Golden Torment Read online

  Table of Contents

  Cover Page

  Excerpt

  Other Books By

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Half Title Page

  GOLDEN TORMENT

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Hislorical Epilogue

  Other Books By2

  Copyright

  LOVE’S DEEPEST DESIRE

  “I know this area better than any other man. But I’m not for hire by you,” Landis stated crisply.

  “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’m not sure yet,” he lied convincingly.

  “Where can I reach you?” she innocently pressed.

  “I move around a lot,” he parried.

  “But I might need you! Where can I find you?” she insisted.

  To prevent any further questions, his mouth came down on hers. He kissed her deeply and hungrily. In her agitated state, Kathy clung to him and artlessly responded with intense yearnings, totally unprepared to deal with this fiery reality. Her head spun wildly at his nearness and manly smell. He invaded her senses—entrapped them in a world of heady desire…

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  Golden

  Torment

  Janelle

  Taylor

  FOR

  KATHRYN FALK,

  a “Leading Lady” in romance…

  &

  BERTRICE SMALL,

  my “Mentor” and “Guardian Angel”…

  &

  TOM (JENNIFER WILDE) HUFF,

  whose wit and charm surpasses that of

  his delightful characters…

  A special dedication

  to romance readers,

  who have known golden dreams or

  shared in golden torments

  in books or reality…

  Golden

  Torment

  GOLDEN TORMENT

  Many are the hardships in a vast, bitter land; Suffering and strife, close companions to man. Challenging Fate to control my own destiny; Alaska boldly offered her golden prosperity.

  My elusive search began, conquering frozen earth; I discovered a treasure, a nugget of rare worth. With eyes of richest sapphire, complexion of pearl; Yet, commitment had no place in my carefree world.

  Adventure my first love, danger controlling my day; Like gold, Love charms a dreamer, taking his freedom away. Love accepted this challenge, my strong will to tame; Though I must forgive her changes, for I am to blame.

  A woman was molded from hardship and despair; Even knowing me well, offered her heart with a dare. Defeat glazes her eyes, her tears and dreams all spent; Without even knowing, she became my Golden Torment.

  Now the moment has come when I must choose; Which of these treasures I will recklessly lose. My heart’s not as frozen as this glacial frontier; Will freedom be as golden when Kat’s no longer here?

  Penny Moxley Thomas and Janelle Taylor

  April, 1982

  One

  September, 1897

  The steamship Victoria was sailing a hazardous course from Seattle to Skagway. As with most ships which made this voyage up the Inside Passage to that beckoning land of golden promise, the vessel was packed with goldobsessed men. The Victoria crew was experienced, pleased with a leader who knew these treacherous waters as well as the lines on his weather-crinkled hands. But this particular voyage included two passengers who inspired amusement and intrigue: two lovely and daring females, a young widow with vivid red hair and a striking blonde of eighteen.

  Captain Cyrus Shurling had taken the women under his wing for protection from the rowdy men who flooded his lower decks with their piles of gear. But Shurling’s motive was hardly unselfish; he wished to avoid any trouble which might stain his presently spotless record.

  To Captain Shurling, it seemed absurd for two women to be heading for Alaska, especially since they were not going there to become saloon girls. Everyone wondered what two attractive and gentle females could do in that lonely, perilous location. Shurling had decided it was not his place to judge their motives or to prevent their trip. But after last night’s fiasco, he wished he had refused them passage! A smart captain should have realized two single women aboard a ship of tense and bored men spelled trouble!

  It was beyond the duty-minded, reserved Shurling to comprehend why men would turn their backs on civilization and their families to blindly rush to this land of golden torment. Shurling labelled them idiots to believe that hogwash in the newspapers which colorfully painted an idealistic image of Alaska. The men he transported to this frozen Hades sounded as if they expected to fill their empty pockets on the first day! Shurling sneered, if they knew only the half of it!

  The stories cruelly and deceptively omitted the bleak realities of the rigorous conditions there: the frustrations, the tragedies, the disillusionments, the backbreaking work, and the meager triumphs. None seemed aware of the ultimate price for willfully seeking that golden illusion. None admitted to the unspeakable horrors which these jaundice-eyed men would soon confront and endure. None spoke of the thousands who lost all hope and withered away or eventually returned home haggard and embittered men. Alaska did not honestly sing out for brave and hardy men; she provocatively trilled her mesmerizing song to fools and dreamers too enchanted to resist it.

  Harriet Pullen’s eyes scanned the comfortable stateroom she was sharing with the striking female who was asleep. This particular cabin had allowed them to travel in relative safety and serenity, along with the eagle eye of the captain. A smile tugged at the corners of her wide mouth as she studied Kathryn Hammond, recalling how this vivacious and charming creature had generously tricked her into accepting a five-hundred-dollar cabin for one-hundred-fifty dollars.

