Take a trip back in time, to 1785, when Horatio Nelson was anew captain. It is the Age of Sail, England is on the brink of war with France,and Royal Navy First Lieutenant Mark Douglas is not looking for a wife. As is so often the case, fate has other plans, and Mark sets his sightson a fiery society miss with a spirit to match his own. But can he redeem himself after inadvertentlyinsulting his prospective bride?

Lady Amanda Gascoigne-Lake is at first smittenwith and then disappointed by the impeccable naval man. After all, is it not awoman's prerogative to change her mind? When a soldier disparages herreputation, Mark defends her honor and wins his lady. What happens when herfather rejects Mark's suit, and an ancient brooch with mystical powers portendsdoom?