The Masquers — Natasha Peters

VENICE
a city of intrigue
a city of Beauty
a city of exquisite sensuality…

In the late 18th century, during the days of a dying aristocracy, of never-ending Carnival and unbridled licentiousness, Venice teems with mystery and immorality. Gondolas glide soundlessly through narrow canals, carrying masked lovers to secret trysts, while cicisberi play court to bored noblewomen.

Such a woman is the magnificently beautiful Fosca Loredan. Her husband, Alessandro, is the ambitious leader of the aristocracy. Her lover is the bold revolutionary, Rafaello Leopardi -- Alessandro's deadliest enemy.

Shamelessly exhibiting their intense passion for all to gape at, Fosca and Raf taunt Alessandro with their scandalous behavior until her is forced to make his wife a virtual prisoner in their palazzo and to condemn Raf to death as a traitor. Raf escapes to France where he plots for a triumphant return to Venice, and Fosca takes up his cause at home, further discrediting her husband. But then, during Carnival, their true identities hidden beneath their masks, Fosca and Alessandro each take a lover -- and desires and needs, ambitions and beliefs are irrevocably altered.

Raf, Alessandro, Fosca -- a triangle that sizzles with the heat of passion, the fire of hate; a triangle of emotional torture and delight that could happen only in the treacherous, the beautiful, the sensual city of Venice.

Hero: Allessandro Loredan