From the introduction: The ship christened The Queen’s Desire is the notorious trickster Marie de Lech’s most recent acquisition, won as a gambling prize like many of her expensive possessions. Baron Tarvel Ilvayne found it galling enough to lose his ship to a woman, but her beating him wagering on a horse race further infuriated him. The losing horse’s breeder had assured the baron of the race’s outcome. The baron is convinced de Lech cheated, but, without any proof, his attempts to reclaim The Queen’s Desire have met with frustration. Since he has no direct influence in Messori Harbor, where the ship is docked, he employs alternative means to recover his ship and its cargo.