Rose McIain is a woman with a secret. Desperate to sell her family’s cotton to Duncan MacIain, the handsome Scotsman, she crafts a fake idenity for herself, posing as the wife of Duncan’s American cousin. But when a simmering attraction rises up between Rose and the Scotsman, she begins to regret the whole charade.

Duncan is determined to resist the Widow McIain, although it’s the hardest thing he’s ever done. Agreeing to transport her from Charleston to Nassau, their desire for each other only burns hotter. After a series of mishaps on the sea, they give in to temptation.

But when the truth comes to light, these two stubborn people must put away their pride to escape the Confederacy and along the way discover that their dreams of love are all they need.