Lord Rufus Marsden knows Bonaparte is in exile on St Helena Island, but rumours of a second rescue attempt lead the War Office to set him the Herculean task of securing a ship they can secretly control to carry supplies and ensure the little emperor does not escape.

Widowed ship owner, Meredith Appleyard, is expanding her business to the Americas, and her shipping routes offer the best chance of disguising what many see as an unpatriotic contract. Impressed by her intelligence and quick thinking, Rufus convinces Merry of the vital importance of the contract, and then enlists her aid in spying on the French ambassador.

But danger threatens Merry from several quarters. When she suddenly disappears, Rufus must find her and bring her back to her rightful place – with him.