Sweet Kitty Bellairs

A highwayman stops Kitty Bellairs' coach on the road toward Bath and is instantly smitten. He trades the passengers' loot for a kiss from Kitty and slips a ring onto her finger, leaving her exhilarated and a little scandalized. Lord Varney arrives with chivalry in mind, yet the moment hints at a more tangled romance to come.

Lord Varney arrives to defend Kitty's honor, but the confrontation is awkward rather than heroic. The highwayman exerts casual menace, turning the moment to his advantage as Varney fumbles with his sword. Kitty remains torn as flirtation continues to twist the romance.

Kitty enters Bath, where locals sing about their daily lives and the social whirl begins. At a grand dance, Captain O'Hara declares his love and steals Kitty away just as Lord Varney steps forward to claim a turn on the floor. The tug-of-war between rivals sets the stage for Kitty's romantic choices.

Despite his bashfulness, Varney publicly proclaims his love for Kitty and begins composing a heartfelt poem. He imagines winning her heart with his words while watching her flirtations from afar. Kitty's curiosity keeps her from committing, at least for the moment.

The next day, Kitty sits with her maid and hairdresser to discuss which of her three lovers to choose. She weighs passion against propriety and jokes about her reputation while the talk swirls around Bath. The scene reveals her ambivalence and the social pressures she navigates.

Kitty visits Lady Julia Standish to offer advice on rekindling a neglected marriage. Lady Standish's husband returns from a trip, seemingly unaware of Kitty's scheming social web. Kitty then hides a love note with a lock of red hair in Lady Standish's home and leaves, signaling a subtle plan in motion.

Across a chorus of songs, Kitty reveals that she has chosen a lord over the highwayman. The shift in her affections marks a turning point in the romantic competition. The scene frames the upcoming conflict with social expectations.

Lord Standish immediately assumes Varney is fooling around with his wife and challenges him to a duel to defend his honor. The insistence on fighting according to the code heightens the tension between social ranks and romantic rivals. The setup primes a dramatic confrontation amid the Bath social scene.

Rumors of the supposed affair spread through Bath, coloring public opinion and threatening Varney's standing. Kitty overhears the chatter and fears for Varney's safety as the scandal grows. The pre-Code mix of comedy and drama amplifies the stakes for both lovers.

Kitty realizes Varney is the man she truly loves, and she resolves to shield their relationship from scandal. The couple faces the crowd's judgment with resolve, drawing closer together as danger and gossip loom. Their unity strengthens in the face of social pressure.

In a finale of song and pre-Code humor, Kitty and Varney overcome the obstacles and are united. The town's spectacle gives way to a romantic vindication as their relationship is sealed against tradition and rumor. The ending leaves the couple celebrated, their romance prevailing.