For Honor’s Sake Read Free Page B

gone … for good.
    “Well,” Hugo finally decided, “I’m thinking I’ve not the time now to finish what I started so it suits me purposes to grant yer wish. It’s pure ye’ll be when I take ye to wife but pure ye won’t remain for no longer than it takes me to remove yer clothes. It’s off to work I am now, lass. Give yer bridegroom a kiss to keep him going the rest of the day.”
    Vastly relieved, Julie concealed her revulsion the best she could and dutifully gave Hugo a peck on the cheek. Chuckling, Hugo pulled her protesting body into his burly arms. “That’s not what I had in mind, lass,” he said as his mouth covered her trembling lips, sucking the very breath from her soul. Before he released her he boldly fondled her breasts, rudely inserting his hands down the front of her bodice. Julie squirmed uncomfortably but bravely stood her ground.
    The moment Hugo Kiley left the house whistling a spritely tune, Julie literally leaped into action. Dragging a large carpetbag from beneath the bed she stuffed it with her meager articles of clothing, adding to it a comb and brush and several pieces of her mother’s jewelry. Though not of extreme value they were nonetheless precious to Julie. On a sudden whim she took her aunt’s good wool cape with the velvet collar and lining, leaving her own threadbare garment in its place. Thankfully, she had the presence of mind to confiscate the few coins her uncle kept in the house for emergencies.
    Wrapping some bread, cheese and sausage in a napkin and stuffing an apple in her pocket, Julie left the house, not once looking back. She knew exactly whatshe was going to do. She was going to California to look for her father. She had no idea how she would get there but there was no doubt in her mind that she would one day reach California and find her father.
    Lugging her ungainly burden Julie began walking with no particular destination in mind, knowing that her safety depended on putting as much distance as possible between herself and her uncle. By late afternoon Julie found herself standing on the docks, tired, hungry and footsore, watching the longshoremen loading and unloading the many ships lining the harbor. Selecting a sturdy box she seated herself and munched on her apple, wishing herself aboard one of those stalwart ships on her way to California.
    So engrossed was Julie in her own dilemma that she failed to notice the small form standing nearby, gazing at her curiously. “Are you one of the California wives?”
    “What?” Julie was startled to find she was not alone. “Were you speaking to me? I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
    The girl facing Julie was about her own age with clouds of dark hair swirling about her slim shoulders and an impish face sprinkled with pale freckles. Green eyes laughed at her through thick black lashes. A wide generous mouth kept her from true beauty but there was no denying she was vastly attractive. Though slim of hips, her breasts small but shapely, the girl was undeniably feminine.
    “I merely wondered if you were one of the women sailing for California aboard the Westwind in two days,” repeated the girl, laughing at Julie’s obvious confusion. “I was hoping we might be shipmates. I’m Polly Carter, who are you?”
    “I’m Juliet Darcy,” said Julie, smiling at the friendly girl. “But I have no idea what you are talking about.”
    “Oh,” said Polly, slightly embarrassed. “Ithought … well, never mind, Juliet.”
    “No,” persisted Julie. “Tell me about it. Are you going to California? And please, call me Julie.”
    “Yes, Julie, isn’t it exciting? It will be a great adventure. Of course, I’m hoping my husband-to-be is a kind man. And not too old or ugly,” she added with a mischievous sparkle in her green eyes.
    “You mean to tell me you are going to California to be married?” queried Julie, “to a man you’ve never met?”
    “It’s not as bad as it sounds,” Polly assured her. “The