Chapter 141: Inviting Hosea
The Braithwaite family banquet ended in a wave of laughter and cheer.
After the meal came a brief dance—another traditional part of the gathering.
Davey didn’t hesitate; he wrapped an arm around Penelope and began dancing with her.
Penelope had no way to resist her family’s arrangements.
Hosea, meanwhile, was paired with the elderly Lady Catherine.
As for the others, the estate’s maids served as dance partners.
After the festivities, Davey and Hosea left together.
“Davey, I never imagined you’d change this much in just a few months,” Hosea said.
“I had a feeling back in Valentine, but the transformation came so quickly.”
“I’m happy for you, Davey. I’m sure John, Abigail, little Jack, and Uncle are all living well in Valentine.”
“Oh—and that rascal Mac.”
Hosea’s cheeks were slightly flushed from drinking, though he clearly kept himself controlled enough not to get drunk.
“Don’t bring up Mac,” Davey sighed. “I brought him to Rhodes, and within a few days he’d run off to Saint Denis for some fun. Hasn’t come back yet.”
“But you, Hosea—I can tell that old lady has fallen for you. If you chose to marry into the family, living out your years with the Braithwaite family wouldn’t be such a bad life.”
Davey teased.
Hosea’s face reddened even more at the memory of the dance.
“Oh, don’t joke about an old man like me. My heart belongs only to Bessie. Tonight was just playing along.”
“But Davey, are you really planning to work with the Braithwaite family? And that so-called Saint Denis big shot—if they accept your terms?”
Davey answered, “Why not? A man can never earn too much money. A partnership like that would make my operations smoother and much larger.”
“But honestly, it probably won’t work out. They’re greedy jackals. I don’t believe for a second they want a fair deal—they just want to swallow my business.”
“Between the weak and the strong, there’s never honor. Only the powerful are respected. And clearly, in the eyes of those big shots, I’m just another weakling.”
Hosea nodded. “Alright… I was going to warn you to be cautious of those greedy capitalists, but I suppose there’s no need.”
“Speaking of which, Dutch and I are working on a major plan—about a stash of gold between the Gray family and the Braithwaite family.”
“This gold may not matter much to you, but it means everything to the gang.”
“I’ve been trying to win the old lady’s trust to learn where the gold is hidden. So far it hasn’t gone well. She hasn’t revealed anything.”
“If you have any information, Davey, I hope you’ll share it with me.”
There was even a hint of pleading in Hosea’s voice.
After tonight’s banquet, he fully understood that Davey was no longer the gang’s gunman who only knew robbery and killing.
If Davey was willing to help, it would be a tremendous advantage to the gang—whether through information or other means.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“You should know, Hosea—what you did for the Callander brothers is something we’ll never forget.”
“Dutch taught us how to shoot, but you taught us how to survive.”
“But sometimes, even the best plans depend on circumstances. I’ve heard things about that gold. It’s possible even the two families themselves don’t know where it’s hidden.”
“Times are changing, Hosea. I know you feel it too. Constant robbing—this way of living is on its way out. Maybe you should think seriously about your own future.”
“If… if you’re willing, my door is always open to you, Hosea. Any time.”
Even knowing Hosea would never accept, Davey still offered the invitation.
Hosea felt genuinely moved.
Davey had changed in many ways, yet in many ways he hadn’t—especially when it came to loyalty and sentiment.
“Oh, so it seems my retirement home has already been chosen, has it?” Hosea laughed softly. “Just make sure you don’t look down on a poor old man when the time comes.”
“Of course, not yet. These old bones can still move a while longer—long enough to earn myself a bit of retirement money.”
“Dutch… Dutch is doing much better now. We’re keeping a low profile.”
“Those two families have a century of heritage. They’re rich enough that even without the gold, once we finish this job, we can finally end this damn gang life.”
Comments (0)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.