| The Trouble With Angels Madras, India, Mid January, 1799 "Bloody Hell, will yer look at that." Dick Sharpe's exclamation drew the attention of the men around him as they stood in ranks awaiting inspection. The morning sun beat down, promising another scorching day. "Shit," murmured Percy Peters quietly to Tom Garrard, "What will they be sending us next? As if Fitzgerald wasn't bad enough! This one looks like he'd faint the first time he has to draw his sword." "Probably cut his own bloody head off and save those heathens the trouble." Toby Dodds added as the continued to stare at the their new Lieutenant who stood nervously beside Captain Morris, wiping at the perspiration on his brow with a lace handkerchief. "Bet Morris is pleased," Sharpe whispered, "He's probably been panting all over him since he got here." There were snickers of laughter from the infantrymen as they took in the long fair hair and delicate features of the young Lieutenant, ready as always to judge any man on appearance. Morris commenced his inspection walking between the rows, stopping here and there to closely examine the infantrymen and point out faults that were recorded by Sergeant Hakeswill in the punishment book. The new Lieutenant followed behind, quietly attentive. But the young man's whole countenance changed as he stopped in front of Josh Smith. His mouth dropped open, only to shut again very quickly as a deep red blush slowly spread up from the lace at his collar to colour his delicate complexion. Dick Sharpe looked down at Smith who stood next to him in line, to find his young friend smiling unashamedly up at the new officer. Sharpe looked up also and only to be caught by a pair of startled blue eyes as the young lieutenant glanced around to see who had witnessed this breech of decorum. The fair lashes fluttered as he tried to regain his composure and taking a deep breath, the Lieutenant moved on as if nothing had happened. "What was all that about?" Sharpe whispered to Smith, his curiosity along with his interest, well and truly aroused. "That's William! My William!" Smith exclaimed clasping his hands together. "Yer mean yer friend from school?" Sharpe asked, remembering the story Smith had told him long ago. "Yes, The one I was kissing on the chaise lounge in the drawing room!" Smith sighed. Sharpe quickly turned and took an even closer look at the retreating figure of the young Lieutenant in light of this new information. A lazy smile slowly spread to his lips as he felt another kind of arousal take hold. "What's bloody going on?" Tom Garrard asked Sharpe in a hurried whisper after witnessing the turn of events. Percy Peters was digging Tom in the ribs impatiently waiting for the same information. "Joshy knows him. They were friends at school and got thrown out together." Sharpe answered unable to stop his grinning. "Really?" Tom asked in surprise. The new Lieutenant looked far too angelic to ever get into trouble. "What did they do?" "They got caught fooling around on the cheese lounge in the drawing room." Sharpe muttered very softly, not wanting everyone around them to know. He was already making his own estimations of just what their new lieutenant would be like. Tom Garrard frowned and considered this information. He shook his head. It didn't seem to make sense. "So, what the story Tom?" Peters persisted. "Tell us!" "Josh knows him from his school days. They were expelled for fooling around with cheese on the lounge in the drawing room." "Bloody hell! Doesn't sound like a reason to kick two lads out of school...just for eating cheese!" Peters declared and he proceeded to relate the story to Toby Dodds beside him. "They probably stole the cheese! One of those great big round cheeses! Stole it from the kitchens and sneaked it up to the drawing room." Peters and Dodds stared at the innocent face of the new Lieutenant who had glanced back towards Smith only to look away again just as quickly. "Yeah, look at him. That's the face of a guilty man if ever I saw one. I wouldn't trust him! Wonder what other capers he got up to?" Dodds declared. "Probably stole other things as well!" Sam Rawlings decided as he joined in the conversation. "Apples, oranges, must a made a bloody mess in the drawing room! All that food scattered about. No wonder they were expelled." "Do yer think he still does it? The stealing?" Peters asked. "Does this mean we have to watch our stuff?" Rawlings and Dodds cast worried looks at each other and Dodds spoke up. "Better ask Tom to ask Josh. He'd be the best one to find out for us. Maybe he could go