When she hears of a young man being transported to the penal colony on the other side of the world, Phoebe Brackenton decides to come to the assistance of such wrongly accused people. She uses her family's own money to buy silence and take them to where they can start anew. After five years of success, Phoebe tries to avoid a trap and jumps into a waiting carriage. Inside Galen Townsend, a viscount, is shocked, but finds her charming. And brave in her attempts to do good. He wishes he could persuade his wild brother to live such a life. That was why Galen was on the docks, looking for him. But when he hears of the danger Phoebe is in, he invites her to come to Thistlewood Cottage where he will help her keep her mission alive. That offers him the excitement he craves, until he comes to realize that, though helping her puts both of them in jeopardy, his life could be changed forever if he falls in love with dedicated, courageous Phoebe. Can love play a part in two hearts already sworn to protect others?