“She’s not something you purchase,” I sneered.
“Oh? I believe that’s exactly what the two of us did yesterday. Or were you not there when I bid six million dollars for her? As I recall, we agreed to evenly split said expenses and to pay the double commission. The first deposit has already transferred into Ms. Dawson’s account. I will remind you, dear brother, purchasing Ms. Dawson was the point of yesterday.”
My nostrils flared at the mere mention of Ruby being “purchased” even though Nile was accurate in his description. However, now that I’d spent time with the woman, I had a hard time remembering that we’d essentially bought her like a fine piece of china or a beautiful piece of art.
“Speaking about her as though she were an object stops now. She’s a human being and deserves to be treated with respect.”
“Agreed,” Nile stated flatly, looking at me over the rim of his glasses. “Anything else?”
“Yes! Since we’ve agreed to woo her into choosing between us, I’m planning to take the process seriously.”
“As will I. However, first and foremost, the woman must be trained. The governess will see to all of that.” He tapped on his tablet screen, dismissing me.
“And if I don’t agree to that plan?” I argued.
Nile sighed and set down his device giving me his full attention. “She will be eaten up by the wolves in our circle if she’s not given the appropriate tools. She didn’t know which cutlery to use at dinner last night, and that was considered a social, casual dining experience. Imagine her response to a six-course meal? Not to mention, the woman didn’t even know what the word ‘philanthropic’ meant. A Pennington wife should handle all of our charitable interests on our behalf. Wouldn’t you agree?”
I shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve never spent a lot of time participating in those things. I usually just write out a check.”
“I know. I attend all the events, just like our parents used to. Network with all of their business associates and acquaintances. My team manages The Pennington Children’s Foundation. Something you’ve not inquired about since Grandfather’s death. Noah, you have no idea what it takes to oversee our family’s businesses. I’m not even sure why you’re fighting for the additional percentage and governing rights. You never gave so much as a fig toward it when our parents or even our grandfather were running it.” He crossed his legs and rested his interlaced fingers over his knee looking every inch the head of the family, just like our father.
God, I missed him.
Self-doubt wormed its way into the back of my mind. Nile wasn’t wrong. I hadn’t given a lot of attention to any of the family businesses when our grandfather was alive. I focused on what I wanted out of life. Forgoing university altogether and using my trust to purchase rundown nightclubs and pubs and bringing them back to life. Then taking that further by opening new, exclusive establishments that everyone but the governess despised. Grandfather believed a Pennington should work in areas that added something important to the world, not frivolous outlets such as nightclubs and pubs. Nile, ever the perfect son, did exactly what our father and later our grandfather expected. Went to university and worked at Pennington Enterprises learning the business. And he did all of this while composing award-winning orchestral music scores that he would later be known for worldwide.
It wasn’t until Grandfather passed and the stipulation of marriage came into play regarding our family legacy, that I became invested in any of it. Then, all of a sudden, a switch clicked, and I realized what I’d given up. How I’d made myself completely disconnected from what should have been important in life. My family. Somehow, I’d immersed myself in the nightlife scene far more than I originally intended. Losing Grandfather made it all the more real.
I wanted to be more. Do more. Prove my worth to our family line not only to my brother, but to myself. My own empire was running like clockwork, and I was making money hand over fist. I didn’t need to take on running the family business. Nile would probably be perfect at it. The man was perfect at everything he did.
And yet, I wanted to be a part of it. For the first time in a long time, I was going to take the responsible route. Have others, including Nile, count on me for a change. I had no idea how I was going to do any of it, but having a woman like Ruby on my arm would definitely make it better. Less lonely.
“How about when we get to Oxshott, we make a schedule,” I proposed. “Ruby will train with the governess on certain days. I agree that she will need to learn at least the basics. Then, twice a week she will be assigned to time with me and separately with you. We don’t get involved in one another’s ‘dates’ or plans in any way. The rest of the time she’s not with one of us or training, she may do as she pleases.”