Desperate (Harris Trilogy Book One) Read Online Free PDF Page A

half the chance. Perhaps she had calmed down and thought about her circumstances. He was offering her a wonderful life. 
    As he stepped onto the porch, a board creaked. His eyes studied the front window but he didn’t see Kate. He knocked softly on the door. When he did not hear her footsteps on the plank floor, he knew something was not normal. He lifted the latch on the door and found it unlocked. With caution, he pushed it open, and peered inside. The house was as silent as a tomb.
    Hesitating for a minute, he hoped Kate was not concealed somewhere waiting to shoot him. He searched the little cabin but she was not there. So she thought she could escape him. He would find her if he had to search the world over. She would not get away from him that easy.
    He mounted his horse and galloped back to his plantation as fast as his horse could carry him. Uncontrollable rage ravaged through his veins. When he arrived back at his plantation, he sent one of his field slaves with a message to deliver to a Pinkerton detective that had worked for him in the past. He would find Kate no matter where she had gone. A young, beautiful girl like her should be easy to find, especially since she did not have many options without family support.
    While Bob waited for the Pinkerton to arrive , he knew he had to do something about his temper so he could think rationally. He needed something to get his mind off Kate. He opened his door, stepped onto the landing, leaned over the banister, and yelled, “Tilley get up here right now!”
    Watching from the landing, he saw her slink into the foyer below. Huge, frightened eyes looked up at him. “Did you need something, Master?
    “Yes, I need you to come to my room.” With slow, small steps, she began to climb the stairs. Her hand gripped the banister so tight, her knuckles were white. Her fear made him feel powerful. She detested his touches, but that also brought him a sense of control. There were always tears when he had sex with her. In time that would stop. She would come to the realization that he was her master and she would do what he told her. In a couple of weeks she would know what he liked and do the sexual acts without him having to coax her.  
    Tilley whispered when she stood only a foot from him, “Please, Master, don’t touch me.” Eyes downcast she wouldn’t look him in the eye.
    Bob closed the distance between them. He placed his finger under her chin and lifted her face. Huge doe eyes stared at him. “Come to my bed and pleasure me, Tilley.”
    Even though she wanted to defy him, s he obediently followed him into his room and shut the door behind her. Bob took great pleasure knowing she had no other choice but to do as he ordered.
    ****
    Kate stepped off the train to the hustle and bustle of Richmond, Virginia. She walked down the street taking in all the buildings; dress shops, restaurants, and businesses. She wished she had time to see more of Richmond but felt she should not dally and needed to find a place to enlist.
    Gra y uniformed soldiers dotted the streets. She was a little intimidated by all the uniformed men walking around town. No one seemed to notice her so she began to relax. Kate stopped a soldier on the street and asked, “How do I get to the nearest infantry camp?” 
    “Go to the courthouse and th ey will see you get to a camp.” Now that she had directions, off she went.
    A wagon was leaving for camp Kanway , near Red Springs. Fifteen other recruits, headed to join up sat in the back of the wagon so she climbed aboard, and took her place amongst them. Keeping her cap pulled low, she talked as little as possible. She did not want to draw attention to herself. All the other recruits thought she was shy. No one suspected a woman was sitting in their midst.
    After two days of traveling, the wago n arrived at the infantry camp. Kate stood back to take in the sights and sounds of a bustling Confederate camp. The camp was a buzz of activity. Some men