Sharpe's Exploits

[Lady_Mornington]

Colonel de Chasseurs Justine de Villiers

It has been surprisingly easy to slip through the British lines and make her way into France proper, although she had to push the late de Avellanos horse hard to make it to the French encampment by dawn.

There was a certain confusion with the piquets but after having scorned the conscripts manning it Colonel de Villiers made her way towards divisional HQ. She needed to speak to Marshal Soult, and more so, needed to send a despatch to His Imperial Majesty. It may well look hopeless at the moment, but knowing that the Scotsman Nairn had taken the alledged treason of Bernadotte's seriously it still meant that with cunning and proper leadership the threat to France could be averted.

She was greeted by the staff officers of Marshal Soult and informed that His Grace was currently unavailible, either was the he asleep or the leecherous bastard had brought yet another whore into his bed. It was not the way to win a war, focus must be on the task at hand and that meant, in her view, to forgo whatever pleasures one might otherwise indulge in.

The delay did however mean that she'd be given time to draft a strategy for how the British would be met. First it was crucial to have the people of France firmly on the side of the army. Spreading rumour about rape and pillage carried out by the redcoats and their Spanish and Portugese allies would surely strenghten the resolve. If needs be dress some cavalry men up in British attire and have them do the honours. It was callous but Justine knew that there were more at stake than the welfare of one village. An acceptable sacrifice all in all. She would further ask for a new command, well ask was a to put it nicely, she'd demand one. There were scores to be settled, and when she next met Sharpe and his whore they would pay.

 

[magbeam]

Owen Llewelyn

At Sharpe's final words, Owen felt a shy smile suddenly flit across his features, unable to control it at the man's mention of Susannah. "Isn't she just, though, Major? Thank you, sir, good night." With that, he made his way out of the Major's way and back up the stairs to his room.

Owen was relieved that Sharpe did not seem truly angry, and he was glad to hear the words of congratulations. Richard Sharpe truly was a rare breed of man, and Owen once more felt the pride of serving with him. Of course things would turn out all right. He should never have thought otherwise, not that a little fright wasn't good to set him straight. Things had gotten a little dicey today.

Yet as Owen took himself to bed, still imbued with the scent of Susannah and their lovemaking, he couldn't help that think that, perhaps, it had all been worth it, and he went back to sleep dreaming of seeing Susannah again.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

On Susannah's insistence a bath had been readied for her, and even in her rather dazed state she could see how the girl had been more than ready to harry the other servants into getting it drawn for her.

The hot water and the aromatic oils that she had prepared worked miracles and Kate could feel how she finally began to relax. Even if she had been subjected to rather the harsh treatment, she wasn't minded to let it affect her. Besides she had never doubted that Richard would come for her.

Susannah had even managed to find her a passable dress which she helped her don, before quietly and quite contrary to her personality asked to be dismissed. There was clearly something going on but it had to wait. Right now all Kate wanted was to get some sleep and hopefully some private time with Richard.

 

[Steiner]

Major Sharpe

Richard closed the door to the Field Marshal's office. Wellesley wasn't a man used to disapointment - certainly not from the vector of Major Richard Sharpe, and the news that Justine had escaped had certainly rubbed him the wrong way.

It was Nairn who had come to his rescue. The Colonel had asked quietly what the status of the hostage was. The hostage who came from an impeccable Lisbon family that Lord Wellington certainly wouldn't want to suffer a sudden bereavement. The canny Field Marshal had caught on right away. Finally he had grudgingly admitted that any officers duty would have been to the hostage first and the hostage taker second.

Besides the bitch was just crazy enough to come back for another attempt on Sharpe - and then there would be no hostages to get in the way.

Richard limped back to the South Essex lines on foot - after tales of his cavalier treatment of the borrowed horse all the HQ riders actually went out of their way to ride far enough clear of him that they could claim with a straight face not to have heard his bellow.

It was a longish walk, and it was gone midnight when Richard finally limped back into the reassuring comfort of his tent.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

Kate was not supposed to be billeted in Sharpe's tent. Susannah had made arrangements and the Quartermaster had been adamant that the ladies would be accomodated with headquarters.

The gesture clearly one that indicated just how gravely the concerned parties were regarding their safety, but Kate couldn't help but think of it as just another way to get rid of her. Thus she had managed to sneak away, having used a bit of influence as well as some coins to have one of the ensigns escort her back to the South Essex' encampment. Finding Richard's tent had been easy enough, and no one had questioned her right to be there. Rumours tended to spread like wildfire in the ranks it seemed.

