Chapter 13
“Good morning,” he said. “Isla, is it? Don’t shy away.” Mr. Drexin stepped closer. “I am a gentleman and an honorable man.” He loosened a strap on his torso, removed a revolver from a holster, and set the weapon on a side table. He gestured to the sofa, sprinkled with food crumbs. “Shall we sit and get to know each other? It’s been a very long night for me, with many hours in consult with the brigade and a long ride here.”
My blood rushed and my mind circled with possible ways to evade his interest. I stood to the side with my eyes down, allowing him to move around and sit on the sofa.
“It’s quite dark in here,” I said. “There’s a lamp beside you.”
“Tell me,” he said, sitting down and turning on the lamp. “Why is a girl such as yourself dressed in such a ragtag manner? Turn
