For Honor’s Sake (5 page)

“I realize you came here with the intention of being married,” Rod contended, “but—”

“You’re a fool if you think that’s what brought me here. I couldn’t care less about a husband.”

“Then, why …”

“I came to find my father,” Julie blurted out. “I didn’t have the price of passage and Polly persuaded me to join Mr. Goddard’s group of girls going west to become brides.”

“Your father! You have a father in California? Why, that simplifies matters. Of course you don’t have to return east if you have a father to protect you. Where is he?”

A blush of crimson stained Julie’s high cheekbones. “I … I don’t know.”

“Surely you have some idea where he can be found.”

“He left New York two years ago. I’ve heard from him only once since then, shortly after he landed in San Francisco.”

“Julie,” Rod said gently, “did you ever consider the possibility that your father might be dead?”

“No!” Julie cried. “I won’t believe that.”

“It’s something you must face,
querida.
Two years ago, one-hundred thousand new people arrived in California, most of them rough apportunists who thought nothing of killing to get what they wanted. Since 1848 when the war with Mexico terminated and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo gave all of California to the United States, it has been most difficult to maintain peace. Especially since military rule and Mexican law technically ended. At this time nothing exists but lynch law, popular courts and vigilance committees to enforce order. Perhaps your father was a victim of a foul crime. He could disappear and no one would be the wiser.”

“I refuse to believe that,” Julie persisted stubbornly. “You’re just trying to scare me.”

Seeing her distress, Rod’s tone softened. “Many of the men who came to California aren’t cut out for the life of a miner and quickly succumb to the rigors of hard work and the elements.”

“I’ll find my father, Rod,” Julie insisted doggedly. “Go ahead and get your annulment. Go back and marry your … your betrothed. I’ll manage on my own. I don’t need you or anyone else.”

“
Por Dios
!” cursed Rod. “Haven’t you been listening? You are an innocent if you think you are capable of surviving in San Francisco on your own. As an unmarried, unprotected woman you will become the target of every unscrupulous man around.”

“Mae Parker seems to be doing well enough on her own,” contended Julie hotly.

“Mae Parker isn’t a young, beautiful virgin. Would you throw yourself in a den of lions? Tomorrow I’ll purchase your passage on the first ship available and arrange with Mae for you to remain here until you leave.” In Rod’s mind it was all settled, but he didn’t reckon with Julie’s stubbornness or her impulsive nature.

“I’m staying,” declared Julie with grim determination. “I refuse to discuss it further. I’ll find a job and inquire about my father. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. You are right in thinking you did me a favor. Now I am free to do as I please.”

“
Caramba,
you’re stubborn!” Rod exclaimed disgustedly. “Have it your way. Tomorrow morning I’ll start the annulment proceedings. My lawyer will inform you the moment we are legally separated.” Without another word he stomped from the room.

Later, Julie luxuriated in a hot bath, enjoying her first all over wash since leaving New York. It was heavenly and she lolled lazily in the water until it grew cold. Rod, too, was enjoying the same privilege. Leaving Julie, he visited a barber, had a shave and haircut and then a bath in the back room where customers were able to enjoy all the comforts of home. He returned to his room in better spirits than when he left, hoping to talk some sense into Julie. He opened the door just as Julie dropped the wet towel to the floor and reached for her wrapper. In Rod’s absence her bag containing her meager wardrobe had arrived and Mae had it carried to her room.

Rod was stunned. Never was he more aware of a woman than he was of Julie. And Rod was certainly no stranger to women. He was well known to every attractive
señorita
along the El Camino Real. He had spent many pleasurable hours in the arms of beautiful women between San Francisco and San Luis Obispo. And even farther south, should the truth be known. Even his first love, Maria … but no, he would not think of Maria now. Not with Julie displayed so enticingly before him.

He stepped quietly into the room, closing the door firmly behind him. “You are exquisite,
querida.
I think you have truly bewitched me.”

Startled, Julie turned, blushing furiously when she saw Rod staring at her. “Go away, Rod,” she said,
holding the wrapper before her. “You have no right.”

How tantalizing, Rod thought, mesmerized by the tiny droplets of water glistening on creamy skin as smooth as alabaster. Every instinct urged him to reach out, to touch, caress, to fondle to his heart’s content.

“I have every right. We are married,” Rod finally said, his voice hoarse with longing.

“But you said …” Julie was confused, as well as fearful. The bold look in Rod’s dark eyes bode no good for her.

