And the very idea of a brilliant, kind-hearted, and scholarly gentleman choosing a reckless, impoverished dreamer like herself was so laughable that she should only find it amusing. So she did. She was excessively amused. Her chest hurt from the effort of withholding what could only be laughter. [p. 250]
Having greatly enjoyed Scales and Sensibility, the first in the Regency Dragons series, I'd been saving the second in the series for when I needed a cheering, witty read. Claws and Contrivances was so enjoyable that after I'd finished it, I went back and reread the first book again!
Scales and Sensibility introduced Elinor, impoverished orphan, who'd grudgingly been given a home by appalling relatives. In contrast, the home offered to Elinor's younger sister, Rose, is the comfortable (though crumbling) Gogodd Abbey, deep in the Welsh countryside. Rose's aunt writes Gothic novels, and stages readings of them; her uncle is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a notable dragon scholar; and their neighbour, Sir Gareth, is Etonian and Dastardly. There are also cousins, and dragons -- the first of which appears in the buttery, and is rescued by Rose. And that's before the notable dragon scholar arrives...
Rose is a delight, determined to take care of everyone around her and full of schemes to outwit the wicked Sir Gareth -- schemes that involve her relatives, and any passers-by who don't refuse quickly enough. Shy, bookish dragon expert Cornelius Aubrey (last seen in Scales and Sensibility) is beguiled, but cannot square his emotions with his scientific methods. And the little dragons are cute and personable. A diverse cast, too, including an Anglo-Indian heiress, Rose's decidedly queer cousin Georgiana, and neurodivergent Aubrey. Everyone is lovely (except Sir Gareth and his staff) and everything ends happily. I am already looking forward to the next in the series!
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