When a twist of fate delivers an ambitious young medical student to the court of King Charles II he is suddenly thrust into a vibrant world of luxury & opulence. Blessed with a quick wit & sparkling charm Robert Merivel rises quickly soon finding favour with the King & privileged with a position as paper groom to the youngest of the Kings mistresses. But by falling in love with her Merivel transgresses the one rule that will cast him out from his new-found paradise. Determined to be restored to the Kings grace Merivel begins a journey of self-knowledge & soon discovers that the Kings pleasure is equally matched by his wrath...