Golden Torment

by Janelle Taylor

  “Do my ears deceive me, Harriet Pullen! Surely you don’t mean to allow such insulting behavior?” she seriously protested.

  “A cold shoulder is far more acceptable than a slap in the face, especially in public. Men feel we should be honored by their attention. Don’t rashly make a refusal appear a challenge. I’m serious, Kathy; it’d be spoiling for trouble to slap countless faces every day,” her friend gravely warned.

  “If you say so, Mother,” Kathy teased in return.

  Within minutes, cured ham was frying and potatoes were boiling to be creamed. Four pots of coffee were brewing, sending their heady odor into the tent. The dishes were all washed, and Kathy was placing them on the wooden tables as she dried them. Harriet was busy with biscuits and red-eye gravy. The tantalizing smells filled the tent and floated outside. It was just before dark; the despondent men around the other campfires were getting raucous as they prepared their own meager fares, mouths watering at the fragrant odors from Moore’s tent.

  Harriet commented, “It’s a good thing we ran into Mr. Moore and got these jobs. Now, we have a place to live, a job, and his protection.”

  Kathy merrily speculated, “I could always go to work as one of those fancy saloon girls and earn barrels of money. At a dollar a twirl, I could amass a few eagles each night. Who knows, those gold-diggers might enjoy a singer and pianist for a change.”

  “And what about the chores expected of such brassy females?”

  “If I have to help wash dishes and clean-up, I’ll charge extra. I’ve certainly had plenty of practice today!” she saucily announced with a purity of mind which Harriet delighted in, but hastily corrected.

  “I meant the chores upstairs,” the red-haired woman clarified, her own modesty still clouding her real meaning.

  “If you mean change linens and do personal laundry for strange men, never!” she protested, turning up her pert nose in disgust.

  Harriet’s amused laughter filled the tent. “My innocent girl, I was referring to serving the miner’s physical needs.”

  “Physical needs?” she echoed. “You mean care for sick men?”

  Harriet could not suppress her humorous giggles. “I’m sorry, Kathy, but I can’t help it.” She shook her head of rusty locks and sighed in sympathy. She gently chided the naive girl, “I mean sex. That’s the main task for saloon girls. Dancing and merry-making are for men who cannot afford a visit upstairs to relieve those carnal urges.”

  Appalled, Kathy’s large eyes widened even more, diminishing the topaz circles around her black pupils to a narrow band. She paled in embarrassment, then fused a livid red which quickly danced down her slender neck. “They have…sex with perfect strangers?” she blurted out in disbelief when her speech and wits finally returned.

  “Strangers, yes; but perfect, hardly,” Harriet teased the shocked girl. “Surely you know what goes on in those bawdy houses? Didn’t your mother ever tell you the facts of life?” she asked seriously.

  “Some of them, but she was too timid or reluctant to say very much. She claimed a husband taught his wife all she needed to know.”

  “In a wild frontier like Alaska, most of the females who come here do so for only one reason. In all fairness, Kathy, many of those girls have no other way to earn a living. They become ensnared in a golden trap of their own making and don’t know how to break free. How can they change when people won’t allow it?”

  Shocked, Kathy clamored, “Surely they know we’re not here to earn money in such a repulsive manner!”

  “If they don’t, they soon will. Ladies are recognized by their actions and speech,” Harriet ventured her opinion.

  Kathy became silent and thoughtful, reflecting on this news. “I’m sure you’re right; you know more about life and men than I do. I certainly hope we don’t meet any more Marc Slavins!”

  “I’m sorry to say, but there’s plenty more like him. But with a man like Mr. Jurrell around, there’s little to fret over,” Harriet slyly inserted his name into their conversation.

  Kathy eyed her. “You really liked him, didn’t you? You two are about the same age. Why not pursue him?” she suggested to test the depth of her friend’s interest, but dreaded her reply.

  Astonished, Harriet stared at her. “Me?” she exclaimed, as if a romantic interest in a man was absolutely impossible. “Child, you flatter me. Men don’t chase a woman like me. My size and red hair scares ’em off. Perhaps some old codger might compliment me with his attentions, but I’m quite safe,” she assured the girl whose face was glowing with admiration and mischief. “Mr. Jurrell isn’t for me.”

