“You knew she wasn’t a lady you’d marry because she was muddy?”
“No, I knew she wasn’t the lady for me because she was wearing trousers and men’s riding boots, and when her grandfather introduced us, she held out her hand and shook mine with a firm grip I wasn’t expecting. She also left a great deal of mud behind while doing so, something any other young lady of my acquaintance would have been mortified to discover she’d done. Eugenia didn’t bat an eye. She merely dug a handkerchief out of her pocket, handed it to me, then told me I was welcome to keep it, quite like a gentleman would have done after extending a hanky to a lady.”
“She sounds delightful.”
“Eugeniadoeshave a certain charm about her, but she was absolutely not the type of lady I’d decided at that time to marry, as she didn’t fit the requirement of being an incomparable and moving easily within society. Nevertheless, I wasn’t eager to annoy James and flatly refused to consider his suggestion of forming an alliance with his granddaughter because the lure of becoming a partner with him was too much to resist. That’s why I decided to convince Eugenia I was a complete and utter boor. I had the sneaking suspicion she wasn’t a lady who suffered boors, and it turns out I was right about that.”
“But you didn’t dislike her?” Chase pressed.
“I suppose there were moments, when she’d fire back retortsthat were hot enough to scorch my face, that I wasn’t overly fond of her. But, not that I would admit this to Eugenia, I actually enjoyed a great deal of the banter between us, especially when we’d talk about books. She was very well read, although she didn’t allow her grandfather to know that. He didn’t believe reading anything but financial statements or the latest mining journals were worthy of a person’s time. Eugenia, however, adored the written word, especially dime novels, which, I have to admit, I’m fond of as well.”
Chase rubbed his jaw. “Forgive me if I’m off the mark, but it sounds to me as if Eugenia Howland might be perfect for you.”
“She’s not perfect for me, but I believe we’ll rub along nicely once we marry.”
“Not that I want to point out the obvious, but Eugenia has no idea you deliberately set out to make yourself disagreeable. That means there’s a very good chance she holds you in disdain.”
“I’m hopeful she’ll find my disclosure about my boorish behavior amusing, but even if she doesn’t, Eugenia is pragmatic. And yes, she was unconventional, but she has a keen understanding about her grandfather’s business, acquired from James W. Mason himself as well as a tutor possessed of an engineering degree, Mr. Vincent Wagner. Because she’s so knowledgeable about copper mining in general, she’ll realize what an asset I’ll be to her, what with the success I’ve found in the industry. In all honesty, I think marriage between us is a logical decision for both of us.”
“How is that a logical decision for you?” Chase asked. “You’ve spent over the past decade building up a mining empire, done so, at least according to Mother, because of a desire to leave your mark on the world. Part of that future centers around marrying an incomparable from society, a longing I’m relatively certain came about due to what happened between you and Mitzi thirteen or so years ago. From what Mother has also disclosed, you’re determined to sweep back into society as a copper mogul and assume a high-level position within society, with your incomparable bride by your side.”
Arthur slouched into the chair. “I don’t think I care to continueon with this conversation, especially with Mitzi now being introduced into it. You’re my little brother, barely wet around the ears, and as such, I don’t believe you have the experience needed to counsel me on matters of marriage or women in general.”
“I’ve always been old for my years, and I spend countless hours counseling men and women when I volunteer at a mission in Five Points.” Chase smiled. “You would not believe how adept I’m becoming at understanding the workings of the feminine mind after so many women have disclosed the difficulties they’re having with the men in their lives.”
“People from Five Points feel comfortable disclosing problems to you, a member of the New York Four Hundred?”
“My society status has little bearing on the work I do at the mission. Besides, everyone just wants someone to lend them a sympathetic ear, which many people don’t have available to them.”
“Huh” was all Arthur could think to say to that before he frowned. “Since when do you volunteer at a mission?”
“Since I graduated from Harvard and came into the trust fund Grandfather Livingston left me.” Chase smiled. “I tried to convince Father and Benjamin that I’d be up for learning the family business, but they didn’t seem all that keen to have me join them. Benjamin went so far as to remark that my constantly smiling face was certain to cost him important business negotiations. With my being denied a place in the family business, I was at loose ends. There’s only so many society events a gentleman can attend, unless said gentleman agrees to become one of those gentlemen who can lunch, like Grandfather Brevoorts. And while Grandfather appears to enjoy that lunching status, I have no interest in spending my days surrounded by aging matrons. So, I decided to do something useful with my life.”
“You could always try to make use of that degree you got from Harvard.”
Chase’s eyes twinkled. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you broached that topic, since you’re often pointing out how you put your engineering degree to immediate use after yougraduated. You’ll be pleased to learn that Iamputting my English degree to use these days because I’m teaching English courses at the mission. We’re currently reading Charlotte Brontë, and after Charlotte, we’re moving on to Shakespeare.”
“That’s a diverse reading list.”
“Diversity helps people at the mission learn English. Most of them don’t have a strong grasp of it, but reading fiction seems to help.”
“Shakespeare will certainly confuse their grasp of the English language we actually use today.”
“I didn’t think of that, but it is an interesting point.” Chase settled back in the chair. “But returning to you, I’m curious how you came to change your mind about marrying Eugenia Howland, and if it was a result of also changing your mind about marrying an incomparable?”
“It’s not that I changed my mind regarding my original plan. It’s more that I don’t have another choice in the matter. Given the dire situation unfolding with Eugenia’s relatives, the only way for me to honor my word to James is to marry Eugenia, even if I have to abandon my desire to marry an incomparable.” Arthur tapped a finger against his chin. “Perhaps I should have mentioned to the ladies at the agency that I was willing to put aside my own dreams to look after Eugenia’s best interests. That might have had them regarding me in a more favorable light.”
Chase released a snort. “No, it wouldn’t have, because not only have you decided to marry a woman simply because you gave your word to a man long deceased, you’re doing so with what can surely be construed as a reluctant attitude. That hardly suggests the two of you will enjoy an amiable marriage.” He folded his hands over his stomach. “The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency is run by progressive women. They’re not the type to want to see any woman coerced into a marriage that seems, even to me, more beneficial to you than it could ever be to Eugenia.”
“You know, Mrs. Holbrooke mentioned something very similar to me right before she escorted me out of her agency.”
“She clearly took issue with you, probably because she concluded that the only benefit Eugenia might get out of marrying you is that you’re willing to help her regain control of her inheritance. But it’sherrightful inheritance. It’s not as if her relatives can make a claim against it after she turns up alive—if she turns up. Besides, it sounds to me as if Eugenia’s a take-charge sort of lady. That means, after you inform her of her relatives’ dastardly intentions, there’s the distinct possibility she doesn’t need your assistance at all. You, on the other hand, would be gaining access to an enormous fortune if a marriage were to take place, because owning Mason Mines would propel you to the very pinnacle of mining industrialists.”
“Eugenia would be getting far more than simply my assistance by marrying me. She’d be getting protection from someone who may want to kill her.”
“Someone wants to kill her?”
Reminding himself that no one except his grandfather Brevoorts knew about the murder of James W. Mason, or the reason behind Eugenia disappearing, he sat forward, taking a few minutes to fill Chase in, but only after he got Chase’s solemn word that he’d not breathe a word about what was disclosed to anyone. When Arthur was done, Chase got to his feet and began pacing about the room.