Yes. The word resounded between them with a finality Anthony didn’t like. His brow pinched again, nose wrinkling in disagreement, and he straightened imperceptibly. That was not the answer he’d been expecting, or wanted. Was she so desperate to marry that any man would do? The question hung sharp and rude on the tip of his tongue. It stung to think he could be just anyone to her and that she’d jump regardless. Maybe he had misjudged Ms. Torie Malfoy.

Still, Anthony was determined not to let this argument - this potential misunderstanding (he’d give her the benefit of the doubt, she’d just been through quite an ordeal) - be the cause of any more angst between them. When they parted here, he wanted to be very clear on where he stood in this whole situation. “I don’t,” came the gruff response. “In fact quite the opposite.” Arms came up to cross over his chest. “I’ve only ever wanted to marry for love, unlike most. I respect boundaries and try not to make fools of the women in my life.” Hence why he’d refused to ruin her here. “I want to marry someone because I can’t imagine my life without them anymore, because they make me a better version of who I am. Not merely because I have to, to save them from the cruelty of our society.” Even though I would, remained unsaid but understood.

Anthony Alderton, perhaps uniquely from other gentlemen, could respect the implications of being a woman in this age. He often thought of Tillie and his cousins, the complaints and hardships they sometimes faced. He didn’t ever want to be the cause of those or force anyone into anything merely because he had the privilege of being born male. He eyed Victoire for a moment, hoping she could at least understand that much. He meant no ill will, regardless of what she might think.

“I don’t want to marry someone I don’t know, or who doesn’t know me,” he finally said, voice quiet and all the anger from it dissipating. “I don’t care what society expects. I want to be in love with the whole person, not just an idea or a feeling.” He sucked in a small breath and dared to take a step closer in her direction but didn’t reach out. “What do you want, Victoire?”

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