A married woman experiences true passion for the first time in an adulterous affair; sadly, her newfound love scandalizes Russian society, destroys her marriage, and leads ultimately to tragedy.

Seeking to escape the stifling London court society, the beautiful headstrong Lady Dona St. Columb flees to her family estate on the Cornish coast. Her new freedom swiftly brings her into contact with the dashingly handsome French privateer Jean Aubrey who sweeps her off her feet and into a world of adventure on the high seas very different from her dull and boring life at court with her husband Sir Harry.