Rose Scarlet is a troubled woman; someone is trying to scare her but she doesn't know why. An eerie carving appears on the tree outside her house and a stranger moves into the neighbourhood. The carving matches that on a sword she discovered hidden away in her family home. It belonged to her ancestor and namesake Rosie Scarlet, a pirate captain. The sword once belonged to the man Rosie loved; Blackheart, one of the most evil and notorious pirates of the eighteenth century. When finally captured Blackheart hung for his crimes but Rosie was spared the gallows, pregnant with his child. Centuries later Rose finds her new neighbour Jack Bracken is Blackheart's descendent. The coincidence is remarkable as is Rose and Jack's striking resemblance to the pirates. They fall in love but it is all too easy. The sword is sought by a collector and Jack has been chosen to find it but he has also been drawn to England by a dark enchantment that tortures his mind and threatens to destroy the love he craves.