Even though Bates had proved himself to be a decent fellow—protecting her from Jacobs without a question—he was still a man. He would have been raised all of his life to see women as fragile beings in need of protection… if they weren’t simply to be exploited. Centuries of cultural conditioning couldn’t be overcome on a whim—not even if he meant her well. Meaning her well could easily turn into sticking her on a boat back to London.
