My Cousin Rachel (2017) - full transcript
Philip, an orphan, was taken in and brought up by his cousin Ambrose, a Devon landowner he loves like a father. At a time, Ambrose, who has been advised by his physician a warmer climate, leaves for Tuscany. There he meets and marry Rachel, a half-Italian cousin of his. After an idyllic outset, the situation deteriorates. Shortly before his death, Ambrose manages to alert Philip: his wife is killing him slowly. Willing to sort out the truth, Philip goes to Ambrose's place but he does not find Rachel, who has gone away. Instead he meets Rainaldi, her friend and lawyer, who does not inspire him with confidence. He returns to his estate, persuaded that Rachel is evil and is the direct cause of Ambrose's death. Some time later, Rachel announces her coming. Determined to welcome her coolly, he is stunned to discover a woman not only beautiful but elegant, intelligent and sensitive. Instead of strangling her like he said he would, he falls in love. Madly.
(DRUM ROLL)
(FANFARE PLAYING)
(MUSIC ENDS)
Fixed & Synced by bozxphd. Enjoy The Flick
(WIND BLOWING)
PHILIP:
Did she?
Didn't she?
Who's to blame?
I was an orphan.
Ambrose took me in.
He was my cousin...
but I loved him like a father.
- (ALL CHEERING)
- Yes! Another!
(MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
They said,
"the boy needs a mother..."
but the only women allowed
in the house were the dogs.
Good girl. Good girl.
(MAN URGES HORSES)
I came back from school.
Here, give me that.
(GRUNTS)
- (WHIP LASHES)
- (HORSE NEIGHS)
(SIGHS)
PHILIP:
What had I learned?
I didn't like books.
I didn't like cities.
I didn't like clever talk.
I liked it...
here.
- (DOGS BARKING)
- (CHICKENS CLUCKING)
But Ambrose fell ill.
(AMBROSE COUGHS)
The doctors sent him off...
AMBROSE: Go.
PHILIP:
for the sunshine.
How I missed him.
Every letter I shared
with my godfather and his daughter.
PHILIP:
I've got a letter from Ambrose.
Just arrived.
PHILIP:
Then, that summer, his letters mentioned...
Boots!
PHILIP (READING): "My cousin,
and so your cousin too,
Rachel, a widow, very good company,
who has kindly taken it upon herself
to show me all the glories of Florence.
She lives out here in the sunshine,
but is as English as you or I..."
WOMAN: She must be
extremely charming
for Ambrose
to have noticed her.
What do you mean?
Oh, I've never heard of him
admiring a woman before.
(CHUCKLES)
MAN: Oh, she's right. Your cousin
never had much need for women.
Why should he?
(CHUCKLES)
He had me.
How old is she?
Doesn't say.
PHILIP:
And by the autumn...
(READING)
"Such wonderful news.
Rachel and I are to marry!
She's agreed.
Such happiness to be so blessed.
I'm certain the moment
you set eyes on her,
you'll understand.
She is radiant, she is good,
and she is the kindest companion."
She'll have everything
turned upside down in no time.
Shan't know where we bloody are
from one minute to the next.
Have you thought about the future?
PHILIP:
Hmm?
Well, a home of your own?
Why on Earth should I do that?
Well, (CHUCKLES)
The position's changed
somewhat, hasn't it?
When are you expecting them?
PHILIP:
No doubt in his great happiness,
he'll have forgotten all about us.
Poor Philip. Are you being
orphaned all over again?
Preposterous comment.
It's good that he's happy, isn't it?
Well, that's the whole point, surely.
- Point of what?
- Getting married.
I'm sure there'll be a letter soon.
PHILIP (READING):
"I have written to you several times,
but she watches me like a hawk
and there is no one I can trust
to take my letters to the mail.
She is away from the house today.
That's why I am able to write this.
(HORSE GALLOPING)
For weeks, I have been ill:
fevers, terrible headaches.
I am sick of the sight of the sun.
PHILIP (READING):
As for the doctors,
I don't trust any of them.
The new one, recommended
by that snake Rainaldi,
is a cut-throat, I am sure."
(WIND WHOOSHING)
(WINDOW SHUTS)
Who's Rainaldi?
PHILIP: No clue.
May I see?
KENDALL:
Was he drunk, do you think?
- Drunk?
- When he wrote the letter.
(STUTTERS)
Never.
LOUISE:
Look.
LOUISE (READING):
"She has done for me at last.
Rachel, my torment.
For god's sake, come quickly."
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(GATE CREAKING)
(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)
(BARKING CONTINUES)
Hello?
(BARKING)
(BARKS, PANTING)
(FRIENDLY GROWL)
Good boy.
RAINALDI:
You must be Philip.
I've been expecting you.
PHILIP:
How do you know who I am?
I am sure I'm not the first to notice
the remarkable resemblance to your cousin.
Please, come in. I'm nearly finished.
- Where is he?
- Where is he?
Surely, my dear fellow, you know...
(STUTTERS) he's dead.
(RAINALDI GASPS)
Where's the woman?
- The woman?
- (STAMMERS) She...
The Rachel woman.
(GRUNTS) Where is she?
- Gone.
- Where?
I have no clue. It's the truth.
(BOTH SIGH)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
PHILIP:
How did he die?
It was a tumor, in the head. Here.
The doctors are in no doubt.
It affected his brain.
- How?
- Oh.
Shouting.
Violence. Terrible distrust.
The doctors are all idiots,
and I of course,
the worst idiot of all.
Things are thrown, glasses smashed.
His wife pushed up against the wall
and held by the throat.
(PHILIP SCOFFS)
- She wants this place let. Even sold.
- (KEY CLINKING)
Your cousin Rachel, Mr. Ashley,
is a woman of very strong... impulse
and passion.
(CHUCKLES)
Very strong.
Do you understand?
(RAINALDI SPEAKING ITALIAN)
PHILIP:
Where are his things?
RAINALDI: Hmm?
His clothes, his books...
The day after the funeral,
she was gone.
Unbelievable bitch.
Hmm?
I said how much I was looking
forward to seeing her.
RAINALDI:
My name is Rainaldi.
I am your cousin's lawyer and advisor,
and I hope friend.
Prego.
A copy of the certificate of death.
A copy has already been
sent to you in England
and another one to the trustee
of Ambrose's will,
your godfather, Signor Kendall.
(RAINALDI CHUCKLES)
- You know all about me.
- Of course.
There are some remarkable
things to see here.
Really?
Churches, paintings and so on.
- But, then again...
- What?
Oh, you strike me as someone
perhaps more interested
in beer and foxes
than the Rinascimento.
And why not?
I believe nothing
of what you've told me.
I believe had I been here,
my cousin would still be alive.
And I believe that whatever it cost him
in pain and suffering before he died,
I will return in full measure
upon the woman that caused it.
(REAPING GRASS)
MAN:
He was a good man, Master Philip.
- May he rest in peace.
- Thank you, guy.
- God rest his soul.
- Right.
PHILIP: Come on, Jericho,
give me that damn thing.
You always did scythe like a girl.
(ALL LAUGH)
SEECOMBE:
More beef, Master Philip?
Master Philip?
You're the master now,
Master Philip.
You're the master.
KENDALL:
It's the same will I drew up 10 years ago.
No provision has been made for a wife.
- (PHILIP STUTTERS) Are you sure?
- Quite sure.
I've examined it carefully
and the accompanying letter
from Signor Rainaldi.
There's no mention anywhere of any claim
on the part of Mrs. Ashley.
(INHALES SHARPLY)
I'm amazed.
(CHUCKLES) Why?
We know perfectly well
she drove him to his death.
We know nothing of the sort.
If that's the way you're going to talk
about your cousin's widow,
then frankly, I don't want to listen.
You have been extremely fortunate.
The entire estate will fall
to you on your next birthday,
as per Ambrose's wishes.
Surely you don't believe all
this nonsense about the tumor?
Here is the death certificate
with an account of the post mortem.
And what possible motive could she have?
With nothing to gain from his death?
So, yes, why wouldn't I believe?
PHILIP:
Ambrose wasn't my father...
but he was like a father.
In fact, better than most fathers.
We all miss him.
I miss him.
But you should know
that the new Master Ashley
plans to carry on
much the same as the old.
(ALL APPLAUD)
(HORSE WHINNIES)
She's in England.
She's here.
LOUISE:
I wouldn't worry.
She'll take one look at the place
and get straight back into her carriage.
PHILIP:
Good.
Look at it. The dust.
She can dust it herself if it bothers her.
And the smell.
Has every dog in the county
taken a shit in here?
Possibly.
Where are you going to put her?
- Ambrose's room?
- No.
I shall take Ambrose's room.
She can have the blue room.
- Really?
- (SNICKERING)
Is it watertight?
(WATER DRIPPING)
Should suit her perfectly.
(CHUCKLES)
What are you going to do with her?
Confront her.
Of course, she'll try
and bluster her way out of it
- or faint...
- Mmm. Swoon, theatrically.
Have hysterics... isn't that
what one expects of Italians?
Well, she's only half Italian.
PHILIP: All that macaroni.
She'll probably be too fat
- to get up the stairs.
- (LOUISE CACKLES)
I want justice for Ambrose.
LOUISE:
I think you're nervous.
Not at all.
- Would you like me to stay?
- What do you mean?
I mean, to be here?
What time are you expecting her?
I think I can manage.
(LOUISE CHUCKLES)
You really are nervous, aren't you?
I just want to be on my own for...
- I'm sorry.
- No, no, no. Not at all.
- I quite understand.
- No, I am sorry.
And thank you...
for everything...
for the flowers and offering to stay.
Of course.
Good luck.
And try not to throttle her
before dinner.
(CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
PHILIP:
Make sure she waits for her dinner.
Make sure she holds her hunger
until the master of the house is back.
- Clear?
- Clear as day.
Good. Make sure of it.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(PANTS)
(SNIFFLES)
- She's here.
- Well? No luggage?
Master Ambrose's things have
all been put in your old room.
Oh. (LAUGHS)
Oh.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
- Where is she now?
- In her room.
PHILIP:
In her room. In her room.
Says she's tired and would you
excuse her for dinner.
Where the devil are the dogs?
I think they followed her upstairs.
PHILIP:
What was she like, for god's sake?
SEECOMBE:
Couldn't say, sir.
Good god, man. Is she fat, thin?
Tall, short? Does she have a wooden leg?
A mustache?
Has she got a wart on her nose?
I don't know anything about that, sir.
(WHISPERING)
(SEECOMBE CLEARS THROAT)
The madam has sent word
that should you wish
to pay your compliments,
when you have dined,
she would be pleased to receive you, sir.
Thank you, Seecombe.
That's it, Seecombe, thank you.
RACHEL:
Come in.
- (RATTLING)
- (GASPS) Ambrose...
RACHEL:
I am very sorry.
I didn't expect you to be
quite so like your cousin.
Won't you sit down for a moment?
Would you like some tea?
Very well, if you wish.
PHILIP:
Is this a smart thing to do?
- Where you come from?
- (CHUCKLES)
RACHEL:
it's just a cup of tea.
I'm surprised they knew how to do this.
Oh, the... the butter's, erm, melting.
You've got... You'd better
lick your fingers.
Smoke if you'd like.
Seecombe will think it very wrong.
He'll smell it in the morning.
Well, then, I'll open the window
before I go to bed.
(CHUCKLES)
The rain will come in
and spoil the new carpet.
How pernickety you are.
I thought you lot worried
about things like that.
