When her father's forces fall to the imperial army, Tama has no choice but to leave Japan before her enemies find her. Disguised as a peasant boy, she makes her way to the city's fabled pleasure quarter, where anything and anyone is for sale and no request is forbidden. There she finds the one man who can take her to Paris, former gunrunner Captain Hugh Drummond. For the privilege of his protection, she's willing to pay him handsomely... in whatever currency he desires... Taking on daimyo's beautiful - and willing - daughter may have seemed a fine idea at the time, but now, dodging assassins, spies, and the police while waiting for his cargo, Hugh has other ideas. The lady is as sharp of tongue as she is skilled with a sword. But once she's in his bed, the captain is overcome by a desire to protect Tama - and ravage her - in equal measure... In a country teeming with danger, where no one can be trusted, the line between royalty and commoner will melt under passion's heat... strangers will become lovers... and uninhibited pleasure will offer love's only refuge...