“It may reassure you to know,” he said, “that for tonight, at any rate, I will not touch you. Later I will certainly fulfil my duties as a husband to my satisfaction and yours, but tonight you can sleep peacefully and alone.”
He opened the door and smirked,
“Good night, Cousin Clova. When you think it over, you will find that it is easiest for you and in your best interests to accept my decision in this as in everything else. I intend to make sure that you make me a pleasant and obedient wife so that there will be no need for any more dramatics. ”
His voice was threatening as he added,
“If there are, I assure you that you will suffer for them and it will amuse me to beat you into submission.”
He left the room as he finished speaking and, as he closed the door, Clova heard him turn the