- You lot?
- Women.
Only when they have
nothing else to worry about.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Nobody seems to have been in here
since someone called Great Aunt Phoebe...
Who fell in love with a curate
who didn't love her back.
She went away to Tonbridge Wells
to mend her broken heart.
Did Ambrose never tell you the story?
No, no, he never did.
RACHEL:
She took a chill that lasted 20 years
and then she fell in love again
at first sight with another curate.
Thank heavens this one loved her back.
Yes. Thank heavens.
She died on her wedding night.
PHILIP:
Oh, god. Of what?
Of shock, I think.
(CHUCKLES)
I think you just made that up.
I did nothing of the sort.
Ask Seecombe.
Perhaps tomorrow I could borrow a horse
and have a look around.
Such an odd feeling,
driving up to the house,
Seecombe standing
by the door to welcome me.
I've done it so many times
in my imagination.
The clock struck the hour
as we drove up.
I even seemed to recognize
the sound of the bell.
(BELL TOLLS)
There...
(BELL TOLLING CONTINUES)
(DOG WHINING)
(BELL TOLLING CONTINUES)
- You're tired.
- I'm not tired.
- You're half-asleep.
- (STUTTERS) No, I'm not tired.
I'm really not.
Will you please stop being so polite
and get up and go to bed.
Of course. Of course.
(CUP RATTLING)
Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I, er...
- Sorry. I...
- Good night!
- Yes...
- (DOOR SHUTS)
PHILIP:
Peter Welch.
Peter Welch.
(HOOVES PATTERING)
- Morning.
- Morning. (CHUCKLES)
RACHEL:
That's Bawden's meadow.
Then Kemp's creek.
Er, Beef park.
- (PHILIP CHUCKLES)
- Beacon Hill.
PHILIP:
That's impossible.
RACHEL:
And then in the distance
with the plow on it,
that's the West Hill
and beyond it the East Hill.
What else do you think
we talked about?
Clearly I have no idea.
All this was his passion.
So I made it my passion too.
(RACHEL LAUGHING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(PIGS OINKING)
(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
PHILIP:
Everyone will be gawping at you.
RACHEL:
Then I shall just gawp back.
(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)
(ORGAN PLAYING)
We're just here.
(INDISTINCT MURMURING)
PARSON PASCOE:
The faculties of his mind
are put into busy exercise
in the steady direction of one
great and engrossing interest.
His attention is recalled
from the many revelries...
- (IMITATES SNORING SOUND)
- into which he might
Otherwise have wandered.
And the powers of his body
are forced away from an indolence...
That was the easy bit.
RACHEL: I was afraid
that might be the case.
WOMAN:
Beautiful sermon.
KENDALL: And on that day,
as twilight falls,
the plowmen of the village,
they draw their great plow
from door to door
and they beg a free drink,
and this is a great big plow
drawn by a handsome brace of oxen.
- My goodness.
- It's really...
KENDALL:
It's most, most arresting.
(GIRLS SINGING IN GERMAN)
(SINGING CONTINUES)
(SINGING)
- KENDALL: Beautiful.
- RACHEL: Brava.
(ALL APPLAUD)
- MRS. PASCOE: So very...
- (ALL CHUCKLE)
- Yes.
- (BELL TOLLING)
Un angelo passa...
Say again.
An angel...
(CLEARS THROAT) passes.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
RACHEL:
Now, who will join me
in drinking this delicious port wine?
Oh, unless, of course,
the men wish to retire
to the next room
while we smoke our pipes.
(ALL LAUGH)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
RACHEL: Thank you so much
for such a wonderful day.
Louise, thank you so much for the flowers.
- The beautiful flowers!
- You're very welcome!
Thank you! Thank you!
RACHEL: You had better hurry
up and marry your Louise
before she gets snapped up
by someone else.
(SIGHS)
She isn't my Louise.
Really? Her father seems
to have other ideas.
Why does everyone always assume
that Louise and I will many?
Lift your feet.
Sorry.
She finds you very beautiful.
Does she now?
- As do the Pascoe girls.
- (CHUCKLES)
How terribly flattering.
The vicar does not agree.
Oh, dear.
- But he finds you feminine.
- Lift your feet.
"Extremely feminine" were his exact words.
I wonder in what way.
I suppose in a way that's
different to Mrs. Pascoe.
Mmm. And how would you define it?
- Define what?
- The difference.
Our femininity:
Mrs. Pascoe's and mine.
God knows.
All I know is...
I like looking at you...
and I don't like looking
at Mrs. Pascoe. (CHUCKLES)
All this nonsense about staying at Pelyn.
What's wrong with staying here?
I'll stay until Seecombe
gets fed up with me.
- Seecombe? See...
- (CHUCKLES)
Seecombe has nothing to do with it.
Or I run out of money.
And am forced to give Italian lessons
to the bored wives of the gentry.
No, no, no.
Only spinsters teach.
Everybody knows that.
Oh!
And then only when
no one will support them.
- And what about widows?
- Widows?
Oh, well, widows remarry
as fast as they can.
And if they can't do that,
they just...
pawn their wedding rings.
(CHUCKLES)
RACHEL:
Well...
I think I would prefer
to give Italian lessons.
Good night, Philip.
- PHILIP: Idiot.
- (THUDDING)
Idiot, idiot.
KENDALL:
What shall we give her?
Think of a figure that you
consider fair and reasonable.
- Very well.
- Have you done it?
- I have.
- It's in your head?
- It is.
- Double it.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
If we're going to do this,
we have to do it properly.
How Ambrose would have done it.
KENDALL:
As you wish.
- Write the letter.
- Now?
Oh! Were we expecting you today?
- I've just, uh...
- Will you take something?
I'm... but thanks.
Did he give you coffee?
PHILIP:
Glad to see you've cheered up.
What do you mean?
PHILIP: Yesterday.
You seemed all down in the dumps.
LOUISE:
I'm amazed you noticed.
We all did.
I'm surprised the Pascoe girls
didn't remark on it.
Thank you.
Well, the Pascoe girls
were probably far too busy
remarking on something else.
What?
How easy it must be
for a woman like your cousin Rachel
to twist you around her little finger.
(CHUCKLES)
- (DOOR CLOSES)
- (HORSE SNORTS)
PHILIP:
Get on.
- PHILIP: Where is she?
- SEECOMBE: In the kitchen.
- Doing what?
- Hard to tell.
RACHEL:
I do hope you don't mind.
Not at all.
- What is it?
- Tisana.
It's Italian tea,
infusions made from these herbs.
Here, try.
Try.
It's, um, disgusting.
(LAUGHING)
It's good for you.
It's good for the health.
Hmm.
Where have you been?
Out and about.
You made him write this!
What? What do you...
(STUTTERING)
I did nothing of the sort.
If you had set out
to humiliate me, Philip,
you really couldn't have
got off to a better start!
- Why?
- (YELLS) Why?
Because now it looks as if
I came begging to you!
(STUTTERS)
But you haven't. You didn't.
Can't you let me be
a person in my own right?
A woman who's making her way
in the world as she wishes to.
Don't you see that if I had
wanted your money,
I would have asked you for it?
Don't you understand
it was just... It was a...
It was a joke about the Italian lessons.
- It wasn't a joke.
- Well, what if it wasn't?
Is there something so terribly
shameful about that?
Yes! Yes!
You're Ambrose's wife.
I, his heir, will not permit it.
Do you understand?
(STUTTERS) I simply...
I simply will not permit it.
Do you understand?
God! (GRUNTS)
You'd better take something up to her.
(DOGS WHIMPERING AND PANTING)
(DOG BARKING)
RACHEL: Philip.
PHILIP: (SOFTLY)
Did I wake you?
No.
Thank you for the note.
I was foul.
I'm sorry.
(BLOWING NOSE)
PHILLIP: I would much rather
you hit me than to hear you cry.
(RACHEL CHUCKLES)
My mother...
died before I can remember.
I've never seen a woman cry.
I shall accept the allowance...
gratefully,
but I should leave.
- To go where?
- It doesn't matter where.
PHILIP:
I thought you liked being here.
- Were you just being polite?
- Don't be a fool.
PHILIP:
If Ambrose hadn't been such an idiot,
this place would have been your home.
I think I'm the idiot.
I thought coming here
would bring him back to life.
(STUTTERS)
I don't know why you came.
I don't know anything about you.
All I know is that I like it
now you're here...
(RACHEL CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
and I don't want you to go.
Is that complicated?
Very.
PHILIP:
If you want to go, then go.
It'll cause a lot of talk, but...
Well, I would have thought
it would cause a lot more talk
if I stayed.
I'll have to talk to your godfather.
It's no concern of his.
There is only one issue
and that's whether
you want to stay or not.
How can you ask me that?
You know the answer to that.
No, I don't know.
Of course I don't know.
I don't know...
That's the point.
So you'll stay?
- At least for a little while?
- I'll stay.
Yes, for a little while.
- Then I'll say good night.
- Good night.
- And I hope you'll sleep.
- You too.
And not be angry with me.
I wasn't angry with you, Philip.
Come here.
Bend down.
Now go to bed like a good boy. Go. Go.
(GASPS)
- (CHICKENS CLUCKING)
- (MOUTHING)
- WELLINGTON: She's ready.
- Yes, I can see.
Er, anything more for the mail?
Yes.
In fact, why don't you leave
that with me, Wellington?
- We can drop it off on our way.
- Very good, sir.
Hurry up.
(CHUCKLES)
This is a tisana made with
fennel and rose hips.
- All together...
- (LABORED BREATHING)
it's going to make you better.
PHILIP: They'll think you're a witch.
Or worse, they'll call for you
in the middle of the night
to deliver babies.
RACHEL: Hmm,
there's a tisana for that too.
- PHILIP: See. Witch.
- (CHUCKLES)
RACHEL: Why should women
suffer in childbirth?
Is it simply their destiny to do so?
PHILIP:
I've never thought about it.
RACHEL:
No, of course you haven't.
You know nothing about women.
RACHEL: I do hope I haven't
said anything to hurt you.
Nothing.
Then what is it, Philip? Please tell me.
Please.
You need to read
inside the envelope itself.
(SOFTLY)
"She has done for me at last.
Rachel, my torment.
Please come quickly."
How you have hated me.
Yes.
RACHEL:
That's no use.
You're not the woman I hated.
(CHUCKLES)
RACHEL:
If you don't want them, Philip,
do you think we might let the people
who live on the estate, who loved him,
have his clothes?
PHILIP:
That's an excellent idea.
What do we do with it all?
I don't know.
Do you think you could wear any of it?
No.
I feel it is as if we've just
opened up his coffin.
And we're staring down at him.
(CRYING)
(SOFTLY) Rachel?
(SOBBING)
(SOBS)
(PHILIP SHUSHING)
(SOBBING)
(CRIES)
PHILIP:
It's all right. Don't cry.
Don't cry. It's all right.
It's all right. It's all right.
(GRUNTS)
- I don't want her to know.
- Sir?
About the tree.
- I want it to be a surprise.
- Very good.
Not like that, you fucking prick-wit!
It's all crooked!
- Sorry, sir.
- Not at all.
Where is she, by the way?
In her room.
It looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Get it straightened up.
RACHEL:
All right, come in.
(GASPS)
(CHUCKLING)
Oh, it's you! No, don't look.
Go away. Go.
PHILIP:
I need something special, Mr. Couch.
COUCH:
Aren't they beautiful?
I've never seen anything quite like it.
