For Honor’s Sake by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online

begins.”
    “Why? Why did you marry me? You could have backed out.”
    “If it is any consolation to you, I did consider walking out of the room and deserting you to your fate.”
    “What changed your mind?”
    Rod flushed. What indeed? he wondered dismally. Were his motives purely selfish? That was something he would ask himself the rest of his life. “If I didn’t claim you, you would have gone up for grabs. I understand Julius Goddard screened the prospective bridegrooms quite thoroughly and only the best of the lot were allowed to participate in the drawing. Did you get a good look at the men in the room today? They are the dregs of humanity. Scum. Criminals. Had I notappeared you would now be the possession of one of them for they would have held a lottery for you then and there.”
    “So you saved me from a fate worse than death,” snapped Julie sarcastically. “Am I supposed to thank you, Don Rodrigo?”
    Her gibe stung. “You little fool. I am giving you back your life. As long as our marriage isn’t consummated it will be relatively simple to obtain an annulment. I’ll pay your way back east where you can take up your life as if nothing happened. One day you’ll find a man of your own choosing.”
    “Back east!” Julie exploded. “I will not be shipped back to New York like so much discarded baggage! I came to California with a purpose and I won’t leave until I accomplish what I set out to do.”
    “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