Sharpe's Exploits

[Britwitch]

Susannah

"Truly?"
Susannah's eyes widened slightly at his response, his tone clearly excited. She had hoped he would at least show some belief that she could carry out the task of nursing but that he would show it with such enthusiasm was more than she could have hoped for.
"Truly..." She repeated with an ever growing smile curving her lips.
"I would be delighted and honored if she would agree to that, Susannah. You are a delightful girl, and I am certain I could find plenty of uses for you."
Another bright smile beamed down at her and Susannah could not help but return it.
"Then I shall ask her as soon as I can..."

Susannah glanced further up the road and felt a pang of disappointment as the inn came into view. Their all too brief journey was almost over and, if she was honest, she would much rather it wasn't. She was more than enjoying Owen's company, the conversation wasn't anything spectacular but to hold his arm listening to his lightly lilting voice was lovely and to have that smile aimed her was far more so.
"I shall enquire about my mistress' wherabouts but I..." Susannah began shyly as they approached the building. "...I would very much like...I mean to say..."
They had stopped walking, although Susannah wasn't quite sure when it had happened, her arm still resting upon his, chin tilted upwards so that her eyes could meet his.
"May I...may I be of service to you in the meantime...?"

It wasn't what she had wanted to ask. Far from it.
She had wanted to ask him to perhaps share a drink with her, even just to sit and talk while they waited. But propriety had stopped her and reminded her of her position. She was a servant and he was a gentleman and to be seen drinking or talking with him as equals would be too unbelievable to consider, even amongst the soldiers and officers moving in and out of the inn door. They had rank and file and knew the importance of station just as well as the Lords and Ladies she served.

"I...I could enquire after a meal for you? Or perhaps a room and a bath...I have seen all too clearly the lack of amenities in the camp...I mean, I could seek out a manservant to assist you if you wished..." She added, blushing as she realised how her words might sound. Although more than a little of the blush came from the idea of seeing the more than handsome man before her in a state of undress. An idea that confused and shocked her as well as strangely excited her.

 

[magbeam]

Owen Llewelyn

Owen was smiling from her response. They had slowed down, finally stopping before the inn, and she had turned up to face him again. Which suited him fine, not wanting to take his leave of her...And perhaps she felt the same way? But remember the Irishman...she has him, and someone like her is far too innocent to break someone's heart like that. At least, in Owen's view of the world, it was so.

"I shall enquire about my mistress' wherabouts but I...I would very much like...I mean to say...May I...may I be of service to you in the meantime...?"

"Huh?" Owen asked, the question taking him off guard for a second. It took him a few moments to remember that she was a servant and was offering to look after him. He blamed the fact he had forgotten that in that she had so succeeded in taking his mind off of the wounded - never mind by what means or how his mind had been occupied otherwise. Come now, old boy. Don't lose yourself.

"I...I could enquire after a meal for you? Or perhaps a room and a bath...I have seen all too clearly the lack of amenities in the camp...I mean, I could seek out a manservant to assist you if you wished..."

"Ah," Owen said as she clarified. She was just doing her duty, likely been taught that way by her mistress. He didn't know whether to feel relieved or saddened, especially after the mention of the bat had returned his mind to imprope thoughts. God, he needed to clear his mind. As if on cue from the mention of the meal, his stomach growled, and he chuckled, helping to break his mental wandering.

"I can't remember the last time I've eaten. Been so focused on tending to the wounded. My father is the same way, gets wrapped up in work once its strikes his fancy...I suppose a room and a bath would also be nice," he added after a few seconds' thought as to how long he should be away from the surgeon's tent. "The bath especially will be welcome, although I assure you I am able to tend to myself therein." Owen tried to avoid looking at her as he said that, not only to stop himself from imagining her tending to him - which didn't quite work out - but hopefully to also prevent her from noticing that was what he was thinking.

"But what of you, Susannah? Surely you must be famished. Other than broth you haven't had much to eat during the last day and night. Unless your mistress has work for you, I must insist you share a meal with me. No use arguing, surgeon's orders for your health and science outweighs protocol." Owen smiled again, his cheeks dimpling as he offered her a way to stay with him for a bit longer. Now of course to see if she took it...and if her mistress did not have other use for her, always should keep that in mind.

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

"Ah...I can't remember the last time I've eaten. Been so focused on tending to the wounded. My father is the same way, gets wrapped up in work once its strikes his fancy...I suppose a room and a bath would also be nice...The bath especially will be welcome, although I assure you I am able to tend to myself therein."
Susannah noticed he avoided her gaze with his last words, was he trying to prevent an awkward misunderstanding between them? Surely not. For him to trying to prevent such a thing would mean he was thinking as improper thoughts as she had been only moments before and Susannah couldn't believe a man like Owen would be interested in a naive little nobody like her.
"In that case I shall arrange all three, a room and a bath along with a meal to be brought up to you..." Susannah felt almost more relaxed when able to respond in a familiar manner, although she fought against bobbing a curtsey to Owen and bowing her head slightly.

"But what of you, Susannah? Surely you must be famished. Other than broth you haven't had much to eat during the last day and night. Unless your mistress has work for you, I must insist you share a meal with me. No use arguing, surgeon's orders for your health and science outweighs protocol."
Susannah's stomach flipped slightly as he invited her to dine with him. She couldn't possibly hide the excited smile that spread across her face, brightening her eyes instantly.
"Really?" She gasped before she regained control of herself. "I...I would be honoured to do so Owen..." She finished, a little more eloquently. "I shall arrange a room and bath for you while I seek out my mistress. Then, if she has no immediate need of me...I shall join you for a meal after you've bathed..."