“I know what I said, but that was before I knew what I was denying myself. Come here,
bruja.
You are a witch, you know.”

Before Julie could react, Rod was at her side, snatching the robe from her nerveless fingers and tossing it across the room where it landed in a careless heap. She stood before him clothed in nothing but her glorious nudity and Rod felt himself swell with barely suppressed desire. It was a picture that would haunt Rod’s dreams for months to come. His eyelids drooped slightly over eyes now filled with passion, dark, smoldering, compelling. A growing sense of dispair overcame Julie when she realized she had not the strength nor the desire to resist him should he try to make love to her. Her eyes met Rod’s across the short distance and her own desire kindled, then flamed.

Suddenly she was in Rod’s arms as his hands roamed freely over her flesh. Feebly, Julie protested, but when his mouth came down hard over her parted lips she was lost. Nothing Julie had ever known or imagined had prepared her for the violence of Rod’s kiss. His tongue traced the outline of her lips, then plunged within to explore the sweetness of her mouth, open with shock, leaving Julie shaken, her knees weak. The force of his passion both thrilled and repelled her.

In view of Rod’s words earlier, Julie knew what he was doing was wrong. Weakly, she struggled against his
hardening body, feeling herself succumb to the power of his passion. His hand found her breast and sharp circles of delight radiated from her nipple as his rough palms slid caressingly over the pink bud. Suddenly Julie was beyond resistence as she felt herself responding wildly to his nearness. Then his mouth left hers and his moist, hot tongue touched the swollen tip, finally taking it between his lips, nipping gently with strong, white teeth.

Julie groaned. She felt as if she were melting, dissolving right here as she lay in Rob’s arms, his throbbing, swollen manhood pressing insistenly against her roiling stomach. Her heart slammed wildly, setting off a trembling in her slender body that triggered a like response in Rod. For a moment he hesitated, his mind battling the tatters of his good sense, but her sweet surrender swept him over the edge into an abyss of swirling, all-consuming passion.

Scooping Julie into his strong arms he carried her the few steps to the bed, murmuring love words in Spanish she didn’t understand. “
Mi Cara, mi amor, mi alma
.” The words meant nothing to her but his low seductive voice mesmerized her into acquiescence.

Julie was lost in a strange world of sensual pleasure so intense she thought she would die of wanting as Rod’s lips discovered her woman’s body, devoting his special brand of attention to all the secret places until now she never knew existed. When he started to withdraw, Julie groaned in protest, tightening her arms about his neck, threading her fingers in the curling hairs at the nape of his neck.

“Wait,
querida,
” he whispered huskily, fully aware of the need he had aroused in her. “It will take but a moment to remove my clothes.” Reluctantly Julie loosened her grip as Rod rose unsteadily to his feet.

It was several seconds before either of them became aware of Mae Parker’s voice calling to them from the other side of the door. Cursing roundly in Spanish, Rod
hastily pulled the sheet over Julie’s flushed body, took several deep breaths to still his raging ardor, and walked to the door on shaking legs. The tide of passion that had been building in him slowly began to ebb, but not before dealing a stab of disappointment.

“I’m sorry, Rod,” apologized Mae, smiling at Rod’s obvious state of arousal, “but an important message just arrived for you and I promised I’d deliver it immediately.” She handed an envelope to Rod who merely nodded his thanks and slammed the door in the bemused woman’s face.

Tearing open the letter, Rod scowled darkly as he read the words. “Is … is it bad news?” Julie asked, noting Rod’s glowering features.

“You could call it that,” Rod answered distractedly. “You’d better get dressed,” he added abruptly. “You can thank Mae for your escape. I had no business seducing you. Had I succeeded I would have been compelled to do the honorable thing and continue with this farce of a marriage. I must admit you were willing enough once you got over your initial shyness,” he added thoughtfully. “I find myself envying the man who eventually has the pleasure of taming you.”

Eyes bright with anger, Julie shot bolt upright, clutching the sheet to her breasts. “You arrogant bastard! To think I almost let you … let you …”

“Make love to you?” Rod supplied.

“Rape me!” Julie retorted, more hurt by his careless words than she cared to admit.

“Have no fear,
querida,”
Rod said softly, “you have nothing more to fear from me. I must leave immediately for Monterey. It seems the courts weren’t quite satisfied with my documents. That note was from my lawyer.”

“Will … will you return to San Francisco?”

Rod smiled, displaying a bright line of even, white teeth. “Will you miss me,
querida?”

