Disclaimer: These are works of fan-fiction created for entertainment. It is not the intention of the author to infringe on anyone's copyright. No rights infringement intended. Warning: General Audience

The Sharpe Fan Fictions of Paul K.

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Bernard Cornwell’s

SHARPE’S Justice

Richard Sharpe and the
Peace of the Congress of Vienna

Screenplay Written by Patrick Harbinson and Bernard Cornwell.
Novel Adapted by Paul Kaster

PART ONE

1814 October - November

Chapter 1
LONDON
Cork Street, Mayfair

Mrs. Jane Sharpe is an attractive young woman. In March, Jane and her friend Juliet Spindacre, left France to come to London. Her husband, the famous Major Richard Sharpe and she had talked about buying a home in Devon. Many years before, Major Sharpe had briefly stayed in Devon, with a navy captain and his family. He viewed having a home there as an ideal way to spend his time after the army.

Jane, with her brother Christian Gibbons, had been raised by their uncle, Sir Henry Simmerson at his estates outside of London. She had already spent most of her life in rural settings. Only rarely did she visit London with her aunt and uncle, but when she did, she liked the life of the city. There were shops to find the latest styles, restaurants with the most exotic foods and sweets and THE plays. Jane loved to hear music, prose and poetry.

A year ago, she had helped Major Sharpe to gain his reinforcement troops and reveal her uncle’s illegal crimping scheme. She knew that she could not return to her uncle. When she had behaved badly before, Sir Henry had caned her with his riding crop. She could NOT go back to that. When Sharpe asked her to marry him, she leaped at the chance to be free from her uncle and live a more exciting life. They were married at a brief ceremony and sailed for France.

Sharpe went back to fighting and Jane learned about being an army wife. Most of the time, Sharpe was away. When he returned to her, he was still distracted by his regiment and the fighting. When they were at the Nive, she met and was entertained by a poet, Percy Shellington, who had come to experience the army. Sharpe was jealous of the attentions that Percy showed her. She DID love the way he could recite poetry, even if it wasn’t his original.

After he returned from his mission, Sharpe spent time with her to discuss their future, but again Wellington wanted Sharpe for a dangerous operation with the navy. The naval commander of the operation paid her attention that she felt that she needed to respond to as good manners. Again Sharpe objected to the other man’s attentions to her. They both sailed away. The navy officer returned with a story of Sharpe being killed and would not return. But, yet he did. And, he challenged the navy officer to a duel.

Jane asked him NOT to fight. But Sharpe could not let the slight by the nave officer pass. They fought. Sharpe won, without killing the other man. Jane made him promise that he would not fight again.

As the army prepared for its final battles in France, Sharpe was worried that he may die. He wanted to make sure that Jane would be taken care of if he did not return. Sharpe gave her access to all his money. After the battle of Vitoria, Sharpe had taken jewels from the French wagon train. Later, during the trip that Jane and he were married, he had converted those jewels into a small fortune of 10,000 pounds.

Jane was angry that Sharpe fought the duel. Coaxed by Juliet, Jane sailed for England. Here Juliet helped her to withdraw all Sharpe’s money, set up an expensive apartment and spend freely on Juliet and herself.

“I do so like being here on Cork Street.”

Cork Street, Mayfair. was developed from the Burlington Estate. It lies at the West End of London. Nearby is Savile Row. From the late 1700s, the area was famous for tailors. The leading tailors, Schweitzer and Davidson had their shop on Cork Street. Beau Brummel frequented the shops in the area.

“You never know who you will meet on a stroll. And there are so many fashions to try.”

Before long they had spent nearly all of the money. When Juliet learned that Jane no longer could provide for her, Juliet abandoned her to seek another source of money while she still had the beauty and youth to secure a wealthy man.

Now alone, she happened to meet Sir John Rossendale. ‘Lord John was a tall young man, thin as a reed, with a humourous, handsome face and a lazy, friendly voice.” He has been a Captain in the 1st Life Guards and aide to the Prince of Wales. His days have been spent running errands for the court.

Rossendale was smitten with Jane. The previous year, he had first met Jane when she was first asked to marry Sharpe. When asked why Jane was in London, she told stories of how terrible a husband Richard had been to her. She fled to London to save herself.

Rossendale knew Sharpe from when Sharpe had come to England the year before. Although he respected and feared Sharpe, he still chose to believe and then bed Jane.

