Hiding Katherine

cold, but they did not complain. It was nice to put some food in their stomachs.
Leaning across the table to avoid being overheard, Katherine whispered, “The Scots look different than I imagined.” She took a bite of an apple as she looked at Deanna.
Deanna snorted. “What did you expect?”
Katherine shrugged. “I guess I expected them to be a bit more barbaric in nature. Perhaps greet us with no teeth.”
Deanna laughed out loud and quickly covered her mouth. She was trying not to bring attention to their presence. She leaned closer to her sister and whispered, “Grandmother would never marry a barbarian or allow us to travel to such a place.”
Two young warriors approached the women as they were eating. They took a seat on the other side of the table. Both were large and a bit disheveled looking. It was obvious to Deanna that they had not bathed in a good while and took little interest in personal hygiene.
The bigger one with red hair spoke first. “I am John, and this is Derrek. We have a bit of a wager with Orion’s table and was hoping you could solve a question for us.”
Deanna wrinkled her brow confused. “Who is Orion?”
John pointed to a table behind the girls. Deanna looked back to see a group of young warriors sitting at a table staring at them. Next to their table were a few young women with their arms crossed seemingly annoyed at the attention given to them.
Deanna twisted back around staring at the brave young men. “What is your question?”
John smiled and then looked over at Derrek who was staring at Katherine. Katherine kept her head down not engaging in the conversation.
“They say English woman do not enjoy the marital bed and most choose to sleep alone. Is this because their English husbands are not satisfactory in their bedrooms? Perhaps if they had a Scot, they would choose to share a bedroom.”
Katherine gasped, and Deanna narrowed her eyes as she voiced angrily, “You are vulgar, Sir. But given your Scot background, your manners are understandable. Let me assure you that Englishmen know how to satisfy a woman. You pig!” She took the bowl of gruel and dumped it on John. He stood up with gruel dripping from his forehead as he grabbed onto Deanna’s arm dragging her off her chair and twisting her to the ground.
Deanna groaned in pain as Katherine stood up and tried to push him away from her. A flurry of guards ran over to the group as Derrek was trying to get Katherine away from John.
“Enough! Release the wench at once.” The laird ran over breaking up the warriors. Deanna screamed and spat in John’s face. “Dirty Scot!”
Derrek kept hold of Katherine as she squirmed in his muscular arms.
Deanna was helped off the floor by another guard. The laird looked at the women with disgust. He turned to a few of the older Scottish warriors yelling, “In my solar now!”
Looking around the great hall, a scowl grew across his face, “The spectacle is over!”
He put his hand on Derrek’s shoulder. “I am surprised at you, Son. Take the women to their chambers. Put a guard at the door so they cannot leave. Then meet me in my solar.”
Deanna straightened her shoulders, lifting her head and said, “We wish to see our grandmother.”
The laird looked at Deanna, challenging her with his fierce stare as the hall stood still in silence. He finally spoke, his voice carrying out throughout the hall, “Your wishes are not my concern. You have insulted our hospitality and we will no longer offer it. My debt to my uncle was to bring you to your grandmother. It has been paid.”
“I beg your pardon? Your men insulted me, and I demand they be reprimanded. If we are to be treated in such a way, then we ask for an escort back to England.” Deanna’s quick temper and mouth got the best of her.
The laird shook his fist angrily. “Nay! You will demand nothing, wench. I make the rules here. You both are lower than a servant to me and unless you can find your way back to England by yourself, then you’re stuck here to do my bidding.” He looked over at the food on the floor. “That food was your only meal today. Your insolence will be punished. You pompous English wenches think ye can come in here and make demands? We will see what fate awaits you.”
Katherine’s eyes widened as she struggled in Derrek’s grip. He loosened his hold and took her arm leading her out of the great hall. Deanna closed her gaping mouth and followed them out the doors breaking eye contact from the many spectators.
She had never been so humiliated in her entire life.
This had been a bad idea. Never wanting to admit defeat, her father was right. They were heathens and it wasn’t safe for either of them to stay any longer. They had to find a way back to England. Her father’s wrath was safer than being in the keep with the Scots.
Derrek took them to their room and squeezed Katherine’s hand. “I will send Toby—he is a good man with mild manners. He will guard your door.” He leaned down and whispered close to her ear, “I will bring you some food. But it must be our secret.”
Katherine was taken aback by his words and attention. Not sure how to respond, she answered, “Thank you, Sir.” He smiled and walked out the door.
Deanna shut the door behind him and leaned against it. She closed her eyes as tears escaped. “Katherine, we must leave as soon as possible.”
“What are we to do? I don’t think the laird will provide an escort. We have no one to help us. Have you seen Claudia?”
Deanna shook her head, “Who knows if they will allow us to have our maid back. Grandmother is so full of herbs, I’m not sure if she will realize that we are locked in this room.”
A knock sounded