After the death of her mother and her cousin's mysterious disappearance, Isabella Saunders falls upon hard times living in Singapore. She is glad, if wary, when a local businessman takes her in as an English teacher, but soon becomes part of the Lee family.

Mr Lee arranges a marriage for Isabella with Bram Deagan, an Irish trader who has dreams of setting up a shop in Western Australia.

Isabella must move across the ocean and take on a new role as a trader's wife in the Swan River Colony. Will their business be successful? Can she love Bram? And will Isabella ever discover what became of her cousin? There are hardships and dangers to overcome in the search for happiness.