“I’m giving your sister respectability.” He settled back in his chair. “A woman usually comes with a dowry, which is handed over to the future husband as part of an understanding that he will use it to see that the lady is cared for.”
“A dowry? Nora doesn’t have a dowry. We never expected her to marry.”
“Why not?”
“Well...” Garrison glanced around as though he might find the answer written on the wallpaper, or lurking in the wainscotting, or nestled in the books. With his brow furrowed, he brought his gaze back to Rook as though he expected him to know the answer and was finding it difficult to believe he was going to have to voice the words aloud. “Well, she’s... odd, isn’t she?”
A wave of anger washed over him and delivered him to the shore of fury. That her brother would describe her thusly was unconscionable. He should have admired her. Garrison knew firsthand who was actually managing the company, who was striving to make it solvent. “How? So?”
The young man must have realized that he was treading on dangerous ground and needed to lighten his steps if he didn’t want to fall through whatever support was beneath him and plummet to his doom. “She’s not like other women.”
“No woman is like any other woman. It’s what makes each one unique. The reason for courtship is to judge similarities and differences. If they were all the same, it wouldn’t matter who the hell you married. So again, how exactly is she... odd?”
Her brother swallowed, lowered his gaze to the edge of the desk for several minutes before finally lifting it. “She doesn’t conform to what one expects in a female. She is fascinated by parts that cause things to move. Do you know Mama has to practically hogtie her to get her to the dressmakers? She has a scant wardrobe and traveled over here with fewer trunks than I did. She finds shopping and fittings a waste of her time.” Of course she did. “What lady does that?”
“An interesting one.”
His guest looked as if he’d just had a bucket of freezing water tossed on him. He also appeared to be experiencing some guilt at the aspersions he’d made regarding his sister. “I do like her, of course. But I’ve seen men laugh at her, mock her.”
“Then they’re idiots and you’re an arse for not punching each and every one of them.”
“Some are my friends.”
“Then you’re an even bigger arse for placing a friendship over Nora.”
“They weren’t being mean—”
“Of course they were. Those who laugh at another’s expense or mock them are bullies, not to be tolerated.” He knew that well enough because his father had been one.
“She never knew.”
But she had. She’d told him so. Perhaps their cruelty had driven her further into isolation, searching for aplace where she was in control. Conquering machines provided that sense of being a goddess and powerful. “Of course she knew.”
Garrison blanched. Then he jerked up his chin. “You wouldn’t marry her if you weren’t being forced. We all see how unhappy you are about it.”
“I’m not happy for the way it came about, but I assure you that I shall see her well cared for. And that, Mr. Garrison, is what you should be striving to ascertain: if I will be a good husband to her. I don’t need her to have a dowry.” He gave a curt wave of his hand over the desk as if to brush aside any currency offered. “I have wealth enough. I will not take any shares in your business nor will I invest in it as terms of the marriage.” Leaning forward, he placed his forearms on the desk. “Answer me this, Mr. Garrison. How did your mother know to gather a group of people and look in the greenhouse?”
Guilt washing over his features, the young man quickly dropped his gaze to the floor.
“Garrison?” His tone was that of a man who commanded the room, one he used if he sensed anyone striving to swindle him with the lure of a fake investment. He knew it could be both threatening and scary.
Nora’s brother finally met his gaze. “Mama saw her go out into the garden so she had me follow her. By the time I got out there, you were walking toward the greenhouse. I peered in... and saw the shadows. Since I couldn’t find her in the gardens and know she’s not comfortable with crowds, that she often seeks someplace where she can be alone for a while... and as you’d gone in and I’d seen the way you look at her...like a lean and hungry wolf... I assumed her to be the woman in your arms.”
“You betrayed her.”
“No, I tried to save her from you taking advantage.”
“If that was true, you’d have burst through the door and done everything in your power to stop me from making any untoward advances. You wouldn’t have gone to get others to serve as witnesses.”
“You won’t tell Nora, will you?”
He was tempted but she’d experienced enough hurt. “No good would come of it. Now, I will tell you how the terms of this settlement will work. You’re going to give half of the business to Nora as a wedding present.”
“But she has no money. We’ll still have no funds for changing the factory. A few people expressed an interest in investing, but they haven’t come through yet. And that won’t be enough.”
“She’ll have money once we wed. As much as she wants from my coffers, to do with as she pleases. But any investors will be purchasing your shares, not hers. She retains the fifty percent. And should I learn differently, if you don’t adhere to my demands, you’ll discover that being my brother-by-marriage will not spare you from my wrath.” He shoved himself to his feet. “I believe we’re done here, Mr. Garrison.”
“He says I’m to give you half the company as a wedding gift,” Sam said quietly, almost dazedly as if he couldn’t quite believe it.
