When the earl her father has promised her to turns out to be an unspeakable cad, Ava Brunswick is not willing to become an abused and overlooked wife. Defending herself against the earl's despicable advances, she is forced to take drastic action and flee.

Remaining in England is out of the question, and there's a ship headed for the Americas right there. The captain seems more inclined to ask questions than take her money and look the other way, but Ava is determined and soon the Stella Marie is casting off... and Ava is headed for a new life.

The wealthy young woman who has just talked her way onto his ship is hiding something, and Edmund Hale doesn't like secrets. He's determined to ferret out Ava's... but he might just be falling for her in the process!