  “You underrate yourself, Harriet. You’re a very attractive and charming woman. You have endless good qualities.”

  Harriet smiled in amusement and pleasure. “Thanks, but I know my own looks and quirks. I might get a few proposals from love-starved men, but offers to go romping in the snow…,” she playfully hinted, then burst into jovial laughter as Kathy flushed.

  “We’re either the two smartest women alive or the dumbest. I seriously wonder if Alaska is prepared for us,” Kathy quipped, bringing more laughter from her amicable companion.

  Harriet agreed. “Things are looking better every minute.”

  “Want me to mash the potatoes, Harriet?”

  “Not yet. They might get cold.” Harriet glanced around. Moore should be surprised and pleased when he returned, at any time.

  “I’ll let down the flaps; it’s getting chilly,” Kathy said. She tossed the cloth aside and walked into the night air. She made her way around the oblong tent, untying the strings and dropping the flaps.

  At the back of the canvas tent, strong arms imprisoned her, cutting off her breath. A hand clamped tightly over her mouth before she could scream for help. Not again, she prayed in fearful silence. She began to stomp the booted feet of her unknown assailant.

  “Let her go!” came an icy order from the impenetrable shadows. Kathy recognized the stirring tone of Landis Jurrell. Her terrified gaze flew in the direction of his voice. Without thinking to question his sudden arrival, she struggled, but her captor would not release her.

  She froze in dread, recognizing the sinister voice of the man attacking her. “Stay out of it, mister. This is between me and Kathy,” clearly informing Landis this intruder was no stranger to the intoxicating creature who was being forcefully held captive in his terrifying embrace.

  The girl had denied a husband or fiancé; therefore, the stranger didn’t have a rightful claim. Even if he were a discarded sweetheart, he had no excuse to treat her so harshly. A novel urge to protect her filled Landis, as did fury at her savage treatment. Besides, she had revealed an attraction to him, one which strangely pleased him…

  Three

  Landis’s voice was deceptively calm as he stated, “Since that’s my woman you’re handling so roughly, Sailor Boy, it is my business. You all right, Kat?” he asked in a mellow tone, guilefully inserting familiarity and tenderness into his query.

  “She isn’t your woman!” Marc Slavin growled in reckless dispute. “She got off my ship today! We have some unfinished business, so get lost!”

  As Kathy futilely tried to free herself once more, Landis stiffened unnoticably in the shadows. “Is this the fellow who gave you so much trouble on the voyage, Kat?” he asked. “I hate to disappoint you, Sailor Boy, but she came here to meet me. If you care to add another year to your miserable life, let her go…now!” The last word of his demand fired from his taut lips like a gunshot, startling both Marc and Kathy.

  Landis stepped into the fading light, his stalwart size and intrepid stance sending chills over Marc. Never had Marc viewed such overwhelming prowess in a man. Alarmed, he quickly released Kathy.

  “Come here, Kat,” Landis called tenderly to her, opening his arms in an inviting manner which she could not resist, the sheer force of his voice compelling her to obey him instantly. She ran into his protective embrace, encircling his narrow waist with her trembling arms. She buried her face a
gainst the flannel shirt which concealed his hard chest. His arms instinctively eased around her and held her possessively. She was shaking and crying from the physical and emotional demands of this nerve-racking day. Desire and fury flooded him.

  Watching the enviable scene, Marc sarcastically sneered, “She ain’t worth fighting over, the little tease! From the way she carried on with me, she didn’t act like she had a man waiting for her! Does this mean our engagement and marriage are off, Kathy?” he caustically taunted her. “Tell me, Kathy, why did you ask me to meet you tonight if you were expecting lover-boy? What a sly and fickle woman you are! You best teach your woman some manners and some caution or she’ll get into lots of trouble with this many men around. She’ll have you rescuing her three times a day!”

  “You vile bastard!” Kathy ranted at him. “I did not tease you nor lead you on! Stop lying about me! I don’t have the slightest interest in you. I despise you! I wouldn’t marry you if you were the only man in the entire world!” she flung her stinging insults into Marc’s leering face.

