"Zoe" by Danielle Steele. "Zoe" download fb2, rtf, epub, pdf, txt book by Daniela Steele Zoya Daniela Steele

The trio rushed across the snowy plain. Zoya closed her eyes, surrendering with her whole being to this rapid movement: the ringing of bells sounded like heavenly music in her ears, the fluffy snow seemed to kiss her flushed cheeks. At seventeen, she felt completely grown up and at the same time experienced childish delight when Fyodor whipped up the sleek black crows and they raced even faster.

A village had already flashed past, and then two twin palaces at the entrance to Tsarskoye Selo appeared and began to approach. Zoya smiled at them and pulled the fur mitten off her left hand to look at her watch. She promised her mother that she would definitely be home for dinner and she would fulfill her promise unless... unless she and Masha started chatting, and that was quite likely. Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, Marie, Mashka, was her best friend, more than a friend - a sister.

Fyodor, turning around from the box, smiled at her, and she laughed loudly with joy. What a wonderful day it is today! She had always loved ballet: the satin slippers were still lying next to her on the seat. Yes, from early childhood she wanted to dance, and more than once she secretly confessed to Masha that she dreamed of running away from home, entering the Mariinsky Theater and rehearsing, rehearsing day and night! A smile again touched her lips: it was a dream that could not even be said out loud, because people in her circle could not become professional dancers. But Zoya knew that she had talent, she knew from almost five years old, and classes with Madame Nastova were an extraordinary joy for her. She did not spare herself at rehearsals and in the “class”, secretly hoping that one fine day the great choreographer Fokin would notice her...

Gradually her thoughts turned to her friend - after all, it was to her, to Masha, that the troika was rushing her now. Zoya's father, Konstantin Yusupov, and Emperor Nicholas were second cousins, and her mother Natalya, like Alexandra Feodorovna, was German. She and Masha had everything in common - tastes, passions, interests, and dreams: in childhood they were afraid of the same things, they got joy from the same things... How could she not come to Masha today, even though and promised her mother that she would not go to Tsarskoe while everyone there was sick with measles? But Masha feels great, she is completely healthy, and Zoya will not come to the other princesses... The day before, Masha sent her a note where she complained about how sad and bored she was alone - both her sisters and her brother-heir were lying to their rooms.

The peasants gave way to the troika, going to the side of the road. Fyodor shouted at the crows. As a boy, he was taken into the service of Zoya's grandfather. Only for her would he risk incurring the master's wrath and arousing the cold, restrained displeasure of the lady. Zoya, however, promised that no one would know anything about their trip to Tsarskoye. After all, he took her there a thousand times: Zoya visited the Grand Duchesses almost every day. What does it matter if the heir and his sisters have measles? Alexey is still just a boy, and besides, he is in poor health, he is very fragile and sick, as everyone knows. And Zoya is a healthy, strong young lady and so sweet... Fyodor has never seen such a nice girl in his life. And his wife Lyudmila nursed her in infancy. Lyudmila died a year ago from a fever, and this loss was terrible for him, especially since God did not give them children. The only people close to Fedor were his gentlemen.

At the gate, Fyodor reined in the horses, from which steam was pouring out. The snow became thicker. Two Cossacks in tall fur hats and green overcoats approached the sleigh. They looked menacing - but only until they recognized the coachman and rider. Both Fedor and Zoya were well known to everyone in Tsarskoe Selo. The Cossacks saluted, and the troika, passing the Fedorov Chapel, moved towards the Alexander Palace, which the Empress loved more than others. The august couple visited the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg only on the occasion of a court ball or some kind of solemn ceremony. In May they went to the dacha in Peterhof, spent the summer on the yacht “Polar Star” or in Poland, and in September they always went to Livadia. They often took Zoya with them, and she spent the whole summer with them until classes began at the Smolny Institute. She also liked the Alexander Palace the most, it was her favorite place. She even demanded that her room be covered with wallpaper in exactly the same mauve shade as in the bedroom of the Empress, Aunt Alix. The mother was surprised at this desire, but still fulfilled it. And Marie always said, when she visited Zoya, that it was as if she had never left Tsarskoye.

Fyodor jumped off the box when two grooms ran up and took the horses by the bridles, and, holding out his hand, helped Zoya get out of the sleigh. The collar of her fur coat was frosted and covered with snow, her cheeks were flushed from the frost and the two-hour race. “I’ll have time to have tea with Marie,” she thought and entered the palace. And Fedor returned to the horses. He had many friends among the royal grooms, to whom he told city news while passing the time while waiting for the young lady.

