Sharpe's Exploits

[Lady_Mornington]

Justine de Villiers

"Twenty-one indeed." Justine sat back and smiled anew. "What a shame that a young man such as yourself should run into such a witch as me then. Wasn't it what you called me? A witch? I suppose there's some truth in it, although I do not possess any magical powers. Otherwise I'd be sure to magic away the Allied armies. Or perhaps turn them into frogs."

She laughed at the poor jest, seeing as he raised an eyelid. "And as for emissaries carrying documents but not killing the people in the way? Well it's new times I'm afraid, and I can just as well tell you that I was not best pleased with this assignment at all, but it's the explicit wishes of His Imperial Majesty and what is a soldier to do?"

Watching the young Spanish officer take a swig from the bottle of brandy and then sharing, if only for the briefest of moments, some sort of familiarity wth the reference to the bath.

"I don't require a bath Alfonso, as you may recall I never claimed to be a lady. Some reasonably warm water will do and a piece of soap. I use to carry one in my sabretasche. No please don't get up to fetch it, I'd hate being alone here."

She fixed him with her icy stare as he put the bottle down. She was hungry but she'd be damned to tell him that. Besides she had starved before and this was nothing that she couldn't handle.

"Shall we continue this little game Alfonso? You provide me with something and I provide you with something? Right now I could really do with some hot water. And I'll tell you a bit of why I am here?"

Running her hands down her thigh, ostensibly to smooth down the flaps that he had left when he cut her breeches open. The gesture suggestive in all subtlety.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Alfonso covered a smile with his hand, as he watched and listened. So she knew the rules of interrogation... not that he was an expert himself. But this made things smooth and easy.

"Very well, then. I carry at least one small bar of soap in my horse's saddle... I hope you don't mind washing yourself with Spanish soap. It might have a stronger smell than French soap, but it still smells clean afterwards."

Setting the bottle down beside the chair, Alfonso stole one last glance at Justine before exiting. There was a fire nearby where two guards were roasting a chicken. Alfonso asked them if they didn't mind him heating some water, and they politely let him do so (more because of his rank than respect or anything else, as far as Alfonso thought). Taking the soap back to the tent while the water warmed in a bowl, he dropped it on the table.

"So, not a lady. But how do you live when out of the camp? When this war ends, will you stay in the army? I'm sure a woman of your position and skills could secure a good social standing for herself in the French government or nobility..."

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

Sharpe's French was not the best, and elaborately written French took him a good while to puzzle through. The document in front of him was not only written using excruciatingly indirect language, but was done so in a cursive hand that tended to embellish at the price of making the details unclear.

He swore.

What he really wanted was to get back to the simple pleasures of a full belly, clean skin, a comfortable bed and a beautiful woman - this letter was promising to rob him of all of them.

First of all they confirmed Justine's rank and position as the commander of her regiment. This told him that the rank was not honorary and his encounter today already let him know that it wasn't a paper command. Damn.

After explaining her bona fides, the letter went on to state that she was on a special mission for the Emperor himself, that she was a trustworthy and reliable woman and that she had the Emperor's ear. She had the power to speak for the Emporer as though she were, in fact, him.

Richard was stunned by this. This harridan, this banshee of the battlfield, was quite capable of negotiating a ceasefire, a truce - even the end of the war. It beggared belief. He was appalled - why had she behaved in such a way? Why had she acted as if she had nothing to lose and everything to gain? At any time she could have simply produced this document and been reasonably sure of an escort to Army HQ. Why had she participated in the defense of the redoubt? Why had she, in fact, seized command of it?

Richard grabbed the pot of water that Kate had used to clean him up, dug in his chest and found his razor and soap. He would need to look halfway presentable when he took her to Wellington.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Justine de Villiers

Justine sat back as small smile on her lips as she listened to de Avellanos y Marca.

"I suppose we all have to make sacrifices Alfonso, using Spanish soap being one of the lesser ones." This being rewarded by the flicker of a smile in return.

