Dark Venetian

the long version

Emma’s visit to Venice was as eventful as it was unexpected. She ought to have known that Celeste, her stepmother, never did anything except for purely selfish reasons, and even a holiday in a sumptuous palazzo could not compensate Emma for the heartache she suffered because of it. For Celeste was intent on marrying the attractive Count Vidal Cesare, the impoverished lord of the palazzo, for the sole purpose of adding a title to her wealth. Could the Count really sacrifice everything for money? Was the physical attraction he obviously felt for Emma merely an amusement to him? And how was poor Emma supposed to feel about it all?