Golden Torment Read online

  The two women exchanged wary looks. “Is it important, sir? I should accompany Kathy back to our cabin,” Harriet remarked softly, clearly alluding to last night’s trouble.

  Annoyed at this reminder, Shurling asserted, “We’ll walk her to the door. There’s a matter I must discuss with you before you leave the ship.” He sounded persistent.

  “Kathy? Is that all right with you?” Harriet inquired. Her eyes and tone of voice revealed concern for her youthful companion.

  “Certainly. I still have some things to do,” Kathy replied uneasily, pondering Shurling’s curious behavior.

  Waiting just down the hallway, Harriet and Shurling lingered until the door was opened and Kathy turned to wave them goodbye.

  Kathy entered the square room and closed the door, locking it. Just as she leaned against the door to sigh in relief, a large hand clamped over her mouth. She found herself imprisoned in the steely embrace of Marc Slavin. Pressed tightly against the sealed entrance, she stared at him through terror-filled eyes.

  Marc’s green eyes were brittle and piercing. His jaw was taut; his teeth were clenched. A savage sneer curled up the corners of his full mouth. His body was hard and lean; there was no hope for escape.

  Kathy was in a panic; she could not think clearly or reason calmly. She strained to breathe, for his hand was almost blocking her nose. Never had she been this frightened or helpless, not even when her life changed so drastically with her mother’s sudden death.

  Marc’s sardonic gaze slipped to her throat and watched her throbbing pulse as it revealed her terror. His glacial eyes fused with hers, his salacious intent clearly displayed there. He exuded a soul-chilling aura as he asserted, “The captain sends his regards, love. He said I was to bid you farewell while he does the same with your friend. Surely you didn’t think we could allow your insult to pass unpunished? We simply didn’t want any interference from the other passengers who are presently too preoccupied to notice anything happening aboard this ship. Nice to have privacy,” he informed the rigid girl in a frosty tone.

  She struggled, trying vainly to pull free or at least to reason with him. He would permit neither. “Time is very short, love; I’ll be needed top-side soon. Shall we finish what we began last night?” he calmly suggested, leering at her.

  Kathy futilely struggled again as Slavin merely laughed. Pinning her against the hard surface at her back, he gagged her. Just as she was about to claw his taunting face, he cruelly seized her wrists and squeezed them. Kathy grimaced and moaned; tears sprang to her eyes. Marc grabbed her trembling chin and put pressure on it, causing her to wince in pain.

  Marc warned in an icy tone, “Behave yourself or you might get hurt! You owe me, Kathy; and I fully intend to be paid before you leave this ship. No woman rejects me or humiliates me!”

  As he pulled her resisting body toward the bunk, she tried to stall. He chuckled devilishly as he easily lifted her and carried her the short distance. She squirmed as he casually tossed her on the bunk, then fell atop her before she could roll off the other side.

  Slavin captured Kathy’s thrashing head between his hands and held it motionless. “Such a little tigress,” he murmured huskily, as he rolled her to her side and fumbled with the zipper down the back of her dress.

  Once down, Marc began to yank the dress over her shoulders, exposing their creamy texture and her stark white undergarments. Kathy desperately wiggled and made muffled noises which drew amused chuckles from him. He pulled the dark green ribbon from her tawny hair and bound her hands with it. He was quickly out of his shirt, tossing it to the floor beside the bunk. He slipped her bound hands over his head and shoulders. “That should hold you for a while,” he lightly remarked, savoring the contact of their naked flesh. “I assume you’ve never made love to a man; so, be good, love, if you want me to be gentle with you.”

  Kathy moved her hands to dig her nails into the smooth muscles of his back. Caught by surprise, Marc cried out in pain. Seizing her hair, he yanked forcefully, calling an instant halt to her brave attack. “You little spitfire!” he snarled, teeth bared like a wild animal and eyes blazing in fury. “You’ll regret that. If it’s pain you want, I can certainly oblige you,” he threatened ominously.

