“I got my eyes fixed on that pretty gal right there,” said one of the many men, pointing as he vied for a spot along the fence. Joseph followed the man’s finger to the young women surrounding the tub closest to the back door of the building. He recognized the girls from Mercy’s cabin and then spotted her standing with them as they dipped their arms into the water.

“The one with the fair hair?” said another man with a weathered face, who sat perched atop the fence. “That’s the one I’m aiming to marry.”

“Guess we’ll see who gets to her first,” remarked a fellow on the opposite side of Joseph.

He had no doubt they were speaking of Mercy. She was the fairest of the women present in the yard. And though some of the wealthy women might possess more elegant garments and hats, Mercy was still the prettiest. Not even her travel-worn clothing could detract from her beauty.

Every word the men spoke regarding Mercy sliced inside him like a scalpel blade. Still, he reassured himself by recalling his conversation with her, when she’d told him in no uncertain terms that she was opposed to getting married. These men could rave all they wanted about her, but she wouldn’t give them a single second of her attention in return.

“Heard the reverend announce we could arrange a time to meet her,” one of them went on. “Said her name was Mercy Wilkins. Got myself on the list straightaway.”

“List?” Joseph asked, his heart rate spiking.

“Too late for you,” laughed the man. “That list filled up faster than a tavern on payday.”

Joseph didn’t see the humor in the situation. The entire afternoon had been taxing. From the first moment he’d seen all the men on the shore, he should have realized he’d find the proceedings distasteful and barbaric.

The women shouldn’t have had to walk through the crowds of leering and lusting men. About halfway to the legislative building he’d been tempted to hoist Mercy up into his arms and shout at everyone to stop their ogling.

Yes, he understood the men were isolated here in the colonies, that many of the miners who’d come down from the mountains had quite possibly gone for months without seeing a female. But that was no excuse for the vulgarity.

“That Pioneer,” said another man down the fence. “Guess he’s lucky with the gold and the girl.”

“If I had two thousand pounds, I’d buy me a wife too—especially Mercy Wilkins. Instead I’ll just have to win her over with my charm and good looks.” The comment drew a slew of guffaws among the other men.