Belgravia (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 4 - Episode #1.4 - full transcript
Who was that chap
in the cotton trade?
You mean Mr Pope?
Who is this man Pope?
Where's he come from?
And why is Father
investing in his business?
You're able to get people
to put their hands in their pockets.
If only I had your gifts.
You say Lady Brockenhurst
may pay you another visit.
Why shouldn't I come with her
and see it for myself?
You know her well, then?
Well, I'm engaged to her nephew.
Ah...
John Bellasis will be the next...
Earl of Brockenhurst, yes.
It seems, er,
I'm in a spot of bother.
A thousand pounds?
Two days!
I won't give it to you.
Do you know who I saw today
at your uncle's house?
Charles Pope.
Trenchard's prodigy?
How can we find out more about him?
I need some information
about the Trenchards.
And I am led to believe,
in certain circumstances,
that you might be willing to help.
Why don't they clear
these people away?
Where would they clear them to?
I must say, if he has the money,
he certainly doesn't spend it
on himself.
Oh, he has the money.
And he's Polish?
Now, well, I would assume so.
I cannot think he would be called
Emil Tomaszewski
for any other reason.
Hm.
Right, this is it.
HE RAPS ON THE DOOR
The debt would be honoured,
Mr Tomaszewski, I assure you.
There's no risk.
No?
You have no money of your own
to speak of.
You are heir to your elder brother,
but it will probably be your son
who inherits.
Of course there is a risk.
Well, I will repay you,
should the need arise.
When your uncle dies.
And when will that be?
You seem to know a lot about us.
I knew you were coming here
to borrow money
and it is my business
to be thorough.
The loan would be repaid.
But when?
At the rate of interest I charge,
by the time you were in funds,
the sum will exceed
the national debt.
No.
Be off with you.
You forget to whom you are speaking.
I am speaking...
..to a broken-down old bankrupt,
who is addicted to a habit
which he cannot afford.
Please, correct me if I'm wrong.
What will you do now?
Captain Black might lend it to me.
Why should he?
Because he's a snob, thank the Lord.
Oh.
I expect he'll want it back.
So I would assume.
And then what?
Well, that rather depends on what
you've discovered in the interim.
What, about Aunt Caroline
and Mr Pope?
Precisely.
Hm...
Can I have a moment, Miss Ellis?
I've had word from Mr Bellasis.
He wants to meet you
in Mattocks Alley at 11:00.
Tonight?
How do I know
she'll have gone to bed by then?
If she hasn't, I'll go instead.
And get the tip?
I'm sure that won't be necessary,
Mr Turton.
Let's hope not, Miss Ellis.
Why does he need to work
with both of us?
Wouldn't he be better off
with just one?
I would guess he needs me
to search the master's papers
and you to report what the mistress
says. I don't know what to tell him!
Tell him anything.
As long as the information
keeps coming, so will the tips.
Say you know nothing more
and the purse will snap shut.
Mrs Trenchard.
Mrs Trenchard...
Come and sit down.
Do you remember Lady Maria Grey?
You were at the party,
but I don't believe
we were introduced.
Now...
..how can I help?
I was passing the house and I wanted
to talk to you about something.
But it can wait.
I'll go and leave you two alone.
No need.
Really, it doesn't matter.
Lady Maria chanced upon
my young prodigy Charles Pope
the other day in the square.
He must have been coming away
from this house.
Did you meet him here?
Charles Pope?
I think I did, yes.
We ended up walking across
Green Park together.
Mama did not approve,
but by the time she heard about it,
it was too late.
He suggested that...
..I might like to visit his office.
That was very forward.
Well...
Well, it might have been
my suggestion.
But he said nothing to put me off.
Then let us go together.
Really?
But it might be better
if it's a sudden impulse to go,
rather than a long-held plan.
If I have to explain it to Mama...
May I join you?
Er, of course.
If you'd like to.
Now...
..what about some tea?
Pleasant day, ma'am?
Yes, thank you.
SHE WINCES
You know,
they don't seem to be easing at all.
Yeah, well, I'm not sure
they were made for long walks.
Belgrave Square
is only round the corner.
Hm...
That reminds me.
I'm going to Bishopsgate
in a day or two.
Really, ma'am?
Why ever would you want to go there?
We're calling on a prodigy
of Lady Brockenhurst's.
You should visit the warehouses in
Spitalfields if you want material.
You pay half of what you would
on Bond Street.
That's right.
I could get some black bombazine.
One must always have
wearable mourning in the wardrobe.
Mine's very tired.
And where are you driving?
How should I know, Mama?
Lady Brockenhurst just asked me
to accompany her
on a drive this Thursday.
But if you want me to refuse,
I will.
But it may seem a little odd.
No.
Go for your drive.
I am glad for you to be friendly.
Very well.
Is John to accompany you?
I don't know.
I don't think so.
Have you seen John lately?
Not lately, no.
Shall we invite him here
for dinner, perhaps?
If you'd like to, please do.
You're very compose.
Am I?
There are times where I feel like
I have swallowed a furnace.
Are you quite well, my dear?
Yes, Mother, of course.
You seem rather distant.
So...
..did Lady Brockenhurst mind
your suddenly arriving unannounced?
You went to see Lady Brockenhurst?
Was her nephew there, by any chance?
No.
But his fiancee was.
His fiancee?
Lady Maria Grey.
I like her.
She was at the supper.
She didn't seem very remarkable
to me.
And did you speak to the countess?
We spoke.
Good.
We'll talk about it later.
Very generous, I must say.
Mm.
There's more where that came from
if you do what I ask.
I'd be glad to, I'm sure, sir.
So, she never mentioned him by name?
No, sir.
Just that he was a prodigy
of her ladyship's. Hm.
The question remains,
what is the link between Mr Pope
and the countess?
That's what we have to find out.
And when we do...
..I think she'll pay a fortune
to keep it secret.
A fortune?
A fortune.
And you can help me get it,
Miss Ellis.
Together, we can get it...
..with just a little courage.
KNOCK ON THE DOOR
Yes?
Erm, my name is Miss Ellis.
I am lady's maid
to Mrs James Trenchard.
Who?
Mrs Trenchard.
She came to the supper
the other night
and she fears
she may have left her fan.
You'd better speak to Mr Jenkins.
Miss Ellis?
I understand
you're looking for something.
My mistress' fan, sir, she thinks
she left it here the other night.
If I might see her ladyship's maid?
I'm afraid nobody's found a fan
of any description.
Oh.
Are you sure?
Quite sure.
She also asked if I might talk to
her ladyship's maid about her hair.
Her hair?
She wants me to achieve
a similar effect.
Very well.
Jane, fetch Miss Dawson.
Yes, Mr Jenkins.
Mrs Trenchard thought what you'd
done was marvellous. A work of art.
How did you get those very fine
ringlets in front of the ears?
Hm.
Well, that is a bit of a secret.
I found a small pair of tongs
in Paris
on a visit there.
And I've used it ever since.
What will they think of next?
SHE CHUCKLES
What a beautiful room.
Do you like the pictures?
They were mainly painted
by her ladyship.
This is Lymington Park.
It's been in the family since 1600.
It doesn't look old enough.
It's been rebuilt twice.
The estate
is more than 10,000 acres.
How wonderful to work
for such a noble family.
I envy you.
I can't complain.
I've had a good life.
Who's that?
Poor Lord Bellasis,
her ladyship's son.
He died at Waterloo.
He was her only child.
The strange thing is,
I remember Lord Bellasis.
From our time in Brussels,
before the battle.
Did...you know him?
How was that?
My mistress loved the party here.
She met ever so many nice people.
Not everyone gets into this house.
She liked one young man very much.
Was his name Mr Pope?
Oh, yes!
A great favourite of her ladyship.
A recent favourite, mind you.
But he comes here often now.
He must be charming.
A very handsome man, I've heard.