She had discarded the dress Susannah had procured for her and slipped down between the coarse blanket and falling into uneasy sleep, only to wake up as she heard the rustling of the tent flap and saw the familiar silhoutte of Richard's outlined against the light.

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

The tent was dark and quiet. Only Kate's soft breathing would have alerted him to her presence, and he was too far distant, and the camp too noisy, to allow him to hear that.

He limped to the large map table and dropped his sword and rifle down onto it with a clatter. What he really needed now was to get all this soiled finery off and get himself a good night's sleep. He kicked off the boots, dumped the jacket on the back of a chair and took a quick swig from the canteen of brandy, letting the fiery liquid claw its way down his throat.

Finally, he sat down on the bed, narrowly missing Kate's legs and causing her to squeak in alarm. Surprised he turned and ran his hands over her, identifying her by smell, by the curve of her hip and a hundred other things his hands remembered.

"Kate, aren't you supposed to be back at Headquarters?" he asked tiredly but with good humour, amazed at the spirit of the woman..

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

Kate didn't reply as she sat up to wrap her arms around Richard's neck, pulling him close and kissing him. She could taste the residue brandy on his lips. He smelled of gunpowder, sweat and faintly of horse but right now it didn't matter to her.

She pulled him closer as she pulled his shirt up and ran her hands over his back, caressing the scars from that criss-crossed it before she finally broke the kiss.

"I am not supposed to be with the army at all so what difference does it make being here. Besides, you're not at HQ..."

Kate left the sentence unfinished as she lay back, allowing him to continue to undress. She moved to the edge of the narrow bed, making room for him and curled up close beside him.

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

Susannah helped her mistress bathe and dress, her relief at her safety was tempered with guilt at what she had been doing during her abduction and thrills of excitement at what her next meeting with Owen might bring. She focused her attentions on her employer, ensuring the herbs achieved their purpose in relaxing the traumatized young woman.
“If you have no further need of me, Miss, may I be excused…I believe you wish to rest and would do so better without my prescence…” Susannah asked haltingly, fighting the blush that wanted to erupt upon her cheeks and bobbing a quick and thankful curtsey as Miss Savage released her from her duties for the remainder of the evening.

Once outside of the room, Susannah felt a twinge of uncertainty. Now that she was excused, what should she do. She knew what she wanted to do was to find Owen and make sure that Major Sharpe hadn’t been too harsh in his reprimand as she was certain that was what had passed between the two gentlemen once she had escorted Miss Kate from the room.. Susannah knew she should do no such thing, she should find a room for herself and retire. After all, even with what she had shared with the handsome surgeon, they were not engaged or even courting, not in the strictest sense. If she was honest she wasn’t sure what they were, if they were anything at all. Things had been left somewhat up in the air when Major Sharpe had returned with Miss Savage.

Straightening her shoulders and pushing a lock of hair out of her eyes, Susannah walked to Owen’s door, knocking tentatively and awaiting with bated breath for his response. If nothing else, she would have a chance to find out if the Welshman felt the same way as she and would at least be able to apologise for having gotten him into trouble with the Major if that indeed was the case.
“Doctor…Doctor Llewelyn…? Doctor, it’s me, Susannah…” She called softly through the door, her teeth once more catching on her lower lip as she listened closely for the sound of movement within his room.

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

Kate didn't reply as she sat up to wrap her arms around Richard's neck, pulling him close and kissing him. She could taste the residue brandy on his lips. He smelled of gunpowder, sweat and faintly of horse but right now it didn't matter to her.

She pulled him closer as she pulled his shirt up and ran her hands over his back, caressing the scars from that criss-crossed it before she finally broke the kiss.

"I am not supposed to be with the army at all so what difference does it make being here. Besides, you're not at HQ..."

Kate left the sentence unfinished as she lay back, allowing him to continue to undress. She moved to the edge of the narrow bed, making room for him and curled up close beside him.

Richard shivered as her delicate fingers caressed the sensitive ridges on his back. Some wounds, he reflected, take longer to heal than others.

Finally, naked, he rolled back onto the bed, pushing his arm under her shoulders and pulling her up against his shoulder, gingerly steering her head clear of the linen pad that marked the pistol bullet wound.

"You're right - it doesn't matter. It was quiet clear what our relationship was at dinner, I thought."

Richard squirmed, something was poking him in the back and he lifted his spine from the matress and groped around under there to find a paper square. Pulling it clear with a grunt and an oath, his fumbling fingers discovered a wax seal and a few folds, marking it as an envelope. Envelopes like this tended to be harbingers.

With a sigh he rolled to the side, fumbling to light the lamp and create warm yellow ambience in the pitch dark of the tent. As the light sprang up, Kate was revealed lying around him, her dark eyes inordinately warm and pretty in the intimate light. Forgetting the envelope for a second he leaned forward and kissed her, amazed at the feelings she could evoke in him.

