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Celia Ashley

Interview with "A Man Of Honor"

LIEUTENANT IRONS: "I would."

(INTERVIEWER'S EYEBROWS LIFT A NOTCH OR TWO)

LIEUTENANT IRONS: "Forgive me, madam, but I was under the impression you sought
honesty in my replies. I am not one to display false modesty. Your sources have spoken
highly of me and there is just cause for their praise. I have worked hard and I am proud of
my occupation. I have been a soldier since my youth. It is all I know and I would not turn
my back on it lightly."

INTERVIEWER: "I see. And yet the lady you love is a patriot, at odds with all you stand
for."

LIEUTENANT IRONS (quiety): "Yes."

INTERVIEWER: "How do you walk that line between your loyalties and hers?"

LIEUTENANT IRONS (with a smile that causes the women in the front row to suck in their
collective breath): "Very carefully."

(INTERVIEWER CHUCKLES IN APPRECIATION. AUDIENCE IS SMITTEN AND BEGINS TO NUDGE EACH OTHER WITH
THEIR ELBOWS)

INTERVIEWER: "Well, there must be some common ground on which you two meet."

LIEUTENANT IRONS: "Naturally."

INTERVIEWER: "You're being evasive, Lieutenant. And I know the audience is dying for
me to ask you this next question, so I think I'll do just that. Ladies?"

(HAVING BEEN INFORMED PRIOR TO TAPING OF WHAT IS COMING, THE AUDIENCE BEGINS TO CHEER)

INTERVIEWER: "Your common ground is that upon which love meets, is it not?"

LIEUTENANT IRONS (warily): "It is."

INTERVIEWER: "So tell us, since you claim to have no false modesty, where does your
skill as a lover come from?"

LIEUTENANT IRONS (in stern reproof): "That is a private matter between my lady and
myself."

INTERVIEWER: "Oh, be honest. Is it not true that your skillful handling is amplified by
the emotion in your soul?"

(ANOTHER SIGH FROM THE AUDIENCE)

LIEUTENANT IRONS: "I should like to think so, but I do not believe this is something to
be discussed in a public forum."

(LIEUTENANT IRONS LOOKS AT THE BRIGHT LIGHTS SHINING ON THE STAGE, BEYOND WHICH HE IS HAVING
DIFFICULTY SEEING)

LIEUTENANT IRONS: "Where am I, exactly? Who is out there making all that ruckus?"

INTERVIEWER: "One moment. We are almost through. It is rumored that you are a man
of complex nature, courage, and strength of spirit. A man who has wooed the lady of his
heart and won her. Is this true?"

LIEUTENANT IRONS: "I would say it is, yes."

INTERVIEWER: Well then, having won your lady fair, wherein lies the challenge in your
life?"

(SLOWLY LIEUTENANT FLETCHER IRONS LOWERS HIS BOOTED FOOT TO THE FLOOR. LEANING FORWARD, HE
LOOKS THE INTERVIEWER STRAIGHT IN THE EYE, HIS SLATE-BLUE EYES STEADY AND SOBER)

LIEUTENANT IRONS: "The challenge lies, dear lady, in keeping her. And by God, I
shall."

(THE INTERVIEWER'S EYES WIDEN AS SHE LIFTS THE LIST OF QUESTIONS FROM HER LAP AND BEGINS TO FAN
HERSELF PROFUSELY)

INTERVIEWER: "With that sort of determination, I am certain you will. You wouldn't
mind returning to us here at a later date to let us know the outcome of your efforts, would
you?"

LIEUTENANT IRONS (graciously): "I would be happy to accomodate you, as duty
permits."

INTERVIEWER: "Then we thank you, Lieutenant Irons, and look forward to your future
visit. And now, our next guest..."

(DISMISSED, LIEUTENANT IRONS RISES FROM HIS CHAIR TO HIS FULL AND CONSIDERABLE HEIGHT, EXITING THE
STAGE WITH AN ERECT MILITARY STRIDE THAT IS, NONETHELESS, ENCHANTING TO THOSE HE HAS LEFT BEHIND)

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FLETCHER IRONS AND FAITH ASHLEY, READ FAITH AND HONOR AND
PROMISES OF HONOR, BOTH AVAILABLE NOW IN TRADE PAPERBACK

INTERVIEWER: "Hello, and welcome to Romance in America, the show where you, the
audience, get a glimpse at the innermost workings of our favorite men. Most heroes in
romance novels are titled gentry, royalty, men of power, but let's be honest: we can't all find
a man like that. There just aren't enough to go around. Am I right ladies?"

(THE AUDIENCE APPLAUDS IN APPROVAL)

INTERVIEWER: "For my personal taste, I really wouldn't care to have one. Give me a
hard-working man with integrity, add a healthy dose of chemical attraction, and you've got
my heart."

(MORE APPLAUSE. INTERVIEWER SMILES GRACIOUSLY)

INTERVIEWER: "With Fletcher Irons, the hero of FAITH AND HONOR, you get the
added benefit of a fellow who has inherited his Welsh mother's dark good looks."

(TITTERING FROM THE AUDIENCE. A SPOTLIGHT SWINGS TO THE SEAT TO THE INTERVIEWER'S RIGHT,
ILLUMINATING A TALL, ATTRACTIVE, DARK-HAIRED MAN WITH A WIDOW'S PEAK AND BLUE-GRAY EYES, WEARING
THE STRIKING RED AND BUFF UNIFORM OF AN EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY BRITISH LIEUTENANT OF LIGHT INFANTRY.
THERE ARE SEVERAL OOHS AND AAHS AND THE AUDIENCE THEN BECOMES HUSHED IN ANTICIPATION)

INTERVIEWER: "Lieutenant Irons is a member of Lord Percy's command, of the British
forces occupying colonial Boston. Give him a fine welcome."

(THE AUDIENCE HOOTS ITS PLEASURE UNTIL ADMONISHED BY THE INTERVIEWER)

INTERVIEWER: "I have been informed, Lieutenant, that you are a man of honor and stout
principles, loyal to the Crown and to your country. How is it, then, that you have fallen so
hard for the fiery-haired patriot widow--Faith Ashley, I believe is her name?"

(LIEUTENANT IRONS CLEARS HIS THROAT LIGHTLY, CROSSING HIS ANKLE OVER HIS KNEE, REVEALING IN THE CUT
OF HIS OFFICER'S BREECHES THE LONG, LEAN MUSCLES OF HIS THIGH. ONCE AGAIN THE AUDIENCE IS ADMONISHED
FOR ITS CATCALLS)

LIEUTENANT IRONS: "She is a lovely woman, a woman of passionate enthusiasm and
loyalty. I admire her for the strength of her beliefs."

INTERVIEWER: "Come now, Lieutenant, is that all you admire her for?"

LIEUTENANT IRONS: "Being a gentleman, I decline to answer."

INTERVIEWER: "It is more than admiration. You love her, despite your occupation and
her politics."

LIEUTENANT IRONS: "Very much."

(INTERVIEWER EXCHANGES A KNOWING GLANCE WITH THE AUDIENCE)

INTERVIEWER: "I see you are a man of few words...As a soldier, Lieutenant, your abilities
are distinguished by your actions. You are reputed to be a brave leader of men, who
nonetheless exercises a great deal of common sense, sometimes at the expense of your
relationship with your superiors. Would you say this is an accurate description?"