“Hasn't anyone told you that all the money in the world will not make a joyous marriage?”

With these words Captain Lance Merrick makes it quite clear to Miss Elena Blake that he disapproves of her engagement to the wealthiest bachelor in Savannah. She would do far better to marry him, Lance assures her, for he does not want her wealth—only her body, her mind and her heart. But can Elena, brought up to believe that gold is the most important thing on this earth, hope to find happiness as the pioneering wife of a penniless adventurer?