Sweep Me Up, Baron (A Very Fine Muddle Book 4) by Kate Archer
Author:Kate Archer [Archer, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-12-07T16:00:00+00:00
Chapter Fourteen
Percival made his way over to Mr. Haventopsâ grouping.
âMay one presume that both Lady Cordelia and Miss Mayton have read Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas widely?â Mr. Haventops asked them.
âPresume whatever you prefer, Mr. Haventops,â Miss Mayton said. âI always think things are made a deal more pleasant when one allows others to carry on with their presumptions.â
âDo you say then,â Mr. Haventops went on, âthat you have or have not?â
âOne wonders,â Miss Mayton said.
âYes, one does wonder,â Mr. Haventops said.
âI say, Haventops,â Mr. Genterly said quietly.
Haventops disregarded the warning. Percival could see Lady Cordeliaâs cheeks redden. He would have to put a stop to this.
âI am only trying to assess the ladiesâ knowledge of the subject,â Haventops said with a shrug. âThis is a salon, not a rout, and we have the right to expect certain standards are met.â
âHaventops,â Percival said in a warning tone. âWe will follow the rules of conduct here.â
It was said in a tone that meant to convey that his behavior was unacceptable and would not be tolerated. He would throw the man out on his ear if it became necessary. It was one thing to conduct a fierce, and even bordering on rude, debate with an equal challenger. It was quite another to bully a weaker opponent.
Lady Cordelia sipped her wine and set it down. She was looking less embarrassed than she had been. She was looking rather furious.
âMr. Haventops,â she said calmly, âI would be delighted to acquaint you with my knowledge of the subject. Both Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas are correctâa man cannot be a good judge of his own case. This revelation has crystallized for me just now, as I have seen with my own eyes when a man does not realize he is acting ungentlemanly, petulant, and spiteful. But then, one must assume such a gentleman does not have a wife or sisters at home who might point out and soften such flaws before they are advertised so publicly.â
Mr. Genterly snorted. Sir Matthew said, âTouché, Lady Cordelia.â
Mr. Haventops looked as if his very head would explode into bits. He stood and said, âI need not remain here to be insulted in such a manner!â
âIf one does not wish to be parried, one ought not swing oneâs sword,â Lady Cordelia said coldly.
âYes, you did start it, you know,â Miss Mayton said. âWe were perfectly prepared to be civil and only say âone wondersâ or âwhat do you thinkâ all the night long.â
Mr. Haventops turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.
Percival was rather stunned by this turn of events. How on earth had Lady Cordelia bested Mr. Haventops?
She was positively marvelous.
âLord Harveston,â Lady Cordelia said, âI apologize if I have driven one of your members from your drawing room.â
Percival surveyed the group. He said, âPlease raise your hand if you are despondent over the departure of Mr. Haventops.â
There were some very decisive snorts, but no hands were raised.
âNow that piece of business is dispensed with,â Sir Matthew said,
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