Cornwall is remote, but not therefore isolated from the war in the rest of England. Kate, living in Saltash, is looking forward to marriage with Jonathan, and disappointed it has to be delayed when he joins the King's army. Then the arrogant Petroc Tremaine, owner of a ship which harasses Parliamentary vessels, sweeps into her life and insists Jon is not the right man for her. Kate longs to be safely married and away from his perturbing influence, especially when she discovers his suspicions about Jon and Jon's dislike of Petroc. As the war comes closer Kate and her mother go to stay with relatives in Fowey, and she sees more of Petroc whose family live nearby.