In the Company of the Courtesan — Sarah Dunant

Escaping the sack of Rome in 1527, with their stomachs churning on the jewels they have swallowed, the courtesan Fiammetta and her dwarf companion, Bucino, head for Venice to start life anew. In the shimmering city born out of water to become a miracle of east-west trade, the two begin to rebuild their enterprise, and with a mix of courage and cunning they infiltrate Venetian society. Together they make the perfect partnership: the sharp-tongued, sharp-witted dwarf and his vibrant mistress, trained from birth to charm, entertain, and satisfy men who have the money to support her. Venice, however, is a city that holds its own temptations and dangerous secrets.