How is a penniless orphan to make her way in society? Facing a bleak future as a governess, Becky Sharp has ideas of her own.

Becky may have failed to extract a proposal from Jos Sedley but she fares much better after her arrival at Queen's Crawley.

The Battle of Waterloo is about to begin. Brussels is in chaos, Amelia is distraught, Becky is thriving, and life is about to change for all of them.

Becky's friendship with Lord Steyne causes serious problems, and Amelia finds herself faced with an impossible choice.

Becky faces her toughest challenge so far, and Amelia finally discovers the truth about George. Will either of them ever recover?