Cordelia’s heart sank. There was something very wrong here. She did not wish to join Mr. Haventops’ group. Though, she supposed she did not have much choice.
*
Percival, or ratherhis butler, had been successful at keeping his aunt’s friends from invading his drawing room before eight o’clock.
Not that it had not made much of a difference—the room was filled with flowers and he could see very well what his members thought of it. At least his aunt had not had time to meddle with Makepeace’s sideboard.
Percival had presumed that his aunt and her friends would stay separate from the rest of the members and carry on their conversation regarding the doings in the dale.
He had even planned on occasionally taking part in the discussion as he made his way round the room. Though, beyond noting that the plot was unpredictable, which he had already said to Lady Cordelia, he had not thought of any other positive he might remark upon. But certainly something would come to him.
Lady Cordelia was looking very well this night. She wore a simple cream silk with only a thin gold chain round her neck as adornment. Her auburn hair was swept up and kept in place with a gold and pearl comb. She was very elegant really.
It occurred to him that she always did look elegant. It was as if she had the confidence of restraint. She did not add what was not necessary.
As he was admiring her person, Percival had been quietly alarmed to see Mr. Haventops approach the ladies. His alarm had been for naught, though, as they’d seemed to have a civil conversation.
Mr. Haventops could be ornery in the extreme, but apparently he’d cooled off since the last salon. He imagined the fellow had managed to recover from his initial outrage and decided to make himself pleasant. After all, he always sought connections and Lady Rawley was exceedingly connected.
At least, that’s what he’d thought. Now he was not so certain.
Now, the ladies had split into two and joined two different groups. Wishing to bring them into the fold was rather too big a turnaround to be believed from Mr. Haventops.
What was he up to?
Whatever it was, it seemed to come as a surprise to the other members, who clearly were not expecting to find a lady beside them.
Makepeace ended his description of the question of the night. “As Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas theorized, is it in fact hopeless for a man to judge his own case?”
Percival said, “At this moment, I usually give my opinion on the question. Though, I am not entirely sure where I’ve landed on this one. On the one hand, it seems clear that a person cannot always be objective when an outcome will materially affect them. On the other hand, if one sets out clear rules to live by, then one need only follow them rigorously and that must enforce objectivity. So, I will be interested in hearing the range of debate on the matter. Begin the discussion.”
Percival retrieved a glass of wine from the sideboard and drifted over to where his aunt, Lady Agatha, and Mrs. Robinson had seated themselves.
Mr. Royford was laying out various documents. Sir Frederick said, “Lady Rawley, I would know your assessment of the points both Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas set out to make.”
Lady Rawley shook her fan at Sir Frederick. “Well, Sir Frederick, whatIwould know is your view on Desdemona’s death inOthello. Was not Othello judging his own case and doing a very bad job of it?”
“One wonders,” Mrs. Robinson said.
“It certainly merits further thought,” Lady Agatha said.
The other members, including Makepeace, looked entirely flummoxed. As was Percival himself. How had she worked inOthello?
He was certain his members were about to be taken on a ride they would not enjoy. However, he was all confidence that his aunt and her two friends could defend themselves sufficiently, if not rationally.
He was more concerned about Haventops.
Chapter Fourteen
Percival made hisway 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.
