In which a young provincial arrives in Paris, guided by an enigmatic gentleman named Jacques, who leads him into a modest yet guarded home where hospitality is dispensed with a mixture of begrudging warmth and sharp domestic discord. The contrasts of the city’s stark realities are painted in the humble meal and uneasy companionship shared beneath flickering candlelight, as the youth contemplates the strange new world into which he has stepped.

In which the glittering court of Versailles assembles for the presentation of the enchanting Countess Dubarry, amidst whispers of intrigue and absent allies, as the King observes the ceremony with a restless eye and cautious heart. The encounter with a mysterious Prussian officer, who reveals himself as the enigmatic Count Joseph Balsamo, leaves the Countess poised on the cusp of destiny, her promise to him as compelling as the prophecy foretold.

In which the Countess Dubarry, beset by a continuous series of vexations including the sudden disappearance of her hairdresser, dress, and coach, finds her tribulations swiftly reversed by mysterious benefactors who provide her with exquisite replacements just in time. Among these unexpected gifts, a young and independent hairdresser named Leonard arrives, whose arrival marks the dawn of a new chapter in the Countess’s preparations for courtly presentation.

In which the court of Compiegne is aflame with excitement and adorned in fragrant splendour to receive the Austrian princess destined for the heir to the French throne, while the princes reveal their temperaments through their reactions to the bride. Amidst the pomp and subtle intrigues, old acquaintances and whispered warnings mingle as the royal procession prepares to journey towards Paris, symbolising the twilight of one epoch and the dawning of another.

In which Lady Dubarry confronts the wounded Countess Bearn with a mixture of cunning and kindness, negotiating terms steeped in dignity and subtle power as the old noblewoman reveals herself as a formidable adversary. The interplay of deception, ambition, and fragile alliances unfolds amid the delicate manoeuvres of courtly ambition and familial loyalty.

In which the Countess Dubarry and her allies engage in delicate negotiations and scheming to secure a royal favour that might influence a troublesome lawsuit, all under the watchful eyes of courtly intrigue and shifting alliances. Yet, just as hopes soar, an unexpected and untimely interruption threatens to unravel their carefully laid plans.

In which King Louis finds himself unexpectedly confined within the castle of Luciennes by the newly appointed governor Zamore, whose solemn oath and strict measures amuse and vex the monarch in equal measure. Amidst locked gates and courteous deceptions, the evening unfolds with laughter, fine fare, and the tender charm of the Countess Dubarry’s companionship, weaving a delicate balance between constraint and conviviality.

In which the lively Countess Dubarry holds court as the king’s joyful favourite, weaving both charm and mischief within the regal apartments, while a mysterious promise of a magician and courtly intrigues mingle with whispers of political unrest and a violent assault that threatens to disrupt the fragile peace. The king, poised between amusement and unease, listens to tales of faction and favour, caught in the delicate balance of power and persuasion that defines his reign.

In which the young Dauphin Louis Auguste, a keen admirer of horology, takes it upon himself to repair a grand clock at Versailles while exchanging pointed discourse with his father, King Louis, and the formidable Choiseul over a troublesome incident involving a quarrel connected to his future bride's escort. Amidst royal tensions and subtle power plays, the heir demonstrates a blend of meekness and resolve, hinting at the intricate complexities of duty, honour, and familial discord within the gilded walls of the palace.

In which a poverty-stricken old countess seeks the aid of Chancellor Maupeou in a legal dispute that imperils her fortune, and despite his cordial demeanour, finds herself ensnared in the intricate and often dubious politics of the court. The arrival of Viscount Jean Dubarry offers her unexpected hope, leading her towards alliances both surprising and precarious as she navigates this world of favour and influence.