Remember when it was written folks. It was different era. Relation between men and woman was not straightforward. Old fashioned Girls were told to remain virgin while new age generation was rebelling and having sex. It was messy phase where choice was not always in your hand and society was strict regarding interactions. As for guy, she looked at him like he was monk or sexless object in order to feel safe. He provided her safe haven and chance to know her and her him without pushing her boundaries. That is not manipulation but best recourse considering limitation society placed on their interactions. He didn't kiss her passionately till she wanted it. His kisses were most like parental kiss. The only creepy thing he did was get into her bedroom when she slept. But by god girls did that to in some many novels. Again limitation. Open sex or even interaction was limited. Learn history.
Remember when it was written folks. It was different era. Relation between men and woman was not straightforward. Old fashioned Girls were told to remain virgin while new age generation was rebelling and having sex. It was messy phase where choice was not always in your hand and society was strict regarding interactions. As for guy, she looked at him like he was monk or sexless object in order to feel safe. He provided her safe haven and chance to know her and her him without pushing her boundaries. That is not manipulation but best recourse considering limitation society placed on their interactions. He didn't kiss her passionately till she wanted it. His kisses were most like parental kiss. The only creepy thing he did was get into her bedroom when she slept. But by god girls did that to in some many novels. Again limitation. Open sex or even interaction was limited. Learn history.