Biting her lip against a giggle of excitement, Susannah headed inside the inn. Seeking out the innkeeper and organising a room for Owen to use to bathe. She also ordered a meal and then sent a message up to the rooms being used by Lord Wellington and his party. The innkeeper arrived to take Owen to his room and Susannah watched him in something of a daze as he headed upstairs.

Some short time later, news was brought to Susannah that Lord Wellington and his party were only about to begin their dessert and that it was unlikely the meal would end soon. Deciding that Miss Kate wouldn't be needing her, Susannah happily went to the kitchen to check on the meal and to enquire about a table when she was handed a food tray had been prepared for Owen. The innkeeper grumbled something about all the dining tables being used by Lord Wellington and his staff as he nudged Susannah between the shoulder blades to guide her back out of the kitchen. Two covered plates along with a bottle of wine and two glasses and a small basket of bread. It smelt like stew of some sort but would no doubt be fortifying for the both of them.

Upon reaching the door the innkeeper had directed her to, Susannah felt a twinge of nervousness. She knew on the other side of the door, Owen was bathing, although she anticipated he must be nearly finished. Swallowing a little she knocked on the door and awaited a response,
"Owen...Dr Llewelyn? It's me, Susannah, your food is ready, may I come in?"

 

[magbeam]

Owen Llewelyn

"Really? I...I would be honoured to do so Owen...I shall arrange a room and bath for you while I seek out my mistress. Then, if she has no immediate need of me...I shall join you for a meal after you've bathed..."

Susannah's face was split by a wide smile, almost infectious, and Owen forced himself to keep some small measure of decorum. After all, he was older and a gentleman and so hopefully he would have to keep at least a small part of himself anchored into a solid bed of reason and responsibility. Still, he couldn't help but smile in return, sharing no small measure of her happiness. He had often eaten alone here, not getting too close with any of the other people since arriving - oh, fine chaps all to be sure, just that between his work and theirs, and his brooding...But time to put such things before them.

Susannah entered the inn and shortly later the gruff innkeeper emerged to lead him up the stairs to his room. Walking behind the back of the old man, Owen turned to give a farewell smile and wave to Susannah, hoping that her mistress would not have use for her. The innkeeper took him to his room, telling him that the food would be ready shortly, and left, barely having said ten words the whole time. Who could blame him? Owen thought as he stripped, eagerly preparing for the warm-enough bath. Between the honor and the stress of hosting Lord Wellington, of all people, a mere Welsh doctor likely meant little.

The bath, through far from the best he had ever had, made him feel as debauched as Caligula after life in the series of Army tents and other temporary lodgings he had been in since leaving Cardiff. He had decided not to shave, taking the extra time to just luxuriate in the warm water and not feeling like cutting himself open after so long performing surgery on soldiers. Owen let his eyes close and he lay back as far as he could, thinking of Susannah. What was he doing? She was only a maid, just arrived the day before and could leave just as soon, her mistress or one of the officers could (and certainly would) disapprove of any liaison, and there was always the Irishman. But still, she was a pretty, chipper young thing and at least tonight, with no one else looking, he could enjoy her company...

Owen realized he mst have dozed off when he heard the soft knocking on the door. "Owen...Dr Llewelyn? It's me, Susannah, your food is ready, may I come in?" He was overjoyed that she had been allowed the time to see him...and was quickly overshadowed by the fact he was still sitting naked in bathwater.

"Oh, uh...just a moment! I'm, uh...Well...Just a moment!"

Jumping out of the water and not bothering to dry himself off, Owen climbed into his pants as fast as he could, hurriedly pulling his undershirt and jacket on, before opening the door.

"Ah...hello," he said, realizing how rumpled he must look. "I, ah, seem to have dozed off..." His cheeks were blushing a bit as he realized that she must think he had done this on purpose to lure her into improper thoughts. "If, uh, the tray is heavy you can set it down, or, uh, I can try to make myself more presentable first..." He was having trouble forming complete sentences, and was focusing his gaze on his naked feet as opposed to anywhere near where he could catch a glimpse of her.

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

"Oh, uh...just a moment! I'm, uh...Well...Just a moment!"
Through the door Susannah heard the splashing of water and hoped she hadn't disturbed Owen's bath. There were a few fumbling sounds and then the door was opened. His appearance was a little short of ordered, his hair still dripping and his undershirt plainly sticking to his wet skin. Susannah blushed a little, realising she was staring slightly, making sure she looked into his face and didn't waver from that point.

"Ah...hello...I, ah, seem to have dozed off..."
"I...I can go back and ask the kitchen to keep the food warm if you would like more time to..." Susannah began quietly.
"If, uh, the tray is heavy you can set it down, or, uh, I can try to make myself more presentable first..."
He was obviously as nervous about the whole situation as she was, his words coming in a jumbled mass.
"I am sorry if I have interrupted your bathing, Owen..." Susannah replied softly, hesitating before stepping inside the door. "...You don't need to make yourself any more presentable on my account," She added with a smile, moving to put the tray of food and wine onto the small dresser beside the bed.

"The food, I think, would be better eaten whilst it is hot and so perhaps we should eat and then worry about the way you look..." Her tone was almost teasing, she knew as soon as the words had left her lips she was once more dallying along the line between friendly conversation and something a little more questionable. "Erm...The innkeeper informs me that we will have to dine in here if we wish to use a table as Lord Wellington and his staff seem to have comandeered the rest. I will understand if you'd rather I didn't join you...given the circumstances..."

Susannah tried to keep her voice steady but her eyes drifted from his face to his damp torso and then to the bed in an attempt to stop staring at him before she could think to stop them. Her cheeks flushed again and she quickly turned away from him a little.
"Can I pour you a glass of wine...?" Susannah asked, glancing back at Owen and picking up the bottle, her fingers poised around the cork ready to pull it free.