  The smile was quickly replaced by a worried scowl as Harriet wondered how she would ever repay her, for surely Kathy realized she was not a person to accept charity. Harriet was proud and stubborn, a woman quickly learning to take care of her own problems and to control her own destiny.

  Harriet walked over to Kathy’s bunk and glanced down at her silky head. Kathy had no relatives; she had left no close friends in Seattle. Sadness gripped Harriet’s heart as she prayed it would not take long to earn enough mon
ey to send for her precious children, left behind out of necessity. Now, the future of this vulnerable, green girl was also in her workworn hands; these responsibilities weighed heavily as Harriet bravely sought to earn more than a meager existence in America.

  Harriet’s mind was trapped in a vicious turmoil. Did she have the right to lead a mourning girl into danger? Harriet wished she knew the truth about Jake Hammond, Kathy’s father. How could a father walk away from his property and child and never glance back? She couldn’t imagine her departed husband diseased with gold fever.

  Suspicions teased at Harriet’s mind concerning the many things Dorothy Hammond had insinuated during their brief friendship. Why had Dory unwittingly mentioned her sable-haired love with dark eyes, when Kathy dreamed of seeing her father’s golden head and blue eyes? Harriet shook her head to halt her mental meandering.

  Harriet’s solace was in the fact Kathy would have her friendship, protection, and guidance. Protection, she mentally scoffed. She had been of no help during Kathy’s recent encounter with that lecherous Marc Slavin, first mate on this ship bulging with gold-crazed men.

  Harriet’s hand stretched out to stroke Kathy’s tawny head as she sighed heavily in despair. Annoyance and remorse filled Harriet as she recalled how Kathy had rushed to their cabin in near hysterics after that man had assailed her on the upper deck last night. But to have Captain Shurling imply Kathy had misled him was an outrage, even if Kathy was a beautiful stranger and Marc an officer!

  “Kathy…Kathy, it’s time to get up,” Harriet called her from her deep slumber, gently shaking her shoulder. “The bell will sound any moment for breakfast, dear. Well be arriving today,” she blurted out excitedly, hardly able to control her tension and suspense.

  Kathy rubbed heavy lids which drooped sleepily over cornflower blue eyes. She sat up groggily, confused. As her sight touched on the flaming-haired woman towering over her, reality promptly returned.

  Was she actually on a steamship heading for the wilds of Alaska in search of a father she couldn’t even recall? Kathy gazed at the handsome woman poised near her bunk. Whatever would she have done without Harriet Pullen? No fate could be worse than hers: to be left widowed and destitute with four small children to raise. But Harriet was a stout-hearted woman who possessed the courage to head to another land at age thirty-seven with only seven dollars in her pocket! When compared to Harriet, her troubles were scant. That is, if Kathy didn’t include Marc Slavin on her list!

  “You go on ahead, Harriet. I can’t face that scoundrel again,” Kathy declined, shaking her head.

  “Don’t be silly, child. I doubt he’ll even be present this morning. The captain won’t take kindly to trouble this close to his destination. Besides, Shurling said food was scarce and expensive. We’d better fill up on this free fare before we dock,” Harriet coaxed to lighten the anxiety in this delightful girl with entreating eyes and a trusting air.

  “You honestly don’t think Marc Slavin will be present this morning?” she watched Harriet closely.

  “You said Shurling ordered him to steer clear of you for the rest of this voyage. Even if he’s as mad as a wet hen, hell obey the captain’s orders,” Harriet gently reasoned, although unsure of her own confidence in the captain’s power over that persistent man.

  “I don’t know…,” Kathy replied hesitantly. “Marc Slavin has a mind of his own, an evil one!” she added. “The captain told him to be my guard and escort. I don’t understand. He’s been such a gentleman. Did you know he’s married? I couldn’t believe my hearing last night; he suddenly vowed he loved me and wanted to marry me. When I rebuffed him, he tried to ravish me! He’s cruel and dangerous!”

  From her own observations, Harriet knew Kathy was not exaggerating. Marc Slavin was handsome and wealthy; he was devious and arrogant. Men like Marc were beguiling and courteous until they were ready to strike at some unsuspecting and susceptible female who had caught their fancy. Harriet thought it best not to overly worry Kathy with her concerns. Slavin’s proposal had been a cunning ruse, since he had attacked her and even threatened to trap her below at the mercy and lust of those rough men: many of them fleeing criminals! But this precarious situation would be over soon…

  “Just let him say one word to you and I’ll box his ears!” the older woman shrieked, aware of her own fiery temper and resolve.

  “If anyone can put him in his place, it’s you, Harriet. Why should I let that fiend imprison me in our cabin?” she vowed, her shaky voice and wary expression belying her brave words.

