Chapter 37 (Chapter 35) Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Briony attends a second dinner hosted by Mallow’s inner circle, this time in the arena stands rather than a private room. She is seated on Toven’s lap as the men wager secrets in a card game. Canning Trow offers the location of Cordelia Hardstark in exchange for a kiss from Briony. Toven initially refuses but Briony overrides him, kisses Canning, and learns Cordelia is moved frequently between the Seat’s Castle and the Locklin estate. Later, a strawberry-blonde woman—a former maid from Claremore—kisses Briony in the stands and secretly slips a scrap of paper under her collar. The note reads “no dragon, don’t Worry,” using the childhood nickname for Rory. Back at Hearst Manor, Briony and Toven argue bitterly about intimacy and control. Alone, Briony discovers the note and realizes someone from her past is communicating with her.
Key Events
- Reighven Lag confronts Toven and Briony in the arcade, threatening to “pick the lock” on her cage.
- Briony and seven other Barlowe Girls serve wine and hors d’oeuvres while the men play cards.
- The men wager intelligence rather than gold: defector names, troop movements, and the location of Mallow’s dragon.
- Canning bets the location of Cordelia Hardstark against a kiss from Briony.
- Toven refuses to kiss Briony earlier, causing her to act independently.
- Briony kisses Canning and learns Cordelia is kept at the Seat’s Castle or the Locklin estate.
- A strawberry-blonde woman (a former maid) kisses Briony in the stands and slides a note beneath her collar.
- Briony and Toven argue violently at Hearst Manor about the kiss and his “no kissing rule.”
- Briony finds the note: “no dragon, don’t Worry,” recognizing the nickname for Rory.
Character Development
Briony demonstrates growing agency by overruling Toven’s hesitation and kissing Canning to obtain vital intelligence. Her willingness to endure humiliation for Cordelia’s sake shows deepening loyalty. The argument with Toven reveals her frustration with being kept in the dark and her refusal to be a passive tool. The discovery of the note rekindles hope that allies from her past are still active.
Toven is forced to confront his own discomfort with physical intimacy in public. His flinch when Briony tries to kiss him suggests emotional barriers that go beyond strategy. His anger at Briony for “making him look weak” underscores his obsession with maintaining control and appearances.
Canning Trow emerges as a manipulative player who enjoys toying with Briony and Toven. His knowledge of Cordelia’s location and his casual cruelty mark him as a dangerous asset.
The strawberry-blonde woman (former maid) risks detection to pass a note, indicating an underground network sympathetic to Briony or the resistance.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Power and Performance
Briony’s kiss with Canning is a calculated performance that briefly shifts power away from Toven. The card game itself literalizes the exchange of secrets as currency, revealing how intelligence (and people) are commodified in Mallow’s world.
Intimacy as a Weapon
Briony uses a kiss to extract information, while Toven’s refusal to kiss her in public nearly sabotages their cover. The chapter explores how physical intimacy can be both a tool for survival and a site of vulnerability.
The Rose in Chains Card
The wild card drawn is “the Rose in Chains,” a direct reference to Briony’s enslaved status. The card’s appearance during the game reinforces that her body and loyalty are stakes in the men’s power dynamics.
The Nickname “Worry”
The capital “Worry” ties Briony to her past life as a princess and to Rory, a lost family member. The note suggests that someone familiar is watching over her, countering the isolation of her captivity.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 37 marks a turning point in Briony’s agency. For the first time, she openly defies Toven in a high-stakes social setting and acts on her own behalf. The intelligence gained about Cordelia’s location gives her a concrete goal, while the secret note reopens the possibility of escape or rescue. The escalating argument with Toven exposes the fragility of their alliance and hints that his personal hang-ups may endanger their mission. Finally, the introduction of a hidden ally adds a new layer of intrigue to the plot, suggesting that Briony is not as alone as she believes.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Briony decide to kiss Canning even after Toven tries to leave?
Briony prioritizes finding Cordelia over Toven’s comfort. She knows Canning’s intelligence could be vital and that Toven’s refusal to kiss her earlier had already drawn suspicion. She acts quickly to secure the information, demonstrating that her loyalty to Cordelia outweighs her deference to Toven.
2. What does the note “no dragon, don’t Worry” signify for Briony?
The note uses the childhood nickname “Worry” for her brother Rory, a name known only to four people: Briony, Cordelia, Didion, and Sammy. The message assures her that Mallow’s dragon is not a present threat and that someone from her inner circle is alive and watching out for her. It reignites hope that she is not entirely isolated.
3. How does the card game in this chapter reflect the power dynamics between the Barlowe Girls and their masters?
The girls are positioned as decorative accessories who serve wine and sit on laps. Their bodies become bets in the men’s wagers. Briony subverts this by using her own body (the kiss) to gain information, momentarily seizing agency from both Toven and Canning. The game reveals that intelligence is the true currency, and women must navigate being both stakes and players.