 

[magbeam]

Owen was seriously considering taking her up on her offer to send the food back to the kitchen to keep it warm while he properly clothed himself. It would be rude and a burden on her, not something he wanted even though Susannah was only a maid, but still, Owen would rather be rude in that way rather than suggestively.

"I am sorry if I have interrupted your bathing, Owen...You don't need to make yourself any more presentable on my account."

Still not looking at her, Owen could hear the smile in her voice, and Susannah stepped into the room and started laying it out. That was that, then, Owen thought, closing the door behind her, glad she had made the choice for herself; even if a part of him thought her rather forward, another part found it fascinating.

"The food, I think, would be better eaten whilst it is hot and so perhaps we should eat and then worry about the way you look..."

His eyebrows shot up at that as he looked at her, trying to scry what she had been intimating. But before he could inquire further, perhaps with a little teasing of his own, she seemed to realize that and hurriedly added,

"Erm...The innkeeper informs me that we will have to dine in here if we wish to use a table as Lord Wellington and his staff seem to have comandeered the rest. I will understand if you'd rather I didn't join you...given the circumstances..." Her eyes darted over him, to the bed, and then back as she blushed and turned away. Very, very forward indeed...although likely it was just her innocence showing, her shyness in this matter coming off as innocence. Yes, that was it. She finally looked back at him.

"Can I pour you a glass of wine...?"

Owen let another smile go across his face. She was very nervous, endearingly so, and he wanted to put her at ease. "Only if you pour yourself one as well. As you say, all other tables being occupied, we shall have to use this one. Or have you forgotten your surgeon's orders?" he asked, seating himself.

Thinking that perhaps a bit harsh, or at least possible to be taken that way, he added, "I would be a fool to send such a charming young thing as you away and resign myself to talking to the walls, Susannah. But I must apologize again for my state of dress," he said, half-rising. "It is truly ungentlemanly for me to not be fully clothed in the presence of a lady."

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

"Only if you pour yourself one as well. As you say, all other tables being occupied, we shall have to use this one. Or have you forgotten your surgeon's orders?"
"No...no, of course not..." Susannah replied quietly, pouring the wine and filling the two glasses.
Internally she was cursing herself for appearing so uncontrollably nervous in front of Owen. He had been nothing but a gentleman towards her and had shown her such kindness and thoughtfulness, whatever must he think of her. Letting herself into his room, commenting the way she had on his state of undress, she was surprised he hadn't simply requested that she leave him in peace.

"I would be a fool to send such a charming young thing as you away and resign myself to talking to the walls, Susannah. But I must apologize again for my state of dress...It is truly ungentlemanly for me to not be fully clothed in the presence of a lady."
Susannah moved the covered plates to the two places at the table, uncovering them to reveal a thick meaty stew before moving to take her seat opposite Owen.
"Please, do not apologise..." She replied shyly. "I am far from being a ladt...and you are more clothed than most of the soldiers I helped you treat this afternoon so please....let us not think on it anymore..." She ended hopefully.

Susannah took hold of her wine glass and lifted it slightly towards Owen.
"I must admit I am far from experienced in these matters but I believe we should toast to something..." Susannah paused, her teeth caught on her bottom lip once more. "What would you suggest...? The King? Victory...?"

 

[magbeam]

Owen Llewelyn

"Please, do not apologise...I am far from being a lady...and you are more clothed than most of the soldiers I helped you treat this afternoon so please....let us not think on it anymore..."

Owen wanted to continue his protest - those soldiers certainly had a reason to be in such states of undress, and none of them were dining with a young woman - but she was filling the wineglasses and uncovering the plates full of warm, delicious-smelling stew, and he was reminded of just how hungry he was, so he sat himself back down. "As you like, Susannah," he allowed. "But you certainly look like a lady to me, although if you insist on denying it, I might have to take a closer look to reach a professional conclusion." He stopped there, blushing a bit, realizing what he had just said. And he hadn't even drunk anything yet!

A situation Susannah seemed intent on rectifying as she raised her glass, once more nibbling adorably on her lower lip.

"I must admit I am far from experienced in these matters but I believe we should toast to something...What would you suggest...? The King? Victory...?"

"Why not both? The King, victory...and fine companionship," Owen offered, the glasses clinking and he downed a mouthful. He wasn't a wine conoisseur, far from it, so all he knew was that it tasted good to him. He fell into his food, trying hard to keep from wolfing it down only because Susannah was with him. Once he had eaten enough to make him sure he wouldn't expire from hunger anytime soon, he slowed down, giving him time to continue talking.

"So, Susannah," Owen began, trying to find a way to express his words delicately. "You and Sergeant Harper appear to be close...How do you know him?" He didn't want to be too blunt, but he also wanted to know just how much leeway he had with Susannah...Not that he had anything like that in mind, oh, no. And, Owen realized, he just wanted to hear more about the girl sitting across from him.

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

"As you like, Susannah...But you certainly look like a lady to me, although if you insist on denying it, I might have to take a closer look to reach a professional conclusion."
Susannah's hand trembled ever so slightly as she held her glass, his words had been said smoothly enough and perhaps it was just her nerves and her imagination fuelled by so much happening to her in so short a space of time that she thought there might have been an almost hidden meaning to Owen's statement. Rather than probing for an explanation as part of her wished, Susannah settled for a shy smile and lowering her eyes a little.

"...Why not both? The King, victory...and fine companionship,"
She clinked her glass against his and took a small mouthful of the wine. It was fair enough, although she had been given enough tastes of Savage's wine to know it was far from the best. She took another sip and then began to eat. She noticed the speed with which Owen was eating and smiled to herself, there was a sense of restraint about it, he was obvious hungry and was clearly making an effort on her behalf. The fact that a gentleman should make such an effort for a mere maid like herself was almost flattering, that he kept referring to her as a 'lady' was even more so.

