Chasity puffed on the new jig for a moment longer, sparing Mr. Flowers and his friends a glance before leaning in to peer over Mr. Levin’s shoulder as he wrote down the information for her. Taking the napkin and folding it she tucked it into her purse with a smile and a fond hand clasping Mr. Levin’s in thanks. 

But he was distracted slightly by Mr. Flowers friends as well. Men. Always more interested in each other’s business than dancing or ladies. 

As if coming over to prove this very point Henry Adler barged into the scene. Chasity barely had enough time to drop the jig in her hand on the bar top and step to the side hoping that this would obstruct Henry’s view … That was if he hadn’t already seen that she was smoking. 

Chasity’s eyes widened nervously and her harlot red lips stretched back in a defensive smile. “Henry!” She welcomed her brother affectionately..ish. “Chasity.” He snapped, his glower making it abundantly clear that his bad mood from earlier was still holding on. The tall middle brother turned to nod at Mr. Levin and Mr. Flowers. “Good to see you gents… Wondering what it is my Sister is getting up to over here…”His tone wasn’t exactly accusatory… But it wasn’t totally polite either, though his sharp gaze was more directed at Chasity than anything else. 

She blushed and realized that maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea to get her brothers the drinks. Not with Henry in such a foul mood. 

“Well you see I was just thanking Mr. Levin for his beautiful jewelry I’m wearing now when I bumped into Mr. Flowers. So I was making sure they were introduced…” She faded off slowly as Henry’s expression didn’t change. He was certainly between a rock and a hard place. 

The Adler’s had business dealings with Mr. Levin and overall the old Jew wasn’t a threat to Chasity. But he tended to indulge Chasity in her childish whims. And Mr. Flowers. Mr. Flowers… Well he dealt with some folks that Henry didn’t want Chasity to have anything to do with. But Henry had a healthy respect for Mr. Flowers… Walter called it fear but Henry insisted it was respect. 

All of this tied up with his love for his sister and his hatred of her being seen as anything but virginal by other men. Put in some bollix  selling in THEIR territory and the inability to take this out on the appropriate target and you got Henry with some misplaced anger. And Chasity was the best target in this setting. 

“You see, I thought I saw you smoking over here Chasity…” He tried for a calm tone but didn’t really meet his goal. “We’ve had some chats about that” “I wasn’t smo-“ “I saw you Chasity. Don’t lie to me.” Chasity shut her lips and looked away. 

Were they home she might have argued that she was 23 now and should be able to make such decisions herself. Instead she bit her tongue in embarrassment. For her brothers behavior in public, and for Mr. Levin to see this… Her dark gaze flickered to Mr. Flowers as well. How humiliating. Why was Walter and Joseph letting Henry off his leash? 

She looked to their table long enough to see they were in a huddled discussion with a black man she hadn’t seen before. 

Henry however took this glance as an offence. Chasity was always getting Walter to fight her battles for her. Well he wouldn’t let her go off tattling to big brother now. Reaching out he grabbed his sister by the elbow tightly, starting to steer her away from the group. “Joe wants a word with you anyway Chasity…” He lied. 

“Mr. Levin, Mr. Flowers… Nice to see you both.” 

“Let me get my purse…” Chasity quipped, Henry’s grip was so strong his fingers were digging harshly into the exposed skin on her arm. He ignored her comment and continued to haul her away as Chasity reached for her purse.