"I don't yet know if we'll seal it off. But thank you, wife, for that information."
"I will do what I must to defend my home. Mayhap now you will believe me."
"Mayhap. But you possess other secrets."
Gillian folded her trembling fingers together. "I'm not sure I understand. My lord."
"I will learn them all. And I have ways of extracting secrets from even the strongest criminals. I suspect you'll be fairly easy to break."
She gasped. "You oaf! You would torture me like a criminal for no reason?"
He shrugged. "What if I think there is reason?"
"I've given you none to think so."
"I disagree. So we begin."
She shook her head, backing away when he moved toward her.
"Your insistence on fleeing suggests possible guilt."
She halted her retreat but folded her arms. "You are searching for something that is not there!"
"Mayhap. But 'tis no reason not to enjoy the search."
"What?"
"Remove your clothes."
"Wait! I have no maid, I am not –"
"Very well. Tonight, wife, I will play your maid. Turn around."
A surge of excitement jumbled into her anger. She shook her head. She would not give in.
He would not break her.
"Why must you be difficult? 'Twill go badly for you."
"'Tis a risk I'm willing to take."
He sighed. "Very well."
He grabbed her shoulders, turning her. With quick movements, he cut the laces holding her bliaut closed. Gillian gave a shriek of outrage and tried to turn, but he held her in place with one hand tightly squeezing her shoulder. He made quick work of ripping her clothes from her body, leaving her clad only in her thin chemise.
He turned her to face him. She tried to break free of his grip, but he didn't release her.
"You will answer my questions truthfully or suffer the consequences."
She lifted her chin. "Do your worst."
She refused to cower before this man who seemed always intent on breaking her. She recalled the way he'd reduced her to begging last night. Would he do the same again? Why in all that was holy did she anticipate it?
She didn't understand what he intended when he turned her once more. But when he caught her wrists behind her back, she began to struggle. 'Twas no use, he had tied her hands behind her. She tugged, but the rope binding her held fast.
"So I am to be treated as a criminal then?"
He walked around to stand before her. He gave a sly smile and folded his arms.
