FLINTLOCKS AT DAWN is a historical novel set in Colonial Virginia on the verge of the American Revolution. Eldridge Shirley, trained to be a gunsmith in his godfather’s forge, admires the spirit of new college friend, but doesn’t consider himself to be a revolutionary. But when his fiery friend is murdered in a lopsided duel with a British Royal Navy officer, Eldridge vows to become his revolutionary voice and avenge his death. But his decision to throw in his lot with revolutionary leaders like Patrick Henry and Col. George Washington alienates him from his loyalist-leaning family, interrupts his budding legal career and ruins his chance to wed the woman he loves, the lovely daughter of a rich planter still loyal to King George III.
Inspired by Scaramouche, Rafael Sabatini's classic romance of the French Revolution, FLINTLOCKS AT DAWN introduces the reader to the critical role Virginians played in the American Revolution, with exciting duels, romance, intrigue and drama along the way.
FLINTLOCKS AT DAWN
Louisa whispered to Eldridge, “I fear your friend will say something we shall all regret. Can you not stop him before he goes too far?”
Eldridge shook his head. “Thomas speaks from the heart. And that cannot be stopped.”
Thomas took another step closer to Lord Ferrers, who was still studying his cards. “In the colonies, we have the audacity to believe that every man has merit, no matter his birth. And that we need not bow and scrape to another man, just because he calls himself a lord.”
“Or a king?” Lord Ferrers flashed a bejeweled hand to display the king of diamonds, then placed the card with a flourish on the table and took the trick. “Even in a game of cards, the king rules over all. He is more powerful and defeats the rest.”
Thomas shuffled through the discard pile and retrieved the card he wanted, the ace of spades, placing it in the center of the table. “You forget the power of the ace. The ace is but one, but it defeats the king.”
Instead of looking at Thomas, Lord Ferrers merely glanced across the table at Archer. “I see we have another one of those tiresome malcontents in this colony. I thought they were all in Boston.”
Thomas shuffled the discard pile, then began to place more cards on the table, calling out the name of a colony for each card. “They are in Massachusetts. They are in Maryland. They are in Pennsylvania,” he announced. “And they are most certainly in Virginia. And each of the 13 is weak and liable to be defeated by the king, it is true. But one day soon, they will be united. They will fight together as one.” Thomas held up the ace of spades, lifting it just above his head. “And when they do, they will conquer a king. So beware the ace.”
Lord Ferrers finally looked up at his the grim, determined face of his opponent. “You are a rogue, a rogue with a very dangerous gift of eloquence.” Then his lordship reached below the table and pulled out the loaded pistol he carried tucked into the top of his breeches, just where the buttons of his embroidered waistcoat ended. “You say I should beware the ace. But should beware that King George has a royal army and a royal navy, and the colonies do not.” He cocked the pistol and fired a hole through the card, the shot sailing beyond through the open window.
The room erupted in chaos. A shocked Thomas dropped the smoldering card from his hand just in time to wrap his big arms around Eldridge and prevent him from charging Lord Ferrers. At the same time, Matilda Stafford cried out, “My babies!” and ran outside, fearing the shot had gone through the window and struck one of the children playing outside. Charles Archer grabbed Louisa by the hand and raced for the door, calling loudly for his carriage. And when Lord Ferrers didn’t seem to be following the Archers quickly enough, Mr. Stafford speeded him out the door with a swift kick to his lordship’s buttocks.
“Huzzah!” Thomas shouted, finally releasing his friend from his grip. Eldridge reached the doorway in time to see the carriage carrying the Archers and Lord Ferrers disappearing down the road. In the next moment, he heard Thomas’s heavy tread and felt his big arm flung across his shoulder. For once, the man with the booming voice was silent.
“Well played,” Eldridge told his friend. “But I fear we have lost the trick.”