On a shimmering morning on the Moluccan Sea young Jerusha is sent by her father, Captain Michael Gardiner, to pay a call on a mysterious brig that had arrived in the night. Not only is the dashing craft more piratical than Jess had expected but the man who hailed her as she clambered on board is as flamboyant as the vessel he commands - a very tall and very thin gentleman with jet-black hair that grew down his cheeks, wearing a green waistcoat with a matching bow tied at the throat of his white ruffled shirt. He may be a comical figure, but this encounter with Captain Rochester was to change her life and all those around her ... because of his obsession with pirate treasure.