“Not likely!” shot back Julie.

“No, Julie, I will not return to San Francisco any time soon,” Rod said, almost regretfully. “I must return to Rancho Delgado where Elena …”

“Of course,” interjected Julie, feigning boredom. “Just make certain you speak to your lawyer about an annulment before you leave.”

Slanting her an inscrutable look, Rod nodded his agreement. “I will leave some money with you should you decide to return east.”

“Don’t bother, I don’t want your money,” Julie returned hotly. “Goodbye, Don Rodrigo.”

“
Adios, querida. Vaya con Dios
.” Then he was gone, leaving Julie with a strange feeling of emptiness.

3

The next day Julie discovered that Rod had left a substantial sum of money for her in Mae Parker’s keeping. He also explained the situation between him and Julie to Mae who was sympathetic to Julie’s circumstances but echoed Rod’s words advising her to leave California and go back to her people.

“I know Don Rodrigo is a handsome devil, honey,” Mae told her, “but he is right, you know. You are an Anglo, an American. He is a Californio, a man of proud Spanish stock. He belongs to a different world. Besides, he has been promised to another woman since he was a child.”

“I know, Mae, and … and I can accept that,” Julie contended. “But I will not leave California. Did Rod tell you about my father?”

“He mentioned him, Julie, but I’m afraid your search is destined for failure. Thousands of men disappear in the mountains never to be heard from again. Likely your father is one of those men.”

“Not you too!” wailed Julie, disheartened. “Is everyone against me? I will stay! I will find my father!”

“I hope you do, honey. But, frankly, I never heard of him before you came. What is his first name?”

“His name is Carl, Carl Darcy. He’s about forty-five, slightly balding, slender, blond like myself.”

Mae shrugged. “Could be any one of dozens of men, Julie. I’m sorry, I don’t remember him.”

“That’s all right, Mae. I’ll find him.”

Judging from the determined tilt to Julie’s pointed chin, Mae decided that if Carl Darcy was alive his daughter was sure to find him. “What are your plans, honey?” she asked solicitously.

“A job,” determined Julie resolutely. “I need a job. Can you help me?”

“That’s easier said than done, Julie,” Mae admonished. “I’m not sure there is an honest job for a decent girl in all of San Francisco. The Chinese found themselves ill-equipped to work the mines and more inclined to seek employment in the cities for a fraction of the normal wages. Of course,” she paused dramatically, “there is always Casey’s Pleasure Palace and a few other gambling halls and saloons that are constantly on the lookout for beautiful women.”

“Mae!” chided Julie, highly incensed. “I’d have to be quite desperate to resort to that … that kind of work. Think, Mae, you know this town. Is there no one willing to give me a job in all of San Francisco?”

Pursing her lips in deep concentration, Mae wagged her head from side-to-side. “Julie, there just isn’t … wait … of course … Marty. Marty Sloan. Many a time Marty Said to me she wished she could find some decent help.”

“Who is Marty Sloan?” Julie asked, her curiosity piqued.

“She’s a widow just like me. Only her husband died of snake bite back in ‘48 on their trek up from Texas while mine lost his life defending his claim against claim jumpers. We became friends. I opened a boarding house with what my husband left me and Marty took their savings and bought a huge tent. You might have seen it on your way here yesterday. She provides meals for the hundreds of men passing through the city. There aren’t nearly enough restaurants to feed the hoards of men
reaching San Francisco daily. I’m sure Marty would give you a job if I asked her.”

“Perfect,” clapped Julie, excited. “I’m certain one of those men who eat at Marty’s will have heard of my father. Perhaps even know where he can be found. Thank you, Mae.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, Julie,” Mae admonished, trying not to sound too discouraging.

“When can I start?”

“I’ll take you over there myself after breakfast. But I feel duty bound to warn you.”

“Warn me? About what?”

“Well,” Mae said thoughtfully, searching for the right words, “Marty isn’t exactly a lady like you and me. She’s a tough woman forced to resort to violence at times to protect herself. She’s a survivor, but don’t let her rough exterior and salty speech fool you. Inside, her heart is as big as all outdoors. Just don’t cross her and you’ll get along fine.”

Julie was to remember those words when she met the intimidating Marty Sloan. Nearly as tall as a man, Marty’s ample girth was girdled with a belt and holster instead of an apron, the butt of a colt pistol prominently displayed. Though far from fat, Marty’s raw-boned frame was well-padded. Her hair, once red and still abundant, was stuffed beneath a man’s broad-brimmed hat. Her sharp brown eyes missed nothing when she was introduced to Julie.

