In the winter of 1812, a band of deserters from all the armies of the Peninsular War—French, British, Spanish and Portuguese—descends on the isolated hamlet of Adrados, on the Spanish-Portuguese border, led by Pot-au-Feu (Sergeant Deron, formerly Marshal Soult's chef).

They slaughter most of the residents, sparing some of the women for later abuse, as well as a group on pilgrimage to a convent in the village, including Lady Farthingdale and Madame Dubreton, the English wife of a French colonel of cavalry.

They see both ladies are safe and deliver the ransom, but Hakeswill informs them that the money only safeguards the women's virtue, and that they must continue making payments.

Nairn foists Captain Gilliland and his unwanted troop of "Rocket Cavalry" onto Sharpe to prove how useless they are.

"Lady Farthingdale" is actually Josefina Lacosta, a high-class courtesan with whom Sharpe is intimately acquainted; she plays Farthingale's wife for a sizable stipend.

Sharpe decides to make a stand, since if the French can get through the mountain pass, they can advance in many directions, too many for the British to counter.

He sets a trap for the French, using Gilliland's Congreve rockets (at very close range to overcome their inaccuracy) to stop the initial attack.

It guest starred Jeremy Child as Sir Augustus, Helena Michell as Sarah Dubreton and Tony Haygarth as Pot-au-Feu.