[Yukon Quest 01] - Treasures Of The North (38 page)
‘‘Are we ready?’’ Karen questioned, looking to the conspirators.
‘‘We’re ready,’’ Peter said, helping Grace with a pack. He took up a heavier one for himself but didn’t bother to put it on.
The entourage reminded Karen of a strange, out-of-place funeral procession. Walking with a slowness that denoted sorrow and loss, the group refused to be hurried by the angry guards.
‘‘We’ll be all night at this rate,’’ the taller of the two men grumbled.
Peter waited until Pastor Clark took his leave from the group to begin complaining about the entire matter. ‘‘Grace, I’m sorry about all this. I wish I could have helped you escape Paxton.’’
Karen took up the cause. ‘‘Oh, be quiet. If you weren’t such a coward you would go with us and see her protected.’’
Leah wailed loudly and the two bodyguards exchanged a scowl of displeasure. ‘‘Does she have to carry on like that?’’ the bulldog man asked.
‘‘She’s hardly going into this willingly,’’ Karen replied. ‘‘You men think you can push us around, make us do your bidding, and then you fail to understand when we dare to be less than pleased with the affair.’’ The men muttered but said nothing more.
The party boarded an awaiting boat and set out on the short trip to Skagway. With every stroke of the oars, Karen prayed their ruse might work.
Leah continued to sob, only softer now, and from time to time Doris would lean over and gently pat the girl’s arm for comfort. Other than this, the group remained silent.
Once they’d arrived, however, Peter no longer held his silence. Making a great show of his disgust, he made his move.
‘‘I’m leaving,’’ Peter announced. ‘‘I can’t bear to watch this mockery of marriage. My condolences to the couple.’’ He pulled the bulky pack onto his shoulders. ‘‘Jacob and I will write. And we’ll come check in on you with the next load of goods.’’
‘‘I’m sure you’ve done all the harm you can, Captain,’’ Karen replied. ‘‘Why don’t you just leave us be?’’
‘‘I’m going, Miss Pierce.’’ He turned to Grace. ‘‘Come on, boy. Pick up your feet, no sense in us staying here any longer.’’
‘‘That’s right. Leave us to fend for ourselves in our darkest hour,’’ Karen replied, trying to keep up the farce. She tried not to think about her father’s health or Grace’s trembling figure dressed in Jacob’s clothing. She tried not to imagine the fears that were running rampant in Grace’s mind because her own were so close to being unleashed it was sure to be her undoing.
Tears came to her eyes. Real tears of sorrow. She hated seeing Grace go but knew she had to let her. And she hated thinking of her father dying all alone in the frozen wilderness.
‘‘He’s not alone.’’
Adrik’s voice rang out in her memory.
He’s not alone. I’m not alone,
Karen thought. Glancing upward, she whispered a prayer. ‘‘Oh, God, please help us now. I know deception is a sinful thing, but this is for Grace’s good.’’ Leah alternated sobbing with a mournful, howling kind of cry. The noise was almost haunting—like something very primitive. Karen thought it would have been very easy to imitate the sound based on her own misery.
The bodyguards paid little attention as Peter and Grace hurried off toward the harbor.
‘‘Get moving. We’re already running late,’’ the bulldog man ordered.
Leah clung to Karen’s arm, crying for all she was worth as Karen gave the impression of attempting to urge her along. She had to give Peter enough time to get safely away with Grace. And somehow, she would have to keep Paxton from learning it was Leah under the veil until the last possible moment.
MARTIN PAXTON PACED the confines of his second-floor apartment. He’d not been available when Ephraim Colton and his family had departed for San Francisco aboard
Summer
Song
, but he gave it little consideration. It was better that he now had the place to himself. With his wedding about to take place, he would appreciate the privacy afforded him in their absence.
Smiling to himself, he took time out to light a cigar. The tip burned bright as he drew a long breath. The plan had taken far more time and effort than he’d originally hoped, but nevertheless, his revenge was about to be made complete. Grace would be his to do with as he pleased, and then he would discard her. Of course, there was some disappointment in the fact that Frederick Hawkins wouldn’t be alive to see it. How he hated that man. Hated him so completely that the power of that emotion had killed Hawkins as sure as a bullet. Paxton rather liked the idea that his merciless drive had taken the life of his enemy.
