"I'm saying don't lie to me to get a reaction," August said, raising an eyebrow at Thom's brother, "If you want to turn that into some dramatic example of pettiness, do what you want." He shrugged. "I don't particularly care."

That, at least, was true - regardless of what Mr. Pettigrew said, Thom would believe August, and August had enough social capital of his own to be unconcerned about the opinions of second sons.

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