Sharpes Books

A Bloody Good Read

Josefina Lacosta

Josefina Lacosta is first seen in the Sharpe Books as the girlfriend of Lieutenant Gibbons nephew of Henry Simmerson, who Sharpe and Harper notice in the opening scene in Sharpe's Eagle.

As the story continues Josephina falls out with Lieutenant Gibbons and Lieutenant Berry his friend over gambling debts, accusations are made which end with Sharpe hitting Gibbons and Josefina taking refuge in Sharpe's company.

Josephina becomes and expensive luxury that Sharpe can ill afford, and is a source of rancor between Sharpe and Gibbons. Until Berry and Gibbons rape Jospehina the day before the Battle of Talvera, she encourages Sharpe to extract revenge of her too assailants, which he does killing Berry that night, and killing Gibbons within the Battle itself.

After the battle Josefina leaves Sharpe for rich cavalry officer she has seen before the attack by Berry and Gibbons.

She is mentioned again at the beginning of Sharpe's escape, as Patrick Harper baits Sharpe as to where he has been and what he was doing in his weeks leave, but doesn't put in a personal appearance again.

She next shows up as a prisoner being rescued by Sharpe and the supposed Lady Fathingdale, alleged wife of Sir Augustus Fathingdale in Sharpe's Enemy. She asks Sharpe to keep her true identity secret and to protect both Sir Augustus, and her source of considerable income. Sharpe has to use the information for military purposes and she leaves with Augustus bitter towards Major Richard Sharpe.

The following accounts make Josefina out to be cold, shallow materialistic and without feelings, however it is not the full story. She also exceptionally beautiful, warm, witty, easy going and refreshingly direct.

Her background was that she is married to a Portuguese nobel man who took his mistress to south american with him instead of his wife, and josefina is surviving the only way she knows how without allowing her family to put her in a convent.

 

Sharpe Books Featuring Sir Josephina Lacosta

Sharpe's Eagle
Sharpe's Enemy

Josephina Lacosta in the Sharpe TV Series

Unfortunately both Josephina's appearances are cut out of the Sharpe TV programs.