A romantic story about a rich girl, who is not used to household work, charms many men while working in the "Haukka" manor. The reason for this undercover work is a bet. Despite being a bad cook she soon becomes attracted to engineer Karma.
Perky student Inkeri 'Iiri' Paappanen and businessman Taavi Takkulainen fall in love during a boat trip, but a misunderstanding at a hotel in Stockholm causes their break-up. Returning to Finland, Inkeri applies to become a governess and gets a job at Taavi's parents' family. Consul General Albert, Taavi's brother intends to take advantage of Iiri in his political endeavors.
Set in Southern Finland between 1912 and 1936. Due to his father's drunkenness, high school student Jussi Raala has lost his inheritance, the manor house and the sawmill, to the gunman Lumia. Bitter and vengeful, Jussi decides to get the property back.