Plot Summary
Major Pierre Ducos plans to make a peace between France and Spain, depriving the British of their allies in the Peninsular and forcing them to withdraw. He forms an alliance with the Spanish priest Father Hacha and his brother, the partisan El Matarife. He then arranges for La Marquesa Helene to write letters to her husband claiming Sharpe tried to rape her. La Marques challenges Sharpe to a duel and Sharpe accepts but the fight is interrupted by Sharpe's commanding officer Colonel Leroy. That night, La Marques is murdered and Sharpe is accused. He is found guilty by court martial and sentenced to death. However, his friend Michael Hogan arranges for another man to be hanged in his place, sending Sharpe to search for Helene in order to clear his name.
Meanwhile, in return for their help in murdering La Marques and gaining the support of the French nobles, Ducos arranges for Helene to be forced into a nunnery, meaning her husband's wealth will go to Hacha and Matarife. Sharpe tracks her down and frees her, fleeing from Matarife's men. However, he is captured by General Verigny, a French officer and one of Helene's lovers, but refuses to give his parole promising not to escape. He is briefly tortured by Ducos before Verigny intervenes. Helene proposes Sharpe give his parole, then she and Verigny will allow him to escape. Sharpe refuses the dishourable plan but manages to escape anyway when a powder magazine is ignited.
At the Battle of Vitoria, Sharpe's regiment the 95th Rifles are left leaderless when Leroy is killed. Sharpe manages to find his men and assume command, leading them to victory. He and Harper then manage to track down Matarife, who has captured Helene in the chaos of the French retreat. Sharpe fights Matarife and forces him to confess to La Marques' murder before killing him. Sharpe and Harper then beat Macha until he agrees to comply with a cover story clearing Sharpe's name.
Read more about this topic: Sharpe's Honour (novel)
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