This merely piqued Florence’s interest further. She had a good idea who the other man was in this case. The air fairly sparked whenever Mamie and Frank Tripp were in the same room together. Yet, Florence knew that pushing her sister would not help the situation. Stubborn as a mule, Mamie had to make up her own mind on matters. Florence sent Justine a look, a slight shake of her head to indicate they should switch topics.

“So the Bronze House,” Justine prompted with a nod in Florence’s direction. “Tell us everything.”

“I finally met Mr. Madden.”

Both sisters stared at her in astonishment. “You did?” Mamie’s voice was a whisper even though they were alone.

“I did. He summoned me to his office and demanded to know why I kept returning to his casino.”

“What did you tell him?” her older sister asked.

“Forget that for a moment,” Justine said. “What did he look like?” Justine was the romantic one, always seeing the good in people. She thought anyone could be redeemed, if only shown enough love.

“Sturdy, with shoulders like—” Florence held her hands out wide to indicate the breadth of Clay’s shoulders. “And handsome, in a rough sort of way.” She didn’t tell her sisters of his two admissions, that he was attracted to her and had designs to ruin their father. He’d soon get over the first and she’d dissuade him of the second.

“Did he hurt you?” Mamie lowered her brows, her shoulders hunching. “Because I will—”

“Settle down, big sister. He didn’t hurt me. And, he’s agreed to tutor me.”

“Tutor you?” Justine glanced between Mamie and Florence. “Do not tell me this is about that casino for ladies again.”

Florence had confided in her sisters about her idea months ago, and Justine had predictably disagreed about the need for a ladies-only casino. Mamie liked the notion, only commenting that it was impractical. Florence didn’t care. She’d show everyone that a woman could succeed in business as well as a man. “Yes, this is about the casino for ladies. And you’re wasting your breath if you think to talk me out of it.”

Justine’s lips tightened but she said nothing more. The carriage swung around the corner to start along Seventy-Ninth Street and Florence tried to shake off her morose mood.