A mad run through 17th Century France with swordfights, rebellions, disguise, identity theft, and an extremely star-crossed love affair between a leading courtier of Louis XIII (Bardelys, known as "The Magnificent") and the beautiful Roxalanne of Lavédan. Set in the same milieu as Dumas' Three Musketeers stories. Bardelys of the title wagers that he can win the hand of the beautiful but reluctant Roxalanne of Lavédan, but he reckons without the Orléanist rebellion and a case of mistaken identity that furthers his romantic mission but seems destined to make him fodder for the Hangman. Danger, excitement, swordplay, romantic interludes. You name it, this book has it.