Epilogue


Sharpe again waits in the waiting room to the Minister of State for War. As the last time, it is filled with many officers, some of whom he recognizes that they were waiting before. Those particularly take notice that he is back again. They knew that the last time he was here, he had been given an assignment. They had heard the news of how that he had been When he registered with the clerk, the clerk gave him a knowing smile. Here this man was again. He reports Sharpe’s arrival to the occupants of one of the private offices. Sharpe again waits very little time. The clerk returns. “Major Sharpe, Scarsdale Yeomanry.” Sharpe rankles when the Yeomanry is called. Is this again a slur on him? The clerk escorts him into the private office then closes the door behind him as he returns to the waiting room. Inside the room, Sir William Lawford stands to walk around the desk stacked with paper. “My dear Sharpe. Welcome.” “Sir William, it is good to see you.” “Richard, we are able to offer you a recently open major in the 7/60 now stationed at Halifax.” “I know the 5/60th. Some of them served with me Arcachon.” Sharpe sadly recalls how his former friend William Frederickson and his men fought with him.“ The 7/60? Halifax?” “Yes, the 7/60. You may not know of them. With the war in the Americas, we needed more soldiers AND particularly light troops. Sixteen months ago, we were able to encourage enough German and Swiss prisoners to fight for us. The battalion has six light companies armed with muskets AND two companies armed with Baker rifles. Does this interest you? “How is this possible? Three months ago, here, I was told that there were no permanent openings for majors that I could be assigned. I would have to purchase. Will I have to purchase this position?” “The Duke of York is the commander-in-chief of the 60th regiment. The Prince of Wales “asked” his ‘friend’ to help you in appreciation for all the service that you have given. And, the Duke made a personal comment that “I want to make sure we do right by another who has survived a duel when the other shot first and missed. In 1789, the Duke fought a duel where the other duelist fired first at him and missed. Unlike you, Sharpe, the Duke refused to fire. “ “Isn’t the Duke disturbed with me about the crimping that Lord Fenner and Simmerson were doing?” “Not disturbed. Never went public. Your Lady Anne kept it hush hush. No embarrassment. Besides, the Duke thought that when you fought your duel with Bampfylde, your choice to shoot your opponent in the “arse” was much more creative than his own. Thought you should get noticed for your, ‘creativity’ and ‘nobleness’.” Lawford smiled. Sharpe thinks on this. He is suspicious why he is being picked. Horse Guards had before tried to silence him by giving him a rifles battalion in the Americas. He asks. “You formed a battalion armed with muskets and rifles?” ‘Yes, it seems someone noticed how you fought the South Essex using both muskets and rifles.” “When would you want me to report?” Sharpe is concerned as he wants to return to Lucille. Her last letter said that she was well, but that she was large and would deliver their baby within a month. “Well, as it turns out, we don’t need you to report. Pity though, as The Duke of York was interested to see what you could do with a battalion that was purposely designed to fight with mixed weapons. It seems that when we were forming the 7/60, he had asked the Duke of Wellington’s opinion. Nosey had said that he thought it would be good to try it as he was pleased with the results of the South Essex, WHEN you commanded. It seems he told the Duke of York that he considered you one of the finest commanders of light troops on a battlefield.” Sharpe didn’t know how to respond to this. He never imagined that anyone valued what he had done with the South Essex. Now, to hear this clearly embarrassed him, but also he wanted to “puff” with pride.” “If you don’t need me, then what is intended for me?” “It is not a well-kept secret that we are reducing the numbers of battalions. The 7/60 will be eliminated and combined into other battalions within the regiment. It is most likely that they will go to battalions in the West Indies. But, we will not need the officers. You will be on the rolls of the regiment for a few months and then be moved to half-pay.” “If these plans change, will I be forced to go to the West Indies?” “No, after one month with the 60th, you will be able to retire.” “So, if I accept today, I become a major of the 7/60 on active duty. I can return to France to serve my time with the regiment. After thirty days or if you send orders that I MUST report to the Americas, I can retire my commission?” “Yes.” “Where may I sign?” Lawford smiles. He hoped that Sharpe would choose to do this. He presents the papers to Sharpe who reads them. He trusts what Lawford has told him, but he wants to confirm that he is signing the same. After reading every word, he signs. He hands the signed documents to Lawford. “Thank you, Sir William.” Sharpe looks intently to Lawford. “First, for making the effort to help me this way. And, those many years ago for teaching me to read so that I may understand that this is all honest and fair.” Lawford bows to acknowledge Sharpe’s thanks. Before they finish, Sir William adds, “Oh, and Sharpe, the Duke of York also asked that the next time you want to rename one of HIS regiments, you ask his permission first.” Again Lawford smiled, smugly. In 1813, to secure the replacements to keep the South Essex alive as a regiment, he had interrupted a pageant of the battle of Talavera with the 2nd battalion troops. He presented them and himself to the Prince of Wales. All of the soldiers had placed chicken feathers in their shakos to declare that they were the Prince of Wales Own. The Prince had liked their action. And, had used it to pick on his friend the Duke