Maude Whitlock is consigned to a life of servitude in Barbados after the death of her mother, a notorious courtesan. As she plans her escape to London, a chance encounter awakens hope for a different life. Henry Crane, gentleman spy, wealthy widower, handsome charmer, places his mission above all other concerns-until he meets Maude, a frazzled chaperone at his niece's engagement ball. Cross purposes will soon put an ocean between them. She refuses to follow her mother's path into the oldest profession, and he is duty bound to see his mission through. How will they find a path to the future before circumstances pull them apart?