‘Damn your observation!’
‘Doubtless you will, sir, but nevertheless it is important.’ Sharpe knew how to bully a bully. He was upright again, taller than anyone else in the room, a subdued anger and violence threatening the meeting. He paused, giving Sir Augustus a chance to order him into silence, and when the order did not come he threw out the lifeline he had thought about so carefully. If Sir Augustus listened, Sir Augustus could hold the pass. ‘It’s obvious, sir, that the French are interested in far more than the destruction of the watch tower. I suggest, sir, that their force denotes an attempt to enter Portugal, and once they are through this pass then there are a dozen routes they could take. It will take a day for our message to reach Frenada, another day for any troops to be concentrated, and by then their aim might well be accomplished. I do not know what that aim is, sir, but I do know one thing. There is one place where they can be stopped, and this is it.’ Sharpe’s supporters, Gilliland among them, nodded.
Sir Augustus leaned against the ornate stone chimney hood and smoothed a hand over his hair, fiddling with the black bow at the nape of his neck. ‘Thank you for the lecture, Major Sharpe.’ Sir Augustus was feeling more comfortable. The odds described by Sharpe had justified his decision, and he could sense the support of half the officers in the room. ‘You wanted that observation recorded. So it shall be, as will mine. This may be the place to stop them, but only with adequate troops. I do not intend to sacrifice a fine Battalion to your ambition in a fruitless attempt to stop an enemy who outnumbers and outguns us. Are you really suggesting we can win?’
‘No, sir.’
‘Ah!’ Sir Augustus feigned surprise.
‘I’m suggesting we have to fight.’
‘Your suggestion is noted, and refused. My decision is made. Tomorrow we leave. That is an order.’ He looked acidly at Sharpe. ‘Do you accept that order, Major?’
‘Of course, sir, and I apologize for taking up your time.’ Frederickson looked appalled at Sharpe, Farthingdale looked pleased.
‘Thank you, Major.’ Sir Augustus sighed. ‘We were discussing the problem of the women and children. Captain Brooker?’
Captain Brooker’s contribution was doomed to be unsaid. Sharpe cleared his throat. ‘Sir?’
‘Major Sharpe.’ Farthingdale was condescending in victory.
‘There was one very small matter, sir, which I would be wrong not to bring to your attention.’
‘I would hate you to be in the wrong, Major.’ Farthingdale provoked smiles from his men. ‘Pray enlighten me.’
‘It’s a story, sir, and please bear with me, but it has some relevance.’ Sharpe spoke mildly, leaning back on the wall, his right hand across his body to hold the pommel of his sword. ‘The odds against us do seem to be overwhelming, sir, extremely so, but I am reminded of a lady I know in Lisbon.’
‘Really, Sharpe! A lady in Lisbon? You say this has relevance?’
‘Yes, sir.’ Sharpe kept his voice humble. He glanced once at Josefina, then back to the slim, elegant man who leaned against the chimney. ‘She was called La Lacosta, sir, and she always said the more the merrier.’
Frederickson laughed, as did one or two others, and their laughter smothered the gasp from Josefina. Frederickson and the other officers had no idea of whom Sharpe spoke, but Sir Augustus did. He was speechless, shock in his face, and Sharpe bored on. ‘Lady Farthingdale will forgive my language, sir, but La Lacosta was a whore. She still is, and her husband, Sir Augustus, is living in Brazil.’
‘Sharpe!’
‘You heard me, sir. The more the merrier!’ Sharpe was standing now, his voice harsh. ‘Might I suggest it’s time fora meeting of senior officers, sir. Majors and above? To discuss my report that I will have to submit to headquarters?’
The joy of an ace falling on green baize, the joy of the moment when the enemy skirmish line turns and runs, the joy of seeing Sir Augustus trumped, beaten, destroyed.
‘A meeting?’
‘In the next room, sir?’ Sharpe glanced at Josefina and there was shock on her face, disbelief too that Sharpe could have used the knowledge, but Sharpe’s debts to La Lacosta were long paid. He walked through the room, ignoring the puzzled looks of the assembled officers, and held the door open for Sir Augustus.