Golden Torment

by Janelle Taylor

  “Surely you jest! I couldn’t fool Landis,” she mildly protested.

  “Sometimes the best way to get a man’s attention is to ignore him. I have a feeling Landis will try to charm you once he sees you here. It’s a good cover if he presses you. Make him think the initiative is his. Just do it slowly and reluctantly. Use those feminine wiles you women possess.”

  “I’m not like that, Jack. I’d never pull it off.”

  “What have you got to lose?” he devilishly challenged.

  “Myself. I don’t trust me around him. He’s much too cunning and disarming. Besides, Soapy might have another motive in mind. Landis is a threat to me and this mission. If I weakened, Soapy would surely find some way to use it against me, and perhaps against him.”

  “Do what you think best, but don’t hem yourself in. You might find need of Landis’s prowess and influence one day.”

  “I hope not; I’m too indebted and bound to him as it is.”

  “You’re freezing. Let’s go eat at the hotel where we can talk.”

  “Why not? You staying the night?”

  “With a friend on the edge of town. I’ll be leaving at first light. I’ll be back Friday,” he promised.

  Jack and Kathy made their way to the hotel and sat down. After being served, they ate, then talked. Jack was impressed by her acceptance and progress. Kathy told him everything said and done since his departure.

  “When you get the jewels and return them, is Soapy there?”

  “Yes. Why?” she inquired, hearing something in his voice.

  “Just don’t get any heroic ideas. If he caught you snooping around his office, he might arrange an accident for you. I don’t like the mystery around Michelle’s.” His gaze clouded in worry.

  “I won’t nose around unless he’s gone, which he hasn’t been. I fully plan to come out of this thing alive and healthy.”

  “Any news about your father?” he mentioned an ignored topic.

  Kathy sighed. “No. Soapy put a notice on the wall near the front door. The men are passing the word along. Half of them want to impress me by locating him. Looks as if I’m getting lots of help with that problem. If Jake is around here, hell soon know I am, too. If he even cares,” she muttered, starting to believe he wasn’t or didn’t.

  Jack tried to encourage her, but he failed. “It sounds hopeless, Jack. I think the only way I’ll find him is with his help. What if he knows about me? If I got into trouble or danger, do you think he would come to my aid?”

  “Don’t you go doing anything crazy to get Jake’s attention!”

  “I was referring to Landis’s threats, if I fail here.”

  “Landis won’t harm you. I think he’s mad because you left him.”

  Jack walked her home and left. Kathy read before falling asleep to dream of Landis and to have nightmares of Soapy and Michelle.

  Three days were lost in music and madness. Her popularity increased, as did the number of guests in the room where she played and sang. It wasn’t unusual for the noise and action to halt in the other rooms during a particularly lovely number. The patrons had become accustomed to her presence and smiles. She talked with many guests. So far, no one had dared to offend her in any way. But Luther or Soapy was always nearby to make certain of that promise. Wisely, Zack was ordered out of sight.

  Many songs were now committed to memory. Her confidence and poise had grown each night; she had gradually relaxed and blossomed under this admiration and affection. Adorned in Soapy’s jewels and gowns, she sat on the stage as a regal queen, entertaining her adoring realm. She had wisely and politely refused dances and dinners with many eager men. Even their rustic minds comprehended she was vastly different from the other girls here. Within those first ten days, all knew she was wed to Landis Jurrell and was a lady of fine breeding.

  On Wednesday night, Kathy was heading to Soapy’s office to return the borrowed jewels when his voice caused her to pause and listen outside his cracked door. Her leather slippers had muffled her approach. Her suspicions about Soapy were confirmed—but she still didn’t understand his motive.

  “Jurrell hasn’t been in since she’s been here?”

  Luther replied, “Not yet, Soapy.”

  Kathy tensed. Did he suspect her ploy? Was he waiting and hoping to catch them in some dangerous charade to unmask him? His next words eased those doubts, but inspired more intrigue and fear.

