Madam Alana curled her arm around Ruby’s waist, locking the startled young woman to her side before lifting her chin. “You both wish to bid again on her now?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No. What we’d like you and Ms. Dawson to consider is this: We will each pay half of the bidding price. Then, the two of us will vie for her affections over the next month leading up to the wedding. Ultimately, Ms. Dawson will choose who she wishes to marry between us. ”
Noah nudged me. “You make it sound like a business transaction, not a marriage proposal,” he grumbled.
“This is a business transaction. A very expensive one that has long-lasting implications, and I will treat it with the severity it deserves—personal feelings aside.” I glared at my brother, silently urging him to keep his mouth shut and carry on as planned.
Noah clenched his teeth and firmed his jaw.
“You mean to court Ruby over the next month, then allow her the choice of which brother she wishes to marry?” Madam Alana cocked a slim, dark eyebrow.
I smiled and nodded. “Exactly.”
“This is very unusual.” Madam Alana squinted, her dark gaze staring straight through to the men we were behind the competitiveness and bravado.
“Indeed. But it is also unusual to have such an incredible woman capture the eye of brothers, each of whom is eager to woo and win the hand of such a rare beauty. You will have a month filled with delights you have only dreamed of, Ms. Dawson. My brother and I are very generous with our wealth and plan to ensure our bride-to-be is treated with the utmost care and prestige worthy of a true English princess.”
Madam Alana said nothing for a couple of long beats. Tingles of anticipation prickled along the surface of my skin, knowing we were about to get what we wanted.
“And she will be guaranteed the entire amount as agreed upon in the contract,” Madam Alana confirmed.
“Absolutely,” Noah spoke. “I only want the chance to throw my hat in the ring.”
“Why?” Ruby asked, speaking for the first time.
Inquisitive. I liked that in a woman.
“Let’s just say you possessed us both from the moment you entered the stage tonight.” I didn’t dare share the finer details of our brotherly competition or the sheer size of the fortune only the winning brother would control .
The deal didn’t matter.
It was the end result that would justify the means.
“Ruby, I will allow you to decide your own fate. However, I will request that double the deposit be given provided she agrees to your terms. It’s only fair that she receive more incentive if she must agree to these unusual circumstances. And double the commission will be paid to my company as there are now two suitors.”
“Agreed,” I stated immediately. I’d planned on paying the deposit and commission regardless.
“Not a problem,” Noah announced and smiled for the first time.
Ruby’s gaze went to his smile, and her cheeks pinked at the sight before she looked away.
I ground down on my back teeth. I’d have some work to do in the courting department. Noah was a master playboy. He knew all the right things to say and do to enrapture the opposite sex. I’d always relied on mutual attraction and an honest approach about what I wanted when selecting a woman to spend intimate time with. Everything in my life was a transaction.
Sex was needed by both women and men. It didn’t have to include pesky “feelings” that only made intelligent men foolish and often came with a woman’s broken heart. My goal had always been to enjoy women that agreed with my philosophy. A night, a week, a month of pleasure, all within the confines of a mutual relationship that was focused on carnal needs and respect. Usually, I found these types of women ideal for business events, corporate dinners, and lavish dates that included the arts such as operas, gallery openings, and the like. It had worked increasingly well in the past. Until our grandfather ruined it and a deal between brothers had to be brokered.
“Ruby, it’s up to you if you will accept these terms,” Madam Alana noted .
“I’ll get two deposits tonight from y’all?” Her focus was on the additional money, which boded very well for me. Money talked, and bullshit walked.
“Country girl,” Noah breathed already in awe of her Southern American accent. He’d always had a soft spot for American accents.
“Yes, dear. I’ll make sure of it.” Madam Alana cooed like a mother to one of her baby chicks.
That dynamic was very interesting. The woman selling another into an arranged marriage treated her candidates like they were important to her for more than just the commission she earned. Positively fascinating.