The stew was well made and Susannah soon found her stomach's growling abating.
"So, Susannah...You and Sergeant Harper appear to be close...How do you know him?"
Susannah glanced up at his question, an eyebrow quirked ever so slightly, carefully chewing the food in her mouth and swallowing before responding.
"He met me when I first arrived here in camp," She began. "I believe he is a friend of Major Sharpe's. Anyway, we spoke a little before the battle and...then I was talking with him when I was taken ill after the victory..."

Susannah decided against sharing the brief and utterly innocent kiss she had given to Patrick before he went to fight. After all, it had happened so quickly and with relatively little thought behind it...she did care about Patrick in a way but she didn't want Owen to think she and Patrick were somehow deeply involved with one another. Although why she didn't want him to think that way, she didn't entirely understand.
"He is a friend..." She finished quietly, "A sweet, dear man but...we barely know each other..." Susannah smiled and took a small mouthful of her wine, her eyes catching Owen's over the rim.

"Why do you ask...?" The softly spoken question was an after thought but one that nudged it's way instantly to the forefront of her mind. Spilling from her lips before she could stop it. "Oh...how impudent of me, please...you don't have to answer that..." Susannah's cheeks flushed as she set the wine glass down. "I am sorry for the thoughtlessness of my mouth, I have almost no control over it and please take no offence...Owen, I am quite sure you regret your inviting me to dine with you...asking you to explain yourself, whatever was I thinking..." She frowned slightly, looking down into her lap where her fingers were now busily engaged in twisting the simple white napkin she had laid there upon sitting. "I...I..." She stammered, trying to find something to say before lifting her eyes to his and smiling bashfully. "Now you see I was right, I am far from being a lady...am I not?"

 

[magbeam]

Susannah glanced at him, her eyebrow cocked, and Owen wondered if he had made a mistake, if she would refuse to answer such a question, if it was out of line even for a maid. But his fears were unfounded as she proceeded to talk.

"He met me when I first arrived here in camp. I believe he is a friend of Major Sharpe's. Anyway, we spoke a little before the battle and...then I was talking with him when I was taken ill after the victory...He is a friend...A sweet, dear man but...we barely know each other..."

She smiled at him as she finished, taking a sip of wine as her wide pretty eyes stared at him alluringly over the glass, and Owen found himself smiling back, inordinately pleased at her response. Perhaps it was the wine on a (formerly) empty stomach but he was beginning to allow that he might be just a tad smitten with this girl. Oh, of course he would never say so to her or anyone else, never act on it, that would be frightfully improper. But given that he could at least pretend to himself he was drunk, he saw no harm in admitting so to himself, and if she and the sergeant weren't in love, well, then he could even admit it to himself without feeling guilty, so much the better.

"Why do you ask...? Oh...how impudent of me, please...you don't have to answer that...I am sorry for the thoughtlessness of my mouth, I have almost no control over it and please take no offence...Owen, I am quite sure you regret your inviting me to dine with you...asking you to explain yourself, whatever was I thinking...I...I...Now you see I was right, I am far from being a lady...am I not?"

Owen's eyes widened slightly at her outburst of embarassment and humility, putting anything he had said tonight to shame. But he didn't feel angry, far from it. And even if he had been angry at her, Susannah's coy blushing and shy gazing at him from beneath her eyelashes would have soon taken care of that.

"Oh, now see here," he said, gently admonishing. "This self-deprecation of yours will have to stop. Perhaps you are a maid when tending to your mistress, but I have plenty of servants back home. If you are to assist me in the surgery, you will be an extension of me, reflect on me, and as I am, as you say, a gentleman, my assitant would, by necessity, have to have the properties of a lady. And as I did chose you to assist me, Susannah, it follows that, at least around me, you are a lady."

Owen thought about that a second, wondering if it made sense or if the wine was imparing his speech already. It could be, he was never a large imbiber of spirits. He also wondered if he truly was making too much of a fuss over this girl - who was, he had to remember, a maid, and not even his. Still, Owen reminded himself, he was at least passably drunk, alone with her, and had decided he had taken a slight fancy to her; therefore, he smugly decided he was entitled to some verbal coddling of her.

"And in any event, your question was not uncalled for in the least," he continued after another sip of wine. "I inquired into a personal matter, and you were gracious enough to respond; it is only proper, then, that you be allowed to ask as to my interest in the matter." But he of course refrained from actually giving his answer.

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

"Oh, now see here...This self-deprecation of yours will have to stop. Perhaps you are a maid when tending to your mistress, but I have plenty of servants back home. If you are to assist me in the surgery, you will be an extension of me, reflect on me, and as I am, as you say, a gentleman, my assistant would, by necessity, have to have the properties of a lady. And as I did choose you to assist me, Susannah, it follows that, at least around me, you are a lady."
Susannah listened to his words with a mildly embarassed smile on her lips. She hadn't been expecting quite such a passionately spoken response from him.
"I...I don't know what to say..." She replied honestly, brushing an errant lock of hair back from her face. "I suppose I have lived the life of a maid serving ladies and gentlemen for so long, I never assumed I'd ever be thought of as one of them..."

"And in any event, your question was not uncalled for in the least...I inquired into a personal matter, and you were gracious enough to respond; it is only proper, then, that you be allowed to ask as to my interest in the matter."
Susannah sipped her wine, draining the last of the ruby liquid from her glass, letting his words sink in and knowing that while he had admonished her of any wrong doing in questioning his interests, he had not yet answered her question.
"In which case..." She began after a pause. "...May I know the motivation behind your inquiry?" Her smile remained on her lips, her eyebrow quirking again as that odd tingling feeling returned to her stomach. She could not deny that Owen was a very good looking young man but she couldn't help but think there must be a young lady in Wales pining for him and awaiting his return. A thought that prompted her to add softly.
"And perhaps ask a question of my own...?"

