In this passage from "Comanche Moon" by Catherine Anderson, the tension between the characters is palpable as one person expresses discomfort with the advances of another. The phrase "I'm not your woman yet" indicates a struggle for autonomy, while the concern about being seen suggests societal judgments and expectations weighing on their interaction.
The dialogue further highlights a sense of impropriety, as the mention of corset "whale bones" adds to the embarrassment of the moment. The character feels ashamed that such personal matters are being openly discussed, revealing the often conflicting desires between intimacy and public decorum.