Golden Torment

by Janelle Taylor

  “My, but we look dashing tonight, Mounty Blitch. I do hope this isn’t an official call; I have a job impatiently awaiting me. Been saving any maidens from hungry wolves?” she ventured with a merry sparkle in her eyes, wanting all men to see she had a powerful friend.

  “Most maidens don’t live in these parts, ma’am. Those who do don’t bravely head out into the wilderness. You all right since your little escapade?” he inquired, sending her a genial smile.

  Trace was a most likable person, easy to converse with and pleasant to be around. His rugged good looks and stalwart frame gave arresting qualities to his splendid dress. “Just fine, thanks to you,” she freely confessed, smiling innocently into his dancing eyes.

  “I’m always eating alone. Any chance of you joining me for some wine and dinner later?” he hinted, his respect and admiration shining.

  “I would be honored. After all, you did save my life. In fact, to show my appreciation, I’ll treat you to a table in my room, and to the wine of course,” she offered. It would be nice to share company with a good friend for a change. For certain, a Mounty offered plenty of protection from two-legged wolves! And perhaps he had news of Landis.

  “I really can’t allow a lady to pay for my treat,” he declined.

  “I insist. You can be my protector again tonight. Besides, the other girls will be terribly envious of me,” she playfully teased.

  “I accept. From the way you look tonight, you’ll need one,” he roguishly responded. “But the girls won’t mind; they know I’m off limits. Mounties aren’t allowed the privilege of marriage. Regulations state we must be single. So you see, nothing to fear.”

  She laughed softly. “Why do Mounties have to remain single?”

  “Curious as a cat? We lead dangerous lives. We travel over the territory. We can’t afford distractions. What Mounty could keep his mind on his work with a wife waiting at home?” he murmured seriously.

  She nodded, her flowing curls falling enticingly over her shoulders. “What a shame. Shall we?” she invited.

  Soapy walked over and crisply stated, “I believe you’re late, Mrs. Jurrell. Do you mind starting now? I am paying you for four hours each night. The customers are getting restless in there.”

  She glanced at Smith. His expression was one of thinly veiled irritation. Why? She instantly knew; Jurrell was the man he wanted her to notice, not Trace. Was he here yet? She dared not look around. She smiled contritely and murmured, “I’m sorry, Mr. Smith. I stopped but a moment to greet an old friend. You recall, I told you how Trace saved my life. He literally pulled me from the gaping jaws of several ravenous wolves.”

  “Do you mind waiting until your break to profusely thank him for merely doing his job?” he suggested tersely.

  Kathy flushed, embarrassed by his rudeness. Lights of anger gleamed within her sapphire eyes. “You will get your money’s worth, Mr. Smith. I will stay until I have played for four hours. I keep my word to everyone. I had no intention of cheating you out of a single minute,” she softly scoffed, wanting him to notice her vexation. “Trace, will you follow me?”

  “Mr. Blitch hasn’t paid to enter,” he brazenly announced.

  She fumed noticably. “I invited him to join me. I’ll pay for his table and anything he desires to drink or eat. I owe him my life, sir. Plus, we’re friends,” she smartly informed him.

  “I see. Then by all means, take him to your table and get busy.”

  “Perhaps we should end our association tonight. I cannot play when I’m upset; and you, sir, have deeply upset me. I’ve been most cooperative and generous with my time. Many nights I’ve stayed to play extra songs for your friends, or have you conveniently forgotten? I do not appreciate being embarrassed. You were rude to me and Trace,” she reprimanded him boldly. “Perhaps this should be my final performance,” she threatened seriously.

  Smith wisely backed down, the action nettling him. “I’m deeply sorry, Kathy. Of course you’re right. I had other things on my mind. I should not have taken my irritation out on you. It will not happen again. If you wish, you may begin at seven-thirty.”

  “That won’t be necessary. Our talk can wait until my break.”

  She took Trace’s arm and led him to her table. After he was seated, she coaxed, “Order whatever you like. I’ll be back in one hour. Don’t worry; Smith’s earning too much money to fire me. Besides, I don’t care.”

