Fran Orenstein

The Spice Trader's Daughter Fran Orenstein

In 1685, Jean-Claude, son of a French spice merchant, escapes from the violence against Protestant Huguenots and sails to Prussia. He marries and raises a daughter, Katy. At thirteen, Katy is sent away to be the companion spoiled, aristocratic Charlotte, to tutor her in French, which she must learn before an arranged marriage to French nobility. Charlotte's lecherous brother frightens Katy and King Louis XIV sends the entire family back to Prussia in disgrace. Katy then resumes her relationship with Gilles, the blacksmith's nephew.