Reign (2013–2017): Season 4, Episode 2 - A Grain of Deception - full transcript

Previously on Reign...

My sister, Queen Leeza.

She's become quite pious

since marrying the king of Spain.

Philip thinks you need to draw

your Catholic nobles closer.

Secure their loyalty, their gold.

Spain can't fund this court forever.

John Knox tried to have
you killed, not Mary.

Knox is a respected Protestant leader.

I can't go after him without evidence.



Evidence that died
along with your witness.

Did you know about Knox?

I knew.

You have a long road to travel

before I trust you again.

Lord Narcisse,

you provided crucial
information to the Crown.

And as a reward, I am transferring you

out of the Tower.

Elizabeth executed my friend.

I'm not looking for a man to love,

I'm looking for a weapon
to use against her.

I need power, I need a husband.

And that husband is Lord Darnley.



So you've come to my court to bargain.

I am in love with a woman I can't have.

She is promised to a
suitor of a powerful family.

You can break their engagement.

If you do this for me,

Queen Mary and I will never meet,

and without me, Mary Stuart

will be powerless against you.

_

Hyah! Hey!

Halt!

In the name of the English Crown!

Halt!

Halt!

Please. We're just farmers.

You're farmers of gunpowder,
by the looks of it.

- You're Scottish Guard.
- On my life,

the village of Canonbie
will never surrender.

No need to give your life today.

Instead... give Queen Mary

a message.

Please tell me we've received
word from Lord Darnley.

Otherwise, James, I might be
alarmed by your urgent manner.

Some things are more important

than Darnley's strange silence,

or your marriage plans.

I know you are opposed to Darnley

because he is a Catholic lord,

but if I am to protect
myself against Elizabeth...

- Protect your own country first.
- Bring a basin of water.

Why? What's happening?

Easy, lad.

Oh, my God.

Who did this to you?

We were intercepted

a mile outside Canonbie.

You poor young man.

Two of our soldiers were
disguised as peasants,

but their farm cart was
ambushed nonetheless.

English soldiers took the grain

and the munition.

Canonbie is a Scottish town.

The English had no right.

It's a disputed border region.

One that I swore to protect.

If we don't get supplies

to the town by the end of the week,

the villagers will starve.

The soldiers said the
siege would be lifted

if Canonbie surrendered.

I told them the villagers
would rather die.

This is the third time

we've tried to supply arms

and food to Canonbie.

I was promised

this would not happen again.

It should not have, Your Majesty.

But somehow, the English
were aware of our movements.

All three times.

The question is, how?

_

Darnley...

my love...

Oh...

We can't.

If I'm not whole on my wedding night...

As your husband,

I will promise not to judge.

But you are not my husband yet.

In case you've forgotten,

I am still engaged to
Lord White, not you.

Darling, I told you,
that's being taken care of.

Queen Elizabeth is
negotiating with Lord White

to get you out of your engagement

so that we can be together.

What about your mother?

She seems determined to make you a king.

Accepting Mary's invitation
to the Scottish court

does not guarantee me a crown.

And I would lose you.

I can't lose you.

Keira...

you are more important to me

than all the kingdoms in the world.

More important than Scotland...

or England...

or my own satisfaction,

which is why I will preserve your virtue

for our wedding night.

But that doesn't mean
we can't enjoy ourselves.

Queen Mary doesn't
know what she's missing.

Oh, dear.

It did seem as though it would be

a closer game this time, didn't it?

You only beat me by one point.

Did I?

Oh. I think you're mistaken.

It's another crushing defeat.

Clearly, I am not a worthy adversary.

You know, I would understand

if you simply... sent me home.

Are you forgetting you
stabbed two of my guards

after your wife tried to have me killed?

John Knox tried to have you killed.

Which you would never have known about,

had I not informed you.

And that is the only reason

I'm allowing you to return to France...

that is, if they'll have you.

What does that mean?

Well, I sent the terms of
your release over a week ago,

though I've heard nothing.

The ball is, as they
say, in the Valois court.

Well... clearly, King Charles is dealing

with more pressing matters.

I assume he relies more heavily

on his experienced advisors,

which is why I wrote to
Catherine de Medici directly.

Then why hasn't she responded?

It's almost as though
she doesn't want you back.

Bocce... such a devious game.

But it is Italian, after all.

Your Majesty,

might I have a word?

If it's regarding Lord Darnley's

marriage arrangement, speak freely.

Lord Narcisse has bigger things

on his mind than matchmaking,

such as how to avoid another

humiliating loss.

Lord White has

reluctantly agreed to release Lady Keira

from her engagement,

but he isn't happy about it.

I've arranged to send a substantial sum.

Then we are one step closer

to keeping Darnley from Mary's reach.

Mm.

Well done.

I admit, I was concerned

about your reluctance to work
against your "other" queen.

