Twenty-one-year-old Lucie Bryant had worked as personal secretary to Edgar Lorrimer at the Near-East Petroleum Company for two years since the death of her father. Mr. Lorrimer was a kindly gentleman who held Lucie in great affection - unlike his dashing but irresponsible son, Crash. But 'Old' Lorrimer knew he had very little time left to live, so he added terms to his will that would change the lives of Crash and Amanda forever.