Who is Helena (a.k.a. La Marquesa de Caesares el Grandes y Melida) from Sharpe's Sword: Richard Sharpe and the Salamanca Campaign, June and July 1812 and what is their importance? Sharpe's_Sword English & Literature "Helena (a.k.a. La Marquesa de Caesares el Grandes y Melida) | Sharpe's Sword: Richard Sharpe and the Salamanca Campaign

Sharpe describes this woman as the most beautiful he has ever seen. Once he gets to know her, Sharpe also discovers that there is far more to the woman than physical beauty. She speaks five languages and has a keen interest in the outcome of the war. Constantly she asks Sharpe questions about the British Army's progress in fighting the French. She first claims to ask Sharpe rather than higher ranking officers because she believes Sharpe gives more honest answers and takes her seriously despite her gender. Later, she reveals that she also asks Sharpe's assessment because she believes she needs a personal protector. Helena tells one version of her past to Sharpe, and later Sharpe learns a very different version.