Claudine is a modern woman trapped in the 17th century. Brought up by her father to observe and question the world, she refuses to marry for money. Her passion is medicine and, because this discipline is closed to women, she secretly develops her skills while working as a midwife. As she gains closer access to the King, the arguments with her father intensify. Their visions of medicine conflict and Masson can't stand the humiliation.
It is not just supporters that the king's doctor holds in the court. As Claudine monitors Madame de Montespan's pregnancy, the "Queen of Versailles" takes a dislike to her, unable to bear another woman having such direct and personal access to Louis. So she begins a campaign to push her out of Versailles. But Claudine is not a woman who is easily defeated. From the village, she and Fabien continue their investigations into the mystery of the poisons used in the court, and try to find the supplier. But by seeking too many answers, she ends up making increasingly dangerous enemies.
