After a fire burns down their home, motherless Charlie Sinclair is taken aboard his father's ship at the tender age of six. Over the years he works his way up to the rank of second mate. But Charlie has a secret. He's not the captain's son . . . she's his daughter. Charlie may be tough and crude but she is also completely ignorant about life on land. She longs for a life other than the one chosen for her and knows she'll never find love at sea. With a jagged scar slashing across his once handsome face, Privateer Captain Jackson Bloodworthy, has given up all hope of finding love when Charlie Sinclair is abandoned by her shipmates aboard his ship. He soon discovers her secret and is amazed that when she looks at him, she does not see his disfigurement. To announce to his crew that Charlie is under his protection, Jackson kisses her on deck making her knees weak and the world fade away.