She actually believed he could care in any way for any woman, particularly her? Given his wild, dissipated ways, very few things amused him anymore.
With a chuckle, Argyll fetched his glass. “Madam, if you believe I’m a man to become jealous over a woman, then you aren’t clever enough to do business with.” Toasting her foolishness, he took a sip.
As it was, he’d tired of his time with her—andher performance.
Argyll’s grin curled into cold impassivity.
“Madam,” he whispered. “Do you take me for a fool? You attempted to join with my rivals. Only when Latimer tossed you over for his new wife did you come crawling to me.” He paused. Now there was a thought.
One she read. “I’ll crawl for allthreeof you.”
The slick sounds of her stroking herself filled the room. The uptick in the breaths she drew. The raging fire crackled the Devil’s appreciation for the debauchery.
“I assure you they want that even less than I.” For reasons he couldn’t understand, his friend and business partners weremonogamous.
Now, there was a thought.
Before he sent the duchess on her way, there was one bit of information to obtain. He may as well enjoy himself while doing so.
The duchess swept regally to her feet.
He gave her a frosty once-over. “I do not remember giving you leave to stand, madam.”
She resumed her pose of compliance.
“What grounds do I have to trust you aren’t now here at Dynevor and Latimer’s behest, Duchess?”
“They—”
“I don’t recall allowing you to stop.” Argyll flicked four fingers her way. “Carry on.”
The lust blazing from the duchess’s eyes leant her an air of madness.
Only when she’d resumed petting herself did Argyll allow her to speak.
“They made a fool of me, Argyll.” She rolled her hips. “I suffered that fate,firstat your father’s hands, then my sire’s.” Her explanation came in soft pants. “The man I loved and the woman he chose.” Her composure cracked.
“You, capable of love?” He snorted. “That’s as fantastical as me abstaining from sex.”
The crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes spread.
“I have my pride, and that is all, Argyll.”
He scoffed. “Let us not pretend you and I want for anything, madam. You have the title duchess. A sizeable allowance.Property.” He scraped a stare along her gainly frame. “Given you are standing naked, prepared to crawl for the same man you toyed with for years, pride is the one thing you lack.”
Splotchy color flared across her cheeks. “Youbastard!” She pumped her hips angrily at her hand.
Argyll tipped his head. “In everything but name.”
“Do you know what it is to be without any real control, Argyll?” The duchess came as near as ever to expressing real emotion—desperation. “No,” she spat. “Naturally, you do not. You are a man, a duke. I am a woman.” She drove her fingers harder. “I’m always atsomeman’s mercy. And I am tired of being thrown over.”
“Tell me what it is you really want, madam. Why a gaming hell?”
She opened her mouth.
“Keep that hand of yours busy.”
His naughty reminder drew a moan from the lusty widow’s lips.
