“Yes, that will make the day even more special. Oh, wait, why don’t we keep it a secret from Mother and Anna until then, too? We can announce it to everyone at the same time.”
Was that really a good idea? What if Anna and her mother really didn’t approve? On the other hand, if they didn’t, they probably wouldn’t say so in front of company. Once they’d told outsiders, it would be harder for David to back out as well. “What a wonderful idea.”
David started chattering about things in which Elizabeth had no interest, like how long they should remain engaged before they married and where they should go on their wedding trip. Since she wasn’t ever going to actually marry him, none of it mattered, as long as he agreed they wouldn’t marry until after Christmas. That should give her plenty of time to get Thornton’s rifles sold and break free of him.
They’d reached a rather secluded section of the park, and the driver turned in his seat. “Congratulations, young man, and if you want to kiss her, this would be the perfect place.”
Elizabeth smiled at David’s chagrin, but when he turned to her, she had to admire his expression of determination. He leaned down and brushed her lips with his in the barest promise of a kiss. Its sweetness almost broke her resolve, until she remembered Thornton’s face when he described how he’d murdered his wife. After that, she didn’t even feel guilty anymore.
Elizabeth was sure Anna and her mother would guess their secret from the way David kept staring at her all evening. But Mrs. Vanderslice was distracted by her plans for the holiday dinner the next day, and Anna was determined that Elizabeth not notice David at all. She dragged out some photograph albums and insisted on showing Elizabeth every photograph the Vanderslices had ever had made. Poor David never even caught her alone for so much as a good night, much less another of his tepid kisses, which was just fine with Elizabeth. Tomorrow would be soon enough to start pretending affection in front of other people.
? ? ?
Gideon had never looked forward to a visit with the Vanderslice family with more enthusiasm. Hardly an hour had gone by since his return to the city that he hadn’t thought of the fascinating Elizabeth Miles. He probably should have dropped by to see her, but he hadn’t wanted her to guess how enamored he was. That would never do. He didn’t know her well, but he suspected she could be merciless to a man who loved her. Unless she loved him back, which he had no reason at all to suspect. No, he wasn’t going to reveal his true feelings until he’d learned more about her, and that, he was sure, would take some time. Something about her was just not quite right. She was probably the most mysterious female he had ever met.
His mother seemed to be equally as eager for the visit, and when they entered the Vanderslices’ parlor, she went straight to Elizabeth, even though by rights she should have greeted their hostess first.
“Elizabeth, my dear, I’m glad to see you looking so well, and what a lovely gown.”
It was a deep blue that matched her eyes, and it looked as if it had come from Paris or at least some place more exotic than South Dakota or even New York. She glowed like a precious jewel in the Vanderslices’ mundane parlor.
Elizabeth made no effort to hide her joy at seeing his mother. Elizabeth said something about how well his mother looked, too, and they kissed each other the way women did, except with genuine affection.
David distracted him by shaking his hand. He looked inordinately happy to see them. “Important day.”
“Is it?” Gideon said. “I suppose so. We’ve got our women back safe and sound.”
David smiled mysteriously. “Yes, that, too.”
But he didn’t have time to worry about David and his cryptic hints. He exchanged pleasantries with Mrs. Vanderslice, then turned to Anna, who didn’t look nearly as well as Elizabeth. He teased her a bit, as he always did, and got her to smile a little. Then he turned to Elizabeth, hoping he’d managed to wipe all trace of eagerness from his expression.
“Miss Miles, you’re looking well.”
“I wonder how long it will be until my health is not the first thing people mention when they see me.”
“Then I apologize for mentioning it. I had no idea how tedious it must be to have people constantly concerned with your well-being.”
“Now you make me sound disagreeable. Who wouldn’t want to have people concerned about her well-being?”
“You, apparently, but rest assured, I will never inquire after your health again.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bates. It will be a great relief to me.”
“What is Gideon saying to make you smile like that, Elizabeth?” David asked.
Since when did David call her by her given name? And why was he standing so close to her? He had a decidedly proprietary air about him, too.
“Nothing but nonsense,” she said.
“Has she mentioned that I’ve been showing her around the city?” David asked.
“Not yet.” How enterprising of David. Now Gideon was really annoyed. He had been a fool not to visit sooner, but he’d had no idea David had any interest in her.
“Oh yes. We saw the Museum of Natural History, and yesterday was so fair that we took a carriage ride in Central Park.”
“How . . . nice.” But it wasn’t nice at all, especially considering the way David was looking at her now. He was thoroughly smitten. At least Gideon saw no indication she returned his affections. And how could she? David was far too ordinary for a woman like Elizabeth Miles. Gideon might also be too ordinary for her, but he intended to explore the possibility anyway.
His mother returned to Elizabeth after satisfying her duty to greet her hostesses and filled the time before dinner by telling her and Anna what was happening in Washington City with the movement. At last, the maid came to announce that dinner was ready, and Mrs. Vanderslice delighted Gideon by placing him next to Elizabeth at the table. Of course, David was at the head, with Elizabeth on his right, but Gideon felt sure he could draw her attention from him.
When the oyster soup had been served, Gideon turned to Elizabeth. “What did you think of our Central Park?”
“It was quite a surprise. I certainly didn’t expect to find a wilderness in the middle of the city.”
David chuckled for no apparent reason. “I don’t think I ever really appreciated it until yesterday, either.”
Elizabeth gave him a polite little smile, because of course she knew what he meant, and Gideon was very much afraid he did as well.
She turned back to Gideon. “And how are you faring, Mr. Bates? Are you still comfortably fixed or did your employer make good on his threat?”
“What threat was that?” his mother asked in alarm.
“Devoss told me I could have three days to rescue you, but if I was gone any longer, I’d lose my position.”
“He wouldn’t dare,” David said, outraged, and the ladies murmured their agreement.
“And he didn’t dare,” Gideon said. “I think he might have made a fuss, but when I handed him the note you wrote him, Mother, he was instantly contrite and congratulated me on my success.”
“But all I did was thank him for letting you come,” his mother protested.