1660. The Monarchy has been restored after bitter civil war between Royalists and the Commonwealth under the late unlamented Oliver Cromwell. Charles II has the task of reuniting his divided Kingdom. Christmas festivities are saddened by the loss of the King's sister, Mary of Orange, cared for during her fatal attack of smallpox by newcomer to court lovely young Sophie Hawksley, whose father Lord James Hawksley has returned from years of exile, unaware of her existence. Charles wishes to express gratitude to Sophie for her dedicated care of his sister. Her request astonishes him It seems that she has a deep interest in medicine, wishes to become a physician. He explains such is not possible for a woman-but allows her access to his library to extend her studies. Sophie bears a daughter to the King-marries an elderly Knight. Following his death she returns to court-and to the King's library. Sophie's passionate story continues throughout the Plague, the Great Fire of London and Dutch wars, as she faces accusations of witchcraft, narrowly escapes burning. Frictions between Catholic and Protestant are explored in this moving and dramatic story of a girl who wore a golden pomander and never faltered in her wish to bring healing to others.