Ruth Fletcher lives in a small settlement on St Helena, an isolated island recently annexed by the British Government from the East India Company. She receives a proposal of marriage from Adam; the man she likes but does not love. Opportunities for marriage are scarce and she accepts, hoping that love will grow from friendship. Relationships in the settlement are tested by Adam's choice of Francesco Ceruso as crew for his fishing boat. A corrupt marine sergeant, John Logan, is determined to exploit the dissent in the settlement for his own evil ends.
One day, when Adam and Francesco are fog bound and becalmed, they just avoid a collision with HMS Intrepid, a frigate in the East Africa squadron on anti-slavery patrol. A chance meeting with the captain and crew has far reaching effects on Adam and Ruth's marriage and the lives of those around them.