It is 1858 and Dewy Kittow, the gamekeeper at Long Livery Hall, is torn between two women. His heart goes out to Lizzie Hudson, a young virgin working at a seaman's mission in Plymouth. But it is Sir John Windlesham's fractious daughter, Virginia, who demands more and more sexual enjoyment with him. He is anxious to put a stop to his adventures with Virginia in order to get Lizzie into his bed, but Virginia will not play ball.

Lizzie, meanwhile, is caught in the dilemma of wondering whether she would prefer to be bedded by Dewy... or a woman.