  Kathy lifted misty eyes to Landis and vowed, “I didn’t, Landis; I swear it! He broke into my stateroom this morning and attacked me. He even tried to force himself on me last night. Look at these scratches and bruises!” she cried, holding up her hands for Landis to view. “Do they indicate I was willing and eager to attract Mr. Slavin? I fought him tooth and nail, and he knows it! He…” Suddenly aware of her humiliating confessions, she halted her flurry of words and lowered her eyes. Even in the dimness, Landis could make out the fiery patches on her cheeks. His keen, deadly gaze shifted to Marc.

  “Kat never lies, Sailor Boy. Consider yourself lucky I don’t tear you limb from limb. But if you ever come near her again, I’ll kill you. And if you want that face to remain pretty, you’d better keep your lying mouth shut about her. I won’t have you soiling my future wife’s good name. I can’t blame you for desiring her; Kat’s the most beautiful woman alive. But I won’t allow any man to harm her.”

  Kathy stiffened in his arms at those disturbing statements. Was she actually allowing a total stranger to comfort and to defend her?

  “It’s all right, love,” he whispered softly. “This scum won’t ever bother you again. Right, Sailor Boy?” he challenged.

  When Marc remained silent and rigid, Landis persisted icily, “I insist on your word of honor, my good fellow. Will you leave Kat alone?”

  Afraid to press this puissant giant, Marc growled, “Yes! Just make sure you order her to leave me alone, too.”

  Ignoring Marc’s last words, Landis calmly continued, “Now, I believe you also owe her an apology for your insults and lies. Spit it out quickly; my supper’s getting cold; else I’ll beat it out of you.”

  “I’m…sorry, Miss Hammond,” Slavin sputtered in a voice laced with hostility and venom.

  “Now, be on your way. But remember my warning. You won’t get a second chance to test my patience and temper.”

  Marc hurried off into the gathering night. Landis leaned away from Kathy and asked seriously, “You all right, Kathy?”

  She questioned, “How did you know what happened on the ship?” Who was this arresting, perceptive, fearless man?

  He chuckled and replied smoothly without a trace of guile or arrogance in his tone. “Those sailor whites gave him away; he stands out like a cloud against a black sky. His violent treatment suggested it wasn’t the first time he had besieged you. I would imagine he hotly pursued you the entire trip, right?” he probed.

  “Yes. But he’s married,” she added.

  “Was that why you refused his amorous attentions?” Landis couldn’t help but ask, watching her closely.

  “Heavens, no! He’s an animal. I wouldn’t care for him, married or not. I apologize for my outburst; mother would have washed my mouth out with strong soap if she had heard me say something like that.”

  He laughed mirthfully, then inquired, “He wasn’t your type?”

  “Definitely not!” she angrily informed him. Why was she amiably conversing with this charming rogue she had met tonight?

  “What is?” he leisurely went on with this intriguing topic.

  She stared at him in puzzlement. “I really don’t know,” she answered candidly for some unknown reason. “I’ve never met any man who stands out before all other males. I…” She faltered in her foolish ramblings and looked away from his gaze. Why did this physical contact feel so natural and pleasant? Why was she unwilling to end it?

  “Not even one?” he playfully challenged.

  Shifting nervously in his intoxicating embrace, Kathy did not answer him. “I’m awfully glad you showed up when you did. He frightens me,” she murmured softly, dropping the explosive subject he had begun. “Thanks for your help, Mr. Jurrell. It was very chivalrous of you, considering my earlier rudeness. I’m just overly tired and distressed by this place. This isn’t what I expected to find. And I certainly didn’t expect to see Marc Slavin again.” She felt she should move away, but she didn’t. Indebted and relieved, she was helplessly susceptible to this dynamic and stirring creature.

  “He’s dangerous, Kathy; watch out around him. Nothing is more unpredictable than a man with an obsession.”

  “I haven’t encouraged him in the slightest way, Landis. I just wish he would leave me alone. Why would a man chase a woman who can’t stand him? Doesn’t he have any pride? You’d think he’d be too embarrassed to pursue me. I don’t understand men at all. Perforce he’ll be sailing with the morning tide and be out of my life for good,” she asserted, unaware of Marc’s dismissal by the furious Shurling.

  “Good riddance, if you ask me. We’ve got too many like him here now,” he said.

