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“I absolutelydid notwin you in a card game,” he finally said.
So hostile. He supposed he didn’t blame her, given the circumstances. Leo wanted her with a desperation that terrified him.
Georgina undid the clasp at her neck, tossing her heavy cloak over a chair, exposing the swell of her magnificent bosom. The simple green wool dress she wore clung to every curve she possessed, which were considerable. There was nothing slender or willowy about Georgina. No, she possessed a form created to induce any male to sinful thoughts. Georgina reminded Leo of the statues his stepmother insisted on placing around the gardens at the Averell mansion. Greek goddesses and the like. He’d spent many an afternoon as a lad, hidden behind the hedges, staring at the abundance of breasts and thighs as he brought himself to release. He was forever out of handkerchiefs.
“Do you deny that you accepted a marker with my name on it? Promising the bearer”—she crossed her arms, pushing up her breasts— “a night of my company?”
Jesus.His cock throbbed painfully. His fascination with Georgina had clearly gone on long enough. He couldn’t concentrate when she appeared. Which was far too often.
“Do you know, Lady Masterson, I’ve never been able to understand why others dislike your accent. I find it makes me want to visit New York. Your descriptions are very colorful. I imagine New York to be a charming place, possibly a little rustic.”
Georgina tapped her foot in annoyance.
“The ocean crossing keeps me from doing so, however. I don’t care for the water.” His body rejected the notion of floating on ponds, rivers, oceans, and the like. Even the sight of toy boats bobbing along the Serpentine caused an unwelcome sensation in his stomach. The dislike of water was the direct result of a fishing expedition when Leo had been a child in which he hadnotfloated. “I become quite ill aboard a ship. Can’t even get myself to Paris.”
Georgina snorted. “A pity, to be sure. But we are not speaking of your inability to enjoy a bath.”
Leo’s mouth twitched. Georgina’s razor-sharp wit was wasted on nearly everyone except him. “I enjoy bathing.”
He imagined Georgina in a bath, rising out of the water like Aphrodite with soap bubbles sliding down her breasts. A small groan left him.
“Do not try to turn the conversation to suit you. I find it irritating and rude. You do so with regularity.” One hand slapped against her hip to make her point. “I am not one of the lords downstairs whom you are determined to fleece.”
“I’ve never fleeced anyone.” Leo hid a smile behind one hand. “Are you going to curse at me?” His cock twitched again. “I hope so. I always learn a new word or turn of phrase.”
“I utteredonecurse in your presence. One.”
“During faro. You played carelessly, which I counseled you against. The odds—”
She held up a hand. “I’m well aware of what they are. You’ve recited them to me often enough. And I read Hoyle’s treatise. Or at least some.” Shaking her head, she murmured, “You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?” Leo gave her an innocent look.
“Distracting me.” Georgina’s gaze fell to Leo’s waistcoat, the top of which was visible as he relaxed back against his chair. Her nose wrinkled as if smelling refuse. “Hideous. Your taste in waistcoats is nonexistent.”
Yes, but my taste in women is excellent.
“I’m curious. Do all young ladies curse in America?” Leo tapped his chin with one finger.
“No, they do not. I’ve told you before, my grandmother was fond of foul words and taught me the value of a colorful turn of phrase. A punishment of sorts for my mother, whom my grandmother didn’t care for in the least. Grandmother also enjoyed shooting squirrels out of the trees because they were eating the carrots she’d planted in the garden. Stop changing the direction of our discussion and answer my question.”
“Very well. I am at your mercy.” He imbued the last bit with just a bit of innuendo.
“How could a gentleman,” she gave him a pointed glance, a look of defeat on her lovely features, “possibly accept a married woman—”
“I’m assuming you mean yourself,” he interrupted, watching that gold curl tremble at her brow. “I am trying to make certain of the facts.”
“Yes. Me. As awager.” Her face crumpled in disappointment. All of which was directed at him.
Leo ignored the betrayal lighting her features. “First, I amnota gentleman. My apologies if I led you to believe otherwise. True, my father is a duke, but as you know, I’m the product of an affair with his mistress. I run a gambling hell. I consort with all manner of disreputable people. There is little else to recommend me.”
“Fair enough. Then I blame myself foralsoassuming you to be my friend.”
Georgina could slice a man up with just a word. That observation, for instance, cut him to the quick. Hewasher friend. He also wanted to fuck her. Two completely different things.
“Secondly,” Leo continued, “you can’t imagine the sorts of things people wager. Mistresses. Expensive books of an erotic nature. A sliver of land. Houses. Wives are, regrettably, among the least interesting.”
“Yes, we women are often bartered.” Bitterness colored her response. “To be used at the whim of any man.”
