Spain 1812 - After victory at Ciudad Rodrigo, Wellesley (now Duke of Wellington) sets his sights on Badajoz. Sharpe is reunited with Teresa and learns that he is the father of a baby girl, but is alarmed to learn that the baby is in Badajoz.As new men arrive from England, Sharpe discovers that his old nemesis, Obadiah Hakeswill is among them. Hakeswill was responsible for having Sharpe flogged for a crime he did not commit. His speciality is preying on soldiers while being servile towards the officers. Hakeswill also believes he is immortal, after surviving a hanging.Hakeswill attempts to rape Teresa who is on the point of killing Hakeswill when Harper intervenes. Hakeswill develops an obsession with Teresa and is determined to hurt her to get at Sharpe. Adding insult to injury, Sharpe learns that he is to be demoted from captain as the regiment now has a full complement of captains. Sharpe volunteers to lead the attack on Badajoz in an attempt to secure his captaincy, but he is refused.

Sharpe has settled down to an idyllic lifestyle with Lucille on her French farm, when the news of Napolean's escape from Elba compels him to return to the army to fight at Waterloo. There, he joins the staff of the Prince of Orange. Reunited with his Chosen Men, Sharpe abandons the inept prince and organises the defence of key British positions on the farm of La Haie Sainte.