else am I to do, Sir William? You are aware of my prison.”
He looked down at her wrinkling his nose. “Hardly a prison. You have a castle at your disposal. Your father only wishes to protect you. And when he is away with your brothers, it is my wish to do the same.”
She cracked a smile. “You wish to protect me?”
His smile faded. “I would give my life to keep you safe.” Picking up a small flower from the ground, he handed it to her. “If my circumstances were different, I would make an offer for you, Miss Tolland.”
She looked away, her face turning warm in embarrassment. “Speaking of offers… Has my father taken you into his confidence? Do you know whom I will marry? He has kept me hidden for years in the hopes of a perfect match.”
He tilted his head staring at her in a daze as if not hearing what she said. “You are so beautiful. Sometimes I forget just how much.”
“Please, Sir William. If you know my father’s plans, then keep me not in suspense.”
He reached for her hand. “I do not know, but whoever it is, may never do you justice.” He put her hand to his mouth and gently kissed it before standing to bow. “Good day, Miss. Tolland.”
Katherine watched him walk away.
“Katherine.” A loud whisper interrupted her woolgathering. Looking around, she saw no one. She reached for her veil, placing it on her head and stood up to look around the perimeter.
“I am near the fountain.” Katherine looked through the bushes and spotted her sister hiding behind the garden wall.
“Whatever are you doing?” Katherine shook her head at her sister. “Why the secrecy?”
“The Scots came last night, and I came to fetch you. They are camping at Millard’s spring. We should leave soon. Grandmother sent them to escort us to her clan. Father’s guards can’t know I am here or they will grow suspicious. We mustn’t tell anyone. Pack a bag and ask your maid if she wishes to come. Meet me back here in one hour when it grows dark and we can take the horses I have hidden.”
“What are the Scots like?” Katherine imagined huge, uncivilized men full of hair and warts to take them across the border. Although they lived close to the border, she had never seen them in real life. Her father’s guards kept her protected never allowing her to see anything or anyone. Scotland may be close, but she knew her grandmother’s clan lived at least a few days travel away. Her whole life she had heard horrible stories about them.
Deanna crinkled her nose at her question. “They are big and burly. Not exactly pleasant smelling. But they will protect us. We mustn’t complain and it’s very important that you remain covered.”
“Yes, Sister. Give me one hour and wait for me by the stable. How do you suggest we get past the gate?”
A sly smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “One of the Scots found a small hole under the west side wall. I barely fit through, but you should be able to easily.”
Katherine nodded. “Very well. See you in an hour.”
Riding through the dark was a bit nerve-racking. Traveling along the path through the woods was not the smartest decision, but time was on their side. Katherine shared her horse with her maid while Deanna rode alone. Her saddlebags were already with the Scots.
“We should be coming to the springs soon and they want to leave before dawn. They thought we could be five to six hours ahead of Father’s men before anyone noticed you were missing.”
“Sir William will be furious. He has watched me like a hawk. He even told me earlier today that he would have made an offer for me if Father would allow it.”
“Pah! Father would never allow a lowly knight to have your hand. He has calculated your worth since you were five years old and men were noticing your beauty.”
Katherine looked embarrassed by her statement. “You should not say such things.”
“Katherine, there is a lot about our father you do not know. Let me enlighten you. You know that Father is not a kind man. His beatings are nothing compared to his cynical ways to make a profit. Trust me, he is not waiting to betroth you because he wants you to be happy with your match.”
They rode in silence for a few moments as Deanna’s words lingered in the air. Katherine finally spoke up defensively, “He said I would have a grand match and sometimes this takes time.”
Deanna laughed. “Please stop with the fantasies. He keeps you locked up and covered until the day he introduces you at court, hoping he can negotiate a better deal for your hand. He thinks he doesn’t even need a dowry with beauty like yours.” Deanna snickered sarcastically and paused before speaking again. “Honestly, when the king and his noblemen see you, they will sell you to the highest bidder among their elite. That is why Father did not betroth you when you were young. Without the king seeing your beauty, he could not negotiate a higher match. He thinks the court will overlook his humble castle and bid for your hand. If that happens, your husband will be old and rich. Probably have a fetish for young naïve girls.”
Katherine sucked in her breath, growing tired of her sister’s repeated attempts at frightening her. “Stop it! Marriage is not slavery. I will not be sold.”
Deanna moaned, “Oh, my baby sister. You have no idea what marriage awaits you. It’s a form of slavery. A nobleman will buy you and provide Father with a much-needed alliance. You can only hope your new husband leaves you a