In Mid-17th century France, a young Louis XIV struggles for his throne, beggars and thieves haunt Paris and brigands roam the countryside.

Her logical destiny would be to marry a poor country nobleman, have children and spend her life fighting for a meager subsistence.

With the passing of months, Angelique discovers the talents and virtues of her remarkable husband – scientist, musician, philosopher – and to her surprise falls passionately in love with him.

But Peyrac's unusual way of life is threatened by the ambitions of the Archbishop of Toulouse, and soon arouses the jealousy of King Louis XIV, who disliked nobles who were independent of the monarchy and tried to block them from developing power in their own regions by keeping them occupied at Versailles for most of the year.

She survives several murder attempts and overcomes insurmountable odds in an effort to save Joffrey from being burned at the stake, but to no avail.