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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 TWO

1814 TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS

Chapter 12
LANCASHIRE
WELLING PARK,

Rossendale and Jane had travelled for three days. John had directed the coachmen to travel the route to the west of the roads to Yorkshire

“John dear, do you expect that tonight will be able to stay at your estate?”

“Yes, my sweet. Why?”

“Well, I hope that the bed will be, more comfortable, than, those in Stafford and Manchester.”

“Did you not rest well, my dear?” John had chosen inns that he could afford. Jane continues to behave as if she is a lady. She expects to stay at the best rooms in town. John hopes that after this visit to Welling Park, he can give her what she wants.

“I think we are one hour from Welling Park. Aunt Agatha had at least one bed with a goose down mattress and comforter. Perhaps you will find that to your liking?”

The coach continues on. Within the hour, as John has predicted, they arrive at Welling Park. As the coach turns to enter the estate, Jane observes that the cobblestone road up to the manor is very bumpy with many stones broken or missing. To John, she comments, “As a rule John you must have the drive seen to.”

John has noted the neglect of the property that he remembered. He watched the trees that lined the drive.

“Yes, and I want some ashe planted.” He pauses as he envisions what the drive could look like. “And some oaks.”

“Yes, so much more elegant.”

The coach arrives at the front door. He is surprised that no one comes from the house to greet them. John waits for the coachman, to open the door and to help them out. John steps down to the ground. He turns to offer his hand to Jane.

“Sweetness, may I help you?”

“Thank you, John.”

Jane pauses. Without being restricted by the view from the coach’s windows, she slowly scans the building and the grounds. Her face betrays that she is not impressed by what she sees. Sulkily she says to John, “As I suspected, there is much to be done.”

John thinks about Jane’s opinion. He usually sees the potential of situations. “And that is why we are here.”

He gives her a large smile, then escorts her up the stairs. No one has yet opened the door, so John opens and holds the door it so that Jane may enter.

Jane stands in the foyer and looks around the entrance. While she looks around, a woman in her forties, dressed in grey, pulled back hair walks up them.

Rossendale remembers her as Mrs. Trent, Aunt Agatha’s maid. She ignores Jane to talk to Rossendale. “You’re early. I did nah expect ya.”

Trent has known Rossendale for many years and that he has often been involved with different women. She turns to Jane. With scorn, “Who’s THIS woman?”

Jane gives her an evil look. How does this woman have the nerve to talk to her like this. She waits for Rossendale to speak up for her. When he doesn’t, she walks away to explore more of the house.

She enters what appears to be a study. It appears to have been closed off from use for a long time. The furniture is covered with sheets. There are layers of dust on everything. She scans the covered furniture. John joins her in the room. She turns to him. Trying to be positive instead of critical. “This room looks pretty enough. It looks south, doesn’t it?”

John flatly corrects her. “It looks north.”



“Well, north then.” She didn’t like being wrong. “It could still be pretty.”

Jane changes the topic. She has had expectations that when they reached Welling Park, John and she would be welcomed into the local social circles. “How far is Lord Partitt’s house.

“Two hour’s ride. Not far.”

“But we can’t go there because that is where Richard is.”

Jane knew that John had been invited to Parfitt’s party on Boxing Day. “How many people do you think will attend Parfitt’s party? “

“ I have heard that he will have three dozen or so people attend. They will be mostly from the estates in Yorkshire and a few from Lancashire.”

“Do we know any of them?”

“No, I am afraid not. Some of them, I have met, but you have not.” He doesn’t realize that revealing this makes the social wound that Jane feels hurt more.

“So, we have come to Lancashire so that we can see how much we can get from this property?”

“I don’t think.” Jane chokes up. Tears form in her eyes. The reality that Welling Park is not what she envisioned hits her. She finds a chair to sit.

“I don’t think we will pay Richard off with this, John”

Rossendale doesn’t know how to respond to her

“Let us not be hasty. There may be ways.” John has no idea how he can convert Aunt Agatha’s estate into ready cash. She neglected it for years. The value to anyone is only in the buildings as most of the land is unusable.

“And Until then, wherever Richard is, we can not show our faces. And we must run scared from him all our lives. Is that not right?”

“We can’t even attend a party because Richard may attend. Not that it is likely as he is so uncouth.”

Rossendale has nothing to say to this.

“I’ll ask Mrs. Trent to light some candles”

“Tomorrow, I will meet with the solicitor so he may read me the details of the will. Until then, I do not know how Welling Park may affect our financial situation, my dear.”

“Then, we wait until tomorrow.” “Is there food and tea or coffee?”

“Yes, I will have Mrs. Trent prepare something for us.”

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