“As for you,” Marston said, narrowing his eyes as he considered Dalton, “you would do well to realize that just because my financial situation is stretched, it doesn’t mean I don’t still have friends in places of power. I would hate for your misplaced notions of playing the hero to get you hurt.”
“Are you attempting to threaten me?” Dalton asked, not once looking away from Marston’s enraged glare.
“I’m not threatening anything. I’m making observances.” He smiled, and Evie felt a chill run down her spine as he added, “And often my observances lead me to action.”
She’d had enough. Taking a step forward, she faced her brothers with a bravado she didn’t really possess. “This conversation is done. I am not staying, Marston. I am not assisting you and Mitchell in any way. If you have debts with my husband, then see his secretary, Mr. Trayton Payne. The man keeps meticulous records of all of Thomas’s business dealings. The terms and conditions of your loan to my husband will be kept in his possession. I am certain Mr. Payne will settle the matter amicably with you both.”
She held up her hand as Marston started to comment. “Enough. I won’t hear any more threats or ‘observances.’ I will, however, issue one of my own: You will leave Dalton alone. You will leave his family alone. You will have nothing to do with any of us. If you should so much as step foot in Sitka again, I will go to the newspaper and tell them every painful hidden secret that this family has, and then some.” She smiled, feeling her strength grow. “You and your families and businesses will be in ruins once I finish explaining all of the details.”
“You wouldn’t do that,” Marston declared. “It would ruin you, as well.”
“And see, that’s the nice thing about living in Sitka,” Evie said, looking from Marston to Mitchell and back again. “No one cares about the scandals of people a world away. I’ve got good friends and family in Alaska, and it won’t matter to any of them that my father murdered my mother, that my brothers instigated a plot to commit multiple murders for money, or that my husband had a male lover.” She paused. “They won’t care, but all of Kansas City society will stand on tiptoe to hear the latest and juiciest bits of Gray-Gadston gossip. So you had better consider my words carefully.”
“And you have the gall to tell me you’re nothing like us,” Mar–ston said, laughing. “You are the worst of us.”
Evie felt the words pierce her only momentarily. She squared her shoulders. “If you cross me, you’ll see just how painful I can make your life, and it won’t require me to tell one single lie or kill anyone.” She turned to Dalton. “I believe I’ve worked up an appetite. What say we have supper now?”
She took hold of Dalton’s arm and started to walk away, but paused when they reached the door. “If you are hungry and willing to behave yourselves, you are still welcome to join us. Otherwise, I bid you good-night.”
Chapter 12
September 1889
The first of September dawned rainy and overcast, but by the time church concluded, Phoebe was happy to see that the clouds had cleared and the sun shone bright. She greeted some of the people and thanked the pastor for his sermon before seeking out her mother.
“I’m going home now,” she told her in a low tone. She didn’t want anyone overhearing and questioning her as to why she wasn’t joining her parents for lunch.
“I wish you would reconsider. The governor and his wife will be disappointed that you aren’t there. They might even think that you are snubbing them.”
“Just explain that I had a previous engagement. Yuri asked me to go on this picnic two weeks ago. We were just waiting for a nice day, and this is it. I made him a promise.”
“I think Mr. Belikov has been paying a great deal of attention to you. Perhaps too much,” her mother warned.
“Perhaps, but I find him good company,” Phoebe replied. “If Dalton Lindquist would ever return, I would enjoy his company, too.” If he ever comes calling, she thought. Mrs. Lindquist seemed convinced her son liked Phoebe, but of course, he was still on his trip south.
“Very well. I shall make your excuses. Do practice discretion and modesty. I wish I could send Theodore or Grady with you.”
She glanced heavenward at her mother’s comment. “I intend to be the model of decorum. Sitka’s residents hardly worry about the same rules of etiquette that bind folks in the south.” She smiled, realizing she’d found something to appreciate about Sitka.
Phoebe moved off down the street, glad to be free of her family for the day. Lately her brothers had been unbearable in their sullen dispositions. After a summer of doing most everything their hearts desired, the school year was upon them. Phoebe had argued with them just the day before about why an education was so important. Not that they listened to her any better than they did their parents.
At home, Phoebe quickly changed clothes. Her simple brown wool skirt would serve her much better than her Sunday best. She found a decent shirtwaist and the skirt’s matching jacket and donned those quickly before rearranging her hair. She let down the blond mass and began braiding it into one tight plait to hang down her back. When this was accomplished, she traded out her Sunday leather shoes for a sturdier pair of boots. Yuri had said they would hike a little ways up the mountain and visit his favorite spot. From there, she could look down on the harbor for a beautiful view.
She thought of Yuri with a smile. He was amusing and charming. She loved to hear about his relatives in Russia and of his exploits on Baranof Island as a child. Most of all, she liked to hear him tell about the adventures he and Dalton had shared over the years. Sometimes they were boyish accounts of camping trips that turned complicated. Other times they were accounts of life at the boat shop, where they worked together to learn the trade. No matter what the story, however, Phoebe felt she got to know both Dalton and Yuri a little better. Today he had promised to tell her a little more about the Russian Orthodox Church. She had been fascinated by the green domed church and its priest. The man, Father Donskoi, had a reputation throughout the town of being compassionate and giving. The Tlingit loved him, Zee had told her, because he showed them respect and treated them as equals.