and ask him later." Peters pulled Tom's red sleeve to get his attention. "Listen Tom, we're a bit worried about him. Do yer reckon yer could ask Josh to find out if he still does it so we know to watch out for him?" "What? Eat cheese?" Tom frowned. Maybe Peters had a touch of the sun. "NO! Not keeping his hands to himself. Thieving!" The last word was hissed loudly which caused several on the men in the rank on front to turn and look. Tom wondered where his friends had learnt this new information about the Lieutenant. Maybe he had a reputation already. Tom turned back to Sharpe. "So does he still do it? Could Joshy find out?" Dick Sharpe grinned at Tom. "Why Tom? Reckon you'd like to try him out? Fancy him do yer?" Tom stood speechless, his face a deep red. But Dick Sharpe continued on, taking great delight in Tom's embarrassment. "Of course yer mightn't be his type Tom...but I guess Joshy could ask him if yer want? Do yer want him to put on the night shirt too?" In the rank in front Abraham Avery shook his head and moved closer to Seamus O'Neill. "I'm worried about Tom, someone should have a word to him. Him and Dick Sharpe are one thing but chasing after the Officers....He's going to get a reputation!" The officers had returned to the front of the Company and the infantrymen snapped back to attention as Captain Morris began his address. "Men, I want to introduce our new Lieutenant, William Lawford." Part 2 When they were finally dismissed from parade a small cluster of men formed around Josh Smith who, after a quick glance at Dick Sharpe, decided it was prudent to go with the cheese-stealing tale rather than confess the real reason they were thrown out of school. "Of course they never fed us enough...we were always hungry and William had such an appetite." Smith cast a frown at Sharpe who had burst into a fit of uncharacteristic laughter at this statement. "I don't know Joshy, he looks too much like an Angel to be doing things like that," Tom Garrard said seriously. If the truth be known, Tom Garrard thought William Lawford was one of the most handsome men he had ever seen, a polished version of Dick Sharpe. He blushed when he realised he how his words would be taken. "He had a little bit of the devil in him back at school Tom," Smith said with a wink which made Tom blush all the more and put away his fantasies. "So you don't think he'll be after our things then Joshy?" Peters asked, clearly worried. "I don't think he'd be after anything of yours Percy, trust me." Smith's solemn voice helped convince the infantrymen and they slowly dispersed to their various duties or recreations. Bill Hanson however had more questions. "So what are you going to do Josh?" he asked when he was alone with the younger man. "What are you going to say to him?" Smith's dark eyes looked up innocently. "Nothing Bill, I have nothing to say to him. Besides I doubt I'll even get a chance to speak to him." In reality, Josh Smith had dreamed about this meeting for years. He had been infatuated with William Lawford whilst at school and the manner of their separation had only added to the illusion. "I saw the way you looked at him Josh! Mark my words, he'll come looking for you and you'll have all the privacy you want in the company tent where you do the books." Hanson took a hold of Smith's arm, more than a little roughly. "But don't you even think about renewing your friendship with him Josh! I don't know how well you knew him before, but steer well clear of him now. He's probably just another bastard like Morris." Hanson was known to have a fierce temper, something that Smith didn't want to provoke. In a way, Hanson's jealousy pleased Smith, as it was visible proof of the older man's regard. Hanson wasn't one for shows of affection. But even small gestures were made impossible by the presence of Hanson's wife and children. All that Josh Smith had to content himself with were moments of stolen pleasure late at night when Bill Hanson would creep silently into his bunk. "He won't want anything to do with me, Bill." Smith replied nervously. In truth he did not know how Lawford would react, but was hoping to find out soon. Smith smiled up at his friend, trying to restore their harmony. "You're the only one I want to be friends with Bill, you know that." Hanson's blue eyes softened and he smiled back. "Just be careful. You know the sort of bastards that are out there and the sort of things that can happen if you are too trusting. You might have known him once Josh, but that doesn't mean he's the same man now." He reached out and brushed