Her eyes flashed angrily. "Send me to Australia. I'd rather take my
chances there than 'ere with you."
Ruthlessly he grabbed her slender shoulders, his voice a snarl.
"Listen to me; I'm only going to say this once. For reasons your
pitiful little mind can't even begin to understand, I've married you,
and I'm going to make sure this marriage can't be annulled. As
much as you revolt me, I'm going to consummate it. But first
you're going to get into that tub and wash before your filthy body
completely unmans me."
"I will not! Get your 'ands off me!" She beat her fists against
his massive chest.
"All right. If this is the way you want it . . ."He grabbed the
low neck of her tawdry emerald gown and pulled violently,
sending the buttons flying throughout the room. She clutched at the
dress, but not before the material had fallen from her shoulders,
exposing her naked body to the waist. Quinn's eyes widened
perceptibly as he saw her young, swelling breasts. Lovely rounded
globes tipped in coral, they thrust proudly from her thin body.
"You are full of surprises, aren't you?"
Desperately she clutched at her torn dress, pulling the material
back over her breasts.
"Don't play the coy virgin with me." He jerked the dress from
her body, taking the rest of her chemise and her single bedraggled
petticoat with it.
As she stood naked before his open scrutiny, the torn garments
in a pool around her ankles, her pride deserted her. "Please don't do
this to me," she begged, her voice shaking with fear. "I'm not what
you think. Let me go."
His voice was low and determined. "Get into the bath."
His order was meant to be obeyed. At least the bath would hide
her from his assessing eyes. She turned her back on him, and, with
what little dignity she could muster, walked to the bath and slid
into its soothing warmth.
Quinn removed his velvet waistcoat and untied his cravat.
After refilling his glass, he settled himself in the wing chair b