After her husband, Joffrey de Peyrac, has been executed for sorcery under the orders of Louis XIV, Angélique seeks refuge amongst the beggars of Paris.  She is determined to recover her children and her position, but she has many enemies.  Her worst enemy is the king’s disreputable brother.

Fortunately, Angélique also has admirers who are prepared to risk everything for her.  Amongst these are a childhood friend, Nicholas, whom she meets amongst the poor people of Paris, and a poet, Claude Le Petit, whose writings scandalize the royal court.