Clara Mayhew had always been told that she was too talkative, too large and altogether too much.
At a high society soiree she keeps to herself, no longer having to play the confusing games of courtship now that she's engaged. But an errant spark lights the city on fire and with smoke and chaos everywhere, Clara ends up alone and terrified on the cobblestone streets. After a piece of falling building knocks her unconscious, she wakes up on a pirate ship, already out to sea and at the mercy of a bunch of criminals.
Cass, captain of The Exile, does not want a pampered lady on her ship.
But now she's stuck with her until they next make port, all because her first mate decided to be a good samaritan and bring her on board. Unfortunately, Cass has a weakness for pretty girls and finds herself more and more drawn to their accidental hostage.
At first Clara writes off the captain as just another cruel girl, but she can't help but be entranced by the skin at the base of her throat and the stars tattooed on her fingers. Soon enough worlds collide as Clara learns that there are versions of love that she never even suspected.
Sometimes freedom looks like exile.