  “I saw the way he eyed her at Log Cabin. If that wasn’t jealousy and fury, I don’t know beans about making money. I’ve made certain he knows she’s here. He should be furious that his little possession is working for me. I’ve got to find a way to get those two together. He ought to see her as the challenge of a lifetime. I know their marriage is a farce. Dang it, Luther! I’ll bet she’s attracted to him. She’s just too proud and frightened to admit it. But Jurrell can’t work on her resistence if he doesn’t come around. I need Jurrell captivated by her. She’s a damn good distraction.”

  “Don’t worry none; she won’t be able to resist him; she did marry him. Look at how he got to that heartless bitch Michelle.”

  “The little fool was crazy to fall in love with him. I warned her many times. He wouldn’t give a damn about a female like her if she didn’t have something he wanted. If anyone can get him, it’s Kathy.”

  “Jurrell’s smart. He might not fall for a woman working for you.”

  “He don’t have to. All I need is a long game of catchme-if-you-can. It’d be best if he does fall for her, but it really doesn’t affect my plans. Let me know when he shows up. I’ll snag his interest; he can’t resist a challenge. When I laugh in his face and boast of how he couldn’t hold his own wife, he’ll try his damnedest to prove me wrong. She’ll weaken.”

  “You’re a sly one, Soapy. But I really hate to see her hurt.”

  “Sorry, Luther, but we don’t have room for mushy feelings.”

  When it sounded as if they were about to wind up their talk, Kathy slipped back down the hallway. She began to head for Soapy’s office once more, humming to signal her second approach. She halted and knocked at the door. Soapy called for her to come in.

  She did so. She unfastened the extravagant necklace of emeralds and diamonds. She removed the bracelet and earrings and passed them over the desk to Soapy. “It seems to be going very nicely, Mr. Smith,” she stated to exit on a light note, her pulse racing.

  “I couldn’t be more pleased, Kathy. Business is up for us and down for others. We had every table filled in there tonight. Which gown are you wearing tomorrow night?”

  She mused, then replied, “I think the velvet crimson gown. I haven’t worn it yet. Perhaps the diamonds to enhance it?” she suggested.

  He opened his desk drawer and withdrew a large box. He opened it, the lid denying her a view of the inside. Yet, from the number and variety of gems she had worn so far, she knew there was a huge fortune inside that box. “I think this will do better,” he responded, holding up a stunning necklace of large rubies surrounded by sparkling diamonds.

  She took it in her hand. She stared at it, her blue eyes wide in amazement. “It’s magnificent. It will certainly do the gown justice.”

  “You do those gowns and jewels justice, Kathy. If I was a smart man, I would use them to entice you to drop Jurrell and marry me. I’m afraid I’m too selfish to share myself with anyone or anything.”

  She warily stated, “I think that was partly a compliment and partly a softened insult. I’m glad you have no such intention; I can’t be purchased for any price. Do you have a hair comb or clasp, say with diamonds? I might wear a special style to go with the dress.”

  He grinned and dipped into the box once more. He pulled out several of both. “Take your pick,” he offered.

  Kathy studied each one. “I think this one will be fine,” she murmured, the subject artfully changed.

  “Perfect,” he concurred.

  “Good. I’ll pick them up tomorrow evening as usual. Goodnight, Mr. Smith, Luther.�
� She turned and walked out.

  A man passed her. She paid little attention to him. He was dressed in furry pants and parka, in a big hurry. When she realized Luther wasn’t following her, she headed back to remind him of his escort duty before another talk ensued. She heard only one alarming sentence before she fled, to wait out front while she composed herself.

  Her hands were suddenly cold and shaking, her heart racing madly. She could feel the warm flush on her cheeks. She didn’t know which emotion held dominance: apprehension, fear, or excitement. She realized she would be wearing the most beautiful gown in the lot. She walked to the nearly deserted bar. She asked Monte for a glass of white wine while she was waiting for Luther to see her home.

  She stood chatting with the freckle-faced, red-haired man of about thirty while she sipped her wine. He was relating tales of past big games and suspenseful fisticuffs when Luther came to join her. He hastily apologized for keeping her waiting, fearing she had gone on alone.

  She playfully chided him, “I wouldn’t go out without my sturdy bodyguard. Monte was spinning yarns for me while I was having some wine to relax.” She set the empty glass down and asked, “Ready?”