COUCH: It's the finest piece
in the whole collection.
No question of it.
No one's worn them for 25 years.
Not since your mother's wedding.
Well... I want it now.
Is that prudent?
What if it should be lost or mislaid?
It won't be lost, Mr. Couch.
And if you're worried about
what my godfather might say,
please rest assured
that he wholly approves.
Nevertheless, as your family
lawyer for all these years,
I would have preferred Mr. Kendall
to have been present.
As I say, he's away.
- PHILIP: John.
- JOHN: Sir?
Take this to the mistress, if you will.
Very good, sir.
(SOFTLY) Thank you.
Thank you.
(BELL TOLLING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
RACHEL:
Good evening.
- ALL: Good evening.
- (RACHEL GASPS AND LAUGHS)
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
It's so beautiful.
(LAUGHTER AND CHATTER)
(PHILIP LAUGHING)
MAN (SINGING):
There were three ravens on a tree
ALL:
Hey, down down, hey, down.
MAN:
The first one says "What's this I see?"
There lies a dead man in yon lea.
ALL:
Hey, down down, down.
MAN:
We'll sit all on his old breastbone.
ALL:
Hey, down down, hey, down.
MAN:
We'll sit all on his old breastbone.
RACHEL (EXCLAIMS):
Timothy.
- (ALL CHEERING)
- (BOTH LAUGHING)
Geoffrey.
(CHEERING CONTINUES)
Reverend Pascoe.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(FOLK MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT)
PARSON PASCOE:
It is. Oh, it is.
MARY:
Thank you for our gifts.
MRS. PASCOE:
Thank Mrs. Ashley.
PHILIP:
I will do.
PARSON PASCOE:
Happy Christmas!
Bye, Belinda, Mary. Bye-bye.
Good luck tomorrow. Thank you.
(DOOR CLOSES)
- Where are the others?
- Upstairs, I think.
Actually I'm glad of this
chance to have a quiet word.
Yes?
I've had some news from the bank.
Oh, yes.
Some rather disturbing news, in fact.
Your cousin is already
severely overdrawn on her account.
I can only think she's been
sending money out of the country.
(SCOFFS)
To who?
Nonsense. No, no.
(STAMMERS)
She's just generous.
Tonight, for example, you saw...
A gift for every family in the room.
That won't account
for an overdraft of this magnitude.
Then there's all this...
The fabrics, the curtains...
KENDALL:
Again, I hardly think shop...
Shh. You simply just must
increase the allowance.
- Increase?
- Yes.
Cover the overdraft.
I've been doing a little asking around.
Did you know that the duel
in which her first husband died
was fought over one of her lovers?
(SCOFFS)
I don't believe that.
They were notorious,
both him and her,
for unbridled extravagance
and apparently... limitless...
appetite.
Do you understand?
Do you?
I never thought you'd fall so low
as to listen to gossip of that sort.
You had no right to take that necklace.
It's mine and it's from the estate.
The estate is not yet yours,
as you well know.
What of it? It will be soon.
I must ask you to desire her
to return the collar.
Really?
Well, that's the last thing
in the world I intend to do.
Then I must do it for you.
And I'll be damned if you will.
Here.
Louise explained.
It was quite right
that you ask for their return.
- No.
- Please, Philip.
It was a great honor to wear them
on such a special evening. Thank you.
I want you to wear them every night.
RACHEL:
Do you need wrapping for them?
KENDALL:
No, thank you.
RACHEL:
Ah. There.
- PHILIP: You'll regret this.
- Be quiet.
You're a fool.
Thank you for a delightful
and successful evening, Philip.
Let's hope the dancing doesn't keep you
awake all night. (CHUCKLES)
RACHEL: Oh, yes.
KENDALL: May I wish you both
a very Happy Christmas?
Oh, and you too.
Merry, Merry Christmas.
- Happy Christmas.
- Happy Christmas, Louise.
- KENDALL: Good night, Philip.
- Happy Christmas, Philip.
RACHEL: Good night.
- KENDALL: Thank you again.
- RACHEL: Oh, thank you so much.
Such a memorable evening.
KENDALL:
The snow's still falling.
RACHEL:
Keep warm. Don't get wet.
- Merry Christmas!
- KENDALL: Happy Christmas.
RACHEL:
Happy Christmas!
(DOOR CLOSES)
I wanted you to wear it...
to have it.
- Hush.
- Everything is ruined.
My mother wore those pearls
on her wedding day...
and my grandmother...
and her mother before her.
That's why I was so proud
and happy to wear them.
Had I been married here and not in Italy,
I should have worn them too.
(SIGHS) Don't be sad.
Happy Christmas, dear, dear Philip.
We must go back to the party
because the guests are waiting for you.
Happy Christmas, Philip.
PHILIP:
By rights, the jewels are yours anyway.
Not just the jewels, everything.
I'm sure there must be a will.
- RACHEL: There was.
- PHILIP: Ah-ha.
RACHEL:
But it was never signed.
PHILIP:
Do you have it? Can I see it?
PHILIP:
He leaves you everything.
But it's not signed.
So? It's his handwriting.
January.
Do you know why he chose
January to make his will?
And then chose not to sign it?
I lost a child.
- Something else died, too.
- What?
Hope? I don't know.
(CHUCKLES)
His belief in me, in us.
It made him ill.
I'd never felt so alone.
One day, I woke up and I found myself...
living with a stranger...
(GULPS)
who hated me...
and wanted to hurt me.
(SOBS SOFTLY)
There is no bitter feeling in this house.
You belong here now.
Just as he did.
Thank you.
There doesn't appear to be any proviso
should Mrs. Ashley marry again.
That's not likely to happen.
But the point should be
covered, should it not?
If you insist.
In case of marriage,
her property should revert to you.
Unless, presumably, you predecease her?
Er, yes, yes. Very well.
(CHUCKLES)
You are a stickler for these things,
aren't you, Mr. Couch?
Well, that's my job,
Master Ashley... to stickle.
And you would like this to be ready
and drawn up in legal form
by your 25th birthday?
PHILIP: Yes, on the day
that the property falls to me.
Absolutely.
You're doing a very generous thing,
if I may say so.
Giving everything away
the very moment it becomes yours.
Generous, one might say,
to the point of...
Rashness?
Will you do as I ask?
Well?
(HORSE SNORTING)
(RACHEL LAUGHING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Oh, Philip.
We have a guest.
- What a surprise.
- Such a charming house.
I hope you don't mind,
your cousin
has been giving me the grand tour.
And much grander
than I had been led to believe.
RAINALDI: Benito Casteluccio had brought
you an enormous bunch of flowers.
- Cosimo was furious.
- So angry.
(CONVERSING IN ITALIAN)
(RACHEL SPEAKS ITALIAN)
(LAUGHING)
(RAINALDI AND RACHEL
CONVERSING IN ITALIAN)
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
I came to wish you good night.
I wish you the same.
RACHEL:
He's a very old friend...
and we had a lot to talk about.
Of course.
Well?
Who exactly is Benito Casteluccio?
(RACHEL SNICKERING)
And why did he bring you flowers?
He was old and very fat...
and his breath smelled of cigars.
(RACHEL CHUCKLING)
I'm sorry. You've been so good.
He's leaving in the morning.
(BELL TOLLING)
PHILIP:
It's excellent, Mr. Couch.
Quite excellent.
Everything's as we discussed.
And you're quite determined
that this is what you want to do,
Master Ashley?
Quite determined?
There is another thing,
Mr. Couch, if you don't mind?
- All of them, Master Ashley?
- All of them, Mr. Couch.
(CHUCKLES)
(PIANO PLAYING GENTLE TUNE)
(HORSE WHINNYING)
Does she have any knowledge of this?
None whatsoever.
And you're quite determined
on this course?
Quite.
You're completely infatuated
with your cousin, are you not?
I'm just doing what I believe is right.
You realize you could lose everything?
I'm willing to take that risk.
Unless she marries.
- For a third time.
- That's unlikely.
I don't suppose you've thought
of asking her yourself?
Why. have you?
KENDALL:
Very well. (CLEARS THROAT)
Let's, er...
- If you, erm...
- Yes.
- Just here.
- Mmm-hmm.
Thank you.
(PEN SCRATCHING)
There.
Thank you.
Thank you for your affection
for me and for Ambrose.
And your good guardianship
over the years.
Guardianship which ends tomorrow.
Tonight, in fact at midnight.
Then happy birthday, Philip,
tonight, at midnight.
I don't suppose you want to see Louise?
- Is she here?
- Yes, I think so.
(PHILIP STAMMERS)
- I think I should...
- No.
Why don't you ride over tomorrow?
The two of you? Drink my health?
(KENDALL CHUCKLES)
Morning, Joshua!
(GRUNTS)
(SHEEP BLEATING)
JOSHUA:
Master Ashley!
- (STRUGGLING)
- Master Ashley!
I'm all right! I'm all right!
JOSHUA:
There, boy.
You're lucky the whole cliff
didn't fall down on top of you.
- Good boy. There we go.
- I was miles away.
JOSHUA:
There we go. Hey, steady now.
Thank you. Thank you.
(PANTING)
- It's all right.
- JOSHUA: Don't you want this one?
WELLINGTON:
Take on a hedge, did we, sir?
Cliff path.
Gorran Head. Damn path
fell into the sea beneath me.
Yes. Full moon, spring tide.
Damn near went in after it.
(CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES)
PHILIP (SOFTLY):
Rachel.
Rachel.
- RACHEL (SOFTLY): What is it?
- I've got something for you.
RACHEL:
I'm asleep.
(TICKING)
(BELL TOLLING)
RACHEL:
Philip.
What are you doing?
You're going to break your neck.
Ow. (CHUCKLING)
You'll break your neck.
(LAUGHING)
(TOLLING)
(PHILIP GRUNTS)
It's all right. I made it.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(DOG BARKING)
I'm a little old for Juliet,
don't you think?
This...
I want you to read later.
But this...
I want you to have now.
(RACHEL GASPS)
You've gone...
You've gone completely mad.
Look, I'm 25. I can do whatever I want.
Wear this.
There's only one thing I want...
er, but I won't ask for it.
- Why not?
- Because you'd slap my face.
Tell me.
I know... I...
I know now what I lack.
- Do you?
- Yes.
Are you sure?
I'm sure.
Happy birthday.
(BELL TOLLING)
PHILIP:
John!
- John.
- Sir?
- I want a picnic packed.
- Yes, sir.
- Picnic for two, bottle of wine.
- Very good, sir.
Wellington!
Wellington!
- Where is it?
- What, sir?
The carriage.
WELLINGTON:
Don't you know? Er, mistress took it, sir.
Where'd they go?
No idea. Town?
It's a lovely day for your birthday,
Master Ashley.
Yes, it is.
A lovely day.
Whoa, whoa! Whoa!
Where have you been?
I've been waiting all morning. Where...
- Do you want some?
- No, thank you.
- Where have you been?
- I've been to Pelyn to see your godfather.
What for?
Well, the wording of your document
was a little obscure
and I wanted to be absolutely sure
that I knew what it meant.
And is it clear now?
Quite clear.
Put up your veil.
(CHUCKLES)
RACHEL:
I know your godfather disapproves of me,
but he was very sweet.
We even made a plan to meet up in London.
PHILIP: You don't still intend
to go to London, do you?
Why ever not?
Oh, how pretty it is.
- Sit for a moment.
- I'm not tired.
- (RACHEL CHUCKLES)
- Just for a moment.
I've been sitting
in that carriage for hours.
