Golden Torment

by Janelle Taylor

  “I see,” Kathy murmured thoughtfully. “I guess that means you’ll be leaving soon and won’t be back for a long time?” she speculated.

  “I don’t know. What difference does it make to you?”

  She smiled enticingly. “I was just recalling your previous offer. Don’t you think it a bit selfish to keep a mistress sitting around Skagway for such a lengthy spell? It would seem to me that a man would want his woman with him. You know, to keep him warm, to entertain him, to take care of him?” she taunted him with an angelic smile.

  What a cunning feline she was! He needed to find Hammond. First, he had to find a way to keep Kathy here, where he could watch her and where she would be safe. With luck, his feelers would entice Hammond to Skagway. Besides, he wanted Kathryn Hammond, and she wanted him. Before he could come up with some crafty reply, she asked, “Are there other guides like you around here?”

  “Some. Why?” he cautiously inquired, eyes and ears alert.

  “If you’re too busy or too stubborn to help me, I’ll find another guide and hire him. My…business is vital.”

  “You can’t travel in deserted country with a stranger!”

  “Whyever not? You and I are strangers, and I was willing to hire you.” She realized that news didn’t sit well with him.

  Provoked, he growled, “After what just happened between us, you can hardly call us strangers!” He couldn’t allow her to leave.

  “You mean this?” she parried, waving her hand over the bed. “As I said, a foolish impulse, a moment of distraction and vulnerability. But become your mistress? No, Landis. Besides, I have some pressing business. I doubt I’ll be around next time. Have you forgotten I never planned to remain in Skagway any longer than absolutely necessary?” she reminded him, boldly pushing a straying lock of sable hair from his handsome face. Possibly he wanted her, but selfishly without strings.

  “But you said you wouldn’t leave me, that I was everything you wanted!” he irrationally exploded, furious at her supposed deception. “Were you lying or teasing?” Damn this traitorous vixen!

  “We both said many things in a moment of reckless passion. I didn’t realize what I was saying. What difference does it make? You’ve bluntly informed me of the only interest you have in me. Since you travel to Dawson so frequently, I see no urgent need for me. If memory serves me correctly, you’re the one who’d be absent all the time. The only way I’ll become your woman is to go with you. Relax, love; I did say woman, not wife,” she rebuked him when his eyes gleamed with amusement. No matter, she was only taunting him!

  “Then you’ll be returning to Seattle soon?” he ventured, fiercely trying to control his ire and intrigue. How to gain more time…

  “Don’t be silly. I’ve already related my plans to you; I’m going to Dawson just as soon as I find an appropriate guide. Any suggestions?”

  “You can’t be serious, Kathy! I’ve already told you how dangerous and rugged it is out there. Hell, you’re a woman!”

  “More dangerous than staying in Skagway?” she scoffed. “With you and Marc here, I should be perfectly safe!”

  “Damnit, you can’t go!” he snarled in rising fury. Whatever her motives, it was too dangerous.

  “I can, and I will!” she defiantly confronted him. “You don’t own me. You have nothing to say about what I do or where I go!”

  He captured her face between his hands and forced her to look at him. Their stormy and defiant gazes met and battled. He challenged, “As you put it moments ago, what about us? I need time, Kat.”

  “There is no us. Under the circumstances, let’s forget we even met, assuredly forget this afternoon. I need help, and you’re refusing it. All you care about is yourself.”

  There was a loud and persistent knocking on the cabin door. Kathy flinched in surprise, then forced herself to appear sedate and poised. “Company, Mr. Jurrell. If you don’t mind, would you please dress before answering the door. I know your reputation means little to you, but I’ll be staying here a while longer.”

  He glared at her, nettled by her behavior. He got up, shouting, “Keep your shirt on! I’m coming!” He hastily pulled on his clothes and ran his fingers through his touseled hair. He headed for the door. She huddled against the wall to conceal herself. Landis opened the door just enough to see who was there. “What can I do for you, Moore?” He stepped outside and pulled the door shut.

