The Final Gambit

Avery thinks about how she knows Toby’s play style; she played chess with Toby a lot when he was masquerading as “Harry,” an unhoused man, back in Connecticut. Avery watches Toby and Eve play the first match and sees that Toby lets Eve win. Vincent also notices this; he threatens Eve’s life if Toby does it again. Next, Avery plays Toby. Toby loses. Avery realizes: “Toby had lost both matches. He was Blake’s” (331).

Vincent tells Toby, “You’re a Blake now, and Blakes don’t lose to little girls” (332). Avery apologizes, feeling she’s failed to rescue him; Toby reassures her, saying that she reminds him of her mother. Grayson is brought out. Since Avery won one match already, she can take him with her. Avery and Eve play; Avery lets Eve win on purpose, as she knows Vincent will not stop seeking revenge against Tobias under these circumstances. Avery then asks Vincent to play her, telling him that she doesn’t want people finding out about Sheffield Grayson. Avery names her terms: If Avery wins, Vincent keeps the secret about Sheffield Grayson; if Avery loses, she will make Vincent the trustee of her Hawthorne inheritance.