So have I,
sitting like an idiot at the front door
waiting for you to come back.
There.
This was my plan...
which you have spoilt...
by lunching with the dull old Kendalls.
I rather thought it might be.
(CHUCKLES)
(PHILIP GRUNTING)
(BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY)
(RACHEL MOANING)
(PHILIP GRUNTS)
(BOTH PANTING)
(PHILIP CHUCKLES)
(RACHEL GRUNTS)
Let me get up.
Oh...
Here.
Thank you.
If I'd known I was coming into a fortune,
I would have given you
a considerably larger pearl.
(CHUCKLES)
It's lovely. Thank you.
Shall we go?
(PHILIP SIGNS)
(DOOR OPENS)
(CLEARS THROAT)
Mistress's compliments.
What is it?
Twig soup.
(CHUCKLES)
Special brew, she says. Birthday brew.
Says you've got to drink the lot.
KENDALL (LAUGHING):
And then he proceeded
to dance around the house,
up and down the stairs, up and down,
and, really,
it was the oddest jig you've ever seen.
(RACHEL GIGGLING)
(SOFTLY) Philip.
- KENDALL: Philip?
- RACHEL: Philip. Philip.
To you.
Long life and happiness.
- LOUISE: To Philip.
- RACHEL: To you.
I, er...
I too have a toast to make,
erm, tonight.
Oh.
Since this morning I have been...
(CHUCKLES)
the happiest of men.
And I want you, my godfather,
and you, dear, dear Louise,
to drink to my happiness.
And the reason for such happiness...
the woman to be my wife.
Rachel.
My darling.
Have you gone out of your mind?
Of course not.
Please.
I think that the birthday excitement
has gone to Philip's head,
and I think that we should
retire to the next room.
- (HORSES GALLOPING)
- (DOOR CLOSES)
I have known shame in my life.
Terrible shame...
but this is the worst.
You weren't ashamed last night.
You weren't ashamed this afternoon.
Ashamed of what?
Of... of...
Why should I be ashamed of that?
You asked me... You asked me
what it was that I lacked,
and I said the only thing that I lacked...
RACHEL:
Oh, my god.
Was...
Was...
Was you.
No. Oh, god.
- Didn't you enjoy it?
- Well, didn't you?
You know I did.
Good. I wanted you to enjoy it.
- I wanted to thank you.
- For what?
For what? For everything.
For... For being so kind to me,
for the jewels.
What did you... did you...
Did you think you had bought me?
Wait. Wait. Please, please, please.
- Kiss me, please.
- Let go of my arm.
Kiss me, please. Just kiss me.
- Let go of my arm.
- Kiss me.
- Kiss me, please.
- Let go of me.
- (PEARLS RATTLING)
- (GASPS)
(RAIN PATTERING)
(HORSE SNORTING)
(RAIN PATTERING)
I've been worried about you for so long.
Since before Christmas.
You know nothing about her.
Or is it you who know nothing?
It's no use.
I'm fond of you and you of me,
but if we keep on talking,
we'll end up hating each other.
Do you love her so very much?
PHILIP: Don't think I don't know
how much of a fool
I must appear to you.
I asked her to marry me.
I shall continue to ask her.
When exactly did you ask her?
The moment I came of age. Yesterday.
- (SOFTLY) My god, yesterday.
- What did she say?
I thought she said yes, but...
In fact, she meant no.
Was this before or after
she read the document?
Before. She read it the morning after.
And wasted no time
in driving over to see us.
She said she didn't fully understand it.
LOUISE: Well, she understood it
pretty damn well by the time she left.
We stood on the steps in the sunshine
waiting for her carriage
and my father said to her,
"The marriage clause may
strike you as a little hard.
You must remain a widow
if you want to keep your fortune."
And what did she...
What did she say?
She just smiled and put on her gloves
and said, "That suits me very well."
PHILIP:
That clause is to protect the estate.
If she were my wife...
of course it wouldn't apply.
No. No, you're wrong.
If she marries you, or anyone else,
then everything, the house,
everything, reverts to you.
(STAMMERS) But I'd share
everything with her,
every penny.
She knows that.
A wife can't send money
out of the country.
A wife would have to live here,
in England, with her husband.
- The peg moves forward.
- Moves forward two points.
- And play.
- Oh, don't we say "muggins"?
- Muggins. Muggins. Muggins.
- Muggins. (GIGGLES)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Hello, Philip.
I invited Mary Pascoe
to stay in the house with me,
as my companion.
I do hope you approve.
MARY:
Do you play? It's cribbage.
- Can I speak to you?
- Yes.
- I can teach you if you like.
- Alone.
Well, anything you want to say
can be said in front of Mary.
I don't want to be in the way.
Let me go into my room.
Leave the door open, Mary,
so you may hear me if I need you.
Yes, certainly, Mrs. Ashley.
- RACHEL: Don't do that.
- Do what?
RACHEL:
Don't close the door.
After last night,
I cannot be alone with you.
Please don't do this.
I don't feel safe with you.
I beg you.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(GAGGING)
(MARY GIGGLES)
(GROANS)
(LAUGHS)
(THUDS)
(INAUDIBLE)
MRS. PASCOE:
Goodness me. If I were you,
I would get Dr. Smalls
to have a look at that.
(LAUGHS)
(DISTORTED LAUGHTER)
(GASPING)
(GRUNTS)
(SIGHS)
Thank god.
You're back.
(SLURPING)
There.
- (SOFTLY) Rachel...
- Don't speak.
(RACHEL SHUSHING)
Here.
(SLURPING)
How long was I out?
Five days.
And the Pascoe girl?
Sent packing.
Keep still. Keep still.
RACHEL:
Glad to see
Wellington's cutting back the laburnum.
What's that?
Well, if a horse gets a mouthful of that,
it would kill them.
(GROANS) Oh, yes. You had one in Italy.
Did I?
By the fountain in a pot.
Do you remember?
Did I?
Well, I can't be expected
to remember everything.
Here.
Drink.
(KNOWING)
(GRUNTING)
(DOOR CLOSES)
PHILIP:
Where do you go?
Where?
Are you worried I'll tire the horses?
No. No.
I'm worried you're about to leave.
Are you leaving me?
You should have left me to die.
Don't.
Soon none of this will seem quite so bad.
You belong here.
In a little while you'll be strong again
and everything will be
just as it was before I came.
You are at the beginning of everything.
A boy.
How can I live with a boy?
However lovely.
Hmm?
A glorious puppy...
wandering around,
miserable and wet-nosed,
looking for its mother.
(RACHEL CHUCKLES)
Drink.
Drink.
PHILIP: "She's going through
all the money like water,
grasping, greedy for everything,
but clever too, cunning.
It's a disease. She can't help herself.
She'll take every single penny.
She'll ruin me.
She'll ruin us. She'll ruin everything."
What is that?
Nothing.
What was it?
Nothing. It was...
(HORSE GRUNTING)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (SHEEP BLEATING)
(INAUDIBLE)
(DOOR OPENS)
Why is he here?
- Because I asked him.
- Why?
Why not? I needed advice.
- What for?
- Not your business.
PHILIP:
How long have you been lying to me?
You hate him.
If I'd told you he was here,
it would have made you sick again.
Send him away. Send him away!
- Why don't I bring him here?
- Are you mad?
He can stay here as my protector.
- He can stay in my bedroom.
- You wouldn't dare.
- Why not? Why not?
- (STAMMERS)
Why shouldn't I
have a life of my own
and make a life for myself
and do as I please?
This house is mine, after all, isn't it?
- Isn't it mine?
- God!
(PHILIP YELLING)
Get away from me. Stay away from me!
Or I will call the servants.
You stay away.
Do you want to be shamed
in front of the servants?
Do you? (BREATHING HEAVILY)
Go on.
Call for them.
For all of them. (SIGHS)
Go on.
Tell them what's happened here between us.
All of it.
Put an end to it.
I'm too tired.
I'm too tired to fight.
(BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY)
I can't do this again.
I can't.
(CRYING)
All of this.
Even... Even the hands at my throat.
I can't.
(VOICE BREAKING)
I can't do it all again.
(CONTINUES CRYING)
(PHILIP SHUSHING)
(CRYING)
FARMER (STUTTERING):
I was very grateful
for Master Ambrose's coat, Master Ashley,
very grateful.
And I had never put it on
before yesterday.
It's too good for me, I thought.
I was very grateful for it,
Master Ashley, very grateful.
And I put my hand in the pocket
and there it was, Master Ashley, sir,
there it was.
Still sealed.
Still sealed.
LOUISE:
"You are the only person
in the world I can trust.
Drop everything. Come out to me.
Only come straightaway.
I fear for my life.
The headaches, the sickness, the fever,
suddenly I understand.
The bitter potions, poisoning me.
All this time she's been poisoning me."
I've been a fool.
(SIGHS)
(INAUDIBLE)
RACHEL: In Florence,
I used to brew the tisana in the salotto
and then let it stand for a while.
And then we would go out
into the little courtyard,
if it wasn't too hot, and sit,
and I would turn on the fountain
and we would sip the tisana.
Hmm.
Ambrose would sit there for hours.
Hmm.
Here.
Oh, no, not that one. That's Philip's.
LOUISE:
Thank you.
- Here.
- No, thank you.
Oh, but this is a special batch.
I've made it double strength.
Well, then, you drink it for me.
What do you think?
Hmm.
Mmm!
It's, erm...
It's very interesting.
(CHUCKLES) Ha!
I think it might take me a
while to fall in love with it.
(RACHEL SIGHS)
Who'll come riding with me?
Oh, we could take the carriage,
if you prefer.
You go.
Louise and I have
some business to discuss.
RACHEL:
You do?
What a waste, on a day like this.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Very well. I shall go on my own.
(RACHEL CHUCKLES)
I won't be long. Finish your tea.
PHILIP:
Where are you off to?
I don't know. Up Barton Hill, perhaps,
or into the woods.
Do you think the bluebells
are still there?
The bluebells are long gone, I'm afraid.
- RACHEL: Ah.
- (PATTING HORSE)
- You might try the cliff path.
- Yes, that's an idea.
There are seal pups
this time of year off Gorran Head.
You're looking better.
You look...
beautiful.
I'm sorry.
(SIGHS)
LOUISE:
What are we looking for?
Laburnum seeds, letters. I don't know.
She poisoned Ambrose
and now she's poisoning me.
Don't you see?
It's Couch. (STAMMERS) It's the lawyer.
LOUISE (READING): "We thank you
for the return of the jewels,
which according to your instruction
will remain with us
until your heir, Philip Ashley,
may take possession of them."
Oh, so...
So she's giving them back.
The jewelry, she's giving it back.
PHILIP:
Keep looking.
Philip, I don't know what
we're looking for anymore.
- Shouldn't we just...
- Keep looking, please!
(OBJECTS RATTLING)
Here, it's in Italian.
It's Rainaldi, it must be.
Is it him?
It's signed Enrico. Is that right?
Yes, that's him, yes.
Well, translate it for me, please.
LOUISE:
"Dearest Rachel,
on second thoughts,
if you really cannot bring yourself
to leave the boy behind,
bring him with you.
I still don't think it's a good idea,
but, then again, Italy and some sunshine
may be the making of him."
Is that it?
Philip, inquiries were made.
My father...
What inquiries?
In matters of the heart,
it seems that...
Enrico Rainaldi is more Greek
than he is Italian.
He likes boys, Philip.
Wellington!
- I'll get a saddle!
