She knew all too well now that something was actually wrong with her. It wasn't a matter of ease or of trust. It was impossible, once she'd thought of actually saying something, not to say it. There was no chance for imagining the sorts of things she might say then choosing a politic answer. No, now it came out. Yet... Yet, faced with the same opportunity, she knew herself well enough to know that she would gingerly poke and prod to learn all she could. Annoyed as she might be, she couldn't really hold against him what she would do, too.
"David is a gentleman. Aaron was a gentleman. They lie as easily as they breathe."
Which didn't answer his question. Why did she trust him?
"You've been kind to me, which many men are, especially at first. A pretty girl in need of assistance, and most men are kind." Her looks have gotten her kindness she never would have been shown otherwise, she knows that. "You've had many opportunities to turn a situation to your advantage, to do me harm. Yet you have never given me even the slightest suggestion that such a thing came to mind. You've spoken to me like you expect to be understood, not as if I'll simply stare uncomprehendingly when you finish. You've encouraged me, too, to speak as a person, rather than as an ideal. Even before now."
Their talk of duelling, for one. And, in another way, his encouragement of her artistic pursuits and other things when her wings had turned black.
"If it's all just an act? It's a very convincing one. I believe you respect me." Her eyes almost rolled, irritated to admit it. "It is the one further point I must give in Edward's favour -- he never treated me falsely. When he left me, he confessed he was doing it and told me why. Stupid as it was, he was honest with me. I -- believe you would do the same, should I ever lose your favour, and I would rather be told the truth than coddled."
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She knew all too well now that something was actually wrong with her. It wasn't a matter of ease or of trust. It was impossible, once she'd thought of actually saying something, not to say it. There was no chance for imagining the sorts of things she might say then choosing a politic answer. No, now it came out. Yet... Yet, faced with the same opportunity, she knew herself well enough to know that she would gingerly poke and prod to learn all she could. Annoyed as she might be, she couldn't really hold against him what she would do, too.
"David is a gentleman. Aaron was a gentleman. They lie as easily as they breathe."
Which didn't answer his question. Why did she trust him?
"You've been kind to me, which many men are, especially at first. A pretty girl in need of assistance, and most men are kind." Her looks have gotten her kindness she never would have been shown otherwise, she knows that. "You've had many opportunities to turn a situation to your advantage, to do me harm. Yet you have never given me even the slightest suggestion that such a thing came to mind. You've spoken to me like you expect to be understood, not as if I'll simply stare uncomprehendingly when you finish. You've encouraged me, too, to speak as a person, rather than as an ideal. Even before now."
Their talk of duelling, for one. And, in another way, his encouragement of her artistic pursuits and other things when her wings had turned black.
"If it's all just an act? It's a very convincing one. I believe you respect me." Her eyes almost rolled, irritated to admit it. "It is the one further point I must give in Edward's favour -- he never treated me falsely. When he left me, he confessed he was doing it and told me why. Stupid as it was, he was honest with me. I -- believe you would do the same, should I ever lose your favour, and I would rather be told the truth than coddled."
"I simply hope I don't ever lose your favour."