Smith's curls in a quick, guilty gesture before stepping back and walking away. Smith was amazed. Not by the touch, but by what he assumed Hanson was referring to; the assault four years ago by Jack O'Malley. It was something that was never spoken about between them, something that Hanson had refused to talk about. That he mentioned it now made Smith wonder if perhaps Hanson knew about his past relationship with Lawford. Had Dick told him? But perhaps Bill was simply referring to their own captain, Charles Morris. Smith had come to understand Morris by the time they had arrived in India and had learnt how to deal with him. Morris liked a challenge. But once you gave in to him, gave in easily and readily, he quickly lost interest. That was Dick Sharpe's problem. If Sharpe had given in to Morris the first time he was propositioned then by now Morris would have forgotten all about him. But by holding back, refusing the Captain time and again, Sharpe had become like the Holy Grail to Morris. Something he would go to any end to obtain. Morris was still useful to Josh, useful for keeping Sergeant Hakeswill off his back. He made sure the patronage extended to Bill and Rose, for the Sergeant was well known for his standover tactics. So Josh Smith curried Morris' patronage without sacrificing his own virtue, it was easy for someone with his talents. He juggled the company books so that he skimmed a little bit off the pays, stoppages and orders, money which made its way into the captain's pocket. From time to time Morris would still request other favours which Josh made sure were given quickly and enthusiastically. But lately Morris' seemed more interested in women and Josh wondered if his tastes had changed. That thought led him back to William Lawford and Josh wondered if his friend's tastes had changed also. Part Three. Bill Hanson's surmise was correct! Before the day was out, William Lawford had found his way to the company tent and now waited, staring at Josh Smith who stood to attention behind his small desk. "At ease Joshua, this isn't an official visit." There was no nervousness now in Lawford's manner as he signalled for Smith to sit down again and pulled up a chair for himself. "I must say I was surprised to find you here! I knew you'd run away, but had no idea what became of you after that. To think you've been in the infantry all these years." Smith smiled shyly but the smile was not returned. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you caused for me!" Lawford's accusation took Smith by surprise. The smile slipped from his face. "I caused?" he asked. "Yes you! By running away. It just confounded the whole bloody matter. It would all have blown over and been forgotten if you hadn't run away. I had your father and some of his henchmen pay me a visit at my new regiment wanting to know where you were." Lawford snorted and shook his head in disgust. "I'm sure they imagined I had somehow spirited you away and had you hidden in my trunk! You can imagine the scandal it caused and how I had to plead my innocence over and over again. I even took to walking around reading the bible to try and dispel the rumours!" "I...I'm sorry, William, I never meant to get you into trouble." Smith said lamely. He was still in awe of Lawford as he had been all those years before when they were both at school. "Well you did! Just like you did at school. Little trouble-maker, always following me and making eyes at me. You were an incorrigible little flirt!" "Yes... but you..." "Do you know how close you came to ruining my reputation completely? All because you couldn't face your father and ran away to play bloody soldiers! Well I hope it's been a damned sight easier for you these past four years than it has been for me!" There was silence for a moment then Josh said softly "I was just a boy, William, I was fourteen. I realise how foolish I was back then, but I didn't know any better." He dropped his eyes and looked at the papers spread in front of him. This was hardly the reunion he had imagined. The words seemed to mollify Lawford. He shifted uneasily on the chair. "Well, I suppose it was as much my fault as it was yours for agreeing to meet you in the drawing room. God knows I wasn't thinking straight!" He shook his head slightly so that his soft hair fluttered around his shoulders. "In a way you did me a favour. You see my father had arranged for me to attend Divinity College when school was over but after that little incident he thought I'd be better off in the Kings Army where I could become a man! I've quite