- Damn the saddle!
(HORSE WHINNYING)
(HORSE GRUNTING)
(HORSE GRUNTING)
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
- (GUNSHOT)
- (HORSE GROANS)
PHILIP:
Who's to blame?
I was an orphan.
Ambrose took me in.
He was my cousin,
but I loved him like a father.
Now I'm a father.
What can I teach them?
What can I tell them?
Headaches blind me.
Was she?
Did she?
Didn't she?
Rachel, my torment.
(FANFARE PLAYING)
(MUSIC ENDS)
Fixed & Synced by bozxphd. Enjoy The Flick
(WIND BLOWING)
PHILIP:
Did she?
Didn't she?
Who's to blame?
I was an orphan.
Ambrose took me in.
He was my cousin...
but I loved him like a father.
- (ALL CHEERING)
- Yes! Another!
(MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
They said,
"the boy needs a mother..."
but the only women allowed
in the house were the dogs.
Good girl. Good girl.
(MAN URGES HORSES)
I came back from school.
Here, give me that.
(GRUNTS)
- (WHIP LASHES)
- (HORSE NEIGHS)
(SIGHS)
PHILIP:
What had I learned?
I didn't like books.
I didn't like cities.
I didn't like clever talk.
I liked it...
here.
- (DOGS BARKING)
- (CHICKENS CLUCKING)
But Ambrose fell ill.
(AMBROSE COUGHS)
The doctors sent him off...
AMBROSE: Go.
PHILIP:
for the sunshine.
How I missed him.
Every letter I shared
with my godfather and his daughter.
PHILIP:
I've got a letter from Ambrose.
Just arrived.
PHILIP:
Then, that summer, his letters mentioned...
Boots!
PHILIP (READING): "My cousin,
and so your cousin too,
Rachel, a widow, very good company,
who has kindly taken it upon herself
to show me all the glories of Florence.
She lives out here in the sunshine,
but is as English as you or I..."
WOMAN: She must be
extremely charming
for Ambrose
to have noticed her.
What do you mean?
Oh, I've never heard of him
admiring a woman before.
(CHUCKLES)
MAN: Oh, she's right. Your cousin
never had much need for women.
Why should he?
(CHUCKLES)
He had me.
How old is she?
Doesn't say.
PHILIP:
And by the autumn...
(READING)
"Such wonderful news.
Rachel and I are to marry!
She's agreed.
Such happiness to be so blessed.
I'm certain the moment
you set eyes on her,
you'll understand.
She is radiant, she is good,
and she is the kindest companion."
She'll have everything
turned upside down in no time.
Shan't know where we bloody are
from one minute to the next.
Have you thought about the future?
PHILIP:
Hmm?
Well, a home of your own?
Why on Earth should I do that?
Well, (CHUCKLES)
The position's changed
somewhat, hasn't it?
When are you expecting them?
PHILIP:
No doubt in his great happiness,
he'll have forgotten all about us.
Poor Philip. Are you being
orphaned all over again?
Preposterous comment.
It's good that he's happy, isn't it?
Well, that's the whole point, surely.
- Point of what?
- Getting married.
I'm sure there'll be a letter soon.
PHILIP (READING):
"I have written to you several times,
but she watches me like a hawk
and there is no one I can trust
to take my letters to the mail.
She is away from the house today.
That's why I am able to write this.
(HORSE GALLOPING)
For weeks, I have been ill:
fevers, terrible headaches.
I am sick of the sight of the sun.
PHILIP (READING):
As for the doctors,
I don't trust any of them.
The new one, recommended
by that snake Rainaldi,
is a cut-throat, I am sure."
(WIND WHOOSHING)
(WINDOW SHUTS)
Who's Rainaldi?
PHILIP: No clue.
May I see?
KENDALL:
Was he drunk, do you think?
- Drunk?
- When he wrote the letter.
(STUTTERS)
Never.
LOUISE:
Look.
LOUISE (READING):
"She has done for me at last.
Rachel, my torment.
For god's sake, come quickly."
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(GATE CREAKING)
(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)
(BARKING CONTINUES)
Hello?
(BARKING)
(BARKS, PANTING)
(FRIENDLY GROWL)
Good boy.
RAINALDI:
You must be Philip.
I've been expecting you.
PHILIP:
How do you know who I am?
I am sure I'm not the first to notice
the remarkable resemblance to your cousin.
Please, come in. I'm nearly finished.
- Where is he?
- Where is he?
Surely, my dear fellow, you know...
(STUTTERS) he's dead.
(RAINALDI GASPS)
Where's the woman?
- The woman?
- (STAMMERS) She...
The Rachel woman.
(GRUNTS) Where is she?
- Gone.
- Where?
I have no clue. It's the truth.
(BOTH SIGH)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
PHILIP:
How did he die?
It was a tumor, in the head. Here.
The doctors are in no doubt.
It affected his brain.
- How?
- Oh.
Shouting.
Violence. Terrible distrust.
The doctors are all idiots,
and I of course,
the worst idiot of all.
Things are thrown, glasses smashed.
His wife pushed up against the wall
and held by the throat.
(PHILIP SCOFFS)
- She wants this place let. Even sold.
- (KEY CLINKING)
Your cousin Rachel, Mr. Ashley,
is a woman of very strong... impulse
and passion.
(CHUCKLES)
Very strong.
Do you understand?
(RAINALDI SPEAKING ITALIAN)
PHILIP:
Where are his things?
RAINALDI: Hmm?
His clothes, his books...
The day after the funeral,
she was gone.
Unbelievable bitch.
Hmm?
I said how much I was looking
forward to seeing her.
RAINALDI:
My name is Rainaldi.
I am your cousin's lawyer and advisor,
and I hope friend.
Prego.
A copy of the certificate of death.
A copy has already been
sent to you in England
and another one to the trustee
of Ambrose's will,
your godfather, Signor Kendall.
(RAINALDI CHUCKLES)
- You know all about me.
- Of course.
There are some remarkable
things to see here.
Really?
Churches, paintings and so on.
- But, then again...
- What?
Oh, you strike me as someone
perhaps more interested
in beer and foxes
than the Rinascimento.
And why not?
I believe nothing
of what you've told me.
I believe had I been here,
my cousin would still be alive.
And I believe that whatever it cost him
in pain and suffering before he died,
I will return in full measure
upon the woman that caused it.
(REAPING GRASS)
MAN:
He was a good man, Master Philip.
- May he rest in peace.
- Thank you, guy.
- God rest his soul.
- Right.
PHILIP: Come on, Jericho,
give me that damn thing.
You always did scythe like a girl.
(ALL LAUGH)
SEECOMBE:
More beef, Master Philip?
Master Philip?
You're the master now,
Master Philip.
You're the master.
KENDALL:
It's the same will I drew up 10 years ago.
No provision has been made for a wife.
- (PHILIP STUTTERS) Are you sure?
- Quite sure.
I've examined it carefully
and the accompanying letter
from Signor Rainaldi.
There's no mention anywhere of any claim
on the part of Mrs. Ashley.
(INHALES SHARPLY)
I'm amazed.
(CHUCKLES) Why?
We know perfectly well
she drove him to his death.
We know nothing of the sort.
If that's the way you're going to talk
about your cousin's widow,
then frankly, I don't want to listen.
You have been extremely fortunate.
The entire estate will fall
to you on your next birthday,
as per Ambrose's wishes.
Surely you don't believe all
this nonsense about the tumor?
Here is the death certificate
with an account of the post mortem.
And what possible motive could she have?
With nothing to gain from his death?
So, yes, why wouldn't I believe?
PHILIP:
Ambrose wasn't my father...
but he was like a father.
In fact, better than most fathers.
We all miss him.
I miss him.
But you should know
that the new Master Ashley
plans to carry on
much the same as the old.
(ALL APPLAUD)
(HORSE WHINNIES)
She's in England.
She's here.
LOUISE:
I wouldn't worry.
She'll take one look at the place
and get straight back into her carriage.
PHILIP:
Good.
Look at it. The dust.
She can dust it herself if it bothers her.
And the smell.
Has every dog in the county
taken a shit in here?
Possibly.
Where are you going to put her?
- Ambrose's room?
- No.
I shall take Ambrose's room.
She can have the blue room.
- Really?
- (SNICKERING)
Is it watertight?
(WATER DRIPPING)
Should suit her perfectly.
(CHUCKLES)
What are you going to do with her?
Confront her.
Of course, she'll try
and bluster her way out of it
- or faint...
- Mmm. Swoon, theatrically.
Have hysterics... isn't that
what one expects of Italians?
Well, she's only half Italian.
PHILIP: All that macaroni.
She'll probably be too fat
- to get up the stairs.
- (LOUISE CACKLES)
I want justice for Ambrose.
LOUISE:
I think you're nervous.
Not at all.
- Would you like me to stay?
- What do you mean?
I mean, to be here?
What time are you expecting her?
I think I can manage.
(LOUISE CHUCKLES)
You really are nervous, aren't you?
I just want to be on my own for...
- I'm sorry.
- No, no, no. Not at all.
- I quite understand.
- No, I am sorry.
And thank you...
for everything...
for the flowers and offering to stay.
Of course.
Good luck.
And try not to throttle her
before dinner.
(CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
PHILIP:
Make sure she waits for her dinner.
Make sure she holds her hunger
until the master of the house is back.
- Clear?
- Clear as day.
Good. Make sure of it.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(PANTS)
(SNIFFLES)
- She's here.
- Well? No luggage?
Master Ambrose's things have
all been put in your old room.
Oh. (LAUGHS)
Oh.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
- Where is she now?
- In her room.
PHILIP:
In her room. In her room.
Says she's tired and would you
excuse her for dinner.
Where the devil are the dogs?
I think they followed her upstairs.
PHILIP:
What was she like, for god's sake?
SEECOMBE:
Couldn't say, sir.
Good god, man. Is she fat, thin?
Tall, short? Does she have a wooden leg?
A mustache?
Has she got a wart on her nose?
I don't know anything about that, sir.
(WHISPERING)
(SEECOMBE CLEARS THROAT)
The madam has sent word
that should you wish
to pay your compliments,
when you have dined,
she would be pleased to receive you, sir.
Thank you, Seecombe.
That's it, Seecombe, thank you.
RACHEL:
Come in.
- (RATTLING)
- (GASPS) Ambrose...
RACHEL:
I am very sorry.
I didn't expect you to be
quite so like your cousin.
Won't you sit down for a moment?
Would you like some tea?
Very well, if you wish.
PHILIP:
Is this a smart thing to do?
- Where you come from?
- (CHUCKLES)
RACHEL:
it's just a cup of tea.
I'm surprised they knew how to do this.
Oh, the... the butter's, erm, melting.
You've got... You'd better
lick your fingers.
Smoke if you'd like.
Seecombe will think it very wrong.
He'll smell it in the morning.
Well, then, I'll open the window
before I go to bed.
(CHUCKLES)
The rain will come in
and spoil the new carpet.
How pernickety you are.
I thought you lot worried
about things like that.
- You lot?
- Women.
Only when they have
nothing else to worry about.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Nobody seems to have been in here
since someone called Great Aunt Phoebe...
Who fell in love with a curate
who didn't love her back.
She went away to Tonbridge Wells
to mend her broken heart.
Did Ambrose never tell you the story?
No, no, he never did.
RACHEL:
She took a chill that lasted 20 years
and then she fell in love again
at first sight with another curate.
Thank heavens this one loved her back.
Yes. Thank heavens.
