The Claiming of the Shrew by Shana Galen

Author:Shana Galen
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: sexy romance, sexy regency romance, regency romance, historical romance, sexy heroes
Publisher: Shana Galen
Published: 2019-04-15T16:00:00+00:00

“YOU DIDN’T ENJOY THE play, did you?” Benedict asked when they were once again inside his flat, cozy and warm in the blue-papered room. She sat on the cream couch and Benedict built up the fire in the hearth. He’d given Ward permission to retire, and since Maggie had reported Ines had gone to sleep early, it was just Benedict, Catarina, and Tigrino in the blue parlor.

“I confess I could hardly pay attention to it. I could feel Juan Carlos staring at me during the first act, and then he was gone after the intermission, and I half feared he would come into the box.” She shivered, as though she had been cold and was only now warming up.

“He would have never been allowed in the box. And he will never be allowed near you again.”

Her shoulders seemed to relax at those words, and she leaned back against the couch and stroked Tigrino, who closed his eyes as though in bliss. “And what if he tells everyone what I did? No one will buy the lace of a murderer.”

Benedict leaned an arm on the mantel, where a fire burned low. “There’s nothing we can do to keep Juan Carlos from telling everyone what happened. If he does, then we will counter with the truth—that you were protecting yourself. I will take the blame for you, since I wasn’t there to protect you.”

She looked up from Tigrino sharply. “You cannot blame yourself, senhor.”

“Senhor?” He gave her an exasperated look. “I thought you were calling me Benedict now.”

“Very well. Benedict, you should not blame yourself.”

“And yet I do. I should have been there to protect you. I knew when I took my vows they were not legally binding, and yet I still felt bound by them. I couldn’t protect you then, but as soon as I was free, that was my chief concern.”

“And then you couldn’t find me.”

Tigrino jumped to the floor and rolled on his back, showing the soft fur of his belly. She stroked him.

“That too was not your fault. Ow!” She yanked her hand away as Tigrino grasped it with his claws and nipped at her fingers.

Benedict shooed the cat away and knelt in front of her. “Are you hurt?” He took her hand in his, examining it.

“No. He is just playing, but I fall for his tricks every time.”

“You want to believe everyone is as well-intentioned as you. But sometimes men, like cats, are just waiting for a chance to strike.” As he spoke, he rubbed his thumb along her fingers, making her skin tingle. “But Juan Carlos will find that lashing out at you only hurts him.”

“Perhaps that is so here, where he has little influence, but in Barcelona, no one would dare go against him.”

“You’re not in Barcelona now,” he said quietly.

“But I will have to return.”

“Not necessarily.” His thumb roamed in lazy circles on her bare flesh. “I like having you here.”

She swallowed and licked her lips as though they were dry. “My sister and I must be an inconvenience.

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