“You really think there will be a second?” Mack asked. “She’ll figure it out as soon as the first article is published.”
Horace shrugged. “Then we ask her to submit a few more ideas before the first is published. It’s a win-win.”
He really was related to a bastard.
“To be clear,” Mack said slowly, “you’re asking me to sabotage Mrs. West’s chance at a reporting position because the paper is going anti-suffrage? That doesn’t strike you as unethical?”
Horace snorted. “Show me a moment in history when rules have applied in politics, and I’ll eat my hat.”
“That doesn’t make it right. I’m not comfortable with—”
“You’ll do it, or there will be consequences.”
Heat rose to his cheeks. He was not achild.“What are you talking about?”
“The inheritance is not set in stone, my boy. Mr. Anderson is also in the running.”
A buzzing filled Mack’s head, and he braced a hand on the desk. The newspaper washis. He had fulfilled every family expectation made of him, and then some. If he didn’t inherit, all his plans would be ruined—his promise broken. How could his uncle even consider giving it to Emil?
“You made an arrangement with my mother years ago.”
“I did,” Horace said. “But we amended the agreement last week. Didn’t your mother tell you?”
No, she damn well hadnot.“And what does the amendment say?”
“It says I will give you the newspaperifI believe you will uphold its legacy. I am only looking out for the best interests of the newspaper and the family name. You’ve made several comments and actions in the last couple years that have caused me to question your judgment.”
“Such as what?”
Horace waved a hand in the air. “As we’ve seen today, your overly progressive stance clashes with the nature of the newspaper. I’ve had to rein you in several times.”
Mack’s gut burned, and he ached to smash something, anything. “I am a progressive, I freely admit it. But I have only encouraged you to take a more moderate stance and show both sides of an issue. That’s all.”
“Mr. Anderson understands what it means to make a splash, moderation be damned. If you can’t get in line, I shall have no choice but to pass you over.”
The urge to tell his uncle off rose to a fever pitch, but he stamped down his emotions, useless as they were. Getting the job done, whatever it took, was the most important thing, not only for himself, but for the future of the nation.
“I’ll take care of it.”
Uncle Horace gave his approval, and Mack shook off the unease snaking up his spine. If he’d played by his uncle’s rules for this long, why should this task be any different?
Besides, how difficult could it be to rein in one aspiring suffragist?
CHAPTER3
“Welcome to Longfellow House.” Miss Clementine Lewis smiled warmly at the half-dozen women dispersed around the elegant tearoom. “Please, help yourselves to some refreshments.”
Winnie glanced at the women already occupying the corners of the room with curiosity. So far, she was the youngest by a few decades. One plump matron drew her attention. Her movements were highly animated, her gray curls bouncing in her coiffure as she spoke with a woman at her side. They both wore one of the first suffrage badges ever made, a silver sunflower bearing the number1848to represent the first convention at Seneca Falls. Their fortitude struck a chord within Winnie, and she gave them a wide smile before turning away.
A tall, slender young woman with honey brown hair hesitated in the doorway, mild panic in her doe-like eyes. Dressed in a serviceable but worn brown walking suit and matching, faded hat, she clutched her hands in front of her and appeared on the verge of bolting.
“Hello there.” Winnie stepped close with a bright smile. “I’m relieved someone close to my age will be here to liven things up. I’ve attended enough dull women’s club meetings, haven’t you?”
The woman blinked a few times. “Oh…hello. No, I haven’t—oh wait, I only meant that this is my first club meeting.”
“In that case, I can assure you this is the most impressive refreshment table I’ve ever seen at a club meeting. Care to join me, Miss…?”
The woman smiled shyly. “Miss Olive Becket.”