  Kathy jumped up and glanced around. Sighting a water pail and basin, she hurriedly washed off, mentally denying the implication of the blood on the cloth. She quickly retrieved her clothes and dressed. She lifted a brush and worked on her tangled hair, preparing to flee this tormenting place at the first available moment. How was it possible to endure so much heartache and sacrifice in eighteen short years? Why had she been singled out by Fate to be attacked by these destructive forces? Here she was stranded in a godforsaken land trying to accept her mother’s untimely death, looking for a father who had abandoned her, being assaulted by a savage brute, and having her heart torn out by a traitorous lover. Had she blindly and wantonly given herself to a man she had known for only a few days? What powerful magic did he possess? Anger and spite filled her; Jake Hammond and Landis Jurrell owed her, and she would find some way to collect those debts!

  Landis returned in a foul mood. He paced the floor for a short time, as if utterly oblivious to the sapphire eyes which were tracing his every move. Suddenly sensing her presence, he whirled and looked at her. “What are you staring at?” he snapped irritably.

  He was clearly unnerved by something Moore had told him! Where were his tenderness and charm? “Nothing, Landis; absolutely nothing,” she replied in a frosty, bitter tone. She headed to the door.

  Just as she was about to open it, he called out, his voice strained and muffled, “I’ll be leaving at first light tomorrow. If you change your mind, I’ll be back in a few weeks. I’ve asked Moore to keep Slavin away from you. Goodbye, Kathy…”

  She turned and looked at him. He had his broad back to her. She wondered what he was feeling and thinking. She opened her mouth to speak, but couldn’t. What was left to say?

  She left without looking back, though she heard the cabin door open. Yet, he didn’t come after her or utter a word. She could feel his burning gaze on her back. She lifted her head proudly and continued her solitary walk toward the supply tent. She didn’t get far before two men approached her, two who had sailed on the Victoria.

  One man halted at her right side and the other blocked her path. Her nostrils detected the heavy odor of whiskey. “How’s about we have a little talk?” the large man slurred, grinning lewdly at her.

  “Excuse me,” she stated firmly, trying to pass them.

  The second man caught her arm and prevented her departure. “Don’t go getting prissy on us. We just want to talk.”

  “Let go of me,” Kathy demanded, her heart racing in panic. She was suddenly aware of the crowded beach, packed with men who had just arrived or men who had been stranded here.

  “Let’s go sit a spell and have a wee nip,” the first man coaxed.

  “No, thank you.” She tried to handle this matter calmly. “Mr. Moore will be looking for me. I have chores to do.”

  “Aw, come on, gurly. We’re lonely,” the second man added, the first one taking hold of her other arm.

  Kathy feared they were about to drag her off in spite of her objections. Each hour she realized how dangerous Skagway was alone. She shuddered, wishing she had the gun Harriet had given her.

  “You men aren’t pestering my wife, are you?” Landis’s voice boomed from behind her, as he reached for her and pulled her to him.

  “Wife?” one man echoed, both staring at the towering man.

  “That’s right. The name’s Landis Jurrell, and I don’t like men harassing my wife,” he warned, knowing most men in these parts were aware of that name and the physical power behind it.

  Landis’s ruse worked. Grumbling, they staggered off. He glanced down at the tremb
ling Kathy. The ship in the canal had supplied the answer to his problems. “Let’s talk, Kat,” he said.

  She met his gaze, then thanked him. She wanted to shout it wasn’t necessary to come to her rescue, but it was. It was clear she couldn’t take care of herself against such odds, gun or no gun. “I’d best return to Moore’s area and stay there,” she stated resentfully.

  “You see that ship?” he asked, pointing to it. She nodded. “The captain has the authority to perform marriages. I want you to stay here where it’s safe and I can see you again. You need protection. I think you just witnessed you can have it with my name.”

  Kathy stared at him. “You think I’ll be safe if we pretend we’re married?” she asked, his meaning unclear. “You’ll loan me your name if I’ll play your wife?”

  “I’m offering you a compromise, Kat, a marriage of convenience. If you’ll stay in Skagway while I search for your father, I’ll give you my name as protection. No one has to know the truth. After things are settled, we can have it dissolved.” That should convince her!

