Miriam is a woman of the sea, an American merchant captain who commands her own ship. But when an Indian crew attacks her vessel, her world of open waters and fierce independence is shattered. Captured and sold into the Dey of Alexandria's harem, she must navigate a new world of confinement and dangerous political intrigue, made even more treacherous by the Dey's unexpected interest in her.

Miriam's struggle for freedom catches the Dey's attention, and he, in a surprising turn, gives her a position managing his shipping business. Their conversations ignite a spark of mutual respect and an unlikley love. But when an assassination plot within the harem takes a deadly turn, Miriam is forced to flee, leaving the Dey—and her past—behind.

Escaping to England, she seeks refuge with the only person she can trust: her friend Thomas. Her past, however, has followed her. Queen Elizabeth, in a strategic move, decrees that Miriam must marry Wes Kent, a loyal courtier she wishes to honor. Stripped of her freedom once more, Miriam is trapped in a marriage she never wanted, to a man she doesn't know.

But as Wes takes her to America and introduces her to her family, Miriam begins to see his true character. She discovers that love isn't found in a grand romance, but in a quiet patience and a new home. Can she overcome the shadows of her past to embrace a future she never imagined?