If Memory Serves

If Memory Serves

Prologue

Birkett Fletcher. The name suddenly flashed into Mingo's mind as he lay propped against the rock, his hand protectively covering the bullet hole in his left shoulder near his collar bone. Daniel had been gone only minutes, trying to stop an assassination of President Washington. "If only I had remembered sooner," he thought sadly. "If only I had curbed my temper Daniel wouldn't be alone now, facing an unknown number of assassins. My temper may finally have caused a death. But not yours, Daniel. Not yours. Godspeed my friend, Godspeed."

Sighing heavily, Mingo pulled the blanket close and took another swallow of brandy. He laid his head back onto the supporting rock and closed his eyes. His body was weary with the travel of the day, the shock, the pain and the blood loss. If he was going to help his friend he needed to regain strength. He drifted slowly down into the arms of sleep. His memories became his dreams as he floated backwards through the years to see himself as he had been, a youth nearing graduation from Oxford.

Chapter 1

"Edmund, you will complete your education at the Royal Military Academy. It is not a matter open for discussion. Now present yourself to Commander Holmes as I have told you to do. Then come home." Lord Dunsmore snapped his lips tightly shut and turned from his rebellious son. His handsome coat flared away from his tall body as he stepped into his coach, his jeweled hand pulling the door closed behind him. Edmund stood rigidly before the impressive edifice, his brown face pulled into its customary mask of indifference. Behind him he heard the coach pull away.

"I will not 'complete' my education at the Royal Military Academy. As far as I'm concerned my education here is complete." Edmund's determined mind closed off all other thoughts as he continued to stand before the large building. A tall man brushed past him, purposely jarring his shoulder.

"Stand aside and allow me to pass," the voice said disdainfully. Edmund turned his head to see a handsome, haughty man standing at his right shoulder. His blue eyes were filled with dislike as he glanced at the tall dark youth beside him. "Begone. This is the Royal Military Academy. One must be invited to attend here, not present oneself and beg."

Edmund's dark eyes flashed in anger. His hands clenched before he controlled his muscles and relaxed. With great strength of will he made his own eyes reflect the contempt he could see in the other man's icy depths. "You must either not know who I am, or you are very careless in your position, sir. Your manners are sorely lacking."

The other man's eyebrows lowered and color flooded his pale face. He stood rooted to the ground, staring into Edmund's brown eyes. Both refused to give and the seconds passed slowly. Finally a sneer lifted the other man's lips. "You must not know who I am, and you are very careless in your position, of which you have none. You obviously need lessons in the proper behavior towards your betters."

"I seriously doubt that you are the one to teach me as your own behavior is sadly lacking in the basic courtesies." Edmund's bold answer surprised the older man. The Englishman sucked in his breath. The insult was plain. Tradition and position demanded action. Peeling his glove from his left hand, he struck Edmund across the face. Rocking back from the blow, Edmund stiffened and nodded his head. His dark eyes locked on the blue eyes before him.

"I accept your challenge. As the one challenged, I demand the right to choose the weapons of honor."

The Englishman nodded his head. "Before you do something foolish and fatal, let me inform you that I am an instructor at this institution and well trained in all manner of weapons. Choose carefully or it will be the last choice you ever make." The threat was plain and Edmund swallowed before answering. His voice was calm as he controlled his emotions.

"I will meet you here tomorrow at noon. I will have my choice of weapons at that time. Do you object?"

The Englishman smirked into Edmund's flushed face. "Not at all. An element of surprise does nothing but whet my military skills. A good soldier anticipates the unknown. I look forward to the meeting. Here is my card." The officer drew a creamy card from inside his uniform coat. In flowing script the card proclaimed:

Burkitt Fletcher

Instructor at Arms

Royal Military Academy, London

Edmund took the card and presented his own. The English captain's eyes widened in surprise and he colored brightly. Edmund's position was clearly marked in simple words:

Edmund Kerr Murray

London

Without another word between them Edmund turned and walked proudly down the sidewalk toward his father's house. He needed to compose himself and prepare his mind for his coming trial. Behind him Burkitt Fletcher walked into the Academy to do the same.