1813. Major Sharpe's old enemy, Major Ducos manipulates a beautiful young marquesa into falsely accusing Sharpe of rape. Her husband calls Sharpe out in a duel. But when the husband is found dead the next morning, Sharpe is arrested and brought before a court martial, and it seems not even Patrick Harper and the Chosen Men can save Sharpe from a hanging, or rescue his honour.—Kathy Li
The French are on the run in Spain. In an effort to save Spain, Major Ducos engineers a diplomatic incident to split the English-Spanish alliance. Sharpe is at the centre of this incident, putting his life and honour at stake.