About the book: year / Russia. Beginning of the 19th century. Balls, horse races, duels. Exquisite beauties and brilliant gentlemen. The splendor and luxury of the royal court. The main palace scandal is another favorite of Nicholas I, the voluptuous king. The young talented actress with a graceful figure and a doll-like face captivated the emperor’s heart. A fleeting romance threatened to develop into great passionate love, but fate decreed otherwise.