To Tame a Dragon (12 page)

“Dice could work.”

Amelia had always thought her proposals had
been the byproduct of too much drink and a lucky throw of the
dice. Perhaps she had been flattering herself and it had always
been an
unlucky
throw of the dice that landed her
prospective bridegrooms at her feet. It was perhaps even more
entertaining watching it play out in front of her. It was also
slightly more insulting.

But it had always been her policy to let each
proposal play itself out; one never knew the direction it would
go and she had rarely been disappointed at the absurdity.

She wasn’t sure any proposal could ever top
this one.

She rose, heading to a small writing desk. “I
shall cut paper into varying degrees of lengths. Will that
work?”

Four blonde heads nodded. “Capital, capital.”

“Quite sporting of you.”

“Don’t know why they call you the dragon,
really. I don’t feel as if my life is in the balance.”

“No, me neither. Perhaps we’ve tamed the
dragon, eh?”

Amelia turned at the last and found them
nodding between themselves, looking surprised and self-satisfied
at the same time.

She couldn’t quite decide if she thought this
funny or exhausting. They were right, though. She was going much
too easy on them.

But she had spent so much time in their
company since
the fiasco
she couldn’t find it in herself
to play rough. They were just quite too amusing and simple to
really make it an adventure.

She sighed. “Gentlemen. I have no intention
of marrying any or all of you. We may continue with the game or
you may leave now, the only suitors to not feel my burn or bite.
I leave it to your discretion.”

They looked between themselves. “Not going to
marry us?”

“Not any of us? I thought with four our odds
would have been better.”

“Were we playing a game? Straws, was it?”

“I was looking forward to telling everyone we
had tamed the dragon. What a coup that would have been, eh?”

Amelia found her fighting spirit rise on the
last statement and she stared down the boy as only an earl’s
daughter could. It took a moment for him to notice she had
singled him out, but he took a step back and the color drained
from his face when he saw her full attention focused on him.

“Would it have been? Would you have liked to
have gone to your club as heroes, collected on the bet, been
patted on the back by greater men than yourselves?” She walked
slowly around them and they all turned to follow, not wanting
her to get behind them.

“And my dowry? What a grand time you would
have had spending my money on waistcoats, to be sure. Do you
think I would gladly hand over my money to you four? Do you
think you could have spent it with no input from me?”

She placed her face inches from one pale,
sweaty face. She said softly, “Do you think it likely I would
turn into a sweet, biddable wife after the magic wedding
ceremony? Or do you think instead that months down the road you
would find you had indeed made a deal with the devil? Think
carefully. Do you really want to tame me? Do you really think
you could?”

The poor boy opened his mouth and a squeak
fell out. The others shifted toward him, their hands reaching
out to comfort him, perhaps catch him if he fainted. At least
they were not leaving the one she had singled-out to hang. They
were all in this together.

They took a collective step back and she let
them. She stared into the boy’s eyes, not blinking. It was
rather like staring down a dog, showing who was in charge,
who had the power. Who had the biggest teeth. In this case,
there was no contest, and both players knew it. He seemed to
shrink in on himself and the others supported him as they
continued to take slow steps backward.

They fumbled at the door but still said not a
word as she continued to stare down the poor boy. When they
finally made it out and line of sight was broken, she continued
to stare at the spot he had been.

She could not find any amusement in this
proposal. No laughter bubbled out of her, no triumph filled her
from beating a worthy opponent. She felt tired.

Nine years ago she’d been targeted by a
fortune hunter. And every proposal since, she had imagined it
was him she was beating into dust. He was now nameless,
placeless. To threaten an earl’s daughter was stupidity itself.
She doubted he would ever set foot in England again. And still
she hated him.

But the brother Underwood she had just shaken
had been nothing like him. No small part of him had the meanness
she despised. Oh, he was selfish, no doubt. But not mean.

No, she felt no triumph in this victory.

She felt drained. She felt beaten.

She walked out of the room, closing the door
softly behind her. And even though the sun still shone, she went
to her room, laying wearily on the bed, and slept until morning.

J
ameson and Robin arrived for dinner the next
night. Jameson gave her ear a small sniff going in. “Just seeing
if you’ve recovered yet from our little escapade.”

She sniffed. “Yes, although it was not
without some loss of dignity. And you?”

He held his arms wide. “You’re welcome to
test me.”

She gave him an arch look. “And your valet?
Has he recovered?”

“Should he eventually recover, I think it
unlikely he will ever forgive me. I’ve been forced to order an
obscene amount of clothing to placate him.”

“An expensive outing.”

“You’ve no idea. However, to see your smiling
face is all the thanks I need.” He smiled charmingly at her.

She looked at him, surprised. “Am I smiling?”

“My dear, any expression less murderous than
what you were previously directing at me I will consider happy
and carefree.”

She laughed. “Then you may consider it
successful; kindly do not upset me quite so violently again. I
have no desire to revisit the Smithfield cattle market ever again.”

He looked crestfallen, then rallied. “I
thought it unlikely I could ever get you there again. I shall
have to find another destination; that will be easier than
keeping you happy.”

She pursed her lips and turned toward her
dinner. “You mean easier than restricting yourself to socially
acceptable behavior.”

“That, too.”

It took only a whispered word from Jameson to
her mother to clear the room after dinner. Lady Beckham
absconded with Robin and Amelia was left alone with the
reprobate.

She nodded at his offer of a drink and he
turned to fill their glasses. “My mother is on your side, I
see.”

