Sicily, 1936. The Marquis of Acquafurata, an antifascist activist wanted by the police, returns in secret to his ancestors' palace. For fear of being recognized, he poses as his late butler, killed accidentally in a fire. And for the property not to fall into the hands of the fascists, he executes a will bequeathing the palace to a couple without proper housing. They soon arrive at his door. Acquafurata cannot believe his eyes: Rosalia, the young woman is lovely and he immediately falls for her. Even more wonderful, her husband must go to war shortly and leave his good looker behind. The weather is hot, nerves are high-strung and passions are bound to run out of control.