He had stood up and gone to order water being heated and she har remained seated. Not moving even her head as he had his back turned. He turned back and sat down again, looking intently at her.

"You're very kind Alfonso, and as for my future? Well if we lose the war there isn't much I can do is there? Get married but I'd rather put the pistol to my own head than be tied down by the bonds of marriage. And as far as I understand it the Allied powers will reinstate the Bourbons on the French throne. I do not think they are too keen on seeing a woman, and a woman who fought for Bonaparte among their ranks. If France lose the war, it's most likely that I'll see the muzzles of twelve muskets if I'm lucky, otherwise it's Madame Guilotine for me."

She had spoken without a trace of emotion although her features had softened somewhat. "You see my family, although noble supported the Revolution and that made us a target for both the mob and the Royalists. My mother and sister were raped during the Terror and subsequently killed by the mob on a ridiculous charge of being pro-Bourbon. And this even though my father served in the armies of France, defending her borders." She spat out the words. "Papa was devastated of course and he realised that only Bonaparte could vouch for stability. He created the detachment and his first recruit was I."

Justine looked up at Alfonso, giving him a rather shy smile. "Well that's my story Alfonso. Perhaps you could be so kind to untie me as I have that wash. You can always shoot me in the leg first in case you're worried that I'll try something as long as I can get the stench of powder away.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

She had managed to find Mrs. Jones who had once again being kind enough to help her finding a pail of water. Nudging Kate and giving her a toothless grin at her knowing full well that what 'her ladyship' was doing in Mister Sharpe's tent. There was however no judgement passed, merely the notion that if Kate kept Mr Sharpe happy that would mean that the battalion would be happy.


Kate found Richard standing by his small mirror in the process of shaving and with a very irritated expression on his face.

"Look at you Richard, you look like you bit into a lemon"

She had giggled but the harsh look she got in return prompted her to stop. Gently placing her hand on his arm. "Is something the matter?"

 

[Steiner]

Sharpe pointed at the letter on the table. "How's your French, Kate? Take a look."

He finished the angle of his jaw with a few impatient flicks, his toughened skin resisting the edge of the blade enough that this cavalier approach to shaving didn't cut him.

"Bugger it! I hope de Avellanos hasn't marked her too much. I'll have to take her in front of Wellington tonight, which means a hard ride and no damn sleep and most likely some fools errand tomorrow. What on earth does Boney have to say to Nosey? What could they talk about?"

He finished up the job and dabbed at his face with the murky water in the bowl before pulling his shirt back on.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

Kate read the letter with growing surprise. The woman whom Richard had described as utterly ruthless an emissary. Turning to Richard and unable to restrain herself she moved closer. Straightening his shirt.

"Perhaps they want to end the war? Or there has been some development that we don't know of in the North? Who's commanding there is it the Czar?"

She patted the creases of his shirt and found his green jacket and gave it a bit of a brush.

"There you can't look like a vagabond when you are to see her Coloneship." She had smiled but there was an edge to it. "Please be careful Richard"

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

He smiled at the sight of Kate patting the creases from his best Rifle green jacket. What was it about the women in his life that made them fuss over him like this? But her question stole his smile.

"It's not for her, it's for Wellington. He tolerates eccentric officers, but he's no time for people who dress like tramps. I have to, at least, look reasonably turned out. If I wear this stuff, he'll just assume that I didn't change from the battle. I'll have that much leeway. Right now, I can claim that I wanted to make sure she didn't waste his time. He'll be fine with that - provided she doesn't look like she's been beaten to a pulp by Grenadiers."

He cursed again. Railing at a fate that seemed to enjoy tossing these problems to deal with. Then he thought he recognised the tone in her voice, walking to her and kissing her soundly, not letting her wriggle out of his arms.

"Believe me, I don't intend to dress up for HER. I'd rather take a poisonous reptile to my bed than that mad child of the revolution."

 

[Longleg]

Patrick sat beside Susannah who had been moved to a small tent as modesty dictated ,away from the men who had become feverish.

