A New York Times Bestselling Author -- Claudine Burroughs, a volunteer at Hester Monk's clinic for prostitutes, dreads the holidays with her coldly ambitious husband. Then she meets attractive poet Dai Tregarron at a yuletide gala, and her spirits lift. Alas, Dai is soon enmeshed in a nightmare ? accused of killing a young streetwalker who was smuggled into the party. Suspecting the upper-class clique will close ranks to protect the real killer, Claudine vows to do her utmost for Dai.