I don't know
what that has to do with it.
Now, I...
..think it's time for you to leave,
Miss Ellis.
I'm very busy.
And I'm sure you are, too.
Of course. How generous you've been,
Miss Dawson.
Thank you.
Never mind all that.
Now, come along.
I'll take you down.
I'm afraid Miss Dawson
wasn't really the sort of woman
we thought she might be,
so she was no use.
Hm.
You mean,
she was loyal to her employer.
It appears so, sir.
HE CHUCKLES
Well, then, tell me more about
this visit to Bishopsgate tomorrow.
The mistress just said it was to
call on a prodigy of her ladyship's,
but it must be Mr Pope.
Hm.
Then I'll beard the lion cub
in his den.
Do you know the address, sir?
I know how to find it.
And no-one will suspect you.
Well, that's kind, sir.
Well, not really.
If you were sacked,
you'd be of no more use to me.
I should have my back to the horses.
You both outrank me.
SHE CHUCKLES
Did you find your fan?
What fan?
That very pretty Duvelleroy you had
at the supper.
I noticed how nice it was.
Such a shame to lose it.
But I haven't lost it.
But your maid came yesterday
to look for it.
So my maid told me.
She did? Ellis?
How odd.
Has she been with you for
a long time? Oh, yes, many years.
So, you know her very well.
Do I?
Sometimes, I wonder.
Jackson...
Ah...
This is very good of you, John.
Yeah, well,
I was looking for my aunt.
Well, I should have known
you weren't looking for me.
You've missed her, I'm afraid.
She's paying a call on a young man
we've rather taken a shine to.
Mr Pope?
The chap at the party?
The very one.
He has an office in Bishopsgate.
Oh, how strange.
I'm on my way to Bishopsgate now.
Do you remember the number,
by any chance?
Er, 521, I think she said.
She's taking Mrs Trenchard,
the wife of that builder fella.
Though, er...
..why, I could not tell you.
LIVELY CHATTER
So, why did you take an interest
in Mr Pope in the first place?
Erm...
I don't remember, exactly.
But we like to encourage
young talent.
And we don't have
any living children,
so we like to help
the children of others.
He plans a voyage to India.
Do you know anything about India?
Not much.
How I should love to go.
All that colour, all that chaos.
Have you travelled a lot?
Hardly at all.
Well, Ireland.
We have an estate there.
But that's hardly abroad, is it?
I should like to visit Florence.
Me, too.
To see Michelangelo's David and to
wander the galleries of the Uffizi.
You must be fond of art,
Lady Brockenhurst.
Mama says you paint beautifully.
Do you?
Is it so amazing?
This is a wonderful surprise!
Lady Brockenhurst told me
she'd be passing by
and I thought I might invite myself
to join her.
I am happy that you did.
We're on our way to a silk
merchant's - Nicholson & Company.
We couldn't resist the chance
to inspect your place of work
on the way.
What can I offer you?
Some tea? Some wine?
Mrs Trenchard
is the wife of your benefactor.
We spoke at your house
the other evening.
Come into my office.
Mr Trenchard has changed my life.
Of course, I owe an equal debt
to you, Lady Brockenhurst.
You have thrown a bridge
across the torrent
that has kept me from my future.
What a lathering.
If I didn't know any better
I'd think you were trying to sell us
some brushes.
THEY CHUCKLE
Is that a new map of India?
It is.
The very latest.
Such a huge country.
Bengal, Punjab, Kashmir...
What a wild and romantic place
it must be.
There are so many different
religions and languages.
It is a world in itself, really.
Oh, to see a tiger in the jungle.
When you do, please ensure
you're on the back of an elephant.
Is that how they travel? They use
elephants as we might use carriages.
They're clever and biddable, but
riding one is like a boat at sea,
rocking with every wave.
I can imagine.
And now you are going there
to find your cotton.
India must come to dominate
the cotton trade, in time.
Aren't the plantations
in the southern states of America
the leading producers now?
Maybe.
But I will not profit from slavery.
Nor do I think it can last.
You are full of ideas, Mr Pope.
Ideas and principles.
Oh, he is.
And to have managed all this
at such a young age.
Did your father not expect you
to join the church? He did.
But I knew I couldn't spend my life
in a pulpit
when I began to understand the age
we live in.
Is it so very thrilling?
It is a new world!
We have steam engines and railways.
We have cast iron and steel.
We make glass by new methods,
and paper.
And we have gas to light the
factories while the work is done.
We trade around the globe.
Our industry is transformed.
Wool, silk and, above all, cotton,
are all produced
in entirely new ways.
And when I heard the mill was
for sale, I knew it was my destiny.
Bravo!
Hear, hear.
Well said, that man.
John!
Greetings...
..oh, light of my life.
What are you doing here, John?
Well, I called on my uncle and
he told me where you'd gone and...
Well, I was curious
to see Mr Pope again.
For what reason?
Well, so many people have beaten
a path to his modest door,
I wanted to know why.
I may call it modest, sir,
without offence, I hope?
By all means.
I was out riding
and I thought I might catch you up.
Well, we haven't been here long.
You ask why everyone has taken
such an interest in my welfare
and I can only tell you
it's a mystery to me.
Hm...
Do you remember Mrs Trenchard?
Erm...
Oh, yes!
I'm going down to Epsom on Monday.
A cousin has a horse running.
I thought you and Lady Templemore
might like to accompany me.
I'll ask her, of course.
But I'm afraid
Mama is not fond of racing.
Oh. What about you, Pope?
Are you a man for the horses?
Not too much. No. No, I suppose
your head's too full of cotton.
Well, it's time for us
to leave you to your work.
And we ladies
have some business of our own.
Will you come shopping with us,
John? I don't think so, Aunt.
I've something I need to attend to.
Oh, your mother's asked me to dine.
How nice.
Yes, I think it will be.
Don't you, Mr Pope?
I can think of nothing nicer.
Ladies...
DISTANT DOOR CLOSES
DOOR OPENS
Am I late? I saw your maid
in the hall downstairs.
She won't say anything.
HE CHUCKLES
Hm...
I'm getting quite fond of you.
Which means you need a favour.
HE CHUCKLES
That's true.
I need you to find out more
about Charles Pope.
Ah!
Not you as well?
Everyone is obsessed
with that wretched man!
He's driving Oliver mad.
Mm.
Well, Pope seems to have a hold
over my aunt.
When I called at his office,
she was there
with your mother-in-law and Maria...
Lady Maria Grey?
No, you've no need to be jealous.
No?
Aren't engagements
affairs of the heart?
Well, this one
is an affair of state.
So, why did you call
at Pope's office?
Does he have a hold over you, too?
Hm.
I want to know why
they've all chosen to favour him.
Instead of you?
I'm not joking.
Can we have dinner?
I could easily invent an excuse.
I'm dining with my mother.
Very dutiful.
HE SCOFFS
So...
..what is this favour?
When they next go to their country
place, I want you to go with them.
What, go to Glanville?
Go to Glanville.
But it takes forever to get there
and it's such a bore when you do.
She knows something about Pope
that she's not telling.
SHE SIGHS
Go for walks together.
Sit up with her at night.
Give her your time and attention
And then you'll find out what it is.
All right.
If I must.
But I may need some more persuading.
Oh?
Turton.
How was your journey?
Long, madam.
Whom have you brought with you?
Just Morris the footman.
The others
have been taken on locally.
Oh, Hooper, how nice to see you.
Dear, won't you come inside?
You must be tired.
I want to hear what's happened in
the gardens while we've been away.
Besides, Agnes needs a walk.
Don't wear yourself out.
Oh!
Ah...
It's good to be back.
Is it?
Why did she have to buy somewhere
so far from London?
Well, she fell in love
with the house and, er...
..it's a good life here,
even if you refuse to see it.
What is there to do?
Apart from eating like pigs
and taking deadly walks
for hours on end.
