It is 1651 and Charles II, the most fascinating of England's rakes, is in exile. With him are his younger sister Minette and his buxom mistress Lucy Water and together they traverse the political and romantic minefield of the French courts. Minette soon falls passionately in love with Louis, the young Sun King. Yet her affections are not returned and heartbroken she must mollify herself with a marriage to his secretly gay brother, Phillippe. But at what cost?These years are given Plaidy's wonderful technicolour treatment as an enthralling story of love and intigue unfolds.