Having thrown her fur coat into the hands of the maids, Zoya took off her sable hood, and her lush, unusually thick, bright red hair, which invariably attracted everyone's attention when she walked without a hat, as, for example, in the summer in Livadia, spread over her shoulders. Heir Alexey loved to tease her “redhead” and gently finger those fiery strands. For him, Zoya was a fifth sister: she was only two weeks older than Marie, and from childhood they nurtured the boy, whom both his mother and sisters continued to call Baby, although he was already twelve years old. Now Zoya asked the maids about his health.

“Poor thing, he’s covered in a terrible rash and coughs a lot,” the eldest of them shook her head. “Monsieur Gilliard spent the whole day today at his bedside. And the empress looked after the girls.

Alexey fell ill with measles first and infected Olga, Tatiana and Anastasia. That's why her mother didn't want Zoya to go to Tsarskoe Selo. But Marie is healthy, and in her letter she so plaintively asked Zoya to come. “Please, dear Zoya, come visit me, if only your mother will let you go...”

Zoya, flashing her green eyes, straightened her hair and straightened her heavy woolen dress, which she replaced with the college uniform after the ballet lesson. Then she walked along the endless lobby to the stairs, which would lead her to the well-known door of the spartan furnished room where Masha and Anastasia lived. She passed the office of the Tsar's aide-de-camp, Prince Meshchersky, but he was so immersed in work that he did not notice the girl, who, even in heavy boots, walked past almost silently. A minute later she was already knocking on the door.

Turning the doorknob in one graceful motion, Zoe, her red hair flying ahead as if announcing her arrival, stuck her head through the crack. Marie stood thoughtfully at the window. At the sight of her friend, her blue eyes flashed with joy, and she rushed, arms wide open, towards Zoya.

- Masha, I came to save you from boredom!

- God bless! Otherwise I almost died of boredom. Everyone, well, everyone just got sick! Even poor Anna has measles. She was placed in a room adjacent to my mother’s chambers. And mom wants to take care of everyone herself. And all day long he either feeds them or gives them water from a spoon, and when they fall asleep, he goes to the wounded. Now we have not one infirmary here, but two!.. - She threw her dark brown hair back. Zoya laughed.

The neighboring Catherine Palace had been turned into a hospital since the beginning of the war, and the Empress, wearing a headscarf with a red cross, worked there herself tirelessly and expected the same from her daughters. However, Marie was very burdened by these responsibilities.

- It is unbearable! – she continued. “I thought you wouldn’t come either.” Mom will be terribly angry when she finds out that it was I who called you.

The girls, holding hands, crossed the room and sat down by the fireplace. The furnishings in this room, where Maria and Anastasia lived, were the simplest and most unpretentious: iron beds, covered with starched linen, a small table, and on the fireplace - the only decoration: a collection of Easter eggs - malachite, wooden, decorated with skillful painting. In the “nurseries,” as everyone habitually called the rooms of the Grand Duchesses, there was not a hint of the luxury with which the chambers of the Tsar and Tsarina and other apartments of the palace were decorated. An embroidered headscarf was hung on the back of one of the two chairs - it was the work of the queen's closest friend, maid of honor Anna Vyrubova, the same one that Masha had just mentioned. It was this closeness that led to Anna contracting measles and falling ill. The girls smiled with some superiority - they were both healthy.

Zoe Danielle Steele

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Title: Zoya

About the book “Zoe” by Danielle Steele

The story about the fate of the Russian aristocrat Zoya Yusupova. A brilliant future or a hopeless existence - what awaits the young princess from Russia in exile?

Danielle Steele is the author of many bestselling novels. Over 550 million books sold! More than 20 of her works have been filmed. The novel “Zoya” is one of them. The film of the same name, directed by Richard Call, was released in 1995. And it immediately became popular, just like the book.

The main character is Zoya Konstantinovna Yusupova - a countess, heir to a rich and noble family, niece of the Russian Emperor Nicholas. Revolutionary events in Tsarist Russia took away her parents, home, and wealth. Position in society. The girl decides to flee to the capital of France, Paris. Life abroad turns out to be completely different from what you dreamed of. Alien to everyone, without means of livelihood, lonely and forgotten. Will the poor countess be able to find her happiness in a foreign land? The reader will find all the answers in the book “Zoya”.

Note that the main character of the novel is fictional, there are no historical facts and no archival documents have been preserved confirming the existence of Zoya Yusupova. Nevertheless, the Yusupov family is quite noble and popular. The famous family was one of the most prosperous in Russia and rivaled in wealth and nobility only with the imperial family of the Romanovs. That is why Danielle Steel connected her character with this family.

In the work “Zoya” the author showed all her skill, a special style by which now readers always recognize the master’s pen. Family values, memories from the past, tragic and sad fates of the main characters, beautiful love are a prerequisite for all Danielle Steele's novels.

