[Yukon Quest 01] - Treasures Of The North Read Online Free PDF Page A

Mr. Paxton’s carriage had been brought around.
    Myrtle Hawkins could barely contain her emotions as she bid the man farewell. ‘‘Good night, Mr. Paxton.’’
    ‘‘If you’ll both excuse me,’’ Frederick interrupted, ‘‘my man tells me there is something that requires my immediate attention.’’
    ‘‘Of course,’’ Paxton said with a slight nod.
    Myrtle waited for Paxton to leave, but instead he seemed to study her for a moment before speaking his mind. ‘‘Your husband knows very well what I expect, and now I believe your daughter knows as well.’’
    ‘‘How dare you?’’ she barely breathed the words. Gone was any hope of containing her anger. ‘‘That child has never been struck in her life until now.’’
    ‘‘She’d do well to learn quickly or she’ll find herself receiving worse,’’ Paxton said, eyes narrowing. ‘‘I tell you this and something more.’’ He paused to make certain he held her attention. ‘‘You would do well to heed your husband’s wishes and leave Grace to me.’’
    ‘‘You, sir, are out of line,’’ Myrtle replied. ‘‘I will not see my child married to a man such as yourself. I will not see her cruelly treated, beaten, and tormented.’’
    Martin’s expression suggested he held the upper hand. ‘‘Better beaten than on the street—or worse.’’
    Myrtle had no idea what the man meant by his words, but one thing she knew for certain. Her husband had some explaining to do. Slamming the door behind Paxton only to hear him laugh from the other side, Myrtle went in search of Frederick.
    Finding him just on his way up the stairs, she called out, ‘‘I would have a word with you, Mr. Hawkins.’’
    ‘‘It’s late. Must we talk now?’’ he questioned.
    ‘‘It is imperative,’’ she insisted.
    ‘‘Very well.’’ He led the way to his upstairs study and opened the door with his key. ‘‘Now, tell me what this is all about.’’
    Myrtle began without hesitation. ‘‘That brute has struck our child.’’
    ‘‘What? What brute?’’ Frederick asked in confusion.
    ‘‘Mr. Paxton.’’
    Her husband paled and took a seat behind his desk. ‘‘I’m sure you are mistaken.’’
    ‘‘I am not!’’ she declared. ‘‘Grace has the bruise on her face to prove it. He tried to force himself upon her, and when Grace defended her honor, he struck her.’’
    ‘‘Well, there you have it—just a lover’s quarrel. I’m sure it will right itself within a day or two.’’
    Myrtle could scarcely believe her husband’s tone. ‘‘I tell you this man took liberties with our daughter, struck her for defending herself, and you believe it will right itself in a day or two? How can you be so heartless and cruel? Surely you cannot want to move forward with Grace’s marriage to such a brutal man?’’
    Frederick Hawkins looked at her rather guiltily before turning his attention to the papers on his desk. He gave a pretense of shuffling the papers into order, but Myrtle knew he was simply doing this to avoid answering her question.
    ‘‘Well?’’ Myrtle pressed.
    He looked up. ‘‘The arrangements have been made. I’ve given my word.’’
    ‘‘Then take it back.’’
    ‘‘I cannot.’’
    She shook her head. ‘‘Why? Why can’t you dissolve the engagement?’’
    ‘‘Well . . . it is . . . it’s just that . . .’’ He stammered and stuttered, seeming desperate to find an answer that might explain his insistence. ‘‘I cannot.’’
    Myrtle folded her arms against her breast. ‘‘Frederick Hawkins, do you mean to sit there and lie to me? I am your wife. You have always discussed things of importance with me, yet two weeks ago you came home to announce that you were pledging our daughter in marriage to a complete stranger. Now that stranger turns out to be a monster, and you suggest it will right itself and that we should simply overlook the matter. I want to know what is going on! Why have you suddenly taken to