Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Professor Lionel Graves spoke not from his seat behind the table where the rest of the panel participants sat, but instead while standing in front of it.
“It has, of course, been historically proven time and time again that those families with the greatest land holdings in an area also possess the greatest power and influence. Take, for instance, the Putnams, a powerful family from early Salem history who were also prominent landowners in Salem Village. The extent of their power and influence is proven by their deep ties to the Witch Trials.”
Natalie scowled, already knowing that if they were behind the burnings of innocent women as witches, she didn’t think very highly of this Putnam family this professor spoke about.
“Another example would be the Axtells, a founding family—nay, some might consider the founding family—in the Village of Mudville, New York.”
Mudville? Did he really just mention Mudville? The question of why, had her paying more attention as he continued.
“I do believe one of our ‘experts’ hails from the Mudville area…” The pinch-mouthed, pompous windbag had the nerve to shoot Natalie a glance, as if waiting for her to agree with him after he’d said the word expert like it was a joke when used in reference to her.
It was the same expression of distaste he’d had when the panel moderator had introduced her and read her bio. The same sneer he’d delivered when they’d been introduced just before the panel began.
Had he pulled some Mudville facts out of his butt just to mock her. What a dickhead. She hadn’t asked to be here. They had invited her.
Natalie sat, shocked and silent, gritting her teeth from the unsubtle and unwarranted attack on her in regard to her expertise.
An attack by a horrible man with smudged spectacles and a bad combover.
Judging by his appearance she could only guess he also had chronic halitosis and dandruff and that his suit smelled of moth balls…
Not that she had gotten close enough to smell him and she certainly had no intention of doing so. At least not on purpose.
Unbeknownst to him, as she inwardly plotted horrific though entertaining ways this man might die, he continued unperturbed.
“Historically the Axtells, landowners and leaders of the Mudville community, are a perfect example of how control of land and control of power go hand in hand. That is why they are the cornerstone of my newest book, Graves’ Guide to the Prominent Founding Families of Upstate New York, signed copies of which will be available for purchase immediately after the panel concludes.
Just see my assistant at the table in the hallway. ”
She frowned at the blatant self-promotion for his bullshit book.
That was the last straw. She’d remained silent when he’d attacked her expertise, when in fact she’d never claimed to be an expert in anything at all. But Natalie could not sit silent when he continued to spout incorrect facts about her town.
Harper had devoured Graves’s Guide the moment it came into Once Upon a Vine.
She’d ranted about all the inaccuracies for a solid hour of the four-hour drive to Salem today.
If there were any copies of that wretched man’s crappy book left in the shop when she got home, Natalie was returning them to the distributor immediately.
Graves continued, “The Axtells were the most influential—”
“I have to disagree on that point,“ Natalie said, sitting up straighter and interrupting him mid-sentence.
“The Mudd family were major landowners—” The cell phone face up on the table in front of Natalie lit with a message.
One glance told her Harper was feeding her talking points via text.
“Uh—” Her concentration blown, Natalie stumbled on her words, which gave the pompous windbag condescendingly smiling at her the opportunity to interrupt.
“I’m sorry, dear, but a decade of my research says otherwise.”
Natalie had told Harper she would be fine, and on some level she’d actually believed it. But as she felt the blood heat her cheeks when both her outrage and her blood pressure no doubt reached the danger zone, Natalie was definitely not fine.
All because of this damn panel she’d agreed to be on. No, she shouldn’t blame the panel, but instead a single panelist.
Professor Lionel Graves, the conceited, self-important, misogynistic author who’d spent the final ten minutes of the panel dominating the conversation as the other three panelists, Natalie included, sat silent.
And now, in front of all the attendees in the packed room, he was going to belittle her further with his claim that she was completely wrong.
Why was he even there? Just because he’d written a few books? What did that matter? Anyone could write a book about anything. That didn’t mean they knew what they were talking about.
He didn’t even live in Mudville!
She could have let it go. Should have sat quietly. Been the bigger person and ignored his slight against her and his inaccurate Mudville information. But before Natalie knew it, her mouth was open and words were spilling out.
“Actually, we’ve found proof that a large tract of land attributed as belonging to the Axtells didn’t in fact legally belong to them, but rather to the Mudd family, who I would call the true founding family of Mudville,” she said, proud as she wrapped up that she’d laid out a clear and concise, not to mention interesting piece of information for the attendees.
That it contradicted Graves was just a bonus.
He turned his watery gaze on her. “And where exactly did you get your proof? Did your ghost friends tell you?” He smiled before glancing at the audience, as if awaiting their praise for his stupid joke.
“No. We actually found some old documents—” Natalie stopped when she realized no one could hear her over the laughter in the room.
Even a few of the ghosts, who she’d done her best to ignore as they had gathered to stand in the back, let out a chuckle.
Red faced, Natalie leaned back in her chair and forced a fake good-natured smile. Sure, she was a good sport. She could take a joke. Some good-natured ribbing.
Meanwhile, she prayed she could keep the angry tears she felt pricking behind her eyes at bay. She had a few choice words for the professor but she kept those inside too because she was the better person. Only a stupid horrible man belittled others to lift up himself.
He couldn’t talk to the ghosts who’d actually witnessed the history. He hadn’t found critical historic documents in his wall. He couldn’t even get his facts straight. Yet he felt he could make fun of her?
The more she thought, the more the anger began to boil hotter inside her.
Somehow, Natalie managed to keep that anger locked down tight for the remainder of the panel. It was either that or be the next viral video on YouTube and she refused to give her arch enemy the satisfaction of seeing her humiliated worldwide.
The hour came to an end, finally. The moderator thanked them and while the audience applauded, Natalie was up and out of her chair, heading for the door with Harper scurrying after her.
One person in the hallway told Natalie how much she’d enjoy the panel.
Natalie hoped but wasn’t certain she’d managed to thank her appropriately before excusing herself and rushing away. It wasn’t until they were out of the fray and clear of all the attendees before she slowed her pace.
Harper glanced at her sideways. “You okay?”
“Sure. Peachy,” Natalie said, heading for the exit. She bypassed the buffet of coffee and cookies. Refreshments for the event she would have enjoyed on any other day.
“So we’re skipping the afternoon reception?” Harper asked.
“Yup. And tomorrow’s breakfast buffet. If we don’t, I’m afraid I might murder the esteemed Professor Graves.”
“Okay, then.” Harper nodded. They paused to wait for someone currently coming in the door they wanted to exit. “You know, we don’t have to stay. Do you just want to drive home tonight? I’d understand completely.”
It was a tempting offer, but Natalie shook her head. “No. We have that beautiful room. And we were planning to visit some museums in the morning. Do some shopping. We can have breakfast in that cute place we passed.”
“If you’re sure…” Harper began.
“I’m sure.” She’d be damned if that windbag completely ruined her trip.
Harper smiled. “Okay. Good. It’ll be nice to see more than just the hotel and the conference room. And that breakfast place we passed did look adorable.”
“Then adorable breakfast place and sightseeing, it is.” Natalie nodded.
“Let’s just hope we don’t run into your favorite professor again while we’re in town,” Harper continued.
Natalie let out what could only be called a growl, causing the two women walking past to shoot her a look, which she chose to ignore.
If—when—she did see him again, he wouldn’t have an audience on his side to laugh at her. She’d meet him mano a mano… so to speak. There’d be no more talking over her. Mocking her with his sarcastic tone.
And when they got back to Mudville tomorrow, she was going to research her butt off. She would find concrete proof she was right and the professor was dead wrong, if it was the last thing she did.