When sixteen-year-old Annalisa Townsend's ship is set upon by pirates in search of her father's treasure, one of the crew, James Sterling, discovers her in the hold. When he moves to take her necklace, she begs him not to, as it is all she has left of her mother. He accepts a kiss in exchange for the necklace. A fair trade, m'lady, he tells her afterward, before disappearing. A year later, with a forged letter of marque, Annalisa is intent on hunting down the pirates and reclaiming the treasure they stole. But when she finally catches up with the wretched James Sterling and the young pirate becomes her captive, she discovers she's in danger of him stealing something far more valuable this time: her heart.
