Six months was hardly a life sentence!

After all, Linnett found Cassie, her six-year-old charge, a delight. She would enjoy the time she spent helping the little girl with her English.

It was spending time with Max di Angeli, Cassie's father, that Linnet found confining. She suspected that Max had been partially responsible for his wife's death. She also knew that the wealthy Italian would not let her leave Venice before her six-month contract expired.

Linnet's common sense told her she was temporarily caught in a gilded cage, but in her heart she knew she was a willing captive...forever.