Klondike Bounty: Klondike Mail-Order Brides, #1

By Rose Andrews

The Klondike, Yukon Territory 1897
 
Arthur Sharp, bounty hunter, has received the wrong mail-order bride. Instead of the blonde he's been corresponding with for months, a spitfire brunette with a defiant streak claims she has switched places with his original bride. Needing assistance on the hunt for his latest bounty, Arthur takes her along on the journey and discovers the wrong woman may just be the right one for him.

Jewel Lattimer, former laundress, seeks adventure and romance in the Yukon to escape her unsavory past. Seeing marriage to a stranger as her only way forward, she sets out to become a frontier woman who can survive in the harshest of wilderness. Devoted to her groom, she opens her heart to a man seemingly rough on the outside with a tender interior.

Danger and the unexpected bind them together in an unforgiving and desolate land inhabited by the merciless.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mythobooks Publishing
• Release date: Nov 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386482536

Rose Andrews

Rose Andrews writes about marriage, mountains, and adventure. She enjoys crafting stories about arranged marriages, marriages of convenience, and mail-order-brides in Western and 20th Century Historical Romance. Her sweetly toned, faith-inspired stories are about sassy heroines who wed good-humored heroes and live happily ever after. She is fascinated with history, especially the vintage years and the Old West.  She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family, reading historical and fantasy romance novels to her heart's delight. Connecting with readers is her favorite part of publishing fiction. 

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Dawson City, Yukon Territory

August, 1897

Arthur Sharp had never been more nervous in all of his life. He sucked in a breath and stared at the double doors of the Dawson City Grand Hotel straight ahead of him. His future bride waited inside but he hadn’t yet summoned the courage to greet her. He ran his hand down the front of his collared flannel, ironed and starched to perfection. Dark green on light, it was his best looking shirt and just right for meeting a lady. There was only one chance to make a proper first impression. It’s why he’d spent all morning cleaning out the carriage, much to the amusement of his hired help. In all truth, no one back at his homestead had ever seen him clean shaven and washed. His work as a bounty hunter kept him on the road for long periods of time and he’d gotten used to being grubby. But with a woman around, such habits and smells would be unacceptable.

Hannah. Hannah DePuis.

He let the name ring off his tongue, remembering the picturesque blonde whose picture resided in his wallet. Deep set eyes she told him were blue. A smile that could warm the coldest day. Her letters, which smelled faintly of lavender and were written in neat cursive, spoke of a young lady who worked hard as a laundress for a wealthy Seattle family. Her father was dead and she lived with her mother. She had twin brothers who would be turning eight-years-old on Christmas. And her employer treated her well.

A proper and hardworking woman to help run the homestead. He hoped they could fare well together onward and forward.

He glanced up at the dull rays of light coming from the heavens. It rained a lot in the late part of the summer, muddying up the streets and socking in the town with gray skies. The winds were chilly and there was a need for wearing wool quite often, even if winter was months away. Gloomy. Always seemed to be these days. Hopefully having Hannah around would change all of that.

Arthur took off his hat and, with one last steadying breath, entered the hotel. It wasn’t fancy. Then again, not much of Dawson City was. The hallway, cool enough to show the clouds from his breath, was dimly lit by candles and flickering oil lamps. A low-key piano tune sounded from the far end of the lobby, drifting comfortably in song amid the gentle chatter of conversing guests. Faded maroon couches, paired across from each other next to a row of narrow windows, created the room’s centerpiece. Rounded tables with stools lined the back wall, but it was difficult to see inside the smoky haze of an already questionably lit area. He blinked, squinting for signs of his mail-order bride, but no one matching her description appeared to be waiting.

For certainty’s sake, he dug out her picture from his pocket and stared hard at the youthful face.

The only blonde woman in the room looked to be twice Hannah’s age and she casually drank tea with a man who was surely her husband.

Arthur scanned the room, glossing over men in suits smoking out of tobacco pipes, a maid dusting the windowsills in the back corner, and the young man who tended the front counter. His dark eyes locked with those of a brunette lounging in one of the couches. He studied her quizzically for a moment—and she, him—but he peeled his gaze away in search of the blonde he was expecting.

Perhaps she had yet to come down from her room.

I beg your pardon, Arthur said to the front desk clerk as he slid the photograph forward on the counter. Have you seen this lady?

The clerk, a young man of about twenty, picked up the photograph with a confused shake of his head. Afraid not, sir. She doesn’t look familiar.

But she’s boarding with you, Arthur insisted. She’s been here for three days already. I’m supposed to be picking her up this afternoon.

I’ve never seen that woman, the clerk said with a shrug. Ever since the news of gold broke we’ve been getting a rush of guests. It’s just that most of them are men. I’d remember seeing someone as comely as her.

Arthur frowned in confusion. You’re certain, now? Maybe she came through here on your days off?