Then why did you agree to come?
I'm going in
before I freeze to death.
HE SCOFFS
I hope Speer can manage downstairs
with the yokels.
Well, I've had to dress myself
for the last three days,
so don't look for sympathy from me.
Gracious me, Miss Speer!
We don't often see you here.
It's true, Mrs Rust.
I'm a creature
more suited to London, me.
I'm Stan, Mr Turton.
I've been taken on
as second footman.
Have you, by all that's holy.
I'll do whatever you ask of me.
If you are able to, Stanley.
If it is within your powers.
Now, go and sort the luggage.
Miss Ellis...
Have you everything you want? I have
very little that I want, Mr Turton.
But that is the life I was born to.
Here we go.
And there won't be a smile
out of them for a fortnight.
You will look after me...
..by marrying John Bellasis.
That is all I ask.
I am not sure how much I like him
or whether he likes me.
Fiddle-faddle!
A young couple must learn
to like each other.
I didn't know your father
when I married him.
How would I,
when we were never allowed to meet
unchaperoned before the engagement?
Even then, we might sit on a sofa,
but never out of earshot
of my companion.
No young girl of our kind knows
her husband before she marries him.
And is your marriage to dear Papa
to be the model that encourages me
to accept a future with John?
But you have already accepted him.
I know.
Isn't it strange?
Sometimes,
I try to remember the scene,
but my memory
has blotted it out entirely.
Are you trying to say
you've changed your mind?
I suppose I would not be
the first woman to do so.
You won't throw away
a great position.
I won't let you.
I am your mother...
..and I forbid it.
I think he's taken a bad fall
this time.
Has he said anything to you?
No.
Because he gambles, he can't stop.
I've always known that.
But before,
he kept within certain limits.
That's what's changed.
He'll have everything under control,
I promise you.
There's nothing left to sell.
A few bits of silver,
but I've hidden those.
Oh? Where?
On top of the wardrobe, in my room.
Hm.
But you mustn't tell him.
I won't.
You would tell me, wouldn't you,
if you knew any more about it?
Of course I would, Mother.
I went for a walk before dinner.
Have they done something with
old Parker's farm since he died?
We thought we should tidy it up
a bit before we find a new tenant.
Hm.
You'll never guess who I saw
in Piccadilly the other day.
I won't try.
Mr Bellasis.
Lord Brockenhurst's nephew?
That's right.
I was walking along with Speer,
on my way to my glove-maker,
and he suddenly appeared.
Fancy that.
He said he'd seen you and his aunt
at Mr Pope's offices in the city.
What?
Oh...
Have I said something I shouldn't?
Of course not.
Mr Trenchard has taken an interest
in this young man.
And so, when Lady Brockenhurst
suggested we pay him a call,
I agreed. I was curious.
OLIVER SCOFFS
Not half so curious as I am.
When my dear father
takes twice the interest in Mr Pope
that he does in our own work
at Cubitt Town.
Mr Pope's business plans
are sensible
and I expect to make money.
I invest in many different areas,
as you know.
And, er, do you take
all the managers of these businesses
out to lunch at your club?
I like and admire Mr Pope.
I wish you could boast
half his industry.
OLIVER SCOFFS
Don't worry, Father.
I'm well aware
Mr Pope has all the virtues
you find lacking in your own child!
You look like an itinerant preacher
at a country fair.
I will not put up with this!
I will not!
Turton, have my dinner
brought up to my room.
I'd rather not stay here
and disappoint my father.
DOOR SLAMS
Do as Mr Oliver says.
Please, ask Mrs Rust
to make up a tray.
I know you're awake.
And if I am?
Why did you visit Charles' office?
Lady Brockenhurst was going and...
..I thought I'd better
accompany her,
in case she said something
inappropriate.
I do wish Susan
could enjoy Glanville.
I think Oliver does, too, but
you can only lead a horse to water.
Oliver's spoiled.
He wants it all on a silver platter.
Does he know what he comes from?
My father working like a navvy
in the markets.
Me slaving on building sites
in every kind of weather.
But that's what you come from.
It's not what he comes from.
Sophia would have understood.
Apparently, you pick up the ball
and run with it.
It seems a scrappy, violent game.
Not according to
the great Dr Arnold.
They play nothing else at Rugby
these days.
You should ask...
Whom should I ask?
I was going to say Charles Pope,
but I don't want
to get on to that subject again.
So, he was at Rugby under Dr Arnold.
How do you know?
Your father told me.
And where else did Mr Pope
conduct his studies?
At Oxford, Lincoln College.
After that?
But it will only make you angry.
Well, just tell me.
I'm interested.
It's going to rain.
Shall we go in?
Agnes hates the rain. Really?
All dachshunds hate rain.
What is Pope's hold over Papa?
Your imagination's weaving wonders.
And Lady Brockenhurst,
how has he brought her round?
What is the secret
you're not telling me?
Lady Brockenhurst is...
..her own woman.
I do not like her much,
that I will say.
Anyway...
..don't spoil things, Oliver.
You seem so well when you're here.
I'm almost sorry
we have to take you back.
You're right.
I do feel well at Glanville.
But I cannot separate from Susan
and she does not agree.
She seems distracted.
Why is that?
She's bored, that's all.
She's dying to get home to London.
AGNES YAPS
Thank heavens you're still here!
I thought you would have given up
and gone.
It was much harder to escape Ryan
than I thought.
You've come alone?
Of course.
I can't trust Ryan.
She reports every move I make.
You are so lucky
to have been born a man.
I'm rather glad
you weren't born a man.
SHE CHUCKLES
Perhaps.
And I am proud of myself today.
I lost my maid and hailed a cab
for the first time in my life.
But what good can come of it,
at least, for you?
You've taken a great risk.
Don't you admire people
who take great risks, Mr Pope?
I would not admire a man
who allowed his beloved
to sacrifice her reputation.
Because I'm engaged?
Yes.
You are engaged. But even if
you weren't, I'm not the sort of man
Lady Templemore would ever condone
as a suitor for your hand.
And are you a suitor for my hand?
Lady Maria...
..I would fight dragons,
I would walk over flaming coals,
I would enter
the Valley of the Dead
if I thought I might have a chance
of winning your heart.
Heavens.
We seem to have covered quite
a distance in a few short sentences.
Please, call me Maria.
I can't.
I have told you the truth because
I believe you deserve the truth.
But I do not think we have the power
to make it happen.
Even supposing you should want to.
I do want to make it happen,
Mr Pope.
Charles.
Be easy in that.
Is that your mother?
Ryan must have gone home
and told her I'd given her the slip.
I suppose she heard
where I directed the cab.
You must go, now.
I can't leave you to take the blame.
Why not? The blame is mine.
And don't worry, she won't eat me.
But now is not the right moment for
you to be introduced as my lover.
You know I'm right.
So...
Go.
Who is that man?
He was lost.
He needed to find the Queen's Gate.
As Saint Paul
wrote to Saint Timothy,
"the love of money
is the root of all kinds of evil.
"Some people, eager for money,
have...
"..wandered from the faith...
"..and...
"..pierced themselves
with many griefs."
I leave you with that thought.
Be neither envious nor greedy,
but be content with the life
the Lord has given.
Work hard
and you will sleep the sleep...
..of the just.
Take and eat this in remembrance
that Christ died for thee
and feed on him in thine heart
by faith with thanksgiving. Amen.
Take and eat this in remembrance
that Christ died for thee
and feed on him in thine heart
by faith with thanksgiving. Amen.
Balderdash.
Take and eat this in remembrance
that Christ died for thee
and feed on him in thine heart
by faith with thanksgiving. Amen.
How did you know
I was giving the sermon?
A little bird told me.
Why did you?
My wretched curate, Mr Barnsley,
is ill again.
I should dismiss him.
One service a year
does not seem too exacting.
