Set in the French and Spanish courts of the eighteenth century, this novel is ba
sed on a true story about the fate of two young princesses caught in the intrigu
es and secrets of the moment. Philippe d'Orleans, the regent of France, has a ga
ngrenous heart--the result of a life of debauchery, alcohol, power, and flattery
. One morning in 1721, he decides to marry eleven-year-old Louis XV to the daugh
ter of Philippe V of Spain, who is only four. Orleans hopes this will tie his ki
ngdom to Spain. But were Louis to die without begetting an heir--the likeliness
of which is greatly increased by having a child bride--Orleans himself would fin
ally be king.
