Once Upon a Temptingly Ruinous Kiss - Bree Wolf Page 0,121
was the truth. “I was curious, and I wanted to see beyond the world open to me. Since birth, I had been shielded from the ugliness of the world and I was unprepared to face it. I could not even imagine it to be the way I found it. It came as an ugly shock.” Her gaze returned to Gillingham, one hand moving to point at him accusingly. “It was he who took advantage that night. He attacked me. He did not care what I wanted or did not want. I was there to observe, nothing more, and no, that night I was not prepared to protect myself. It never even occurred to me that it would be necessary. Yes, it was foolish, but without knowledge of the world, how can one make the right decision.”
Despite a feeling of inevitability that fell over Leonora, she could feel her heart beating strong in her chest. “I know that I’m ruined in the eyes of society, of you,” she continued, feeling a deep sense of pride despite the consequences that would soon descend upon her. “He attacked me, and yet, I am the one punished. I ask you, is that right? Should he not be the one to suffer the consequences? Is this truly the world we want to live in? A world where the weak are punished by the strong simply because they can, not because they are right?” Again, Leonora looked at the many young women around the room, knowing that they all faced the same choices. “You might think me a fool for admitting to my own mistakes openly. Yet, I am doing so in order to spare others what I have suffered.” Her gaze moved around the room, and she saw tears on some faces and fear in others, but also the awakening of something powerful. “Ladies, I know you have been taught since birth that marriage and a suitable husband is all you are to desire. You have been taught to look for title and reputation, for fortune and family standing.” Imploringly, Leonora shook her head. “But do not allow yourselves to be fooled, for a marriage to the wrong man,” she glanced down at Gillingham, “is worse than a lifelong prison sentence.”
Again, the small crowd gasped, and yet, Leonora could see almost imperceptible nods here and there.
“Be wary,” she continued on, offering advice based upon her own experience. “Do not allow yourselves to be intimidated. Do not find fault with yourselves. Walk around with open eyes and see what is there, not what you want there to be.”
Turning to look at her father and brother, Leonora smiled. “Believe me, there are many decent men in the world. Men who are kind and good. Men who will listen because they truly care to know what you think. Men who not only treat you as their equal, but truly see you as such.” Tears began to prick the backs of her eyes as Leonora turned, stepped back and looked at Drake, his warm gray eyes steady upon hers. “Men who fight for you and with you. Men who give you the strength to stand up for yourself. Men who let you fight your own battles and allow you to feel strong.”
A deep breath lifted Drake’s chest, and the way his eyes continued to look into hers made Leonora’s pulse jump. Indeed, he was such a man, the kind one only ever dreamed of, but never found in reality. Or did one?
Had she?
Blinking against the tears pushing to the surface, Leonora turned her gaze away, reminding herself why she was here. “Women of London,” she said with a bright smile, allowing her gaze to sweep over her family, from her grandmother to her mother and to her beloved sisters, each strong in their own way, “stand tall and demand respect. Believe me, you deserve it. I’ve come here tonight to remind you of it and to warn you.” Leonora looked down at Lord Gillingham as he began pushing to his feet, still staggering, unable to stand tall. “Steer well clear of this man. He is not who he pretends to be, and he does not deserve any of you. Any of us. Think of me what you will but know that I’m speaking the truth. After all, I had nothing to gain from saying what I did tonight. All I wanted was for the truth to be known and to protect other young women like me from allowing themselves