by Joanna Shupe
“Mr. Fields was merely a friend,” Lily broke in to protest. “To suggest that he has affected the company negatively is erroneous.”
“Is it?” Mr. Harrison lifted a brow, meeting her eyes for the first time. “Did you see the stock prices this morning?”
Lily hadn’t seen the ticker tape today. She was almost afraid to look. “No, I haven’t.”
“The price fell sixteen full points, Miss Davies. That is the lowest it’s been since your father’s death.”
She fought the urge to wince. Sixteen points was a large drop in a single morning. “It will recover. It always does.”
“Miss Davies,” he said, his tone so patronizing that she clenched her jaw, “we understand you are young and given to fancy over handsome men. However, most young ladies do not need to worry that their choice of suitor will bankrupt a successful company.”
“I fail to see the point here, Harrison,” Uncle Edward snapped. “Lily and Fields were not even betrothed. So what are you saying?”
“While they were not betrothed, they were often seen together. He was a member of this board, a popular choice to squire her about New York, and I have it on good authority that Fields was close to proposing marriage. If he had proposed, where would that leave us?”
Uncle Edward angled in, frowning. “Again, what is your point?”
Harrison shifted to address the room. “Between this episode and her elopement—and subsequent annulment—I think we can safely distinguish a pattern of questionable judgment on the part of Miss Davies. Questionable judgment worries investors, and worried investors start to withdraw their funding from the company. We should be asking ourselves if she is fit to serve as this company’s president.”
“Now wait just a minute—” Uncle Edward started, but Lily cut him off.
“Questionable judgment? How dare you imply I am unfit to serve in my role as president. My father’s blood and sweat went into this company and no one wants it to succeed more than I do.” Heat rolled through her in waves, her skin flaming with fury. The nerve of these men, to imply that her association with Monty or her annulment had anything to do with her capabilities as president. If she were a man, this issue would never be raised, no matter with whom she associated. In fact, a quite married Harrison had been linked to the wife of another prominent businessman, but no one mentioned his adultery when discussing his performance at the oil company.
The irony of this accusation did not escape her. Yes, she had been itching to turn over the responsibilities to Tom. But she didn’t want to be forced out under a cloud of shame, especially when she’d done nothing wrong. The principle of the thing rankled, and she would not go quietly, no matter their wishes.
“I do not doubt that’s true,” Harrison was saying. “But women are clearly not cut out for business, Miss Davies. The company has suffered a steady drop in earnings over the last eight quarters under your leadership.”
“That is because of the wage increases and structural improvements to the mine,” Uncle Edward said. “Those had nothing to do with Lily.”
“They were performed at her request. Her father had believed the wages were sufficient. And Davies himself crawled down in that mine many times. Why would he do so if it were unsafe?”
Men around the table started mumbling, agreeing, and Lily gripped her hands together so tightly she worried a bone might snap. “People cannot be worked to death. They cannot be treated as if their lives do not matter, as if they are not afforded the basic rights guaranteed to them as citizens of this country. The conditions in Dakota were deplorable.”
“Your father did not think so,” Harrison countered.
“My father would have made changes eventually. And I should point out that the workers have not gone on strike since we made changes. That should mean something.”
“Investors don’t care if workers are happier, Miss Davies. They care about their dividends. About the return on their investment. Perhaps if you spent more time in the office instead of attending parties, you’d have picked up a thing or two about how business operates.”
Lily’s lungs burned, actually burned, with the need to shout at this man. Every hair on her body vibrated with anger, the complete injustice of what was being said. Humiliation, too, at the unfairness of having her private life dissected so publicly. She took a few deep breaths, attempting to calm herself before responding. Ranting and raving would not solve anything. Indeed, they would only conclude she was hysterical as well. Probably order her to rest in a sanatorium.
In the silence Uncle Edward came straight to the point. “What are you hoping to accomplish, Harrison?”
Harrison’s lips curved into a scheming smile. “We’d like to ask Miss Davies to step down as president. Someone more qualified will take over.”
Lily gasped, stunned over this development. This was a disaster. She could not lose her father’s company, not when she was so close to turning it over to Tom.
“Who is we?” her uncle asked Harrison. “You haven’t cleared this with me.”
“No, but I have spoken with the other board members. Should it come to a vote, we have the majority to force Miss Davies out.”
“Over my dead body,” she said, her voice sounding much stronger than she felt at the moment. “I’ve been acting as president for over three years and the only person who will ever replace me is my brother, Tom.”
“With all due respect, miss,” one of the other board members said, “your brother has never shown the slightest interest in Davies Mining. I’m not certain the investors will feel relieved with a flighty, party-hopping swell at the helm.”
She pushed to her feet and took a deep breath, ready to battle. “My brother has matured over the last three years. Yes, in the past he’s been known as a man about town. But he was young and struggling with the grief of losing our father unexpectedly. How many of you could say you wouldn’t have done the same?” Her gaze swept the room, meeting the eye of each man at the table. “However, he’s ready to assume his responsibilities toward our father’s company. He has both the intelligence and the drive of my father. Let him come in and convince you that he’s capable of leading Davies Mining.”
