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. Haventops’ grouping.

“May one presume that both Lady Cordelia and Miss Mayton have read Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas widely?” Mr. Haventops asked them.

“Presume whatever you prefer, Mr. Haventops,” Miss Mayton said. “I always think things are made a deal more pleasant when one allows others to carry on with their presumptions.”

“Do you say then,” Mr. Haventops went on, “that you have or have not?”

“One wonders,” Miss Mayton said.

“Yes, one does wonder,” Mr. Haventops said.

“I say, Haventops,” Mr. Genterly said quietly.

Haventops disregarded the warning. Percival could see Lady Cordelia’s cheeks redden. He would have to put a stop to this.

“I am only trying to assess the ladies’ knowledge of the subject,” Haventops said with a shrug. “This is a salon, not a rout, and we have the right to expect certain standards are met.”

“Haventops,” Percival said in a warning tone. “We will follow the rules of conduct here.”

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.

“Mr. Haventops,” she said calmly, “I would be delighted to acquaint you with my knowledge of the subject. Both Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas are correct—a 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.”

Mr. Genterly snorted. Sir Matthew said, “Touché, Lady Cordelia.”

Mr. Haventops looked as if his very head would explode into bits. He stood and said, “I need not remain here to be insulted in such a manner!”

“If one does not wish to be parried, one ought not swing one’s sword,” Lady Cordelia said coldly.

“Yes, you did start it, you know,” Miss Mayton said. “We were perfectly prepared to be civil and only say ‘one wonders’ or ‘what do you think’ all the night long.”

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.

“Lord Harveston,” Lady Cordelia said, “I apologize if I have driven one of your members from your drawing room.”

Percival surveyed the group. He said, “Please raise your hand if you are despondent over the departure of Mr. Haventops.”

There were some very decisive snorts, but no hands were raised.

“Now that piece of business is dispensed with,” Sir Matthew said,

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