[Yukon Quest 01] - Treasures Of The North Read Free

do.’’
    The idea of leaving Grace sorrowed Karen. Grace had been much like a little sister. Karen had been put in charge of Grace’s education, teaching her all manner of basic learning in addition to foreign languages and etiquette. While Karen’s family was hardly equal to the social standing of the Hawkins family, her own background had afforded her a complete and well-rounded education, including extended time spent at a rather refined women’s college back East.
    Karen could have married on at least four different occasions. The men had been well-heeled and respected in the community. Their growing importance in the city could have seen Karen as mistress of a considerable fortune by now.
    She smiled, however, and shook her head as the flames in the hearth danced hypnotically. ‘‘But you would not release me to marry them,’’ she murmured prayerfully. And indeed, that was exactly why she had remained single. God had called her to singleness, at least for a time. He had made it clear to her that her focus at this point in her life was to be Grace Hawkins.
    ‘‘But that’s changing now,’’ she said aloud. Then a thought dawned on her. Perhaps Grace would want to keep Karen on as her personal attendant. Assuming the new responsibilities that would be expected of Grace, in addition to possibly moving to another city, would surely warrant the desire to have someone familiar at hand. Perhaps that was where God would lead her next. From there, maybe she would be allowed to stay on and help rear Grace’s children. This thought, however, gave no real comfort.
    Her father’s lack of communication over the past few months was a growing concern. He should have written by now. Unless something has also happened to him, Karen rationalized. He should have informed me that things were well or at least have noted his future plans . The absence of a letter was giving Karen much reason to fear for her father’s well-being. She even sensed that Aunt Doris was rather worried, although she would never admit it.
    Bowing her head, Karen began to pray in earnest. ‘‘Show me the way, Lord. Show me what I am to do, because I fear I have two paths before me and neither one suggests itself over the other.’’

2
    —[ CHAPTER TWO ]—
    GRACE FELT A CHILL run up the length of her spine when her father presented her to Martin Paxton. It wasn’t the first time they’d been introduced, by any means, but it was the most important.
    ‘‘Mr. Paxton, may I present your future wife, my daughter, Grace.’’
    Grace looked to her father, wondering momentarily if he could read the displeasure in her eyes. Quickly, she lowered her gaze to the ground and extended her gloved hand to Mr. Paxton.
    ‘‘Miss Hawkins, may I say you are looking particularly lovely. Our engagement must certainly agree with you.’’ Paxton’s tone was edged with sarcasm.
    The scoundrel! Grace thought, trying her best to refrain from giving any outward appearance of contempt.
    ‘‘Mr. Paxton,’’ she murmured, waiting while he kissed the top of her hand.
    Involuntarily, she began to tremble. There was something about this man that exuded distrust and . . . evil. He smelled of it—if that were possible.
    Grace attempted to pull her hand away, but he held it fast. The action caused her to meet his gaze, and she discovered an inkling of evidence for the power he held over her father. As he narrowed his emerald eyes, Grace couldn’t help but feel drawn into his spell. He was handsome in a rather ruthless fashion, and his confidence made clear that his affections were seldom rejected.
    Grace wanted to run away from this man as quickly as her gown would allow, but of course, she could not. To put up any kind of protest would signal to the guests, just now assembling in the drawing room to their right, that all was not as it seemed.
    As if reading her apprehension, Paxton smiled. He knew how he was making her feel, yet he continued to do everything in his