  “I fully agree. Too bad there aren’t more like you around,” she murmured dreamily, then quickly moved away from him. “I better finish letting down the flaps and get inside. Harriet probably thinks I’m lost by now.” Why had she made such a statement?

  “Here, I’ll help you,” he offered, but did it for her as she tagged along behind him. He was so masterful and virile; he seemed qualified to take command of any situation.

  At the last flap, Kathy smiled and thanked him again. “See you at dinner.” Confused by her brassy behavior, she needed to put some distance and time between them.

  “Think I can wrangle a cup of coffee while I wait?” he asked with an engaging grin, his sensual eyes appearing as rare mahogany, readily flustering her.

  “Would it be all right with Mr. Moore?” she asked, doubtful of the rules here, having difficulty thinking and speaking.

  “I’m paid up for the month. And we’re good friends,” he added.

  “Come along; I’ll get it for you.” She smiled and murmured, “Thanks for everything, Landis.” His name was spoken like a silky caress, bringing a handsome grin to his lips.

  As he followed her inside, Harriet glanced up, concern clouding her eyes. “Where have you been?” she asked hurriedly, then noticed Landis behind her. “I see,” she added with a jolly grin.

  “Marc was here,” Kathy quickly corrected Harriet’s false impression of her tardiness. “Landis…I mean, Mr. Jurrell, was kind enough to send him on his way. If you think he was mad on the ship, you should see him now,” she added.

  “What was he doing ashore? That black-hearted demon! Doesn’t he ever learn his lessons? Thank you, Mr. Jurrell,” Harriet promptly added her own gratitude to Kathy’s. “That snake is determined to…”

  “Harriet!” Kathy cried in alarm, slicing off the rest of her revealing words. Harriet’s head jerked up as the reality of her slip flooded her mind. “The matter is settled now. Mr. Jurrell warned him to stay away from me. From the way Marc looked, I doubt he’ll challenge that threat,” she confidently stated, smiling at Landis.

  “Captain Shurling also ordered him to leave you alone, for all the good it did! He frightens me, Kathy,” Harriet readily admitted. “Don’t let him find you alone or unprotected again.”

  “Thanks to La…Mister J
urrell, Marc is the one terrified now. He would be a fool to cross a man like…” She groaned in annoyance. “I’m so tired I can’t even think straight. I hope I never see another day like this one.” What was wrong with her? Why was she talking and behaving in this forward manner?

  Harriet smiled comfortingly. “I know, dear. It has been rough on you lately. But things’ll get better soon. Why don’t you eat and turn in? I can clean up after supper. The way you’ve got this place looking, it won’t require much time or work.”

  “I’m not going to that supply tent alone! Besides, you’re just as tired as I am. When everything is done, well both go to bed. Maybe some hot coffee will lift me up. Coffee!” she exclaimed. “I completely forgot about your coffee, Landis. Pardon me.” She hurried to fix it as Harriet left to bring in more wood. “Milk or sugar?” she asked, eyes glowing as they fused with his.

  He grinned playfully. “No milk. Sugar, if it’s the right kind,” he teased, devilish lights dancing in his eyes, a mirthful grin tugging provocatively at the corners of his lips.

  Kathy blushed. “Stop teasing me; I’m too tired to defend myself,” she chided him, then laughed herself.

  “Who was teasing?” Landis boldly ventured, his igneous eyes warming her. He came to stand within inches of her to accept the coffee cup. “Surely three good deeds deserve just one little taste of sweetness?” he entreated huskily.

  Senses intoxicated, Kathy helplessly returned his smoldering gaze. He leaned forward and kissed her briefly, but pervasively. The mischievous kiss held surprises for both Landis and Kathy; a magical fire sparked and passed between them. Confusion and pleasure settled within her softened eyes, as in his. Entrapped in a dreamy world, Kathy never thought to refuse him or to scold him.

  His hand came up to caress her satiny cheek. His touch was stirring and tantalizing. She traced her finger over her tingling lips, then over his sensual ones. She had the strangest desire to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him again! Such bewildering and unfamiliar emotions washed over her, irresistibly drawing her to his magnetic aura. He was everything a man should be. She ached to feel his arms around her again and to experience the delights of his kisses.