  Too late, Kathy realized the danger in her desperate action. Where are you, Harriet? she silently questioned. Had Shurling lured Harriet away to assist this terrible crime? God, help us both…

  Angered and rushed, Marc jerked savagely at her clothing. Suddenly a loud knock shattered the silence of the stateroom. Her frantic gaze riveted in that direction. Marc clamped his hand over her mouth. He softly growled a warning, “Stay silent, Kathy, or you’ll be fatally sorry.”

  The knocking became louder and more insistent. Kathy felt new hope. Then, doubting she could be heard even if she dared defy this violent man, she closed her eyes and wept. Help was so close, and yet so far away. Whoever was there would soon leave when she failed to answer, and she never doubted Marc would carry out his threat.

  Without warning, the door was kicked open. In stormed an enraged Captain Shurling, several startled crewmen, and a furious Harriet. Kathy felt confusion and relief as she stared blankly at the group, gaping incredulously at her and Marc.

  Witnessing what had taken place, Harriet rushed past the astonished men and angrily attacked Marc Slavin. She beat on his back and pulled his brown hair; she pinched his arms and cheeks. She screamed at him, “You filthy animal! You rutting beast! How dare you assault an innocent child! You should be horse-whipped!”

  One man pulled Harriet from the stunned Marc and restrained her. Shurling glared at his blatantly guilty first officer and the bound girl. “You filthy scum! I’ll have you disgraced for this offense! Untie her, Hiram. See if she requires the doctor’s attentions. Tim, you and Pete take this slime to the brig. I’ll deal with him shortly. Just get him out of my sight before I toss him overboard to the sharks!”

  Kathy was freed and then comforted by Harriet. The two men led the rebellious and sullen Marc out of the congested room. “Miss?” the freckle-faced Hiram inquired hesitantly of the half-dressed girl. “Are you injured, Miss? Should I fetch Doc Tanner?”

  Harriet glared at Shurling. “Wait outside while I calm her and check her! She’s too upset to answer. If justice is to be done this time, Captain, you will throw that creature overboard!” she declared.

  “I’m sorry this happened, ladies. I swear this is the first such disgrace on my ship. I’ll deal out a severe punishment to Mister Slavin. He’ll never sail on my ship or any other ship again,” he vowed.

  “If you had heeded Miss Hammond’s words the first time, this new insult might have been prevented, sir. There is no excuse for allowing such an offense to take place a second time. I gravely question the safety of your ship and the wisdom of your command.” The nettled man in his crisp white uniform shifted from foot to foot. “I certainly hope he isn’t permitted to lie his way out of this vile episode. Surely it’s clear she is totally blameless. In my opinion, you owe Kathy an apology for doubting her yesterday.”

  “You’re correct, Mrs. Pullen. I sincerely apologize for the unnecessary danger and embarrassing position I placed her in. I can promise this will never happen aboard my ship again.” ‘Cause I’ll never allow another troublesome female along, he added to himself.

  Harriet focused her attention on the distressed girl as Shurling waited in the corridor. Before Harriet could soothe Kathy’s jumpy nerves, a man came to notify Shurling he was needed in the pilot-house. He stuck his head inside the room and stated briskly, “Sorry, Mrs. Pullen, but I must see to my ship and her course. These channels are highly treacherous. I’ll post a guard at your door. Send word if you require anything. Oh, yes,” he added as an afterthought, “stay here until I come back for you. Those greenhorns get rambunctious.”

  The damaged door was pulled to as far as possible. The older woman looked down at Kathy. “Kathy, you must get control of yourself, child. We’ll be docking soon. Are you a
ll right?” Harriet hoped the tone of her voice would calm her; it did not.

  “I want to go home,” Kathy sobbed uncontrollably.

  “You can’t, child. Your mother’s gone and your home was sold. You must find your father; he’ll protect you,” she encouraged the distraught girl.

  “What does he care about me? I could be dead for all he knows! He doesn’t want me or need me!” she cried.

  “But you need him, Kathy. Find him and listen to his side. How could he possibly deny such a lovely daughter who’s all alone now?” Harriet reasoned, hoping to soothe Kathy’s torment.

  Kathy lifted tearful eyes to gaze at the concerned woman. “Do you honestly believe he might have some logical reason for what he did?” The hope in her eyes and voice touched Harriet deeply.