Did you write it?
No!
Barnsley did.
Next time,
you should read it beforehand.
It'll make you look less foolish.
We were wondering
if there was another reason
why you came down here to Hampshire.
Meaning?
You dare not show your face
in London.
If that were the reason,
you are the cause of it.
I've got something for you.
What?
It's not enough to pay them off,
but it's enough to keep them quiet
for a while.
Let it not be said that the brother
of the Earl of Brockenhurst
cannot walk down Bond Street
without fear of debtors' prison.
You won't be sorry.
I'm sorry now.
Mend your ways, Stephen.
Mend your ways.
By the way, ma'am, I've torn some
new rags for when you need them.
It's not my time, is it?
It is, madam.
In fact, it was a few days ago.
I'm surprised you haven't
asked for them before now.
But I can't be.
I'm not able to be.
Can you get Mr Oliver
to do the business?
If so, I shouldn't waste any time.
Oh, I doubt it.
Not in his present mood.
Surely, I can't be.
Then, if you can't be,
you won't be.
God...
I hope Speer enjoys it here
a little more than you do, my dear.
What part of Ireland is she from?
Belfast, I'm afraid.
She's a city girl, like me.
I wish I could open your eyes.
You could have such wonderful times.
What would I do about Speer?
You can always get another maid.
But you'll never find another house
like Glanville.
How is Oliver?
I haven't seen him.
I hope we don't have another evening
ahead of his raging against Mr Pope.
He's jealous.
It must be hard,
when your father prefers
to do business with a stranger,
rather than his own son.
It's not about business.
And he isn't a stra...
James was fond of Mr Pope's father.
Of course.
Maria, will you play for us?
We have deprived John of his port,
so he deserves some consolation.
HE CHUCKLES
Rest easy on that score.
I'd always rather join the ladies.
If you will excuse me,
I want to thank Mrs Shaw
for our dinner. Oh!
Maria...
..perhaps you'd like to play.
Hm
THEY BOTH CLEAR THEIR THROATS
Your mother has contrived
that we should be, erm...
..left to our own devices.
You don't seem very anxious
to be alone with me.
I might say the same.
SHE STARTS TO PLAY
Did I tell you
my uncle is very pleased
by the news of our engagement?
That's kind of him.
Yes.
He prefers that I choose birth
over fortune.
And are you pleased, John?
That is what I cannot fathom.
HE HALF-CHUCKLES
Well, my parents are glad.
So is your mother.
And we must all marry someone,
I suppose.
I see.
Oh, I dare say we'll do well enough.
Why shouldn't we?
We want the same things.
Such as?
HE CHUCKLES
Well, a proper place in society...
..where we may do as we like.
You need to have no fear about that.
When my uncle dies,
we will be king and queen...
..of all we survey.
SHE CONTINUES TO PLAY
Princess Feodora of Leiningen
she was called.
The queen's half-sister
by her mother's first marriage.
Now, they pushed her into the arms
of a German princeling in the end.
That was Sir John Conroy's doing.
He wanted her out of the way.
When, if they'd only waited,
she could have been a queen herself.
You talk about them as if you knew
them, Miss Ellis. As if they were...
Well, like you or me.
And so they are, Stanley!
Just like you and me and
don't you ever think any different!
Now, that's fighting talk,
Miss Ellis.
I'm ready for a fight, Mrs Rust,
if you're asking me to say
I'm not as good as anyone upstairs.
Or in the palace, for that matter.
You'll worry the young ones
if you're not careful.
I'm not worried. I'm inspired.
Mm.
That's what I was afraid of.
Mr Turton.
I suppose we should let Mr Bellasis
know when we get back to London.
Have you got something for him?
Not yet.
I want to be sure he'll pay enough
before I take any big risks.
Well, I wouldn't worry too much.
They'd never let us go.
They wouldn't manage without us.
Well, she couldn't manage
without me. We have history.
And I'm too valuable.
That's not what the mistress
was saying to Mrs Oliver
as they walked along the hallway
earlier. What did she say?
"You can always find another maid."
Those were her words.
So, what is your value now,
Miss Ellis?
So, how was it?
Draining?
As draining as death.
HE LAUGHS
So, tell me what you learned.
Well, you were right.
Charles Pope is very important
to Mr Trenchard.
Yes, I know that.
I want to know why.
He talks about Mr Pope's business,
which infuriates Oliver. Ah...
But then my mother-in-law said...
What?
She wasn't thinking and she let it
slip that it's not about business
and Mr Pope is not a stranger.
Make of that what you will.
Hm...
Where does Lady Brockenhurst
fit into all this?
What's the matter?
You look preoccupied.
Do I?
It's nothing.
You know this would be very serious
for me, sir, if it came out.
They won't hang you.
They've abolished the bloody Code.
Or hadn't you heard?
They won't hang me, no.
But they would put me in prison.
Petty treason by a servant
against their master
is still a serious crime.
Hm.
I'd have to borrow his keys,
if I'm to get into his private desk.
Have you searched his office?
The answer won't be there.
They may work together,
but the secret...
..lies in the history of them both.
I know it.
Search the letters he's kept.
Look for any mention of the names
Charles or Pope.
No matter how old.
The older the better.
It'll cost you.
I know.
£20 at least.
Well, that's a bit steep.
It's the price.
Can you get it?
Because I'm not breaking the law
for pennies.
Yes, I can get it.
HE SIGHS
DOORBELL RINGS
DOOR CLOSES
Ah!
Mother not here?
She's at a committee meeting.
Oh?
How was Lymington?
I thought you were going to stay
for longer. Oh, it was bloody.
Barnsley was ill.
I had to take the service on Sunday.
And give the sermon.
HE LAUGHS
I'd pay to see that.
Your uncle and aunt were there,
making the most of my humiliation.
Mm.
And they still won't give you
a penny towards the debt?
Have you got Schmitt off your back?
Yes.
In the end,
Captain Black lent me the money.
But he wants it back. Well,
what did you think would happen?
Oh, if I could just have some luck.
One good hand is all I need.
You are incorrigible. Do you think
I should try the lenders again?
No, you're a bad bet
and they won't take it.
It's time we approached
Aunt Caroline.
Do you think so?
You surprise me.
I thought you'd given up on that.
Well, we'll see.
I have a man on the case,
as they say.
Do you mean you're still looking
into Mr Pope? I am.
And I may have solved Trenchard's
role in the story, but...
..not Aunt Caroline's.
If Peregrine would only pay up,
we wouldn't be in this situation.
If you hadn't gambled with money
you do not have, my dear father,
we wouldn't be in this situation.
And anyway,
we're not in any situation.
You are in the situation.
You have to help me. It...
DOOR OPENS
John!
How lovely!
HE CHUCKLES
We've hardly seen anything of you
this summer.
Will you stay for luncheon?
Oh, no, I don't think I can.
Oh, how was your meeting?
Mm...
Disheartening.
We spent most of the morning
talking about black Monday.
Oh, what's that?
The day the rent is due.
Hm.
I was wondering
if you have any news?
HE CHUCKLES
What sort of news?
Well, not to put
too fine a point on it,
we don't understand the delay
in announcing the engagement.
I don't know anything about that.
You should ask Lady Templemore.
Yep.
Are you going so soon?
Yes, I'm afraid so.
I just need to fetch some clothes
from upstairs. But, erm...
Yes, then I must be off.
Do you need a suitcase?
Oh, no, no. No, I have one up there.
You're being ridiculous!
The thing is settled!
You are ridiculous to pretend
that I will marry John Bellasis,
when you know very well I will not!
I hope you're not suggesting
you've met someone else,
someone who is not known to me,
whom you prefer?
I'm just saying that
I won't marry John Bellasis.
That is enough for now.
How dare you disobey me!
I won't let you throw away
your chance.
I'd be a bad mother
if I allowed it!
And how will you stop me?
