She touched his rough jaw and fingered the cleft in his chin. Could this man really want her as she wanted him? Could he be feeling what she was feeling? Her fingers traveled up into his thick hair and pulled him closer.
As if her touch was all the prompting he needed, suddenly she was being caressed in a way that left her in no doubt what he felt for her.
Breathless, they broke apart a fraction. She sniffed and tried to wipe her eyes, realizing how wet her face still was from crying. “I’m a mess,” she protested. She brought her handkerchief to her nose as he loosened his hold enough for her to manage.
She half turned from him and blew her nose and wiped her eyes. Suddenly, she was so afraid of what he’d see. Her hair was mussed, her eyes and nose red.
As if understanding her fears, he touched her chin and turned her around to face him again. “You’re a beautiful woman, Florence Hathaway.” He reached out and smoothed the loosened hair around her temple before drawing her back to him. When he held her once more captive within his embrace, he looked down at her and shook his head, a humorous glint in his green eyes. “I still cannot fathom how a lady like yourself can even look at the likes o’ someone like me, but I pray to the good Lord that He’ll keep you blinded for the rest of your days.”
She returned his smile tentatively, her eyes tearing again.
“I’ve received your brother’s blessing to, well…” Again his skin took on a ruddy look. “To ask for your hand…if, that is, you’ll have a lout like me.”
She swatted at his arm. “I’ll not have you calling yourself such names.”
His grin widened. “I suppose you’ll be bossing me around unmercifully and I’ll do your bidding like a meek slave.”
Her smile disappeared. “I’m probably too independent to make you a good wife. I shall have trouble being fully submissive.” She pursed her lips in mock annoyance. “Although, I’ve come to admire and respect you so much, I’ll probably defer to you in everything and you will lord your authority over me.”
He touched her cheek with infinite tenderness. “I suggest we meet halfway and be true partners, deferring and consulting with each other in all things.”
She returned his smile. “I submit to your wisdom.”
He drew her to him again and, with a shout of laughter, picked her up and whirled her around. “God be praised! He has saved me from the noose and given me the best woman on Earth!”
Florence joined in his laughter, tightening her hold around his neck, and thanking God for His infinite mercy and grace.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
What does the title of this book mean in a literal sense? In a metaphorical sense? When Florence attempts to train Jonah to resemble a gentleman, what kind of transformation is she really seeking, even when she doesn’t realize it yet herself?
Although Florence is a compassionate woman who is deeply committed to helping the inmates of Newgate, why does she find herself so intolerant of Jonah Quinn?
There were three very distinct classes in British society in regency times: the lower class, an emerging middle class and an upper class. To which do Florence and her brother belong? Jonah? The rector and the duke? How do these levels influence Florence’s view of each of these individuals?
How does Florence’s view of her own place in society affect her view of Quinn and her emerging feelings for him? How is this view at odds with her Christian view?
How does Florence’s relationship with the Reverend Doyle aggravate this sense of class distinction?
What are some of the biggest hurdles Quinn faces in transforming himself into a gentleman?
In drawing a parallel with the experience of a person when he/she first comes to Christ (being born again), what are some of the challenges new Christians find in changing some of their behaviors or breaking old habits? And how are they sometimes viewed by their new Christian community? Do more seasoned Christians occasionally make the mistake of measuring a new Christian’s progress by outward benchmarks?
How does Damien’s Christian witness differ from Florence’s? Why does it seem easier for him to accept Quinn and his shortcomings?
Why is entering the boxing match and winning it so important for Jonah? What kind of approbation do we Christians seek from the world and how does the Lord deal with this need in us?
Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 16:25, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” How is this literally applied in Jonah’s case?
How does having to come full circle in his life (from the hangman’s noose to the hangman’s noose) serve to prove God’s love to Jonah?
Why is it necessary for Florence to have to confess her emotions before a whole crowd, including the prince regent? How is this a liberating experience?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-2103-5
THE MAKING OF A GENTLEMAN
Copyright © 2008 by Ruth Axtell
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