 

[magbeam]

Owen grinned as he watched Susannah smile shyly, grow somewhat more confident, drinking down the last of the wine, and enjoying the extra color it added to her succulent lips. Lips whose touch he was more than a bit curious about.

"In which case...May I know the motivation behind your inquiry? And perhaps ask a question of my own...?"

Owen sighed, expecting the question and knowing he couldn't dodge it this time. It was his to turn to act a bit embarrased, finishing his own glass of wine as a small feint, but still seemingly the best he could get. Once more, Owen found it hard to look at her in the eyes, and so focused on a spot on the table before her.

"You might as well just ask your question, Susannah," he said. "I suspect you can fathom my own intention...Now I am the one who must apologize for his lack of proper conduct," he added, looking hesitantly back at her while rising out of his chair. "That was, again, extremely improper of me. I would understand if you wish for me to take my leave now."

Never mind that it was his room. Of course, usually Owen would have just left immediately after saying something like that, his sense of propriety assuring him that the lady in question would wish for him to leave after making such a fool of himself. But something here held him back, making him wait to see if Susannah perhaps might not take offense. Dare he say it, rather hoped she wouldn't, would ask him to stay? That was no doubt the wine making him a truly cheeky bastard.

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

"You might as well just ask your question, Susannah...I suspect you can fathom my own intention...Now I am the one who must apologize for his lack of proper conduct...That was, again, extremely improper of me. I would understand if you wish for me to take my leave now."
Susannah felt a pang of guilt as she watched him rise from the table, clearly as embarassed as she had been moments before.

"I must admit that I am not certain of your intentions, I might have thought it came from an interest on your part but...but I know, I mean, I believe that is highly unlikely...you must have much finer young ladies than I seeking your attentions, which leads me to my question..." She paused, suddenly feeling that perhaps she should not continue. But then, she had already gone too far to hold back now.

"Is there...have you a young lady back home waiting for you? I only ask because...well...actually I'm not sure why I'm asking, I guess I just want to confirm my thoughts...how could some one as kind and intelligent and, well, as handsome as you are, not have someone...I know that propriety says I should not say such things but I could not help myself...forgive me if I have offended you..." She spoke most of this with her eyes focused somewhere in the centre of his chest, almost too nervous at what she might see in his eyes.

"And as for you leaving...I...how could I..." Susannah met his eyes finally, biting her lower lip once more as she finished hesitantly. "...That would be the last thing I would want..."

 

[magbeam]

Owen paused as she spoke, half out of his chair, listening to her words, watching her bashfully fail to meet his eyes until she spoke:

"And as for you leaving...I...how could I...That would be the last thing I would want..."

Owen forced himself into a smile; not that he wasn't happy at those words, but he was as nervous as she appeared to be. Still, he wanted to reassure her, and so the smile as he sat back down into the chair he had nearly vacated.

"Well, I am very glad to hear that, and I certainly will not refuse the wish of such a beautiful lady as yourself," Owen allowed himself to say. The words were still a bit difficult, but he forced them out, telling himself that there was no reason not to say such an obvious truth to Susannah, especially after what had just passed between them...although he still wasn't entirely sure what had passed between them.

"As for if I have someone waiting for me..." Owen's eyes left hers and focused on the table, thinking of Meredith. "I once had a lady back home, but no longer. She..." he paused, then shook his head. "Well, no longer, and let us leave it at that." He once more raised his gaze to Susannah's eyes, and an honest smile returned to his face. "I may not have one waiting for me in Cardiff, but perhaps I have one here?" His smile grew a bit wider as he cocked his eyebrow, imitating her own gesture.

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

The banquet had taken a turn for the worst, at least it felt that way to Kate. Colonel de Villiers seemed intent on offending both the host and triggering some response from Richard.

Kate knew Richard well enough to understand that even though he wasn't a gentleman per se, he wouldn't sit idly by and watch her being slandered.

She had joined in the toast to King George and watched de Villier's mouth what was must have been an insult to Richard. The notion was further strenghtened by colonel Nairn's reaction and the subsequent comment.

"She must be mad"

Kate had to acceed to the Scotsman's summary of the French woman colonel and she had to bite her lip not to burst out laughing. That would probably have angered Wellington.

Turning her focus back to Richard, smiling as she met his eyes. With a bit of luck the horrible Frenchwoman would keep quiet and make her enjoy dessert. Running her foot up Sharpe's calf, smiling innocently as she did.

Sharpe subsided at his seat, by now thoroughly miserable and wishing this torture over. He thought she'd be more biddable now that she'd got her transfer to headquarters, as she wanted. She'd even had an audience with Lord Wellington, and yet still she insisted on provoking him most transparently.

Was her aim to provoke a diplomatic incident? How could it matter - it would win France few points internationally. Her enemies would remain her enemies, and her allies would like as not continue to change sides.

Still he could not remember the last time he'd felt so provoked. Only the watchful presence of Lord Wellington and the senior officers remained to safeguard her - he was long past caring she was a woman!

He felt the tentative foot stroke his calf and turned to smile at Kate - the one shining jewel in this torturous scenario. Bending to her, he whispered something quietly in her ear that was meant to make her blush.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Colonel de Chasseurs Justine de Villiers

Justine had thought the dinner most interesting. If nothing else she had gotten a firm grasp of the Lord Wellington. As for the intelligence regarding the Northern Allies and the possible treason of Bernadotte's it remained to be seen but it seemed that the Scotsman Nairn was rather taken by the news.

Turning to smile coldly at Sharpe as she put down her glass while Wellington got to his feet, indicating that dinner was now over and the guests excused. She kept close by Alfonso de Avellanos y Marca as the party filed out and Wellington pulled Nairn, Sharpe and Picton to the side, seemingly to discuss something that wasn't meant to be overheard by the lesser guests.