I have one queen,

one country and one goal, peace.

A political marriage
between Mary and Lord Darnley

would only fan the flames of war.

What is not a step towards peace

is that John Knox has
arrived at English court.

Ah.

Knox accepted my invitation.

He plotted your assassination
and dares to show his face here?

He knows I cannot arrest him

without proof of his
treachery, which I do not have.

Then why on earth have
you brought him here?

If Knox accepted my invitation,

it means he does not suspect
I know his involvement.

Knox's weakness is that
he thinks he's untouchable.

But I have a plan to show him he's not.

_

Another Mass.

God must be drowning in our adoration.

I like Mass. It brings me comfort

to know that Leith's
soul can be at peace.

Some advice from a caring sister?

Don't grieve so openly for a commoner

you should never have
even considered marrying.

It will hurt your
reputation, and for what?

He's dead.

How often is Charles
taking the Eucharist?

He's back from Paris, I sent word

that we were attending
Mass; why didn't he join us?

The king is a pious but busy man.

Or should be.

The nobles tell me
he missed the last two

privy council meetings

because he'd taken to his bed.

They lack leadership,

especially with the lord chancellor

stuck in English prison.

I assure you that Lord Narcisse's return

is being taken care of.

Queen Elizabeth has sent word

that the English are
willing to release him

if France makes monetary reparations.

Doesn't that require
the king's signature?

I don't see that happening anytime soon,

what with Charles so "busy."

Admit it, Mother.

France needs new leadership.

I can't believe it.

Charles fires me as his regent

so he can rule the country by himself

and he's not even ruling it.

Charles fired you because
you were a self-serving tyrant

- whom he could no longer trust.
- Why, Claude,

how nice of you to take time

away from your grief to criticize.

This is more important

than my strained relations
with your brother.

If the position of lord
chancellor remains open,

Spain will try to fill
it with one of their own,

and granting Spain a
presence in our government

practically makes
France a Spanish colony.

I will not allow it.

Your brother can sign
those papers in my blood,

but I and France need Narcisse!

I selected those four
generals myself, Mary.

I've known them for years.

I don't believe there's
a traitor among them.

The only people who knew about

our attempts to supply Canonbie

were those generals, myself and you.

And yet England has
thwarted us every time.

Through luck or skill, I don't know.

But I trust those men.

They are loyal both
to Scotland and to you.

And what about their servants?

Or their wives?

You tend to underestimate women, James.

Like you underestimated me.

I made a mistake.

I failed to tell you

about Knox's involvement in Lola's death

because I didn't trust your leadership,

and I was wrong.

Now I don't know who to trust.

You had your own agenda when
you rescued me from Clan Gordon.

And you forced my hand against them,

making me an enemy of the
Catholics and John Knox.

Now I have no choice
to serve anyone but you.

Which brings me to ask you
this, James, can I trust you?

Canonbie isn't Clan Gordon.

It's not a Catholic or Protestant issue.

This is about Scotland.

None of us wants that
village falling to England.

Well, someone does,
and they're close to me.

Do you have any idea what it feels like

to have a whole village's
lives in your hands,

and not know who I can trust?

Not even my own brother?

- Mary...
- Stop.

There is nothing you can say.

Your actions have spoken for you.

And if I am going to be alone,

then I will save Canonbie myself.

Reverend Knox, thank
you so much for coming.

I was honored and...

surprised by your request.

Please excuse the heightened security.

You may not have heard,

but there was recently
an attack on my life

at my own castle,

and I think you can
guess who was responsible.

Mary, Queen of Scots.

Huh.

Well, what can you
expect from a Catholic?

And a woman.

It was Eve who damned us all.

If it's my preaching on women's roles

you wish to discuss...

Actually, no.

But I would like to talk

about joining forces against Mary.

Mary's return to Scotland is

inconvenient for both of us.

Despite our differences,
there must be a way

we can work together on her removal.

Mary has managed to
turn many of the nobles

who formerly opposed her.

But they could be turned back.

For a price, I imagine.

Their loyalty does not come cheaply.

Give me a day to gather the funds.

Until then, I hope you will
stay here at court as my guest.

Despite our differences,
perhaps this is the beginning

of a mutually beneficial alliance.

I could not look
forward to anything more.

I had forgotten how much I missed

silk brocade.

And don't get me wrong,
Scottish wool is very warm...

But French clothes are so beautiful.

It's not disloyal to
Scotland to admire them.

Catherine sent me these weeks ago,

just haven't had time to unpack.

A St. Brigid's Day party
is the perfect excuse.

The tradition of blessing new garments,

give the ladies of the
court a chance to see

the latest in French fashion.

And you think the information

being leaked is coming through one

of the generals' wives?

It's the next logical place to look.

I want to believe James
when he says that my generals

are loyal to me,

but men forget that women have ears.

