[ peggy nearly chokes on her surprise. there's no deeper meaning to it, she's certain, but it's an odd thing to hear said aloud all the same. how often has she accused rip of being unsporting, of speaking unkindly, of being anything but a gentleman? sometimes in earnest; sometimes with affection.

she covers her laughter with a pained sigh. ]

He may know his manners, Fitz, but he doesn't always mind them. [ but he's being such a darling lately, isn't he? fetching food and makeshift cushions made out of spare prison uniforms. if only every loving gesture didn't come with an earful. talk about bloody surly. ] Like the sort of man who's got the Queensberry rules memorized -- if only to best know how they're bent.

[ so! not a gentleman. but (peg believes) a good one. now those she likes to keep an eye on. ]