Free Taming the Shrew by Cari Hislop

thought of losing her way in the creepy darkness made her long for the Hervey creature’s hand. Gulping down her fears, through the open door she could see firelight warming the darkness. The house was strangely quiet as if holding its breath. She shivered in fear as a single set of unseen footsteps marched across the highly polished floor towards the door.
    “Sweetheart?” The man appeared to be painted in shades of black and white except for a hint of orange hair and a sapphire pin closing his shirt front. She smiled in relief as the formally dressed man. “Here, let me take your basket...and your hand.” His lips saluted the back of her glove and then retained it. “Beecher, let us know when my carriage arrives.”
    “Very good Master Hervey.”
    “Why is it so dark Hervey creature? Can’t you afford candles?”
    “It’s less creepy in the dark; one sees less.” He lowered his voice to a whisper, “I can’t wait to have you all to myself. I called in a few favours for this evening...you smell delicious. Call me Sweetheart, say it like you mean it and we’ll go to my room instead.”
    “I didn’t spend an hour and a half getting dressed to waste the evening in this creepy house.”
    Her husband sighed in her ear before whispering, “As you wish...” He lifted her hand to his lips again. “...but first my brothers are dying of curiosity, or at least from spleen.” She clutched the warm masculine hand as he led her to the fire, but then he let go of her hand and returned her basket and fell back into his chair. Only one of the nine doppelgangers was smiling at her. She opened her mouth and looked again at the Hervey creature for moral support. His wink seemed to say hurry up so I can kiss you.
    “I apologise for calling you stupid, ugly, orange-headed miscreants. I don’t really think you’re ugly.” She looked at her husband. “Your face isn’t unpleasant, though a trifle freckled. You have a nice nose and your eyes are brown. I like brown...as I would. You can’t all be stupid. Hervey creature isn’t stupid.” She blushed as he blew her a noisy kiss. “I don’t want you to hate me. I have a bride gift. She turned to the man who looked the oldest. “Are you the Vernon creature?”
    “That must be me.” She ignored the sarcastic tone and lifted one of the green velvet purses out of her basket and put it in his hand.
    “David creature?” The man was staring at her with a jealous dazed expression.
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “You’re the David creature?”
    “Yes and Hervey is one damn lucky de Vere.”
    She put another green velvet purse in his hand and stopped in front of Avery. “I know who you are; you’re looking at me like I’m Medusa.”
    “Forgive me Madam, but I find it difficult to like you.”
    Juliana drew the orange bag out of her basket and put it in his hand. “And I find it difficult to like you, but Hervey creature says you’re intelligent and kind. He also thinks you’re handsome, but then he would. Your gift is different because I hurt your feelings. I’m sorry.”
    “Thank you. I shall prove my intelligence by saying Hervey is the luckiest man alive.”
    She nodded her gratitude before moving to the next brother. “Belvedere creature...” He accepted his green purse with a polite smile.
    “Thank you Juliana creature.”
    “You’re welcome. And which creature are you?”
    “I’m the Vaughn creature...” He accepted his green purse and tested its weight. “It feels too heavy for jewellery.” Raven accepted his green purse after kissing her hand. Virgil and Vivian, only nine months apart, kissed her on either cheek with effulgent gratitude before impulsively shaking the contents of their bags into their laps.
    “Good heavens...its money!”
    The sound of frantic counting was finally concluded as David looked up. “One hundred and twenty-five pounds? That’s very generous of you.”
    Raven looked up confused, “I only have One hundred and nine