When the body of a young woman is found off the coast of the Grand Bahama Island, Frannie Tasker sees it as an opportunity to escape her cruel stepfather. She takes on the identity of Emmeline Coates and escapes on a merchant ship going to New York City. While onboard, she meets Asa Lane, an American rebel, who she divulges her secret to and he teaches her the rules of civility that she will need to survive in the high society of America. Her new life leads to a courtship with a British lieutenant, but she soon learns of a darker side of the war. Using her position in society, she begins eavesdropping on the British officers and becomes a part of George Washington's Culper Spy Ring.