After the unexpected death of her father, Miss Ann Wainfleet must find the quickest way to transport her mother, younger sister, and herself from the shores of Foochow, China back to London. Since her mother believes traveling by ironclad steamboat is pure folly, Ann secures passage on a tea clipper—the Sea Harpy.

Ann's friendliness and eagerness to learn endears her to the ship's crew, especially its captain Henry Burrell. But Ann soon realises that life and romance aboard a sailing ship is more dangerous and unpredictable than anything she has previously encountered.