His mind a whirl as he digested all that had happened from her confession that she had attended the wounded so that if he himself had been hit, she would be there ...for him.

Had he had as deep an effect on her as she had on him? The question played on his mind taunting him as well as exciting him with the possible answer.

Now because of her compassion and prehaps passion she was in this condition and it was his fault if fault could be placed.

The surgeon had seen her for just a few moments "She is young and if the will is strong she will recover" Patrick had not bothered to ask what would happen if she was not strong willed.

She was covered in blankets her beautiful face covered in the beads of sweat that showed the battle raging inside her.

Patrick wiped the top of her forehead and quietly sang.

In battle he would roar out in Gaelic but this battle he was only able to watch, unable to do anything but be there.

He kept his annoyance at that in check.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Alfonso kept silent after listening to Justine's story. So that was why she was so fanatical. Nothing left to lose, really. And that made the most dangerous kind of people be born into this world. Worse yet, you could not blame them for their acts, because they had been created that way by the world. But Alfonso didn't want to pity her. Justine didn't need it, he could tell. And if she did, she was too tough to care.

With a sigh, Alfonso stood up, staring at her. "Well... that is an interesting story. I would say I am sorry to hear that, but it would sound too frivolous and empty. I'll bring you the water."

Truth was, Alfonso wanted to be out of the tent. He felt more nervous than usual now, now that he knew her story. He had his own, and perhaps his soul didn't want to be bothered with remembering it. Taking the bowl carefully, he walked slowly into the tent, and set it down gently onto Justine's lap. Then, he took the soap and dropped it into the water, before unsheathing his sword and cutting the rope. Alfonso kept a neutral expression all the while, but deep inside he felt sad about it all. The stupidity of the human race was really great... and even more when it had a reason to act.

"Well, there you are. I hope the water is warm enough." Seating back on his chair with a tired grunt, Alfonso noticed that he hadn't eaten or slept in quite a few hours. But it was not dinner time yet... and he wondered again if Justine had eaten anything. "Are you sure you don't want to eat anything?"

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Justine de Villiers

"I'm quite alright Alfonso but I do apprecieate the thought."

Justine stood up and massaged her wrists. The coarse rope had bitten deep into her skin and made her hands and fingers go a bit numb. She unbuttoned her coat and hung it over the back of the chair, then discarded her boots, wrinkling her nose as she did. "I smell horribly" smiling shyly as she continued to shed her garments until she was standing naked before him.

"I do think this soap will do fine although being a Spanish one, and I must add that you're most accomodating a host Alfonso" She looked directly at him, noticing how he tried to look everywhere but at her naked body. "Oh come on surely you've seen a woman without her clothes on before?"
Smiling brightly as she spoke

 

[Katamari Roller]

When Justine started shedding her clothes, Alfonso didn't think she was going to go that far. But when her shirt started coming off, he was certain that yes, Justine didn't seem to mind letting him see her naked. Now, Alfonso was not someone who didn't appreciate that kind of gesture if there was any possibility that it was done for his pleasure. But Justine didn't seem like the kind of person to do that, and he did feel it was inappropiate.

He turned his back on her, and stared out of the tent, an act he interpreted as giving her some privacy, but in fact just another proof that he was shy like a little boy. Nobody would ever hear that from his mouth, but his cheeks and ears were tell-tale signs of it. He crossed his arms over his stomach, keeping his arms locked and focusing on the pressure there...

But Justine's question broke through his barriers like a spear through flesh, and he shifted uneasily on his feet. "I... have never... I've never seen that." Alfonso cleared his throat, trying to hide his stuttering, and quite probably failing miserably. This woman was going to be his perdition, yes. Now he was sure of it.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Justine de Villiers

The water felt wonderful, and being able to use a soap was pure pleasure to Justine. She tried to count back when she last had a proper wash. Probably because she and her detachment had entered Spain. She wished she still had her baggage, but she supposed that to be lost.

