September's Dream Read Online Free PDF

below."
    "No." She looked away for a moment, wondering how to explain to a gentleman like him why she was out here, with her blanket folded over her arm.
    He stared pointedly at the blanket. "You don’t wish to go below?"
    "Everyone is sick down there. I can’t stand the—I needed some air."
    "I see." He paused dramatically, his mind awhirl with fresh ideas. He had thought he’d lost this gamble. Now, suddenly, the cards were all coming up his way. "I wish I could stay and keep you company." He stared around at the men watching them, unaware of the dark figure at the rail. With a note of sarcasm, he murmured, "I hate leaving you to their pleasant company. But I have an appointment with the captain in a few minutes." He studied her bowed head, then lifted her chin with his finger, staring deeply into her eyes. His voice was a sultry whisper. "My offer of a private cabin still stands, Miss Malloy."
    She shook her head. "I couldn’t."
    Deke Kenyon smiled. He had sensed her hesitation as she refused.
    He stepped back stiffly. "I understand. Now, if you’ll excuse me."
    "Wait."
    September dropped her hand on his arm. He waited, with the patience of a man who knows he’s holding aces.
    She licked her lips, glancing around at the huddled forms nearby. How could she possibly stay out here with all these leering men?
    Deke seemed to turn away, as if impatient to be off.
    "I—I accept your offer." She spoke quickly, to keep from changing her mind.
    He turned back. In the darkness, his eyes were masked. But she could hear the silky warmth of a smile in his voice. "I’ll accompany you as far as the door of my cabin, Miss Malloy." He took her arm and led her past the grinning old men, past the faceless voices and knowing laughter.
    At the door of his cabin, he paused. "I’ll lock you in, Miss Malloy. That way, I’ll know you’re safe from these lechers."
    "I can lock myself in, Mr.—Deke."
    "I’m afraid I may need the key later," he said, offering her that warm, friendly smile.
    "But why?" Fear sliced her heart, and September curbed the urge to run.
    "Tonight the captain wishes to play for rather high stakes. I don’t want to carry too much money on my person." He glanced around. "It isn’t wise, with this desperate crowd."
    "But can’t you pay him in the morning?"
    "We dock in Skagway in the morning. You’ve never seen anything like it. This boat will be chaos. The captain will want everything settled tonight." He touched her arm gently. "I may not need to come back, if I manage to win. But if I should lose, I’ll just let myself in, get the money, and lock the door once more." With his arm beneath her elbow, he guided her further into the room, allowing the warmth to weave its magic. "You’ll be perfectly safe, Miss Malloy. And I’ll feel better, knowing no one can get to you in here."
    He began to close the door. "Sleep well, Miss Malloy."
    Before she could form a protest, the door closed. She heard the key turn in the lock. For long moments, she stood paralyzed, afraid to breathe, afraid even to swallow.
    She tried the door. It was locked. Listening intently, she strained to hear footsteps coming near the cabin. There were none. She paced the room restlessly. What had she done? She stared around the stateroom. It was as clean, as luxurious as before. Deke Kenyon was a gentleman. What could possibly go wrong in such a spotless place as this? Too weary to fight the pull of the freshly made up bed, she stripped off her heavy woolen dress and folded it and her blanket neatly at the foot of the bunk.
    Pouring some water from the pitcher, she picked up the fragrant soap and washed thoroughly. This might be her last chance to pamper herself with a bath for many days to come. There was no telling what she would find in Skagway, or how long she might be on the trail of her father.
    Removing the pouch of money from her dress, she shoved it under the pillow. After a moment’s consideration, she removed the knife from her