Sharpe 14 - Sharpe's Sword by Bernard Cornwell Read Free Book Online Page B

watched coldly.
    Sharpe did not join the circle. Instead he walked in the deep shadow of the arcade, past the shops that sold fine leathers, jewels, books, and silks. He walked slowly, licking the garlic from his fingers, and he was a strange figure in the holiday crowd. He had pushed his shako back, letting his black hair fall over the top of the long scar that ran, beside his left eye, to his cheek. It gave him a sardonic, mocking look when his face was at rest. Only laughter or a smile softened the rigour of the scar. His uniform was as tattered as any Rifleman’s. The scabbard of his long sword was battered. He looked what he was, a fighting soldier.
    He was looking for Michael Hogan, the Irish Major who served on Wellington’s staff. Sharpe and Hogan had been friends for most of this war and the Irishman, Sharpe knew, would make good company on this night of celebration. Sharpe had another reason, too. Hogan was in charge of Wellington’s intelligence gathering, sifting through the reports which came from spies and Exploring Officers, and Sharpe hoped that the small, middle-aged Major could answer some questions about Colonel Philippe Leroux.
    Sharpe stayed beneath the colonnade, heading towards the group of mounted officers who crowded about the General. The Rifleman stopped when he was close enough to hear their loud laughter and confident voices.
    He could not see Hogan. He leaned against a pillar and watched the mounted men, gorgeous in their full dress uniforms, and he was unwilling to join the favour seeking group who crowded round the General. If Wellington picked his nose, Sharpe knew, there would be plenty of officers willing to suck his fingers clean if it brought them one more golden thread for their uniforms.
    He tilted the canteen, shut his eyes, and let the raw wine scour his mouth. “Captain! Captain!”
    He opened his eyes, but could not see who had shouted, and he presumed that it was not for him and then he saw the priest, Curtis, pushing his way out of the group of horsemen around Wellington. The damned Irishman was everywhere. Sharpe did not move except to cork his canteen.
    Curtis walked towards him and stopped. “We meet again.”
    “As you said we would.”
    “You can always believe a man of God.” The elderly priest smiled. “I was hoping you might be here.”
    “Me?”
    Curtis gestured towards the mounted officers. “There’s someone who would be relieved, very relieved, to hear from you that Leroux is safely shut up in the fortresses. Would you be so kind as to confirm it?” He gestured again, inviting Sharpe to walk with him, but the tall Rifleman did not move.
    “Don’t they believe you?”
    The elderly priest smiled. “I’m a priest, Captain, a Professor of Astronomy and Natural History, and Rector of the Irish College here. Those aren’t suitable qualifications, I’m afraid, for these warlike matters. You, on the other hand, will be believed on this subject. Would you mind?”
    “You’re what?” Sharpe had thought the man just an interfering priest.
    Curtis smiled gently. “I’m eminent, dreadfully eminent, and I’m asking you to do me a kindness.”
    Sharpe did not move, still unwilling to walk into the circle of elegant officers. “Who needs reassurance?”
    “An acquaintance. I don’t think you’ll regret the experience. Are you married?”
    Sharpe nodded, not understanding. “Yes.”
    “By Mother Church, I hope?”
    “As it happens, yes.”
    “You surprise me, and please me.” Sharpe was not sure whether Curtis was teasing him. The priest’s bushy eyebrows went up. “It does help, you see.”
    “Help?”
    “Temptations of the flesh, Captain. I am sometimes very grateful to God that he has allowed me to grow old and immune to them. Please come.”
    Sharpe followed him, curious, and Curtis stopped suddenly. “I don’t have the pleasure of your name, Captain.”
    “Sharpe. Richard Sharpe.”
    Curtis smiled. “Really? Sharpe? Well, well!” He did not