You'll find out.
Thank you, Mama.
in the cotton trade?
You mean Mr Pope?
Who is this man Pope?
Where's he come from?
And why is Father
investing in his business?
You're able to get people
to put their hands in their pockets.
If only I had your gifts.
You say Lady Brockenhurst
may pay you another visit.
Why shouldn't I come with her
and see it for myself?
You know her well, then?
Well, I'm engaged to her nephew.
Ah...
John Bellasis will be the next...
Earl of Brockenhurst, yes.
It seems, er,
I'm in a spot of bother.
A thousand pounds?
Two days!
I won't give it to you.
Do you know who I saw today
at your uncle's house?
Charles Pope.
Trenchard's prodigy?
How can we find out more about him?
I need some information
about the Trenchards.
And I am led to believe,
in certain circumstances,
that you might be willing to help.
Why don't they clear
these people away?
Where would they clear them to?
I must say, if he has the money,
he certainly doesn't spend it
on himself.
Oh, he has the money.
And he's Polish?
Now, well, I would assume so.
I cannot think he would be called
Emil Tomaszewski
for any other reason.
Hm.
Right, this is it.
HE RAPS ON THE DOOR
The debt would be honoured,
Mr Tomaszewski, I assure you.
There's no risk.
No?
You have no money of your own
to speak of.
You are heir to your elder brother,
but it will probably be your son
who inherits.
Of course there is a risk.
Well, I will repay you,
should the need arise.
When your uncle dies.
And when will that be?
You seem to know a lot about us.
I knew you were coming here
to borrow money
and it is my business
to be thorough.
The loan would be repaid.
But when?
At the rate of interest I charge,
by the time you were in funds,
the sum will exceed
the national debt.
No.
Be off with you.
You forget to whom you are speaking.
I am speaking...
..to a broken-down old bankrupt,
who is addicted to a habit
which he cannot afford.
Please, correct me if I'm wrong.
What will you do now?
Captain Black might lend it to me.
Why should he?
Because he's a snob, thank the Lord.
Oh.
I expect he'll want it back.
So I would assume.
And then what?
Well, that rather depends on what
you've discovered in the interim.
What, about Aunt Caroline
and Mr Pope?
Precisely.
Hm...
Can I have a moment, Miss Ellis?
I've had word from Mr Bellasis.
He wants to meet you
in Mattocks Alley at 11:00.
Tonight?
How do I know
she'll have gone to bed by then?
If she hasn't, I'll go instead.
And get the tip?
I'm sure that won't be necessary,
Mr Turton.
Let's hope not, Miss Ellis.
Why does he need to work
with both of us?
Wouldn't he be better off
with just one?
I would guess he needs me
to search the master's papers
and you to report what the mistress
says. I don't know what to tell him!
Tell him anything.
As long as the information
keeps coming, so will the tips.
Say you know nothing more
and the purse will snap shut.
Mrs Trenchard.
Mrs Trenchard...
Come and sit down.
Do you remember Lady Maria Grey?
You were at the party,
but I don't believe
we were introduced.
Now...
..how can I help?
I was passing the house and I wanted
to talk to you about something.
But it can wait.
I'll go and leave you two alone.
No need.
Really, it doesn't matter.
Lady Maria chanced upon
my young prodigy Charles Pope
the other day in the square.
He must have been coming away
from this house.
Did you meet him here?
Charles Pope?
I think I did, yes.
We ended up walking across
Green Park together.
Mama did not approve,
but by the time she heard about it,
it was too late.
He suggested that...
..I might like to visit his office.
That was very forward.
Well...
Well, it might have been
my suggestion.
But he said nothing to put me off.
Then let us go together.
Really?
But it might be better
if it's a sudden impulse to go,
rather than a long-held plan.
If I have to explain it to Mama...
May I join you?
Er, of course.
If you'd like to.
Now...
..what about some tea?
Pleasant day, ma'am?
Yes, thank you.
SHE WINCES
You know,
they don't seem to be easing at all.
Yeah, well, I'm not sure
they were made for long walks.
Belgrave Square
is only round the corner.
Hm...
That reminds me.
I'm going to Bishopsgate
in a day or two.
Really, ma'am?
Why ever would you want to go there?
We're calling on a prodigy
of Lady Brockenhurst's.
You should visit the warehouses in
Spitalfields if you want material.
You pay half of what you would
on Bond Street.
That's right.
I could get some black bombazine.
One must always have
wearable mourning in the wardrobe.
Mine's very tired.
And where are you driving?
How should I know, Mama?
Lady Brockenhurst just asked me
to accompany her
on a drive this Thursday.
But if you want me to refuse,
I will.
But it may seem a little odd.
No.
Go for your drive.
I am glad for you to be friendly.
Very well.
Is John to accompany you?
I don't know.
I don't think so.
Have you seen John lately?
Not lately, no.
Shall we invite him here
for dinner, perhaps?
If you'd like to, please do.
You're very compose.
Am I?
There are times where I feel like
I have swallowed a furnace.
Are you quite well, my dear?
Yes, Mother, of course.
You seem rather distant.
So...
..did Lady Brockenhurst mind
your suddenly arriving unannounced?
You went to see Lady Brockenhurst?
Was her nephew there, by any chance?
No.
But his fiancee was.
His fiancee?
Lady Maria Grey.
I like her.
She was at the supper.
She didn't seem very remarkable
to me.
And did you speak to the countess?
We spoke.
Good.
We'll talk about it later.
Very generous, I must say.
Mm.
There's more where that came from
if you do what I ask.
I'd be glad to, I'm sure, sir.
So, she never mentioned him by name?
No, sir.
Just that he was a prodigy
of her ladyship's. Hm.
The question remains,
what is the link between Mr Pope
and the countess?
That's what we have to find out.
And when we do...
..I think she'll pay a fortune
to keep it secret.
A fortune?
A fortune.
And you can help me get it,
Miss Ellis.
Together, we can get it...
..with just a little courage.
KNOCK ON THE DOOR
Yes?
Erm, my name is Miss Ellis.
I am lady's maid
to Mrs James Trenchard.
Who?
Mrs Trenchard.
She came to the supper
the other night
and she fears
she may have left her fan.
You'd better speak to Mr Jenkins.
Miss Ellis?
I understand
you're looking for something.
My mistress' fan, sir, she thinks
she left it here the other night.
If I might see her ladyship's maid?
I'm afraid nobody's found a fan
of any description.
Oh.
Are you sure?
Quite sure.
She also asked if I might talk to
her ladyship's maid about her hair.
Her hair?
She wants me to achieve
a similar effect.
Very well.
Jane, fetch Miss Dawson.
Yes, Mr Jenkins.
Mrs Trenchard thought what you'd
done was marvellous. A work of art.
How did you get those very fine
ringlets in front of the ears?
Hm.
Well, that is a bit of a secret.
I found a small pair of tongs
in Paris
on a visit there.
And I've used it ever since.
What will they think of next?
SHE CHUCKLES
What a beautiful room.
Do you like the pictures?
They were mainly painted
by her ladyship.
This is Lymington Park.
It's been in the family since 1600.
It doesn't look old enough.
It's been rebuilt twice.
The estate
is more than 10,000 acres.
How wonderful to work
for such a noble family.
I envy you.
I can't complain.
I've had a good life.
Who's that?
Poor Lord Bellasis,
her ladyship's son.
He died at Waterloo.
He was her only child.
The strange thing is,
I remember Lord Bellasis.
From our time in Brussels,
before the battle.
Did...you know him?
How was that?
My mistress loved the party here.
She met ever so many nice people.
Not everyone gets into this house.
She liked one young man very much.
Was his name Mr Pope?
Oh, yes!
A great favourite of her ladyship.
A recent favourite, mind you.
But he comes here often now.
He must be charming.
A very handsome man, I've heard.
I don't know
what that has to do with it.