The language of the narration is light and relaxed, the plot is captivating from the first pages and intriguing. The fate of the heroine is unusual and complex. Using her example, you can learn to look at the world with different eyes, appreciate what you have, not be afraid to take risks, believe and love, love, love... Those who are especially sentimental may even cry!

Reading the book “Zoe”, you will definitely want to quickly find out how this life story will end. We guarantee you will love the ending! And after reading, be sure to watch the movie. Compare your imagination with the imagination of the filmmakers. What do the main characters look like and how do the events unfold? Exactly how you imagined them? It will be interesting!

On our website about books lifeinbooks.net you can download for free without registration or read online the book “Zoe” by Danielle Steele in epub, fb2, txt, rtf, pdf formats for iPad, iPhone, Android and Kindle. The book will give you a lot of pleasant moments and real pleasure from reading. You can buy the full version from our partner. Also, here you will find the latest news from the literary world, learn the biography of your favorite authors. For beginning writers, there is a separate section with useful tips and tricks, interesting articles, thanks to which you yourself can try your hand at literary crafts.

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Daniela Steele

SAINT PETERSBURG

The trio rushed across the snowy plain. Zoya closed her eyes, surrendering with her whole being to this rapid movement: the ringing of bells sounded like heavenly music in her ears, the fluffy snow seemed to kiss her flushed cheeks. At seventeen, she felt completely grown up and at the same time experienced childish delight when Fyodor whipped up the sleek black crows and they raced even faster.

...Then a village flashed by, then two twin palaces appeared and began to approach at the entrance to Tsarskoe Selo. Zoya smiled at them and pulled the fur mitten off her left hand to look at her watch. She promised her mother that she would certainly be home for dinner and would fulfill her promise unless... unless she and Masha got into a chat, and that was quite likely.

Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, Marie, Masha, was her best friend, more than a friend - a sister.

Fyodor, turning around from the box, smiled at her, and she laughed loudly with joy. What a wonderful day it is today! She had always loved ballet: the satin slippers were still lying next to her on the seat. Yes, from early childhood she wanted to dance, and more than once she secretly confessed to Masha that she dreamed of running away from home, entering the Mariinsky Theater and rehearsing, rehearsing day and night! A smile again touched her lips: it was a dream that could not even be said out loud, because people in her circle could not become professional dancers. But Zoya knew that she had talent, she knew from almost five years old, and classes with Madame Nastova were an extraordinary joy for her. She did not spare herself at rehearsals and in the “class”, secretly hoping that one fine day the great choreographer Fokin would notice her...

Gradually her thoughts turned to her friend - after all, it was to her, to Masha, that the troika was rushing her now. Zoya's father, Konstantin Yusupov, and Emperor Nicholas were second cousins, and her mother Natalya, like Alexandra Feodorovna, was German. She and Masha had everything in common - tastes, passions, interests, and dreams: in childhood they were afraid of the same things, they received joy from the same things... How could she not come to Masha today, even though she promised Mother, why won’t she come to Tsarskoe while everyone there is sick with measles? But Masha feels great, she is completely healthy, and Zoya will not come to the other princesses... The day before, Masha sent her a note where she complained about how sad and bored she was alone - both her sisters and her brother-heir were lying in their own ways. rooms.

The peasants gave way to the troika, going to the side of the road. Fyodor shouted at the crows. As a boy, he was taken into the service of Zoya's grandfather. Only for her would he risk incurring the master's wrath and arousing the cold, restrained displeasure of the lady. Zoya, however, promised that no one would know anything about their trip to Tsarskoye. After all, he took her there a thousand times: Zoya visited the Grand Duchesses almost every day. What does it matter if the heir and his sisters have measles? Alexey is still just a boy, and besides, he is in poor health, he is very fragile and sick, as everyone knows. And Zoya is a healthy, strong young lady and so sweet... Fyodor has never seen such a nice girl in his life. And his wife Lyudmila nursed her in infancy. Lyudmila died a year ago from a fever, and this loss was terrible for him, especially since God did not give them children. The only people close to Fedor were his gentlemen.

At the gate, Fyodor reined in the horses, from which steam was pouring out. The snow became thicker. Two Cossacks in tall fur hats and green overcoats approached the sleigh.

