“Because”—and here his tone grew rueful—“I’ve been far from gentlemanly.” Her mouth quirked. “Oh, I’m not so sure. Is not running around with guns and shouting the very essence of masculinity?” “None I would aspire to.” “And yet…” “Miss Carroll,” he said softly, torn between the sting of mortification and something close to amusement, “you are unkind.” “You know I do not mean it.” And, to his surprise, he did.