Now, I...
..think it's time for you to leave,
Miss Ellis.
I'm very busy.
And I'm sure you are, too.
Of course. How generous you've been,
Miss Dawson.
Thank you.
Never mind all that.
Now, come along.
I'll take you down.
I'm afraid Miss Dawson
wasn't really the sort of woman
we thought she might be,
so she was no use.
Hm.
You mean,
she was loyal to her employer.
It appears so, sir.
HE CHUCKLES
Well, then, tell me more about
this visit to Bishopsgate tomorrow.
The mistress just said it was to
call on a prodigy of her ladyship's,
but it must be Mr Pope.
Hm.
Then I'll beard the lion cub
in his den.
Do you know the address, sir?
I know how to find it.
And no-one will suspect you.
Well, that's kind, sir.
Well, not really.
If you were sacked,
you'd be of no more use to me.
I should have my back to the horses.
You both outrank me.
SHE CHUCKLES
Did you find your fan?
What fan?
That very pretty Duvelleroy you had
at the supper.
I noticed how nice it was.
Such a shame to lose it.
But I haven't lost it.
But your maid came yesterday
to look for it.
So my maid told me.
She did? Ellis?
How odd.
Has she been with you for
a long time? Oh, yes, many years.
So, you know her very well.
Do I?
Sometimes, I wonder.
Jackson...
Ah...
This is very good of you, John.
Yeah, well,
I was looking for my aunt.
Well, I should have known
you weren't looking for me.
You've missed her, I'm afraid.
She's paying a call on a young man
we've rather taken a shine to.
Mr Pope?
The chap at the party?
The very one.
He has an office in Bishopsgate.
Oh, how strange.
I'm on my way to Bishopsgate now.
Do you remember the number,
by any chance?
Er, 521, I think she said.
She's taking Mrs Trenchard,
the wife of that builder fella.
Though, er...
..why, I could not tell you.
LIVELY CHATTER
So, why did you take an interest
in Mr Pope in the first place?
Erm...
I don't remember, exactly.
But we like to encourage
young talent.
And we don't have
any living children,
so we like to help
the children of others.
He plans a voyage to India.
Do you know anything about India?
Not much.
How I should love to go.
All that colour, all that chaos.
Have you travelled a lot?
Hardly at all.
Well, Ireland.
We have an estate there.
But that's hardly abroad, is it?
I should like to visit Florence.
Me, too.
To see Michelangelo's David and to
wander the galleries of the Uffizi.
You must be fond of art,
Lady Brockenhurst.
Mama says you paint beautifully.
Do you?
Is it so amazing?
This is a wonderful surprise!
Lady Brockenhurst told me
she'd be passing by
and I thought I might invite myself
to join her.
I am happy that you did.
We're on our way to a silk
merchant's - Nicholson & Company.
We couldn't resist the chance
to inspect your place of work
on the way.
What can I offer you?
Some tea? Some wine?
Mrs Trenchard
is the wife of your benefactor.
We spoke at your house
the other evening.
Come into my office.
Mr Trenchard has changed my life.
Of course, I owe an equal debt
to you, Lady Brockenhurst.
You have thrown a bridge
across the torrent
that has kept me from my future.
What a lathering.
If I didn't know any better
I'd think you were trying to sell us
some brushes.
THEY CHUCKLE
Is that a new map of India?
It is.
The very latest.
Such a huge country.
Bengal, Punjab, Kashmir...
What a wild and romantic place
it must be.
There are so many different
religions and languages.
It is a world in itself, really.
Oh, to see a tiger in the jungle.
When you do, please ensure
you're on the back of an elephant.
Is that how they travel? They use
elephants as we might use carriages.
They're clever and biddable, but
riding one is like a boat at sea,
rocking with every wave.
I can imagine.
And now you are going there
to find your cotton.
India must come to dominate
the cotton trade, in time.
Aren't the plantations
in the southern states of America
the leading producers now?
Maybe.
But I will not profit from slavery.
Nor do I think it can last.
You are full of ideas, Mr Pope.
Ideas and principles.
Oh, he is.
And to have managed all this
at such a young age.
Did your father not expect you
to join the church? He did.
But I knew I couldn't spend my life
in a pulpit
when I began to understand the age
we live in.
Is it so very thrilling?
It is a new world!
We have steam engines and railways.
We have cast iron and steel.
We make glass by new methods,
and paper.
And we have gas to light the
factories while the work is done.
We trade around the globe.
Our industry is transformed.
Wool, silk and, above all, cotton,
are all produced
in entirely new ways.
And when I heard the mill was
for sale, I knew it was my destiny.
Bravo!
Hear, hear.
Well said, that man.
John!
Greetings...
..oh, light of my life.
What are you doing here, John?
Well, I called on my uncle and
he told me where you'd gone and...
Well, I was curious
to see Mr Pope again.
For what reason?
Well, so many people have beaten
a path to his modest door,
I wanted to know why.
I may call it modest, sir,
without offence, I hope?
By all means.
I was out riding
and I thought I might catch you up.
Well, we haven't been here long.
You ask why everyone has taken
such an interest in my welfare
and I can only tell you
it's a mystery to me.
Hm...
Do you remember Mrs Trenchard?
Erm...
Oh, yes!
I'm going down to Epsom on Monday.
A cousin has a horse running.
I thought you and Lady Templemore
might like to accompany me.
I'll ask her, of course.
But I'm afraid
Mama is not fond of racing.
Oh. What about you, Pope?
Are you a man for the horses?
Not too much. No. No, I suppose
your head's too full of cotton.
Well, it's time for us
to leave you to your work.
And we ladies
have some business of our own.
Will you come shopping with us,
John? I don't think so, Aunt.
I've something I need to attend to.
Oh, your mother's asked me to dine.
How nice.
Yes, I think it will be.
Don't you, Mr Pope?
I can think of nothing nicer.
Ladies...
DISTANT DOOR CLOSES
DOOR OPENS
Am I late? I saw your maid
in the hall downstairs.
She won't say anything.
HE CHUCKLES
Hm...
I'm getting quite fond of you.
Which means you need a favour.
HE CHUCKLES
That's true.
I need you to find out more
about Charles Pope.
Ah!
Not you as well?
Everyone is obsessed
with that wretched man!
He's driving Oliver mad.
Mm.
Well, Pope seems to have a hold
over my aunt.
When I called at his office,
she was there
with your mother-in-law and Maria...
Lady Maria Grey?
No, you've no need to be jealous.
No?
Aren't engagements
affairs of the heart?
Well, this one
is an affair of state.
So, why did you call
at Pope's office?
Does he have a hold over you, too?
Hm.
I want to know why
they've all chosen to favour him.
Instead of you?
I'm not joking.
Can we have dinner?
I could easily invent an excuse.
I'm dining with my mother.
Very dutiful.
HE SCOFFS
So...
..what is this favour?
When they next go to their country
place, I want you to go with them.
What, go to Glanville?
Go to Glanville.
But it takes forever to get there
and it's such a bore when you do.
She knows something about Pope
that she's not telling.
SHE SIGHS
Go for walks together.
Sit up with her at night.
Give her your time and attention
And then you'll find out what it is.
All right.
If I must.
But I may need some more persuading.
Oh?
Turton.
How was your journey?
Long, madam.
Whom have you brought with you?
Just Morris the footman.
The others
have been taken on locally.
Oh, Hooper, how nice to see you.
Dear, won't you come inside?
You must be tired.
I want to hear what's happened in
the gardens while we've been away.
Besides, Agnes needs a walk.
Don't wear yourself out.
Oh!
Ah...
It's good to be back.
Is it?
Why did she have to buy somewhere
so far from London?
Well, she fell in love
with the house and, er...
..it's a good life here,
even if you refuse to see it.
What is there to do?
Apart from eating like pigs
and taking deadly walks
for hours on end.
