James and Annabel are now married and expecting their first child when James is sent on a mission by the Duke to find the true state of affairs in America.
During a storm in the Bay of Biscay he rescues four women and becomes involved in a French Spy ring.
Arriving at his island, he captures two small French brigs that have been damaged during the same storm and finds they are carrying contraband goods bound for the French forces in Canada.
On arrival in New York he rescues the members of a German settlement who are being held captive by the French and because of this he is asked by the Governor to assist in the attack on a small island at the mouth of the St Lawrence River prior to the attack on Quebec. After the capture of the island, James is amazed to find Thomas Brolin among the prisoners and Thomas Brolin who challenges him to a duel.
Anxious to be home in time for the birth of his child, James is delayed at first by the weather, then stopping to search for a man lost overboard and finally on entering English waters he is attacked by an Arab slaver but manages to capture the ship which is carrying women taken to be sold as slaves.
On finally reaching his home port, James is shocked when he sees the Company house flag is flying at half-mast, a sure sign of disaster.
