In the late 18th century, Emilia Creighton, having lost both parents, is forced to live with her grandparents who have never shown any love or affection for her. Out of greed and hatred for his granddaughter, William Creighton promises Emilia to a man she detests, Edward Haverton. Her only avenue of escape is with the aid of her best friend, Judith McFaren. Together they plan an escape that takes Emilia from the Creighton estate in England to the dangerous coasts of the Carolina's in America.Emilia stows away on the ship of Captain Barclay D. Lancaster. To insure her passage to America, Emilia uses an alias and makes an intimate bargain with the disgruntled captain which she has no intentions of keeping. When they reach the shores of America, Emilia manages to escape the ship and nearly drowns attempting to get to shore. An elderly couple rescues her and nurses her back to health. With their aid, she finds employment in the home of a rich and kind Dorene Arbur. Feeling secure, Emilia finally relaxes, until she discovers that Dorene is the sister of Captain Barclay D. Lancaster. The captain mistrusts Emilia and treats her cruelly, until Edward Haverton comes to America to claim his runaway fiancée. Then the captain discovers his true feelings for the stowaway and claims her for his own, only to come close to losing her forever.