Her name was Melanie Lennox, although she preferred to be called Jade—and people said she was born to be hanged! For what good could come of a sixteen-year-old girl in eighteenth-century Virginia who refused to behave as a proper young lady should?

Lace, ruffles, and tea parties were definitely not for Melanie Lennox. "Swords, adventure, freedom," she cried—"and I'll pay any price!" Driven by her courageous, independent spirit and her hatred of slavery, Melanie attempts to release a ship's cargo of slaves destined for bondage in Virginia. While she is being publicly flogged for her efforts, the ship is captured by pirates, and Melanie, undaunted and realizing her opportunity for adventure, decides to join them.

Here, once again, Sally Watson has created a spirited heroine in this exciting addition to her roster of well-researched historical novels.

From the dust jacket