She died on her wedding night.
PHILIP:
Oh, god. Of what?
Of shock, I think.
(CHUCKLES)
I think you just made that up.
I did nothing of the sort.
Ask Seecombe.
Perhaps tomorrow I could borrow a horse
and have a look around.
Such an odd feeling,
driving up to the house,
Seecombe standing
by the door to welcome me.
I've done it so many times
in my imagination.
The clock struck the hour
as we drove up.
I even seemed to recognize
the sound of the bell.
(BELL TOLLS)
There...
(BELL TOLLING CONTINUES)
(DOG WHINING)
(BELL TOLLING CONTINUES)
- You're tired.
- I'm not tired.
- You're half-asleep.
- (STUTTERS) No, I'm not tired.
I'm really not.
Will you please stop being so polite
and get up and go to bed.
Of course. Of course.
(CUP RATTLING)
Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I, er...
- Sorry. I...
- Good night!
- Yes...
- (DOOR SHUTS)
PHILIP:
Peter Welch.
Peter Welch.
(HOOVES PATTERING)
- Morning.
- Morning. (CHUCKLES)
RACHEL:
That's Bawden's meadow.
Then Kemp's creek.
Er, Beef park.
- (PHILIP CHUCKLES)
- Beacon Hill.
PHILIP:
That's impossible.
RACHEL:
And then in the distance
with the plow on it,
that's the West Hill
and beyond it the East Hill.
What else do you think
we talked about?
Clearly I have no idea.
All this was his passion.
So I made it my passion too.
(RACHEL LAUGHING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(PIGS OINKING)
(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
PHILIP:
Everyone will be gawping at you.
RACHEL:
Then I shall just gawp back.
(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)
(ORGAN PLAYING)
We're just here.
(INDISTINCT MURMURING)
PARSON PASCOE:
The faculties of his mind
are put into busy exercise
in the steady direction of one
great and engrossing interest.
His attention is recalled
from the many revelries...
- (IMITATES SNORING SOUND)
- into which he might
Otherwise have wandered.
And the powers of his body
are forced away from an indolence...
That was the easy bit.
RACHEL: I was afraid
that might be the case.
WOMAN:
Beautiful sermon.
KENDALL: And on that day,
as twilight falls,
the plowmen of the village,
they draw their great plow
from door to door
and they beg a free drink,
and this is a great big plow
drawn by a handsome brace of oxen.
- My goodness.
- It's really...
KENDALL:
It's most, most arresting.
(GIRLS SINGING IN GERMAN)
(SINGING CONTINUES)
(SINGING)
- KENDALL: Beautiful.
- RACHEL: Brava.
(ALL APPLAUD)
- MRS. PASCOE: So very...
- (ALL CHUCKLE)
- Yes.
- (BELL TOLLING)
Un angelo passa...
Say again.
An angel...
(CLEARS THROAT) passes.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
RACHEL:
Now, who will join me
in drinking this delicious port wine?
Oh, unless, of course,
the men wish to retire
to the next room
while we smoke our pipes.
(ALL LAUGH)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
RACHEL: Thank you so much
for such a wonderful day.
Louise, thank you so much for the flowers.
- The beautiful flowers!
- You're very welcome!
Thank you! Thank you!
RACHEL: You had better hurry
up and marry your Louise
before she gets snapped up
by someone else.
(SIGHS)
She isn't my Louise.
Really? Her father seems
to have other ideas.
Why does everyone always assume
that Louise and I will many?
Lift your feet.
Sorry.
She finds you very beautiful.
Does she now?
- As do the Pascoe girls.
- (CHUCKLES)
How terribly flattering.
The vicar does not agree.
Oh, dear.
- But he finds you feminine.
- Lift your feet.
"Extremely feminine" were his exact words.
I wonder in what way.
I suppose in a way that's
different to Mrs. Pascoe.
Mmm. And how would you define it?
- Define what?
- The difference.
Our femininity:
Mrs. Pascoe's and mine.
God knows.
All I know is...
I like looking at you...
and I don't like looking
at Mrs. Pascoe. (CHUCKLES)
All this nonsense about staying at Pelyn.
What's wrong with staying here?
I'll stay until Seecombe
gets fed up with me.
- Seecombe? See...
- (CHUCKLES)
Seecombe has nothing to do with it.
Or I run out of money.
And am forced to give Italian lessons
to the bored wives of the gentry.
No, no, no.
Only spinsters teach.
Everybody knows that.
Oh!
And then only when
no one will support them.
- And what about widows?
- Widows?
Oh, well, widows remarry
as fast as they can.
And if they can't do that,
they just...
pawn their wedding rings.
(CHUCKLES)
RACHEL:
Well...
I think I would prefer
to give Italian lessons.
Good night, Philip.
- PHILIP: Idiot.
- (THUDDING)
Idiot, idiot.
KENDALL:
What shall we give her?
Think of a figure that you
consider fair and reasonable.
- Very well.
- Have you done it?
- I have.
- It's in your head?
- It is.
- Double it.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
If we're going to do this,
we have to do it properly.
How Ambrose would have done it.
KENDALL:
As you wish.
- Write the letter.
- Now?
Oh! Were we expecting you today?
- I've just, uh...
- Will you take something?
I'm... but thanks.
Did he give you coffee?
PHILIP:
Glad to see you've cheered up.
What do you mean?
PHILIP: Yesterday.
You seemed all down in the dumps.
LOUISE:
I'm amazed you noticed.
We all did.
I'm surprised the Pascoe girls
didn't remark on it.
Thank you.
Well, the Pascoe girls
were probably far too busy
remarking on something else.
What?
How easy it must be
for a woman like your cousin Rachel
to twist you around her little finger.
(CHUCKLES)
- (DOOR CLOSES)
- (HORSE SNORTS)
PHILIP:
Get on.
- PHILIP: Where is she?
- SEECOMBE: In the kitchen.
- Doing what?
- Hard to tell.
RACHEL:
I do hope you don't mind.
Not at all.
- What is it?
- Tisana.
It's Italian tea,
infusions made from these herbs.
Here, try.
Try.
It's, um, disgusting.
(LAUGHING)
It's good for you.
It's good for the health.
Hmm.
Where have you been?
Out and about.
You made him write this!
What? What do you...
(STUTTERING)
I did nothing of the sort.
If you had set out
to humiliate me, Philip,
you really couldn't have
got off to a better start!
- Why?
- (YELLS) Why?
Because now it looks as if
I came begging to you!
(STUTTERS)
But you haven't. You didn't.
Can't you let me be
a person in my own right?
A woman who's making her way
in the world as she wishes to.
Don't you see that if I had
wanted your money,
I would have asked you for it?
Don't you understand
it was just... It was a...
It was a joke about the Italian lessons.
- It wasn't a joke.
- Well, what if it wasn't?
Is there something so terribly
shameful about that?
Yes! Yes!
You're Ambrose's wife.
I, his heir, will not permit it.
Do you understand?
(STUTTERS) I simply...
I simply will not permit it.
Do you understand?
God! (GRUNTS)
You'd better take something up to her.
(DOGS WHIMPERING AND PANTING)
(DOG BARKING)
RACHEL: Philip.
PHILIP: (SOFTLY)
Did I wake you?
No.
Thank you for the note.
I was foul.
I'm sorry.
(BLOWING NOSE)
PHILLIP: I would much rather
you hit me than to hear you cry.
(RACHEL CHUCKLES)
My mother...
died before I can remember.
I've never seen a woman cry.
I shall accept the allowance...
gratefully,
but I should leave.
- To go where?
- It doesn't matter where.
PHILIP:
I thought you liked being here.
- Were you just being polite?
- Don't be a fool.
PHILIP:
If Ambrose hadn't been such an idiot,
this place would have been your home.
I think I'm the idiot.
I thought coming here
would bring him back to life.
(STUTTERS)
I don't know why you came.
I don't know anything about you.
All I know is that I like it
now you're here...
(RACHEL CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
and I don't want you to go.
Is that complicated?
Very.
PHILIP:
If you want to go, then go.
It'll cause a lot of talk, but...
Well, I would have thought
it would cause a lot more talk
if I stayed.
I'll have to talk to your godfather.
It's no concern of his.
There is only one issue
and that's whether
you want to stay or not.
How can you ask me that?
You know the answer to that.
No, I don't know.
Of course I don't know.
I don't know...
That's the point.
So you'll stay?
- At least for a little while?
- I'll stay.
Yes, for a little while.
- Then I'll say good night.
- Good night.
- And I hope you'll sleep.
- You too.
And not be angry with me.
I wasn't angry with you, Philip.
Come here.
Bend down.
Now go to bed like a good boy. Go. Go.
(GASPS)
- (CHICKENS CLUCKING)
- (MOUTHING)
- WELLINGTON: She's ready.
- Yes, I can see.
Er, anything more for the mail?
Yes.
In fact, why don't you leave
that with me, Wellington?
- We can drop it off on our way.
- Very good, sir.
Hurry up.
(CHUCKLES)
This is a tisana made with
fennel and rose hips.
- All together...
- (LABORED BREATHING)
it's going to make you better.
PHILIP: They'll think you're a witch.
Or worse, they'll call for you
in the middle of the night
to deliver babies.
RACHEL: Hmm,
there's a tisana for that too.
- PHILIP: See. Witch.
- (CHUCKLES)
RACHEL: Why should women
suffer in childbirth?
Is it simply their destiny to do so?
PHILIP:
I've never thought about it.
RACHEL:
No, of course you haven't.
You know nothing about women.
RACHEL: I do hope I haven't
said anything to hurt you.
Nothing.
Then what is it, Philip? Please tell me.
Please.
You need to read
inside the envelope itself.
(SOFTLY)
"She has done for me at last.
Rachel, my torment.
Please come quickly."
How you have hated me.
Yes.
RACHEL:
That's no use.
You're not the woman I hated.
(CHUCKLES)
RACHEL:
If you don't want them, Philip,
do you think we might let the people
who live on the estate, who loved him,
have his clothes?
PHILIP:
That's an excellent idea.
What do we do with it all?
I don't know.
Do you think you could wear any of it?
No.
I feel it is as if we've just
opened up his coffin.
And we're staring down at him.
(CRYING)
(SOFTLY) Rachel?
(SOBBING)
(SOBS)
(PHILIP SHUSHING)
(SOBBING)
(CRIES)
PHILIP:
It's all right. Don't cry.
Don't cry. It's all right.
It's all right. It's all right.
(GRUNTS)
- I don't want her to know.
- Sir?
About the tree.
- I want it to be a surprise.
- Very good.
Not like that, you fucking prick-wit!
It's all crooked!
- Sorry, sir.
- Not at all.
Where is she, by the way?
In her room.
It looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Get it straightened up.
RACHEL:
All right, come in.
(GASPS)
(CHUCKLING)
Oh, it's you! No, don't look.
Go away. Go.
PHILIP:
I need something special, Mr. Couch.
COUCH:
Aren't they beautiful?
I've never seen anything quite like it.
COUCH: It's the finest piece
in the whole collection.
No question of it.
No one's worn them for 25 years.
Not since your mother's wedding.
Well... I want it now.
Is that prudent?
What if it should be lost or mislaid?
It won't be lost, Mr. Couch.
And if you're worried about
what my godfather might say,
please rest assured
that he wholly approves.
Nevertheless, as your family
lawyer for all these years,
I would have preferred Mr. Kendall
to have been present.
As I say, he's away.
- PHILIP: John.