enjoyed it!" Josh Smith looked up and William Lawford gave him a small smile. "So, how has it been for you Joshua? Found yourself a nice easy job as company clerk. Morris keep an eye on you does he?" There was something in the way Lawford spoke that put Josh on the defensive. "He hasn't made my life here easy at all and he doesn't watch over me. I have friends who do that." "Friends?" The word was almost an accusation. "Yes, mates. Good mates." Josh declared loudly. "They're better men than Morris, for all his manners and breeding. He's trouble William, you'd do well to stay away from him." "I've met men like Morris before. I can imagine how his tastes run." Lawford said thoughtfully, his gaze still resting on Smith. "Much liked yours did Joshua. Still chasing everything in breeches? You've certainly found yourself a cosy little niche, if that's what you like. You and Morris must make a pretty site together." "Don't be so quick to judge, William. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me when I enlisted? Do you know the sort of men there are here?" Smith knew his voice was wobbling and he tried to gather his composure. He wondered why Lawford had held this grudge all these years. Smith had come to see their actions as nothing more than boyish play, far removed from the earth shattering catastrophe he had originally imagined it to be. It was nothing when compared to the things he had experienced since then. But Lawford was still mired in the past. Perhaps it was time for him to see what life in the army was really like. Josh picked up one of the company journals and thrust it toward Lawford. "Read that one night while you are tucked up in bed...end of August 1795. See if you have pleasant dreams afterwards!" Lawford fingered the leather bound book silently but did not open it. He finally raised his blue eyes again and looked at Smith with a new respect. "Well perhaps you have grown up Joshua. I'll admit that from your display at parade this morning I thought you were still up to your old tricks. Perhaps I misjudged you." Lawford stood up and looked around the small tent. "So what do we do now? Start over again? Take up where we left off?" That was unexpected! Smith wondered at the meaning behind the words. Surely William wasn't proposing... "You're still as pretty as ever, you know. I had such a hard time resisting you." Lawford leaned over the desk and rubbed at a smudge of ink on Smith's cheek with his long fingers. He let them slide down to Smith's chin then tilted the younger man's face upwards so that he could gaze into the dark eyes. "Get you out of that Private's uniform, clean you up a bit and you'd still be Joshua Tremaine." Smith pulled away, pushed his chair back abruptly and stood up. "I have something to show you." He picked up his pack from the corner and rummaged through it until he pulled out a battered tin and prised the lid off. Reverently he withdrew a frayed scrap of cotton and held it out to Lawford. "What is this?" "It's your's, William, don't you remember. I kept it as clean as I could, but it's been through a lot." Lawford examined the cloth peering at it in the strange yellow light of the tent. "This is my handkerchief," he declared in amazement when he saw the frayed embroidery. "Yes, don't you remember? You gave it to me down by the lake ..." "When you fell out of that tree! You were spying on me and Jack Spears when we were swimming. I remember. You grazed your knee." Lawford paused as if trying to understand Smith's action. "You kept it?" "Yes, I treasured it all these years," Smith said sadly. He knew now that the dreams he had long held of William Lawford, were just that; dreams. The man before him had never thought of him in the same way. "What on earth for? It's just a handkerchief!" Lawford replied scornfully. "Because I loved you William and because it was the only thing I had left from my old life." Lawford looked at Smith uncomfortably and held out the handkerchief wanting to give it back but Smith refused to take it. "I want to return it to you William, I don't need it any longer." "Why?" Smith almost felt sorry for William Lawford when he asked that question. Despite Lawford's age, Josh knew his boyhood friend still had a lot of growing up to do. "My life is here now, with this regiment, with my friends. Joshua Tremaine doesn't exist any more." He crossed to stand behind his desk again. "Now if you'll excuse me Sir, I have work to do." Lawford turned to go, but hesitated at the tent flap, not looking back. "One more question before I go Joshua. What was the