The corner of the letter poked him in the hip and he broke the kiss, however, reading the sending address and noting it was from Peter d'Alembord in London.

He grunted. "It's from Captain d'Alembord. He's on leave in London at present and thought he'd go around to visit..." Sharpe's voice trailed off uncomfortably, aware that Kate wouldn't want to hear the name Jane tonight.

Unfolding the envelope he read it through, his eyes widening.

Trembling hands lifted the first sheet back up to his eyes as he disbelievingly read it through in full again, discarding the sheets as he finished with them.

"She won't see him. She's taken on all the airs and graces of London nobility. She's bought a TOWN HOUSE with my money?! She's always on the arm of some fop called Rossendale. Lord John Rossendale. My god..."

 

[magbeam]

Owen Llewelyn

Owen groaned at his desk, struggling to write down Aristotle's address to the Academium in the original Greek as Professor Sharpe strolled up and down the rows of students like a regimental sergeant. Why was this so hard? He was sure he knew the difference between the omega and the lambda. Professor Sharpe came to rest over his desk, yanking the parchment away with haste.

"What is this, boy? Do you think you can graduate with nonsense like this? Do you even know your hic haec hoc? And you claim to be a gentleman! Pfag!"

Professor Sharpe's shape became his governess from his youth, Miss Savage, and she (he?) tore up the Aristotle, blowing the fragments back at him.

"You truly are a scoundrel, Owen Llewelyn, you dirty coal-grubbing Welshman. What made you think you were worth the same as us? Could be anything more than an adulterer and a philanderer? You're nothing but a fop! I bet you enjoyed getting your grubby hands on me, didn't you?"

Miss Savage was now sitting on his desk in a way that showed off her assets in a manner most unbecoming a lady of any sort. "Well, do you fancy another go? Oh, doctor," she moaned. "Doctor, doctor. Doctor Llewelyn!"

Owen woke with a start, confused for a second as to where he was, before realizing it had been a dream. And a truly bizarre one at that. No doubt the product of a guilty conscience, knowing he had let down both his compatriots and his own upbringing.

Then he heard the voice calling out to him, and he realized it wasn't coming from his dream, after all, although it very well might be his conscience, at least, so to speak. He winced as Susannah called him 'Doctor Llewelyn.' After all they had shared and all the times he had cajoled her to speak his Christian name, she called him that? Obviously, she was ashamed, angry, hurt, or any combination of them.

Standing up, he made his way to the door. "Ah, Susannah, ah...please do come in," he said, preventing himself from saying 'my dear,' as she clearly felt little attraction to him at the moment. He made to close the door, then halted, not wanting her to feel imprisoned inappropriately with him...but then, by keeping it open, she might take it as him showcasing his conquest of her to all who passed by. What a dilemma.

After a few moments of awkward silence, he finally asked, "I do hope your mistress was not too harsh on you?"

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

Any doubts Susannah might have been feeling at visiting Owen's room faded as soon as she saw him, slightly ruffled from sleep but still as handsome as she had found him before.
"Ah, Susannah, ah...please do come in,"
She felt her heart fall ever so slightly at his invitation and tone. Had she been mistaken from the start, had it just been a romp that meant little to him, was she just another on a list of conquests that most men in the army seemed to have. She couldn't bring herself to believe it, not after he had been so loving and tender, or at least in her mind he had been. She lowered her head slightly so as not to reveal her disappointment as she stepped inside.
"I do hope your mistress was not too harsh on you?"

"No, no, not at all...in fact she has barely spoken to me since her return...she is resting now, thank you for your assistance..." Susannah replied quietly, "I...hope major Sharpe was not too harsh on you..." She asked, for the first time since entering, raising her eyes to his. "I do hope he was not, I would hate to think you had suffered in any way because of me...Owen..." She added his name, almost half whispered, just saying it sent a small thrill through her as she recalled moaning it only a few hours before in the very room in which they were stood. She felt a sudden rush of emotions, quite unsure how to deal with any of them, but all of them spurring her into action.

Before he could reply she moved to close the door that he had left slightly ajar and returned to him, her tone earnest and eyes shining in the candlelight.
"Oh Owen...please, I'm so sorry if I have brought trouble upon you...I couldn't live with myself if I had. I...I wanted to see you, I had to see you and I know I shouldn't...I should have gone to find a room of my own when I asked to be dissmissed but then...I never ask to be dissmissed and well, all I could think of was you...I came straight here and then...I was worried that you might have company or that I might be seen without good reason knocking upon your door at such an hour..." Susannah rambled, moving steadily closer before raising her hands and resting them tentatively upon his chest. "...I feel...I don't truly know what I feel...except that it made me want to laugh and cry at the same time when you opened the door just now, Owen..."