  Kathy went to the stage and took her place. She played a variety of songs: soft and romantic tunes, lively ballads, and one funny melody. She sang with some, others only the moving strains of the piano were heard. When the hour was over, she headed to join Trace. He was grinning broadly at her spunk and beauty. He arose to seat her, then reclaimed his own chair. Wine was waiting for her.

  He filled their glasses. “You did say one hour. You are very punctual, Mrs. Jurrell. Smith mad at you or me?” he speculated aloud.

  “Both. He doesn’t like me to fraternize with male customers,” she declared in a smothered voice, hating to lie to him.

  “I think he dislikes having Mounties in here. Makes him nervous.”

  “You didn’t say, here on business or pleasure?” she probed.

  “Both. Business is a secret; the pleasure’s checking on you.”

  “Here to see if I’m in danger again?” she jested.

  “Nope. Just to make sure you’re all right,” he replied honestly.

  “As you can see, I’m just fine. Excluding the episode with wolves, I can usually take care of myself.”

  “How long you planning to work here?”

  “Only a few more weeks,” she readily confessed.

  “Have you learned anything?” he inquired, no hint of suspicion or accusation in his mellow voice, purposely not mentioning Landis.

  Her smile vanished and her eyes clouded. “Not yet. I’m leaving soon. I don’t care very much for your land or its people.”

  “But most of them are Americans,” he corrected her mildly.

  “I know. I wish you luck in controlling them. Too bad you can’t order them to leave the Yukon.”

  “Most of them, I wish I could,” he stated with a laugh.

  “Before my boss pounces on us, I’ll get busy. See you next hour.”

  As she began to play, Soapy was furtively watching his moody foe. Kathy had strolled past Landis without noticing him. While she had been chatting with Blitch, Landis had been drilling his stormy glare into her. Landis had turned in his chair to watch her disappear. Three times he had gotten up and peeked through the red curtains, but hadn’t entered or revealed himself. Blitch was an unforeseen interference, Soapy raged inwardly. How dare Blitch show up on this night of all nights in full dress! Kathy had to be intrigued by the dashing Mounty who had saved her life, probably feeling greatly indebted to him, as with Landis. Something had to be done…

  Landis was feeling and thinking much the same. He wanted to surprise Kathy, shock her with his sudden arrival. He didn’t want anyone to overhear their reunion. He was furious at her for endangering her life. How dare she tempt fate’s wolves! Or behave like a single woman!

  Worse, he was now viewed as a heartless rogue, while Trace was a knight in shining armour! The note by the door hadn’t gone unnoticed, nor the reports of her avid search. He had been told countless times she had nothing to do with any men. Considering their last contact, she would do well to even speak civilly to him! Thankfully, Trace was a Mounty first and last, as Landis had once been. Landis would find no rival in the Mounty. Only now did Landis realize he had angered, hurt, and confused Kathy—emotions which matched his own.

  Damn, she was exceptionally stunning tonight! His loins had tightened just viewing her. To be so near without being able to touch her was sheer agony. He missed her. He wanted her. She had been eating at him for weeks, as a vicious disease trying to painfully devour him. He had resisted coming until he could stand it no longer.

  But another scheme nagged at his keen mind. Soapy had been cunning, but Lan
dis wasn’t fooled. Was Kathy working for Smith in another facet? Their alliance was curious. Jealousy filled Landis and his fury rose the longer he sat there fuming.

  Was Kathy another pawn like Michelle? Had Kathy heard those false rumors about himself and Michelle? Probably Soapy had flooded her ears! That was another false black mark against him. Landis pushed thoughts of Michelle from his mind. He hadn’t asked her to help him. She had volunteered. He didn’t want any woman, except Kathryn Hammond Marlowe!

  The waiting unbearable, he entered the red room. Kathy’s back was to him. He swaggered to the stage and dropped two gold nuggets in the plate. “Do you know ‘Beautiful Dreamer,’ my talented wife?”

  Kathy tensed briefly, recognizing the stirring voice. She had been expecting him, but he caught her unprepared. She steeled herself to meet his mocking gaze. “I’ll sing it just for you, dear husband.” She bravely gazed into smoldering eyes as she softly sang the romantic and compelling song. When she was finished, she locked gazes with him and purred sarcastically, “I hope you got your money’s worth.”