“A might scrawny, ain’t she, Mae?” Marty asked, eyeing Julie dubiously.

Julie bristled indignantly. “I’m healthy, strong and willing to work,” she insisted, drawing herself up to her full five foot-three.

Marty grinned, displaying a mouthful of teeth stained by tobacco. “Cute little thing when she’s got her feathers ruffled. What did you say your name was, gal?”

“Julie. Julie … Darcy.” She had no intention of being known as Julie Delgado.

“Do you think you can wait tables, wash dishes and dodge horny customers trying to get their hands up your skirts?”

“Julie slanted a glance at Mae who raised her eyebrows as if to say, “I warned you.”

“I think so,” Julie declared with more confidence than she felt.

“Well then, get your tail in the kitchen while me and Mae have a little gab session.”

In the kitchen Julie encountered a funny little Chinese man who told her his name was Wong Li. In pidgeon English he informed her that he performed the heavy tasks around the kitchen as well as waited on tables. The man looked so frail that Julie seriously doubted his ability to perform the heavy tasks he detailed.

While Mae and Marty chatted, Julie studied her surroundings. The food tent was monstrous. She was certain it could seat a hundred men at the long tables lined up in neat rows. The floor was dirt but painstakingly cleared of fallen scraps and debris. The large main door faced the street but there was a smaller rear door behind the cooking area. The kitchen itself wasn’t a separate room but an open area set aside at the back of the tent sporting one of the few woodburning cook-stoves in San Francisco. A good share of the cooking was done outdoors over open firepits behind the tent.

Before long Mae waved goodbye and Julie began what proved to be the most exhausting day of her entire life. Before she had time to breathe, the lunch crowd descended upon her and Julie suffered through the whistles and crude remarks of the rough men, most of whom were startled to find a beautiful young woman in their midst. When one man became overbold and squeezed Julie’s breast in passing, causing her to cry out, Marty was immediately at her side, gun in hand.

“Do that one more time, Mel, and you won’t have the balls to try it again,” Marty threatened. The gun waved menacingly at the man’s genitals.

“Shit, Marty, I was just funning,” Mel said sheepishly, his eyes glued to the weapon in Marty’s hand. “It won’t happen again.”

“See that it don’t. That goes for every one of you misbegotten sons-of-bitches,” Marty’s gravely voice warned. “I’m mighty fond of this here little gal and don’t take kindly to her being mauled by any of you scum. Do I make myself clear?”

There was some grumbling but the shouts of those in agreement soon drowned them out. After that, Julie was not bothered again. In fact, by the end of her first week of work she had gained the respect of nearly every one of Marty’s customers. During that week she questioned dozens of men, hoping that at least one of them had heard of her father. But she was met with disappointment at every turn. It was as if her father had disappeared into thin air. But Julie refused to give up.

Not only was Julie under Marty’s protective eye while on the job, but that protection extended until she reached the safety of Mae Parker’s boarding house in the form of the funny little Chinese man, Wong Li. At first, when Marty insisted Wong Li accompany her home, Julie was openly skeptical of his ability to defend her should the need arise until she saw the man in action, using what Marty called martial arts, an ancient form of self-defense. After that demonstration she gratefully accepted the man’s company, knowing herself to be safe from unwanted attention.

Julie learned that Marty knew about her and Rod. Mae had told Marty all about their strange relationship that first day. Several of the men also remembered that she and Rod had been married, had in fact witnessed the ceremony, and if they wondered about her status, they said nothing, fearful no doubt of Marty’s wrath. There
was one of Marty’s customers who Julie came to fear. An ugly giant named Brute Kelly whose beady eyes followed her everywhere. Though he had made no untoward move thus far, Julie steered clear of him. She refrained from telling Marty of her fears, unwilling to cause trouble, especially since Kelly had not so much as spoken to her.

By the end of the second week Julie grew accustomed to the demands of her job. Though she fell into bed exhausted each night, it suited her just fine. It afforded her less time to think about Rod and the way he made her feel when he had kissed her and put his hands upon her body. She remembered distinctly the way her flesh tingled and burned at the touch of his lips and hands which had robbed her of reason and thought. Oh, but it was wicked to feel that way, Julie thought; to be so weak and spineless because of a stranger’s touch.