I don’t get many of those, said the clerk in a jestful tone. Just a moment, sir. I’ll ask my manager.

And with that, he disappeared behind the back wall with the picture.

Hannah’s telegram had clearly said that she was staying at the Dawson City hotel on the main avenue. It didn’t make sense that she wasn’t around. The clerk had to be mistaken.

Arthur, certain that the matter would be resolved in short order, turned to scan the lobby once more.

This time the brunette at the couches was gone, and he caught a whiff of her musk perfume right beside him. Her gloved hand, petite and slender just like her stature, lightly touched his forearm. Sir, by chance do you happen to be Arthur Sharp?

She couldn’t have been a day over eighteen. Her eyes, smoky and narrowed with a mischievous twinkle, called to him from the cool depths of a blue ocean. Her rouged lips, full with a pout, smiled knowingly enough to bring out a pair of adorable dimples. A few strands of her shoulder-length ebony locks escaped the fashionable coil atop her head, framing her face and bringing out the soft curves of her features. Cream-toned lace made the frilly collar of her blouse, rolling down the front of her neckline in gentle waves. It matched nicely with her lavender gown the likes of which looked expensive. Tiny pearl studs adorned her earlobes and she wore a strip of dark purple satin as a choker. An attractive package, he admitted, but blondes were more his type.

Can I help you? he asked anyway, unsure as to how she knew his name.

She pulled out an envelope from her handbag. Yes. Our mutual friend sent me.

It was clear the envelope was intended for him, and so in his confusion buoyed by curiosity, he ripped it open and from it pulled out a small note. The paper, scented like lavender, possessed the same neat cursive writing he’d grown to appreciate in such a few short months.

Dearest Arthur,

I have enjoyed our correspondence immensely. Receiving your letters has brightened many of my dark days. However, I am unable to marry you as planned. My mother has fallen ill and there is no one to care for my younger brothers. It would be unpardonable of me to leave my family at such a fragile time. I have sent my close friend, Jewel Lattimer, to take my place as your wife on the homestead. She truly lives up to her name. May God bless your union with abundance and joy.

Sincerely,

Hannah DePuis

The letter shook in Arthur’s hand and his voice trembled just the same. What is this trickery? I pray you tell me at once what is happening here.

An entertained grin lifted the corner of her mouth. It’s no hoax, mister.

Then where is she?

Back in Seattle like it’s made clear in her letter.

Arthur’s arm fell to his side in defeat, his fingers closing around the paper. I’m not convinced this is really happening.

He cast her a sideglance. She arched an eyebrow.

No. He couldn’t look at her. She wasn’t his Hannah.

Arthur walked a few steps away in order to better process the information. The laundress had shattered his illusions and daresay broken his heart. Had he known she would have pulled such a switch then he never would have shelled out the coin for her travels. And it hadn’t been easy making the arrangements for her to come in the summer like she pleaded. That had also cost him extra. He resisted the urge to use the Lord’s name in vain.

Sir? The clerk’s voice lured Arthur back to the front counter. I’m sorry to inform you that my manager does not recall your lady friend having rented a room here. Is there anything further I can help you with?

Arthur did not respond right away. How he could he possibly tell the young man what had just transpired? If anything he would look like a fool for having fallen for the wrong woman. A trickster of a woman. The single decent one he thought he had found ended up being no different than all the others.

Shame reddened his cheeks. I reckon I’ll be on my way, he said with a terse nod. Happy Saturday to you.

And without giving the girl a second glance, Arthur stormed out of the hotel.

He was partway across the street, almost to his carriage, by the time she caught up to him.

Hey, mister! You can’t just abandon me!

There was something about her tone that made him stop. A defiance he did not like. With a wrinkling of his nose marking distaste, he spun around to face the young woman who challenged him.

And by what right do you disagree with my actions?

By that as you having an agreement with me.

The nerve.

I don’t even know who you are, he proclaimed. You can’t just come in Hannah’s place and expect me to honor something forced upon me.

Her gaze narrowed. So you mean to tell me that you aren’t the gentleman my friend spoke so highly of? Well, that’s a real shame.

What? I didn’t lie about who I am. You can’t throw my reputation out the window simply because you don’t like the consequences of your shady behavior.

Shady? Jewel repeated the word as if it was poison. How dare you speak to me in such a fashion?

Arthur was without words. His head rattled with all manner of negative thoughts as to why Hannah had dumped him. But it went even further than that. They had agreed to marry. He had received her telegram from Seattle before her journey to the Yukon. To think that it hadn’t been her, but her friend, made him anger all over again.

You are not my charge, he said. Tell Hannah I will not seek repayment for the money I wasted on her. Good day.

He climbed into the carriage.

Jewel did not step any closer. Her head held high, neck stiffened, she said, Fine. I’ll inquire about work at the brothels.

She spun on her heels and weaved through the crowd back towards the hotel.