"I will of course go...should you want me to...but I shall stay if you wish it..." She added in a lower tone, almost whispering as she leant closer, pushing herself up onto her toes to gently kiss his mouth. If he sent her away, she was certain she would cry for a week, but she could leave him knowing she had at least attempted to make her feelings known. A pause followed, Susannah's heart thudded ominously in her ears, awaiting Owen's response. Her hands still resting lightly upon his front, her teeth once more caught upon her lower lip.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

Kate sat sleepily up in bed, the soft smile that his return had brought about slowly disappearing as he watched Richard's reaction to the letter. Apparently it was not good news, she could see his features showing both anger and perhaps just a fleeting sign of sadness.

She moved closer to him and wrapped her slender arms around his waist. Right now Kate guessed that he would be in no mood to tell her the contents of hte letter, nor did he seem likely to answer any questions that she might have. She guessed it had to do with his promotion. He had never paid for his promotion, thus the rank he was holding was a brevet one only, and as such he would be likely to lose it should a richer man pay for it.

Kate would not claim to be privy to the workings of His Majesty's Army, but it struck her as thoroughly unfair a system, where an able man like Richard could be passed over because he didn't have the money to pay for his commission. Clearly he was in good standing with Lord Wellington, and as such there ought to be at least some flexibility.

She looked at him closely and without a word pulled him to her, kissing his cheek as she ran her fingers through his unruly black hair. She wanted to soothe him, to show him that whatever his fortunes may be, she would love him and be there for him.

He sighed as he put the letter on the table, taking her into her arms and kissing her forehead.

"Richard, I know it's not for me to pry but if it's a matter of money I will be happy to lend you, no give you whatever you need to secure your commission."

She waited for his reply as they lay silently on the narrow bed, the tips of their noses almost touching. Kate braved herself, she had ample enough funds and she would gladly pay for his commission if it would serve to lighten his mood. She leaned closer and kissed his cheek telling him again that she loved him.

 

[magbeam]

Owen Llewelyn

Owen paused, tensing as Susannah drew near, her hands coming to rest on his chest, growing even more stiff as she leaned up to kiss him. It was not that he didn't feel anything for her; quite the contrary. It was only now, after he had been scolded and was thinking without the distractions of his long draught of female companionship clouding things up, that he was able to think clearly about what to do. Perhaps this was an opportunity out. What they had done was improper on so many levels, it had already earned him a scolding from Sharpe and might even lead to a whipping, dismissal from the Army, even gaol. And he shuddered to think of what might happen if, God forbid, their relationship led to the natural conclusion of such intimate activities: Susannah a spinster with a bastard, forced from her mistress who, by her accounts, she had served since her youth. It very well might be better for both of them if he used the opportunity Susannah had presented to reject her, however gently, send her on her way, never to cross paths with each other again.

Of course, as soon as he thought that, Owen knew he could never carry through with that. He would never forgive himself; there was, undeniably, something close shared between them, and that Susannah would risk so much to come and see to him, to make sure he was still in one piece, spoke quite a lot to Owen, reaffirming his belief in her more than generous disposition. Besides, he justified after the fact, her mistress had not scolded her, and Sharpe had done so only perfunctily, even congratulating him and only admonishing him on being a fool, something Owen certainly would not repeat twice.

And so it was that Owen returned her kiss, his arms finally rising to circle Susannah's waist and head, gently holding her close to him and her head to his own as they kissed. When they broke, his hands moved to take hers in his own, and he smiled down at her.

"I hope that expressed my sentiments adequatly, Susannah. And if it doesn't, then no, the last thing in the world I want is for you to leave me, now, or...well, I certainly want you to stay. At least for the moment, no sense in us getting caught, as you say."

Owen had been about to tell Susannah that he never wanted her to leave, but held himself back. That could possibly be too foolish, at least for now. Time enough to probe those waters. He made his way to the door to close it, now knowing she would not have the desire to flee (joy!) before sitting back down on the bed, gesturing her to sit beside him. When she did, he placed an arm around her, his othe again taking one of her hands.

"To answer your other question, my dear," Owen said, much more comfortably as he stroked her back, "Major Sharpe was not too harsh on me. He berated me for being stupid about it, in his own words of course, and promised swift and painful retribution if he caught me again making a mistake even a private is above." Owen smiled, embarassed, at how little he knew about dalliances. "And once he was done threatening me so, he congratulated me on winning your affections, a 'bonny lass' again in his words, and assured me that as long as I don't monopolize you, there should be a way of working out time that your mistress will, ah, not be requiring your attentions."