And just as his hatred had consumed Frederick Hawkins, Paxton’s lust and greed would destroy Grace. Everything precious and important to Hawkins would be destroyed and utterly wasted. This was a day of celebration, Martin decided. He sucked on the cigar as he poured himself a shot of whiskey.
Holding the glass aloft, he pulled the cigar from his mouth. ‘‘To revenge both bitter and sweet!’’ He tossed back the drink and turned at the sound of people on the stairs. His day was about to be made complete.
Karen Pierce was the first to pass through the doorway. She stared at Paxton with an air of haughtiness that suggested she would somehow manage to win the day after all. Her eyes narrowed as they shared a wordless exchange.
Next came the veiled figure of Grace. She sobbed softly and moved slowly. Paxton smiled and leaned over to his desk to put out his cigar. ‘‘Ah, the happy bride.’’
Doris Pierce came behind Grace, and the two henchmen he’d hired followed wearing a sober look of disgust.
‘‘Mr. Tavis,’’ Paxton began, ‘‘the preacher is cooling his heels in the storeroom below.’’ The man needed no further instruction. He turned heel and stomped back down the stairs to fetch the preacher.
‘‘I’m sure it’s a waste of time to ask you to reconsider this,’’ Karen stated.
‘‘You’re right. It is a waste of my time.’’ Paxton considered the attractive redhead and smiled. His private thoughts were loosed on images of an intimate nature, but he said nothing more. First he’d deal with Grace. Then he could worry about Miss Pierce. After all, she’d helped Grace to escape to Alaska. She deserved to be punished.
The women heard the heavy steps of two men on the stairs and turned back toward the door. Paxton found the panic in their eyes a strong stimulant. He felt the blood course through his veins in anticipation. He felt empowered by their fear.
Mr. Tavis appeared first and then a pudgy man who looked to be in his late fifties. The man panted breathlessly as he bounded into the room with Bible in hand.
‘‘I believe, Miss Hawkins, it would be appropriate for you to come to my side,’’ Paxton stated firmly.
Karen gripped the arm of her friend and shook her head. ‘‘I cannot let this happen. To move forward with this wedding would be wrong. Grace doesn’t love you. She’ll never love you. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?’’
Paxton shook his head. ‘‘Not a thing.’’
‘‘She hates you. She’ll never make you happy.’’
‘‘I’m unconcerned with such notions,’’ Paxton replied coolly.
Karen turned to the preacher. ‘‘You’re a man of God. You must help us here. This woman has no desire to marry this man. You must intercede on her behalf.’’
The man turned to Paxton, eyes widening in apparent concern.
Paxton held up his hand. ‘‘This marriage will take place. I have come thousands of miles, and I am not leaving without my bride. Whether Miss Hawkins loves me or is happy about this arrangement is of no concern to me. I have her father’s legal permission to marry her. She has not yet reached her majority and therefore must heed her father’s direction.’’
‘‘You’re a man without feeling, Mr. Paxton,’’ Doris said, shaking her head in a disapproving manner. ‘‘Shame on you for forcing yourself upon this child.’’
Paxton grinned. ‘‘I’m certain she can come to enjoy our arrangement.’’
He crossed the room in a rather casual manner and took hold of Grace’s arm. ‘‘We need to stop wasting the preacher’s time,’’ he said, pulling Grace forward.
Karen refused to let go. She followed them the few steps to the preacher and threw Paxton a murderous glance. She glanced over her shoulder as if contemplating their escape. The action made Paxton laugh.
‘‘You’d never make it, so don’t even think of causing such a scene.’’
The preacher quickly opened his Bible, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. ‘‘Dearly beloved,’’ he began.
‘‘We need no formalities here,’’ Paxton interjected. ‘‘Just get on with it.’’
The preacher nodded. ‘‘Does anyone know a reason why these two can’t be wed?’’
‘‘I do.’’
Paxton looked to Karen, not the least bit surprised that she’d made one last attempt to halt the ceremony.
‘‘She doesn’t want to marry him. That should be reason enough,’’ she pleaded.
‘‘We’ve already covered this,’’ Paxton replied in a heavy tone of annoyance. ‘‘Let’s get on with this.’’
