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.
When they arrived home, a telegram awaited her. She’d asked the Old Man to send it, and when she opened it, the message read, “Gravely ill. Come home at once.” It was to be her excuse for leaving immediately, but she couldn’t go anywhere, not immediately or otherwise.
“Good news, I hope,” David said when she’d read it.
“My aunt is glad to know I’m being well taken care of.”
“You should invite her to join you here. We’d love to have her visit as well.”
Oh yes, she’d happily invite her imaginary aunt for a visit. “She doesn’t like to travel, but I’ll pass along the invitation when I write to her.” Which she would do immediately. The Old Man needed to know she hadn’t left the city. He also needed to know there’d been a big change in plan.
? ? ?
The doctor insisted that Anna remain in bed all day the next day, especially if she wanted to participate in Thanksgiving dinner the following afternoon. That left Elizabeth and David to their own devices.
“Dress warmly, Miss Miles,” he said after lunch. “I have a surprise for you.”
Elizabeth had a surprise for him as well, so she found the warmest dress in her stolen wardrobe and dug out the white fur collar and matching hat and muff she’d found in one of her many suitcases.
David hailed a cab for them on the next corner, and she looked at him in surprise when he told the driver, “Central Park.”
“Isn’t it late in the season for visiting a park?”
“They have carriage rides all year round, and it’s going to be almost sixty degrees today, so I thought we should take advantage of what is probably the last pleasant afternoon until spring.”
Elizabeth could not have agreed more. She’d seen the carriages many times but had never dreamed of riding in one.
A line of carriages waited, the horses’ heads drooping. David approached the first one in the line and paid the fee. The driver helped them into the open vehicle and covered them with a lap robe. The air was crisp but mild, and the sky was actually bright.
“Are you two on your honeymoon?” the driver asked, slamming the carriage door.
Elizabeth had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud, and David actually blushed. “Oh no, nothing like that. At least not yet.”
“I understand,” the driver said, tipping his top hat to them.
Elizabeth didn’t have to feign her astonishment, but David’s face was the picture of innocence when he turned to her. “Are you warm enough?”
“Oh, yes.”
The carriage started with a jerk. David had given a lot of consideration to their outing today, choosing a very romantic activity. Under the lap robe, he could sit as close to her as he liked, although he was currently maintaining a respectable few inches’ distance. Although Central Park was far more appealing in any other season of the year, it would always hold a certain charm, with its acres of woodland nestled in the center of the busiest city on earth.
“I think I’m beginning to fall in love with your city, Mr. Vanderslice.”
“I hope you’re also developing a fondness for its residents as well.”
“For some of them, at least. You and your family have certainly made me feel welcome.”
“After Mrs. Bates told me how you’d conducted yourself in Virginia, how could we do anything less? We will be forever in your debt for the way you looked after Anna.”
“We all looked after each other, Mr. Vanderslice. I didn’t do anything special.” Which was perfectly true.
“Not according to Mrs. Bates. Honestly, Miss Miles, I don’t think I’ve ever met another female quite like you.”