Owen stumbled a bit on that, still embarassed to be speaking of such intimates with a young maiden, even one he had enjoyed in a fashion similar to that being discussed.

"The Major was understandably troubled so I did not inquire further, but I am sure that he meant what he said." Owen turned, laying another soft kiss on Susannah, before asking, again haltingly, "So...where, ah, that is...What do you think happens now? Between us, I mean. And not now as in immediately this moment. At least not necessarily, of course, that is." Nervous, Owen's words stumbled over each other in their haste to fly from his mouth.

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

Susannah felt a shiver of pure delight dancing down her spine as Owen encircled her within his arms and kissed her. Her own hands sliding around from his chest to rest upon his back as she parted her lips slightly in her return of the kiss. Relief and joy bubbling gloriously within her heart that he did not seem to feel any anger or shame at what they had shared and appeared to feel at least something towards her. Her mouth broke into a hazy smile when they parted, chin tilted upwards so that her eyes could meet his.
"I hope that expressed my sentiments adequately, Susannah. And if it doesn't, then no, the last thing in the world I want is for you to leave me, now, or...well, I certainly want you to stay. At least for the moment, no sense in us getting caught, as you say."
"It did, Owen, and I want nothing more in this moment than to enjoy your company for as long as I may..." She replied almost shyly, smiling contentedly as he moved to close the door completely and motion for her to sit with him upon the bed.

It felt so comfortable to be sitting with him as she was, his arm around her, his hand holding hers, all the while those deep, warm, rich eyes meeting her own.
"To answer your other question, my dear...Major Sharpe was not too harsh on me. He berated me for being stupid about it, in his own words of course, and promised swift and painful retribution if he caught me again making a mistake even a private is above...And once he was done threatening me so, he congratulated me on winning your affections, a 'bonny lass' again in his words, and assured me that as long as I don't monopolize you, there should be a way of working out time that your mistress will, ah, not be requiring your attentions."
Susannah's expression moved from concern at the possibility of Owen suffering punishment because of her to embarassment as she heard Major Sharpe's description and opinion of her to shyness as Owen's voice tailed off.
"I am more than relieved that you did not have to suffer because of me and I admit I am as surprised as I am flattered by the Major's words. I wouldn't have thought a man like him would even have noticed my existence other than in my capacity to serve my mistress...but I am glad to think he might be 'on our side', as it were..."

"The Major was understandably troubled so I did not inquire further, but I am sure that he meant what he said."
Susannah sighed as Owen pressed another kiss upon her lips, fresh eruptions of excitement breaking out across her skin.
"So...where, ah, that is...What do you think happens now? Between us, I mean. And not now as in immediately this moment. At least not necessarily, of course, that is."
"I...I do not know..." Susannah replied quietly, a smile still curving her lips as she looked up at Owen through her lashes. "I confess, although I believe you know already, that I have never been in a situation such as this before and what I want to happen and what should happen are all so confusing to me..." She lifted the hand that he was not holding within his own to stroke his cheek for a moment, feeling the slightly tug of stubble beneath her fingertips as they traced along his jaw and passed gently across his lips.

"I...I know no other way to express my desires and hope I shall not offend but...I would truly like to stay here, with you, to sleep here with you...I have no room of my own and...should nothing more intimate pass between us than kisses and embraces I shall be content, but I would dearly love to lie in your arms again...if only for a few hours...if you would like me to, of course..." Susannah's cheeks pinked as she added with a slightly wider smile. "Although...I must admit, I do not have my nightgown upon my person..."

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

He'd been in this position before, of course. If a man couldn't keep a woman then he lost her - hell, he'd been on the other side of that equation often enough. He pondered how many married women he'd enjoyed, and how many of THOSE had been while he was married.

Too many. Too many.

Now the shoe was on the other foot - and it happened not when Richard was a penniless private with barely food for a woman, never mind luxuries, it happened when he was a Major, a famous hero and a rich man. The irony was startling, like a bucket of cold water on his head.

Of course, he'd made all the mistakes that the cuckolded husbands in his past had made. He'd sent a bored, young, pretty wife away laden down with material possessions. Of course she'd strayed - ample opportunity and nothing to stop her. He cursed his foolishness.

Of course the fact that warm arms circles his waist and perfumed hair was in his nostrils were something of a consolation. How many types of hypocrite could he be? Still - it was clear that his marriage was over. He'd rather go without than stay with a woman who didn't want him.

Looking down at Kate he smiled slowly, sadly.