Turning to Alfonso seeing as he had turned his back, probably out of a misplaced sense of respect. Justine had not bothered about such issues. She considered herself to be a soldier first and a woman second. The rape she'd suffered at the hands of Austrian soldiers running amok shortly before Austerlitz had further prompted her to distance herself from the perception of herself as a female.

Yet there was something about the way Alfonso de Avellanos y Marca had subtly awoken something in her. He might have wanted her dead on the battlefield yet now he carried himself rather like an awkward suitor than a captor. The realisation making her blush, something that didn't come naturally to her disposition.

"I'm sorry Alfonso I didn't mean to embarress you." She had spoken in a low tone, reaching for the cloth and wrapping it around her waist. "Incidentally you didn't manage to collect any of my belongings when you had me captured?"

She smiled at him as he turned around, her left arm folded across her breasts in a rather vain attempt to conceal herself.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

"Maybe I ought to come with you. I've met Wellington before as you know."

Kate drew herself up in her full height, her posture signalling her intent and fixing Richard with a determined stare. "Besides if she's half the witch you made her out to be you need a woman to check her behaviour don't you?"

She smiled but it was tainted with insecurity as well as a nagging sense that the woman colonel now in custody would hurt him. He had hinted that she was too well informed about him and the thought was thoroughly unsettling.

"You'll not let me sit around and wait here that's for sure Richard Sharpe. Give me a minute to get ready and I'm coming with you."

Staring belligerently at him willing him to try and dissuade her.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Alfonso didn't know why he had turned around. But seeing her quite naked body before him made him regret it... although he was not that sure that he was regretting it. He froze over, and stood there dumbfounded. His eyes moved of their own volition, taking control over his mind. All of Justine's body was in front of him. Her fair skin and her blonde hair, her beautiful face, her curvaceous body that could compete with the most sinuous mountain range...

He gulped, choked on his own saliva and coughed. "It's... not... I mean... yes, I did take the saddles on your horse..."

The blush on Alfonso's face looked more like a tomato by now, or like he had burst quite a few veins. Every minute now, and he would start bleeding out of his cheeks. But, although Alfonso didn't mind that too much since Justine had already seen him blush at the latrines, now he had an additional problem. Something was hardening, and it was not his resolve. His eyes darted around the tent, trying to look for an excuse to leave, but now was precisely the worst moment to do so, with de Villiers free, and/or naked.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Justine de Villiers

"If you're worried I make a run for it you can always tie me up again."

Justine took a tentative step forward and held her arms out, crossed at the wrists. "There ought to be enough rope to make a decent knot here and you can pop out to fetch my bags."

She smiled but there was an edge to it. "Remember I was the witch who tried to kill you earlier. I would do so again if we where to be pitted against eachother on the battle field and I trust you would to. Don't let the fact that I'm a woman mitigate this Alfonso."

Justine had moved closer to him, so close that she could feel the warmth of his skin and the scent of his long hair. She looked closely at his handsome features and she smiled as there was a boyishness to them, for all Alfonso's martial pretensions, and on a spur she leaned closer and brushed her lips against the stubble on his cheek.

"But for now I only require you to tie me up if that solves our present predicament."

Looking down a shade bashfully

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

Fastening his sash around his waist and buckling his sword belt, Richard was tempted to simply dismiss her plan out of hand, but knew that he should find a diplomatic way to do so.

As he was turning the idea over in his mind, though, looking for the weaknesses, it began to appeal to him. Kate could act as a chaperone. He wouldn't trust her to guard the woman on her own, but when teamed with either himself or de Avellanos there would be both safety and security. Richard knew that the idea would soothe Wellington too.

"Alright, darling. Since you offered I'll take you up on it. It might make her feel more secure, and it might stop de Avellanos getting too carried away. If de Villiers is being treated in a manner that makes you comfortable with the situation, we're probably not mistreating her."

He smiled at her, warmingly.

"Get yourself all nicely dressed up, mind. Remember you're going to meet a Lord."

