“And what is it you think I don’t understand?” He leaned against the wall of the building beside her, studying her with a shining curiosity in his eyes.
“What it’s like to be a woman.”
“Explain it to me then.” The man shuffled a little closer to her, his arm nearly close enough to brush against hers. Heat radiated from his body to hers. “Tell me what it’s like to be a woman.”
“Just because I was spared a loveless union doesn’t mean I’m liberated. Women have no true freedom. You’re either controlled by your father, or you’re controlled by your husband. You don’t get to have an opinion on what happens in your life and if you dare to speak your mind, you’re in trouble. Or dismissed.”
“Is that all?” the man asked, his words soft, not like he was trying to dismiss her, but more like he wanted to understand.
“There is so much more. In this world a woman must be bound to her husband or her father and all she can do is hope that one is less cruel than the other.”
“Then you have yet to meet the right man.” The stranger gave her that disarming smile. “I could introduce you to the right man in this very moment.”
“If you mean yourself, I will take my chances at being a nun.”
“I could change your mind.”
He pushed off the wall, turning to face her, taking a step closer to her, his gaze dropping to her lips before flickering back up to her eyes. Isobel’s heart slammed into her ribs, her mouth going dry. Her tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip.
The man stood close to her, far too close for liking. She could reach out and run her fingers along the stubble on his jaw if she wanted to.
And for a moment, she did want to.
“No matter what happens, I’m ruined. No man is going to want to marry me when they find out there is no dowry to be had.” Isobel dragged her bottom lip between her teeth.
The man stepped even closer. “It’s only on the edge of ruin that we finally find freedom.”
Isobel stared at him, wondering if it would really be so wrong to close the distance between them. To allow him to kiss her. To fully ruin her since there was nothing else left for her.
“Claim your freedom,” he whispered, his voice husky.
This is a horrid idea. This man is a stranger. I don’t know what he wants from me, but I’m sure it’s not good. It’s only going to get me into more trouble.
“A-are you trying to s-seduce me?” She took a step back, turning and pressing as close to the wall behind her as possible.
“If I were, you would know it.” He straightened up, taking a step back with an easy smile on his face.
Her cheeks burned white hot as she looked away, her breathing a little ragged. She had been made a fool by another man. It was the second time in a single day. How much worse could her day get?
“Come, Darling,” the man said, that rasp still in his voice.
Isobel whipped to look at him. “How dare you?—”
“I was talking to the dog.” The man held his hands out for the puppy. “I have other things to do with my day, and it seems like you have ruination to face, so if you don’t mind, I’ll be taking my dog now.”
Isobel cleared her throat and handed him the dog.
“Good girl.” He smirked, eyes on her again.
She studied him for a moment, trying to decide whether to be appalled or not. She couldn’t tell who he was talking to, but she hoped for just a moment that the sultry tone of his might be for her. Just a fleeting feeling of being wanted by someone.
And then the feeling was gone as he decided he was talking to the dog.
“I hope whoever you have to interact with next gets a more pleasant version of you than I have.”
Isobel scowled, crossing her arms.
“Good luck with the ruination, but if you ever wish for someone to ruin you properly, you may find me at Foxdrey.” He turned and strode back to the carriage, loading Darling in before climbing in himself and shutting the door.