“I can’t decide if she thinks me a good
candidate for son-in-law, or if she thinks it unlikely you will
ever accept so why not play along, or if at this point any
bachelor would get her help in getting you married. In any case,
I will accept any assistance from her. Or anyone, really.”

“I did wonder at cook’s choices for this
evening. All my favorite dishes. Was that to put me in a good
mood?”

He threw a smile over his shoulder. “Noticed,
did you? I can’t even take the credit. Your mother did that on
her own.”

“Hmm. I don’t like this collusion between you
two. At least Robin is not in on it.”

“I don’t know what you did to the boy but he
will not hear a word about it. And I, his closest friend.”

He handed her a drink and she nodded her
thanks. “I had to make it clear early on that he was not to
interfere in such matters. It would have become too much for
either of us.”

“Well, he is heeding your word. I’m surprised
your mother was able to get him to quit the room so easily.
Don’t give him too much grief for it.”

She smiled slightly. “No. He has always been
the dutiful son; mother could get him to do anything. It is
lucky for me she does not abuse the power.”

“Lucky for him, I suspect. Was your mother
anymore like you, poor Robin would be trapped between the devil
and the deep blue sea.”

She laughed self-reproachfully. “And this is
what you wish to marry? Perhaps you should put this fanciful
notion out of your head and consider yourself lucky I did not
accept.”

“My dear, I would be the luckiest of men if
you accepted my proposal, despite your sharp tongue. I wish you
would reconsider it. You would keep me in line and I would keep
you entertained. What more are you looking for?”

“I don’t know what I am looking for. I had
thought I would recognize it when I saw it.”

“I recognize what I want, what I need. I need
a woman I could never disgrace. My dear, the shabbaroon tried
with all fervor and could not succeed. His actions would have
toppled other women and you did not even flinch. I could never
humiliate you unwittingly as my father did my mother. Among
other things, I would be too scared to.”

“You are very unflattering, Jameson.”

He knelt at her feet, his hands resting on
her knees. “That was a most sincere compliment, my dear. You
have such fire, such passion. It tires me to even think of
living as determined as you do. No one would ever harm you, you
wouldn’t allow it.” He rested his head where his hands had lain.
“You would burn away my fear.”

Amelia ignored the tumult in her stomach at
his closeness. And she tried to ignore his pretty words and the
sadness behind it.

She had always been his friend, and as such
had always done what was best for him, no matter if it was what
he wanted or what the cost would be.

She had always loved him; it would be no
hardship for her to marry him. He cared for her. They were
familiar and comfortable with each other. That was more than
most marriages had.

She sighed and ran a hand over his hair. “I’m
tired of the game, Jameson. We’re both tired of being chased.
You for your title, fortune, and pretty face—never mind your bad
habits. And me for my fortune, family, and the challenge—never
mind my reputation.”

“You exaggerate your reputation, my dear.”

She lifted his head and looked him directly
in the eye, a hint of temper peeking through. “I know about the
bet at White’s. I’ve known for years.”

Jameson shook his head. “Some woman is going
to have to tame that mouth of your brother’s one of these days.
But even with that bet no man would shackle himself for life
without some bit of optimism.”

“You wound me. I know what optimism they
carry for me. I’m only a great catch on paper.”

“As am I.”

“Well, you do have your face to recommend you
as well.”

“And you are too hard on yourself. I
personally like sharp teeth and smoke coming out of the
nostrils.”

“Is this your idea of wooing? I’m surprised
you found any girl to marry you at all.”

“My dear, would you like for me to play the
besotted beau? I hadn’t thought you enjoyed that overmuch.”

She shook her head. “No. But I’m thinking you
have the right of it.”

“Pardon me?”

“I’ve changed my mind. Your stupid idea,
while still stupid, might work to both our advantages.”

“I’m sorry, I’m not quite following you.”

“I’ll marry you.”

“Oh, that stupid idea. Well, thank you, my
dear. I accept your acceptance.”

“Don’t make me change my mind again.”

He sat for a moment at her feet. “I didn’t
just imagine that, did I?”

She laughed. “No.”

He jumped to his feet and rushed out the
door. “I need witnesses! Come quick before she changes her
mind!”

Amelia laughed and rose to follow him. She
could be sure of only one thing by marrying Jameson—boredom
would never be her companion.

Her mother had been quite unsurprised by
their impending nuptials, only kissed them both and wished them
a happy congratulations. Robin had stared at them blankly before
patting Jameson on the shoulder and taking a long drink. Which
he’d coughed back out when Jameson had said, “Can I tell her
now, old chap, that I have your ble—”

He’d spent the next few minutes thumping
Robin on the back and Amelia had let it pass. Her brother looked
sufficiently befuddled that any blessing wrung from him must
have been under duress. And obviously with the assumption that
she would never accept Jameson’s hand. Since she’d felt the same
until only recently, she merely gave his wild-eyed look a small
smile and offered him another drink.

He’d only looked more horrified, which had
made her smile even more, which had made him even
more
horrified, and it went on and on until Jameson
had rolled his eyes and said, “Amelia, really.”

She thought it highly unfair that it was he
who was ending her fun. But he’d only laughed when she glared at
him. He’d said, “I am highly immune to that look, my lovely,
blushing bride. Do you have anything else in your repertoire?”

But that had been yesterday and today she
insisted on negotiating her marriage contract. Had anyone really
thought she would leave it all to the men?