Regina Rousseau comes home from school abroad, to bury her father, who committed suicide after gambling away his plantation home in South Louisiana's sugar cane country, and mother, who dies from shock. Regina frees two valuable slaves which places her in jeopardy with gambler Moore. John and Emilie Edwards offer sanctuary from Moore. Regina hides love for handsome Cajun Raoul Dupre. Civil War erupts, sending men into battle.Regina and Emilie are befriended by Raoul Dupre's family. Union soldiers occupy Edwards home but allow women to remain on second floor with little freedom.. Solaunge, and husband, Pierre, remain, while other slaves flee.War ends but before their men return, Regina and Emilie face Lester Moore and vindictive mob, believing women were cozy with Yankees.

Thomas Edwards, a widower, has a son who needs special help to make his First Communion. Son, Willie, is suffering with Cerebral Palsy, known as Little's Disease in 1885. Only teacher successful teaching Willie leaves and a family friend suggests tutor from Philadelphia, who has been successful with another child like Willie. Thomas' hopes are dashed when he and the friend learn teacher is Clare Willows, a woman from Thomas' troubled and tragic past. Years before, Thomas in a vain attempt to help Clare's brother, hunted by the law, had mistakenly killed him instead. Determined to keep pledge made to his father before he died, that Willie would make his First Communion, Thomas sends for Clare, despite warning from his mother, Emilie. Clare accepts, but will old wounds, and a secret love, long buried be uncovered