"Read the letter in the morning, love. I'll leave it on the table, it should explain everything. Right now I want to know how strong you feel because..."

He leaned in and kissed her tenderly but with passion. He needed her tonight.

 

[magbeam]

Owen Llewelyn

Again, Owen found himself grinning like an idiot at Susannah's words and actions. If he was not careful, that was going to become common with him, at least around her. Well, why not? he thought. Why shouldn't I shout out to the world my love for this woman? It's been long enough, after all. Which was immediately followed by: Because it'd get you into a mess of trouble with the Major and his woman, possibly end this, and all because just because you think you love her doesn't make this wildly improper. She's below you and you aren't even courting. Father would burst if he knew.

But of course, there was nothing against him expressing himself to Susannah when it was just the two of them. Which was now. And the entire rest of the night.

Owen continued to smile like a fool.

"When I was a boy, I used to sleep in the nude every so often. It could get rather hot in a Cardiff summer, contrary to what you might think. Of course I stopped that when I was still a lad - not manly or proper, of course, Father said, and I think I may have become even more embarassed than the maids who walked in on it...But the point is, I certainly would not mind recreating that particular custom with you, here, tonight."

His hand continued to play with her fingers as he leaned in to kiss her softly.

"I want you to know, Susannah, that as long as I am around, you will always have a place to stay...Ah, listen to me, prattling on like that. I sound like I was when I was in love for the first time. I feel like that again, too, though, so I suppose it makes sense." He laughed nervously as he began to take his shirt off, pausing as a thought came to mind.

"Are you sure your mistress would not...I mean, I don't want you to get in trouble if she needs you in the night."

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

"When I was a boy, I used to sleep in the nude every so often. It could get rather hot in a Cardiff summer, contrary to what you might think. Of course I stopped that when I was still a lad - not manly or proper, of course, Father said, and I think I may have become even more embarassed than the maids who walked in on it...But the point is, I certainly would not mind recreating that particular custom with you, here, tonight."
Susannah blushed, smiling wider as she listened. Even though she had been naked with him and in far more intimate circumstances than those they were currently in, she still felt a thrill of almost nervous excitement that they might be in such circumstances again soon. Returning his kiss with a sigh, revelling in the softness and smoothness of his lips against her own.

"I want you to know, Susannah, that as long as I am around, you will always have a place to stay...Ah, listen to me, prattling on like that. I sound like I was when I was in love for the first time. I feel like that again, too, though, so I suppose it makes sense."
Susannah's heart stopped, it actually paused in it's constant rhythm as Owen spoke of being in love. Wacthing half mesmerised as he began to remove his shirt, her eyes sparkling with unconcealed delight that he might feel that way towards her.
"Are you sure your mistress would not...I mean, I don't want you to get in trouble if she needs you in the night."
His question snapped her back out of her reverie and jerked her back to reality.
"My mistress? I am...well...I am certain that Major Sharpe will be there to attend any needs she might have before dawn..." Susannah replied delicately. She knew how strongly her mistress felt for the soldier and didn't doubt that she would be with him, and she couldn't blame him.

"I doubt my services will be required until the morning comes so...until then..." Susannah stood and unfastened the lacing at the back of her dress, pulling it loose and letting the gown silently slip to the floor. "...My attentions are for you and you alone..." She finished, her hands clasped behind her back as she stood before him in her slip.

 

[magbeam]

Owen Llewelyn

Owen listened to Susannah describe why Miss Savage would not need her that evening. He had heard rumors to that effect, most of the officers had, and the events of this night - is this still only the same night? Seems long enough to have been going on for weeks now - had as well as confirmed them, with Susannah adding the finishing touch to any suspicions. Owen had had little contact with the young lady beyond their unplesant encounter earlier, but he supposed she was nice enough. Sharpe was a married man, though, and Owen felt a small piece of nerve for having been chastised by an adulterer for a single night with a single woman. But still, the man had his reasons, no reason to grow angry with him, especially now.

Owen's shirt was already off and he was working on his pants' button, his belt and shoes already off from when he collapsed into bed when originally returning, but paused as he saw Susannah rise to suddenly bare all but her slip. Owen smiled, eyes grazing over her hungrily.

"I'm terribly glad to hear that. If Major Sharpe takes care of her just half as well as he treats his men, she'll be well off indeed...If not rather tired come morning, I imagine, although from a rather different activity than marching." Owen let out a boyish giggle at that.

