1814: Once again a captain in the Royal Navy, Timothy Ruhl accepts a preposterous mission concocted by the British Admiralty. With a theatre troupe aboard, HMS Hermes charts a course for ports in the Mediterranean to present ‘cleverly disguised’ propaganda meant to improve the image of the British Empire. But no one is buying it!
On board Tim’s resentful former love, Emily Gallagher, his comrade Doctor James Emrys and their mutual friend Eddy Frederic, who is now a RN lieutenant.
Injured in action Eddy’s secret is uncovered by Doctor Emrys, but his oath swears him to silence. As fellow comrades, a love flourishes between them and leads to ruinous complications. When the subterfuge is exposed, James is sentenced to hang, and Eddy is deported Australia. Their long-time friends mount a rescue which leads to entanglements with Australia’s Pirate Captain Black Jack Anderson and the loss of a precious treasure.
Harold Monroe’s beloved Magician weaves her spell to close this final chapter of the Bound by the Sea series