Read Online Taming the Shrew by Cari Hislop - Free Book Online

rolling into Lady Malmsbury’s evil arms.
    “Sweetheart, you married me because I have a reputation. I couldn’t have a reputation if I hadn’t done anything to deserve it...”
    “You bed that sneering nag didn’t you? I hate you.”
    “Sweetheart, it hurts my feelings when you say you hate me.”
    “What about my feelings?” She lowered her voice to an angry hiss, “My husband’s bed every woman in London except for me.”
    “I couldn’t bed every woman...”
    “Did you bed that nag?”
    “Sweetheart, it doesn’t matter.”
    “Tell me or I’ll demand an annulment.”
    “Why don’t you just put a pistol to my head and be done with it?”
    “You’re avoiding the question; I assume that means you did. I feel sick.” She turned her head away so he couldn’t see her disappointment.
    He waited till another group of pedestrians passed before whispering into the side of her bonnet, “For the past three years every time I’ve kissed a woman I’ve pretended she was you. You are the only woman who makes my heart ache and my knees tremble and if you mention the deplorable word annulment one more time in a fit of pique I’ll march you to the Archbishop and give you one even if it kills me. Now I’d like to buy you a pair of gloves and then take you to the Pulteney for tea. If instead you wish me to take you to the Archbishop then say so and you may annul my disgusting kisses, my ugly orange-head and my awful family from your life today.” Looking down, she covered her mouth with her free hand as the pain in his words enlarged the hole in her heart; shame for her thoughtless angry words leaked from her eyes. She accepted the large handkerchief that appeared in her line of vision and blew her nose. “Sweetheart, what do you want?”
    She sniffed back her tears, “I want some new gloves.”
    “An excellent choice Sweetheart, I think I know just the pair.” A smooth leather gloved finger caressed her chin before tipping back her head. “Juliana de Vere, you are the loveliest woman; even with a red nose and bloodshot eyes.” He let out a long exaggerated sigh, “If only you’d married me three years ago...I wouldn’t be haunted by the vile memory of kissing so many nags.” Juliana’s scowl won her a pinched cheek. “Madam Wife, shall we leave the nags behind us and bridle the future?”
    “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings Hervey creature, it’s just that the thought of you kissing that awful woman makes me feel unspeakably ill.”
    His eyes lit up as if she’d told him he was handsome. “Does it really? If I wasn’t in public Sweetheart, I remove that silly bonnet and soundly kiss you. If you were to put a hand inside my shirt, you’d know my freckled heart is trying to leap from my chest in hopeful delight.”
    “Why is it hopeful?”
    “Why do you think?” Juliana growled in irritation as her husband winked at her and then lifted his hat to passing acquaintances as they set off for the glove makers.
    “Hervey creature...”
    “Yes Sweetheart?”
    “Would your brothers like me if I gave them a bride gift?”
    “It depends on the gift. If you gave them each a porcelain plate painted with an orange haired cupid they’d probably think you heartless and have a contest seeing how far they could throw them. If you want their eternal devotion give them each five quid.”
    “Five pounds? You make them sound cheap.”
    “When you’re penniless five quid is a fortune.”
    “I need to visit my bank.”
    “As you wish...do I get a bride gift?”
    “You get a bride.”
    “A lovely bride she is too; if only she’d call me Sweetheart as if she meant it.”
    Juliana’s heart danced in her chest at his tone of longing. After a few minutes digesting her strange reaction she turned her bonnet to see him lift his hat to another acquaintance as he offered the usual greeting. Sunlight dazzled off waves of orange gold. Why had she hated his hair? It wasn’t ugly at all and it suited his pale