In 1711 Bristol, street thief Alastair Walpole falls for Evelyn Kenwall, a woman far above his class. To win her and escape poverty, he joins a privateer ship, only to slide deeper into ruthless piracy under Blackbeard. As he rises from Sparrow to battle-hardened Scrapper, Alastair must hide his bloody secrets while trying to build a life for Evelyn in Kingston. But a mysterious ruby necklace, powerful hidden forces, and her disapproving father threaten to destroy everything he's fighting for.