She moved closer to Alfonso, ostensibly to whisper something as she kept her eyes firmly on Miss Savage, seeing how the younger woman blushed at the mere indication that Justine was about to slander her. The Spanish captain tensed up and then with a cough sank to his feet, a slender blade lodged between his ribs.

Quickly turning before de Avellanos had slumped to floor, his pistols in her hands Justine now moved across the room to where Miss Savage were standing. Grabbing a handful of her hair and cocking her pistol, pointing the barrel at Kate's head.

"Now gentlemen if I can have your undivided attention please. I fear that you have not paid enough attention to the message from His Imperial Majesty and I am therefor forced to return to the French lines to convey your message. To make sure that we will do this in a correct fashion I will have the delightful Ms Savage accompany me. Any questions? No I didn't think so!"

She turned and smiled coldly at Sharpe. "As for Major Sharpe I kindly ask that you take a moment to recall a Philipe Leroux whom you killed. If you try anything I swear that this pretty little thing of yours will meet with the same end."

"Now I require the late captain de Avellanos' horse to be brought here and make it quick or else little Ms Savage will find her in a world of pain." Justine pulled Kate's hair harder making her yelp. Then kicking her boot at the back of Kate's knees making her fall down she pulled her other pistol and without warning fired it at Sharpe. The loud bang made the assembled officers crouch down and as the smoke cleared they could see Sharpe's new pelisse having been pierced by the ball. Once again Kate was firmly in Justine's grip, the pistol at her temple.

"Damn Spanish junk! Now where's my horse!"

 

[Steiner]

Major Sharpe

Sharpe had been looking attentively at Wellington when de Avellanos was so cavalierly murdered, so the first he knew of it was the scream as Kate was seized and dragged across the room.

He looked around for Wellington's lead and saw Nairn bundling the protesting Field Marshal out of a side door - well that WAS one less thing to worry about.

Philipe Leroux! It had been a long time since he heard that name, back in Salamanca, but it chilled him to the bone. Was this woman his former lover? How did she even know it was Sharpe that had killed the man? But thoughts of this nature was superceded by the coughing roar of the pistol and the cloud of greasy white smoke that enveloped him.

There was an impact, high on his shoulder, and he coughed at the smarting sting of the pistol smoke, waiting for the shrieking agony of torn flesh and splintered bone. But it didn't come. The heavy pelisse had turned the light bullet aside, and Justine had missed her aim. The heavy blade rasped out of its scabbard as he turned back to face her through the smoke.

"Remember him? I spitted him on this blade. It was a good fight, but the best thing about that man was his boots. I wore them today when I smashed the hell out of your grenadiers. That and his sister - but you already know her. Not as well as I do, I bet."

Heedless of the pistol he squared up to her, glaring at her.

"If you use that pistol, you're dead. One of these gentlemen here will kill you without a thought. Or I will. So who are you going to point it at? Me or the girl, Justine? And what was Philipe Leroux to you, that you'd commit suicide like this?"

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Colonel de Chasseurs Justine de Villiers

"Oh quit behaving like an idiot Sharpe. I've had quite enough of that already. Lord Hill. Would you be so kind as to order the mad dog to heel. It would be rather unfortunate if he would be the cause of such a lovely thing as Miss Savage's demise"

"Daddy" Hill readily accepted, telling Sharpe to stand down as Justine moved backwards. to the place where Alfonso lay dead. "Pick up the sword Madmoiselle Savage and hand it to me very very carefully. We would not want the pistol to accidentally go of would we?" Justine kept her mouth close to Kate's ear as she spoke, the words no more than a whisper.

"You understand Madmoiselle. Your gallant Major Sharpe here did kill a person whom I was rather fond of and I have still to forgive him for that. Now of course you know nothing of such thing do you Madmoiselle, but you will assist me nonetheless."

Kate had fumbled with the sword, trying her best not to give Justine another weapon but she was forced to undo the buckle from Alfonso's waist and gingerly handing it to Justine.

"Now Lord Hill, seeing as you're a gentleman, perhaps you would be so kind not to let Madmoiselle Savage and myself have to wait anylonger for our mount?"

Justine watched as Rowland Hill gave Sharpe an apologetic look before heading for the door and calling for a horse to be brought up to the inn. The urgency in his voice not to be mistaken.

Picton, Stapleton and Sharpe had remained silent, although the Welshman had growled something along the lines of shooting the bitch, not specifying whether he meant Justine or Kate. A few moments later Lord Hill returned, a look of disgust on his face.

"Your horse is ready Madame, although I must say, most empathically that you are by far the worst example of womanhood I've ever come across. May God forgive you when you meet him, although even he will find it hard to do so in your case."

Justine laughed as she pulled Kate back with her. "If you don't keep your mouth shut Lord Hill, Miss Savage will be the one making the introductions. As for you Sharpe, the next time I see you I'll kill you. That's a promise!"

She pulled Kate with her out where a corporal was holding the reins of a horse. Justine experly got on while making sure that Kate was always between herself and anyone intent on putting a bullet in her. Well in the saddle she pulled Kate up and placing her in front of herself.

Kicking her heels into the sides of the beast she set of, a smile playing on her lips.

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

"Well, I am very glad to hear that, and I certainly will not refuse the wish of such a beautiful lady as yourself,"
Susannah opened her mouth to reply but after a pause closed it again. To be complimented by a gentlemen seemed more than odd to her, but to hear Owen say such a thing after she'd admitted...whatever it was she'd admitted...seemed less strange now.

"As for if I have someone waiting for me...I once had a lady back home, but no longer. She...Well, no longer, and let us leave it at that."
Susannah's expression became more than a little sympathetic as he spoke of a lady from the past, the recent past from as much as Susannah could gather.
"I...I am sorry to hear that..." Her words were genuine. Regardless of any feelings towards Owen that might have been steadily building inside her, Susannah hated the idea that he'd had his heart broken previously.

