Bargains of Fate: Book Two in the Fields of Honor Series
Bargains of Fate picks up where Virts’ Masque of Honor leaves off, but it is not necessary to read the first one, as Virts does a good job working in the backstory. The lead-up to and conclusion of the famous 1819 Mason-McCarty duel is well-told in Masque of Honor, bringing a depth of well-researched history. Even though dueling has been outlawed, Jack McCarty was coerced into fighting this duel, its outcome haunting him far into Bargains of Fate. Both novels are peopled with real and fictional characters who play a role in the early years of the building of a new America.
Jack is now a lawyer and has married his lifetime love, Lucinda. But it is her younger sister, Fanny, who brings turmoil into the family home. Issues of mistrust and jealousy begin to creep into Jack’s and Lucinda’s marriage. Society in the early 1800s is very focused on reputation where scandal must be avoided at all cost. Personal disputes can be the ruination of a reputation, so Jack must maneuver this minefield as well. The novel is rich in early Virginia politics, rules of society and culture, and the ever-present rules of honor. The strong-willed Fanny balks against the expectations of an obedient spinster, forcing Jack to always be defending the family’s honorable name. Fanny can be a frustrating character, but you can also understand her motivations, making her well-rounded and completely believable. She highlights what women were up against while fighting for autonomy during Regency-era America.
This novel, or duology if you choose to read both, is a fabulous emersion in this 1818-1830 piece of American history – a real page turner with action and characters that never ebb.
