“Can I be frank?” Connor ran a hand over his neatly greased hair. “It wouldn’t be physically possible for the fairer sex to summit the mountain, especially one of that altitude, with such treacherous glaciers. It has nothing to do with your intelligence, and I know you’re tenacious, and I adore that about you. But I certainly wouldn’t advise you or any lady to attempt that feat. There’s a reason only men are included in mountaineering groups.”
Anna narrowed her eyes slightly then turned away.
He bit his lip. “Does that upset you?”
She sat back, unsure how to respond. “A little.”
The jostling carriage felt suddenly suffocating, her stomach tossing with every bump.
He nodded. “I’m sorry.”
He reached for her hand after all, but she pulled it away to fix her hair.
Clasping his hands together instead, he spoke soothingly. “You should know how serious my intentions are. I’d love to have you on my arm for every event in town. I could buy a big house for us wherever you like. You could have a baby soon to fill your time. And pick out large window panes for our house, and we could order furniture and paintings from Paris. Whatever you like.”
He liked her pretty face, but thought she was as fragile as a china doll. As much as she’d hoped that Connor would encourage her plans, her desire to do something great was bigger than lace curtains and a place in society. She studied his eyes, which were full of affection, and longed to be held in his arms. He did say he liked that she was smart and tenacious—that was something.
But not enough. Connor was a gentleman who wanted an intelligent yet agreeable wife by his side—someone traditional.
And then the desire to settle down felt distant, unimportant—something shifted inside her. It was time to follow the growing energy drawing her toward the mountain.
She turned back to the window—they were next in line to be dropped off at the grand entrance. The white columns stood regally, reaching the third floor of the brick dance hall. Connor hopped out and sheepishly held his hand up to her.
Anna stepped down from the carriage without accepting it.
“Your face is pale. Do you feel faint?” He folded his arms and looked as if he might examine her as a patient.
“I’m not sure we’d be happy together,” she said, walking up the marble steps toward the entrance, searching for any sign of her brother.
Connor gripped his top hat with both hands. “Please don’t do this.”
She squared her shoulders. “What would you say if I told you I have an Indian friend…and I’m planning on learning how to hunt…and I will absolutely solve this riddle even if you do think it’s ridiculous?”
She put a hand on her hip and lifted a delicate eyebrow. “And what if I told you that I deeply want to be on the top of that mountain one day, just to see how it feels?”
He stared at her with his mouth agape. Anna held his gaze stoically until his face turned red.
He leaned toward her and whispered, “You’re creating a scene.”
She narrowed her eyes in determination. “Goodbye, Connor.”
As she turned on her heel and hurried inside the dance hall, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of June flirting with two men on a settee.
“Anna!”
Emily came up behind her in a flowing gown with large puffy sleeves. Her musical voice had an immediate calming effect on Anna.
Anna gave her friend a quick embrace. “Oh Emily. I actually had the worst ride here. Have you seen my brother?”
“Levi’s back? He’s here?” Her face flushed pink as she glanced around the foyer. “I’m so sorry things aren’t going well. I’ll look for him.”
She kissed Anna’s cheek, then spun around and hurried into the dance hall.
Anna hurried back outside where the sun had set and the lamp posts dimly lit the streets. She rushed down the steps, dodging couples sauntering toward the entrance. On the sidewalk, men stood around the building smoking and talking loudly. She found a quiet spot around the corner down an alley and turned to face the wall of a wood-paneled drugstore to cry. Her emotion surprised her, but the tears didn’t last long.
Instead, anger rose up in her chest. Where was Levi? She spun around to find a man standing over her.
His handlebar mustache was greased at the edges, and he stumbled toward her smelling like whiskey. “How much?”
She put her hands on her hips, glaring at him. “What do you mean?”
The man’s black suit coat was tailored perfectly, and he smirked as he reached behind her, interlocking his fingers behind her back.
“Come here, beautiful.” He crushed his stomach against hers.
The blood drained from her face as he bent closer, his breath hot. She stomped on his toe with her heel then shoved him. He stumbled backward.
She gave him a disapproving look. “You’re mistaken, sir.”
“Well, what are you standin’ ’round out here for, all by yourself? Seems like ya wanted it.”
“Back off,” Ben said from behind her. “You must have confused her with someone else.”
He stepped closer, unbuttoning his suit coat.
His presence was a relief, but she was suddenly embarrassed to be found this way.
“I’ve handled things,” she said, straightening her skirts.
The drunk man reached for her waist again. “Oh come on, sweetie. I’ll pay whatever—”
Ben lunged, shoving the man, who stumbled and this time fell to the ground. Anna gasped as he grabbed the lapels of the man’s suit coat with both hands, lifting him up to stand.
“Hey, watch the suit!” the man groaned. He pulled a starched handkerchief from his vest and wiped dirt from the seat of his pants.
“Are you going to behave now, or should I call for the police?” Ben asked, out of breath.
At that moment, Levi came around the corner. “Ben, where—what’s going on here?”
Anna ran to her brother, and he put his arms around her shoulders.
The drunk man huffed and stumbled down the street toward the harbor.
Levi took his suit jacket off and put it around Anna’s shoulders. “What happened? Where’s Doctor Evans?”
“Let’s go home,” she said, too embarrassed to say more.
Ben was still catching his breath. “Some idiot propositioned your sister.”
He tucked his shirt back into his pants and attempted to smooth his tousled hair to the side, then looked over to her.
“You all right? That doctor should’ve never put you in a position to fend for yourself.” He paused, deep concern etched on his forehead. “But why did you step out here alone, unaccompanied?”
Anna glared at him, disappointment washing over her in waves. He was no better than Connor. Both men saw her as frail and fragile—in need of protection.
Levi’s eyes narrowed, and he growled, “Let’s chase him down.”
“He was just a fool. We should find this Doctor Evans, see what his excuse is for not taking care of a lady properly,” Ben said, finally breaking eye contact with Anna.
She was starting to shake. “Please, let’s go home.”
Levi squeezed her tighter. “Of course—right away.”
She waited with Ben while Levi secured a carriage. She looked up the stairs toward the entrance and thought she saw Connor walking in with a woman in a green dress. Of course, he was already on to the next; or maybe it wasn’t him, after all.
Soon, she was whisked away and riding through the city streets by lamplight. When the coach stopped in front of her house, Ben opened the door, and Levi helped her inside. Her grandfather buzzed around asking questions that sounded far away.
Levi held up his hands as if to quiet the questions.
“She needs a bath and hot tea before she answers any questions.” He turned to her. “Do you mind if we go back, or do you need us here?”
Ben crossed his arms and gave Levi a steely glare. “We don’t need to go back.”
Anna sat at the bottom of the stairs to unlace her shoes. “You’ve both done enough, thank you. Please go, enjoy yourselves.”
While her grandfather paced angrily, Greta filled a bucket from the boiler. Levi filled them in on the happenings of the evening, from his perspective.
Her dress rustled as she stood, then she lifted her hem to climb the stairs. The voices quieted behind her as her grandfather walked Levi and Ben to the door. Although he attempted to whisper through clenched teeth, his words drifted toward her.
“If you see Doctor Evans at the dance, tell him I need to speak with him.”