The Taming by Jude Deveraux Read Free Book Online

he the one who has asked for me? Reddish hair? Big, dark? Green eyes?”
    Every person in the solar came to a standstill. Lady Liana had never shown the least interest in a man before.
    Helen looked at her stepdaughter with concern. “Yes, he is a beautiful man, but can you not see more than his beauty?”
    â€œYes, yes, I know, his clothes are crawling with lice. Or they were until I—Tell me what you know of him,” Liana demanded.
    Helen did not understand this young woman at all, but she’d never seen her so alive, so flushed, so pretty. A feeling of dread was spreading over her. Sensible, sane, mature Liana could not possibly fall for a man’s beauty. There had been hundreds of handsome men here in the last months and not one of them—
    â€œTell me!”
    Helen sighed. “I don’t know a lot about them. Their family is old. It’s said their ancestors fought with King Arthur, but a few generations ago the eldest Peregrine gave the dukedom, the family seat, and the money to the family of his second wife. He had his eldest children declared illegitimate. After he was dead, the wife married a cousin of hers and the son of Peregrine became a Howard. Now the Howards own the title and the lands that once belonged to the Peregrines. That’s all I know. The king declared all the Peregrines bastards and they were left with two decaying old castles, a minor earldom, and nothing else.”
    Helen leaned toward Liana. “I have seen where they live. It is hideous. The roof has fallen in places. It’s filthy beyond belief, and those Peregrines care nothing for dirt or lice or meat covered with maggots. They live for only one thing and that is to revenge themselves on the Howards. This man Rogan doesn’t want a wife. He wants the Neville money so he can wage war on the Howards.”
    Helen took a breath. “The Peregrines are horrible men. They care only for war and death. When I was a child there were six sons, but four of them have been killed. Maybe only these two are left, or perhaps the men breed sons like rabbits.”
    On impulse, Helen took Liana’s hand. “Please do not consider this man. He would eat you alive for breakfast.”
    Liana’s head was reeling. “I am made of stronger stuff than you think,” she whispered.
    Helen drew back. “No,” she whispered. “Do not think of it. You cannot consider marriage to the man.”
    Liana looked away from her stepmother. Perhaps there was some other reason Helen wanted to keep her away from Rogan. Perhaps she wanted him for herself. Perhaps they had been lovers when she’d lived near him, while her first husband was alive.
    Liana was about to say as much when Joice entered the room.
    â€œMy lady,” she said to Liana. “Sir Robert Butler has arrived. He asks for your hand in marriage.”
    â€œAccept him,” Helen said instantly. “Accept him. I know his father. An excellent family.”
    Liana looked from Joice to Helen and knew she could take no more. She pushed past the two women and hurried down the stairs, Helen and Joice following her as fast as they could.
    In the courtyard below stood eleven men, all splendidly dressed, their velvet tunics trimmed in gold, their caps fashionably arranged in the latest extravagance, jewels on their fingers sparkling in the sunlight.
    Liana tried to pass them to reach the stables in the outer courtyard. A hard ride might clear her head. But Helen stopped her by grabbing her elbow.
    â€œSir Robert?” Helen said.
    Reluctantly, Liana turned to look at the man. He was young, handsome, with dark brown hair and eyes. He was beautifully dressed and he smiled at her sweetly.
    She hated him at first sight.
    â€œThis is my stepdaughter, Lady Liana,” Helen said. “How is your father?”
    Liana stood there stiffly, listening to the two of them exchange pleasantries and wanting desperately to get away. She had to