Then why did you agree to come?
I'm going in
before I freeze to death.
HE SCOFFS
I hope Speer can manage downstairs
with the yokels.
Well, I've had to dress myself
for the last three days,
so don't look for sympathy from me.
Gracious me, Miss Speer!
We don't often see you here.
It's true, Mrs Rust.
I'm a creature
more suited to London, me.
I'm Stan, Mr Turton.
I've been taken on
as second footman.
Have you, by all that's holy.
I'll do whatever you ask of me.
If you are able to, Stanley.
If it is within your powers.
Now, go and sort the luggage.
Miss Ellis...
Have you everything you want? I have
very little that I want, Mr Turton.
But that is the life I was born to.
Here we go.
And there won't be a smile
out of them for a fortnight.
You will look after me...
..by marrying John Bellasis.
That is all I ask.
I am not sure how much I like him
or whether he likes me.
Fiddle-faddle!
A young couple must learn
to like each other.
I didn't know your father
when I married him.
How would I,
when we were never allowed to meet
unchaperoned before the engagement?
Even then, we might sit on a sofa,
but never out of earshot
of my companion.
No young girl of our kind knows
her husband before she marries him.
And is your marriage to dear Papa
to be the model that encourages me
to accept a future with John?
But you have already accepted him.
I know.
Isn't it strange?
Sometimes,
I try to remember the scene,
but my memory
has blotted it out entirely.
Are you trying to say
you've changed your mind?
I suppose I would not be
the first woman to do so.
You won't throw away
a great position.
I won't let you.
I am your mother...
..and I forbid it.
I think he's taken a bad fall
this time.
Has he said anything to you?
No.
Because he gambles, he can't stop.
I've always known that.
But before,
he kept within certain limits.
That's what's changed.
He'll have everything under control,
I promise you.
There's nothing left to sell.
A few bits of silver,
but I've hidden those.
Oh? Where?
On top of the wardrobe, in my room.
Hm.
But you mustn't tell him.
I won't.
You would tell me, wouldn't you,
if you knew any more about it?
Of course I would, Mother.
I went for a walk before dinner.
Have they done something with
old Parker's farm since he died?
We thought we should tidy it up
a bit before we find a new tenant.
Hm.
You'll never guess who I saw
in Piccadilly the other day.
I won't try.
Mr Bellasis.
Lord Brockenhurst's nephew?
That's right.
I was walking along with Speer,
on my way to my glove-maker,
and he suddenly appeared.
Fancy that.
He said he'd seen you and his aunt
at Mr Pope's offices in the city.
What?
Oh...
Have I said something I shouldn't?
Of course not.
Mr Trenchard has taken an interest
in this young man.
And so, when Lady Brockenhurst
suggested we pay him a call,
I agreed. I was curious.
OLIVER SCOFFS
Not half so curious as I am.
When my dear father
takes twice the interest in Mr Pope
that he does in our own work
at Cubitt Town.
Mr Pope's business plans
are sensible
and I expect to make money.
I invest in many different areas,
as you know.
And, er, do you take
all the managers of these businesses
out to lunch at your club?
I like and admire Mr Pope.
I wish you could boast
half his industry.
OLIVER SCOFFS
Don't worry, Father.
I'm well aware
Mr Pope has all the virtues
you find lacking in your own child!
You look like an itinerant preacher
at a country fair.
I will not put up with this!
I will not!
Turton, have my dinner
brought up to my room.
I'd rather not stay here
and disappoint my father.
DOOR SLAMS
Do as Mr Oliver says.
Please, ask Mrs Rust
to make up a tray.
I know you're awake.
And if I am?
Why did you visit Charles' office?
Lady Brockenhurst was going and...
..I thought I'd better
accompany her,
in case she said something
inappropriate.
I do wish Susan
could enjoy Glanville.
I think Oliver does, too, but
you can only lead a horse to water.
Oliver's spoiled.
He wants it all on a silver platter.
Does he know what he comes from?
My father working like a navvy
in the markets.
Me slaving on building sites
in every kind of weather.
But that's what you come from.
It's not what he comes from.
Sophia would have understood.
Apparently, you pick up the ball
and run with it.
It seems a scrappy, violent game.
Not according to
the great Dr Arnold.
They play nothing else at Rugby
these days.
You should ask...
Whom should I ask?
I was going to say Charles Pope,
but I don't want
to get on to that subject again.
So, he was at Rugby under Dr Arnold.
How do you know?
Your father told me.
And where else did Mr Pope
conduct his studies?
At Oxford, Lincoln College.
After that?
But it will only make you angry.
Well, just tell me.
I'm interested.
It's going to rain.
Shall we go in?
Agnes hates the rain. Really?
All dachshunds hate rain.
What is Pope's hold over Papa?
Your imagination's weaving wonders.
And Lady Brockenhurst,
how has he brought her round?
What is the secret
you're not telling me?
Lady Brockenhurst is...
..her own woman.
I do not like her much,
that I will say.
Anyway...
..don't spoil things, Oliver.
You seem so well when you're here.
I'm almost sorry
we have to take you back.
You're right.
I do feel well at Glanville.
But I cannot separate from Susan
and she does not agree.
She seems distracted.
Why is that?
She's bored, that's all.
She's dying to get home to London.
AGNES YAPS
Thank heavens you're still here!
I thought you would have given up
and gone.
It was much harder to escape Ryan
than I thought.
You've come alone?
Of course.
I can't trust Ryan.
She reports every move I make.
You are so lucky
to have been born a man.
I'm rather glad
you weren't born a man.
SHE CHUCKLES
Perhaps.
And I am proud of myself today.
I lost my maid and hailed a cab
for the first time in my life.
But what good can come of it,
at least, for you?
You've taken a great risk.
Don't you admire people
who take great risks, Mr Pope?
I would not admire a man
who allowed his beloved
to sacrifice her reputation.
Because I'm engaged?
Yes.
You are engaged. But even if
you weren't, I'm not the sort of man
Lady Templemore would ever condone
as a suitor for your hand.
And are you a suitor for my hand?
Lady Maria...
..I would fight dragons,
I would walk over flaming coals,
I would enter
the Valley of the Dead
if I thought I might have a chance
of winning your heart.
Heavens.
We seem to have covered quite
a distance in a few short sentences.
Please, call me Maria.
I can't.
I have told you the truth because
I believe you deserve the truth.
But I do not think we have the power
to make it happen.
Even supposing you should want to.
I do want to make it happen,
Mr Pope.
Charles.
Be easy in that.
Is that your mother?
Ryan must have gone home
and told her I'd given her the slip.
I suppose she heard
where I directed the cab.
You must go, now.
I can't leave you to take the blame.
Why not? The blame is mine.
And don't worry, she won't eat me.
But now is not the right moment for
you to be introduced as my lover.
You know I'm right.
So...
Go.
Who is that man?
He was lost.
He needed to find the Queen's Gate.
As Saint Paul
wrote to Saint Timothy,
"the love of money
is the root of all kinds of evil.
"Some people, eager for money,
have...
"..wandered from the faith...
"..and...
"..pierced themselves
with many griefs."
I leave you with that thought.
Be neither envious nor greedy,
but be content with the life
the Lord has given.
Work hard
and you will sleep the sleep...
..of the just.
Take and eat this in remembrance
that Christ died for thee
and feed on him in thine heart
by faith with thanksgiving. Amen.
Take and eat this in remembrance
that Christ died for thee
and feed on him in thine heart
by faith with thanksgiving. Amen.
Balderdash.
Take and eat this in remembrance
that Christ died for thee
and feed on him in thine heart
by faith with thanksgiving. Amen.
How did you know
I was giving the sermon?
A little bird told me.
Why did you?
My wretched curate, Mr Barnsley,
is ill again.
I should dismiss him.
One service a year
does not seem too exacting.
Did you write it?
No!
Barnsley did.
