“She deserves better than to be part of some game. She’s a woman, not a pile of coins.”

“She’s my woman.” Scaevola leaned forward slightly. “Unless you win the game, that is. What do you say, Varro, why don’t we make this interesting? I thought you might actually appreciate the chance to win her. I suppose I can see the appeal myself in a rustic kind of way, even if she does look like a savage. I wonder if she acts like one in bed, too?” He grinned suddenly. “But then I suppose I’ll find out after we’re married. After I’ve dealt with her behavior tonight, of course. I haven’t thought of a punishment yet, but...”

“How much?” Marius slammed his fist onto the tabula board.

“I knew it!” Scaevola cackled. “I knew that you wanted to bed her.”

“Not to bed her. To win her. That’s what you said.” He fixed the other man with a challenging stare. “That means if I win, she’s mine completely.”