A tempestuous tale from the world's favourite romance writer. When Richard Allen's ambitious father forces him into a betrothal with Julia Miller, the daughter of London's wealthiest merchant, the two loathe each other on sight. Richard flees London and takes to the sea, determined never to see Julia again. Nine years later, after many adventures on the high seas, Richard is forced to return to England. He finds himself completely smitten with a married woman, Georgina Mallory, and despite her indifference to him he persists in seeking her affections. But at a ball, where he had hoped to see Georgina, to his astonishment he comes face to face with... Julia Miller. Legally still bound to the man she has come to hate, Julia tries to wreak her revenge. But not all goes quite according to plan...