name of the private standing beside you this morning, blonde, well built, green eyes?" "That was a friend of mine," was Smith's cautious reply. "His name is Sharpe, Dick Sharpe." Part 4 "So have yer seen him, talked to him?" Dick Sharpe asked enthusiastically causing Josh Smith to wonder at his friend's interest in William Lawford. It was late afternoon and they we sitting together in the shade waiting for Tom Garrard to finish guard duty. "He came to find me yesterday. We talked about what happened at school and since." Smith admitted slowly watching Sharpe's reaction. "And?" Sharpe asked eagerly. "Nothing. That's all there is. I told him I am Josh Smith now and that my life is here with my friends." "So he doesn't want to take up with yer or anything?" "No." Smith replied flatly then stole a sideways look at Dick. "Good." Sharpe muttered himself. "Tell me Josh, what's like? He really is something to look at, isn't he! I can see why yer were with him on the cheese lounge. Is he any good at kissing?" The question was prying and from the guilty look on Sharpe's face, he knew it. Smith gave Sharpe a sly look. "Well, I used to think he was until I kissed you Dick. You were much better." "Cheeky bugger!" Sharpe lightly clipped Smith's ear, more in play that spite. "You told me once you'd kick his arse for me if you ever met him." If Smith's guess was correct, that was the last thought on Sharpe's mind. "There's other things I'd rather do to his arse, Joshy," Sharpe confessed with a grin. Smith rolled his eyes. "Oh Dick!" "What's the matter? Jealous Joshy, still want him for yerself?" Sharpe tackled Smith around the waist and tickled him. The words were too close to the truth and they reawakened the loss that Smith had felt earlier. He felt a strange anger at Dick Sharpe's interest in Lawford, made worse by the fact that he suspected Lawford was equally as curious about his friend. "I don't want Lawford! I'd rather a real man, Dick! I'd rather have you." Smith finally gasped out between giggles. The words had a sobering effect on Sharpe and he stopped the play. "Yer don't mean that Josh," he replied looking away. But Smith persisted, glad he had drawn his friends attention away from Lawford. "I do Dick. You know I do. I've wanted you for a long time but you still think of me as a child. I'm eighteen now and I know what I want." Smith's hand slipped onto Sharpe's thigh and began rubbing slightly. "Joshy..." Sharpe began, but didn't stop the younger man. "Go on...say you don't like that?" Sharpe bit his lip in reply. "Kiss me and then tell me you don't want me?" Smith challenged and for a moment he thought Sharpe would do it when he bent closer so that their faces were only inches apart. Smith held his breath. "What about Tom?" That stilled Smith's hand but just for a moment. "When have you ever cared about Tom's feelings?" Smith retaliated. "You do it with anyone you please, with no thought to him...and don't try to tell me you don't, Dick Sharpe! Why you are even thinking of Lawford and how you might have him." Sharpe finally grabbed the small hand that was back kneading his thigh, pulling it up hard so that Smith winced at the pressure. "I'm not talking about me, you silly bugger...You! Tom's got a soft spot for you, you know he has. I don't think he'd like it if you and me played around together." "Well that's news to me Dick! Tom's never said anything to me. In fact he and I haven't done it since we left England. You are the one Tom's got feelings for. I just can't believe you have never realised it!" Dick Sharpe reached over so suddenly that it took Josh Smith by surprised. For a moment he thought Sharpe was going to hit him, but he was pulled into a rough embrace and kissed with a fierce passion. "There. Is that what you wanted?" Sharpe asked, his breathing hard, when he finally let go. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Smith considered what had happened. Sharpe's reaction puzzled him but he knew it had something to do with the mention of Tom's feelings. "Yes, that's exactly what I wanted." Smith said seductively. "What about you, Dick? Was it what you wanted too?" "Shit," Sharpe muttered under his breath, confused by what had taken place. He shook his head as if trying to clear it. "I just wanted to know about Lawford, that was all Joshy." "You don't need Lawford, Dick, you can have me instead." Smith leaned closer but Sharpe stood up abruptly. "Yer not my type Joshy, sorry." And with those parting words, Dick Sharpe walked away. Alone again, Josh Smith could only watch him go. The End |