The Inheritance Games, #4
The Brothers Hawthorne
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 44: JAMESON
Overview
Jameson escalates his campaign for the Game by placing a startling short-term bet on the price of wheat, using secret knowledge from Prague to draw the Proprietor’s attention. Rather than retreat after a series of risks, Jameson doubles down at the tables, joining Avery against Branford and Zella while probing Branford’s possible knowledge of Jameson’s family ties.
The chapter ends with Rohan summoning all four players to the Proprietor’s office, signaling that Jameson’s dangerous strategy has succeeded in forcing a response.
Summary
Jameson goes alone to seek the short-term betting book at Devil’s Mercy. A staff woman in historical dress notices Jameson’s injuries and offers help, but Jameson refuses treatment because Jameson is focused on making another provocative wager.
Jameson considers what kind of bet would most surprise, tempt, or threaten the Proprietor. Drawing on information from Prague that Jameson believes Jameson was never meant to know, Jameson chooses a risky and non-obvious play: Jameson asks to wager on what is about to happen to the price of wheat.
Later, Jameson returns to the tables with a strategy built on repeated bold moves. Exhausted but mentally energized, Jameson stops restraining Jameson’s play and immediately joins Branford and Zella for whist. Avery takes the fourth seat, becoming Jameson’s partner.
Jameson needles Branford by handing Branford the deck and calling Branford “Uncle,” testing what Branford knows about Ian’s illegitimate son and the family connection. Branford’s expression gives nothing away.
Rohan then interrupts the game and announces that Jameson’s presence has been requested. When Branford assumes the summons is for Branford, Zella suggests otherwise, and Rohan clarifies that the Proprietor wants to see all four players in the office, making Jameson’s escalating gambits impossible to ignore.
Who Appears
- Jameson HawthorneMakes a risky wheat bet, pushes his strategy, and provokes Branford at the tables.
- AveryPartners with Jameson in whist as his escalating plan draws official attention.
- RohanInterrupts the card game and summons all four players to the Proprietor’s office.
- BranfordPlays whist against Jameson and gives no reaction to Jameson calling him uncle.
- ZellaPlays whist with Branford and correctly senses the summons is not only for him.
- The ProprietorUnseen authority whose attention Jameson’s bets finally secure.
- Staff womanOffers to help Jameson’s injuries before directing him toward short-term betting.