Page 48 of Enslaved
He did not speak until they were alone. “Once more…” His tone warned her that he was at the end of his tether with her. “Did you enjoy the demonstration at the river today?”
Diana tucked the gold pillow beneath her elbow and reclined provocatively. She cast him a sideways glance and replied outrageously, “I did enjoy it, but not nearly as much as you did, Marcus. You were showing off to the legionaries, and especially to the cohort centurions. Poor Petrius, he doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in Hades of measuring up to you.”
“Mea culpa,”he said, grinning like a boy. His eyes licked over her. “Have you any idea how breathstopping you look tonight?”
“For a slave, you mean?” she asked sweetly.
“You don’t look like a slave! You look like a goddess. I had the tunic made exactly like the one Diana of the Grove wears. All you need is an arrow in your hand.”
“I expect you will soon rectify that,” she murmured suggestively.
Marcus threw back his head and his laughter came rolling out. “You are delightful.”
“My only wish is to please you.” Her words dripped with sarcasm.
“If that is true, come and recline on my couch so we may share the same plate, the same goblet.”
Diana’s pulses quickened. If he got her on his couch, all food would be forgotten and she would become the main course. She must give him an answer that would buy her some time.
“You promised to woo me before I must yield to you.”
“How better to woo you than on my couch?”
“If I was not wearing a garment that bared one breast, I would not object to sharing your couch. Perhaps tomorrow evening?” she offered.
“Tomorrow. Swear it!” he commanded, not trusting her.
“I promise, Marcus,” she said softly.
His black eyes glittered as a diabolical idea came to him. He would take full advantage of her vow. “Would you like me to ask Nola to serve us tomorrow, instead of the male slaves?”
“Yes, that would preserve a small shred of my modesty. Thank you.”
“Your modesty is misplaced, Diana. You have the loveliest female form I have ever seen.”
“I thank you for your compliment, Marcus, but can’t you understand that I have no wish to display my body?”
“That is ridiculous. When a woman has beauty, it should be displayed. It is the only thing of value a female possesses.” His dark eyes caressed her, adding emphasis to his words.
“You are wrong! Beauty is only a small part of a woman!”
“No, it is everything. Beauty is all I, or any other man, want in a woman; beauty and obedience, of course.”
“That is blind arrogance—a totally dominant male concept!” Diana tossed her hair back impatiently as she spoke with passion. Marcus couldn’t take his eyes from her. Anger certainly increased Diana’s beauty tonight. “What else is there?” he asked bluntly.
“A woman’s intelligence, of course, and her strength of character. What about her sense of humor? Humor is at least as important as beauty. A woman should be appreciated for all her attributes. Any slave can give you obedience, Roman!”
“We Romans did not invent slavery, Diana. The Celtic tribes of Britannia have traded slaves with Rome for years.”
“That doesn’t make it right. Slavery is wrong. It has always been wrong.”
“The economy depends on slaves. Slavery will always be with us. You must accept it.”
“No, Marcus, you are quite wrong. Slavery will be abolished, thank God.”
“I have no intention of debating the merits of slavery. You are here to entertain me. It is your exceptional beauty that interests me, not your intelligence.”
“That is too bad. I had planned to entertain you with my intelligence tonight, not my beauty.”
