City of Lies

by Victoria Thompson

  “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.”

  Which was also perfectly true. David Vanderslice had certainly never met a grifter before. “I’m not sure that’s a compliment.”

  “Oh, it is. The more I learn about you, the more I want to know.”

  He wouldn’t like a lot of what he’d learn if he really got to know her, of course. “Knowing me would take a long time, I’m afraid.”

  “I’m prepared to make the effort. Didn’t I tell you I’d like you to stay here forever?”

  “And I’m sure you know I couldn’t possibly do that.”

  “Why not?”

  She shook her head at his teasing. “Because my home and my family is in South Dakota. An unmarried woman can’t just go to a strange city and start a new life.” Although that’s exactly what she was planning to do if she could escape Thornton, she realized.

  “You’re right, an unmarried woman could not. Are you opposed to marriage, Miss Miles?”

  “Why would I be?” she asked.

  “Many of the suffragists are. They don’t like the idea of being under a man’s control.”

  Of course they didn’t, but she couldn’t tell him she disapproved of marriage. “When you put it like that, I’m not fond of the idea. But not all men look upon marriage like that.”

  “No, we don’t,” he said, clearly putting himself into that winning category.

  “Does your mother approve of rights for women? I haven’t heard her express an opinion.”

  “She isn’t as outspoken as Mrs. Bates, of course, but I think she supports the cause in her own way.”

  “Even after Anna was arrested?”

  David winced a little. “She wasn’t too pleased about that, as I’m sure you can understand, and that may have tempered her enthusiasm a bit.”

  “Enough so she’ll forbid Anna to participate in any more protests?”

  “I’m hoping Anna herself will decide that. She isn’t strong, as you know, and no one expects her to give her life for the cause.”

  Elizabeth thought about the hunger strike and how none of them had hesitated to join it, especially Anna. No one had died, but many had been close to it. She only hoped the men in Congress came to their senses before someone did. But as the Old Man would undoubtedly remind her, she had a more urgent problem. “I have a feeling Anna won’t be sensible about her dedication to the cause.”

  “Which is why she needs friends like you to advise her.”

  “I’ll continue to advise her as long as I’m here.” She sighed. “But I don’t know how much longer that will be.”

  “Miss Miles, if you don’t mind my asking, is there any reason you need to return to your home?”

  “You mean besides the fact that it is my home?”

  “Yes. For example, do you have any, uh, attachments there?”

  Elizabeth feigned innocence. “My aunt, of course.”

  “Uh, no, I mean any, uh, romantic attachments, for example. Is there someone special in your life?”

  “Oh no, not at all. I’ve never . . . Well, if you’d ever been to South Dakota, you’d understand.” Of course, Elizabeth had never been to South Dakota, either, but she had no t
rouble imagining. “And to answer your question, no, I have no romantic attachments.”

  “I’m sorry, that’s really none of my business, is it?” David said, color blooming in his face.

  “Isn’t it?” she asked coyly. “I wouldn’t have answered if I thought so.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. We hardly know each other, but even in the short time since I’ve met you, I’ve come to respect and admire you.”

  And he’d continue simply admiring her for weeks if she didn’t take matters into her own hands. “Why, Mr. Vanderslice, is this a proposal?”

  “Oh, uh, I didn’t mean—”

  “Because I’ve come to admire and respect you, too,” she hurried on before he could deny it. “But I never dreamed my feelings would be returned. I’m just a simple girl, and I’m not familiar with the way things are done in the city. I’m very glad you had the courage to make a declaration first, so I didn’t embarrass myself.”

  “You are?” He looked shocked but, mercifully, he also looked pleased.

  She looked down demurely. “Of course I am. No matter how she feels, a woman must wait for the man to speak first, and if he never does, well, she has to return to South Dakota brokenhearted.”

  “I wouldn’t want that. Oh no, I’d never want that,” he said, growing more confident by the second.

  “So was it? A proposal, I mean? I know it’s forward of me to ask, but I have to be sure . . .”

  “Yes! I mean, Miss Miles, you would do me the greatest honor if you would agree to become my wife.”

  She managed not to sigh with relief. “And you do me the greatest honor by asking. How could I refuse? Yes, Mr. Vanderslice, I would be delighted.”

  He looked so pleased, she almost felt guilty, but she knew he couldn’t possibly be in love with her, at least not yet. And he wouldn’t like the way she was going to conduct herself over the next few weeks, either. She’d give him more than enough reason to rue his hasty engagement and to be relieved when his fiancée disappeared. In the meantime, however . . .

  “You have made me the happiest man alive, Miss Miles.”

  “I think you may call me Elizabeth now that we are engaged.”

  “And you must call me David. I can’t wait to tell Mother and Anna. Anna will be so pleased! Now you really will stay here forever.”

  Anna wouldn’t be pleased when Elizabeth deserted all of them. Elizabeth wouldn’t be pleased, either. She’d never had a friend before and probably never would again. “Do you really think your mother will approve? I don’t know anything about New York society, and I don’t have much of a dowry.”

  “Everyone will want to know you. The old families get a little stuffy, so we need some new blood every now and then to freshen us up.”

  “I hope you’re right, but you haven’t said what your mother will think.”

  “She’ll just be relieved that I’m finally getting married. She’s been wanting grandchildren for ever so long.”

  Elizabeth ducked her head at that. Hopefully, he’d think it was modesty, when in reality it was horror at the thought of bearing David’s children. If she ever did have children, she’d want their father to be someone who hadn’t needed to be tricked into a proposal.

  “I didn’t mean to embarrass you, Miss . . . I mean Elizabeth.”

  She managed a shy smile. “That’s all right. It’s just . . . The idea of marriage is a bit overwhelming.”

  “Yes, indeed, and we should make some plans. We’ll live in my house, of course. What about your aunt? Do you think she’ll want to come here to live as well?”

  Since her aunt did not exist, Elizabeth doubted it. “I have no idea. I’ll have to ask her. But first things first. How shall we announce it?”

  “We’ll send a notice to the newspapers, of course.”

  “And I’ll write to my aunt, of course. Oh, and we can tell the Bateses tomorrow when they come for Thanksgiving dinner.”

  “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.”