Poppy Bridgerton is an energetic young lady with strong opinions and an adventurous spirit. From society's perspective, she is of marrying age, and so she should soon find a suitor. However, Poppy decides that her future husband must share her interests and have a similarly adventurous nature. It would seem that there is nothing strange about that. The problem, however, is that none of her London suitors meet these requirements. While visiting acquaintances in Dorset, Poppy discovers a hidden smuggler's cave while exploring the coast. Her joyful excitement quickly turns to horror when she encounters smugglers who unceremoniously capture her. Bound and gagged, she is left right in the captain's cabin. What a surprise it is for Captain Andrew James Rokesby when he finds Poppy in his cabin. The captain is secretly transporting sensitive documents for the British government and is about to embark on a dangerous voyage to Portugal when an entirely foreign woman unexpectedly appears in his midst. What to do with her? There's no choice; Poppy must come along. During the sea journey, a war of words unfolds between Andrew and Poppy, which gradually evolves into something more. However, Poppy has no idea that Andrew has a secret.