  “Marry you? But you just said…”

  “I know what I said,” he interrupted her. “You’re in enough danger without heading inland. The only way I can protect you is to keep you here and by giving you my name. Are you interested?”

  “Don’t you think that’s a heavy sacrifice?” she sneered. His offer didn’t include love or permanence! His name in exchange for what?

  “After what happened today, I owe you that much, Kat. I didn’t mean to mislead you, but evidently I did. I’m not saying I don’t want you or have strong feelings for you. This is the worse possible moment for me to think about a woman or marriage. But it seems the best solution for both of us. If you prefer, it can be a marriage in name only. I wouldn’t go to such lengths to gain a beautiful mistress. I honestly want to help you, and this seems the only way.” As far as anyone would know, the marriage would be legal. There wouldn’t be any need to dissolve it later; it wouldn’t be valid, for Landis Jurrell didn’t exist, but Kathy didn’t know that…A false marriage would help both of them…

  “Are you serious? A wife in name only? I don’t trust you, Landis. Why are you really doing this? You don’t care about me.”

  “You’re wrong, Kat, and I’m deadly serious. You need my name. Look around us. How safe would you be if I walked off?”

  In spite of everything, Kathy knew he was accurate. This idea was crazy. He didn’t love her or want to marry her, but he would. Maybe he cared more than suited him…Was it a guilty conscience? She annoyed him when she asked for time to make her decision.

  “I’m leaving at first light, remember? I won’t be back for nearly a month. Think you can survive that long without me?”

  “You or your name?” she quipped sassily, nettled.

  “Both. This isn’t the time for pride, Kat.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to marry you, for any reason. I’m going to find Jake Hammond, with or without your help.”

  “I told you, woman, I’ll look for him wherever I go! Marry me, Kat, right now.”

  Before Landis left, he felt he needed to settle this crazy situation. How could he keep his mind on his business if he was fretting over her? He was going to demand the truth about why she was in Alaska, even though he couldn’t offer the same to her. He had been a bloody fool to swing by here again this soon, but Slavin demanded a close eye. Evidently Kathy hadn’t known he was still around.

  Landis waited for her answer. Kathy was plagued by confusion and fear. Wild as it sounded, it was an excellent solution. His name held power and protection. Damnit, he did owe her! She met his steady gaze and nodded. “In name only,” she coldly added.

  Landis frowned, nodding agreement to her condition. Shortly, she was standing with a ship captain, exchanging vows with this quicksilver man. He hadn’t even allowed her time to tell Harriet! The ceremony was fast and cold. The captain was rushed and distracted; for correct name-spelling he asked Landis to enter the information in his log-book. The captain was mildly surprised when Landis asked for two copies of their marriage certificate, but hastily complied. Landis signed one, handing both to her for signatures. After signing them, one was rolled and given to her; the other one was signed, folded, and stuffed into his pocket. As Landis spoke with the captain, she gazed at the ribbon-bound license and the gold band on her finger. She was surprised he had given her his mother’s wedding ring which he carried in his pocket on a gold chain. Now, all she had to do was make certain this marriage was never consumated! Unless…but that was a golden dream.

  Ashore, Landis led her to the cabin, under her protest. “For looks only, Kat. We just got married, it’ll look strange not to be alone. Don’t worry, I won’t touch you! Stay here while I get us some supper and deliver our good news. One look at you, and they’ll know it’s a joke.” With those nasty remarks, he left her alone.

  Landis went to the supper tent to see Harriet. Before he told his news, he probed for some answers which plagued him. He revealed Kathy’s battle with Marc, saying she was resting in Dray’s cabin.

  Harriet was worried about Kathy. What Kathy needed was someone to love her and protect her. “I had hoped…” She halted.

  Mystified, he pressed, “You had hoped what, Mrs. Pullen? Go ahead and say what’s on your mind,” he coaxed. “Evidently it has to do with Kathy. I’m trying to help her and protect her.”