He redoubled his efforts at his pants, finally stepping out of them and what ws below, only wearing his flesh for Susannah. His member was stirring, if not actually completely solid due to the strains of the past few hours, and he stepped up to Susannah, taking her into his arms, his member pressing against her slip-covered belly, as he kissed her fiercely, a hand pressing her against him. When they broke, he looked into her eyes, his own sparkling, as his hands moved down to her thighs, slowly pulling the slip up as his hands slid back up her increasingly-exposed flesh.

"I do seem to recall that we agreed to both sleep nude, Miss Smythe," he said teasingly. "It certainly would not be fair for you to retain this, hmm?"

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

"I'm terribly glad to hear that. If Major Sharpe takes care of her just half as well as he treats his men, she'll be well off indeed...If not rather tired come morning, I imagine, although from a rather different activity than marching."
Susannah returned his giggle, her teeth catching her lower lip once more to prevent the gentle laugh turning into a louder sound as she watching Owen remove the remains of his clothing, baring himself before her once again. She blushed as she watched his eyes move over her body, only barred from his total inspection by her slip.

She gasped a little as he gathered her against him and kissed her, a hunger and passion in his kiss that she hadn't experienced before, feeling her breath taken away as she attempted to return it. A flutter racing across her skin as she felt the warmth solidity of his member pressing against her. Susannah was a little breathless as the kiss ended, her smile hazy and unquestionnably happy as Owen began to raise the slip up her body, revealing inch after inch of her flesh.
"I do seem to recall that we agreed to both sleep nude, Miss Smythe, it certainly would not be fair for you to retain this, hmm?"
'It...it would indeed, Dr Llewelyn..." She replied, adding his title in the same playful way in which he had addressed her.

Within moments, her slip was upon the floor along with her dress and Susannah was as naked as Owen. The pair looking upon each other for a moment, refamiliarising themselves with one another.

Susannah eventually took a step to cover the distance between them and press her warm skin against his, her hardening nipples probing his chest as she lifted her mouth to his once again. Raising her hands to run through his hair as she pressed herself ever closer against him. The same tingling warmth that Owen had awoken within her only hours before began to stir as she felt his body against her own.

Her fingers trailing down his sides as they kissed and kissed again, slowly moving closer towards the bed as they did. Susannah couldn't certain afterwards if she had lain down first or if Owen had but without ceasing their kisses for more than a few fleeting moments, the pair were soon upon the bed, arms around one another, flesh rubbing and pressing against flesh.
"Oh Owen..." Susannah whispered throatily into his ear as she felt his hands move from around her back to trail across her front, her back arching, presenting herself to him. "Please...please touch me..." She whimpered, guiding his hand to her breast. All at once wanting nothing more than to feel his hands upon her skin, upon her body, her breasts...everywhere...anywhere he wished, for she truly was his, of that she was certain.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

Kate lay back as he pressed his lips to hers, pushing her back down on the matress. The cheap springs squeaking as he positioned himself on top of her. She ran her hands down the lenght of his back as her lips met his again, parting them for him as he struggled to get out of his overalls.

Richard had shown a number of emotions during their brief time together but this was the first time that he had displayed the want in so openly. She guessed that he thought of her as delicate, her past experience clearly having merited the care which he had treated her with. He wasn't rough in his advances not even at this point but a subtle change was clear to her.

She parted her legs as he slid the overalls off and positioned himself at her entrance.

 

[magbeam]

Owen Llewelyn

Owen tumbled backwards into bed, his arms entangled around Susannah and vice-versa, and thus the woman tumbling into bed alongside him. His fingers combed through her luxuriant mane, trailing down her body and back up, kneading the smooth, taught skin he felt beneath them. Their lips were locked for all but a few seconds, tongues darting and exploring. Ah, if this is not Heaven, then sink me!

Owen groaned as Susannah arched like a cat, the archetype of seduction, pressing her bosoms against his chest, her own hands reaching down to lead his over the, begging to be touched, her breath hot and wet on his ear, her tongue flicking out over his sensitive lobe.

Owen had never been one to require constant sexing, as too many of the men he knew among the upper strata, and quite a few of the lower, seemed to be. The fact he had coaxed her into a delightful climaxe before being given one of his own should have sated him; after all, he had gone years since Meredith. Even after he had grown used to the fact that he would see Susannah again, Owen had felt confident that, given how he had finally been able to vent his pent-up passions that hd been building up, he could maintain rationality in dealing with he.

Yet now, with temptation in his arms again, Owen found himself unable to control himself again, the blood hot and pounding in his ears, member stirring, pushing into her belly as his thumb flicked the tip of her nipple, hand stroking her bosom as his other worked his way down to cup and caress her bottom. His member rubbed against her stomach, and Owen let out a whimper. He wanted nothing more than to put Susannah down and take her properly. But even now he was mindful of his promise and her wishes, and would not break either. But perhaps...

