jacey | Booklog 58/2021: Stephanie Burgis: Scales and Sensibility

When their parents died penniless due to a scam investment the three Tregarth children are split up and Elinor ends up at Hathergill Hall as companion to her spoiled selfish cousin, Penelope. Dragons, small enough to balance on their owner's shoulder, are all the rage as a fashion accessory. Unfortunately Elinor's cousin has little sympathy with her expensive new pet, Sir Jessamyn, and the dragon, young and nervous, has an unfortunate habit of letting his bowels go when particularly alarmed - very unfortunate when he's sitting on Penelope's shoulder. When Elinor is pushed too far, she walks out, with the dragon, but without a plan, and with only a few coppers in her reticule. She loses what money she has when a coach hurtles around a corner and knocks her into a muddy ditch. Benedict Hawkins, passenger in his friend Aubrey's coach, does the decent thing and takes Elinor to a nearby inn. In the depths of misery, Elinor wishes she could be like society leader Mrs DeLacy… and the dragon grants her wish. As the important society matron she finds herself thrust back into the limelight in Hathergill Hall while Benedict, for whom she is developing feelings, is doing his best to woo Penelope for her money to save his estate. This is a lovely Regency romantic romp with added magic and dragons. Highly recommended.