Bloody Nick returns from the Mediterranean tired—he has done too much, seen too much, and needs rest at home. His ship, HBMS Hawke, needs time in the yard. A year of half-pay leaves Nick rested and anxious to get back to sea. He is close to the top of the Captain's List and automatic promotion to Rear Admiral must be due in two to four years—the actual date varying at the Admiralty's convenience. Captains sitting at home without a command are more likely to be yellowed, made without squadron, and never employed again.

Nick has his baronetcy—which he values greatly—but knows a successful command as an admiral may turn that into an Irish peerage. He cannot realistically hope for more than that, a title without a seat in the House of Lords, but would dearly love to become Lord Turnhouse. He begs the First Lord for a ship and is given Saturn, an unusual razee, to take out to the Mediterranean . . . provided he can man her.

His first task in the Mediterranean is to attempt to tidy up a problem in the Aegean where the French are taking bases on some of the islands, the Ottomans are losing control of others to rebel Turks and unruly Greeks, and the British are enemies to some, friends to others, and allies to none. As Commodore with a small squadron, Nick has a free hand to create peace—quite possibly the peace of the grave.