Courtesans Part I — Michael Polowetzky

The Montfort Ladies are movers and shakers. From their gilded cage in elite French society, these noble dames have discreetly engineered the course of much of European history for five centuries. They gently make and unmake kings, presidents and popes. They employ their behind the scene influence to forge historic alliances, settle bitter international disputes, establish famous regimes, bring seeming intractable enemies together as friends. This may be a man's word, they concede, but that doesn't mean ladies, too, can't have a little say in events. "So long as you let them believe it was their idea, that they are the ones making the decisions," women are advised, "men can be led by the nose all the way to China and back!" Currently, no one is better in mastering this subtle, convoluted, political charade, than the clan's present leader, the gifted, fetching Celine de Montfort. A dutiful mother, she also devotes much time grooming her daughters to one day succeed. Raised in this environment, her younger child is at first eager to continue enhancing her clan's unique heritage. Then, one day, a series of events, both expected and accidental occur leading Rolande to wonder if her true role in life is perhaps found along another path.