Johnny had been renting his own townhouse in Bruton Street. Shortly after Jane accepted him to her bed, he arranged with his landlord to have his lease go to another party that had been requesting the landlord to ‘turf out’ Rossendale as he was behind in his rents. The other party agreed to pay Rossendale’s back rent in exchange for John moving out instantly.

Now John lives with Jane. It surprises him how fast he has been smitten by Jane. He has dallied with other girls. But, he has never been drawn to give up his own residence for any of them.

His mother lives at the townhouse that his father and she called home for many years. When he told her that he was moving to Jane’s and would give up his townhouse, she was very displeased with John. Mother had reminded him that Jane is married to a very violent man. She knows from the dispatches that Sharpe has fought men over women and HE was the one who survived each fight.

Rossendale now lives with Jane. He knows from direct experience with Sharpe that he can be formidable. He knows he is not the warrior that Sharpe is. He has for years worn the uniform of the 1st Life Guards, but has not even practiced with the regiment for years. He has been an aid to the Prince of Wales while the regiment has been elsewhere. To prepare himself to fight, he practices fencing at Jermyn Street and shooting skills at Clarence. He worries that Sharpe will return before he is prepared to fight him. He has not so much as even been drawn into a duel as a second for another.

At the end of October, Rossendale receives a message from one of his contacts at Horse Guards. He says to Jane “He has left France.”

Jane says, “Are you sure? Last month, you said the same thing. Yet, he did not come.”

“My contact at Horse Guards received a letter from him that he wrote. He said that he will report to Horse Guards within a fortnight. He will come to be assigned so he can retain his full pay.”

“Do you think he will seek us?”

“I don’t know.”

Jane pleads “Before he arrives at Horse Guards, can we get away until he has left London?”

“Where could we go?”

“Your mother’s house. He doesn’t know that location.”

“My dear, it is still within London. He has his own resources. I am sure that he could learn the address for my parents’ home within a few days. After all, he ferreted out your uncle’s secret camp. It WAS a SECRET.”

Jane sulks that John did not support her idea. She understands his logic, but suspects that it is more that his mother does not like Jane.

“Where outside London can we go?”

“Would your uncle, Henry Simmerson, allow you to stay with him?”

Jane wonders why John didn’t ask if Uncle Henry would allow both of them to go to the estate. “Would you not go with me?”

“No, I can not run away.”

“We would not be running away.” Jane does not understand John’s code of honour.”

“My sweet, I would feel that I am running.”

“Well, it is a moot point as I or we can not go to Uncle Henry’s. He has treated me as a traitor after I helped Major Sharpe to escape and to see the ledger books on his crimping scheme.”

“If we can’t run and we have to stay, if he comes here, we can wait for him to show. When or if he does, I will plead with him to leave us alone.” .

“But no one visits us John, We are left quite alone.”

Rossendale: “It will take time. Society moves precious slow. You are new to town.”

“But you are not new John. You could do more to introduce me. Are you ashamed of me?”

John purrs to her, “No, my dear.”


That afternoon, Rossendale and Jane decide to go for a walk. The air is cool, but clear. It is a good day to be outside.

They stroll from Jane’s town home towards Seville Row. As they walk, a carriage approaches, then stops.

soldier dressed in the black uniform of the Duke of Brunswick Hussars alights. He holds the door and offers his hand to the woman inside.

An attractive woman with red hair tucked under her bonnet and wearing a richly plush velvet gown, with lace trim steps out. After she settles her cloak, she looks up to see Rossendale.

John greets her, “Lady Anne, good morning”

Lady Anne Camoynes turns to Jane and focuses her green steely eyes on her. Without looking at John, she says, “Good morning sir.”

Lady Anne knows both Rossendale and Jane.

Two years prior Sharpe had come to England to get recruits to replenish the South Essex or the regiment would be disbanded.

Lord Fenner told him there were no replacements.

Fenner was running an illegal crimping operation with Henry Simmerson, the man who had raised the South Essex Regiment. Simmerson hated Sharpe.

Anne was under the control of Lord Fenner who was owed money from her dead husband. Fenner had her bed Sharpe to find out what he would do.

During the time she spent with Sharpe she came to like him.

Sharpe was able to uncover the crimping operation.

In proving the operation to a board of inquiry at Horse Guards, Sharpe helped Anne to free herself from Fenner.

Now that she was free, she had hoped that she could spend time with him. Lady Anne had been romantically involved with Sharpe.

