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better. This confidence, this smug belief that this was normal, was going to drive her mad. As was the fact that she was still completely helpless. Until now, she hadn't really believed that this could happen to her, that there'd be no way out, no magical rescue.

She began to shake, and hated the weakness of it.

He leaned down and smoothed a hand over her brow. "Hush, now. Don't get in a state. See, I'm going to untie you."

Diana stilled. At last. At last. Just a moment with her pistol. Just one moment. She gazed up at him. "Oh, thank you, Lord Randolph."

He produced a knife and placed it by the knot in the cloths around her legs. "Call me husband, my dear."

Diana looked away as if bashful. "Husband."

The knife snicked through the cloth, and she almost tried to kick free. No. Patience, she told herself. Wait until he releases your arms.

But then he straddled one leg and knotted the cloth around her other ankle.

"Why are you doing that?" she cried, trying too late to kick him.

He wrapped the cloth a few times around the rough post at one corner of the bed end and knotted it firmly. "I'm sorry, my dear, but you might try to fight. You'd likely hurt yourself, and we can't have that."

Realizing her peril, she really tried to fight then, but there was nothing she could do to stop him tethering the other ankle to the other corner.

Chapter 28

He stood to look at her. "You're damned strong for a lady, my dear. But I'm stronger. Never forget that. I'm going to do your hands now. With your legs tied, you can't get away, and you don't want to make me angry, do you?"

Any chance of convincing him she was weak and willing had gone, so she said, "You can rape me ten times a day, Lord Randolph, and I won't marry you. In fact, I'll see you hang for it."

He just laughed. "You'll change your tune."

When he cut the cloth around her arms, she was ready to go for her pistol, but he captured both wrists and tied them to the bar that ran across the top of the bed.

Stretched out, Diana knew total helplessness for the first time in her life. Blinding, numbing fear welled over her, but she fought it.

Ironhand, she chanted silently.

She came from a line of northern warriors who had died in battle, and in dungeons, and under torture. She'd not disgrace them here. And she'd meant what she'd said. Nothing he could do could make her say her vows to him, and sooner or later she'd see him dead for it.

If he raped her, so be it. It would be nothing next to the rack, or being hanged, drawn, and quartered.

He eyed her, and she remembered thinking that he wasn't as stupid as he seemed. "You're quite a surprise, Lady Arradale, but don't get overconfident. As you see, you can't fight a determined man, and if you don't behave, I'll find ways to make you."

"Whips, now. What a bully you are."

Anger flickered, but he picked up a rose petal and stroked it up and down her neck. She'd rather he hit her. "If necessary. But there are other ways. Everyone cares for something, and what you care for, you'll lose unless you are a completely dutiful wife. Words, however, are feeble women's weapons. You can berate me if you insist."

"Oh good. You're a slimy turd from a very sick animal."

He stared at her in shock, then slapped her. Not hard. A sting, no more, and she had to admire his restraint for he was clearly outraged.

"More language like that and you'll be black and blue. You're clearly not the lady you appear to be, but by God, as my wife you will be."

He picked up his knife and cut open her bodice, calmly and carefully peeling it back until her breasts were completely exposed. She couldn't help but try to twist her hands free, but she could do nothing, nothing!

"Very nice," he murmured, tossing the knife aside and gathering both breasts in his hands. "Wealth, power, and a luscious body. I do appreciate my good fortune, wife. Never doubt that. Now, let me show you how nice this all can be."

He began to roll one nipple between his fingers, quite gently, and with a part of her shocked and horrified mind Diana sensed her body's automatic reaction.

She closed her eyes and tried to block out the feel of his intrusive