Magnate by Joanna Shupe

Author:Joanna Shupe [Shupe, Joanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2016-02-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Before we enter society we should subdue our gloomy moods.

—American Etiquette and Rules of Politeness, 1883

Emmett kept his expression deceptively calm as he faced his brother-in-law. “My wife is no concern of yours, not any longer.”

Something flashed in Sloane’s eyes. “Wrong. Lizzie will always be my concern. What did you do to her?”

Not nearly everything I’d hoped. “She’s fine, Sloane. I had work to finish. And Elizabeth is anxious to get started on her investment firm.”

“Her what?” Sloane bellowed, his fair skin turning a deep red. “Do not tell me you’re allowing her to go through with that insane idea. Her reputation will be destroyed.”

Savage satisfaction flooded Emmett’s veins. He gave Sloane a cold smile. “Not only am I allowing her to go through with it, I’m financing the whole venture. And I’m designing an office for her in my building near the exchange.”

Cabot let out a low whistle, but Emmett kept his eyes locked on Sloane, who appeared almost apoplectic. “You . . . you are financing it? She is a Sloane, by God. You are going to turn her into a laughingstock.”

“She is not a Sloane, not any longer. She is a Cavanaugh.” At least for now—and he’d bring this goddamn city to its knees before he allowed anyone to laugh at her. “And you’re wrong. They’ll be lining up around the block to hire her.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about. She’ll be ostracized. No woman can run a successful firm like that.”

“Woodhull and her sister did it a few years back,” Harper put in.

“Until their mother blackmailed the Commodore and he withdrew his backing.” Cabot cracked a grin. “God, what a great story.”

“Exactly,” Sloane exclaimed, pointing at Cabot. “Both women were trollops and flimflammers, not of Lizzie’s social caliber at all. No decent woman should go into business for herself.”

“Your sister will be the first, then.” Emmett lifted his gin and took a large swallow. “Prepare yourself, Sloane. If I were you, I would support her.”

Sloane pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is terrible timing for me. And you’re enjoying the hell out of this.”

“Yes, I am,” Emmett said without hesitation. Sloane had no idea of the trouble Emmett planned to rain down on him. The investment firm was merely the start of Emmett’s efforts to get even with her brother. “Not to mention that your sister won a wager with me. I won’t go back on my word.”

“You have no idea what you’re starting, Cavanaugh,” Sloane said. “You’ll regret this. Mark my words.”

Emmett couldn’t argue with that. With Elizabeth already plotting an annulment, he had nothing but regrets. Not that he’d admit as much to Sloane.

Instead, he leaned back and lifted his glass in a toast. “I know exactly what I’m starting, Sloane, and I mean to finish it, too.”

* * *

Mood blacker than coal, Emmett stomped down the back stairs of the club. The meeting had concluded quickly, each man wasting no time negotiating demands once Sloane had finished his tirade.

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