“Very well,” Rowles began. “I believe you’re frustrated with me, and if you misunderstood my words last night, you’d have rightful cause.” He turned his attention ahead.

When she didn’t say anything, he turned and met her curious expression.

“I’m not sure if I was more frustrated with you or myself, Your Grace.”

“Rowles,” he said, almost instinctively. The title still didn’t feel comfortable.

She nodded. “Rowles.” Her lips dimpled. He was struck by the way his name sounded on her tongue, by how much it pleased him and how much he wished to hear her say it again.

“I never meant to imply that it was justifiable for society to be unfair in the constraints against women. For miscommunicating that, I apologize. It wasn’t until later that I reconsidered how I made my point in our discussion and recognized how it could be interpreted.”

“I jumped to a conclusion that was also unfair. For that, I apologize,” Joan offered, meeting his look with a contrite expression. “It’s a subject that’s close to my heart, and I was probably oversensitive.” She turned her attention to the ground.

“Oversensitive?” Rowles shook his head. “Not at all. It’s a subject close to your heart, clearly, and also one that isn’t given as much credit as deserved.”

“Truly?” Her expression became painfully hopeful.

What would it be like to be at the mercy of society because of gender, he wondered. “Truly. Now, your brother tells me you’re part of a women’s society?” he asked, hoping she’d trust him enough to talk freely.

Joan studied him for a moment. “Indeed, and as my brother is the one who informed you, he also conveyed his displeasure.”

“Possibly,” Rowles answered.

Two shallow lines creased her brow as she grumbled, “He is afraid society will consider me a bluestocking not because of my position in the world but because of my beliefs.”

“That is a possibility,” Rowles pointed out.

“And another aspect of the unfairness of the system.”

“Indeed,” he answered, curious how she’d continue.

Releasing her fistful of skirt, she waved her hands. “Most only consider the aspects of the unfair constraints of culture on women in the societal aspects, but it’s so much deeper,” she said with feeling.

“Which aspect do you find the most important to consider?” he asked, leading them to the entrance of Hyde Park. Morgan’s prophesy was correct and the park was mostly vacant. Rowles relaxed some, thankful they wouldn’t be under watchful eyes.

He turned his attention back to Joan, noting the way her lips twisted to the side as she thought. Were her lips as full and soft as they appeared? He desperately wanted to find out.

“The education aspect,” she replied with a firm nod.

“Formal or informal?” he asked, curious and intrigued at her keen mind.