Billy Culver, handsome as sin and bound for just that, son of the housekeeper to the wealthy Lambert family, grew up poor. Arlene Lambert, granddaughter of Billy's mother's employers, grew up rich and lonely. As children, she and Billy were friends. As teenagers, they became lovers, then he was scorned and condemned for something of which he was innocent, and driven out of town. Now, rich and powerful and bent on revenge against everyone who hurt him, but mostly Arlene, Billy Culver is back. When he sees her again, however, memories of the past, guilt and pain torment him-- along with desire. Arlene never stopped loving him, missing him, yearning for him, but it is a love she must deny. For to let him know means revealing a secret so terrible, so shameful, she'll risk losing Billy himself rather than destroy him with the truth.