When Tenley Tudor arrives at college like a traveler from another time or another land, she thinks she might be in over her head. Living in her parents' guesthouse is lonely, but living elbow-to-elbow with kids who snicker at her weird manners is even lonelier. When Tenley tries to drop out, the Dean of Arts and Sciences jumps at the chance to keep her in school and help her find her way. With a staggering IQ and a dead father and the burden of one of Boston's most important legacies on his shoulders, Chester Endicott has a lot on his plate. He blames his late grandfather for his dad's death, but all the things that would make his dad proud would also make Grandfather Endicott proud. As Chester and Tenley struggle through the tragedies that have landed them in impossible positions, Chester realizes that Tenley is guarding the darkest family secret of all. Can Chester win her trust before the weight of the past can crush their budding futures?