Chapter 142: The Real Puppet Master
Looking at the overall plan targeting the Gray family and the Braithwaite family, Hosea was actually the one truly pulling the strings.
Although Dutch was the first to bring it up, nearly all of the follow-up arrangements were handled by Hosea.
Dutch only helped the Gray family in the beginning by sabotaging the Braithwaite family’s moonshine stills.
After that, selling the moonshine back to the Braithwaite family and building connections with Catherine Braithwaite—those were all Hosea’s doing.
When Davey returned to the inn, Mac had finally come back from Saint Denis.
“Hope you didn’t get me into any trouble, Mac.”
Seeing Mac looking a bit ragged, Davey knew the guy had definitely stirred something up.
Mac said a little sheepishly, “Just some trivial stuff, not worth mentioning, Davey.”
Davey looked to Kendall, who had gone with him. “Alright, Kendall, tell me what actually happened. Don’t hide anything from me.”
Even though Mac widened his eyes in warning, Kendall knew Davey was his boss. He couldn’t help Mac cover things up.
“Mr. Mac, after getting drunk, went to the Saint Denis Grand Hotel looking for ladies for some ‘hot coffee.’ Because he was too rough, one of the ladies turned him down.”
“Those ladies are protected by the Italian mob in Saint Denis, and Mr. Mac got into a fight with them.”
“We injured several Italians, then fled from Saint Denis.”
Seeing Kendall already spill everything, Mac knew he couldn’t hide it. “Fuck, Davey, you know what? Those whores mocked me first.”
“They looked at me with contempt, saying I was just some country bumpkin. Fuck, they’re just whores thinking they’re something special.”
“And those Italians even said I didn’t pay and tried to drag me to the police station.”
“Damn it, my wanted poster is probably hanging in the Saint Denis police station. So I taught those bastards a lesson—let them know who they shouldn’t mess with.”
Hearing this, Davey no longer felt like blaming him.
“Looks like that Mr. Bronte needs to straighten out his service. Mac, this time it’s not on you.”
Mac asked in confusion, “Bronte? Who’s that?”
Davey replied casually, “The boss behind those ladies. Gang leader, businessman, wealthy man.”
“Alright, forget this incident. Lay low for the next few days. I’ve got something I need you to do—together with Arthur and the others.”
Mac chuckled, “Oh, Arthur. I like that guy. He’s a good partner.”
...
Braithwaite Manor.
After Davey and Hosea left, the elderly Lady Catherine pulled Penelope aside for a private talk.
“Penelope, my child, as you saw, Mr. Callander is indeed a remarkable young gentleman.”
“His behavior today was a bit rude and offensive, but that wasn’t directed at you—just at some past matters between our family and him.”
“I’m sure a beauty like you could easily win his heart. He’s a fine choice, isn’t he?”
Penelope had to admit that during the dance, she did feel a growing fondness for Davey.
It came from Davey’s “cleanliness.”
In the West—and really, in most parts of the world—most people weren’t very fond of bathing, which meant many men carried a heavy body odor.
Even some nobles, despite having access to baths, preferred masking themselves with perfumes instead.
“Mother, please give me some time. While Mr. Callander is indeed exceptional, deciding after just one meeting is difficult.”
“Maybe I can try spending some time with him, but I get the feeling he doesn’t seem all that interested in me.”
Naturally, Penelope couldn’t mention Beau Gray. Years of affection wouldn’t simply be replaced by Davey in a single night.
After all, she had already been willing to elope with Beau Gray.
Lady Catherine was satisfied with her daughter’s compliance. “Of course, Penelope. Trust me, you’ll fall in love with him. If I were a few decades younger, I might even consider marrying him myself.”
“At the banquet, even though he kept talking back to me, achieving so much at his age is truly rare.”
“If I remember correctly, Mrs. Calhoon is hosting a parade tomorrow. Perhaps you could bring Callander along. We can see what his views are regarding women.”
The women’s rights movement was a major cause in the United States at the time, and as a woman, Catherine Braithwaite naturally supported respect and reform for women’s rights.
Mrs. Calhoon was the leading figure of the women’s rights movement in Rhodes.
Clearly, being able to host a parade in Rhodes meant she had the support of one of the two major families—the Braithwaite family.
Penelope could participate only with her mother’s approval—there was no way to sneak into something like that.
Penelope’s eyes brightened. “Maybe Mrs. Calhoon would happily welcome Callander—a young and wealthy employer—into the march.”
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