  She pulled on her parka and followed him outside. The night was clear and cold. Hardly a breeze could be felt, masking the below freezing temperature. The music from the other saloons had mellowed with the late hour and decrease in customers. The ice-matted streets were mostly deserted. She glanced around, seeing the curls of gray smoke leaving the wooden shacks and heavy canvas tents. The stars were brilliant; the moon was full. It was a lovely night for romance.

  She bid Luther goodnight at the door, nodding to the night guard inside the front room. As she made her way to her room, a door opened and a man came out. Kathy avoided his smelly body and foul breath, clinging to the wall to prevent any contact with him or his leering gaze. He spoke to her, but she pretended not to hear. Enflamed by her, the man reached for her wrist and halted her departure.

  She yanked on it, but failed to break his tight grasp. “Take your filthy hands off of me! I’m a married woman!” she shrieked at him.

  “Come on, Miss Touch-me-not, just a little kiss for Charlie. You been driving me crazy for days. I got gold-dust. I’ll pay any price you name. Just one night with you,” he lecherously pleaded, seizing her around the waist and jerking her stiff body to him.

  She screamed, “Let me go this instant, you vile scoundrel!”

  The guard was at her side in moments. “Take your hands off Mrs. Jurrell if you want to see another sunrise,” he coldly warned.

  “She ain’t no better’n them other girls! She teases us ever’ night with her smiles and prissing. I offered her good money.”

  “Mrs. Jurrell don’t see men. She’s under Soapy’s protection. You don’t want to tangle with him or Jurrell, do you? They’ll kill you if you lay one finger on her. Git before I do it,” he growled seriously.

  When the guard cocked the hammer of his gun, the man grumbled and cursed. “You best guard her good. One night some man ain’t gonna take no for an answer! Ain’t no place for a married woman. Jurrell oughta kick her butt,” he threw over his shoulder as he stalked out.

  Kathy swayed against the wall and breathed raggedly. She smiled sheepishly at the guard and thanked him for his help.

  “No need,” he said. “Soapy says you don’t see nobody unless you want to.”

  She walked to her room on trembly legs. She closed her door and locked it. She could hardly unbutton her gown with her shaky fingers, laying it over the chair and slipping into a gown. She stood by the fire before crawling between the chilly covers. This situation was unpredictable; a wedding ring offered no protection. Then she thought of what she had just overheard: Soapy was having Landis watched! Why? He was arriving tomorrow! She was grateful for this prior warning. But why did Soapy want to push them together? What did he hope to accomplish?

  What should she do? Say? She was being adorned and flaunted before Landis for some malicious reason. Like a golden challenge, she humorously concluded. If ‘that tawny gown which sparkled like gold in the sunlight wasn’t so sexy, she would be tempted to wear it tomorrow night! That phony Landis letter and Soapy’s words on her marriage fused; somehow he knew the truth.

  After what happened tonight, Kathy thought, the gold gown wouldn’t be a wise choice. The crimson gown was perfect, a blending of propriety and subtle seduction. If Soapy was eager to have her entice Landis, she might accommodate him! But very deceptively, she decided. Landis had once called her his golden torment. He hadn’t even begun to suffer for what he had done to her! Treachery could run in two directions! He had never faced a futile challenge before. Let him taste some defeat! Nothing would taunt his monstrous ego more than a ravishing prize he couldn’t possess! Tomorrow…

  Kathy stirred around ten o’clock the next morning. She threw back the covers and hopped out of bed, thrilled by the thought of this heady game. As was their arrangement, Nelle brought her breakfast around eleven. She told the woman she wished to bathe early and wash her hair. She showed Nelle which gown she was wearing tonight. Nelle fondled it and sighed dramatically. “Ye’ll be an angel, Mrs. Kathy,” she declared, tweaking Kathy’s cheek.

  Kathy told her what happened outside Darlene’s room last night. Nelle was outraged. “Ye best have Tom see ye ta ye room each night,” she advised in that motherly tone of hers which she now used with Kathy.

  “That might be a good idea. I was petrified,” she confessed. “How do they allow such horrible men to touch them? Some nights, many men! Total strangers! It’s disgusting and sinful.”