Next time,
you should read it beforehand.
It'll make you look less foolish.
We were wondering
if there was another reason
why you came down here to Hampshire.
Meaning?
You dare not show your face
in London.
If that were the reason,
you are the cause of it.
I've got something for you.
What?
It's not enough to pay them off,
but it's enough to keep them quiet
for a while.
Let it not be said that the brother
of the Earl of Brockenhurst
cannot walk down Bond Street
without fear of debtors' prison.
You won't be sorry.
I'm sorry now.
Mend your ways, Stephen.
Mend your ways.
By the way, ma'am, I've torn some
new rags for when you need them.
It's not my time, is it?
It is, madam.
In fact, it was a few days ago.
I'm surprised you haven't
asked for them before now.
But I can't be.
I'm not able to be.
Can you get Mr Oliver
to do the business?
If so, I shouldn't waste any time.
Oh, I doubt it.
Not in his present mood.
Surely, I can't be.
Then, if you can't be,
you won't be.
God...
I hope Speer enjoys it here
a little more than you do, my dear.
What part of Ireland is she from?
Belfast, I'm afraid.
She's a city girl, like me.
I wish I could open your eyes.
You could have such wonderful times.
What would I do about Speer?
You can always get another maid.
But you'll never find another house
like Glanville.
How is Oliver?
I haven't seen him.
I hope we don't have another evening
ahead of his raging against Mr Pope.
He's jealous.
It must be hard,
when your father prefers
to do business with a stranger,
rather than his own son.
It's not about business.
And he isn't a stra...
James was fond of Mr Pope's father.
Of course.
Maria, will you play for us?
We have deprived John of his port,
so he deserves some consolation.
HE CHUCKLES
Rest easy on that score.
I'd always rather join the ladies.
If you will excuse me,
I want to thank Mrs Shaw
for our dinner. Oh!
Maria...
..perhaps you'd like to play.
Hm
THEY BOTH CLEAR THEIR THROATS
Your mother has contrived
that we should be, erm...
..left to our own devices.
You don't seem very anxious
to be alone with me.
I might say the same.
SHE STARTS TO PLAY
Did I tell you
my uncle is very pleased
by the news of our engagement?
That's kind of him.
Yes.
He prefers that I choose birth
over fortune.
And are you pleased, John?
That is what I cannot fathom.
HE HALF-CHUCKLES
Well, my parents are glad.
So is your mother.
And we must all marry someone,
I suppose.
I see.
Oh, I dare say we'll do well enough.
Why shouldn't we?
We want the same things.
Such as?
HE CHUCKLES
Well, a proper place in society...
..where we may do as we like.
You need to have no fear about that.
When my uncle dies,
we will be king and queen...
..of all we survey.
SHE CONTINUES TO PLAY
Princess Feodora of Leiningen
she was called.
The queen's half-sister
by her mother's first marriage.
Now, they pushed her into the arms
of a German princeling in the end.
That was Sir John Conroy's doing.
He wanted her out of the way.
When, if they'd only waited,
she could have been a queen herself.
You talk about them as if you knew
them, Miss Ellis. As if they were...
Well, like you or me.
And so they are, Stanley!
Just like you and me and
don't you ever think any different!
Now, that's fighting talk,
Miss Ellis.
I'm ready for a fight, Mrs Rust,
if you're asking me to say
I'm not as good as anyone upstairs.
Or in the palace, for that matter.
You'll worry the young ones
if you're not careful.
I'm not worried. I'm inspired.
Mm.
That's what I was afraid of.
Mr Turton.
I suppose we should let Mr Bellasis
know when we get back to London.
Have you got something for him?
Not yet.
I want to be sure he'll pay enough
before I take any big risks.
Well, I wouldn't worry too much.
They'd never let us go.
They wouldn't manage without us.
Well, she couldn't manage
without me. We have history.
And I'm too valuable.
That's not what the mistress
was saying to Mrs Oliver
as they walked along the hallway
earlier. What did she say?
"You can always find another maid."
Those were her words.
So, what is your value now,
Miss Ellis?
So, how was it?
Draining?
As draining as death.
HE LAUGHS
So, tell me what you learned.
Well, you were right.
Charles Pope is very important
to Mr Trenchard.
Yes, I know that.
I want to know why.
He talks about Mr Pope's business,
which infuriates Oliver. Ah...
But then my mother-in-law said...
What?
She wasn't thinking and she let it
slip that it's not about business
and Mr Pope is not a stranger.
Make of that what you will.
Hm...
Where does Lady Brockenhurst
fit into all this?
What's the matter?
You look preoccupied.
Do I?
It's nothing.
You know this would be very serious
for me, sir, if it came out.
They won't hang you.
They've abolished the bloody Code.
Or hadn't you heard?
They won't hang me, no.
But they would put me in prison.
Petty treason by a servant
against their master
is still a serious crime.
Hm.
I'd have to borrow his keys,
if I'm to get into his private desk.
Have you searched his office?
The answer won't be there.
They may work together,
but the secret...
..lies in the history of them both.
I know it.
Search the letters he's kept.
Look for any mention of the names
Charles or Pope.
No matter how old.
The older the better.
It'll cost you.
I know.
£20 at least.
Well, that's a bit steep.
It's the price.
Can you get it?
Because I'm not breaking the law
for pennies.
Yes, I can get it.
HE SIGHS
DOORBELL RINGS
DOOR CLOSES
Ah!
Mother not here?
She's at a committee meeting.
Oh?
How was Lymington?
I thought you were going to stay
for longer. Oh, it was bloody.
Barnsley was ill.
I had to take the service on Sunday.
And give the sermon.
HE LAUGHS
I'd pay to see that.
Your uncle and aunt were there,
making the most of my humiliation.
Mm.
And they still won't give you
a penny towards the debt?
Have you got Schmitt off your back?
Yes.
In the end,
Captain Black lent me the money.
But he wants it back. Well,
what did you think would happen?
Oh, if I could just have some luck.
One good hand is all I need.
You are incorrigible. Do you think
I should try the lenders again?
No, you're a bad bet
and they won't take it.
It's time we approached
Aunt Caroline.
Do you think so?
You surprise me.
I thought you'd given up on that.
Well, we'll see.
I have a man on the case,
as they say.
Do you mean you're still looking
into Mr Pope? I am.
And I may have solved Trenchard's
role in the story, but...
..not Aunt Caroline's.
If Peregrine would only pay up,
we wouldn't be in this situation.
If you hadn't gambled with money
you do not have, my dear father,
we wouldn't be in this situation.
And anyway,
we're not in any situation.
You are in the situation.
You have to help me. It...
DOOR OPENS
John!
How lovely!
HE CHUCKLES
We've hardly seen anything of you
this summer.
Will you stay for luncheon?
Oh, no, I don't think I can.
Oh, how was your meeting?
Mm...
Disheartening.
We spent most of the morning
talking about black Monday.
Oh, what's that?
The day the rent is due.
Hm.
I was wondering
if you have any news?
HE CHUCKLES
What sort of news?
Well, not to put
too fine a point on it,
we don't understand the delay
in announcing the engagement.
I don't know anything about that.
You should ask Lady Templemore.
Yep.
Are you going so soon?
Yes, I'm afraid so.
I just need to fetch some clothes
from upstairs. But, erm...
Yes, then I must be off.
Do you need a suitcase?
Oh, no, no. No, I have one up there.
You're being ridiculous!
The thing is settled!
You are ridiculous to pretend
that I will marry John Bellasis,
when you know very well I will not!
I hope you're not suggesting
you've met someone else,
someone who is not known to me,
whom you prefer?
I'm just saying that
I won't marry John Bellasis.
That is enough for now.
How dare you disobey me!
I won't let you throw away
your chance.
I'd be a bad mother
if I allowed it!
And how will you stop me?
You'll find out.
Thank you, Mama.