...Well, Jesus wept. That wiped the smug right off his mug. With a growl that surprised even himself: "The girl's wonderful just how she is, aye?"

Sharpe wouldn't go so far as to use the word Effie had used. Perfect. It was a word that frightened him, truly. But he couldn't stand such criticism. Not after the heartfelt conversation they'd shared in the mountains. Not after all he'd been told.