When her husband dies in a mine exploseion, Autumn McAvin vows to destroy the man she holds responsible: coal baron Douglas Osborne. Sleeping her way to position and power, McAvin blackmails Osborne into a loveless marriage, making herself heir to his mines. When he dies unexpectedly and the police suspect her of murder, McAvin's motives come back to haunt her: she is arrested and tried for the crime. A two-part miniseries originally broadcast in May 1987, Roses are for the rich is a powerful portrait of a woman who had everything, but sacrificed it all for love.