A good read

The Spanish Bride
I first started reading Georgette Heyer historical romances in my late teens, early twenties. A master of her genre her books are not to be compared with the mawkish muck churned out by Barbara Cartland by the er… um, cartload. True, her heroes are, for the most part, cut from the same cloth, being, usually, the strong, masterful type, but her heroines are far removed from the milksops swooning and simpering in Cartland’s books. Heyer’s women are feisty, often not overburdened by beauty and brimming with common sense. That said the books themselves make light reading, the sort of books you take out to the garden and read while lazing in a hammock, and they are perfect for an early night when flu threatens. They won’t tax your brain, they raise the odd chuckle and, although somewhat formulaic, they are an enjoyable indulgence.
I have read most of her books two or three times over the years but I recently came across one I was not familiar with and this one is very different. Called The Spanish Bride, the action takes place in Spain during Wellington’s campaign against Napoleon. It opens just before the bloody battle for Badajos; the British defeat the French and in the aftermath horrific reprisals are meted out to the townsfolk by the rank and file soldiers. Two sisters, members of the Spanish aristocracy, flee the carnage and throw themselves on the mercy of the British. The elder is married and wishes to find her husband who is serving in the north, but she seeks asylum for her fourteen year old sister, Juana. Enter our hero, one Harry Smith, who falls instantly in love with the girl. They marry and Juana, refusing to be sent back to Harry’s family in England, journeys with him throughout Spain, as Wellington pursues the French. A year of war follows and we watch Juana grow from a hot-tempered girl to a heroine worthy of the name. She is resourceful, brave and cheerful, loved by all who are in contact with her, and fiercely protective of her husband’s welfare. Heyer’s knowledge of Wellington’s strategies is masterly, and her depictions of the battles are horrific, as are the deprivations suffered by our pair as they progress, with Wellington, to victory.
The novel then charts Juana’s fortunes in England where she is left alone, with neither friend nor language, while Harry is sent to fight in the American War of Independence, and culminates in the butchery of Waterloo, again described graphically in sickening detail. We experience the terror of the horses as they are ridden to death and cower from the constant bombardment of shells. We hear the screams of the wounded and weep for the loss of friends we have come to know and love. However, the writing is such that we have no desire to skip the more harrowing passages and are gripped to the end.
As I said, as far removed from Cartland as chalk and cheese, and because of all the military detail would possibly appeal to men too. However the most incredible thing is these people actually existed and their adventures as detailed in the book are all true. The exploits of Harry Smith in later life are well chronicled and make interesting reading. Among other things he served in South Africa and is famed for making a 700 mile ride in just 6 days. He later became Governor of the province and the town of Ladysmith was named in honour of Juana. Search for him on the web and you'll be amazed.