Dear Bernard, It’s just possible that you might think what follows ventures too close to being a plot suggestion, but I do hope not. (And just in case I hereby cheerfully indemnify you against even so much as a mild grouch, never mind a lawsuit, on my part at any point in the future.) At some point, Richard Sharpe really ought to encounter army surgeon James Barry, sometimes known as James “Miranda” Barry, don’t you think? Incidentally, I’ve just encountered Patrick Lassan for the first time. Lovely touch, though I can’t help feeling sorry for poor Lucille. I’m sure she’d rather he’d stuck with farming. Thank you for creating a world where one can immerse oneself so thoroughly and entirely forget the everyday for a while. With best regards Helena