- JOHN: Sir?
Take this to the mistress, if you will.
Very good, sir.
(SOFTLY) Thank you.
Thank you.
(BELL TOLLING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
RACHEL:
Good evening.
- ALL: Good evening.
- (RACHEL GASPS AND LAUGHS)
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
It's so beautiful.
(LAUGHTER AND CHATTER)
(PHILIP LAUGHING)
MAN (SINGING):
There were three ravens on a tree
ALL:
Hey, down down, hey, down.
MAN:
The first one says "What's this I see?"
There lies a dead man in yon lea.
ALL:
Hey, down down, down.
MAN:
We'll sit all on his old breastbone.
ALL:
Hey, down down, hey, down.
MAN:
We'll sit all on his old breastbone.
RACHEL (EXCLAIMS):
Timothy.
- (ALL CHEERING)
- (BOTH LAUGHING)
Geoffrey.
(CHEERING CONTINUES)
Reverend Pascoe.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(FOLK MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT)
PARSON PASCOE:
It is. Oh, it is.
MARY:
Thank you for our gifts.
MRS. PASCOE:
Thank Mrs. Ashley.
PHILIP:
I will do.
PARSON PASCOE:
Happy Christmas!
Bye, Belinda, Mary. Bye-bye.
Good luck tomorrow. Thank you.
(DOOR CLOSES)
- Where are the others?
- Upstairs, I think.
Actually I'm glad of this
chance to have a quiet word.
Yes?
I've had some news from the bank.
Oh, yes.
Some rather disturbing news, in fact.
Your cousin is already
severely overdrawn on her account.
I can only think she's been
sending money out of the country.
(SCOFFS)
To who?
Nonsense. No, no.
(STAMMERS)
She's just generous.
Tonight, for example, you saw...
A gift for every family in the room.
That won't account
for an overdraft of this magnitude.
Then there's all this...
The fabrics, the curtains...
KENDALL:
Again, I hardly think shop...
Shh. You simply just must
increase the allowance.
- Increase?
- Yes.
Cover the overdraft.
I've been doing a little asking around.
Did you know that the duel
in which her first husband died
was fought over one of her lovers?
(SCOFFS)
I don't believe that.
They were notorious,
both him and her,
for unbridled extravagance
and apparently... limitless...
appetite.
Do you understand?
Do you?
I never thought you'd fall so low
as to listen to gossip of that sort.
You had no right to take that necklace.
It's mine and it's from the estate.
The estate is not yet yours,
as you well know.
What of it? It will be soon.
I must ask you to desire her
to return the collar.
Really?
Well, that's the last thing
in the world I intend to do.
Then I must do it for you.
And I'll be damned if you will.
Here.
Louise explained.
It was quite right
that you ask for their return.
- No.
- Please, Philip.
It was a great honor to wear them
on such a special evening. Thank you.
I want you to wear them every night.
RACHEL:
Do you need wrapping for them?
KENDALL:
No, thank you.
RACHEL:
Ah. There.
- PHILIP: You'll regret this.
- Be quiet.
You're a fool.
Thank you for a delightful
and successful evening, Philip.
Let's hope the dancing doesn't keep you
awake all night. (CHUCKLES)
RACHEL: Oh, yes.
KENDALL: May I wish you both
a very Happy Christmas?
Oh, and you too.
Merry, Merry Christmas.
- Happy Christmas.
- Happy Christmas, Louise.
- KENDALL: Good night, Philip.
- Happy Christmas, Philip.
RACHEL: Good night.
- KENDALL: Thank you again.
- RACHEL: Oh, thank you so much.
Such a memorable evening.
KENDALL:
The snow's still falling.
RACHEL:
Keep warm. Don't get wet.
- Merry Christmas!
- KENDALL: Happy Christmas.
RACHEL:
Happy Christmas!
(DOOR CLOSES)
I wanted you to wear it...
to have it.
- Hush.
- Everything is ruined.
My mother wore those pearls
on her wedding day...
and my grandmother...
and her mother before her.
That's why I was so proud
and happy to wear them.
Had I been married here and not in Italy,
I should have worn them too.
(SIGHS) Don't be sad.
Happy Christmas, dear, dear Philip.
We must go back to the party
because the guests are waiting for you.
Happy Christmas, Philip.
PHILIP:
By rights, the jewels are yours anyway.
Not just the jewels, everything.
I'm sure there must be a will.
- RACHEL: There was.
- PHILIP: Ah-ha.
RACHEL:
But it was never signed.
PHILIP:
Do you have it? Can I see it?
PHILIP:
He leaves you everything.
But it's not signed.
So? It's his handwriting.
January.
Do you know why he chose
January to make his will?
And then chose not to sign it?
I lost a child.
- Something else died, too.
- What?
Hope? I don't know.
(CHUCKLES)
His belief in me, in us.
It made him ill.
I'd never felt so alone.
One day, I woke up and I found myself...
living with a stranger...
(GULPS)
who hated me...
and wanted to hurt me.
(SOBS SOFTLY)
There is no bitter feeling in this house.
You belong here now.
Just as he did.
Thank you.
There doesn't appear to be any proviso
should Mrs. Ashley marry again.
That's not likely to happen.
But the point should be
covered, should it not?
If you insist.
In case of marriage,
her property should revert to you.
Unless, presumably, you predecease her?
Er, yes, yes. Very well.
(CHUCKLES)
You are a stickler for these things,
aren't you, Mr. Couch?
Well, that's my job,
Master Ashley... to stickle.
And you would like this to be ready
and drawn up in legal form
by your 25th birthday?
PHILIP: Yes, on the day
that the property falls to me.
Absolutely.
You're doing a very generous thing,
if I may say so.
Giving everything away
the very moment it becomes yours.
Generous, one might say,
to the point of...
Rashness?
Will you do as I ask?
Well?
(HORSE SNORTING)
(RACHEL LAUGHING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Oh, Philip.
We have a guest.
- What a surprise.
- Such a charming house.
I hope you don't mind,
your cousin
has been giving me the grand tour.
And much grander
than I had been led to believe.
RAINALDI: Benito Casteluccio had brought
you an enormous bunch of flowers.
- Cosimo was furious.
- So angry.
(CONVERSING IN ITALIAN)
(RACHEL SPEAKS ITALIAN)
(LAUGHING)
(RAINALDI AND RACHEL
CONVERSING IN ITALIAN)
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
I came to wish you good night.
I wish you the same.
RACHEL:
He's a very old friend...
and we had a lot to talk about.
Of course.
Well?
Who exactly is Benito Casteluccio?
(RACHEL SNICKERING)
And why did he bring you flowers?
He was old and very fat...
and his breath smelled of cigars.
(RACHEL CHUCKLING)
I'm sorry. You've been so good.
He's leaving in the morning.
(BELL TOLLING)
PHILIP:
It's excellent, Mr. Couch.
Quite excellent.
Everything's as we discussed.
And you're quite determined
that this is what you want to do,
Master Ashley?
Quite determined?
There is another thing,
Mr. Couch, if you don't mind?
- All of them, Master Ashley?
- All of them, Mr. Couch.
(CHUCKLES)
(PIANO PLAYING GENTLE TUNE)
(HORSE WHINNYING)
Does she have any knowledge of this?
None whatsoever.
And you're quite determined
on this course?
Quite.
You're completely infatuated
with your cousin, are you not?
I'm just doing what I believe is right.
You realize you could lose everything?
I'm willing to take that risk.
Unless she marries.
- For a third time.
- That's unlikely.
I don't suppose you've thought
of asking her yourself?
Why. have you?
KENDALL:
Very well. (CLEARS THROAT)
Let's, er...
- If you, erm...
- Yes.
- Just here.
- Mmm-hmm.
Thank you.
(PEN SCRATCHING)
There.
Thank you.
Thank you for your affection
for me and for Ambrose.
And your good guardianship
over the years.
Guardianship which ends tomorrow.
Tonight, in fact at midnight.
Then happy birthday, Philip,
tonight, at midnight.
I don't suppose you want to see Louise?
- Is she here?
- Yes, I think so.
(PHILIP STAMMERS)
- I think I should...
- No.
Why don't you ride over tomorrow?
The two of you? Drink my health?
(KENDALL CHUCKLES)
Morning, Joshua!
(GRUNTS)
(SHEEP BLEATING)
JOSHUA:
Master Ashley!
- (STRUGGLING)
- Master Ashley!
I'm all right! I'm all right!
JOSHUA:
There, boy.
You're lucky the whole cliff
didn't fall down on top of you.
- Good boy. There we go.
- I was miles away.
JOSHUA:
There we go. Hey, steady now.
Thank you. Thank you.
(PANTING)
- It's all right.
- JOSHUA: Don't you want this one?
WELLINGTON:
Take on a hedge, did we, sir?
Cliff path.
Gorran Head. Damn path
fell into the sea beneath me.
Yes. Full moon, spring tide.
Damn near went in after it.
(CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES)
PHILIP (SOFTLY):
Rachel.
Rachel.
- RACHEL (SOFTLY): What is it?
- I've got something for you.
RACHEL:
I'm asleep.
(TICKING)
(BELL TOLLING)
RACHEL:
Philip.
What are you doing?
You're going to break your neck.
Ow. (CHUCKLING)
You'll break your neck.
(LAUGHING)
(TOLLING)
(PHILIP GRUNTS)
It's all right. I made it.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(DOG BARKING)
I'm a little old for Juliet,
don't you think?
This...
I want you to read later.
But this...
I want you to have now.
(RACHEL GASPS)
You've gone...
You've gone completely mad.
Look, I'm 25. I can do whatever I want.
Wear this.
There's only one thing I want...
er, but I won't ask for it.
- Why not?
- Because you'd slap my face.
Tell me.
I know... I...
I know now what I lack.
- Do you?
- Yes.
Are you sure?
I'm sure.
Happy birthday.
(BELL TOLLING)
PHILIP:
John!
- John.
- Sir?
- I want a picnic packed.
- Yes, sir.
- Picnic for two, bottle of wine.
- Very good, sir.
Wellington!
Wellington!
- Where is it?
- What, sir?
The carriage.
WELLINGTON:
Don't you know? Er, mistress took it, sir.
Where'd they go?
No idea. Town?
It's a lovely day for your birthday,
Master Ashley.
Yes, it is.
A lovely day.
Whoa, whoa! Whoa!
Where have you been?
I've been waiting all morning. Where...
- Do you want some?
- No, thank you.
- Where have you been?
- I've been to Pelyn to see your godfather.
What for?
Well, the wording of your document
was a little obscure
and I wanted to be absolutely sure
that I knew what it meant.
And is it clear now?
Quite clear.
Put up your veil.
(CHUCKLES)
RACHEL:
I know your godfather disapproves of me,
but he was very sweet.
We even made a plan to meet up in London.
PHILIP: You don't still intend
to go to London, do you?
Why ever not?
Oh, how pretty it is.
- Sit for a moment.
- I'm not tired.
- (RACHEL CHUCKLES)
- Just for a moment.
I've been sitting
in that carriage for hours.
So have I,
sitting like an idiot at the front door
waiting for you to come back.
There.
This was my plan...
which you have spoilt...
by lunching with the dull old Kendalls.
I rather thought it might be.
(CHUCKLES)
(PHILIP GRUNTING)
(BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY)
(RACHEL MOANING)
(PHILIP GRUNTS)
(BOTH PANTING)
(PHILIP CHUCKLES)
(RACHEL GRUNTS)
Let me get up.
Oh...
