“You’re not at home now,” David said, “and New York can be a dangerous place for a female alone.”
How well she knew. “I’ve learned my lesson, and I’m so sorry I worried you.”
“I was terrified when I woke up from my nap and you weren’t here,” Anna said. “You should have at least told one of the servants where you were going. We didn’t have the slightest idea even where to look for you.”
“I think Miss Miles has been chastened enough, Anna,” David said. “I blame myself. I should have stayed at home so I’d be available. If I had, I could have sent your telegram for you.”
“I’d hate to take you away from your work, Mr. Vanderslice, but I certainly would have appreciated your help today.” Elizabeth gave him her best smile and wondered if she could really get him to propose to her in the next day or two. He already seemed smitten, but that was still a long way from a marriage proposal.
“It’s settled then. I promised to show you the city, and that’s what I’ll do.”
“And I’ll go with you,” Anna said a little petulantly. “We have to make you fall in love with New York so you’ll stay here forever.”
David smiled. “Yes, forever.”
Maybe a marriage proposal wasn’t entirely impossible.
At supper, Mrs. Vanderslice said, “I’ve invited Hazel and Gideon Bates for dinner on Thanksgiving. I felt we all had much for which to be thankful this year, so we should celebrate together.”
“Oh my, I’d forgotten all about Thanksgiving,” Anna said. “I guess I lost track of the time when we were in prison.”
Elizabeth hadn’t given it a thought, either. In her world, holidays weren’t very important. She refused to analyze too closely why her heart had lurched a bit at the thought of seeing the Bates mother and son, though. She’d missed Mrs. Bates, but Gideon could only cause trouble. He’d probably remind David of his promise not to do business with Thornton, and he’d also try to flirt with her. She’d have to make sure to be engaged by Thursday to put an end to Gideon’s interest in her. She managed not to groan out loud.
“What do you think, Elizabeth?” Anna asked.
“I’m sorry. I was woolgathering.”
“David suggested we go to the Museum of Natural History tomorrow.”
“That sounds lovely.” It really sounded awful, but Elizabeth needed to spend some time with David. Having Anna along would be a distraction, but she couldn’t break the poor girl’s heart by saying she didn’t want her to come. In truth, she was better company than David.
“You’ll have to be careful, girls,” Mrs. Vanderslice said. “You don’t want to exert yourselves. Remember what the doctor said.”
“Don’t worry, Mother. We’ll be home in time for our naps,” Anna said. “And this time, I’m sure Elizabeth will take hers.”
Elizabeth wasn’t so sure. She had a lot to do before Thursday.
• • •
Were there really hundreds of different types of birds in the world? Until today, Elizabeth had had no idea. And who in heaven’s name would take the trouble to catch, kill, stuff, mount and label every single one of them? And put them in a museum? It was almost as big a mystery as why anyone in their right mind would make a trip to a museum to see them all.
And yet, here she was, strolling down the long aisle to marvel over each and every bird as David read the descriptions aloud to them. How long could she endure this before she started screaming?
Anna had linked arms with her the moment the taxicab had dropped them at the museum’s front steps, so David hadn’t been able to offer his arm to her. Instead he trailed behind them and managed to move to Elizabeth’s side as often as possible. He really was a handsome man, so she had no trouble at all gazing at him adoringly. If she hadn’t sensed Anna’s disapproval, she would have actually enjoyed the flirtation. Instead, she had to keep a careful balance of holding David’s attention while not encouraging Anna’s ire. Why would Anna disapprove, though? If Anna wanted her to stay in New York, Elizabeth’s marrying David would guarantee it. Maybe Anna was afraid Elizabeth was just leading David on, and since that was the truth, Elizabeth couldn’t fault her. In fact, she admired Anna for wanting to protect her brother’s tender feelings. But when it came down to Elizabeth’s life or David’s feelings, Elizabeth had her priorities.
Deciding she should pay more attention to Anna, Elizabeth turned to say something about the current bird, which had unusually beautiful plumage, but the words died in her throat when she saw Anna’s face.
“Are you all right?”
Anna smiled, or tried to, but her face was gray. “I think I’d like to sit down for a minute.”
“Mr. Vanderslice,” Elizabeth said, but he’d already taken Anna’s other arm.
“You should’ve said you were tired,” he scolded his sister as the two of them supported her over to the nearest bench.
Elizabeth had wondered why they had benches here. Who would want to sit and stare at a bunch of dead birds? But maybe people were regularly overcome by boredom here and needed to rest.
“I’ll be all right in a minute,” Anna assured them, but plainly she would not be.
“You never should have come,” David scolded. “You aren’t strong enough yet.”
“I think Anna has been chastened enough,” Elizabeth said, echoing David’s words from yesterday and making both brother and sister smile. “But I also think we need to get you home, Anna.”
“I hate to spoil your outing,” she said.
“The birds will be here another time,” Elizabeth said. And she’d never agree to see them ever again. “But we mustn’t endanger your health.”
When Anna felt stronger, they left the museum and David hailed a cab for them. They tucked Anna between them for the ride home. Anna clung to Elizabeth’s hand, and after a few minutes, she laid her head back against the seat and closed her eyes.
Elizabeth watched her face, glad to see a little color returning to Anna’s pale cheeks. She’d been selfish, dragging Anna out today so she could spend time with David when she knew Anna wasn’t strong enough yet. One more day wouldn’t have made any difference.
Something warm covered her hand where Anna still clutched it tightly. When she looked down, she saw David had covered it with his own. She looked up in surprise, and when she met his gaze, he squeezed her hand and smiled.
She wanted to snatch her hand away and say there’d been some mistake, she didn’t mean to give the wrong impression, but she couldn’t do that, not if she wanted to live. So she smiled back.