Rafael Jackson is the best of smugglers; bold, wealthy, never failing to see through a deal and yet to be caught. He is a rogue, a smuggler, a killer. He is a womaniser, a friend of whores. Charlotte Holdsworth knows she should be grateful to be the daughter of the town Mayor; beautiful, wealthy and privileged, but she would give it all to be a serving girl; a fisherman's wife; a deck hand - anything but a Holdsworth. Corrupt and cruel Mayor Holdsworth is not only Charlotte's violent and unloving father, but also Rafael Jackson's secret employer and the only man keeping him from the gallows...