Chapter 17 Summary: Milly's Perspective

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⚠️ This summary and analysis contains plot details from Chapter 17 of The Cousins. If you haven't read this chapter yet, proceed with caution.

Summary

The chapter opens with Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah riding in a chauffeured Bentley toward Catmint House. The car passes through a towering wrought-iron gate, and the trio takes in the grandeur of the estate for the first time. During the ride, they discuss Uncle Archer’s silence—he hasn’t responded to any texts or calls in thirty-six hours—and Dr. Baxter’s funeral, which is scheduled for Wednesday. They agree not to tell Gran that Archer was the one who brought them to the island, each for their own reasons.

Theresa Ryan greets them at the door, warning that Gran is devastated by Baxter’s death and that brunch may be brief. Inside, they encounter an art dealer examining a painting; Theresa mentions that Gran is considering divesting part of her art collection. The comment strikes Milly, who knows the value of such pieces.

At brunch, Mildred Story sits at a teak table overlooking the ocean. She immediately focuses on Jonah and Aubrey, asking pointed questions about their fathers, Anders and Adam. Jonah chokes on a sandwich filled with horseradish, and Mildred makes a cutting remark about Adam’s self-centeredness. Throughout the meal, she directs all her attention to the two older cousins, ignoring Milly entirely. Milly feels invisible, realizing that her hopes of a meaningful connection with her grandmother—based on being her namesake, wearing her grandfather’s watch, or sharing her interests—mean nothing.

Excusing herself to the bathroom, Milly instead wanders the house. She overhears Theresa on the phone, sounding angry, discussing something “excessive” and an “obsession.” Curious, Milly slips into an office and checks the last call log on the landline. The screen shows the name Donald Camden.

Key Events

The cousins arrive at Catmint House in a Bentley, passing through a massive gate.
They discuss Archer’s disappearance and Baxter’s funeral, deciding to keep Archer’s role a secret from Gran.
Theresa warns that Gran is grieving and brunch may be short.
An art dealer is present; Gran is considering selling part of her collection.
At brunch, Mildred interrogates Jonah and Aubrey about their fathers, ignoring Milly.
Jonah chokes on a horseradish-filled sandwich.
Milly excuses herself, wanders the house, and overhears Theresa’s tense phone call.
Milly checks the office phone’s last call log and sees the name Donald Camden.

Character Development

Milly is the chapter’s focal point. Her internal monologue reveals deep insecurity and a longing for validation from her grandmother. She has built fantasies about what meeting Mildred would be like, but the reality shatters them. Her decision to wander the house instead of following directions shows a rebellious streak and a growing determination to uncover secrets. The discovery of Donald Camden’s name on the phone log marks a turning point: she is no longer a passive observer but an active investigator.

Jonah appears uneasy throughout the brunch, especially when Mildred asks about his father. He initially seems ready to challenge her but backs down, muttering that he and Anders aren’t close. His discomfort with the horseradish incident adds a moment of comic relief, but it also underscores his vulnerability.

Aubrey responds to Mildred’s attention with visible relief and gratitude. She “unfurls like a flower in the sun,” basking in the unexpected interest. This contrast with Milly’s exclusion highlights the family’s favoritism and the emotional impact it has on each cousin.

Mildred is portrayed as manipulative and controlling, using questions to probe her grandchildren while revealing little about herself. Her pointed remarks about Adam and her focus on the two older cousins suggest she is fishing for information about her sons, but she never addresses the elephant in the room—why the cousins are there.

Theresa is shown in a new light. Her calm exterior cracks during the phone call, revealing anger and concern about something she calls an “obsession.” This hints at hidden agendas within the household.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Family Estrangement and Favoritism – Mildred’s blatant disregard for Milly while showering attention on Jonah and Aubrey underscores the theme of favoritism. Milly’s realization that her connection to her grandmother means nothing is a painful moment of estrangement.

Feeling Invisible – Milly’s experience of being ignored at brunch is a powerful motif. She literally disappears from the conversation, and her thoughts about being the “only nonwhite grandchild” add a layer of racial exclusion that she grapples with.

Secrets and Hidden Agendas – The chapter is steeped in secrecy: the cousins hide Archer’s involvement, Theresa’s phone call hints at hidden plans, and the name Donald Camden introduces a new mystery. The art collection’s potential divestment also suggests financial maneuvering.

Wealth and Privilege – Catmint House’s opulence—the Bentley, the art, the sprawling estate—serves as a symbol of the family’s wealth, which both attracts and alienates the cousins. Milly’s bitter thought about the painting paying for college highlights the disparity between her life and her grandmother’s.

Obsession with the Past – Theresa’s phone call mentions an “obsession” that seems to consume Mildred. This ties to the family’s history and the unresolved issues surrounding the parents’ disinheritance.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the mystery at the heart of the novel. The introduction of Donald Camden—a name that appears on the phone log but is never explained—provides a new thread for readers to follow. It also solidifies Milly’s role as a detective figure, willing to break rules to uncover the truth.

The chapter also humanizes the cousins’ relationships with each other. Milly’s internal acknowledgment that she thinks of them as a “we” shows their growing bond, even as Gran’s favoritism threatens to divide them.

Finally, the chapter sets up future conflicts: the funeral on Wednesday, Archer’s unresolved disappearance, and the mystery of Donald Camden all promise to drive the plot forward.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Milly decide to wander the house instead of going to the bathroom?

Milly feels invisible and excluded during brunch, so she rebels against Mildred’s directions. She has never been inside her mother’s childhood home and is curious to explore it. Her decision also reflects a growing desire to uncover secrets, which leads her to overhear Theresa’s phone call and discover the name Donald Camden.

2. What does Mildred’s treatment of the three cousins reveal about her character?

Mildred’s focus on Jonah and Aubrey, while ignoring Milly, reveals her favoritism and possibly her prejudice. She uses pointed questions to probe her sons’ lives, showing that she is more interested in controlling information than in building genuine relationships. Her behavior suggests she is manipulative and emotionally distant.

3. How does the chapter advance the mystery of the family’s past?

The chapter introduces the name Donald Camden on the office phone’s last call log, hinting at a connection between the family and this unknown person. Additionally, Theresa’s phone call about an “obsession” and the potential divestment of the art collection suggest that there are hidden financial or personal motives at play. These clues deepen the mystery surrounding the parents’ disinheritance and the family’s secrets.

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