  “Perhaps he does, Kathy. Learn the truth, then decide how you feel about him. He is your father, Kathy, good or bad,” she stated.

  Kathy’s eyes scanned her scrapes and bruises, shuddering. “I said Marc Slavin was dangerous. How did he get into a locked room? How did he know I was alone?” she questioned, brushing away her tears.

  “A crewman told Shurling that Slavin wasn’t in his cabin as ordered. Shurling discovered his master keys missing. He knew where the keys and Slavin would be. We came as quickly as we could,” she explained.

  “Why did Shurling want to see you? Marc said the captain knew he was here with me. He even told me the captain was also taking his pleasure with you. If you hadn’t knocked the door down…”

  Harriet placed her finger on Kathy’s quavering lips and shushed her. “Don’t dwell on this dreadful event. Shurling has him confined in the brig. He wanted to discuss what happened last night,” she replied to Kathy’s prior question. “He suspected Slavin had exaggerated the truth, but he didn’t wish to press the matter without proof. He wanted to know what you had confided to me,” Harriet replied reluctantly.

  “I told you he didn’t believe me! Did you tell him everything?”

  “After what he witnessed, he doesn’t have to question me! He was also concerned about our safety and welfare in Alaska,” she added.

  “I hope you told him we’ll certainly be as safe there as on board his miserable ship!” she shrieked, her breathing ragged.

  “Slavin gave him the proof he needed. The beast! I could strangle him myself! It’s a fact of nature, Kathy; a woman’s strength cannot compare to a man’s brute power. We must depend on our wits and courage.” She abruptly asked, “Do you know how to fire a pistol?”

  Bewildered, Kathy replied, “Yes, but why?”

  “I have two in my trunk. They belonged to my husband. I thought it wise to bring along some protection. I’ll give you one. It’s small and has its own holster. You can wear it under your parka.”

  “Carry a gun on my person?” she questioned in astonishment.

  “This is a wild and savage area. From what Shurling told me, very little law exists. Marc just proved how powerless we are against a man with superior strength and evil intent. A gun will even the odds. Another thing to consider: what about the protection of your money and property? Shurling said theft is quite common,” she blurted out before thinking, then wished she hadn’t spoken so bluntly.

  “You make it sound so uncivilized, like straying into a den of wolves. I wish I were still in Seattle,” Kathy murmured.

  “I’m sorry, Kathy. I shouldn’t have persuaded you to come with me. This isn’t a place for a young lady. If I had known anything like this would happen to you…” Tears clouded her eyes.

  “No, Harriet,” she injected. “Please don’t blame yourself for this trouble. I’ll be fine after we dock. You’ll see,” she wistfully promised, forcing a smile. “We’ll both be fine,” she added.

  “In a way, Kathy, I did trick you. I pounced on you like an old tomcat on a fieldmouse. I used your father as an excuse to entice you. I tried to make you feel obligated to find him. I’m truly sorry.”

  “I hope you’ll be just as devious and successful in Alaska as you were in getting me here,” she jested to ease Harriet’s anguish. “Life is so complicated. I’ve always felt happy and safe. Now, I’m responsible for my existence and happiness; it’s petrifying. How could I blame you for not wanting to face this new challenge alone? We’ll make it, Harriet,” she vowed, defiance and pride filling her eyes.

  Harriet concurred, then her tone became grave. “It’s really happening; we’ll be there before dark. It sounds crazy, but I’m happy and sad; I want to laugh and cry. Imagine, riches…a new life…”

  Kathy tittered in suspense. “That’s how I feel. It’s such a drastic change. If we don’t like it, there’s another ship going home.”

  “If it isn’t winter,” she refuted. “The channels and rivers are frozen solid. It’s make it by December, or be stranded until spring.”

  “You’ll make it; have no doubts,” she complimented her friend.

  “My poor babies…I wonder if they’re all right,” she fretted miserably.

  “Just missing their mother and anticipating the day they can join her.”

  Kathy bolted up straight. She cocked her head sideways and strained to hear. “Listen, Harriet! What’s all the shouting about?”

  “Land!” Harriet squealed. “We’re here, Kathy! Alaska!”

