The Winter Palace (A novel of the young Catherine the Great)

When Vavara, a young Polish orphan, arrives at the glittering, dangerous court of the Empress Elizabeth in St Petersburg, she is schooled in skills ranging from lock-picking to love-making, learning above all else to stay silent - and listen.

Cand Vavara, o tanara orfana poloneza, ajunge la curtea stralucitoare si periculoasa a imparatesei Elisabeta din Sankt Petersburg, ea este invatata in abilitati care variaza de la strangerea lacaturilor pana la a face dragoste, invatand mai presus de orice sa taca - si sa asculte.