In 1822, only a dilapidated Mexican Presidio and an aging Spanish mission offer shelter on the windswept sand dunes near San Francisco Bay. In this bleak place, a disgruntled British seaman, William Richardson, comes ashore to request provisions for his whaling ship from soldiers guarding the bay. After dancing with a charming senorita at the fort and ignoring his duty, William fights with his surly ship captain and is marooned in Alta California. Left ashore to launch a new life, he must remake himself to fit into Alta California society, build a secure future on sea and land, and finally choose sides when war threatens his family and way of life. A mix of facts and imagination, the story is inspired by the life of Captain William A. Richardson and his family who lived in Alta California. This speculative historical novel intertwines their love story with that of three diverse societies - Native American, Mexican, and American - one that led to bloody clashes and war, sparked by greed for land.