But, Sharpe had chosen to marry Jane Gibbons, the woman now with Rossendale. Sharpe married Jane. Took her to Spain to start their life. Now Jane was here in London with Johnny Rossendale, a Lord with no money and a notorious womanizer.

With a small amount of venom in her voice, she says to Jane, “Mrs. Sharpe, “

The silence among all was full of tension. Rossendale clears his voice and says, “I do not know your companion Anne.”

Anne, recovers from her stare at Jane, turns to her companion and says, “Count von Selsnick.”

Then turns to John, “Lord Rossendale.”

Each bows to the other with polite aplomb.

Lady Anne continues with Jane, “The Count has expressed an interest to meet your husband, Mrs. Sharpe. He too is a veteran of Spain.” Anne notices that Jane wears a dress with a cloak over it to keep her warm and a bonnet. All were last Spring’s style.

“Will we find Major Sharpe at home?” She knows full well that Major Sharpe does not live in London.

Rossendale: “Sadly, Major Sharpe has been posted to the North.”

“But you and the Count are welcome to call at any time. Lady Anne. You would be most welcome.”

Anne adds, “Of course. Would that be at your townhouse, Johnny?”

Jane looks at John to answer. Before he can, Anne ends the conversation. “Good day John”

Rossendale: “Good day Anne.”

Anne omits saying farewell to Jane. Count Selsnick turns and escorts Anne away. He has not offered anything, but watched the interaction with interest. He speaks and understands English poorly, but he could clearly see the tension between the two women.

Jane watches Anne go. She feels the slight that has been given. “That woman doesn’t like me.” She spits out to John.

“Now sweetness, she is only one woman. What does she matter to the two of us.” But John does worry as he knows that Anne has influence at court and Horse Guards. Although most days now, he wears civilian clothes, he is still an officer and needs to appear at court when summoned.

As Lady Anne leaves, she smiles deviously and thinks, “Mrs. Sharpe and Johnny are definitely an item. It will be fun to watch what her husband does. I wonder where he is. I should visit our friend Sir William Lawford at Horse Guards. Perhaps he will know.”

She will cut short her time with Count von Selsnick to send a card to Horse Guards to request a time with Sir William Lawford. Lawford works with the office of the Minister of State for War to manage the army.

She is surprised that within an hour of sending the message, a messenger arrives to say that Lawford can see her that afternoon.
LONDON, ENGLAND - HORSE GUARDS


Lady Anne refreshed her clothes and her makeup and perfume to assure that Lawford will be distracted as she talks.

When she is ready, she has her doorman hail a cab. Shortly, she arrives at Horse Guards. Outside, the coachman alights to open the door and help her to the sidewalk. She arranges a time for the cab to return. As she ascends the steps various officers along the way hold doors and greet her.

Inside, she approaches a private entrance to the interior meeting rooms. She rings the bell. The clerk opens the door. Anne presents him the card Lawford sent.

“I have a meeting with Sir William Lawford, please.”

Anne is shown into Lawford’s office and to a chair. Shortly, Lawford enters from another door. He approaches Anne.

“Lady Anne, it is very good to see you.” He offers his good hand as he lost an arm at Ciudad Rodrigo.”

Anne takes his hand. “Sir William, I too am happy to see you. How is your lovely wife and family?”

“Jessica and the children are all well, thank you.”

“May I offer you some refreshment?” He points to a serving tray on a table.

“No, thank you for your offer.”

“I received your card with interest. How may I help you?”

“I saw Mrs. Sharpe recently. When I asked of her husband, she did not say. As you and I are acquainted with him AND this office controls what he does in the army, I hoped to have a few minutes with you to learn of his location.”

“And what is your interest? “

“As you know, last year he did a great favour for me. When he returns to London, I wish to thank him more appropriately. Last time, he had to rush off to serve OUR army.” Anne smiles at the word OUR as she helped Lord Fenner often with information about officers and to replace Lord Fenner without a scandal. She continues to hold the books that show the illegal activity that Lord Fenner and Sir Henry Simmerson carried on.

Lawford is not sure if he should believer her, but she had been a help to Sharpe and the army.

“Sharpe was given a choice to report here to be assigned or to retire. He sent a reply that he is on his way to receive orders.”

“Oh? And when may he arrive, sir?” She asks and bats her eyelashes lightly at Lawford.

“Within the week, I would say.” It depends on the conditions in the Channel. He now lives in Normandy.”

“Normandy, do we have an army unit stationed, ‘there’?”