And herein was the method to Sharpe's madness. When surrounded by the rough and ready soldiers of a fighting regiment, Justine looked every inch the gorgeous woman. Put her next to the rosy blushes of Kate, however, and the difference was clear. Sharpe would simply use Kate to remind Lord Wellington what a real woman looked like.

He finished scraping the blood from his blade and thrust it home into the scabbard with a laugh, he was pretty sure that Justine would eat her liver when she realised what he'd done to her.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Alfonso almost visibly cringed as Justine uncovered her breasts. They were not disgusting in the least, but Alfonso was having trouble hiding the effect a naked woman as beautiful as this French witch was aving on him. Then, her words took that dangerous tone he knew from her, the one that almost made her unlike any other woman in the world.

And the closer she came, the more nervous he was, on both accounts of beauty and danger. His heart beat fast, as if his conscience was locked away and it was trying to knock down a door with its tiny fists. But the closer Justine moved to Alfonso, the less he cared about anything else. Until she kissed him.

That single kiss was enough. It broke a spell, but casted another. He was not mesmerized anymore by some kind of mist in his mind. Now it was on his body, all around him, under his clothes. And his body hardened. Taking a deep breath, Alfonso put his hands on Justine's shoulders, gently, with no pressure. And his eyes sank into hers like stones in water, heavy with determination.

"In the battlefield, I would not forget the blood you have spilled. But this is not one. And if you get closer to me, you might get dirty."

Alfonso felt a tiny speck of philosophy in that, but it was not devoid of any literal sense. His uniform was still as dirty as it was when he brought Justine inside the tent, and he smelled strongly of horse and gunpowder. Specially gunpowder.

"I don't need to tie you up, for now. But if a reason comes to do so, I will not hesitate."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Justine de Villiers

"I'm sure you won't Alfonso," she leaned closer again, her palms pressed against his chest the gesture both placatory and suggestive "and neither would I."

Her lips brushing against his cheek again and then pressing against his. She felt his hands on her shoulders as she pushed herself against him, parting her lips and touching his with the tip of her tongue. Justine could feel her heart beating faster as she tasted the salt on his lips and felt his hands gripping her shoulders harder.

She was not averse to sexual contacts yet a woman in her position had to be discreet and discriminate, and who better than the man who had bested her on the field of honour. He had earned the right to lay with her, at least in Justine's mind. Besides his boyish appearence appealed to her. Wrapping her arms around his waist as she broke the kiss.

"I don't mind getting dirty Alfonso, you ought to know that by now."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

"You have to fetch some water then Richard"

Kate was busying herself finding a pair of new stockings as well as panties to go with it. She gathered that the dove-blue dress would be suitable, although it was currently in the coach parked outside the tent.

"And when you're at it Richard I'd appreciate it if you could fetch the trunk from the coach as well." Knowing she sounded awfully demanding and turning to kiss his cheek. "I'm sorry Richard but you said so yourself. I'm about to meet a Lord after all. I wonder if that's changed him, he was a mere knight last time I saw him." She giggled as she saw Richard's reaction. "No don't worry my dear, I don't pay any attention to titles. But you ought to know that by now shouldn't you."

She turned around examining her face in the mirror. There would be no time to arrange her hair in anything else than the most basic fashion but it would have to do for now. Giving Richard a haughty stare although mitigated by the broad smile on her pretty face. "You're still here? I thought I had sent you on an errand of the most importance to His Britannic Majesty?"

 

[Katamari Roller]

A shiver ran up Alfonso's spine, starting right where Justine's arms wrapped around him. A couple expletives of choice briefly flickered alive in his head before his eyes fixed on her lips. Oh God, those lips... Alfonso would have killed a man in a brawl at a tavern if he had known this would be the prize. And it wasn't just her lips. But when they closed on his, and something soft and wet caressed his own, he almost forgot there was anything else.

A thousand thoughts went through his mind. She was an enemy, but a woman. A French woman, but a kind woman when she wanted. A soldier, but she was not trying to escape. A prisoner, but she carried herself with elegance and... those thoughts were of no importance, he reasoned as a strange calm took hold of him.

