It was two years since Lexa Cunningham had left her home in the Scilly Isles in disgrace, unable to dispel the general belief that she had ruined her stepsister Tessa's life. And now she was coming home again.

Things had not changed very much. While Lexa was accepted, if grudgingly, by the islanders, Tessa's dislike of her was as deep as ever. But there was a newcomer in her father's household -- Bret Hartland, the archaeologist, who was hoping to find a sunken treasure ship. It was obvious he had heard the stories about her and believed the worst, and Lexa found it impossible to do or say anything which met with his approval.

All Bret's sympathies were with Tessa... and all Lexa's love was for Bret...