Widow Penelope Bransom is believed to have been a most devoted wife. She has maintained this pretense for several years, even though she secretly dreaded her late husband and wishes to never marry again. As she helps bring out her sister during a London season, she chances to meet dashing war hero Lord Mortimer. Although Mortimer thinks he is still in love with an old sweetheart, now married to a wealthy lord, he finds that he is developing much warmer feelings for the young widow instead.