Taming the Shrew Read Online Free Page B

and all that eh what?”
    “Get out!” A satanic piercing scream brought the men to their feet as they winced in pain. “Get out of my house you ugly rude heartless miscreants.”
    Hervey reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills. “Avery, take the boys to our usual hotel for dinner and have them set a place for me. Quick, leave before she...” He ducked as her bowl flew past his head. “Go.” Within seconds the newlyweds had been abandoned. The Hervey creature looked down the table at her with an unhappy expression and calmly said, “Juliana, do not throw things at me. That is not acceptable behaviour.”
    “Don’t tell me what to do. I hate you. You’re probably the worst lover in the whole of England.”
    An ear splitting scream of rage was followed by her glass flying past Hervey’s head.
    He took a deep breath and calmly stood up and walked down the length of the table. “You can call me what you like, but do not throw things at me. It hurts my feelings.”
    “You married me under false pretences; you let me think you were a reputed lover. You’re nothing but a philandering de Vere. I’ve a mind to annul this stupid farce and find a cheaper husband who doesn’t have eight doppelgangers propping up his overrated reputation.” Shivering with cold she glared as he stepped closer and lifted her hand to strike his face, but her wrist was easily captured in a soft iron grip.
    “I would never hit you and I expect the same courtesy.” The words were mild, but firm.
    Juliana’s lips trembled as her eyes filled with tears, “I want an annulment.”
    “As you wish, but you won’t find another man who’ll be as gentle and good to you as your first husband.”
    She snorted in disgust, “Why would you be gentle and good to me?”
    “Why do you think?”
    Juliana’s chest tightened as she sobbed, “I have no idea why you do anything you Hervey you...if you are Hervey. You could be that awful Avery creature and I wouldn’t know...you’re all so alike. I hate my life, I want to die.”
    “Sweetheart, I’m Hervey. I’m the only de Vere who longs to share your bed and I’d be heartbroken if you died.”
    “Why? No one cares about me...”
    “I care.”
    “My stupid mother couldn’t be bothered to attend my wedding. She loves laudanum more than me...” Juliana found herself sobbing into a warm brown silk waistcoat as gently arms held her until she cried out her rage. She drew a shuddered breath and inhaled the same pleasant masculine scent as before. Sniffing back her excess tears, she listened to the faint beating of her husband’s heart and slowly became aware of the sensation of being pressed up against a man. There was nothing about it she could dislike. The Hervey creature seemed content to let her remain where she was, so she breathed in his smell until she felt calm. Sniffing away her nervousness she lifted her head. “Did you say you care about me?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why?”
    “Why do you think?”
    “Because you’re mad?”
    “Some think so...”
    “Why did you kiss me on the cheek after the ceremony? You’re supposed to kiss the bride on the lips. I didn’t marry you to be kissed on the cheek.”
    Juliana watched in amazement as the man’s pale cheeks flushed bright red, “I was afraid my enthusiasm might embarrass you.”
    “Kiss me now.” Juliana held her breath as his adoring eyes approached.
    “Have you ever been kissed?”
    “No.”
    “It’s best to do it slow the first time, like savouring something sweet.”
    “Just kiss me before I change my mind.” Her heart was racing as his lips hovered. Was he waiting for a specific moment? The smell of lemons revived memories of summer; she could hear birds singing in the garden, taste sweet lemonade and smell fresh cut hay. Warm breath caressed her face taunting her curiosity. Closing her eyes his lips landed as light as butterfly wings sending a strange euphoric sensation. Her lips were gently explored and then