The Brothers Hawthorne
CHAPTER 43: JAMESON
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnJameson and Avery find themselves in a mysterious establishment called the Devil’s Mercy, where Jameson, despite being injured, focuses on his goal: accessing a leather-bound book of high-stakes wagers. The bartender, adorned with a distinctive ring, offers them soup and spirits, but Jameson is intent on the book, which contains centuries of bets on everything from social scandals to life-and-death outcomes. The atmosphere is tense, with other patrons observing their interaction, and Jameson senses the bartender’s loyalty to the unseen Proprietor, who may be watching through hidden means like the ring or a mirror.
As Jameson flips through the ancient book, he discovers bets dating back to 1823, each entry detailing bizarre and personal wagers between wealthy individuals. The bartender explains the rules: long-term bets are placed here, while short-term wagers require a different book. Jameson’s presence draws attention, and one patron provocatively bets on his early demise, highlighting the dangerous undercurrent of the place. Avery, though supportive, steps back, allowing Jameson to take the lead as he strategizes how to impress the Proprietor and gain an invitation to the elusive “Game.”
The tension escalates when Rohan, the Factotum, enters the room and taunts Jameson, suggesting a bet on Avery breaking up with him. Jameson, undeterred, makes a bold wager: 50,000 pounds that the Proprietor will choose someone other than Rohan as his heir. This move reveals Jameson’s intuition that Rohan’s position is not yet secure. The stakes rise further when Jameson adds another 50,000-pound bet, claiming the Proprietor is already dying and has only two years left. This audacious declaration shocks the room and visibly unsettles Rohan, whose reaction suggests Jameson has struck a nerve.
The chapter culminates in a charged standoff, with Jameson’s calculated risks exposing hidden dynamics within the Devil’s Mercy. His bets are not just about money but about challenging the Proprietor’s authority and testing Rohan’s loyalty. The bartender dismisses the second wager as untouchable, leaving Jameson’s next move uncertain. The scene underscores Jameson’s daring nature and his ability to read people, while Avery’s silent support and Rohan’s hostility add layers to the unfolding power struggle. The chapter ends with a sense of impending confrontation, as Jameson’s gambits set the stage for deeper intrigue.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the bartender’s ring, and how does Jameson interpret its meaning?
Answer:
The bartender’s ring features a triangle embedded inside a circle inside a square, a symbol Jameson immediately notices and associates with the Proprietor’s influence. Jameson suspects the ring (along with a mirror behind the bar) serves as a surveillance tool, allowing the Proprietor to observe activities in the room. This detail reveals Jameson’s sharp observational skills and understanding of the establishment’s power dynamics. The ring’s design may also hint at deeper symbolism about the Proprietor’s control or the establishment’s hierarchy, though this isn’t explicitly stated in the chapter.2. How does Jameson’s wager about the Proprietor’s heir demonstrate his strategic thinking?
Answer:
Jameson’s bet—50,000 pounds that the Proprietor will choose someone other than his Factotum (Rohan) as his heir—serves multiple purposes. First, it confirms his suspicion that Rohan hasn’t yet been named heir and is still being tested. Second, it positions Jameson as a bold, threatening challenger to the establishment’s hierarchy, aligning with Zella’s advice to be “surprising, tempting, or threatening.” By publicly challenging Rohan’s presumed status, Jameson forces a reaction from both Rohan and the Proprietor, potentially accelerating his own invitation to the Game. This move showcases his ability to read people and manipulate situations to his advantage.3. What does the betting book reveal about the culture and history of the Devil’s Mercy?
Answer:
The leather-bound book, dating back to 1823, contains centuries of wagers on everything from social scandals to political outcomes, reflecting the establishment’s long-standing role in facilitating high-stakes, often personal bets among elites. The bets—like those on marriages, deaths, and mistresses—highlight the patrons’ obsession with power, social standing, and human behavior. The bartender’s explanation that all wagers “will be enforced” underscores the club’s ruthless reputation. The book symbolizes the Devil’s Mercy as an institution where wealth, influence, and risk-taking intersect, with consequences that extend far beyond the gaming tables.4. How does the dynamic between Jameson and Avery shift in this chapter, and what does it reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
Avery initially supports Jameson physically and emotionally, staying close to “fuel his resolve,” but steps back when he takes the lead with the bartender, acknowledging this is his moment to impress. Her restraint—despite her natural competitiveness—shows her understanding of his needs and their unspoken teamwork. When Rohan insults their relationship, Avery’s defensive reaction (“Lots taken”) contrasts with Jameson’s calm dismissal, revealing her protectiveness. Their dynamic balances mutual support with independence, as both recognize when to act together and when to let the other take center stage in high-pressure situations.5. Why does Jameson’s second wager about the Proprietor’s health escalate tensions, and what might it foreshadow?
Answer:
Jameson’s bet that the Proprietor is “already dying” and will live only two years is a direct, audacious challenge to the establishment’s authority. This provokes a visceral reaction from Rohan, whose glare evokes their earlier fight, suggesting Jameson has crossed a line. The bartender’s refusal to entertain the bet implies the topic is taboo, hinting at the Proprietor’s vulnerability or the club’s power struggles. This foreshadows future conflict: Jameson’s willingness to name the unspoken (the Proprietor’s mortality) may force the Proprietor to respond, either by punishing him or drawing him deeper into the Game.
Quotes
1. “Jameson’s body drank in the closeness of hers, allowing it to fuel his resolve, and then he cut to the chase with the bartender. ‘I’m after the book.’”
This quote captures Jameson’s determination and the dynamic between him and Avery. It marks a pivotal moment where he transitions from physical recovery to strategic action, setting up the chapter’s central conflict.
2. “No wonder the book was so large. It contained every random wager ever placed at the Devil’s Mercy—or at least in this room. Political outcomes, social scandals, births and deaths, who would wed who and when and in what weather and with what guests in attendance.”
This passage reveals the fascinating world-building of the betting book’s contents, showcasing the eccentric and high-stakes nature of the establishment. It emphasizes the gravity of Jameson’s upcoming wager.
3. “‘I’ll wager fifty thousand pounds that the Proprietor chooses someone other than his Factotum as his heir.’… ‘And I’ll offer up another fifty thousand pounds that says the Proprietor is already dying. I’d give him… let’s say… two years?’”
These bold wagers represent Jameson’s strategic brilliance and daring nature. They serve as both a challenge to Rohan and a direct provocation to the unseen Proprietor, marking the chapter’s dramatic climax.
4. “The look in Rohan’s eyes now made Jameson feel like the two of them were back in the ring, like Rohan was standing over him, saying, ‘Stay down.’ A threat and a warning—and something more.”
This powerful description captures the complex rivalry between Jameson and Rohan. It suggests their conflict has deeper layers while maintaining the tension from their physical confrontation earlier in the story.