Phoebe heard Yuri approaching. He was singing a song in Russian, one she’d heard before. Sitka was a blend of many cultures, really—Russian, native Alaskan, and American—a sort of stew created of people and their traditions.
She grabbed her walking stick, a gift Yuri had made, and met him at the door. “Good afternoon,” she said.
Yuri grinned and turned to reveal his knapsack. “I have our lunch packed and ready.”
“Wonderful. I must say the day has turned out quite pretty.” She secured the door and held up her walking stick. “I am looking forward to using this.”
He shifted his rifle to his left hand, then offered her his right arm. Phoebe hesitated. She didn’t want him to get the wrong idea and believe her to be more interested than she was. Instead, she stepped ahead of him and turned to ask, “Which way?”
He took no offense at her actions and quickly joined her. Together, they walked away from town. “There is a wonderful little path just beyond the lake. Not too far. The view is very nice.”
“Have you been hard at work this last week?” Phoebe asked. “You look rather tired.”
“It has been busy. Several repairs. We definitely could have used Dalton’s help.”
She was glad for the introduction of Dalton to their conversation. “Have you heard anything from him?”
“No. We didn’t really expect to. He was hoping the trip would be relatively quick. There probably wouldn’t be enough time to get more than one or two letters up here, and they would have had to be mailed early. Otherwise, they probably would have come here together on the same ship.”
“I do marvel at the time it takes to get correspondence,” Phoebe replied. “I have had as many as ten letters show up at once, and then nothing for such a long time.”
“One day, I believe we’ll get weekly service.”
“Now that I have told you about my week, what was yours like?”
“Mother and I managed to get some candles made. They turned out quite nice, in fact. I will soon need to braid more wick, but we had enough for what we made.”
“My mother certainly enjoys working for your mother. She said she’s never known a more organized woman.”
Phoebe laughed. “My mother believes everything has a place and should be in that place unless being utilized by one of us. When I was a little girl, I remember mimicking her. I would line up my dolls and their clothes. I would make their little beds and arrange them just so.”
“A fellow doesn’t really think about such things.”
“Oh, I find that hard to believe. Do you not carefully arrange your tools? Is your work area not set up the way you desire?”
Yuri grinned and his blue eyes seemed to twinkle. “You are describing Dalton, but not me. I’m more of an ‘as-you-go’ kind of man. I use a tool and put it down where I finish.”
“But what happens when you need it again?”
“Then I go in search of it.”
Phoebe shook her head. “But doesn’t that waste a great deal of time?”
“If you haven’t noticed, there isn’t a real sense of urgency here. We move at a nice steady pace but certainly never rush ourselves. Unless, of course, a storm is bearing down without warning or a grizzly has come to feed off our scraps. I’ve never lived in a city where people are constantly scurrying about, but I’ve heard enough stories. I suppose you know well about such matters.”
She thought for a moment. “Yes, my life moved at a faster pace in Vermont. There was always something that needed our attention, and we had meticulous schedules to see that things were done in a timely manner.”
“I wouldn’t want to live that way. I enjoy my life here.”
“So you never plan to leave?” Phoebe questioned.
Yuri threw her a smile. “Not if I have a reason to stay.”
“You said that once before. What do you mean by that exactly?”
Yuri slowed their pace as they approached the lake. “My parents want to return to Russia. My mother’s sisters write her every month to plead with her to come home. My grandparents are aging and in need of more and more help, and Mother’s sisters want her to share the responsibility. My father knows he can build boats anywhere and doesn’t seem to mind the thought of leaving, although I think he really does. Still, he will go if that is Mother’s wish.”
“It’s kind of him to consider her needs before his own.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “My father is a good man. He has always been good to the women in our family. He tells my brother and me that an honorable man watches over his family with strength and tenderness.”
Phoebe thought such teachings to be admirable. “Your father sounds very wise.”
“Careful where you step. The bears have been here,” Yuri said, pointing to the ground. “They are searching for as much food as possible before they head higher and sleep through the winter.”
She sidestepped the scat and frowned. “Will we be in any danger? Perhaps we shouldn’t venture any farther from town.”
“We’ll be fine. I brought my rifle, and usually bears won’t approach unless they are really hungry. There has been plenty of food available to them—berries, salmon, and such. We will keep watch, but not give up enjoying the day.”
Phoebe felt nervous at the thought that they might well need to share their picnic with a family of bears. Her glance darted around the lake and trail.
“If it makes you feel better,” he said, seeming to understand her fear, “we can simply have our picnic here. I think the bears have moved on and there are other people tramping about. The noise should discourage the wildlife.”
“I think I’d like that, yes.” She breathed a sigh of relief and gave Yuri a smile. “Thank you.”
