Over the next couple of weeks, Corporal Sharpe and the six privates settled into a comfortable routine working at the warehouse. Obadiah Hakeswill had turned out to be easy enough to work for, just so long as one minded his own business and did not ask too many questions, which Sharpe was happy enough to abide by.

It had soon become obvious to the young corporal that the sergeant was stealing from the warehouse and selling supplies on the black market, but as long as Hakeswill didn't steal from him, Sharpe was content to turn a blind eye to the sergeant's activities. He also knew better than to steal from Hakeswill, fully aware that when one steals from a thief, the revenge would be swift and merciless. But sometimes Hakeswill sent a guinea or two his way as a reward for his cooperation, so the young soldier saw no need to rock the boat, It was comfortable, easy duty and he was happy to go along to get along.

It didn't take him and the group of privates long to organize the warehouse to Hakeswill's satisfaction, nor did dealing with the sutlers take up much time, so the group had a lot of empty hours on their hands. Sergeant Hakeswill didn't care what they did to fill the time, just so long as they stayed out of his way and did not attract the attention of any officers who might get it in their heads to interfere.

This arrangement meant that Sharpe had ended up with plenty of time for drinking, gambling, and whoring. This he engaged in at every given opportunity, mostly in Leadingham, though there was almost always a card game going on in the back of the warehouse.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Though at first he'd not been happy about having seven men assigned to him at the warehouse, Obadiah Hakeswill soon had reason to change his mind about the presence of Richard Sharpe and the six privates. With Sharpe around to supervise the privates doing the routine work of organizing the warehouse, Obadiah didn't have to be involved with the mind-deadening work himself.

Freed from these onerous duties, he was able to devote the bulk of his time to selling stolen goods on the black market. Even after giving the required cut to Lt Morris, the clever sergeant was still building up a tidy sum. Making money on the side was more important than ever to him now, because he knew he needed to have enough money to properly support a wife and, hopefully, children.

And, best of all, he would now have more time to visit Jane, though he'd not had much opportunity yet, as he'd been kept busy devising an efficient, clandestine system for disposing of the stolen goods. But, finally, one afternoon about a week after Sharpe had first reported for duty, Hakeswill had finished his business for the day early and decided to stop by and see Jane on his way back to camp.

But as he headed back into Leadingham on the road on the opposite side of town from the camp, he met Jane headed out of Leadingham,carrying several awkward looking bundles.

"Here, let me help you with them things," Obadiah said, after crossing the road to meet her. "Where are you going with all of that and no one to help you carry it? You shouldn't be out here all by yourself struggling with this load. Your Da should have sent one of the lads what helps him in the shop to deliver this stuff, he ought to have."

Gratefully allowing him to take the packages from her, she explained, "We're so busy at the shop lately that my father couldn't have spared anyone to go. We're also missing one man, who broke his leg three days ago. And, in any instance, all these things are for my widowed aunt, so it was important for me to go."

"I understand," he replied. "But I'll be takin' it the rest of the way. You just needs to show me how to get there."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to put you to any bother," she said. "Surely, you have better things to do than this."

"No bother at all, it ain't, missy," he assured her, twitching briefly. "It's my pleasure. I can't think of nothing else I'd rather be doing right now, neither."

"If you're quite sure it's not keeping you from your duties, then I accept," Jane told him. "It is rather disagreeable having to walk so far with such cumbersome packages." After a beat, she hastily added, "Not that I don't want to help my aunt, of course."

As they walked along, he asked, "Is this your father's sister or your mother's?"

"Neither," she replied. "She's my father's aunt, so she's really my great-aunt. She's rather elderly and somewhat of an invalid, so we visit her often and see to her needs." With an audible sigh, she added, "It would be so much easier for all concerned to take her into our home, but she won't hear of it. She insists on remaining in her own home, with just a maid for companionship."

"Maybe she just likes her privacy, is all," Obadiah speculated.

"I suppose you're right," she admitted. "But it was easier to look after her when my mother was alive. But I do have my two sisters to help me with her."

"I didn't have no brothers or sisters as a lad," he told her. "No father, neither. It was always just me and my mother 'til she died. Had me an uncle, too, but he didn't look out for me like he ought to have after she died, so's I joined the army when I was twelve."

"Oh, my," she exclaimed. "That's awfully young."

"That it was," he agreed. "But I joined as a drummer boy, which ain't as dangerous as being a regular private soldier. I had to wait two years 'fore they would let me be a real soldier." Chuckling, he added, "And the army gave me food, clothing, and a place to sleep. It's been my family all this time, see?"

"I understand."

