Newly widowed Merry Winslow treks west to claim an unexpected inheritance. Upon arriving, she discovers she inherited a brothel! Rather than being dismayed, Merry's intrigued, thinking it the perfect way to shed the shackles of propriety that have subdued her wild and impulsive nature. Only problem is, she needs to learn to manage her new business.

Nathan Boone is amused by Merry's determination and knows the perfect way to begin her instruction. When he opens the peephole for Merry to peer inside as one of the brothel's "soiled doves" pleasures a customer, he reveals the passion hidden beneath Merry's "widow's weeds".