The darling strumpet

the long version

"She sold her innocence and captured the heart of a king... Growing up in the bawdy atmosphere of 17th Century Covent Garden, Nell Gwynn is little more than a girl when she enters the world of the courtesan. But Nell learns the hard way that to be at the mercy of unscrupulous men is no life at all. With London's theatres flourishing, Nell seizes an opportunity to change her luck and takes a job selling oranges at 'The King's Playhouse' in Drury Lane. It isn't long before Nell takes centre-stage herself and her saucy wit and ambitious temperament soon catch the eye of the young King Charles II. But can she keep him enthralled when the country's finest Ladies are vying for his attentions at court?"--Provided by publisher.