Sea Jade — Irene Roberts

Until the message came from the Empress, Sea Jade's life had been one of silken gowns and embroidered slippers, her days filled with pleasures, gossiping, laughter and joy. Now, by Imperial Decree, she was plucked from her noble father's house and forced to play the part of a lowly peasant to spy on the hated foreign missionaries. Suddenly she found herself alone in a China teeming with enemies, including the dreaded Boxer rebels. And the beautiful white man Paul Aubrey's life depended on her. As a Rice Christian her only hope lay with the nobleman Han Shen. Amazingly he was prepared to defy the sinister Empress and shelter Sea Jade and her white barbarian. Then, to her dismay, he informed Sea Jade that she was to become his Number One Wife. What was she to do -- torn between this strong, physical man who made her feel so helpless and the saintly Paul Aubrey to whom she had given her heart? Would she ever learn that loving and being in love were two quite different things?