"I may not have one waiting for me in Cardiff, but perhaps I have one here?"
Susannah's smile grew bashful once more although this time her eyes remained fixed upon his.
"Yes, I believe you do, Owen...and I..." She began before gasping as the dull bang of a pistol cracked somewhere closeby. Her eyes widened and her face grew a little pale.
"What...what was that...?" She asked quietly, her voice trembling as the sound of several sets of footsteps thundered down the corridor outside the room, causing her to half rise from her chair and move instinctively towards Owen, her hand landing upon his forearm. Her fingers gripping slightly, her body moving closer to his as more feet charged down the corridor.

 

[magbeam]

Owen Llewelyn

Owen's heart began to flutter in a manner most unbecoming of an adult gentleman such as himself as Susannah shyly, firmly, quite lovely, returned his gaze, neither growing angry or shocked, but rather pleased.

"Yes, I believe you do, Owen..."

His smile grew even wider at that, anticipating what was about to come next.

"And I..."

He would never know what would come next, as the muted sound of a gunshot followed by a number of heavy footsteps came through the door. Owen was up out of his seat, only dimly aware of Susannah moving behind him as he felt his heartrate surge. Owen wouldn't exactly call himself a coward, and wouldn't abide anyone else accusing himself of being one, but he was realistic enough to know that there were far more heroic men in the world, men like Major Sharpe, that he could never hope to compare to. The sound of the shot and some kind of scuffle filled his mind with French rangers storming the inn to murder Lord Wellington.

Or, the supposedly-rational part of his mind that he had just been extolling told him, it could just be a misfire. Either way, there could be someone injured in need of him...damn, it was a bit of a ways to the tent and he had nothing to work with! Well, time enough to worry about that later. Only then did he become aware that Susannah was holding onto him.

Turning around, he took her hands in his. "Susannah, there may be injuries, I will be needed. Wait here until someone says it's safe. Close the door after me." A quick squeeze of her hands, and he was off, opening the door and going down the hallway and stairs, not noticing whether or not she followed his instructions.

"I'm a surgeon, where did the shot come from?" he asked one of the staff, getting a hurried gesture to the dining area and lots of panicked yelling in a language he had difficulty understanding in the best of times. Practically running, Owen went into the dining room, expecting the worst - Frenchies, Wellington or Sharpe in a pool of blood, everyone's throats to have been slit by silent assassins and him the only one left - but instead, all he saw was a Spaniard lying on the floor. Owen knelt down, making a quick investigation. Dead, stabbed through the ribs, no gunshot wound - was he the assassin, killed in revenge? Then where was the other body?

He heard noises from outside, and again was on his feet, in time to see Sharpe and a number of other officers watch two women ride off in a horse.

What was going on here? He cleared his throat and asked as much, adding, "And is anyone injured?"

 

[Steiner]

Major Sharpe

The roar started deep in his belly, as a challenge, but by the time it escaped it was a thing of pain and fury. Frustration and Rage.

A young officer rode up, confused at the noise and as he slid off the horse to seek an answer to his unspoken questions, Sharpe barged past him and hauled himself up into the saddle. He heard his Regimental Surgeon ask questions and barked out an answer.

"That damn Frenchwoman has taken Miss Savage hostage and tried to kill me. She killed Captain de Avellanos and took his horse, sword and pistols with her. He's back inside there. Look, Owen, I don't have time to talk more... Get your things ready, Miss Savage might need them when I bring her back..."

With that he wheeled the horse around and galloped off, flogging the beast with the flat of his blade. The puzzled cavalryman merely commented. "Well, I say..." in an injured tone of voice.

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

Susannah's wide eyed gaze was fixed upon the door, she only realised Owen had turned to talk to her when her hands were held in his.
"Susannah, there may be injuries, I will be needed. Wait here until someone says it's safe. Close the door after me."
"Y-yes...of course, but please...please be careful..." She said, watching him rush out of the doorway and head down the corridor.
For a moment she stood as she was, her hands slightly raised before her. She could almost feel Owen's hands still holding her own, the warmth and surprisingly smoothness of his skin. His hands had been large and doubtlessly stronger than her own but they had felt gentle and careful at the same time. The skilled hands of a surgeon, albeit one who's main task at the front was the rather gruesome task of amputation.

She moved to close the door once the happy daze seemed to pass slightly only to see Owen rush back down the corridor in the opposite direction, heading back downstairs. Frowning and realising that he was running from the dining room she knew her Mistress had been in, she flung the door open and followed him outside.
She arrived just in time to see Major Sharpe mounting his horse and catch the end of something he was yelling at Owen.
"...Look, Owen, I don't have time to talk more... Get your things ready, Miss Savage might need them when I bring her back..."

Susannah felt her stomach jolt with nerves and a trembling break out throughout her body.
"Miss Savage...? What is wrong with my Mistress?" She murmured, almost stumbling towards Owen. Kate Savage was more than a mere mistress, she had shown endless kindnesses to Susannah, given her books, taken her on her travels. Susannah felt more than a sense of duty towards her, she was there to attend to her yes but she also felt a protective sense towards her. Guilt swiftly began to sting at her insides. She should not have stayed away from her Mistress for so long. Regardless of the fact that Susannah could not have done much to protect Miss Kate, she could have done something.
"Owen...Owen, what...what has happened to my Mistress...?" Her voice was breathy and face growing rapidly paler as she reached his side and her hand moved to touch his arm. She felt light headed and all of a sudden she felt the world growing hazy and blurred around her, making her swoon a little towards him. "Is she...is she alright...?"

