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A Matter of Honor: Part II

by Patrick LeClerc
2 minutes, no warnings

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I saw Lt Mercier's second walking toward us. "What do you want me to say," asked my own second.

I sighed. "Tell him that the lieutenant will have my apology if he wants it."

Lt DuMond looked shocked. "You can't mean that. He struck you. Before witnesses."

I smiled. "Not without cause, old friend."

***

It was a victory ball. She was the daughter of some local official, with shining golden curls and big blue eyes that sparkled with the hint of mischief and excitement at the idea of combat, the thrill of danger at a safe remove.

I was newly commissioned, my uniform still bright and crisp, buttons and braid gleaming, tales of my recent exploits fresh on the minds and lips of my comrades.

So we danced, and I held her soft curves against me, and dismissed my heroics with careful nonchalance. And I saw her eyes widen and her lips part and felt her heart speed up, and nature took its course.

We tried to be discreet. I though we were discreet. We probably had been discreet enough, if it hadn't been for her confessor.

I cursed the church for instilling a sense of guilt to taint every really beautiful moment.

She really had nothing to feel guilty about. The scratches on my back would heal. It was a memory to be savored, not regretted. I hoped she could look back on that night with a smile.

Unlike today.

I doubted that anyone would remember this morning with a wistful, contented sigh.

***

"And he said things. Unforgivable slurs on you honor."

"He was engaged to the girl, Henri," I pointed out. Not that I'd know that at the time, but the fact that it had slipped her mind wasn't going to make young Mercier feel any more charitable toward me.

"Still is, I've heard," my second replied. ‘More fool him."

"I wouldn't go so far," I shrugged. "Life won't be boring with her." Which was understating it. His fiancee was beautiful, and made up for any lack of experience with enthusiasm. Again, I didn't think complementing him on his good fortune would help my cause. "And I did lead her astray. A good Catholic girl and all."

"Not so good as to rebuff you."

"The poor girl is only human. But, neither was she so bad as to forget to confess her sins to her priest."

"If you don't fight, they'll call you a coward."

"And I'll refer them to the Austrians," I said. "This is foolishness. I did what I did, and he feels injured. I can hardly blame him for that. And he's a good officer. Why should I want to fight him?"

"You're an officer now, Jean," he told me. "Honor demands it."

"Ah, well. Then by all means, let us endeavor to kill one another."

Yes, it had been a mistake to fraternize with officers.

Part III