The Affair of the Necklace

Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy, a noblewoman, experiences the devastating loss of her family's title at a young age. This loss ignites her determination to reclaim her lineage and ancestral estate that was unjustly taken from her.

In her pursuit to reclaim her property, Jeanne directly approaches Queen Marie Antoinette, seeking her support. However, she is met with cold rejection, prompting her to consider more desperate measures.

Realizing that formal channels have failed, Jeanne teams up with Rétaux de Villette, an astute socialite, along with her rebellious husband, Nicholas. Together they formulate a daring scheme to amass wealth and reclaim their estate.

King Louis XV commissions the leading jewelers of Paris, Boehmer & Bassenge, to create a magnificent diamond necklace for his mistress, Madame du Barry. This project becomes pivotal when the King's untimely death leaves the jewelers in a dire financial situation.

In a bid to recover their financial losses, the jewelers approach Queen Marie Antoinette for support. However, she denies their requests, fully aware of the necklace's controversial history, leaving them with dwindling options.

Jeanne cleverly manipulates Cardinal Louis de Rohan, who is eager to win the Queen's favor. By posing as one of Marie Antoinette's trusted advisors, Jeanne ingratiates herself with the Cardinal, promising to help him regain the Queen's affections.

With the Cardinal increasingly convinced, Jeanne orchestrates a clandestine meeting between Cardinal de Rohan and someone posing as Marie Antoinette in the lush gardens of Versailles. The impostor, Nicole Leguay d'Oliva, agrees to forgive past grievances, further ensnaring the Cardinal in Jeanne's scheme.

As the forged letters continue to flow between the Cardinal and the fake Queen, Jeanne manipulates the situation to lead the Cardinal into believing he is regaining Marie Antoinette's love. This correspondence is pivotal in convincing him to pursue the diamond necklace on her behalf.

Convinced that he is acting on the Queen's orders, Cardinal de Rohan takes steps to acquire the luxurious diamond necklace. Meanwhile, Nicholas sells some of the diamonds to generate funds necessary for Jeanne's ultimate plan to reclaim her family estate.

The carefully crafted deceit begins to unravel when Jeanne mysteriously vanishes and communication with the Queen ceases. In the chaos, Nicholas narrowly avoids arrest for his dealings with the diamonds.

Jeanne, still exerting influence, sends letters to the jewelers demanding repayment, claiming that Marie Antoinette has lost interest in the necklace. This act escalates the situation, setting several events into motion that involve multiple parties.

As the Feast of the Assumption approaches, King Louis XVI, alerted to Cardinal Rohan's schemes, orders his arrest. The Cardinal finds himself imprisoned in the infamous Bastille, marking the collapse of his grand aspirations.

Rétaux de Villette faces consequences for his involvement in the scandal, leading to his conviction and subsequent banishment from France. This reflects the wider fallout from Jeanne's machinations.

Jeanne undergoes a brutal trial, facing extreme punishment including whipping and branding. Subsequently, she is imprisoned, but manages to escape to London, where she begins penning her memoirs, captivating the local audience.

The narrative concludes with the tragic fates awaiting both Marie Antoinette and Jeanne. Antoinette faces the guillotine, while rumors circulate about Jeanne's mysterious death, suggesting that her fall from a hotel room window may have been orchestrated by Royalists.