  Kathy threw the covers aside and stood up, yawning and stretching her shapely frame like a graceful feline awakening from a catnap. Harriet jested playfully, “If I had your beautiful face and figure, I wouldn’t have to worry about earning a living; I could find droves of men eager to support us. Use them wisely, dear; they’re powerful weapons,” she advised as Kathy hurriedly dressed.

  “You aren’t sorry you came along with me, are you?” Harriet unexpectedly inquired, her expression and mood serious. “I did take advantage of you in a moment of weakness and distress,” she added, nervously pushing some straying curls from her flushed face.

  Kathy smiled at her. “How else can I discover the truth if I don’t track it down? If not for you, I couldn’t have survived these last weeks. You didn’t twist my arm, Harriet,” she asserted, a spark of her old spirit returning.

  As Harriet mulled over those words, Kathy’s gaze wandered over her from flaming head to foot. Harriet wasn’t a hefty female, but she was large and firm. Her skin was very pale, as was natural for a woman with her coloring. Kathy cheerfully concluded, if anyone could survive and prosper in intimidating Alaska, it was Harriet.

  As Kathy completed her task, images from the past flashed before her. She could not forget the art exhibit she had viewed in San Francisco two years ago which had shown the dangers and hardships of this dreamland. She envisioned the blond-haired friend who had shared that impressive moment with her, who was intensely infatuated with her beautiful mother. She should write him with the news of her mother’s death. For two years, his letters had arrived, his affections for her mother increasing with time. She wondered how this fatal news would affect Jack London. They had shared so many good times; he was the brother she never had. She missed him and wondered where the carefree wanderer was; his last letter months ago had sounded sad and mysterious. But this wasn’t the time to handle that problem. Soon, she would be viewing those frightening sites in person. Alaska…even the sound of that word was intimidating—but strangely compelling.

  Kathy closed the trunk which held most of her possessions and the heavy clothing she had purchased for the North Country. Being the point from which most people left for “Seward’s Icebox,” Seattle was well stocked with the necessary garments and supplies for the severely cold climate of the glacial frontier. Between the storekeeper and Harriet, Kathy had bought and packed everything she would need for a lengthy voyage and an indeterminable sojourn in Skagway. Kathy’s plans called for her to allow two months to locate her errant father, then to return to the United States before the worst weather arrived, or her money ran out. The thought of being stranded in that awesome territory until spring didn’t suit Kathryn Leigh Hammond at all.

  Jake Hammond…no matter how many times Kathy had vowed to hate him and to ignore his existence, she desperately needed to meet him and to speak with him at least once. Until she heard his side of this tormenting tale, she could never find peace of mind. Fresh waves of anguish washed over Kathy as she wondered what her life and personality would be like if her father had never left home. Why was she truly heading for Alaska? Revenge? Justice? Truth? She was so confused that she honestly didn’t know.

  Harriet locked their door before they headed for their last breakfast on the Victoria. Sure enough, Marc Slavin was noticably absent. Kathy still remained apprehensive during the meal, fully expecting him to swagger in at any moment, wearing a taunting smirk. She hardly noticed the fragrant coffee, the
cat’s-head biscuits, the country ham, or the deep red gravy.

  Kathy ate as quickly as she could. Afterwards, the two women returned to their cabin to pack. Taking a last bath and pulling on warmer clothing, the morning passed swiftly and uneventfully. When the luncheon bell rang out, it was two hours to docking time. Excitement wafted over the ship like a strong breeze from the nearby mountains which lined the Inside Passage. Noises from the boisterous group below gained volume as they neared their destination.

  Marc Slavin did not appear at the captain’s table. Kathy halted before thanking Shurling, wisely concluding it would be best to ignore the offensive affair. As did Harriet, the captain suggested they eat hardily. This last meal was delicious. They slowly devoured the baked ham with its honey glaze, the steaming corn-sticks, the blackeyed peas, the fluffy rice, and the apple cobbler.

  The voyage nearly over, Captain Shurling was in high spirits, savoring his new accomplishment. He served a heady red wine to toast their success, stating, “To the prettiest ladies I’ve ever transported to Seward’s Icebox. May all your dreams be shiny ones, and may you never experience any golden torments.”

  Both women thanked him, beaming with anticipation. Shurling invited them to join him in the wheelhouse to witness the impressive sights and to hear his informative narration. He thought it best not to tell them he simply wanted them safely out of the way when they docked. The men below were getting raucous and anxious. Crude talk was flowing as swiftly as the Lynn Canal. In the greenhorns’ eagerness to get ashore, the ladies could get in their way and be injured, so Captain Shurling had decided to keep them aboard until all of the men had departed. He turned to Harriet and asked to speak privately with her in his cabin.