  He grinned beguilingly. “I always do, Kat; I always do.”

  Twenty-One

  “You’re stunning tonight. Such expensive clothes and jewels. Seems I have lots to learn about my own wife. I’d be careful around Dawson, Kat. Beauty and riches are a rarity. Men kill for them.”

  “Thanks for the flattery and warnings,” she said. “The gowns and jewels belong to Smith; they go with the job. I don’t get to keep them. But you needn’t fret over my safety; Mr. Smith makes certain I have a guard at all times,” she casually remarked to pique him. “Plus, I carry an intimidating last name,” she scoffed insultingly.

  “By all means, continue. You are indeed talented in more than one area. I’m positive you have half the town bowing at your feet,” he murmured huskily, his eyes alive with mischief and pleasure.

  “You underestimate me, my beloved husband. I would venture it’s ninety percent of the entire area,” she smiled audaciously.

  “I’ll never underrate you again, Kat. You’ve been quite an education for me,” he retorted.

  “Too bad it was a most unpleasant experience and such difficult lessons,” she stated meaningfully, glaring into his merry eyes.

  “Very little of the time. How have you been? I heard about your tangle with the wolves. Seems you have a penchant for tempting danger and being timely rescued. Too bad I wasn’t around.”

  She eyed him coldly. “What are you trying to pull, Landis? You couldn’t care less if I fatally confronted either kind of wolf.”

  “You’re wrong, Kat. You’re still my wife, legally, that is,” he informed her, then chuckled at her look of anger and rebellion.

  “I owe you nothing. Rest assured the challenges weren’t planned. Both times I assumed I was safe. But it does strike me odd two gallant knights appeared just in the nick of time. Do you think I should repay Trace in the same manner? A Mounty as a husband makes a more powerful protector,” she rashly taunted to bait him, smiling sweetly to fool any witnesses.

  He bristled and frowned, but kept silent.

  “Get away from me; I’m busy,” she caustically warned.

  “See you later, Kat; I wouldn’t want to miss your show.”

  He swaggered off, joining Trace. Kathy inhaled several times to calm herself. Soapy inquired, “That husband pestering you?”

  Kathy turned and looked at him. “He seems to have forgotten we’re separated,” she claimed softly, needing to guard their lives. “I need the protection of his name, so I’ve tried to keep our troubles a secret.”

  Her implication was clear and vexing to the scheming Soapy. “What did he want?” he asked.

  “He asked me to sing a song, so I did.”

  Soapy chuckled. “Why, Mrs. Jurrell, I do believe I see a spiteful streak in you,” he mockingly declared just above a whisper.

  “From observations, spite is a luxury people can’t afford,” she unwittingly quoted Landis. “I best get busy or the customers will complain.”

  He smiled and nodded, walking over to speak with Landis. Kathy focused her full attention on her music, performing at her best, needing to show Landis she wasn’t as shallow as he thought. Alarmed, she hadn’t considered how to handle tonight. Their marriage was a fact, so how did she get around it? It was dangerous whether she behaved as a wronged wife to Soapy or as a wife delighted to see her husband for the other males.

  When Landis had joined Trace, his friend had smiled cautiously. “Don’t tell me you’re still teasing that sweet wife,” he chided.

  “She thinks I was. But I was trying to apologize and flirt with her. She’s really mad at me,” he stated, admitting to his romantic intentions. He would deal with this annoying situation head on. He cursed his stupid rantings at Log Cabin after Kathy’s departure.

  “You’ve got nerve, Landis. I couldn’t face her if I had acted like you did,” Trace brazenly retorted, nettled with his friend.

  “But you aren’t like me, Trace,” he responded.

  “Something leads me to think you’re in love with her; and you know the regulations only too well,” he said to the undercover Mounty.

  “You know the old saying, ‘rules were made to be broken’—or at least sidestepped. Am I wrong in suspecting you’re also falling for my wife?”

  “Also?” he echoed the intentional slip. “You worried I’m moving in on your territory? Funny, I’d swear I saw a gold band on her finger.”

  “Competition makes for a more exciting challenge,” he tested.

  “She’s a nice lady, yours. I wouldn’t want to see either of you hurt,” he averred.