He sighed. Massaged the bridge of his nose. Knew he’d be responsible if anything happened to her.

Arthur jumped out of the carriage. He intercepted her at the door.

Wait, he said, gasping for air. You can’t do that.

Jewel crossed her arms. Oh, go away, mister. Go bother someone else.

Look, I was rude. Okay? I’m sorry. It’s just that I was expecting another person and you sprung this on me without warning. I’ve been corresponding with Hannah for months and she never mentioned anything about her mother being sick. You understand, don’t you?

He desperately wanted her to. Looking straight into her eyes filled him with guilt. Mistreating her wasn’t justified, no matter how he felt about the situation. And truth be told he didn’t think it proper to leave a defenseless woman stranded in a place as dangerous as Dawson City without family, without friends or anyone to take her in.

Of course I do, she said, in a quiet tone. It’s why I tried to soften the blow with a smile.

CHAPTER TWO

Jewel Lattimer, an outlaw in hiding, sat quietly on the carriage ride out to Arthur’s homestead. He had apologized but still didn’t look pleased. She had expected as much. But if he left her to her own devices she’d be done for. Common knowledge dictated that the Yukon was no place for a woman. And try as she had to make an honest living as a single lady in Seattle, trouble had still come her way, causing old habits to die hard. She was lucky that Hannah, her only friend in the entire world, had found a way to minimize the long reach of the law.

She needn’t worry. No one would find her this far north. At least, she hoped.

This land was different than she imagined it would be from the sensationalist newspaper articles covering the gold rush. Dawson City, crowded and muddy, possessed a variety of different races, colors, and creeds. Mostly fortune seekers walked the streets and there was a buzz of excitement that permeated the crisp autumn air. But what she greatly enjoyed was the view outside the city. Jagged mountains, green with rock-faced caps, hugged the valley with majestic grandeur. Vast forests of black spruce, birch, alder, and aspen stretched out far and wide, providing a sense of vulnerability and isolation. The wilderness, with its intense weather and challenging terrain, took many thrill-seeking lives with the rawness of its wonder. To make do in the Klondike one needed to cultivate grit. She just needed a chance to prove herself, and an opportunity to start over.

The skies, gray and fogged in, were heavy with humidity. Cool droplets of rain fell on the tip of Jewel’s nose, chilling her cheeks, provoking a series of shudders.

It’s not far now, Arthur said, reins in his hands as he steered the carriage up a primitive road. The homestead is just beyond this bend here.

Trees obstructed her view on either side. She imagined the dangers that awaited around every corner. Bears. Volatile weather. Bandits. A wilderness that would swallow her alive. And it all excited her.

Have you always lived out here? she asked, stretching her neck to admire the wildflowers peppering bright colors in the sea of green.

I originally came from Boston, Arthur said. Grew up there with my two best friends, Jared and Seth. We decided to leave the city in search of adventure long before the gold fever hit.

She was only half listening, too distracted by the fresh smells of rain and damp earth. The beautiful scenery swept her away into a mental world of horseback riding adventure. Her old employer, Mr. Meredith, would never believe she’d succeed in such a place. To rotten hell with him anyway. She’d figure out a way to make life in the Klondike work to her benefit.

Have you ever mined for gold? She turned to him excitedly, her blue eyes wide with wonder and curiosity.

I’ve never managed to figure it out, he said. My buddy Jared, now he’s the real gold miner of the bunch. Got himself a reasonably priced claim just up the river although I don’t think he’s found much yet.

How wonderful. She leaned back in her seat and sighed. It must be so freeing to live out here.

Arthur turned his focus back on the road. He didn’t have the heart to tell her that he wouldn’t be keeping her around. He hoped that she already knew that his kindness extended only for the night. Come tomorrow he would find her another place to go. He wasn’t keen on keeping a stranger in his home. Even if she was pleasing to look at.

At a sideglance, he studied the soft curve of her jawline and the fullness of her red lips.

She turned just in time to catch him the act. Did you want to ask me something?

He cleared his throat. I—um—like the flower in your hair.

Jewel grinned and touched the decorative comb pinned in her ebony locks. It belonged to my grandmother.

She has nice taste.

Had.

Arthur felt a sudden pang of guilt. I’m sorry.

It’s all right. You didn’t know.

There was silence between them for a moment. The horses neighed softly as they cut the bend.

Jewel sighed. Look, my grandmother died when I was still a kid so I barely remember her. It was only my pa and me after that since my ma died when I was just a baby. Pa likes to drink. A lot. So I ran away from home and took work as a maid for a wealthy family. And that’s how I met Hannah.

She hoped a quick explanation of the mail-order bride switch would help him feel more at ease. But he only slightly reacted, by way of tightening his jaw, so she pressed forward with her tale.

Our employer, Mister Meredith, is not a good man. Jewel frowned. He likes to take advantage of the young ladies who work for him. And with a prideful shake of her