"I would not take an insult so grave a second time," Faith said, calm and serious. "I thought the lowest any man would sink was when Aaron struck me, like a coward. A decorated gentleman-soldier, and he'd hit a young woman who, at that time, had only friendly affection for her brother's brother-officer."

Yes, Aaron Cork had had a temper, one that had given her offense. One David had avenged. And yet...

"Imagine my surprise when I found out there is, actually, conduct worse." Quietly, almost to herself, but unable to be stopped, she murmurs, "Sometimes I wish I'd carried out my threat. I told Edward I'd go to my father and see him hanged."