"Life is like that, Grace. Sometimes you sail with nothing to trust but the stars... It all works out if you plot your course carefully." Giles Courtney may be the captain of his own ship, but he's not yet certain he's the master of his destiny. His reckless privateering days behind him, Giles is determined to make a respectable name for himself, yet where to begin is the question at hand--especially when he must inform his first patron that his convictions forbid him to traffic in slaves. But while wealthy sugar planter Edmund Welbourne is astounded by Giles' refusal, his beautiful daughter Grace is quite obviously intrigued--and Giles is instantly attracted. As intelligent and spirited as she is lovely, Grace is everything Giles wants in a wife--but their hasty marriage soon proves to be a challenge that will test everything both of them believe about the nature of freedom and the overwhelming power of love...