The second son of a noble family, James has retreated from his family's fall from favor, finding peace at his beloved abbey. When the abbey burns to the ground, James knows his life is in ruins, and he is forced to return to the genteel world his relations still inhabit under the reign of Henry VIII.
The one good thing about James' life outside his sanctuary is his love for Richard, who holds a dreaded high place in society. Richard's life is also torn apart, and threatens to separate the lovers as nothing else could. When James has the chance to run away to his abbey once more, things get even more difficult. Will James be able to discover what is truly important in his life?