The heels of his boots snapped together quite smartly, and being addressed directly brought him into a stiff posture indeed. But he didn't stop staring. If anything, he only squinted harder.

"My apologies, ma'am," and he hesitated while reconsidering what her grand costume might say about her station. Sharpe corrected himself: "My lady. But I couldn't help overhearing your -- ah -- demands. Such as they were."