‘‘We haven’t covered anything. You’ve dictated terms to us.’’
Paxton’s patience had reached an end. ‘‘I am the girl’s guardian. She is not yet twenty-one and therefore under my authority.’’
‘‘You are correct in saying she’s not yet twenty-one,’’ Karen answered. ‘‘She’s only twelve. What preacher in his right mind would marry a twelve-year-old to any man? Besides, you aren’t her guardian. I am.’’
She’s gone mad,
Paxton thought. The matter has rendered her absolutely daft. Stepping away from Grace momentarily, Paxton went to Karen.
‘‘You would do well to stop this nonsense. This wedding will take place with or without you. I’ll have my men remove you, if necessary.’’
Karen stood her ground. ‘‘I’m quite serious,’’ she told the pastor. ‘‘This girl is only twelve and Mr. Paxton doesn’t even know her.’’
At this, paxton had had enough. he yanked off the heavy veil and tossed it to the ground. ‘‘i know this woman very well,’’ he declared. he looked to grace, but instead of seeing his terrified fiance
e, he found instead a child.
‘‘Who are you?’’ he asked.
‘‘I thought you knew her very well,’’ Karen said smugly. The look on her face was one of pure satisfaction.
‘‘Where is Miss Hawkins?’’
‘‘Miss Hawkins is now Mrs. Colton.’’ Karen drew Leah close before pushing the child in the direction of Doris. With no one between them, she raised her chin defiantly. ‘‘Grace married Peter Colton a few hours ago. She is safely in his care at this time.’’
Paxton felt his satisfaction fade. He looked to his men. ‘‘Where is Colton?’’
‘‘He headed off for his ship,’’ the bulldog man replied. ‘‘But he weren’t in the company of no woman. He just had a young boy with him.’’
‘‘Fools!’’ Paxton declared. ‘‘That was her!’’
Karen laughed. ‘‘My, my, but you are a smart man. But not smart enough.’’ She turned to leave. ‘‘Sorry, preacher, but there won’t be a wedding today.’’
‘‘You’ll pay for this, Miss Pierce. I swear, you’ll all pay. Colton included!’’
‘‘You don’t worry me, Mr. Paxton,’’ Karen said, putting her arm around her aunt. ‘‘With God on my side, there is nothing you can do to harm me.’’
‘‘You’ve already seen what I’m capable of accomplishing,’’ Paxton replied dryly. ‘‘If I were you, I’d question the loyalty of your God.’’
‘‘No need,’’ Karen said, smiling with joy. ‘‘I just witnessed it this day.’’
It felt good to leave Paxton in stunned anger. Karen nearly jumped down the steps two at a time. She supposed it wasn’t a very positive Christian attitude to display, but in light of the events, she felt it a definite win of good over evil.
‘‘Let’s hurry and get back to the store and to Jacob,’’ she said, encouraging her aunt and Leah. ‘‘Let’s hire a wagon to drive us. It’s too cold to walk.’’ She shivered and pulled her scarf around her face. The wind was no doubt responsible for her trembling. Surely it wasn’t her fear that Paxton might actually cause them harm.
I won’t give in to such thoughts,
she reasoned.
God is more
than able to deliver us from the hands of someone like Martin
Paxton. Of course, Frederick Hawkins had lost everything in the
battle—even his life. Poor Grace. How hard to learn of her father’s
death in such a brutal manner
.
This gave Karen thoughts of her own father. Had he already died? Did he lay delirious in some makeshift bed? Was there a doctor nearby to help ease his suffering? Tears came to her eyes and quickly froze against her lashes.
I can’t think such
despairing things. I must have hope
.
They arranged passage with a man who managed to squeeze them in between crates of dried foods and canned milk. He had a commission to haul goods up to Sheep Camp, and Dyea was one of his stops along the way.
Karen offered the man money, but he waved her off. ‘‘It’s too cold to be out here walkin’, ma’am,’’ he said, barely taking time to raise his head to speak. He quickly tucked his face back into the folds of his coat.
‘‘Perhaps you would care to come inside our store to warm up once we reach Dyea,’’ Karen suggested.
The man nodded and gave a muffled reply. ‘‘That’d be good, ma’am.’’