She turned the Christmas card over with her frozen hands, a family gathering at Yuletide. How different it was from her own life. When her father dies leaving Alice and her ailing mother with only his debts, the two grieving women are forced to rely on the begrudging charity of cruel Aunt Jane. Jane tries forcing Alice into a monstrous marriage. When Alice refuses, she is sent to work in a grand house to earn her keep. Alice's only ally is Uncle Rory. But when someone tries to destroy her reputation, Alice can only pray for a little of that Christmas spirit to save her from ruin...