“I’ll need you to stand up, my lady,” Jake said.
Sophie froze. Why should she? Would they hurt her if she didn’t do what they said?
Only one way to find out.
“I will not.” She stayed on the bed.
“You’ll move, or I’ll move you.”
Be strong, Sophie. Remember what Ally would do. “You will get no cooperation from me. I don’t know who you are or why you’ve brought me here. I will not help you in any way.”
“Have it your way, then.”
Jake was not an overly large man like Harry, but he was portly. He grabbed Sophie’s arm and twisted her so that she was facedown on the bed. Jake climbed on top of her, straddling her buttocks, and began unfastening her gown.
“No!” Sophie cried into the comforter.
“Stop your struggling, and this will go faster.”
Sophie didn’t want to go any faster. No one but Zach could undress her. She kicked and screamed, flailing her arms.
Jake finally got her dress unfastened and began loosening her corset.
“What do you mean to do to me?” A new wave of dread coursed through her. She would not give herself to any man but Zach.
“All I mean to do is undress you. What the boss does is up to him. You have my word I won’t touch you inappropriately.”
“You’re already touching me inappropriately. I did not give you permission to undress me, did I?”
“Sorry, my lady. I’ve got to tie you naked to the bed for the boss.”
Icy talons crept along Sophie’s spine. Who was the boss?
“Who do you work for?” she demanded. “My stepfather is the Earl of Brighton, and he will see that you go to the gallows for this.”
“I know very well who your stepfather is, my lady. I used to work for him, actually. Of course, a high and mighty lady like you wouldn’t know that. We all look alike to you.”
“You do when you’re wearing a mask. Who are you working for now?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” He jerked Sophie off the bed, removing her dress and corset. She stood only in her chemise and drawers. He set her back on the bed and removed her shoes and stockings.
She felt exposed. Completely and totally exposed in front of a masked, deranged man.
&nbs
p; “Your chemise, my lady.”
Sophie crossed her arms over her breasts. “I will not.”
“Then you force me to do for you.” He gripped her chemise and ripped it off her body.
She sat naked, except for her drawers.
“And now the bloomers, miss.”
“No.”
Quick as a panther, he tore her drawers from her.