I owe nothing, the characters of Pride and Prejudice belong to Jane Austen. The characters of Sharpe, Bernard Cornwall. Sharpe's Justice story belong to Patrick Harbinson and John Tams. Please allow the poetic license with the timelines.

Horse Guards 1814

Darcy,

News has just reached Horse Guards that Captain George Wickham of the Scarsdale Yeomanry has been thrown out of the Army and is to hang. The charges are numerous, Court Martial and civil authorities have tried this case, intimidation, disobeying orders, behaviour unbecoming an officer, theft and murder.

It turns out that Major Sharpe was not at fault for the massacre at that town square. That was all Mister Wickham, trying to show off and please his new Master, Sir Willoughby Parfitt.

I have heard nothing of Mrs Lydia Wickham, though if she has any sense she would have gone into hiding on hearing that her husband has been charged for murder. However, I will see if I can find anything out for Cousin Elizabeth.

Looks like the bugger got what was coming to him at long last.

Send my love to your wife and your sister. Tell Elizabeth not to worry about her sister I will try and find her.

All the best,

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam

Pemberley 1814

Fitz,

Find out as soon as possible what you can about Lydia and as fast as possible. Elizabeth can not work out whether to worry or just be relieved that he is no longer in her sisters and our lives.

What can you tell me about this Major Sharpe? I have heard the name bit cannot recollected where from, except something about an Eagle?

I believe and Elizabeth is in agreement with me and Georgiana with her that we owe Major Sharpe a great debt and one that has to be paid.

Thus we are on our way to London. We should be there in a few days, if he arrives in London before us from Yorkshire hold him there by any means possible.

Hope your parents are well.

Darcy

Richard,

I attach this note to William's letter. Please find out about Lydia as I am worried about her. Also tell Major Sharpe that he is not to leave. Georgiana would like to make his acquaintance, to say thank you for saving her life.

Your Cousin,

Lizzie

Horse Guards

Dear Darcy,

This is what I know about Major Richard Sharpe. He came up through the ranks making a name for himself in India. Stared out as a Private and then made Sergeant, while working with the then Lieutenant William Lawford. In 1803 he was made Ensign by then Sir Arthur Wellesley after saving his life at Assaye. In 1806 he joined the 95th Rifles. He gradually worked his way up the ranks. In 1809 he was made a captain of the South Essex Light Company after that complete and utter fool Colonel Simmerson lost his head in a small skirmish and ends up losing the King's Colours. This is probably when you started to hear about him as at the Battle of Talavera he took an Imperial Eagle with the help of his Sergeant, Sergeant Patrick Harper.

Around this time he met his first wife Teresa Morena, with whom he has a daughter, Antonia. Teresa was a Spanish Guerrilla, a Partisan, called 'la aguja', The Needle, I will not tell you why. Antonia was adopted by members of Teresa's family after she was murdered by a British Sergeant called Haskell. A mean bugger if there ever was one. Though as officers we did not always see it but apparently the men of his company jump for joy, so did all the men who ever served under him. Lizzie I apologise for my language back there. Shortly before Ms Morena murder he was made Major by the Prince Regent. He returned to England soon after the Peninsular Campaign and met and married Jane Gibbons. He returned to France and helps Wellington to defeat Bonaparte until the Allies entered Paris in March 1814.

However, while he was away the mouse did play. Mrs Sharpe had in this time set her self up with Lord Rossendale, why I have no idea. However, in setting herself up with Rossendale she took all his money. The sum of it is vast, having collected a fortune in jewels and gems in India plus the hoard he gathered in the Wars I would estimate that we are looking in excess of £30,000 up to I would say £60,000 but that is a very much conservative estimate. The man was not short of money. I hear through the grape vine that he is more annoyed about the money than the wife. For the simple reason he has started to suspect her true nature; that of a deceptive and manipulating personality. After the fall of Paris he was accused to murder and theft; the charges were false as it was proven and while trying to clear his name he started living with a woman called Lucille Lasson. It was not until Harper told him of his wife's deception that he started to actually live with her.

At present he is on his way back here from Yorkshire. Hopefully I will hold him here long enough for you to arrive.

I can not seem to find anything out about Mrs Wickham at the moment but I have asked the constabulary in Yorkshire to ask Wickham himself whilst he sits in a jail cell. About damn time to!

He should be here in a day or two.

My parents are well as is my older brother. They are playing the social scene as they do every year.

Say hello to Georgie for me.

Regards,

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam