Now I don't know how many of you will know or remember this show, as it started in the 90s; but I caught some of it again the other day and given that Sean Bean looks so damn good in a uniform, I felt the need to write something.

As much as Richard had wanted to refuse the invitation to the party, saying no to Wellington was not something he had wanted to do that day, especially as the invite had come out more as an order than anything; so, if he was going to have to suffer, then so was Paddy. The Irishman right behind him, as they made their way into the large house, and they were announced by some servant in a white, curled wig. Richard hoping that once the Duke had seen his face, he and Paddy would be able to just slip away and go somewhere else......anywhere else. This kind of thing not the natural element of either of the men, both of them moving through the crowd of men dressed in their best uniforms, and women in their finest gowns; their hair pinned up in intricate designs, each one doing their best to outdo the others in an attempt to catch the eye of any eligible bachelor. Not that Richard had time for anything like that; but that didn't mean that it wasn't nice to look.

"Well.......what now........?" Paddy asked, as he and the Major looked around the room, the Iron Duke nowhere to be seen.

"Garden.......we split up and look for Wellesley. You come and find me, if you see him first, and if I find him.......well I'll do what I need to do, and then we can get out of here......" Paddy nodding, as anxious to not be at the function as his friend was. The two men looking at one another, before heading off in their own directions.

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Richard should have known that the Duke would do something like this; it seemed to amuse Wellington that he was not scared of questioning and contradicting his superiors and social betters. That rank or title meant very little to him; but this was more like a punishment for him than anyone else. The Major wondering, as he made his way through the ornate garden, if in fact it was him that was being punished for yet another of his indiscretions.

"What........?" Richard turning around as someone bumped into him. His eyes growing wide as a young woman, in a blindfold carefully held onto his arm.

"George is that...........Oh........." Richard having to gulp at the large lump that had instantly formed in his throat, as the woman removed the blindfold. All thoughts of leaving the party, gone, as she smiled at him.

"You're not George............"

"No Miss..........I, er.........."

"But it would appear that I have still caught you........." She continued, looking down at where her hand still gently gripped his wrist.

"And you know what that means, don't you..........?" A chuckle leaving her lips, as his brows furrowed. Richard feeling his heart begin to race, as she took a step closer to him. There now barely anything between them, but a small chink of light, and their clothes. The Major inwardly chastising himself for his mind instantly going to things that he should not be thinking about the obviously wellborn lady.

"It means.........you owe me a kiss............" The beauty explained, before moving her hand to his cheek. Richard's eyes widening as she stood up on her toes and kissed him. It turning out to be no mere peck, but the kind of kiss that made the Major want to wrap his arms around her and pull her against his body. The kind of kiss where all he could think of, was finding the nearest quiet room and exploring this, much, much further. Yet as soon as it began, it was over. Richard slowly opening his eyes and looking at her, the smile still adorning her perfect features.

"(Y/n)............." A voice called out. The young woman reluctantly moving her gaze from him.

"Coming............" She called back, before returning her attention to the still slightly stunned man in front of her.

"Well, I do hope to see you again this evening, Major..........." She continued. Richard feeling her hand move to his for a moment and squeeze his fingers, before quickly taking her leave.

"Found him............." Richard not hearing as Paddy came up behind him. His eyes still scanning the crowd for the beautiful, mysterious woman.

"Major.........?"

"What.....what is it..........?"

"I found Wellington..........he's inside in the ballroom........." Paddy explained. The Major shaking his head as the Irishmen placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Right.....well, let's get this over with........"

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"Ah, Major Sharpe, there you are........." Wellington called out. Chuckling to himself as the Major and his man stood up straighter and saluted.

"No need for formalities tonight, Sharpe; you are my guest........I believe that you know Colonel Livingstone and Major Charmers........" The Duke introduced. The two men nodding at the man that had risen up through the ranks. Richard returning the gesture despite the fact that he and the Colonel and Major had had previous run ins. Charmers getting told on more than one occasion that he was a dangerous bloody idiot, that was going to get all his men killed.

"But you haven't met my niece........." Wellsley continued. Richard's eyes growing wide, as the woman from the garden appeared at the Duke's side and took his offered hand.

"Major Richard Sharpe, I would like you to meet my niece, the Lady (Y/n)........" Richard moving a step forward and bowing, taking her other hand and bringing it up to his lips to kiss. Doing his best not to react, as he felt a piece of paper, slip into his palm.

"So......you are this Major Sharpe that my dear uncle has told me so much about........it is a pleasure.........." The lady curtsying. Her eyes never leaving his. Richard not missing the hint of mischief and something more that he could not quite lay his finger on, as they continued to stare at one another. It only a cough from the Duke, that reminded him that they were not alone.

"Well, if you will excuse us, Sharpe......I have to show my face to all my guests........." Wellington told him. Richard and Paddy once again standing to attention, as the Duke escorted his niece towards his other guests, followed quickly by the Colonel and Major who had no intention of being left behind with an upstart like Sharpe. Paddy looking over his friend's shoulder, as Richard opened the note that the lady had slipped into his hand. The missive telling him to meet her in the arbour at eleven that night.

"We aren't leaving, are we............?" Paddy rolling his eyes, as his friend shook his head.

"You do know a woman like that could get ya killed; especially when she's not only Wellington's niece but also given the way that that bastard Charmers was looking at her.........." It the Irishman's turn to shake his head as Richard turned to look at him, pushing the little note into his pocket.

"That's very true, Patrick. But there are worse ways ta go........" A smile coming to the Major's lips; Richard hoping that that first kiss may not be the last.