The South Pacific, 1866.
Despite their parents' long friendship Sebastian Churnside and Charity Trescothick have never warmed to each other. He believes she is only too willing to remain in the shadow of her parents and their work for the Mission. She believes he is a cuckoo in the Churnsides' warm nest. She knows that unlike every other Churnside seafaring is impossible for Sebastian because he gets violently seasick at the mere sight of water. Yet when Mrs Trescothick dies and Sebastian is the only one available he immediately sails to the aid of Amelia and her father.
She discovers he is far from aloof.
He discovers she is more than dutiful.
Meanwhile Reverend Trescothick is dying, leaving Charity vulnerable to men like his colleague McKenzie. Sebastian's coming is a godsend - all Trescothick needs to do is convince Charity and Sebastian they have a future together, though there is little time for persuasion.
The Southern Seas Series tells the stories of men and women who - for all sorts of reasons - find themselves on remote coral islands in the 1800's. They are seafarers and missionaries, traders and teachers, adventurers, botanists, artists. They encounter joy and sorrow, beauty and hardship, but most of all life in its fullness.