Major Richard Sharpe smiled the smile of a man who knew he was about to piss someone quite royally off. It was a rare joy, to really stick one's foot so firmly out to trip up another's day. He hadn't done it in quite a while, on account of most folk in this town being pleasant and peaceable people. But everything about this woman screamed -- nay, more than screamed -- all about a lifestyle he managed to envy and resent at the same damn time.

"Bloody hell, ma'am," he spoke roughly and unapologetically, "I live with the little lass, don't I?"