“You owe us that much,” Uncle Edward said to Harrison, and the moment stretched. The board members exchanged thoughtful glances and Lily felt a burst of hope. She did not want to fail her father by losing his company.
“Miss Davies, please step out of the room while we discuss the matter,” Harrison said.
Chin high, Lily swept out the door and into the corridor. When the door closed behind her, she sagged against the wall, deflated. The entire business was unbelievable. Instead of blaming Monty, they were blaming her for associating with him. Had these men lost their minds?
She began pacing. At least Uncle Edward had stayed in the meeting room. Perhaps he could talk some sense into these arrogant fools. They must allow her the chance to bring in Tom to demonstrate his abilities. Once they saw how dedicated he was to running the company, surely they would vote to keep him. Provided she could convince him to appear dedicated, that was.
The door opened and Uncle Edward peered out at her. “Come back inside. We’re ready.”
Stomach twisting, she followed him into the room and resumed her place at the head of the long table. No one said anything, so she blurted out, “Well, Mr. Harrison?”
He frowned, clearly unhappy with the decision, and she felt a spark of hope. “We’ve agreed to hear what young Mr. Davies has to say for himself. However, I can only hope, Miss Davies, that your brother shows better judgment than yours.”
* * *
Early the next morning Lily knocked on her brother’s door. Tom had just returned home a few moments before, after carousing through Manhattan all night long, and she had no idea in what condition she’d find him. Not that she cared. They needed to speak immediately. After yesterday’s board meeting, Tom needed to commit to taking over Davies Mining.
Her knock received no answer
, so she tried again. “Tom, I know you’re in there. Please open up. I need to speak with you.”
She heard footsteps and then the door opened. Her brother, tired and rumpled, scowled at her. “Can’t this wait until after I’ve had some sleep?”
“No,” she told him and pushed inside his room. He still wore his evening clothes, which were creased beyond belief. “You look terrible.”
“Thank you, dearest sister. If that’s all you needed to say, I’d like to go to bed now.”
“No, we need to talk. Where were you last night?”
“Out. Why the concern?” He dropped into the armchair near the bed. “Did something happen here at the house again?”
“No, not at the house. The problem is with the company.”
Tom’s brows lowered, his face clouded with confusion. “Father’s company?”
“Not father’s company. Our company. Warren Davies is dead, Tom. And I’ve been—” She clasped her hands together and struggled for composure. “The board has voted me out. They say this . . . scandal with Monty after my annulment is too much. They claim it shows a lack of good judgment on my part.”
“They voted you out? Can they do that?”
“Yes, if they join together.”
He dragged a hand down his face. “Jesus, Lily. I’m sorry. They’re wrong. You have the best judgment of anyone I know.”
“Thank you,” she forced out through the lump in her throat. “Having your support means the world to me. But the reason I needed to see you is because I convinced the board to let you take over instead. This way the company—”
“Take over?” Tom shot to his feet. “Wait a minute. You did that without speaking to me first? I don’t want to take over Davies Mining.”
“Of course you do. We’ve been speaking of it for months.”
“No, you’ve been speaking of it for months. I’ve been putting it off.”
“This is ridiculous,” she snapped. “It’s our family’s legacy. You cannot let it fall into the hands of some stranger. That’s not what Father would have wanted.”
“Lily, our father made no provisions for his death, so we have no idea what he would have wanted. You are the one who does not want to cede control of the company to an outsider. But did you ever consider that it might be best for everyone?”
“How can you say that? How can you want to give Father’s company away?”
“Because I’m not the best person for the job!” He pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. “I’m not even sure you were the best person for the job, but you were hell-fired to do it. Who was I to tell you not to, especially when focusing on the company brought you out of your depression? But I can’t take over. Not now, perhaps not ever.”
Anger and frustration buzzed in her ears, her heart pounding in her chest. “Not ever? What has come over you? This has always been the plan.”
“No, that was your plan. But I’ve made up my mind. I don’t want to run the company.”
“So what, you’ll just live off the money our father sweat and bled for? Are you so selfish that you won’t help when needed?”
He turned his gaze toward the ceiling, exasperated. “We have more money than you and I could spend in three lifetimes. And in case you aren’t aware, most children in similar positions do not work. I have no intention of ever sitting behind a desk all day, shoving papers around and telling people what to do.”
“I . . . I cannot believe this.”
“I know you’re disappointed in me,” Tom continued, his tone gentle as he approached her. “But I’m not our father. Hell, I’m not even you. I don’t have the same drive and determination you do. And things in my life are . . . complicated right now.” He wrapped his arms around her, and even though he smelled of smoke and spirits, she didn’t push him away.
“You’re right; I am disappointed. I—” She swallowed and moisture flooded her eyes. Oh, blast. She’d started crying.
Tears were falling in earnest when Tom thrust a handkerchief in her face. “Don’t fret. It’ll all work out. You’ll see.”
She accepted the scrap of silk. “No, it won’t.”
“Why do you care?” he asked softly. “Tell me why the company matters so much to you.”
