“So, if you wanted a child—” She put the pieces together in her mind.
“I don’t.” Ice shards flew from his mouth.
Well, that wasn’t exactly what she’d been asking, her curiosity had been less personal in nature. She thought his response unwarranted. “Yes, but what if your method proved faulty? Surely under such circumstances, your child—”
“Would still be unwelcome. I have no desire to father a succession of bastards.”
Her brow wrinkled as she tried to understand his vehemence. “If you were wed, the child wouldn’t be a bastard.”
“No children. Bastards or otherwise. Marriage is out of the question, lest you have aspirations in that direction. I’m a bloody gambling hell owner. What would I do with a wife?”
“I wasn’t referring to myself, Leo,” she snapped back at him, allowing that small bit of hope in her chest to wither. “I was speaking in general. I’m already married.”
He turned away from her. “If something occurs after tonight, send a note to Peckham. He’ll arrange for you to visit an apothecary who specializes in helping women who find themselves in unfortunate situations. There are potions a woman can take to rid herself of a child.”
“I see.” She wished she didn’t.
His chin jerked back in her direction. “Any child of mine would carry the taint of my own birth, one made worse by Marcus Barrington, who insisted on claiming me.” The sculpted lines of his face grew cold and accusatory. “You’ve no idea, so don’t pretend to tell me I’m wrong.”
“I won’t.” He wouldn’t listen to her even if she did so. Leo’s dislike of his father had many layers, she could see that. She thought he would have been just as furious, perhaps even more bitter, if the dukehadn’tclaimed him. “But you really wouldn’t wish me to tell you if I became with child?”
“No. Send a note to Peckham.” His mouth lowered to her breasts, tongue flicking against the taut peak of one nipple. “And I tire of this conversation, Georgina. My night with you is not yet over.”
4
Leo uttered nary a word as Georgina slipped from his side and off the settee; she was instantly chilled without his body heat. The fire had long since died to embers, barely emitting any warmth. Outside the window behind Leo’s desk, the night was slowly ebbing away, turning the sky a misty gray color, signaling that dawn wasn’t far off. She’d fallen asleep without meaning to, comfortable in the circle of Leo’s arms, secure in the warm cocoon of his office.
Time now to return to her life outside this room.
Hours would be spent, she was sure, on examining every aspect of this evening, even while Leo was likely inclined to forget her much sooner. Shiny baubles tended to lose their luster once bedded. He’d never answered her question about whether they were friends. An answer of itself, she supposed.
Naked, she walked to Leo’s desk, feeling his eyes on her as she picked up the marker giving the holder possession of her body for an evening. Why couldn’t he have just returned it to her? Or better, why hadn’t she taken the damned thing and burned it immediately? Wagering herself had been fruitless. She’d lost far more to Leo than Beechwood Court.
“Stay, Georgie.” The husky baritone floated around her.
She didn’t answer. And she really needed him to not call her Georgie again.
Georgina walked across the room and tossed the marker into what was left of the fire. When it was finally no more than ash, she turned back to face Leo.
“I don’t think so,” she said, straightening her spine. The motion kept her steady as cracks formed across her heart. “I hate that piece of furniture.” She nodded at the settee, the object of her true ruination. “You look like you’re lying in a pool of blood.”
He scowled back at her, clearly not caring for her tone. “Stay.” This time it was more command than request.
“I’m not a dog, Mr. Murphy. I also don’t answer to ‘heel’ or ‘lay down’.’”
“You did last night,” he snarled, not trying to hide his annoyance.
“I simply followed the dictates of the marker.” She kept her response cool, somewhat surprised he’d allowed any emotion to bleed into their parting. But Georgina refused to reply in kind. Leo couldn’t even admit tolikingher. “You succeeded in bedding me. You won the wager.”
Just look at him.Beautiful and naked, partially aroused. Regarding Georgina as if she were all that mattered in the world, which was so tragically far from the truth. Leo was very good at making women feel adored, Georgina could testify to that fact. Her mistake was in assuming she was different from any other woman he’d brought here or bedded. She wasn’t.
“I realize other women might respond to such commands, but I’m not one of them. I hope I provided you sufficient challenge tonight.”
“We wanted each other. I don’t understand why you’re so bloody angry with me, Georgie.”
God, please stop saying my name as if I am dear to you.
“I heard no complaints earlier when you climaxed. Repeatedly.”
