[ ...she was sweeping past it. bloody hell, but she found the topic distasteful. christ, sharpe! why did you have to speak so candidly? the major stands stiffly and inwardly kicks himself for his sudden flight of indulgence.
the lass was never likely to be okay with what you are. ]
M-many Naval officers do, ma'am. They have -- [ he clears his throat ] -- different regulations to us. It's...[ he can't finish his sentence. he's too twisted up in trying to figure out what the woman had meant by long being anything less than a gentleman. is it some slight against his own ungentle roots? he tries to imagine that it isn't. after all, she went so far as to say it with his simple and informal name. ]
You're a noble creature, Miss Faith. But I'm afraid it's my right and privilege to protect a lady's honour, and less so to have mine protected by her. Should it come to that, I will handle it.
no subject
the lass was never likely to be okay with what you are. ]
M-many Naval officers do, ma'am. They have -- [ he clears his throat ] -- different regulations to us. It's...[ he can't finish his sentence. he's too twisted up in trying to figure out what the woman had meant by long being anything less than a gentleman. is it some slight against his own ungentle roots? he tries to imagine that it isn't. after all, she went so far as to say it with his simple and informal name. ]
You're a noble creature, Miss Faith. But I'm afraid it's my right and privilege to protect a lady's honour, and less so to have mine protected by her. Should it come to that, I will handle it.