His hands caressed her shoulders as he kissed back. Alfonso knew fully well that some might consider this a kind of treason... but the feelings and sensations between a man and a woman were beyond such petty things. His fingers brushed her skin delicately, as his hands went down her sides, and finally rested on her hips. He stepped closer, feeling a fire in his lower body, and a strange, never felt before numbness in his upper body. His tongue went out to meet hers like an emissary, and that image brought a grin to his face as she moved away to speak again.

"If you don't care about getting dirty... then neither do I..."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Justine de Villiers

Justine's hands trailed his back until her fingers rested on his neck, gently caressing the sensitive skin as she kissed him with more force. It was the cavalry charge again, manouvering to gain the upper hand on the opponent, none of them willing to submit to the other.

Pressing herself against him, feeling the hardness of his chest as well as the more acute hardness pushing against her stomach.

"I don't think you're attire is entirely suitable for this kind of combat Alfonso."

She looked deply into his eyes as she spoke, her lips moist and slightly parted as she pulled him back against the desk the company clerks had previously used to signing documents on. Her slender hand gripping his as she pushed the sheafs of papers together with the ink well onto the floor.

Kissing him again as she started tugging on his breeches, pulling at the cords and buttons, sensing his need growing as strong as her own.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Alfonso's breathing become rougher, and more noticeable, as he felt his hardness rub against her. She pulled him along, and Alfonso knew she was the one taking the initiative. He felt uncomfortable with that, but it was not completely unpleasant... and her gesture throwing away the papers and the ink really got his mind working. He could already imagine her under his weight, sweating on the table and subject to a fast, maddening movement...

Speaking of maddening. Her wet lips almost elicited a groan from him. Something in him was pleased, very pleased, and together with it, Alfonso wished to find out more about this strange turn of events. And his hands played the inquisitive mind, as they slid down her hips, and to her ass. With one hand on each side, he picked her up and sat her on top of the table. As her hands tugged at his breeches, Alfonso had to admit his member was already as hard as it could possibly get, and impatient to come out of its hideout. Meanwhile, his own lips had their plans. With passionate need, Alfonso kissed Justine's neck, and then trapped some skin with his teeth, and pulled gently. He repeated the gesture as he moved up towards her mouth, little by little. And his hands squeezed her round buttocks, revelling in how her flesh felt under his fingers...

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

He was still lost in contemplation of her, when her sharp tone jerked him out of his reverie.

Her poise jarred a little, but he realised that was exactly what he wanted from her now. And her amused smile reassured him that she wasn't Lady Savage all of a sudden.

"I'll be right back, Kate." he said with an indulgent smile.

Heading for the family lines, buried at the heart of the Regiment's encampment, he quickly got two pails of hot water, which he hauled back to his tent before they cooled. Leaving Kate with a kiss he headed for her coach and was dismayed to see the enormous trunk that awaited him.

Wishing he was Pat's size, he slowly dragged the thing back to the tent, setting it down in the middle of the floor. "How much did you pack?" he wheezed.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Justine de Villiers

The way Alfonso hoisted her up onto the table brought a lustful cry to escape from her lips. She noticed his hunger now as great as her own. His lips and teeth teasing her as she ripped at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin against hers.

"Isn't this a deady sin Alfonso?" Kissing him hungrily as she sunk her sharp teeth into his lower lip, making him stiffen. "Good I'm a God-less French witch then." Justine smiled again as she started kissing his muscular chest, the smell of sweat and powder invading her nostrils as she did. Trailing her tounge down the breastbone and then dragging her teeth along his pecs before closing around his nipple, gently pulling back making him gasp.

Her hands cupped his manhood through his breeches, teasing him with expert squeezes and caresses before pulling his breeches open, marvelling at the hardness and size of his member as she closed her fingers around it.

"Tantamount to treason almost." She kissed his chest as she moved her hand up and down the lenght of his phallus then a thought struck her.

"Have you ever done this before?"