Disclaimer: No rights infringement intended Warning: Mature Adults only

---

Sharpe's Banquet

Epilogue

1822 June 24

Epilogue
Seleglise, France



Sharpe was happy to be home. London was another adventure of many. But, he has become comfortable here in France.

Lucille greeted him at the door.

“Bienvenue, mon cher.”

“C’est bon a la maison, mon cher.”

Lucille kisses him and is even happier because he greeted her with French.

Dominque runs to greet him next. “Papa! Papa!” She says as she jumps into his arms.

Patrick is slower to go to his father. “Papa.”

While Richard hugs Patrick, Dominque hears a sound. “What is that Papa”

From his pack he takes the kitten.

“Papa! A kitten!

Dominique and Patrick take the kitten and go to play.



While the children play, he pours a glass of calvados then sits. He signals Lucille to join him.

From his bag, he gives her the gifts that he bought. She sits them next her.

“Tell me. How was the dinner?”

“Thank you for convincing me to go. So many of my friends and people that I have served with. General Baird and Lord Pumphrey. Lawford and Chase. Maggie and Lady Anne. Even Simmerson. And, Pat.”

“Patrick came?”

“Yes, Lawford had sent word that I would come to London. Pat had other business to do.”

“How is Patrick, Isabella and their children?”

“Pat takes better care of himself than before we went to South America. We did eat and drink together. He says that Isabella is raising the children well. Pat was also with me when the King promoted me to colonel.”

“Promoted you?”

“Yes, I am now the regimental colonel of the South Essex.”

“Do you have to go back to the army?”

“No, the Army will disband the South Essex. But, I keep the rank and the pay. They now pay me twenty-one pounds per month. That’s almost as much as I was paid when I was active as a major. And, I don’t have to pay mess or other expenses. That’s more than one hundred pounds per year more now.”

“So much more.”

“Yes, that will help with the farm. We can hire some more to work with Malan.”

“He will be happy. We can tell him and the village when we celebrate your birthday. “

Richard tells her about the details of the week in London. She listens while he shows her the tea and explains to her why he bought so much. He tells her day by day, but saves the rescue of Arthur until the end.

“Arthur wanted to thank me for saving him. He gave me the kitten. He is the same age as our Henri.”

“Ah, that explains the chaton.” She looks to the children who are playing with the kitten.

“Lady Anne sends this to you.” He gives her the letter from Anne.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know. She gave it to me for you.”

Richard decides to go play with the children so that Lucille can read the letter.

She breaks the seal and unfolds the page.



Chère Vicomtesse de Séléglise, Merci de nous avoir confié Richard. Il était l'auteur du plan visant à sauver le petit-fils d'Alan. Sans son plan et ses compétences, nous aurions peut-être perdu le garçon. Il est désormais chez nous, sain et sauf, auprès de notre famille. Comme toujours, Richard était un héros. Le Roi et le Duc reconnaissent également Richard comme un héros. Il vous a peut-être dit qu'ils l'avaient salué lors du banquet de Waterloo et l'avaient promu colonel de régiment. Nous sommes fiers de lui. Si vous visitez Londres, Alan et moi vous invitons à séjourner chez nous. Nos petits-enfants seraient ravis de rencontrer vos enfants. D'ici là, Bien à vous Lady Anne Camoynes, Comtesse Sir Alan Lewrie, Baronnet P.-S. : Le roi George a également fait de Richard un baronnet. Richard ne vous l'a peut-être pas dit.



[Dear Vicomtesse de Seleglise,



Thank you for giving Richard to us. He was the author of the plan to save Alan’s grandson. Without his plan and skills, we may have lost the boy. He is home with our family, safe and sound now. As he always does, Richard was a hero.



The King and the Duke also recognize that Richard is a hero. He may have told you that they recognized him at the Waterloo Banquet and promoted him to regimental colonel. We are proud of him.



Should you visit London, Alan and I invite you to stay with us. Our grandchildren would enjoy to meet your children.



Until then,

Yours



Lady Anne Camoynes, Countess

Sir Alan Lewrie, Baronet



ps King George made Richard a baronet too. Richard may not have told you. He is now Sir Richard Sharpe, 1st Baronet of Wapping?]



Lucille stares at the letter, rereads the post script before exclaiming. “Mon Dieu, Richard! They made you a noble!”

---

Fiction Index | Sharpe Tales Home | Sharpe's Banquet Historical Note

---