Newly promoted to lieutenant and made commander of the cutter Lark, Marty continues his adventures in the Special Operations Flotilla of the Royal Navy. Doing the jobs normal officers will not do because they see them as dishonorable, Marty's peasant roots are an asset to William Wickham, the spymaster of Britain, and Admiral Lord Hood, the secret head of Navy covert operations. Betrayal in the Batavian Republic, the Coup of the 19th November, Pirates in Madagascar and an explosive encounter with Arthur Wellesley in India keep our boy busy. His love affair with Lady Caroline continues, titillating the gossips of London and enthralling ladies all over Britain.