“No, milady. He has been there for a month on his leave.”

Anne thinks on this, then moves on to another question.

“And, where will you assign him, sir?”

“Someone here has selected that he go to Tasmania in command of a convict guard.”

“Tasmania? Convict guard? How terrible.” Anne leans back in mild shock at this assignment. “ What new social faux pas has Major Sharpe committed that the army would make him a policeman halfway round the world?” She emphasizes faux pas but without malice. Sharpe often pursues the right things at the expense of the reputation of the government. After more than one moral triumph, he has been rebuked by the government that he serves.

“Milady, I do not know. I have heard that Lord Rossendale suggested to Prinny that Major Sharpe wanted a new challenge and that the wilds of Tasmania, the Americas, or some such place would be a favour to Sharpe.”

“A favour? Had Major Sharpe contacted Lord Rossendale?” Anne asks incredulously.

“I do not know.”

Anne wonders if Sir William is aware that Johnny Rossendale may be bedding Mrs. Sharpe. It would be a favour to Johnny, not Major Sharpe, to send him to Tasmania. Anne decides to pursue another question.

“Why would Major Sharpe accept such an assignment? It seems so odious and undeserved.” Anne attempts to draw Lawford out further.

“Major Sharpe was never confirmed as a major, nor a captain. If he retires, he will receive the half-pay of a mere lieutenant. From what I hear, he had a sum of money that his wife has since squandered. He will need the money of a major or be forced to support her and definitely not in London.”

Anne too has heard of the money that Mrs. Sharpe has spent as well as the debts she now holds. She decides not to share that Rossendale and Mrs. Sharpe are currently London gossip news.

“Sir William, is there no other assignment that Major Sharpe can hold that let him keep his major pay?”

“Unless he purchases at major’s commission, I know of none.”

“What of the Portuguese army or the militia?” Anne is aware that other allies of Britain often employ British officers to strengthen their own armies.

“Recently, I have heard news that Sir Willoughby Parfitt has his own militia and could use some help. The militia has no experience. They have their pretty uniforms and parade for Parfitt when he wants to feel important.”

Lawford chuckles. “Yes, I too have heard that about his ‘army’. He thinks on this. “Sharpe is crude and a fighter. Do you think he could fit with Parfitt and his crowd in Yorkshire?”

“Parfitt came up from the streets. He too is crude. Have you met him?” Parfitt had one time been sweet on Anne. She is aware of his too coming up from the streets.

“No milady, I have not had the pleasure.” He says ‘pleasure’ with some distaste as he has heard that Parfitt now rubs his money in the face of those that inherited theirs.

“Would it hurt to have Sharpe try to help Parfitt? If it does not work for both of them, Sharpe can go later to Tasmania. I am sure we will have many full ships to send now that the soldiers are coming home.”

Lawford looks at her.

“Oh, sir, I meant no offense to you. Did we not encourage many criminals to join the army or go to jail? What will these poor men do when they return to England? The same as before they went in the army? It seems that in not too long a time, there will be ample opportunity to send Major Sharpe or other needing officers off with the convict ships.”

Lawford marvels at the train of thought that Anne has offered. For someone who does not work at Horse Guards, she seems too well informed, but more importantly, she can connect the information into valid ideas.

“Hmmm, let me explore this. It is not urgent that we place Major Sharpe on a convict ship. I am sure that we can find at least one other officer who will gladly accept any position in an active unit, that is NOT to the West Indies.”

“Sir William, thank you for your time. Should you choose to send Major Sharpe to Yorkshire, there is no need for Sharpe or Parfitt to know that I suggested this. When things in the army don’t work out, people always blame the faceless Horse Guards.” She smiles.

“Indeed, milady, indeed. I shall keep your part in this between only us. Is there anything else for us to discuss today.”

“No, Sir William. As always, you have been too kind.”

She stands. Sir William too stands and escorts her to the door.

“Good day, Lady Anne.” He bows to her

“Good day, Sir William.” She nods to him.

As she leaves, Anne wonders whether Lawford will act on the idea. She’ll wait to see. Lawford has been very trustworthy regarding Sharpe. She knows that they share a common bond from their past, but not what that bond is. While she waits, she will question some of her resources to hear what will happen.

Too, she thinks she will question Johnny Rossendale. While she likes Johnny, he can be a selfish simpleton at times. And, he is easy to extract information from. She smiles as she leaves the building to summon her coach.

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