  In the contagious exuberance which surrounded her, Kathy conquered her doubts and fears. A heady sense of adventure ensnared her as Harriet coaxed, “Hurry, or we’ll miss the first view of Skagway!”

  Kathy reminded, “Captain Shurling said to wait here. He’ll be angry if we disobey.” Soon, she would be safe from Marc…

  The older woman scanned Kathy’s appearance and remarked softly, “Your hair and clothes are mussed, Kathy. We best get you fixed up a bit. Who knows, the first man you meet could be Jake Hammond…or your future husband,” she hinted to lighten the gravity of this moment.

  New life washed over Kathy’s unblemished face and settled within her eyes. “You’re right. I must look my very best for this momentous occasion.” She changed clothes, pulling on a dress of lightweight wool in a rich sapphire shade, one which made her eyes appear even bluer. She brushed her hair and secured it with a matching blue ribbon.

  Harriet placed the last item in Kathy’s valise and closed it. She looked up and smiled warmly, taking in her radiant appearance and striking beauty. “Stunning. Hell be so very proud of you, Kathy.”

  “If I can find him, you mean,” Kathy absently corrected her older friend, pulling on black gloves to conceal the scratches on her hands.

  “Ready?” Harriet inquired.

  Kathy wavered, then decided, why not; Marc was in the brig.

  Harriet pulled on the door and confronted the guard. “We want to go out on the deck and see the docking. Can you escort us?”

  “The captain said to remain here, ladies,” he courteously replied.

  “I know, but we’ll miss all the excitement. Please,” she wheedled. “We’ll have you to protect us,” she added to sway him.

  “Only if you tell the captain I couldn’t stop you,” he reluctantly consented, wanting to please them and enjoy a last view of Kathy.

  “Done! Let’s go,” Harriet exclaimed before he could think twice.

  They walked down the lengthy hallway. “You mean it’s already nippy here in early September?” Harriet commented in astonishment.

  “About forty-five degrees, ma’am. Once the sun goes down, the temperature drops fast. Up in the mountains there, it snows and freezes all year long. You have someone meeting you ashore?”

  “No,” Harriet replied.

  “What about a place to stay?” he fired another question at her.

  “Not yet,” she responded, not the least disturbed.

  He gaped at the two women in utter disbelief. He impertinently said before thinking, “Are you crazy? You came to a place like this without family or preparations? You’ll never survive!”

  Kathy frowned at him. “You forget your place, sir!” she h
astily admonished him. “Our personal affairs are none of your concern. You will kindly keep such opinions to yourself.”

  “Sorry, miss. I was just shocked. Two ladies alone in a settlement like that,” he stressed, pointing toward the coastline. “Thousands of men and only a few tents! What food you can find costs a fortune! Where will you stay? Who’s gonna take care of you and protect you?”

  “You mean there’s no hotel or boarding house?” Kathy asked.

  “Nothing but tents and makeshift huts. Only three log cabins and they belong to wealthy men. No law to speak of either! The Yukon’s owned by Canada; that’s where most of the gold is found. Those men can’t pan until spring. They ain’t seen nothing yet until they discover they’ve got to fight their way over those glaciers! There’s days when the temperature doesn’t get above twenty below zero. Those arctic winds get so cold that it hurts to breathe. It’ll kill you!”

  Stunned by his vivid description of this treacherous new land, Kathy disregarded his last remark to storm Harriet with questions, “Did you hear him? Did you know how terrible the conditions were up here?”

  Harriet was mutely staring at the dismal shore. The young man went on, “It’s a hardship on most men, but two women alone…there’s fighting, stealing, people dying from hunger and cold, and tragedy at every turn. The only females around work in them fancy saloons in Dawson and Whitehorse, stealing the earnings of miners. You planning to live in Skagway or head on up into the Yukon Territory?’”

  “Stay here,” Kathy murmured, without realizing she had spoken.

  “That’s too bad. At least the Yukon has some form of law and order because of those Canadian Mounties. But this area’s still wild and unsettled! If you ever get into trouble, see if you can locate one of those Mounties. You can recognize them by their blue pants and bright red jackets. From what I hear, they fear no man and no danger,” he stated.