"You... you seem angry. And I suspect 'tis because of me. But I cannot fathom why."
He folded his arms. "You can't? Mayhap soon enough you'll understand. Remove your clothes."
She shivered and reached behind for the laces of her dress. After watching her struggle for a few moments, he motioned with his hand for her to turn. He made quick work of the laces, and soon his wife was bared before him. He turned her again to face him.
"Is there anything you would like to share with me before we begin?"
"Begin what? I don't understand."
"You have committed a grievous crime. One that includes severe punishment."
Her eyes widened. "I've done nothing wrong! What game are you playing?"
"'Tis no game, my unfaithful wife. And now you shall pay."
"Unfaithful? I haven't been –"
"Cease your lies. I have no patience for them. Give me your hands."
She shook her head and backed away. "Nay, you will not beat me again."
"I will not have to beat you. We both know exactly how I can make you beg."
He stalked over to her but she continued to retreat untilhe trapped her against the bed.
Before she could scramble across, he caught one wrist, then the other. She struggled mightily, but he quickly wrapped his belt around both wrists, securing her. She kicked out at him, but he evaded her, lifting her and tossing her to the bed. She tried to crawl away, but with her hands bound, had little leverage. He grabbed the end of the belt and secured it to the bed rail.
"Bastard! Debauched beast! I won't tolerate this treatment any longer!"
She kicked at him again, but he caught her ankles and pinned them to the bed.
"You'll tolerate exactly what I plan to give you. And mayhap I'll loosen your tongue and get the truth!"
She stopped fighting him and her bonds for a moment. "What truth?"
"'Twould seem you withhold quite a few from me. But tonight, I will uncover them all."
"You are truly mad!"
She jerked her legs against his hold and he realized he would have to secure her better. He rose and went to the armoire, thanking his squire for insisting on bringing more clothing than Royce had originally planned. He withdrew two sashes and turned back to her.
"I've had much success getting criminals to tell me all they know. I warrant with you, 'twill be fairly easy."
She narrowed her eyes, watching intently when he moved to the foot of the bed.
Anticipating her attempts to fight him off, he knelt on the mattress, capturing one of her legs within both of his. On the other, he wrapped one of the sashes, and quickly bound it to the post. She screeched, her body heaving against him, but he quickly secured her free leg as well. He stood back to study her.
She cursed him quite heartily and tugged against the bonds holding her open and bared before him. Truly his captive. His possession.
He gave a grim smile. She was his. And he was free totreat her as he chose. Of course, the fact that she'd so openly betrayed him, on more than one occasion, gave him solid justification. None would gainsay him for what he did with and to his wife.
The bewilderment in her eyes raised a modicum of doubt about his suspicions. Well, he would know all soon enough. He already knew well how to make her beg. Tonight he would test the very limits of her endurance.
***
Gillian stared up at her husband, flabbergasted at how he'd so quickly rendered her helpless. Being bound and spread for him this way raised alarm, even though the excitement running through her intensified as well. Damn him for turning her into a wanton. Her body responded with eagerness. She forced herself to try to appear unaffected, but the smirk on his face told her he knew damn well the state she was already in.
"Why? You treat me as though I'm a criminal, a prisoner to be abused and mistreated. I don't understand."
