Masque of Honor by Sharon Virts

Author:Sharon Virts [Virts, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: RosettaBooks
Published: 2021-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Let’s not overreact, Jack,” William said as Jack threw the Genius of Liberty newspaper across the table in front of him.

“Overreact? Exactly how would you expect me to react to this latest, unprovoked attack on my character?” Jack said, pacing about the room as William, James Dulaney, and his brother Thomson sat watching him.

“I suggest we let Colonel Lee and Dr. Heaton remind Armistead of the agreement he made,” William said.

“Remind him of his agreement?” Jack almost yelled. “You mean call him out for disgracing himself and breaking his word!”

“Sorry. Poor choice of words on my part. Armistead breached the agreement and, yes, to restore his honor, he will be compelled to retract his statements.”

“Armistead hasn’t got it in him,” Thomson said. “He’s too proud.”

“How about a good old-fashioned apology?” James suggested. “No pride needed for that.”

“Just humility—the one thing God forgot to bake into him!” Thomson said.

“I am certain we can work out a compromise where he publicly retracts his statements,” William said.

Jack stared at his brother in disbelief. “Are you that naïve? Armistead doesn’t want a compromise. He wants to win. And the only way to win is to fight. If he wants a fight, then I’ll force him to it.”

“I think you should be the bigger man and bring the temperature down on this,” William said, a line of worry marking his brow.

“Bring the temperature down? Have you read any of this?” Jack grabbed the paper from the table and held it at arm’s length as his eyes scanned the print. “Let’s see … ahh … here the general calls me ‘a coward scoundrel.’ And two paragraphs down I’m a ‘blackguard and scoundrel,’ and then near the end, he calls me ‘an infamous rascal.’ Oh, and let’s not forget this proclamation.” Jack cleared his throat as he read aloud. “‘Half-witted as he is, John Mason McCarty is always ready to box, bite, and gouge with any blackguard in the street, but he shrinks from honorable combat. He is a despicable wretch of the most abandoned depravity and most shameless disregard of character. To his nocturnal orgies in the alleys of Alexandria, let him return.’” Jack looked at William with wide eyes and indignation on his face. “Thank Christ, Sally has stopped reading the newspapers!” Jack shook his head. “And then, after all his blasphemy against my character, he professes warm feelings for my family.” Jack turned his focus back to the paper. “‘I deeply regret being compelled to publish my opinion of Mr. John McCarty, as I hold such cherished feelings for his mother and his brothers, and it is my sincerest hope that amicable relations will continue between our families.’” Jack threw the paper back onto the table. “Now how exactly would you like me to bring the temperature down on this inferno, William? Hmmm?”

“It’s not you he wants to fight, Jack. It’s Fenton Mercer.”

“That’s not how I read his slanderous rant!”

“And what about your promise to Colonel Lee?”

“Null and void!” Jack’s voice boomed across the room.

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