Nairn growled to himself, made marks on his paper. ‘You could get there without mules?’
‘Of course, sir. But what if the French do come?’
‘They’re not there to fight us, are they? They’re there to capture this Pot-au-Feu!’
Kinney nodded. ‘And if they have a chance of killing off a prime Battalion as extra pickings?’
‘Aye, aye, aye.’ Nairn was disgruntled. ‘I dare say you’re right. New Year’s Eve, Sharpe?’
Sharpe smiled. ‘I’d rather Christmas Eve, sir.’ He looked at Kinney. ‘Would seven horse drawn wagons help? Plus a good few pack-horses? All fit, all ready to march?’
‘Help? Good God, man, of course they’d help! They’d suffice! And how, pray, do you work this miracle?’
Sharpe looked back to Nairn. ‘The Rocket troop, sir. I’m sure the Prince Regent would be delighted if they were found some warlike employment.’
‘God’s teeth, Sharpe!’ Nairn smiled at him. ‘Two weeks ago I promote you from Captain, now you’re presuming to tell me what would please His Royal Highness!’ He looked at Kinney. ‘The suggestion of the Prince of Wales’ plenipotentiary pleases you then, Colonel?’
‘It does, sir.’
Nairn grinned happily at Sir Augustus Farthingdale. ‘It looks as if your wife will be safely in your arms within the week, Sir Augustus!’
Sir Augustus flinched slightly, but bowed his head. ‘Indeed it does, sir, and I’m grateful. I would still like to go with the rescue force, sir.’
‘You would, eh?’ Nairn frowned, not understanding the request. ‘I mean no offence, Sir Augustus, ‘pon my word none at all! But might you not think that such exploits are best left to hotter heads! We cooler brains must wait in patience, write our books!’
Sir Augustus gave a thin smile. ‘You mean older heads, sir?’
‘Older! Wiser! Cooler! And do you truly fancy climbing a bloody hill in the dead of night, laying up all day in the freezing cold, and then keeping up with fellows like Sharpe the next night? I admire the sentiment, Sir Augustus, I do truly, but I beg you to reconsider the request.’
The thin face with its handsome mane of hair looked down towards the table. Perhaps, Sharpe thought, he was thinking of that cold day that would be Christmas Eve. Sharpe did not want the man there and he dared to mutter a comment that might help Sir Augustus to withdraw a request that Nairn could scarce refuse. ‘We’ll not be taking any horses, sir, none at all.’
The head snapped up. ‘I can march, Major, if I have to!’
‘I’m sure, sir.’
‘My concern is for Lady Farthingdale. She is a delicate lady, of good family. I would not like to think of her treated…’ he paused. ‘I would like to offer her my protection, sir.’
‘Good God, Sir Augustus!’ Nairn stopped. The inference of Farthingdale’s words was that Lady Farthingdale, having survived capture by Pot-au-Feu, would be at risk from Sharpe’s men. Nairn shook his head. ‘She’ll be safe, Sir Augustus, she’ll be safe! You can ride up with Kinney in the morning, yes, Kinney?’
The Welsh Colonel did not look overjoyed, but he nodded. ‘Yes, sir. Of course, sir.’
‘And you’ll be arriving at dawn, Sir Augustus!’
Sir Augustus nodded, leaned back. ‘Very well. I shall ride with the Fusiliers.’ He looked with his unfriendly gaze at Sharpe. ‘I can be assured that Lady Farthingdale will be treated with every respect?’
The words implied an outrageous insult, but Sharpe supposed that they also implied an outrageous jealousy that perhaps an older man would feel for a younger wife. He chose to give a civil answer. ‘Of course, sir.’ He turned to Nairn, one question left. ‘Do we have the Riflemen, sir?’
Nairn smiled, mischievously again, and in reply he pushed a letter across to Sharpe. ‘Third paragraph down, Major. They’re already on their way.’
Sharpe read the letter and understood Nairn’s smile. The letter had been dictated by Wellington to his Military Secretary, and the General was making specific suggestions how Pot-au-Feu must be defeated. The third paragraph began; ‘I would advert you to Major Sharpe, in need of employment, believing that, with two Companies of Riflemen, he might effect a rescue before the punitive Battalion arrives. To that end, and in the belief that this measure will be deemed appropriate, I have given orders that two Companies of the 60th be attached to Headquarters.’ Sharpe looked up and Nairn smiled broadly. ‘It was interesting to see, Major, whether we came to the same conclusions.’