“Because I let him down!” A sob escaped her mouth and she tried to stifle it.
Tom’s large hand stroked her back. “I don’t understand. You let Father down?”
She nodded and sucked in a breath. “When he found me, after I married Calvin, he was so disappointed in me. I’d married a scheming opportunist intent on stealing our family’s wealth.”
“Cabot wasn’t that at all,” Tom said. “He loved you.”
“I know that now, but at the time I believed the worst—and so did Daddy. I’ll never forget the look on his face when he told me Calvin had accepted the money and signed the annulment. I tried to argue with him, to tell him that Calvin and I were in love, and want to hear what he told me?”
“I’m almost afraid to ask.”
Lily pushed away from her brother and wiped her face. “That I deserved the heartache because I had married behind his back.”
“That is a terrible thing to say!” He gripped her arms and swung her to face him. “Lily, you were an eighteen-year-old girl, in love for the first time. He should have given you and Calvin a chance. How can you still revere him after such cruelty?”
She closed her eyes briefly. “I cannot hate him. Right or wrong, he was my father, and I always looked up to him.”
“Well, even if that is true, you have nothing to prove to him. You did nothing wrong. You fell in love. You acted foolishly. It’s not an unusual story. So stop punishing yourself for marrying Calvin.” He yawned. “If anything, you should punish yourself for pushing Calvin away.”
“Wait, I thought you were in favor of my marrying Monty.”
He held up his hands. “I never said that. I gave my blessing when he asked and assumed you would make your own decision. But none of this matters because we can safely say that Monty is out of the picture now. I heard he left for London the night after the article broke.”
London? She hadn’t been told.
“Besides,” Tom said, strolling over to his bed, “Cabot is sort of growing on me.”
“What do you mean, he’s growing on you? You two nearly came to blows the night of the intruder.”
“I mean that you should give him another chance. He obviously still loves you, and I’m certain you love him.” He dropped down on his bed and shut his eyes. “Now let me get some sleep before I keel over on the floor.”
* * *
Night had long since fallen when the office door swung open and Hugo walked in. Calvin leaned back in his chair and rolled his shoulders to ease the pain in his neck. He’d been hunched over his desk for more than six hours straight. “Did you get her settled?”
“Yes. Took her over to Smitty’s place in Queens. Lee won’t find her there.”
“Davies had better not find her there either.”
Hugo dropped into a chair facing the desk and blew out a long breath. His friend looked tired, Calvin thought. The situation with Lee was taking a toll on all of them.
“He won’t.” Hugo gestured to the work on Calvin’s desk. “How much longer you think you’ll be here?”
Calvin scratched his jaw while he cataloged all that was left to do. “The Mercury’s done. Proofing the Bugle now. I think I’ll let Jim finish the Star. You should go home, though. It’s been a long week.”
“I guess I could do that.”
Hugo didn’t move, however, and Calvin asked, “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Hugo swallowed, his throat working. “What happens if this doesn’t work? What happens if we can’t bring her over?”
No need to ask who Hugo meant by her. Calvin couldn’t imagine being separated from one’s wife for this long. Well, he had an inkling—and it wasn’t a feeling he’d wish on his worst enemy. Without Lily, Calvin felt only partially compl
ete. As if he’d found the other half of himself, only to have it ripped away a few short weeks later. Right now he had no idea where things stood between them. He’d made his feelings clear, but she hadn’t reciprocated. One thing he did know was that he needed to see her again. Soon.
“We will. Don’t lose hope, Hugo. We’re close. I have Lee right where I want him.”
“That include almost getting the missus killed the other night? Davies following me and putting us all at risk? How long do you think this can go on before someone gets seriously hurt?”
Guilt. He recognized the dull, haunted cast in Hugo’s gaze; Calvin had worn the same expression for years. The reaction was understandable, but they needed to remain firm. Giving up was not an option.
Putting down his pen, Calvin opened his top desk drawer and removed two cigars. He cut them both and then offered one to Hugo with a lighter. A few seconds later the rich scent of smoke filled the room. “We need to have patience,” Calvin said gently. “I know this isn’t easy for you. But we’ll have her soon. I’m certain of it.”
“How? How can you be so certain? And how can I live with myself if Lee kills someone in the meantime?”
“I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that, obviously. Lily is being protected, and Lee won’t hurt you or me; otherwise he jeopardizes Ming Zhu’s life.” He drew in a mouthful of smoke, blew it out. “We can’t give up, not yet.”
Hugo puffed on his cigar. “Four months. I haven’t received a letter from her in”—his voice cracked—“four months. What if she’s dead? What if we’re too late?”
Calvin’s heart twisted. He wished this had been easier on Hugo. No doubt his wife suffered as well, holding on to the hope of seeing her husband again one day, despite half the globe separating them. Why did love always require sacrifice? Calvin’s parents had loved him but had given up everything to save others. Calvin loved Lily, but he’d been forced to walk away. At least with Hugo, Calvin had the chance to prove the sacrifice sometimes paid off.
“I refuse to entertain those thoughts. We have to believe Shin-yee is alive and waiting to join you here in America.”