Read To Tame a Dragon for Free Online

too much even when I’m sober.”
    She shook her head and went back to her book.
    “I’m serious, my dear. I think we should
     marry. We complement each other, as man and wife should do.”
    She closed her book, set it beside her, and
     folded her hands in her lap.
    “You’ve thought of this, have you?”
    “I’ve thought of nothing else all day. You
     pointed out yourself that I need a wife with a backbone; one who
     will tie me to the altar when needed. Your brother innocently
     pointed out today that you have the bone in question in
     abundance.” He laughed. “He was there to guard me from
     sister-peddling brothers and unknowingly peddled his own.”
    Jameson realized Amelia was not hopping on
     board his idea when she didn’t laugh.
    He leaned forward. “And my dear, I have
     exactly the quality you are looking for in a husband.”
    “Which quality is that?”
    “I have enough charm to coax you out of your
     murderous tendencies. Had it been in you to kill me, I would
     have perished a long time ago. It is a match made in heaven, my
     dear.”
    She was silent, staring at him for a long
     moment, then started laughing.
    “I very nearly believed you were serious. Are
     you trying to get even with me for that rumor?”
    He set his drink down and lowered himself to
     one knee. She stopped laughing.
    He had not expected her to think it was a
     revenge-driven joke. He hadn’t thought at all how she would
     react, simply assumed that she would see how right it was.
    He reached for her hand and she said sharply,
     “Jameson, you are in danger of becoming one of my weekly
     proposals.”
    “This is no joke, Amelia. And kindly do not
     compare me to those idiots. I am not here for your money or for
     the challenge. I am here because today the idea of marrying you
     struck me from out of the blue, and the longer I think on it the
     better it sounds. I can think of a thousand reasons for marrying
     you and not one reason against.”
    He started to get up, then looked to her.
     “May I get up?”
    “ Please get up.”
    He began to pace between the sofa and the
     door. “If you’ll just follow my train of thought here. You’ll be
     doing your sex a frightful favor. Think of all the silly girls
     who’ll have to give up the idea of marrying me. Plus, you’ll
     save one lucky girl from a fate worse than death.”
    “By taking it upon myself?”
    “No, no. See, you know what I am. There will
     be no shocking realization a day after the wedding. Or indeed
     the day before. Had I tried to break our engagement you would
     have simply grabbed my ear and frog-marched me to the altar. No
     painful physical violence. No tears or wailing. You would have
     no great expectations dashed.”
    “Have you pickled your entire brain? Nothing
     left in there to decide between a good or bad idea?”
    “And you have willingly and enthusiastically
     been my friend for more years than I can count. If you worry
     that one day you will tire of me and stab me in my sleep, you
     need only look at these last weeks. Not a day has gone by that
     we have not enjoyed each other’s company. Not only am I still
     alive, but we are still friends. We suit, Amelia.”
    “I can’t think of a single fellow who suits
     less than you do, Jameson.”
    “You’re not following me.”
    “I’m following you. I’m simply wondering what
     dark recess this madness has sprung from.”
    “My dear, it’s a perfect solution.”
    “To your problem. I can see it adding
     a great many more for me.”
    Jameson eyed her shrewdly and sat back down
     in his chair. “Ah.”
    “Ah? You really are most vexing. Ah, what?”
    “Ah, you must have some other lucky jackanapes
     in your sights.” He was surprised to find that gave him a twinge
     of regret and he took a small sip.
    “I do not have anyone ‘in my sights’. That,
     however, does not mean I want you there.”
    “I don’t see why not. I’m quite the catch.”
    Amelia raised an eyebrow, daring