  “Abuse my own wife?” Landis murmured lazily.

  “Let’s not have a scene. You’ll both be embarrassed.”

  “You eying my place as protector?” he calmly fenced.

  “Protector? You? The only thing you’ve done is hurt her. If you’re still seeking revenge, I suggest you put it aside for tonight.”

  “Did she tell you that?” Landis probed, leaning for ward to rest his arms on the table, his piercing gaze on Trace’s rankled expression.

  “She didn’t have to. From knowing her and hearing your reports, it’s obvious to even a fool. She’s innocent. One day soon, you’ll be sorry.”

  “I know she’s innocent. But I think she’s being used by someone. I just have to discover if it’s Smith, the American government…or Jake Hammond.”

  Trace also leaned forward. He was all ears to Landis’s logic. “You know something I don’t, Clint?” he quietly probed. “Can I help out?”

  “I’m working on a clue. The problem is to get Kat to trust me. You read those initial reports on Hammond; he isn’t here to flee family responsibilities. Question is, why is Jake ignoring Kat? Plus, Smith’s up to no good. He’s flaunting Kat in my face like she’s forbidden candy. He made sure I’ve been getting reports about her. Tonight, he dared me to risk another rejection by chasing her skirt-tails. Keep a sharp eye on him and Kat. Why did she come to work here? Something’s going on. I’ve got to find some way to talk to her, to make her see what she’s gotten involved with.”

  “She’ll avoid you like a blizzard. I know she hasn’t heard from Jake yet. But Smith was mighty nasty when he caught her with me earlier,” he admitted unwillingly, sensing Landis was withholding something..

  “He’s afraid you’ll mess up his plans,” Landis voiced smugly.

  “You implying I should step aside and let you move in on her?” Trace teased his fellow officer. His eyes twinkled with new life.

  “Either nicely, or I’ll make it an order,” he jested in return.

  “You want her enough to pull rank on me?” Trace continued.

  “For now. Later, I’ll see about settling our private mixup.”

  “She’ll never trust you. You’re wasting your time.” Trace’s voice waxed serious, his grin fading. Was this intrepid Mounty feeling painfully trapped between two loves: Kathy and his career?

/>   “We can’t let her share Michelle’s fate. In spite of everything, I’m not going to let anything happen to her,” Landis resolved confidently.

  Before they could continue their conversation, Soapy walked over and informed Landis, “I hope you don’t unsettle my little singer with your irascible nature. Husbandly rights go only so far.”

  “How much is a table in here?” Landis inquired.

  “Twenty dollars.” Soapy and Landis exchanged probing looks.

  “My little woman’s mighty expensive, Soapy. You sure you can afford to keep her?” he quizzed, handing him the money.

  “She doubled my business. She earns every nugget I pay her. In return, I protect her from undesirable characters.”

  “I’m delighted and relieved to hear you take such good care of my wife, I would hate to end her amusement here by taking her home.”

  “Husband or not, if you cause trouble, I’ll have you kicked out. That is legal, isn’t it, Mounty Blitch?” he asked to nettle Landis.

  “It’s your place, Soapy. You make the rules in here. As long as you break no laws, I won’t interfere,” Trace icily concurred.

  “Thanks, Trace. Nothing like the support of a Mounty friend. Which table did I just purchase?” Landis growled humorously.

  “The best in the house,” Smith wickedly pointed to the next one. “Kathy won’t quit. Eat your heart out, Jurrell; it’s gonna be a long, cold winter.” Soapy flashed him a sardonic smile and strolled off.

  “See what I mean, Trace? A husband should sit with his wife. Why put me next to her?” His ebony eyes danced with wild speculations.

  “Why take it?” Trace asked, frowning. “She’s leaving in less than four weeks. Don’t cause her any more trouble.”

  “She’s returning to Skagway? Why so soon? She’s earning a fortune here,” he mused thoughtfully, this news disturbing.

  “She’s earning money to go back to America on the first ship.”

  “So, she’s returning home,” Landis murmured as if surprised. “That means Soapy and Jake have to make their moves soon. Think you can arrange to stop in a few times a week to keep an eye on her?” Landis asked, stunning Trace. “I need to check on someone.”