The Warring Heart by Ros Rendle

 

"You need to find yourself another suitor, and fast," Papa said, before taking another mouthful of food. "Mm, this is good. Yes, another fella will take you out of yourself and stop all the idle chatter of empty-headed housewives." He glanced at his own wife and decided to say no more.

Pretoria knew full well he considered women to be uncomplicated creatures who could be jollied through a crisis with a new hat... or a new suitor."

Young Pretoria Redfern, the main character of the period romance The Warring Heart by Ros Rendle, is crushed and inconsolable. The man she loves deserts her, and the gossip mill is in full swing. Simon Rashbrooke, the man who broke her heart, is already married but living apart from his wife. "It might be 1914 and the world is indeed changing, but this is disgraceful behaviour".

The local gossips are having a field day, enjoying the juicy bits of scandal. Her father's advice is to find a new suitor to stop the idle chatter. As a man of his generation, he has a very old-fashioned and patronising view on what women want and need.

Pretoria only recently turns nineteen and believes Simon to be the love of her life. She thinks her life is ruined, and to deflect gossip and save her face after such a public embarrassment, she agrees to marry the first man who proposes to her.

Nathaniel Moore, a local land-owning farmer, is much older than Pretoria. He has noticed her beauty a while ago and was watching her all summer, "hearing of her antics with the wretched Simon Rashbrooke. With hard-won patience, he had quelled his own longings. She was young and needed this experience. He would wait. He must hold back".

His proposal sounds pragmatic and lacking in romance, as he tries to hide his true feelings. If anything, it is set up as a business proposal - this will be a marriage of convenience. "I think you are an extremely beautiful girl who would fill the position charmingly." "You make it sound like a job interview," Pretoria said, athough she was partially mollified by his compliment. "There are many kinds of love," Nathaniel said."

Pretoria knows this marriage will give her a position and protection from the nasty scandal. She also senses his affection and concern. Once married, Pretoria settles into her new life and gets to know her husband better. Her emotions are in turmoil: she is attracted to Nathaniel more and more, but also has a lingering infatuation with Simon. She is unsure about his feelings as well. 

Britain is at war with Germany, and Nathaniel feels duty-bound to serve his country. He could stay on the farm as his work on the land is important to the war effort, but he feels guilty sitting in the comfort of his home. Nathaniel enlists and leaves for the front line across the Channel.

Pretoria is not in love with her husband, but she misses his company, affection and kindness. She longs for his safe return. Their correspondence is vital to both of them.

While Nathaniel is fighting in France, Pretoria's past catches up with her. She receives a request which she cannot refuse. If her secret is discovered, it would fuel the long-forgotten scandal.

Will Nathaniel survive the war? Will Pretoria be able to share her secret with him, will it put a strain on their relationship? Will she spend the rest of her life with a man who could offer her no more than friendly kindness?

The Warring Heart is what the Americans would call a clean romance. There are some amorous scenes but none too graphic, thus the book fits into this category. The book blends emotional drama with authentic period details. It has a real feel for time, morals and ideas. The author's grasp of the social mores of the time is spot on. 

The war scenes tell a tragic tale of devastation, loss and grief, but also hope.

Full of drama, romance and the true meaning of love.

Many thanks to Ros Rendle and Sapere Books for my e-copy of the book!