Free To Tame a Dragon by Megan Bryce Page A

husband.”
    Clarice grimaced. “He is too solicitous.
     Always wondering if I am too cold or too hot.”
    “Yes, I have heard many a wife complain that
     her husband cared too much for her comfort. Strike him off the
     list at once.”
    Clarice rolled her eyes. “And he is too old.”
    “And not very handsome.”
    “Well... If I am to sit across the dining
     table from a man for the rest of my life, shouldn’t it be a view
     I admire?”
    Amelia smiled. “I can not fault the logic.
     However, beauty fades, as does eye sight.”
    Clarice sighed. “I will strike Mr. Snowden
     from my list if you strike Mr. Stillwell.”
    Amelia laughed in delight. “Excellent
     suggestion, my dear. Good-bye, Mr. Snowden.”
    “And good-bye, Mr. Stillwell.”
    They laughed. Then Amelia said, “How about
     Sir James Pickering?” and Clarice groaned.

    The next night brother and sister arrived at
     Jameson’s for dinner. He was at his most charming and
     entertaining, and Amelia was thoroughly sick of him not even
     half an hour after arriving.
    “You are completely soused.”
    “I assure you I am not. But I am in a rather
     good mood, perhaps that is what you object to.”
    Robin took a sip, enjoying their play.
     “What’s put you in such a good mood then? Perhaps Amelia will
     allow it if she knows what has caused it.”
    He had been with Jameson all day and knew
     precisely why he was bursting. Robin could scarcely wait for the
     fireworks himself. It had been a long time since he and Jameson
     had teased Amelia; she had become exceedingly adept at turning
     their fun into a thorough tongue-lashing. He had no doubt
     today’s escapade would result in the same, but he would enjoy
     the fun while it lasted.
    Amelia looked at her brother suspiciously.
     “If you insist. However I would much rather have a nice, quiet
     dinner.”
    Jameson said, “I have no doubt that is true.
     I don’t think you will find it quite as exciting in any case. I
     simply purchased some horse flesh today.”
    “Is that all? It must be a potential derby
     winner to have you so excited.”
    “No, but she is uncommonly spirited. She
     nearly bucked me twice trying her out; I knew I simply must have
     her.”
    Robin snorted into his glass and Amelia
     looked between them for a moment.
    “I’m afraid I missed the joke.”
    “Robin thinks her name quite inappropriate,
     but I merely named her after the most spirited female I know. It
     was meant as a compliment.”
    Stillness came over her. She stared at
     Jameson, unblinking. He gave her his most charming smile.
    “You named a horse after... me?” She could
     not keep the horror off her face and Jameson laughed.
    “She reminded me so of you. Quite determined
     to lead me her own way. I could really name her nothing else.”
    She regained her composure. “Well, I hope you
     were subtle enough that I do not have to worry that one and all
     know I am her namesake. I suppose I could be flattered, depending
     on what you call her.”
    “I call her Amelia.”
    Her mouth fell open. “Amelia! No subtlety, no
     allusion! Simply Amelia?”
    “It suits her.”
    “Jameson! You can not name a horse Amelia!
     You’ll be riding in company and suddenly ‘Whoa, Amelia’ will pop
     out.”
    Robin snorted.
    Jameson kept his face calm. “I am more
     worried that ‘Whoa, Amelia’ will pop out when I’m speaking to
     you. That would be quite a bit more embarrassing. For you, I
     would imagine. I can’t see the horse being all that upset at the
     confusion.”
    Robin lost all control and sat there
     laughing, his breath wheezing in and out. Amelia transferred her
     horror to him. If her own brother thought this was hilarious,
     what would everyone else think? Amelia did not consider herself
     overly concerned with society’s opinion; she would have faltered
     a long time ago if she cared overmuch what anyone privately
     thought of her. But this! This was too much, even for Jameson.
    She paused, thinking