She had met scores of men since Rod but not one of them could compare to him in stature and looks. He had a certain something that made her blood sing through her veins whenever his dark, brooding eyes fell on her. Would any other man affect her in the same way? Somehow she doubted it. But try as she might she was unable to put Rod from her mind. Not even when she imagined him in the arms of his Spanish fiancée.

Julie laughed to herself. It seemed ludicrous to think of Rod’s bride-to-be when he already had a wife, although one of short duration. So far she had heard nothing from Rod’s lawyer but supposed these matters took time.

One day Brute Kelly broke his silence by speaking to her, his words sending a cold chill down her spine. “Where’s your ‘greaser’ husband, lady? Don’t tell me he tired of you already?”

Julie looked around for help and frowned when she saw that most of the men had already left after the evening meal. Marty was outside dousing the fires and Wong Li was helping her. Julie tried desperately to push
her way around Brute Kelly but he blocked her at every turn.

“What is it you want, Mr. Kelly?” Julie asked, plucking ineffectually at his huge hand as it curled around her upper arm.

“You, honey. I want you. If that damn don wouldn’t have been so damned stubborn you’d be mine right now. I’d keep you too busy to work in this hash house, even if it meant spending most of the time on your back.”

“If you persist in bothering me I’ll make sure my husband learns of it when he returns,” Julie bluffed.

“Who are you trying to fool?” Kelly laughed nastily. “It’s a well known fact that Delgado has a woman stashed away on his ranch. You’re nothing more than a bit of fluff who temporarily caught his eye. He left you, lady. You’re up for grabs and I aim to stake my claim here and now.”

Brute Kelly reached for Julie, catching her about her waist and slamming her up against his rock-hard body. Her cry of distress brought Marty racing from the kitchen which she had just entered through the back door. “Back off, you bastard,” Marty’s gravely voice warned, her mean-looking colt already in her hand, “or you’ll find yourself with two new holes in your head to match those already there.”

“Damn it, Marty, what’s eating at you?” Kelly roared. “I ain’t hurting the girl none. I just aim to be friendly.”

Cocking a shaggy eyebrow, Marty asked, “Do you want Kelly for a friend, Julie.”

“No! No, I don’t,” Julie quickly replied, her look of disgust telling Marty all she needed to know.

“Get out of here, Kelly,” Marty ordered, bolstering her words with a wave of her pistol. “And don’t come back. From now on you can find your meals elsewhere.”

Releasing Julie, Kelly stepped backwards, slowly
inching his way to the door. “I’m going, Marty, no need to get nasty about it. I sure as hell ain’t going to risk my neck over a piece of tail.” Lowering his voice so only Julie could hear, he warned ominously, “I’ll take care of you yet, bitch, when that mother hen ain’t riding herd on you.” Then he was gone, leaving Julie shaken but vastly relieved.

For the next two days Julie was watchful and on edge. But when Brute Kelly failed to return she breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she’d seen the last of him. Even Marty relaxed her vigilance when no other trouble presented itself in the form of Brute Kelly, though Wong Li still took the precaution of walking Julie home each night after work.

By the end of her second week with Marty, Julie began to feel like an old hand in the food tent. She had made many casual friends among the men hungry for a decent woman’s company, but could not help but feel a great disappointment when she failed to uncover a clue to her father’s whereabouts. Despite her failure, she refused to harbor thoughts that he might be dead.

Julie was exhausted that night when she and Wong Li left the food tent for home. The scant few blocks to the boarding house seemed like miles. There was a definite chill in the air and Julie pulled her warm cape tightly about her slim shoulders. Beside her, the taciturn Chinaman seemed impervious to the cold in his long colorful Chinese robe. The din coming from inside the dance halls and saloons was ear shattering and Julie was more than thankful that Mae’s house was in a quieter section of town. She was equally grateful for Wong Li’s protection, for since coming to San Francisco she learned that Rod was not exaggerating when he described the lawless situation existing in California. In 1850, the year that California became a state, more than fifty-thousand unsolved murders occurred, Julie learned.

It surprised Julie how often of late she thought of Rod. She had known him such a short time yet he had made a great impact on her life. She couldn’t help but wonder what might have become of them if he wasn’t obligated to return to his betrothed. Given the chance, would they ultimately have come to love one another? She realized it wouldn’t be difficult to love the tall, handsome
caballero.
There were times even now … But she mustn’t think of that. It was too late for them. Rodrigo Delgado wasn’t for her, as Rod had so carefully pointed out.