“That’s what happens when you convince someone, rather than command them,” Penelope replied lightly, folding her hands before her.
Alexander was quiet for a moment, and then, to her surprise, he gave a small nod. “You’re doing a good job with her.”
“Well, I’m trying as best I can,” Penelope blushed. It was always such a surprise whenever he complimented her. “And actually I was thinking, she’s not the only one in need of lessons, you know.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I’m just saying—you spend an awful lot of time around men,” she giggled, stepping past him just slightly. “Might do you some good to have a little more...feminine influence.”
“Aren’t you enough for that?”
“Well, I certainly try,” she nodded. “But I think you need some more insights into the female mind.”
“And what would these so-called lessons entail?” he asked, folding his arms.
“Women,” she said, pausing for effect, “are sensitive creatures. We are nuanced. Multifaceted. And men?—”
“Careful,” Alexander warned.
“Men often lack the skill to understand us properly.”
“Are you suggesting I lack skill?” he stepped closer to her.
“I’m suggesting that your skillset may be one-sided.”
Alexander arched a brow. “One-sided?”
“You know everything there is to know about business, power, and intimidation,” she replied, not backing down even as he towered over her. “But when it comes to women, well, you seem to think that protection and silence are the same thing as understanding.”
“And what would you know about what I understand?”
“I know that you keep everyone at arm’s length,” she pointed out. “Especially me.”
That made him pause for a moment. His eyes scanned her face.
“So you think teaching me to braid hair and talk about feelings will solve that?” he said eventually, his tone dry.
“No,” she said with a little laugh. “Though the image of you braiding Odette’s hair is now stuck in my mind, so thank you for that.”
He shook his head, but the corner of his mouth lifted in amusement.
“All I’m saying,” she continued, “is that a little effort wouldn’t kill you. Try listening more. Asking instead of deciding. There’s more to being close to someone than staying in the same house.”
“You want me to be softer?”
“I want you to be aware,” Penelope said carefully.
“I see,” he said slowly, “And this is what you call the feminine touch?”
“It’s what I call being human,” she corrected. “But yes, perhaps women are better at it. Because we’re taught to care, to listen, to consider how others feel before we act.”
“So what does that make me? A brute who only knows how to bark orders?” Alexander’s tone turned defensive.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You implied it.”
“I implied that you might benefit from seeing things the way we do. That there’s more strength in tenderness than you allow yourself to believe,” she sighed.
