Etienne Blouin left Danielle de Cherbourg in tears, promising to return; he didn't. Ten years later, Etienne learns she's been widowed and left almost penniless. Now a wealthy ship's captain, he offers to help her, but the only reply he gets is from her aunt telling him to leave Danielle alone. Convinced she's in trouble, he determines to rescue her whether she likes it or not, even if it means losing her love. Danielle is shocked to learn that her companion is going to the colonies, while she is to marry a cruel and powerful man as repayment of her husband's gambling debts. Despondent, she sees no way out of the horrendous situation. When her carriage is waylaid and she's kidnapped, she fears the worse. Etienne has enemies who don't want La Belle Rose to make port. Can he outfox them to save his ship and the woman he loves?