When her mother marries Napoleon Bonaparte, Hortense Beauharnais finds herself thrust into the turbulent atmosphere of the post-Revolutionary French court, a dangerous world ruled by jealousy and malice. With Bonaparte desperate for an heir and the Empress Josephine seemingly unable to bear children, Hortense is pressed to marry the Emperor's brother, Louis. Browbeaten and mistreated by her new husband, Hortense struggles to maintain equilibrium and dreams of the day when she might be able to marry her true love.