This is the story of a transgendered spy in Elizabethan England. Friend of Shakespeare, lover of Christopher Marlowe, Marianne becomes the mistress of the king of France in a world torn apart by religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant. The Spanish Armada is ready to sail and Marianne helps protect England from invasion by ensuring France does not ally with Spain against England. She foils plots to overthrow the King of France, survives assassination attempts and battles enemies in the French court. When the king of France is assassinated Marianne, now a fabulously wealthy duchess, returns to England to receiver the thanks of Queen Elizabeth.