The Palace by Lisa St Aubin De Teran (2000, Paperback)

One of today's most imaginative and lyrical writers, Lisa St. Aubin de Teran weaves together passion, idealism, and adventures in this mesmerizing fable set against the ornate backdrop of nineteenth-century Italy. The palace is the vision of Gabriele del Campo, a young, idealistic stonemason's apprentice imprisoned for supporting Garibaldi's revolutionary unification of Italy. A poor peasant, he has falen in love at first sight with the rich and beautiful noblewoman Donna Donatella. He yearns to be pulled out of poverty, and dreams of winning Donatellaa's heart and building a palaceworthy of his love.

As del Campo languishes in prison, he takes the first steps toward his dream. His cellmate Colonel Giovanni Vitelli, a nobleman, educates him in the customs of the gentry; meanwhile, in his mind elaborate plans for the palace's construction are already taking shape. Twice escaping execution, del Campo emerges from prison to find wealth as a fearless gambler in the corrupt underworld of Venice. Winning a large estate in Castello at a sinister high-stakes gambling house, Gabriele begins to build the palace of his dreams. At last he might win Donna Donatella's love.