With so many eyes staring at her, a flush of embarrassment rose on her cheeks. They pounded hotly as she heard Friedrich’s next command.
“Remove your clothes.”
He didn’t have to bark the order for it to shock her system like a bolt of lightning.
Her mind seemed to swim, becoming dizzy. All the naked exhibitions of her previous life with Miklos and Havel seemed to converge in that moment. Being naked among Miklos’ friends and Havel’s associates had been something she was accustomed to. Becoming naked before a room filled with waiting strangers was another matter.
She started to speak, words of protest rising to her throat, but Friedrich’s voice cut through the muddle in her brain:
“Marianne, take off your clothes,” this said a little more gently than previous, especially as he added,
