Set in 1818, three years after the Battle of Waterloo, this
is a sweeping saga that begins as a group of Napoleon loyalists in New Orleans
plot to free the former emperor from his captivity on St. Helena. Well-educated
and independent Julia Marie Dupre, a beautiful French Creole, is deeply
involved, her father being one of the conspirators. Joining the group is a
handsome English sea captain, Captain Rudyard Thorpe, who looks down on Julia
as a mere woman. He says he’s in it for the money, and offers his ship the
Sea Jade to assist in the
daring attempt to free the former emperor, but Julia doesn’t trust him. By
her father’s bidding, and her own desire, she and her father will accompany the
Sea Jade on its mission. Soon,
however, she is a
lone and far from home. Left with no
other option, Julia must become Rudyard's bride or abandon the undertaking.
Many adventures befall them including treachery at sea as they travel to London
and onto St. Helena and then toward Rio. A wild storm at sea results in Rud and
Julia being captured by pirates. Julia, deceived by the man she was forced to
trust, ends up in the harem of the dey of Algiers where dangerous games are
played and her wisdom will be tested. Rud becomes a privateer for the dey’s
nephew, a contender for the next dey.
It’s a brilliant, captivating tale,
well told with wonderful characters, rich historic detail based on considerable
research. Absorbing storytelling at its best! I highly recommend it.
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