Twenty years of age, Katherine Shaw arrives in Venice, to be governess for the Marchesa Voccheroni's daughter. For Katherine, it was a fairy tale come true - Venice is the most romantic city in the world. From a quiet English upbringing, Katherine suddenly finds herself plunged into a gay whirl of fashion, riches and aristocracy. Even more thrilling, Katherine was falling in love with Renato, the Marchesa's son. Violante, the beautiful millionairess, wanted Renato too - and she had a secret hold on him, for Renato's mother was gambling the family fortune away. If only Katherine could show him she had something more precious than wealth...