They looked menacing - but only until they recognized the coachman and rider. Both Fedor and Zoya were well known to everyone in Tsarskoe Selo. The Cossacks saluted, and the troika, passing the Fedorov Chapel, moved towards the Alexander Palace, which the Empress loved more than others. The august couple visited the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg only on the occasion of a court ball or some kind of solemn ceremony. In May they went to the dacha in Peterhof, spent the summer on the yacht “Polar Star” or in Poland, and in September they always went to Livadia. They often took Zoya with them, and she spent the whole summer with them until classes began at the Smolny Institute. She also liked the Alexander Palace the most, it was her favorite place. She even demanded that her room be covered with wallpaper in exactly the same mauve shade as in the bedroom of the Empress - Aunt Alyx. The mother was surprised at this desire, but still fulfilled it. And Marie always said, when she visited Zoya, that it was as if she had never left Tsarskoe.

Fyodor jumped off the box when two grooms ran up and took the horses by the bridles, and, holding out his hand, helped Zoya get out of the sleigh. The collar of her fur coat was frosted and covered with snow, her cheeks were flushed from the frost and the two-hour race. “I’ll have time to have tea with Marie,” she thought and entered the palace. And Fedor returned to the horses. He had many friends among the royal grooms, to whom he told city news while passing the time while waiting for the young lady.

Having thrown her fur coat into the hands of the maids, Zoya took off her sable hood, and her lush, unusually thick, bright red hair, which invariably attracted everyone's attention when she walked without a hat, as, for example, in the summer in Livadia, spread over her shoulders.

Heir Alexey loved to tease her “redhead” and gently finger those fiery strands. For him, Zoya was a fifth sister: she was only two weeks older than Marie, and from childhood they nurtured the boy, whom both his mother and sisters continued to call Baby, although he was already twelve years old. Now Zoya asked the maids about his health.

“Poor thing, he’s covered in a terrible rash and coughs a lot,” the eldest of them shook her head. - Monsieur Gilliard spent the whole day today at his bedside. And the empress looked after the girls.

Alexey fell ill with measles first and infected Olga, Tatiana and Anastasia. That's why her mother didn't want Zoya to go to Tsarskoe Selo. But Marie is healthy, and in her letter she so plaintively asked Zoya to come. “Please, dear Zoya, come visit me, if only your mother will let you go...”

Zoya, flashing her green eyes, straightened her hair and straightened her heavy woolen dress, which she replaced with the college uniform after the ballet lesson. Then she walked along the endless lobby to the stairs, which would lead her to the well-known door of the spartan furnished room where Masha and Anastasia lived. She passed the office of the Tsar's aide-de-camp, Prince Meshchersky, but he was so immersed in work that he did not notice the girl, who, even in heavy boots, walked past almost silently. A minute later she was already knocking on the door.

Turning the doorknob in one graceful movement, Zoya, her red hair flying ahead as if announcing her arrival, stuck her head through the crack. Marie stood thoughtfully at the window. At the sight of her friend, her blue eyes flashed with joy, and she rushed, arms wide open, towards Zoya.

Masha, I came to save you from boredom!

God bless! Otherwise I almost died of boredom. Everyone, well, everyone just got sick! Even poor Anna has measles. She was placed in a room adjacent to my mother’s chambers. And mom wants to take care of everyone herself. And all day long he either feeds them or gives them water from a spoon, and when they fall asleep, he goes to the wounded. We now have not one infirmary here, but two!.. - She threw her dark brown hair back. Zoya laughed.

The neighboring Catherine Palace had been turned into a hospital since the beginning of the war, and the Empress, wearing a headscarf with a red cross, worked there herself tirelessly and expected the same from her daughters. However, Marie was very burdened by these responsibilities.

It is unbearable! - she continued. - I thought that you wouldn’t come either. Mom will be terribly angry when she finds out that it was I who called you.

The girls, holding hands, crossed the room and sat down by the fireplace. The furnishings in this room, where Maria and Anastasia lived, were the simplest and most unpretentious: iron beds, covered with starched linen, a small table, and on the fireplace - the only decoration: a collection of Easter eggs - malachite, wooden, decorated with skillful painting. In the “nurseries,” as everyone habitually called the rooms of the Grand Duchesses, there was not a hint of the luxury with which the chambers of the Tsar and Tsarina and other apartments of the palace were decorated. An embroidered headscarf was hung on the back of one of the two chairs - it was the work of the queen's closest friend, maid of honor Anna Vyrubova, the same one that Masha had just mentioned. It was this closeness that led to Anna contracting measles and falling ill. The girls smiled with some superiority - they were both healthy.

Are you feeling well? - asked Zoya, who seemed even slimmer and more graceful in the thick woolen dress she wore for the trip. She was shorter and petite than Marie, who was considered the most beautiful in the family. She inherited her father's blue eyes and his charm. Jewelry and outfits were her weakness, unlike her sisters, who were almost indifferent to them: in this she and Zoya agreed and could spend hours discussing the clothes of familiar ladies and trying on hats and jewelry of Countess Natalya Yusupova.