Frederick's Heir

Set in the 19th
century and inspired by Edith Whartons women who were not passive victims of
their lives, s Heir is
the story of two girls who defy the conventions of convent school and parties,
the social system of . Fredrica Navarreau, known as Rica, tries to
live up to her grandfathers expectations.
Preparing to inherit his shipping company she tries to learn about the
ships and cargo ledgers, activities far outside the constrictions of her French
familys position. Unable to understand
her desire to use her mind her grandfather diverts her attention with the
celebration of the opening of the and a trip
to the .

Celine Rabut, inchanted by the
theatre and theatre people, begins studying acting in . She lives in the Navarreau home while Rica is
away and tries to help the family during the Prussian War. On her return Rica is dispatched to
to marry the son of family friends. The young women fee to where
Celines career slowly grows as her parts become more important. Rica, fearing she has alienated her family,
returns to to find her
grandfather has died and someone has snatched her inheritance.