Valentina

This is a well-written work of romantic historical fiction by noted author Evelyn Anthony, who had a number of her books adapted to film. It tells a love story, set amidst the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. The story begins in the early part of the nineteenth century, just when Napoleon is set to invade Russia. Poland is cautiously allied with Napoleon Bonaparte, then Emperor of France, hoping that if the French prove victorious over the Russians, the French would unify a partitioned Poland and grant it independence. Wary of their ally's intentions, the Polish oligarchy decides to spy on the French to ascertain their real intentions in terms of Poland's future, should the French prove victorious over the troops of the Russian Czar. To this end, they decide to set upon a path of seduction as the likeliest means to an end. Selecting the exquisitely beautiful Valentina Grunowski, married to the ambitious and evil Count Theodore Grunowski, one of the most influential men in Poland, the plan is set in motion. An initially resistant Valentina is soon subdued and brought to heel by her abusive husband. It is also made clear to Valentina that if she does not comply, her Russian half-sister, the Princess Alexandra Suvaroff, would be arrested and charged with treason. Valentina's mission is to seduce Marshal Joachim Murat, one of Napoleon's most trusted soldiers and confidants, in order to discover the true intentions of the French towards Poland. The nefarious plan of the Polish, however, is intercepted by the handsome Colonel De Chavel, the head of the French Secret Police, and, once Valentina's unwilling participation in the scheme becomes clear, both she and her sister are placed under the protection of the French. The meeting between Valentina and Colonel De Chavel, however, would set in motion the beginnings of a love affair that would change their lives forever. Set amidst the ravages of war, this is a scintillating love story. Those who like romantic historical fiction will find much to enjoy in this book.

First published in 1966, I read this book many years ago now when I found a tattered paperback copy in a second hand bookshop.This is a beautifully written novel set against Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812. It is the story of Valentina, the Countess Grunowska, a Polish patriot trapped into a marriage with a vindictive and violent husband. She meets a French officer, Colonel de Chavel (we never learn his first name) at a ball and they fall in love with a passion that I have rarely ever seen equalled in fiction.He joins the march to Russia although he is an independent thinker amongst the political intrigue and espionage at the Polish Court - a true French patriot and not just one of Napoleon's minions. She follows him, fearing the wrath and sadism of her husband and, incredibly, she finds him during the freezing, snowy and tragic retreat from Moscow. Wounded, de Chavel has lost his right arm and is near death when Valentina finally locates him in a scene of such emotion that I have always remembered it. She nurses him tenderly, joining the French army as it retreats back to Poland.Finally, they settle quietly and blissfully happy on one of her properties in rural Poland until she becomes pregnant with his child. Despite the handicap of his lost sword arm, de Chavel challenges Valentina's husband to a pistol duel in order to kill him and thus make her free to marry him. However, fate intervenes and one of Valentina's old and faithful retainers murders Count Grunowski before the duel can take place. And so de Chavel returns to Valentina, now heavily pregant and fearful for his life, in a shimmer of summer light and poignant, tender love.I shall NEVER, EVER, forget this book, reread it from time to time and guard my two tattered copies well. Do try to find a copy and read it - it is magical. I would give it 10 stars if I could.