A Caprice of Darling Caroline

In 18th-century France, the aristocratic Bienre family resides in a majestic château, where 16-year-old Caroline de Bienre finds herself at the crossroads of societal expectations and her own desires. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Gaston de Sallanches, a charismatic and enigmatic nobleman who has been betrothed to her older sister, Madeleine, for their family's alliance and social standing. However, in a surprising reversal, Gaston shuns his assigned duty and, driven by his own interests, seeks Caroline out in the attic of the château, where they begin a secretive and illicit affair. Caroline, a free-spirited and ambitious young woman, quickly becomes enthralled by Gaston's roguish charm and is captivated by the thrill of their clandestine meetings. Meanwhile, a sincere and devoted suitor, the respectable Livio, has been vying for her attention, proposing to her with an honest declaration of love. Caroline, however, is resolute in her pursuit of Gaston and dismisses Livio's affections, seeing him as an unappealing substitute for the charismatic Gaston. As the Revolution of 1789 gains momentum, the Bienre family's circumstances change dramatically. Caroline's parents, faced with the growing unrest, begin to reevaluate their social standing and make decisions that put their family in greater danger. Caroline, fearing her own fate, is abruptly sent to a convent in a bid to secure her safety. However, her carriage is intercepted by revolutionaries, and she is forced to take matters into her own hands, escaping into the unknown. Caroline's ordeal is complicated by her discovery of Gaston's infidelity: during her visit to his home, she finds him in the arms of his mistress, leaving her feeling betrayed and heartbroken. The pain of her lost love now compounded by her compromised position, Caroline, out of desperation and pragmatism, accepts Livio's marriage proposal, now a marked man with the revolutionaries, she also finds herself on the death list alongside him. As she embarks on this new path, Caroline is aware that her life will be fraught with danger, and her relationship with Livio will be tested in ways she never could have imagined. Yet, she holds onto her conviction that she will not back down, even as the tumultuous world around her threatens to engulf her. Set against the backdrop of a time of great social upheaval and change, the story of Caroline de Bienre and her tumultuous relationships serves as a poignant reminder that, despite the societal constraints of the time, women like Caroline will fight for their agency, their desires, and their place within the world of 18th-century France.