Taming the Shrew Read Online Free

wedding dinner and then they can sleep in a gutter, I refuse to house them.”
    “They’d refuse your kind offer.”
    “Do you have five pounds?”
    “Why?”
    “For the special license; I’m not going to charge you for the tea.”
    “I’d find five hundred if it meant I could marry you. I hope the Archbishop will sell me a license if I apply in person. I understand it’s polite to request it in writing. I’ll return later and inform you if I’ve been successful.”
    “Send a note. I don’t want to look at you until I join you at the altar.”
    The Hervey creature took out his watch and pursed his lips, “I have an appointment at three, but afterwards I’ll go straight to the Archbishop. I think I know how to persuade him.”
    “What sort of appointment?”
    “Discretion is a godly virtue my dear.”
    “You’re not going to see a lover minutes after agreeing to marry me are you?”
    “Is that a jealous tone my dear?”
    “No, it’s a disgusted tone and I am not dear to you so don’t call me dear.”
    “How do you know you’re not dear?”
    “How do I know you’re not mad? Do you have an appointment with a lady?”
    “Yes, but there are many kinds of appointments. Most of them require one to remain fully clothed. I shall take my leave...do you have a ring or shall I buy one?”
    “I’m not wasting money on a stupid ring to marry you.”
    Hervey stood up as he put down his cup and sauce. “Let me look at your hand.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I may find a cheap ring in a pawnshop, but I need to look at your hand to see your fingers.”
    “I don’t want some dead woman’s ring on my finger.”
    “Your hand...” Juliana sighed in irritation and thrust out the desired limb nearly poking him in the eye. She forgot she was angry as he took hold of it. The warmth of his gentle touch sent strange shivers down her spine causing her heart to race. She was suddenly aware of a pleasant smell wafting up her nose; a masculine green with a hint of lemons, then he was kissing her hand making her feel dizzy. “You’ve made me the happiest of men.”
    “You sound like you’ve practiced the statement a thousand times in a mirror.”
    “I have, but my mental image of you was never this vivid. I look forward to kissing you all over...Juliana.” Her name was spoken with reverence as if it meant something to him; the man was born to tread the boards.
    “Who said you could kiss me all over? I never said I wanted your kisses.”
    “If I’m to be your husband you’ll have to let me kiss you. I can’t be your husband and not kiss you, it’s unthinkable. No kisses, no wedding.”
    “Fine...just get a special license before I find a cheaper man.”
    “As you wish...” She blushed as he kissed her hand again before she could think to rip it from his grasp. “Until the altar, I bid you a pleasant day Juliana.”
    “Good riddance!” His low bow engulfed her in another a wave of masculine scent and he was gone without looking back. She sat staring in to space feeling like she’d run up a flight of stairs. If having her hand kissed was that pleasant, the evening promised untold delights. She shivered again as her skin echoed the feel of his lips on her skin. There was a faint possibility the Hervey creature would prove to be a bargain.
Chapter 4
    Mrs Juliana de Vere sat at the end of her dining table feeling overwhelmed by the charming medieval ring on her finger and the presence of seven orange haired men. The smiling boy sitting opposite was her husband and the abominations gulping down her inheritance were now her brothers. It was too awful to be true. Catching the eye of the Avery creature her soup spoon froze as she scowled. The man had been glancing at her with a disapproving expression since her arrival at the church. He clearly didn’t think her good enough for his penniless brother. Her spoon shook as her heart felt the wound. All six of her unwanted guests appeared unimpressed with their