  “They be bad, Mrs. Kathy. I’s glad ye’ll never git caught in tha’ trap. Ye still be plannin’ ta leave in two weeks?” she tested.

  “Yes, Nelle. I plan to leave soon. By then, I’ll have nearly four thousand dollars in the bank. That’s plenty to see me safely home.”

  Nelle didn’t want to frighten her, so she didn’t ask what Kathy would do if the bank was robbed. In her years here, it had only happened once. The Mounties had caught the robbers and returned the stolen money. If they had gotten away, the bank wasn’t responsible for any losses over one hundred dollars. That was why Nelle hid her money behind her chimney.

  By seven o’clock, Kathy was dressed in the stunning cherry-colored gown and ready to confront Landis Jurrell for the first time since that fateful night in Skagway. She took one last glance in the mirror. The gown fit as if made for her. The neck dipped in the front, but not at the loss of any modesty. There were gathers across the shoulders, revealing several inches of creamy flesh. The arms were snug to the wrist, where ruffles fell softly over the back of her hands. A heightened waistline drew attention to her softly curved bosom. The skirt gracefully drifted to the floor to inspire a vision of small waist, shapely hips, and fluid movements. There were no other embellishments or distractions. The gown was beauty in simplicity, yet elegantly styled to seize attention. With the necklace, the effect should be perfect. What if Landis changed his mind?

  She turned her head to the right. Cutting her intensely blue eyes to the left, she travelled the wealth of tawny curls hanging there. She repeated this action to the left, eying the hair secured above her right ear with the diamond comb. The diamonds captured the lantern light and glittered brightly. She faced the mirror, pinching her cheeks to give them color. Pleased, she headed to join Luther.

  This gown was the only one with a matching cape which flowed to the floor. Kathy had it secured around her throat and was holding it clasped together. Even though the distance between here and the gambling house was short, she knew she would be chilled without her parka. Still, she defiantly refused to prevent the full effect of this set.

  Luther smiled and motioned for her to accompany him. He made a funny remark about the men’s eyes bulging out tonight, amusingly vowing he would have to fight off some adoring fan before he brought her home. Her silvery laughter teased the ears of the rigid man concealed by dark shadows not far away.
He stiffened in annoyance, but remained where he was. He watched her seemingly float across the street with her dedicated guard, her ruby gown daintily held up. Even at that distance and in nothing more than moonlight, her beauty assailed him. She wouldn’t get away so easily tonight, he vengefully resolved. She owed him, and he planned to collect. She wasn’t any better than these other women.

  Kathy followed Luther inside and down the hall to Soapy’s office. He handed her the ruby and diamond necklace. She put it on, her fingers trembling at what she would face tonight, adding earrings. She tossed her cape on Soapy’s chair and said she was ready.

  Luther grinned in pleasure to be the first to see her tonight. “I never seen you so beautiful, Mrs. Kathy,” he sincerely complimented her. Soapy sat in pensive silence, his own loins aching to possess her.

  “Thank you, Luther. Frankly I feel a wee bit nervous in this particular gown. You can see its color a mile off,” she fretted.

  “Their eyes will be popping out of their heads when they get a look at you. Maybe you best not smile or talk with anybody tonight. I sure would rather hear you sing than fight off men.”

  When Kathy walked through the front room where roulette and faro tables were noisily busy, men halted their games and talks to stare at her. A man caught her arm and said, “Got a minute, Kathy?”

  “I’m late, sir. Please unhand…,” she was saying politely, but firmly, as she turned to scold him. Her gaze widened in surprise, then softened as she smiled into the gentle eyes of Trace Blitch.

  “Trace!” she squealed in pleasure and relief.

  His gaze appreciatively walked over her. He sighed and remarked, “You look lovely, Kathy. Landis is a lucky man.” She smiled and thanked him.

  Trace was dressed in full uniform, distinctive and impressive. He removed his low, broad-brimmed hat and fluffed his brown hair. His scarlet jacket nearly matched her gown. He was wearing dark blue pants with a bold yellow stripe down the sides and his black knee-boots shone. The uniform was clean and crisp. He dangled the hat strap over his left arm, leaning indolently against the bar.