A Scent of Oleander — Constance Lea

Utterly enchanted by Venice since she arrived, Jennifer was still unhappy about many aspects of her new job. Nobody told her that one of the children she was to teach was silent and withdrawn. And why was Conte de Strezzi so neglectful to his children?

His lips were irresistible, his embrace passionately compelling, Jennifer found herself surrendering to him as she already had to the magically bewitching city of Venice…

But there were secret, evil forces at work within the Palazzo where Jennifer had come as governess to the Count's two lovely children, and she was to learn the hard way that abandoning herself to love left her vulnerable…and in terrible danger…