Here.
Thank you.
If I'd known I was coming into a fortune,
I would have given you
a considerably larger pearl.
(CHUCKLES)
It's lovely. Thank you.
Shall we go?
(PHILIP SIGNS)
(DOOR OPENS)
(CLEARS THROAT)
Mistress's compliments.
What is it?
Twig soup.
(CHUCKLES)
Special brew, she says. Birthday brew.
Says you've got to drink the lot.
KENDALL (LAUGHING):
And then he proceeded
to dance around the house,
up and down the stairs, up and down,
and, really,
it was the oddest jig you've ever seen.
(RACHEL GIGGLING)
(SOFTLY) Philip.
- KENDALL: Philip?
- RACHEL: Philip. Philip.
To you.
Long life and happiness.
- LOUISE: To Philip.
- RACHEL: To you.
I, er...
I too have a toast to make,
erm, tonight.
Oh.
Since this morning I have been...
(CHUCKLES)
the happiest of men.
And I want you, my godfather,
and you, dear, dear Louise,
to drink to my happiness.
And the reason for such happiness...
the woman to be my wife.
Rachel.
My darling.
Have you gone out of your mind?
Of course not.
Please.
I think that the birthday excitement
has gone to Philip's head,
and I think that we should
retire to the next room.
- (HORSES GALLOPING)
- (DOOR CLOSES)
I have known shame in my life.
Terrible shame...
but this is the worst.
You weren't ashamed last night.
You weren't ashamed this afternoon.
Ashamed of what?
Of... of...
Why should I be ashamed of that?
You asked me... You asked me
what it was that I lacked,
and I said the only thing that I lacked...
RACHEL:
Oh, my god.
Was...
Was...
Was you.
No. Oh, god.
- Didn't you enjoy it?
- Well, didn't you?
You know I did.
Good. I wanted you to enjoy it.
- I wanted to thank you.
- For what?
For what? For everything.
For... For being so kind to me,
for the jewels.
What did you... did you...
Did you think you had bought me?
Wait. Wait. Please, please, please.
- Kiss me, please.
- Let go of my arm.
Kiss me, please. Just kiss me.
- Let go of my arm.
- Kiss me.
- Kiss me, please.
- Let go of me.
- (PEARLS RATTLING)
- (GASPS)
(RAIN PATTERING)
(HORSE SNORTING)
(RAIN PATTERING)
I've been worried about you for so long.
Since before Christmas.
You know nothing about her.
Or is it you who know nothing?
It's no use.
I'm fond of you and you of me,
but if we keep on talking,
we'll end up hating each other.
Do you love her so very much?
PHILIP: Don't think I don't know
how much of a fool
I must appear to you.
I asked her to marry me.
I shall continue to ask her.
When exactly did you ask her?
The moment I came of age. Yesterday.
- (SOFTLY) My god, yesterday.
- What did she say?
I thought she said yes, but...
In fact, she meant no.
Was this before or after
she read the document?
Before. She read it the morning after.
And wasted no time
in driving over to see us.
She said she didn't fully understand it.
LOUISE: Well, she understood it
pretty damn well by the time she left.
We stood on the steps in the sunshine
waiting for her carriage
and my father said to her,
"The marriage clause may
strike you as a little hard.
You must remain a widow
if you want to keep your fortune."
And what did she...
What did she say?
She just smiled and put on her gloves
and said, "That suits me very well."
PHILIP:
That clause is to protect the estate.
If she were my wife...
of course it wouldn't apply.
No. No, you're wrong.
If she marries you, or anyone else,
then everything, the house,
everything, reverts to you.
(STAMMERS) But I'd share
everything with her,
every penny.
She knows that.
A wife can't send money
out of the country.
A wife would have to live here,
in England, with her husband.
- The peg moves forward.
- Moves forward two points.
- And play.
- Oh, don't we say "muggins"?
- Muggins. Muggins. Muggins.
- Muggins. (GIGGLES)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Hello, Philip.
I invited Mary Pascoe
to stay in the house with me,
as my companion.
I do hope you approve.
MARY:
Do you play? It's cribbage.
- Can I speak to you?
- Yes.
- I can teach you if you like.
- Alone.
Well, anything you want to say
can be said in front of Mary.
I don't want to be in the way.
Let me go into my room.
Leave the door open, Mary,
so you may hear me if I need you.
Yes, certainly, Mrs. Ashley.
- RACHEL: Don't do that.
- Do what?
RACHEL:
Don't close the door.
After last night,
I cannot be alone with you.
Please don't do this.
I don't feel safe with you.
I beg you.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(GAGGING)
(MARY GIGGLES)
(GROANS)
(LAUGHS)
(THUDS)
(INAUDIBLE)
MRS. PASCOE:
Goodness me. If I were you,
I would get Dr. Smalls
to have a look at that.
(LAUGHS)
(DISTORTED LAUGHTER)
(GASPING)
(GRUNTS)
(SIGHS)
Thank god.
You're back.
(SLURPING)
There.
- (SOFTLY) Rachel...
- Don't speak.
(RACHEL SHUSHING)
Here.
(SLURPING)
How long was I out?
Five days.
And the Pascoe girl?
Sent packing.
Keep still. Keep still.
RACHEL:
Glad to see
Wellington's cutting back the laburnum.
What's that?
Well, if a horse gets a mouthful of that,
it would kill them.
(GROANS) Oh, yes. You had one in Italy.
Did I?
By the fountain in a pot.
Do you remember?
Did I?
Well, I can't be expected
to remember everything.
Here.
Drink.
(KNOWING)
(GRUNTING)
(DOOR CLOSES)
PHILIP:
Where do you go?
Where?
Are you worried I'll tire the horses?
No. No.
I'm worried you're about to leave.
Are you leaving me?
You should have left me to die.
Don't.
Soon none of this will seem quite so bad.
You belong here.
In a little while you'll be strong again
and everything will be
just as it was before I came.
You are at the beginning of everything.
A boy.
How can I live with a boy?
However lovely.
Hmm?
A glorious puppy...
wandering around,
miserable and wet-nosed,
looking for its mother.
(RACHEL CHUCKLES)
Drink.
Drink.
PHILIP: "She's going through
all the money like water,
grasping, greedy for everything,
but clever too, cunning.
It's a disease. She can't help herself.
She'll take every single penny.
She'll ruin me.
She'll ruin us. She'll ruin everything."
What is that?
Nothing.
What was it?
Nothing. It was...
(HORSE GRUNTING)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (SHEEP BLEATING)
(INAUDIBLE)
(DOOR OPENS)
Why is he here?
- Because I asked him.
- Why?
Why not? I needed advice.
- What for?
- Not your business.
PHILIP:
How long have you been lying to me?
You hate him.
If I'd told you he was here,
it would have made you sick again.
Send him away. Send him away!
- Why don't I bring him here?
- Are you mad?
He can stay here as my protector.
- He can stay in my bedroom.
- You wouldn't dare.
- Why not? Why not?
- (STAMMERS)
Why shouldn't I
have a life of my own
and make a life for myself
and do as I please?
This house is mine, after all, isn't it?
- Isn't it mine?
- God!
(PHILIP YELLING)
Get away from me. Stay away from me!
Or I will call the servants.
You stay away.
Do you want to be shamed
in front of the servants?
Do you? (BREATHING HEAVILY)
Go on.
Call for them.
For all of them. (SIGHS)
Go on.
Tell them what's happened here between us.
All of it.
Put an end to it.
I'm too tired.
I'm too tired to fight.
(BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY)
I can't do this again.
I can't.
(CRYING)
All of this.
Even... Even the hands at my throat.
I can't.
(VOICE BREAKING)
I can't do it all again.
(CONTINUES CRYING)
(PHILIP SHUSHING)
(CRYING)
FARMER (STUTTERING):
I was very grateful
for Master Ambrose's coat, Master Ashley,
very grateful.
And I had never put it on
before yesterday.
It's too good for me, I thought.
I was very grateful for it,
Master Ashley, very grateful.
And I put my hand in the pocket
and there it was, Master Ashley, sir,
there it was.
Still sealed.
Still sealed.
LOUISE:
"You are the only person
in the world I can trust.
Drop everything. Come out to me.
Only come straightaway.
I fear for my life.
The headaches, the sickness, the fever,
suddenly I understand.
The bitter potions, poisoning me.
All this time she's been poisoning me."
I've been a fool.
(SIGHS)
(INAUDIBLE)
RACHEL: In Florence,
I used to brew the tisana in the salotto
and then let it stand for a while.
And then we would go out
into the little courtyard,
if it wasn't too hot, and sit,
and I would turn on the fountain
and we would sip the tisana.
Hmm.
Ambrose would sit there for hours.
Hmm.
Here.
Oh, no, not that one. That's Philip's.
LOUISE:
Thank you.
- Here.
- No, thank you.
Oh, but this is a special batch.
I've made it double strength.
Well, then, you drink it for me.
What do you think?
Hmm.
Mmm!
It's, erm...
It's very interesting.
(CHUCKLES) Ha!
I think it might take me a
while to fall in love with it.
(RACHEL SIGHS)
Who'll come riding with me?
Oh, we could take the carriage,
if you prefer.
You go.
Louise and I have
some business to discuss.
RACHEL:
You do?
What a waste, on a day like this.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Very well. I shall go on my own.
(RACHEL CHUCKLES)
I won't be long. Finish your tea.
PHILIP:
Where are you off to?
I don't know. Up Barton Hill, perhaps,
or into the woods.
Do you think the bluebells
are still there?
The bluebells are long gone, I'm afraid.
- RACHEL: Ah.
- (PATTING HORSE)
- You might try the cliff path.
- Yes, that's an idea.
There are seal pups
this time of year off Gorran Head.
You're looking better.
You look...
beautiful.
I'm sorry.
(SIGHS)
LOUISE:
What are we looking for?
Laburnum seeds, letters. I don't know.
She poisoned Ambrose
and now she's poisoning me.
Don't you see?
It's Couch. (STAMMERS) It's the lawyer.
LOUISE (READING): "We thank you
for the return of the jewels,
which according to your instruction
will remain with us
until your heir, Philip Ashley,
may take possession of them."
Oh, so...
So she's giving them back.
The jewelry, she's giving it back.
PHILIP:
Keep looking.
Philip, I don't know what
we're looking for anymore.
- Shouldn't we just...
- Keep looking, please!
(OBJECTS RATTLING)
Here, it's in Italian.
It's Rainaldi, it must be.
Is it him?
It's signed Enrico. Is that right?
Yes, that's him, yes.
Well, translate it for me, please.
LOUISE:
"Dearest Rachel,
on second thoughts,
if you really cannot bring yourself
to leave the boy behind,
bring him with you.
I still don't think it's a good idea,
but, then again, Italy and some sunshine
may be the making of him."
Is that it?
Philip, inquiries were made.
My father...
What inquiries?
In matters of the heart,
it seems that...
Enrico Rainaldi is more Greek
than he is Italian.
He likes boys, Philip.
Wellington!
- I'll get a saddle!
- Damn the saddle!
(HORSE WHINNYING)
(HORSE GRUNTING)
(HORSE GRUNTING)
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
- (GUNSHOT)
- (HORSE GROANS)
PHILIP:
Who's to blame?
I was an orphan.
Ambrose took me in.
He was my cousin,
but I loved him like a father.
Now I'm a father.
What can I teach them?
What can I tell them?
Headaches blind me.
Was she?
Did she?
Didn't she?
Rachel, my torment.