"I want to taste you again, Susannah," he whispered into her ear, licking his way up from her neck as his hand moved down to slowly caress her damp lips and hidden nub. "I want to do this-" his finger pressed into her nub, before darting in "-with my tongue. But I want you to taste me also. Do...do you think we could do both at the same time, Susannah? Two lovers, tasting each other's sex while feeling the other's mouth on theirs?"

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

After the shocks, after the travails of the day, after the bitter knowledge that his wife's infidelity matched his own - except that she'd stolen his money to boot - Richard revelled in Kate's quiet surrender.

Kate wriggled her hips and her sex slid up to meet him as he ditched his overalls over the side of the bed and squared his hips down to meet her. He stroked her hair, looking into her eyes in the halflight provided by the lamp and bore down, pressing the head of his manhood inside her. Feeling the warm pressure of her parting around him, he slowly eased deeper into her.

Now sheathed in her, he took the first few, greedy, thrusts.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

She gasped as he entered her and with only a moment's hesitation plunged fully inside her. Kate knew there was something not right about it, the way he'd reacted to the letter and the subsequent manner in which he had sought her out only served to underline this.

He picked up the pace, but even now when she could feel the rage looming just beneath the surface he still took care to be gentle. Richard was the most fearsome man she'd ever encountered and his reputation as a bloodthirsty thug was not entirely misplaced.

Nonetheless he had always been exceedingly gentle and kind with her, treating her as something precious rather than an object like her former husband had done.

She pulled her legs up, running her foot against the back of his legs as she pushed back, meeting his thrusts and kissing him.

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

"I want to taste you again, Susannah,"
Susannah shivered against Owen's body, the sensation of his tongue dragging deliciously up the side of her neck coupled with the feeling of his fingers gently stroking and caressing her sex drawing a whimper from her lips.
"I want to do this-" Susannah curled her fingers into his hair, leaning closer, her teeth grazing his shoulder as she felt his finger probe a little more insistently before slipping between her lips.
"-with my tongue. But I want you to taste me also. Do...do you think we could do both at the same time, Susannah? Two lovers, tasting each other's sex while feeling the other's mouth on theirs?"

Susannah blushed a little as she drew back to meet his eyes, his hand still upon her sex, her own having slipped down to rest upon his shoulders. She had to admit that, despite the events that had occured since they had last lain together upon the very same bed, she had found it hard to push the memory of tasting him entirely from her mind. Every time she thought about the taste of him, the feel of him against her tongue, strange tremblings had awoken deep within her. Tremblings that threatened to overwhelm her if she allowed her mind to relive the powerful feelings he had created inside her sex, and within her heart.

She was almost relieved that he spoke of having similar desires to her own, having been utterly unsure of how to broach such a subject, especially given her earlier words about simply wishing to enjoy his company. She had spoken honestly but now, that his want was as obvious as her own, she wasn't certain that she wouldn't like to experience more of the ways in which men and women shared their love and their bodies. Susannah forced herself to stop thinking of such things, certain Owen would think her less than modest should she voice them.

"I...I do not know if such things are possible, Owen...but I should very much like to try..." The smile that curved Susannah's lips was nothing short of mischievous as she kissed him sweetly before trailing her lips down his torso, grazing his nipples en route to his waist. Smiling wider as the smooth warm skin of his body brushed against her lips. Shifting herself to lie on her side beside him, her own waist level with his face just as his waist and sex were suddenly only inches from her own.

Tentatively she reached out to trail a finger along the firm, warm flesh of his member. Eyes widening slightly as she watched it's slightly bobbing response to her touch. She stroked it again, and again, watching as Owen shifted to face her, presenting his engorged sex to her as she knew her own would be to him. Susannah leant closer, laying a soft and gentle kiss upon the head of him once more before parting her lips and drawing him slowly into her mouth. Sighing as she tasted that same masculine flavour that had so excited her before. She leant a little closer still, resting a hand upon his thigh as she moved to take him a little deeper between her lips, stroking her tongue against him as she suckled him lovingly.

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

There was an edge to Kate's expression that Richard couldn't quite place. Certainly he was giving both of them pleasure, but she seemed...

He realised it was fear.

He slowed his pace, revelling in the tight grip of her around him. He stroked her hair, he stroked her lips with his thumb. How could he set her at her ease? How could he soothe away those fears?

Suddenly he rememberd that Kate's only other sexual experience had been with a bullying sadist who cared nothing for her and married her for her beauty and her money. He leaned down closer, kissing her shoulder as he continued to move inside her, and whispered the words that should be obvious to her, but maybe needed to be said this time.

"I love you, Kate..."