of York, that he had more regiments named for him than for the Duke of York. Sharpe chuckles “Of course, sir.” Lawford has one more thing to share with Sharpe. “Sharpe, before you leave London, there is one more person that you may want to thank.” “Who else has helped me here, Sir William?” “Lady Anne Camoynes preceded you to our offices. She carried the letter from Sir Percy that set right what had happened at Keighley.” Sharpe had wondered how this turn of events had happened so fast. Jane had told him that Rossendale would not keep his word to help him with Horse Guards. Lawford adds, “And, since Lady Anne is someone who sometimes has a sharper perspective,” he stops to grin then goes on “on what we soldier might be able to do, she suggested some possibilities to the Prince of Wales who then shared the ideas with his friend.” Sharpe understands the help that he has been given. “Sir William, as you say, it seems that I owe Lady Anne thanks. Before I leave London, I will.” He bows and prepares to go. Before he can, Lawford stops him. He addresses him, “Richard” then offers his hand. Sharpe takes it. Lawford finishes, “Good luck and good life.” Sharpe leaves the room. Outside all eyes watch him emerge from the private office. The clerk smiles as he was the one that prepared the orders. He has seen so many good and not-so-good officers come through here. He has prepared many orders. This time he was happy to prepare the orders that Sharpe now carries. Before Sharpe can pass his desk, he stands to address Sharpe, “Major Sharpe?” Sharpe pauses. He wonders, “What now?” The clerk extends his had to Sharpe. “If I may offer sir, good luck to you.” Sharpe is stunned, but reacts quickly to take his hand. He says, “and, to you sir.” The clerk smiles genuinely. Sharpe turns to leave the room. All of them watch him go. Many wonder, “What did I just witness?” As Sharpe leaves the room, the clerk returns to the work of the day. He calls out, “Captain….” Outside, for a January day, the weather is mild and dry. Sharpe enjoys the rare sunshine. He wants to enjoy it before he returns to the inn. He wonders how he can contact Lady Anne to thank her. He knows that Lucille and he will be happy. They will have a family. But, he does like Lady Anne. How can he meet her to thank her for all that she has done again, that will not lead to another night together? As the sun sets, he arrives at the inn. He arranged to meet Harper for dinner. Harper waits outside. He watches Sharpe approach. Sharpe rarely smiles when he has news from Horse Guards. Harper sees Sharpe’s smile. “Good news, is it?” Sharpe greets him, “Yes, very good news.” Let’s go in to celebrate. Inside they find chairs at a table that they talk privately. A barmaid followed them to the table to take their orders. After they order drink and food, Sharpe starts the tale of his time at Horse Guards. The barmaid delivers their order. Between drinks and bites Harper asks, “You, the 7/60? Why not the 5/60, a real rifle battalion?” “Na, Nosey called ya a fine leader? Well, sometimes he maybe is right.” “Really, a battalion armed with muskets AND rifles. Who woulda thought that our men would be an example for others?” “Lady Anne convinced the Prince of Wales who convinced the Duke of York who gave Horse Guards the orders? Do miracles never cease?” They continue to eat and drink. Sharpe finally ends the story as there is no more to tell. “So when will you leave. I will write to Lucille to tell her I will be home before the end of the month. I want to finish some things here in London that should take one or two days at most.” “Rossendale?” “Yes, but I will not go after him. If he gets in my way, I will get my money from him, or kill him. So I hope that he will not find me, or me ‘im.” “Someday, he will have to pay. But for now, I can return to Lucille to be with her for our child. Later, who will know what may come.” “Lady Anne?” “Pat, sometimes you push too far.” Harper smiles a broad grin. “One thing I will do is to retrieve my Presentation sword from Mssrs Hopkinson and Sons. Jane took all my money, but left the sword.” The Patriotic Fund had paid to give Sharpe a sword after Harper and he captured the Eagle at Talavera. Harper pressed again. “So, you want to have Lady Anne admire your sword, is it now?” “Pat! You’ve had too much to drink, again.” He chuckles. Sharpe signals the barmaid. Today, he will pay. He has money from his pay and the assurance that the army will pay him would he is due. They collect their things and go outside. Sharpe looks to Harper. “Ireland then, Pat?” “Oh yeah, Ireland.” “Prettier women.” “Faster horses.” “And some decent conversation.” He smiles. “Say hello to Isabella and take good care of our young Richard.” They pause awkwardly before embracing. As they part, Sharpe says, “All right.” “Look after yourself.” Sharpe turns to enter the inn. Harper walks away, but quickly turns to call out. “You know what they say?” “What?” “Vive l’France!” Harper walks away to join his family and to start life outside the army. Sharpe had come to England to get his money from the army and from Jane. Both of them had wronged him. Now he was going home. He had his army money. To get it, he had defeated Rossendale’s work that would keep him poor and away from London. Jane and Rossendale could wait for another day. He had exposed the corruption of Wickham and Parfitt. The people of Keighley would still have to deal with Parfitt, but with the Scarsdale Yeomanry disbanded, they have opportunity to say more about how they will work. But, he had lost another old friend. A new leader would have to step up to continue to work on the unfair working conditions that Truman was trying to correct. Sharpe had done what was right, what was just for the people of Keighley, Matt, Sally and Sir Percy Stanwyck It was Sharpe’s Justice.

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