After a Fashion (A Class of Their Own #1)(59)
This was his fault. He’d sent Silas to West Virginia to deal with the mining situation, knowing perfectly well Silas was ill-suited for the art of the negotiation. While he’d expected there’d be friction between Silas and the miners, he’d never, not in a million years, dreamed Silas would offer up the address of an orphanage as compensation for children who were without anyone to care for them because of his company’s neglect.
“I’ve been thinking we should just close down the mine,” Silas said, dragging Oliver back to the conversation at hand.
“You do realize that if we were to close down the mine the town would die, don’t you?”
Silas smiled. “’Course it would, and it would be fitting justice, if you ask me. Those lunatics chased after me with shovels, which was hardly a respectful thing for them to do.”
“I’ve always been of the belief that gentlemen need to earn respect.”
Silas frowned. “Are you feeling all right?”
“I must admit I’ve begun to feel a little queasy.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” Silas said with a nod. “I was served an unfortunate dinner on the train yesterday, some dish that had meat drenched in a cream sauce. It was not good for my digestion in the least.” He smiled. “I was vastly relieved to get off that train last night and find my way to Canfield’s. I enjoyed a lovely bottle of port there that immediately set my stomach to rights.”
“If you returned to the city last night, why is it that you’re only now seeking me out to tell me about the riot? It’s almost noon.”
“I would hope you’d understand the necessity of me delving into a bit of amusement after my near brush with death,” Silas returned. “Quite frankly, I’m of the belief that my distress is firmly your fault, and I’ll thank you to remember that once you get around to compensating me for my troubles.” Pushing himself up and out of the chair, he ambled over to a small table and picked up a crystal decanter. Splashing a generous amount of the contents into a glass, he turned and held it up to Oliver. “Care for a drink?”
“No, thank you, and getting back to the whole compensation idea, you do realize that you’ve made this situation with the mine worse, don’t you? I’m not exactly certain why you feel you should be compensated for your less-than-stellar performance.”
Making his way back across the room, Silas retook his seat, gulped down half the liquid in the glass, and let out a belch. “There was nothing wrong with how I chose to handle the matter, Oliver. Those men were unreasonable, that condition brought about no doubt by their lack of education. That’s why I’ve come to the belief we should shut the mine down and move on to another venture, one that wouldn’t have either of us dealing with such undesirable workers.”
“Surprising as this may seem to you, Silas, I’m not comfortable with taking away the livelihood of thousands of men.”
“The men aren’t actually earning a livelihood, since they’re refusing to step back into the mine until we buckle to their demands. They want raises and new machinery, but I made it clear they won’t get paid while waiting to hear our answer about their demands unless they get back into the mines.”
“You forgot to tell me that the miners aren’t currently working.”
“Well, now you know.”
“Yes, I do, but you should have come to see me right after getting off the train last night. We could have sent someone to West Virginia right away, but instead, you chose amusement over your responsibilities.”
“I don’t appreciate lectures, Oliver, especially from a business partner.”
“We’ve never been partners, Silas.”
“I suppose you have a point, since nothing has ever been made official, but I’ve helped you increase your fortunes exponentially. Since you brought the matter up, though, I do believe as we move forward, we’ll need to do so as equal partners. I’ll need that in writing, along with a substantial raise that will suit my new title.”
Temper began to curl through Oliver. “I think we’re about to suffer a difference of opinion on a variety of issues, Silas. I don’t need or want a partner, and given that you and I seem to have opposing ideas on how my businesses should operate . . . I think our only option at this point is to consider a parting of the ways.”
Silas tilted his head. “I must have something in my ear, because I thought I just heard you suggest we dissolve our business alliance.”
“That’s exactly what I suggested, or perhaps a better way to put it would be that I’m telling you we’re going to dissolve our alliance.”
“It wouldn’t be in your best interest to tell me something so absurd.”
“And it isn’t in your best interest to threaten me,” Oliver countered as he rose to his feet.
Silas’s face turned ruddy. “You can’t dismiss me as if I’m some lackey in your organization. As I said, I’ve made you a fortune.”
“You helped increase my fortune, and you also increased your own very nicely in the process. I’m sure the money you’ve earned while in my employ will go far in soothing your indignation over us parting ways.”
Silas pushed himself out of his chair before he took a moment to grind his still-smoldering cigar into the priceless Oriental carpet. “You’ll regret this.”