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Colonel de Chasseurs Justine de Villiers *in violation of her parole*

She made good headway, even though her mount had to carry both herself and her hostage. Madmoiselle Savage had tried to fight her but a swift blow to the side of her head had brought her to be quiet and behave.

Justine knew that it was crucial to put as much distance as possible between herself and the impending pursuit, Sharpe would come after her that much was sure, and it was confirmed as she risked a glance behind her to see a single rider following suit.

This could indeed be interesting, Justine mused, Sharpe was an infantryman and had seemed a reluctand horseman. To engage her now would be suicide from his point of view. It was not that she underestimated his proficiency as such, but she also knew to value her own. Justine was an accomplished cavalry officer, and now the odds were on her side. Besides Madmoiselle Savage would be a hindrance to Sharpe as well as a leverage to her.

"It seems madmoiselle Savage that your gallant, if somewhat stupid knight is on our tail. I'd love to stay and fight with him, but right now I have more pressing matters."

Before Kate could reply Justine reined in and without ceremony pushed her out of the saddle, sending her tumbling to the ground. Spurring her mount anew and setting of, making sure to prime and load her pistols. It took a lot of skill doing so while in the saddle but Justine could have done it in her sleep. Risking a glance back to see that what looked like Sharpe had reined in by the patethic bundle of her former hostage, thus giving her even a further lead on him.

 

[magbeam]

Owen Llewelyn

"That damn Frenchwoman has taken Miss Savage hostage and tried to kill me. She killed Captain de Avellanos and took his horse, sword and pistols with her. He's back inside there. Look, Owen, I don't have time to talk more... Get your things ready, Miss Savage might need them when I bring her back..."

"What Frenchwoman?" Owen asked, wondering just how well he had managed to isolate himself in his own little world if he had missed something as apparently as important as what seemed to be going on. "Will somebody tell me what the hell just happened?"

Owen turned to see Susannah move towards him, looking rather pale. He should have known she wouldn't have obeyed his orders, even for her own safety. For once, and he hoped for the last time, he wished she would have remembered her place.

"Miss Savage...? What is wrong with my Mistress? Owen...Owen, what...what has happened to my Mistress...? Is she...is she alright...?" She reached out for him, seemingly stumbling, and Owen sensed she was about to faint. Reaching down, he lifted her into his arms, straining a bit; she wasn't that heavy, but he didn't seem to be in as strong a shape as he had liked to think of himself. He silently cursed, not her, but fate. Why does this all have to happen to me at once?

"Shh," he said to her. "I'm sure she's fine. Major Sharpe will fetch her back in one piece, you'll see. I need to go get my tools now, though. You'd best stay here, all this excitement can't be good for you just out of your fever."

He moved to hand her over to the cavalryman whose horse Sharpe had just requisitioned. "Have her lie down. I won't be long. If Sharpe returns with the lady before I'm back and she's injured, have them stay here. No sense in us running back and forth if she does need my help."

He turned his gaze back to Susannah, opened his mouth as if to say something, then just squeezed her hand again, not sure what to say, the onlookers ruining the mood. A few were already staring at them, despite the general ruckuss; he and Susannah had emerged from the house close on the heels of one another, he was barely clothed and still dripping, and she had moved towards him. Rumors would fly.

Still, time to worry about that later. Now, he was off, making his way to the surgeon's tent as fast as he could go.

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

Susannah was barely even aware that her legs were giving out beneath her, her attention focused on the quickly vanishing shape of Sharpe riding after her mistress. She only realised that Owen had picked her up when her arm instinctively looped around his neck and shoulders.
"Shh...I'm sure she's fine. Major Sharpe will fetch her back in one piece, you'll see. I need to go get my tools now, though. You'd best stay here, all this excitement can't be good for you just out of your fever."
"I am fine, I assure you...I...." Susannah began earnestly but her eyes were still a little too bright and her cheeks had yet to regain their former glow.

She protested weakly as Owen placed her into the arms of a soldier stood closeby.
"Have her lie down. I won't be long. If Sharpe returns with the lady before I'm back and she's injured, have them stay here. No sense in us running back and forth if she does need my help."
"But I would much rather help, if I can, please..." Susannah continued but the soldier merely held her aloft and Owen's tone and gaze silenced her mouth almost immediately. She knew she should have done as he had asked and if he had challenged her on why she had followed him, she doubted if she'd be able to say whether it was concern for her mistress...or concern for him that had drawn her outside.

For a moment, she thought Owen was going to say something further but instead his hand pressed hers once more and then he took off, half running, half marching back towards the main camp and his medical supplies. Without a word, the cavalryman turned and headed into the inn, carrying her as if she was no more than a child, ascending the stairs without pause.
"Please, sir, I assure you, I am quite capable of walking..."
"I am sure you are, miss," The soldier replied, carrying her briskly into the room she had left only minutes earlier. "But I was given an order by the Regimental Surgeon and his orders take prescidence over yours..." There was a very vague semblance of a smile on his lips as he deposited her onto her feet beside the bed. "I shall take my leave of you, miss" The soldier bowed his head slightly. "But the good Doctor Llewelyn usually gives nothing but good advice so if he wants you to lie down...I would if I were you..." Giving her another grin, the soldier swiftly turned about and marched out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Susannah sat down onto the bed heavily, her head still swimming in spite of what she had said. Her heart's pace frantic with worry. She felt nauseous and dizzy, pulling at the strings of her tightly laced dress as for a few frightening seconds she found it hard to breathe.

Once the tightness in her chest seemed to have passed, she flopped back, resting her head against the pillow and running a hand over her brow as she let her eyes close for a moment. Intending only to gather her thoughts but she had barely felt them close when the events of the last few moments overtook her. Within minutes her breathing had slowed and her body relaxed, Susannah was lost in confusing dreams only moments after the cavalryman had left the room.