Serendipity's Tide (Across a Jade Sea vol. 1)

Batiya is an apprentice engineer on her world's first diesel-powered ocean liner. When she helps rescue an exotic-looking foreign man in a drifting lifeboat her only thought is to provide aid to the unfortunate. But the sinking of his ship was no accident, and soon Batiya's own ship is under attack.

Batiya doesn't know who the stranger is, or why so many people want him dead. But after he risks his life to save hers, she becomes determined to get him to his destination alive.