Please Believe Me

Alison Kirbe learns she has inherited a Texas ranch from an old soldier friend she befriended in World War II. Believing she now has a share of a small empire, she decides to cross the Atlantic to claim or explore her new fortune. The news prompts her departure from London and a hopeful journey across the ocean.

On the transatlantic voyage to America, Alison meets Terence Keath, who is heavily in debt to casino owner Lucky Reilly, and she encounters two other wealthy men, Jeremy Taylor and his attorney Matthew Kinston. The attention from these men makes her feel desired, though she remains wary. The dynamic hints at competing motives around her presumed fortune.

Although she enjoys the attention, Alison rejects all three men as she senses their motives. She feels a particular pull toward Matthew, but he misreads her intentions and suspects she is playing a scheme. The social tension aboard grows as flirtations deepen into misunderstandings.

To test or hurt Matthew, Alison borrows money from Terence and buys an extravagant present for Jeremy, all while posing as a wealthy heiress. The ruse heightens the drama between her and the men and sets up later revelations. The deception marks a turning point in how the others perceive her.

After landing in America, Alison decides to linger in New York for a week before continuing to Texas, hoping to tie up loose ends with the ranch. Matthew begins to investigate the ranch’s true value, growing suspicious of a possible scheme. The stage is set for a confrontation between truth and illusion.

Matthew confronts Alison at a casino where she is gambling alongside Terence and Jeremy. He apologizes later, and their tension loosens as they share a kiss, signaling a possible shift in their relationship. The scene reveals a clash between old suspicions and renewed attraction.

Terence and Jeremy witness the kiss between Alison and Matthew and are surprised that she prefers a penniless attorney over them. The moment challenges the social expectations of wealth and romance on the ship-to-shore arc. It deepens the romantic tension between Alison and Matthew.

The following day, Matthew discovers that Alison's Texas ranch is not worth much, and he accuses her again of swindling Jeremy. The revelation intensifies the emotional conflict and tests Alison's explanations and integrity. The trust between Alison and Matthew hangs in the balance.

Overwhelmed by the misunderstanding, Alison bursts into tears and resents Matthew for turning an honest inheritance into a presumed scheme. Her frustration is directed at his suspicion and the growing pressure from the other men. The scene highlights the fragility of trust under financial and romantic strain.

Alison discovers Terence's precarious finances and attempts to help by offering to pay off his debts with Lucky Reilly’s money, hoping to shield him from ruin. The gesture showcases her caring nature, even as the truth about the ranch remains murky. Jeremy’s willingness to cover the debts comes into play soon after.

Jeremy steps forward to cover the entire debt, rendering Alison’s bailout moot. The three men rush to the hotel to propose to Alison, each trying to win her hand in a comedic but heartfelt moment. The scene marks a pivotal turning point from deception to open-hearted choice.

Alison accepts Matthew’s proposal, choosing the penniless attorney over the other suitors. The two remaining men quickly move on, flirting with other women as Alison begins a new life with Matthew. The moment resolves the love triangle with a sincere commitment.