The Marriage Auction: Book One(47)
Noah had his glass up in front of his face while he chuckled into his hand.
“Like. Stuff. Totally. Garage sale?” Nile scowled as if those words were poison on his tongue. “Ms. Dawson, I’m afraid you are in desperate need of etiquette training.”
“I don’t know what that means.” I clutched my wine glass like a life preserver, curling both of my suddenly shaky hands around the bulbous end.
“I quite like Ruby just the way she is. You never know what wonderfully interesting things are going to come out of her mouth.” Noah shrugged. “Why mess with perfection? She doesn’t need your stodgy etiquette training. Just leave the girl alone.”
Nile’s gaze shot to Noah’s. “You expect to bring her into our world without any formal training? Just toss her out into a den of vipers and expect her to come out unscathed? I would have thought better of you, brother.”
I sat up straight, needing to salvage this evening. I couldn’t have one of the brothers thinking I wasn’t good enough. I’d do what was requested, gladly, in order to ensure this gig happened. I needed that money. My future and that of my sister depended on one of these men marrying me.
“I’ll do the training. Whatever you need. I want to be a good wife. If you need me to speak and act a certain way, so I don’t embarrass either of you, it’s no skin off my nose. Point me in the right direction, and I’ll make it happen. I’m a fast learner.”
Noah smirked. “I’m sure you are.”
“Stupendous. I’ll call the governess and let her know when to expect us.” Nile smiled and lifted his glass seemingly very happy with the outcome of my agreement to undergo this etiquette training with someone called the governess.
“Well, I’m looking forward to meeting this governess person.” I smiled and took a healthy swig of the best wine I’d ever had, finishing what was left in my glass before setting it back down. “I hope she likes me,” I shared, starting to feel more lighthearted.
“Oh, she’s going to hate you,” Noah responded, on a chuckle.
I jerked my head to the right. “She will? Why? We haven’t even met!”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Noah asked.
I let my eyes roam from Nile to Noah, trying to figure out what he was getting at. Was I really that bad? I mean, they’d picked me, which had to count for something.
I shook my head.
“Love, you’re essentially engaged to two men she raised for most of our lives. How do you think that’s going to go over?”
Damn, why hadn’t that wine guy filled the glass back up yet? I wanted to chug more of it down the hatch like cherry Kool-Aid on a hot day back home.
“Um, honestly, I wouldn’t begin to know the answer to that.”
Noah looked at his brother and then back at me before he finished with, “Unfortunately, we don’t know either. I just know it won’t be good.”
Episode 23
This Man’s Wife
DAKOTA
The limo drove all four of us back to the hotel. Once we exited, I pulled my sister into my arms and hugged her tight.
“Savvy, you be careful. Get a good night’s rest, and I’ll see you at the meeting in the morning.” I looked directly into her baby blues as she nodded.
I let her go and stepped up to her Viking. “And you.” I pointed directly at the handsome man’s chest. “You hurt my sister, lay a hand on her, force her to do anything inappropriate, so help me God, I’ll hunt you down like a wild animal. I’ll shoot you right between the eyes. Take off your whole head in one go.”
Erik wisely stepped back a pace.
Sutton curled an arm around my shoulders, coming up from behind. “Oooh, boy, she’s not joking. I know for a fact she’s a good shot too. I’d tread carefully.” He tipped his hat with his free hand. “You two have fun gettin’ to know one another,” he offered. “Come on, sweetness. We’ve got a wedding night to get to.” Sutton’s drawl was throaty and sexy, sending little pleasurable zaps of electricity down my arms. I hated him and my traitorous body for it.
I cringed and tried to shuffle my shoulders to buck him off to no avail. He held tight. Worst part, his hold around my body felt warm and comforting after I’d experienced the craziest day of my life.
“I’ve taken the liberty of having all of your things packed up and moved to my room,” he stated as he led me to the same elevator we’d come from earlier.
My entire body went cold, and I spun around and shoved him back. “You what!” I roared, the sound bouncing off the four walls of the elevator.
He smirked. “While you were talking to your sister at the chapel after the wedding, I left instructions for the hotel and Madam Alana. After we got married and signed the license, I snapped a picture and sent it to her. She was thrilled and happy to help. All too quick to start the process for the transfer of the first million and a quarter as well.”
I clenched my jaw so tight the muscle at the hinge ached. “Well, you’ve thought of everything, haven’t you, dear husband,” I snarled.
He grinned wide. “That I have, dear wife.”
The elevator dinged, and the door opened. Sutton took my hand and clamped down tight in order to hold on as he trudged down the hallway. Brute strength won the battle.