Page 106 of A Lady’s Guide to Subterfuge and Science

“Jennings?” Comerford prompted, and Oliver was irritated to hear a hopeful note in his ex-mentor’s voice. Why was it so difficult for him to simply believe the truth?

A rhetorical question, really, given that everyone in the room likely knew the reason.

“Why are you so involved in this, Booth?” Jennings asked. “What stake do you have in any of this?”

“I—”

“Everyone in this room is aware of your reputation,” Jennings interrupted. His focus slid to Kalila. “Though I never imagined you to be the type to go to such lengths for someone so—so plain. Perhaps your reputation is more fable than it is fact.”

It seemed that Oliver’s turn to grow angry had come. He frowned at Jennings, feeling a nerve begin to tick in his jaw. “Would you care to clarify?”

Jennings sighed. When he responded, it was in the condescending tone one might use with an infant. “You clearly believe you have something to gain by doing this,” he explained. “I don’t know what it is, naturally. But if I were to hazard a guess, I would say you’ve experienced a lapse in judgment and are desperate to bed—”

Jennings was silenced by a punch to the nose. He stumbled back as Oliver shook out his hand, wincing in pain.

Kalila gasped. “Oliver!”

“Booth!” Comerford thundered.

“He hit me!” Jennings shrieked, as if everyone in the room hadn’t witnessed it in real time. “He broke my nose, the bastard.”

“You will not refer to her ever again,” Oliver growled. He knew that punching Jennings hadn’t been mature, exactly, but God did it feel satisfying. “Do you hear me?”

In response, Jennings made a pathetic lunge at Oliver. Before he could lay a hand on him, Comerford yanked him back, practically throwing him into the door.

“That is enough,” he shouted, chest heaving with anger. “You are both expelled from the Society, effective immediately.”

“Why should Oliver be expelled?” Kalila stepped forward once more. “Not only has Jennings insulted me, but he also stole my work.”

Oliver marveled at the sight of her standing up to Comerford, hands on her hips, chin tilted up in challenge.

“Because,” Comerford responded, “we are men of science. This Society—my Society—is not a circus. I will not have it turn into fodder for the gossip mill.”

“I think it’s too late for that,” Oliver said. “Given what happened in the hall.”

“Given what you instigated in the hall,” Comerford corrected. “Nothing of the sort will ever occur again. Not if I have any say in it.” He settled his gaze upon Kalila. “And what, pray tell, was all of this for, Miss Darwish?”

“I wanted to come here to learn, Mr. Comerford,” Kalila said evenly. “But I soon realized that I would not be happy unless I published my work under my own name. And that would not happen unless I somehow managed to convince you to allow women into the Society.”

“This is no place for women,” Comerford said, keeping his tone equally measured. He was, after all, speaking to a lady. “We would lose all respect from fellow scientists.”

“That is ridiculous,” Kalila snapped. “Philosophical Transactions published Mary Somerville’s work in 1826, and she is a woman. I am not the only one of my kind, sir, not here, and especially not where I come from.”

Oliver glanced at Comerford with some curiosity, wondering how he’d respond. Kalila made a compelling argument, of course. Life was difficult for women like her, but it wasn’t as if some of them hadn’t seen success.

“Philosophical Transactions published Mary Somerville’s work for the novelty of it,” Comerford grumbled.

Kalila frowned. “The novelty?”

“I do not speak of her research,” Comerford clarified. “I meant to say that it is a novelty for a woman to practice science, and novelty sells. That is all.”

Oliver raised his eyebrows in stunned surprise. How could Comerford be so—so—archaic? And how had he not noticed it before?

Kalila’s jaw tensed. “I do not think there is any point in conversing further then, Mr. Comerford.”

“I only speak the truth, Miss Darwish,” Comerford replied. “I would be doing you a disservice otherwise.”

“You do me a disservice by remaining as closed-minded as ever,” Kalila said. Then, to Dameer, she muttered, “Let’s go.”