  “I misunderstood your friendship; that’s all,” she told him. “It was a natural mistake considering the way you acted toward her,” she quickly explained. “She’s so naive and trusting.”

  Kathy’s previous words came flooding back to him like a dam breaking loose and waves crashing into his head. He softly demanded, “You mean Kathy feels more than friendship for me, more than gratitude for my help with Slavin? She thinks I’m romantically interested in her?”

  “It isn’t my place to answer for her,” Harriet wisely stated.

  “Perhaps Kathy had some girlish notions about me or us; but more than that, I seriously doubt it,” he guilefully fenced.

  Harriet studied him closely. Now she understood; he didn’t want to see it. “She might act childish and naive, but she’s very much a young woman. I only hope you won’t lead her on and hurt her. You’re older and experienced. It’s only natural for an impressionable, young girl to find you charming.” Distressed, Harriet chatted too openly.

  “Hurt her? Lead her on? Did she say I had?” he asked.

  “She didn’t say anything about you. I’m afraid she can’t handle another crisis or loss right now,” she candidly informed him. If this manly creature was only playing games with Kathy, they were cruel ones!

  “Will you answer one question for me, Mrs. Pullen?”

  “If I can,” she replied, puzzled and guarded.

  “Did Kathy really come here to look for a missing father? Do you know her well enough to answer truthfully?”

  Harriet gaped at him. “I know Kathy very well!” she angrily retorted. “Why would you doubt her claim? Yes, Mr. Jurrell; she most certainly did! I might add, at my suggestion and insistence because she has no other family. I also knew her mother. I was with Kathy before, during, and following Dory’s death. It was Kathy’s mother who told me about Jake Hammond and her wish for Kathy to locate him. Naturally Kathy is resentful and hesitant, with just cause. She didn’t know what to do after her mother’s death. I talked her into coming here with me to look for him,” she said in honesty.

  Landis became pensive and moody. Clearly something was eating at him. He didn’t seem to care for this news! He anxiously paced back and forth in deep, silent thought.

  Landis halted in his tracks and turned to Harriet. “Why doesn’t Kathy know what her own father looks like? Why did he desert them? Why did he come to Alaska?” he quizzed. “To help her, I need more facts,” he alleged.

  “She was only two when he took off. Dory told Kathy, as well as me, there were no pictures of him. As to why he left them, Dory wouldn’t or
couldn’t explain. Frankly, I think Dory knew more than she related; I even believe she had more to do with Jake’s departure than Kathy could even suspect. Since Dory’s dead and Kathy’s alone, Jake is the only one alive who knows the truth. If Kathy’s to ever have peace of mind, she has to find him and resolve her bitterness. If you have no honorable intentions toward Kathy, don’t lay any more troubles in that child’s lap. Stay away from her, please,” she implored, sensing his mistrust and his powerful pull on her young friend.

  “If by honorable intentions, you mean love and marriage, Mrs. Pullen; I can assure you that problem doesn’t exist. Kathy’s very beautiful and vulnerable; she’s in constant danger here, from more than Marc Slavin. I think I’ve solved the problem of her safety until she can locate her father. She’s going to remain here while I search for him. Moore’s promised to watch over her.”

  Before he could finish his explanation, Harriet injected skeptically, “Safe? How can she be safe with men like Slavin running loose? She’s one female surrounded by thousands of men. It’s bad enough to be a woman here, but a beautiful one?”

  “After the beating I gave Slavin, he can’t show his face for ages. She’ll have you, Moore, and his men to watch over her. Besides, I gave her my name this afternoon as protection. I’m not boasting, Mrs. Pullen, but few men dare to tangle with me.”

  “What do you mean, ‘gave her your name’?” she asked curiously.

  “After that fight with Slavin, I carried her to the ship in the canal and married her. Once word gets around she’s Kathryn Jurrell, she’ll be safe. I’ll be leaving at first light. I’ll check in every few weeks. With luck, I’ll find Jake soon and she can return home.”

  Harriet’s mouth had fallen open at that shocking news. “You two got married?” She couldn’t believe her ears!