" Phelan,” Cam said, looking up with an easy smile, “have you come to see the timber yard?”
“Thank you, but I’m here for another reason.”
Leo, who was standing near the window, glanced from Christopher’s rumpled attire to Beatrix’s disheveled condition. “Beatrix, darling, have you taken to going off the estate dressed like that?”
“Only this once,” she said apologetically. “I was in a hurry.”
“A hurry involving Captain Phelan?” Leo’s sharp gaze moved to Christopher. “What do you wish to discuss?”
“It’s personal,” Christopher said quietly. “And it concerns your sister.” He looked from Cam to Leo. Ordinarily there would have been no question concerning which one of them to approach. As lord of the manor, Leo would have been the first choice. However, the Hathaways seemed to have settled on an unconventional sharing of roles.
“Which one of you should I talk to?” Christopher asked.
They pointed to each other and replied at the same time.
“Him.”
Cam spoke to Leo. “You’re the viscount.”
“You’re the one who usually deals with that sort of thing,” Leo protested.
“Yes. But you won’t like my opinion on this one.”
“You’re not actually considering giving them your approval, are you?”
“Of all the Hathaway sisters,” Cam said equably, “Beatrix is the one most suited to choose her own husband. I trust her judgment.”
Beatrix gave him a brilliant smile. “Thank you, Cam.”
“What are you thinking?” Leo demanded of his brother-in-law. “You can’t trust Beatrix’s judgment.”
“Why not?”
“She’s too young,” Leo said.
“I’m twenty-three,” Beatrix protested. “In dog years I’d be dead.”
“And you’re female,” Leo persisted.
“I beg your pardon?” Catherine interrupted. “Are you implying that women have poor judgment?”
“In these matters, yes.” Leo gestured to Christopher. “Just look at the fellow, standing there like a bloody Greek god. Do you think she chose him because of his intellect?”
“I graduated from Cambridge,” Christopher said acidly. “Should I have brought my diploma?”
“In this family,” Cam interrupted, “there is no requirement of a university degree to prove one’s intelligence. Lord Ramsay is a perfect example of how one has nothing to do with the other.”
“Phelan,” Leo said, “I don’t intend to be offensive, however--”
“It’s something that comes naturally to him,” Catherine interrupted sweetly. "

― Lisa Kleypas , Love in the Afternoon (The Hathaways, #5)