Despite, or perhaps due to his body’s reaction to that idea, it reminded him of his stolen book. Was that why she took it? Did she wish to learn and experience physical passion as well? It was a titillating thought. And discussing this particular subject was the last piece of his trap. So far, he’d not been completely successful in confirming she was his thief. Now was his final attempt.
Chapter Nine
Joanna moved towardthe designated section of books. Just when she thought her initial dislike of the duke was confirmed, he changed her mind again. Guilt was now riding her hard. The night at his dinner party, she had been so sure he would have forced his cousin to marry who he wanted, but she was wrong. Now, she was conflicted. Had he invited her and her father to his library to see if she’d taken his book or to share his pride and joy with people he thought could appreciate it?
Oh, and she did appreciate it. She hadn’t lied. It was magnificent. It was more than that, but she had no actual word for what it was. She needed to create one like she used to do when she was young and didn’t yet know the word for what she wanted to say.
On the other hand, he did mention that he knew every title in his library which meant he was well aware the book was missing. Yet he hadn’t mentioned the theft. Even when he’d stopped at the exact spot where she’d taken the book. Was that coincidence? Why would that spot have remained empty unless he wanted her to see it? And why wouldn’t he tell her the book was stolen? She’d been ready to show surprise at the information, but he didn’t say anything. Did he suspect her or not think she needed to know? All she could do was continue as they were, watching for any indication he thought her his thief.
She stopped in front of the bookcase he’d directed her to. There were many books she had read, but not all. She scanned the shelf for her favorite. The book had spoken to her very soul. She turned her head to find he’d joined her. “It appears you are missing a seminal text on the subject of women’s education. I do not seeA Vindication of the Rights of Womanby Mary Wollstonecraft.”
He pointed to the next section. “It’s there. As I said, I have more than one bookcase oneducation. It’s on the fourth shelf from the bottom, ninth book from the left.”
She faced that case to hide her sudden swallow. A man who knew every title and where every book resided in such a vast library, knew he had a book missing. The Wollstonecraft book was the first printing, the same one she kept locked in her cabinet. Carefully pulling the book from the shelf, she opened it. Just having it in her hands had her feeling more confident. She faced him again, glad he hadn’t moved because when he stood too close, he made her feel small. “And what did you think of it? You did read it, correct?”
He nodded. “I did. It has some interesting points but doesn’t pertain very much to women of our class.”
“Just because it doesn’t directly discuss the higher social classes, the arguments are no less pertinent and can be applied forthwith.”
He folded his arms as he leaned his hip against the balcony railing. “If it could be so easily applied, then why did she not apply it? The answer is obvious. It doesn’t apply.”
She felt her heart skip a beat. “That’s a logical fallacy. She didn’t apply it because the audience she wrote for was the gentry and poor, respectively. She knew better than to waste much time on the aristocracy.”
His brows raised. “So then she did not think her book would do well among the aristocracy. Is that not a testament to the fact she didn’t believe her ideas about equal education would be successful?”
There was nothing she enjoyed more than discussing her favorite book, and it had been so long since she’d been able to do so. She held the book to her chest with one hand as she put up her other index finger. “No, in actuality it does not. Since she grew up as part of the gentry, only with little to no financial support, her strongest argument would be among her own class. That was where it was most critical. However, that does not mean it cannot be applied to the aristocracy.”
She waited, almost breathless, anxious to hear his agreement or next argument. He remained still, obviously thinking about what she said. Having grown used to people dismissing her or actually yawning in her face, she felt quite heady as she waited for him to speak. She studied him and had to admit he was a handsome man in a classical fashion. She hadn’t noticed before, most likely because she had judged him upon very little evidence, committing a logical fallacy herself.
He gave one of his truncated nods. “I acquiesce to your point that it may be applied. However, if it was applied, I’m certain it would fail.”
Her mind spun with possible rejoinders. Landing on one, she shrugged. “Of course it would.”
His eyes widened. “If you think it would, then why debate the possibility or for that matter, why read and obviously endorse the ideas?”
She waved her hand. “Just because education for women of my class would not be accepted today, that doesn’t mean it isn’t something we should be striving for in the near future.” She hugged the book with both arms. “This is the future. Most life changing, no, society changing, ideas are rejected at first. For example, we have Galilei Galileo. He tried to tell his society the world rotated around the sun, but they wouldn’t listen. To me, the fact that Wollstonecraft did not address the aristocracy proves she was intelligent enough to understand the historical pillars that would need to fall. She determined that was a battle for another generation and focused on an area where her ideas could do the most good.”
He pushed away from the railing. “By that logic, we would all believe that fire is made of Phlogiston because scientists decried Becher for it.”
She shook her head. “Galileo was only an example, but the point that the aristocracy was not ready for these ideas when this was published,” she held out the book, “is still valid.” She turned to reshelve it, not wanting to damage it in her exhilaration over the debate. “But that was almost twenty years ago, and it is time for change.” She turned back to find him studying her.
“Does she not posit that women are too emotional? Like you are at the moment?”
“Enjoying a good debate is not being emotional. But to your point, she does explain that women are encouraged by men to be emotional.” She cocked her head. “Is that the kind of woman you would like for a wife?”
His gaze shifted away from hers. “I’d rather an emotional wife than an erroneously educated one.”
She didn’t answer, not sure if he’d meant that as an insult, but her instinct told her his comment was not part of their debate. He had moved from their intelligent conversation to more personal matters. As much as she wanted to know more, she recognized the change for what it was and let it lie. Turning back to see what other books he might have that would be of interest, she noticed a pamphlet sticking out among those on the second section as if it had been hastily added. “What is this?”
“You probably don’t want to read that.”
She bristled at his tone. “If it’s about education, I certainly do.” She read the title out loud. “What Women Need to Know to Please their Husbands. I hope there is a companion to this one about what men need to know to please their wives.”
He coughed. “I don’t believe there is.”
“At least Wollstonecraft wroteA Vindication of the Rights of Manas well.” She looked down at the pamphlet to find no author. “Hmph.” Turning to the first written page, she read aloud. “A woman must allow her husband free use of her body whenever he wants it. To submit to him at anytime and anywhere will make her more treasured. She must—” Her veins suddenly felt as if molten lava flowed through them. She snapped the pamphlet closed and fanned herself with it. “That is highly inappropriate.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “I thought you wanted to learn everything men learn.” He pointed to the pamphlet. “And that is actually for a woman to read.”
