This is a romance fiction novel, set in Italy at the time of the Borgia supremacy. The author, Rafael Sabatini explores the era, giving readers a perfect period piece, and a great amount of epic romance. Two main characters, Francesco, the Count of Aquila, and Valentina are star-crossed lovers. Francesco is a soldier, who rejects a proposition of the dukedom and is expelled from his land. Soon, he meets Valentina, a heroine who is the expected fiancée of his cousin. They have to overcome many obstacles to get away from the arranged marriage and political issues.