At that moment, they reached a path leading into the woods. Pointing, Jane said, "She lives down there."

Obadiah told Jane about the places he'd seen since joining the army as they made their way down the dirt road to their destination.

"Well, you've certainly seen a lot," she remarked. "I'm afraid my life has been deadly dull compared to yours. I've lived in Leadingham my entire life and have never been more than twenty miles from home."

"Ain't nothing wrong with that," he assured her. "At least you have you a family what cares for you."

Jane did not comment, but she gave Obadiah a brief sympathetic glance, noticing for the first time a sadness in his eyes.

Clearing his throat, Obadiah changed the subject. "So, how old are your sisters. I ain't never seen them when I come to the shop."

"Abby is sixteen and Sarah is fifteen," she replied. "Abby works in the shop sometimes; you've just not come at the right time to see her, I suppose. And Sarah stays home and keeps house."

"I see," he said, twitching briefly. "So, you're the oldest, then. I hope they minds you and does what you tell 'em."

Laughing merrily, she said, "I'm afraid not. They are much happier when they're bickering, with each other and with me."

"I suppose there's something to be said for bein' an only child, then, eh?"

She smiled at him, then both laughed, enjoying each other's company. By the time they reached her aunt's cottage about a half hour later, they were chatting as if they'd known one another since childhood. Later on, after he'd parted from Jane back at the shop, having insisted upon escorting her home, Obadiah was well satisfied that they'd made significant progress in getting to know one another. Still, he was not quite ready to make his intentions toward her clear, hoping she'd realize it on her own.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

A few days later, Richard Sharpe and a couple of fellow corporals went into Leadingham to have a few pints at the pub. He and the privates had finished organizing the warehouse that day, and Hakeswill, in an uncommonly charitable move, had let them off duty at lunch time, so Sharpe was in a mood to celebrate. It had been raining on and off during most of the day, but he didn't care, as he'd lived through much worse conditions while on the continent.

Lurching home later, after having several pints and flirting with the barmaids, Sharpe noticed a comely lass around his own age carrying several loaves of bread. Idly watching her in appreciation as she made her way as carefully as possible down the muddy street, he saw her suddenly slip just before reaching a small bridge. She slid rapidly down the hill, landing in the creek.

"You lads go on," Sharpe said, already sprinting across the street. "I'll handle this one."

The other men laughed, knowing what Sharpe had on his mind, but they obligingly continued on. After all he'd seen her first.

"Are yeh all right, lass?" Sharpe said as he slid down the hill, barely missing falling in himself. "Here, let me help you up."

"Quite all right, thank you," she said, blushing as she took his hand. "It was silly of me to fall, considering how many times I've walked down this street. Careless of me, really."

"Not so silly," Sharpe assured her. "It was raining pretty hard just a bit ago and them shoes you're wearing ain't exactly fit for walking on wet grass and in mud."

"Right you are," she agreed.

As they reached the top of the hill, she slipped again, almost falling, and Sharpe reached out a hand to steady her, putting it around her waist. Lingering a moment longer than was necessary to ensure her sure footing, he gazed down to see her sky blue eyes looking up at him, still blushing fiercely.

He smiled broadly at her, confident that her blush meant that she was attracted to him.

"Name's Dick Sharpe," he said smoothly, introducing himself. "I've not been back long from fighting the Frogs".

"Jane Cutler," she replied. "I'm pleased to meet you." After a pause, she added, "My father runs the cobbler shop".

Noticing that she was shivering in her wet gown, he took off his jacket, and said, "Here, put this on. You're all wet and I don't want you to get a cold." When she did not protest, he put it over her shoulders, wrapping it securely around her.

"Oh, that feels better," she said gratefully. "I must get home and change into something dry."

"Let me see you safely home, then," Sharpe said, extending his arm for her to take. "I don't want you falling again."

"Thank you," she said, as she bent to retrieve the loaves of bread which, fortunately, had not gone down the hill with her and were still dry, wrapped up in the bag.

As they reached her door about ten minutes later, Jane slipped off Sharpe's jacket and handed it back to him. "Thank you again for the lend of your jacket. I feel much better now."

"My pleasure," he said as he put it back on."Might I come see you again? I'd like to get to know you better."

Smiling up at the handsome corporal, she murmured, "Yes, I'd like that very much."

"How about tomorrow afternoon," he proposed.

"Tomorrow is fine," she said softly, still holding his gaze. "I'll pack us a late lunch and we can have a picnic after taking a walk."

"Tomorrow it is, then."

Jane sighed as she watched Richard Sharpe saunter away, thinking him the most handsome man she'd ever seen.

"

"