He pointed to a place by the lake’s edge. Giving her approval, Phoebe watched as he quickly set up their picnic. First, he unrolled a square piece of oilcloth and spread it on the ground, and then surprised her by laying a wool blanket on top of it.
“I brought this for you to sit on, in case the ground was too damp.”
She smiled. “That was very thoughtful.” He was doing everything right, she had to admit. Perhaps she should give his attentions more consideration. He was a handsome young man, and his manners, while sometimes a bit crude, were generally delightful.
“Here, allow me.” Yuri came to her side and offered her assistance. Phoebe sat down and waited for him to finish arranging their food. “Mother made us sandwiches and cookies. She makes the best cookies I’ve ever had.” He looked at her and smiled. “Do you bake?”
“I do,” she admitted. “I especially enjoy making cookies.”
“That’s good to know.” He handed her a sandwich. “I heard from Dalton that your cookies were delicious.”
She wasn’t sure what to say. It was wonderful to hear that Dalton had bragged on her baking to Yuri. She shrugged. “Then you already knew that I could bake.”
He laughed. “I suppose I did.” He paused for a moment. “So, how do you like living in Sitka? You haven’t yet experienced the winter here, but you needn’t fear. Our winters are quite easy, compared to other places in Alaska.”
“It’s a nice enough place,” Phoebe said, considering her words carefully. She didn’t want to offend Yuri by telling him that she found the place unbearable at times.
“You don’t sound very convincing.”
She looked up and saw that he was watching her closely. “I’m sorry. I suppose it’s still all very new to me. We haven’t been here but a few months. It’s much smaller and far more isolated than what I have known. It’s hard to get supplies for the candles, and because of that, we can’t make as many as we’d like. Not only that, but I left good friends in Vermont.”
“You have managed to make good friends here,” he offered.
“But my friends from home … I had known them from childhood and school. They were lifelong friends. I miss them very much,” she admitted. “Then, too, my grandmother and other family are still living back there. Sitka is so far away from everything. Sometimes it’s really … well … lonely.”
Surprisingly, he laughed. “I would be happy to keep you from being lonely.”
Phoebe frowned. “That was a rather forward thing to say.”
Yuri shrugged. “I have to work quickly to win your heart.”
“What happened to the slower pace of life in Sitka?”
“Dalton will soon return, and I will be forced to share you with him, unless I convince you to accept me first.”
“Accept you?”
“Yes. As a possible husband.”
Phoebe dropped the sandwich on her lap. “Why, I hardly even know you, Yuri Belikov!” She knew it was a lame excuse because she’d already considered how it might be to marry Dalton, and she knew him even less. “How can you even suggest such a thing?”
It was Yuri’s turn to frown. “But I thought all women wanted to marry. Have you not even considered that this courtship is in the hopes of such a thing?”
“I never agreed to courtship. I thought we were two friends, enjoying a Sunday picnic,” Phoebe replied. “I have given no thought to anything else.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, she told herself. She hadn’t given thought to courting Yuri.
“Then you should. I know Dalton will have that on his mind when he returns. We have already discussed the challenge to win your heart.”
Phoebe was embarrassed and angry. They had discussed her as a challenge? “You speak of love as though it were a game.”
He smiled. “In a way it is. Dalton and I decided it would be our own little contest to see who could win you over. I am most fortunate that his family problems called him away to Kansas City. I get to work on winning your affection without his
interference.”
Jumping to her feet, Phoebe could see that Yuri was proud of the fact that he’d shared this information with her. Had he thought it would endear him to her?
“I am not the prize to be had in a game of hearts,” she announced. Picking up her walking stick, she looked down at Yuri in as stern a fashion as she could muster. “You should talk to your father for further lessons on dealing with women.”
Stalking back down the trail, Phoebe barely missed the bear’s droppings. She was mad at herself for losing her temper. Yuri really hadn’t done anything all that bad, but still it grieved her. He and Dalton had talked about her as if she were nothing more than a prize to be won. Somehow it cheapened her and the love she had thought might come her way.
“How dare they make it a contest!”
Dalton awoke Monday morning with Phoebe Robbins on his mind. It wasn’t the first time he’d thought of her on this trip, but it was the most intense. He’d even dreamed about her, and this only made his longing to return home more acute.
Dressing quite casually in trousers and one of the white shirts Evie had given him from Thomas’s closet, Dalton made his way downstairs. He was surprised to find his sister already at work. She was discussing something intently with the man Dalton recognized as her lawyer. Halting at the door to the dining room, Dalton started to turn away, but Evie motioned him in.
“We’re just concluding. Please join us.”
Dalton came forward and the lawyer stood. “Mr. Lindquist, it is good to see you again.”
“Mr. Haskins.” Dalton shook his hand, then took his seat at the table. One of the serving girls was immediately at his side, pouring hot coffee into a delicate china cup. Dalton was almost afraid to touch the thing. It didn’t look strong enough to stand up to usage.
“We were just finalizing the details of the estate,” Evie told him. “Mr. Haskins says he should be able to have all of the papers to me by tomorrow, and then we can leave.”
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