“It’s not scandalous. It’s Egyptian. How come you’ve never talked to Little Egypt about how scandalous she is? How come you’re telling me I’m a hussy?”

“A hussy?” Alex felt himself flush and could only be glad the carriage was dark inside. “I said no such thing.”

“You thought it,” Kate said baldly. “And I’m not.”

“Of course not.” He didn’t believe it. He thought she was a hussy. The truth smacked him like a blow. Gil’s accusation taunted him, and he tried to shake it off.

“Listen, Mr. English. I’m only trying to make a living however I can. It’s not my fault I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, like you were—”

”Now see here—”

”Darn it, listen to me, will you? I work hard. Very, very hard. And it’s not easy, what I do. I’m trying to support myself and my mother, and believe me, the world isn’t kind to women who are trying to support themselves.”

“You ought to get married. That’s what you should do.” Alex was sure of it. Marriage and motherhood were the roles established for women, no matter how poorly this present example of femininity might fill the roles. Until her face set like granite, he hadn’t believed she could look any harder.

“Yeah? My mother got married. See the result?” She yanked at her scarf, and Alex winced when he saw the dark, brutal bruises thus exposed. “Marriage isn’t for me, thanks anyway.”