London River, January 1805, the first East India Company fleet of the season is preparing to sail. Justin 'Just' Smith, a foundling and rebel with a chip on his shoulder, returns to his ship after a night of debauchery ashore. He finds himself plucked from obscurity and appointed Captain of the armed schooner Samphire with orders to sail as tender to the fleet. Just is haunted by memories of the orphanage and the puzzle of his parentage, but thrilled by the responsibility of command and the opportunities it brings for action - and profit.
Soon after the fleet sails Samphire stands-by the 1400 ton ship Earl of Abergavenny as she founders in Weymouth Bay and ferries 103 survivors to safety. Just's arch enemy, EIC Director Bebb, demands passage for two of the survivors aboard Just's command. They are the aristocratic Colonel Mungo Grant sailing for India to join his Regiment and Lady Amanda Strachan a beautiful but wilful woman on a secret mission to recover her family's honour and wealth.
In no time the Colonel and Just are at each other's throat as they vie for the affection of Lady Amanda. The situation comes to a violent head when, becalmed in dense fog in the Bay of Biscay, they find themselves surrounded by an enemy fleet.