Rescued as a baby by her godfather, the Abb Gauthier de Chazay, Marianne d'Asselnat, is raised by her aunt, Ellis Selton, in England. On the brink of womanhood at seventeen, her aunt's dying wish is for Marianne to wed Francis Cranmere, the son of an old friend. But the childish love she feels for her new husband soon turns sour when Marianne learns that not only did he gamble away her fortune, he also gave away her wedding night to an American sea Captain. Enraged by his betrayal, Marianne demands satisfaction from Francis, and after beating him in a duel is forced to flee the only home she has ever known. Leaving England in order to escape the noose, Marianne must call on all of her skills in order to reach her destiny as she is thrown into the arms of the most powerful man in Europe and an adventure of a lifetime.
Juliette Benzoni spins a wonderful tale of romance and adventure during Napoloen's reign in France. We begin when a young emigree, Marianne, from Louis XVI's France is brought to England. We next find ourselves on the eve of a young bride's marriage. Her expectation as she prepares for her new life are felt by the reader. Horrible circumstances befall her new union and she is forced to fight a duel with her husband and kills him. Marianne flees her home and life for a brighter future in France. Many adventures are awaiting Marianne as she makes her way to Paris, from stormy seas to murderous wreckers. When she finally makes her way into Paris, it is only to be discovered by the chief of police, Foche. Returning to France as an emigree is illegal, but Foche offers her sanctuary as a spy. Marianne is installed in the home of Prince Tallyrand as a reader and spy. It is here that Marianne is introduced to a mysterious stranger and falls in love. More adventures await her in the prisons of the Paris sewers before she is told his true identity as Napoleon by Royalists. Narrowly escaping their nooses, she returns to his arms. Marianne prepares for her Opera debut and the evening goes very well until she has the biggest surprise of her life! Overall, a wonderfull story full of twists and turns and tender moments.
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