Yes, well, it wouldn't be the first part

of the female anatomy
that comes to a man's mind.

So...

how can I help?

The dresses are just the draw.

I need you to make sure
that the party is... relaxed.

And once everyone,

including the generals' wives,

have let down their guard,

I will drop a bit of
information in confidence.

If that information
leaks, it will reveal

who the traitors are in my court.

It's an excellent plan.

Oh, I've missed this.

What, spying?

Saving Scottish villages?

Spending time with you...

and having a party,

even if the purpose is political.

I've missed you, too.

Since I've arrived
in Scotland, I've felt

very alone with no one to turn to.

In fact, I was hoping to make
your visit more permanent.

How?

I had to respond officially

to Lola's involvement

in the assassination
attempt against Elizabeth.

I had no choice but to
confiscate her family's lands.

But Lola was tricked

and her family have
already suffered enough.

I know, and I want to be
sure they're taken care of,

which is why I am asking you

and Castleroy to move here

and manage their lands for them.

You could set up residence at court,

at least for part of the
time, and be my lady again.

Mary, I...

don't know what to say.

I understand if you
need some time to think.

There is much to miss in France.

But I do hope you say yes, Greer.

Honestly, I need
someone here I can trust.

Well, this is a very
generous proposal and a chance

to regain my best friend.

I shall write to Castleroy immediately

and tell him of your kind offer.

Ah, Charles, if I could have a moment.

Not now, I need some air.

Well, you can breathe while I talk.

There are urgent matters
that require your attention.

Again? I'm sick of people

asking things of me.

You are the king,

that is the job.

Queen Elizabeth will release Narcisse,

but she is demanding
compensation for his return,

so if you could please
sign these documents,

we can get our lord chancellor back.

I'll look at it later.

At least think of your nephew,

young John. He's also
trapped in England, surrounded

by strangers instead
of home with his family.

Lucky him.

Charles, wait.

What has happened to your arm?

It's fine. I fell.

It's a minor injury.

- Please let me look at it.
- I said it's fine.

- I haven't been sleeping well.
- Well, then bring Narcisse home

and let someone else take the burden.

Your absences are starting
to be cause for concern,

particularly with your sister, Leeza.

At least dine with your family.

Show her you are present
and capable of ruling

this country without Spain's help.

If I say I'll come to
lunch, will you stop talking?

Yes.

And perhaps you will sign

these documents later?

Lord Narcisse.

The queen requests your presence.

Please, tell me that France

has finally negotiated my release.

Sorry, no.

But perhaps you can
earn your own way home.

The man responsible for
your wife's death is here.

Elizabeth has a favor to ask.

So, are you killing Knox, or am I?

Knox cannot be harmed
while he's here in England.

Me, then.

Let me be clear,

Lord Narcisse.

I do not want you

to assassinate John Knox,

not until I get what I want.

- Which is?
- Proof of who my enemies are.

You know that Knox forged
the letter from Mary.

He threatened your life
and he cost Lola hers!

Yes, but the nanny, who was
my only witness, is dead.

I have no proof of that crime,

so I need Knox to plot another.

And you want me to help him do that?

Gain Knox's trust.

He hates me because I
am a woman with a throne.

While he's in England,
he's probably already

planning a meeting with
my enemies, and if not,

you can suggest it.

Catching Knox in the act,

plotting against me,
will give me the evidence

I need to bring him down.

You want me to entrap him.

And what's in it for me?

- Your freedom.
- Worthless

without justice.

Do you honestly expect me to be

so close to Knox and not kill him?

You are not the only
one who cared for Lola,

or wants Knox dead.

Do what I ask, and once I
have the evidence I need...

you can have Knox.

The four generals' wives have arrived

and the wine is flowing.

Well done.

I've arranged for James to interrupt me

with an "urgent" message

after I get the four of them together.

Which ones are they?

Lady Calum and Lady Innes

are partaking of the pheasant.

And standing at the foot of the stairs,

talking to Emily Knox, are
Lady Donal and Lady McEwan.

Emily Knox?

I didn't know Knox had a daughter.

He doesn't.

That's his wife.

Oh, she seems...

- Young.
- Yes.

Well,

we'd best begin.

Ladies! Welcome to my
St. Brigid's Day luncheon,

a time to celebrate spring, sisterhood,

and a chance for me to get to know

all of you better.

In France, we celebrate this day

with beautiful things.

So, in honor of St. Brigid,

let us raise a glass to the patron saint

of fertility.

- Your Majesty.
- To St. Brigid.

He gambled the family fortune away

in three short years.

The daughter will have no
dowry left at this rate,

and she won't be married for her looks,

that much is certain.

And his brother, well...

Queen Mary, there you are.

James has arrived.

Oh.

Have you seen Lady
Calum's new cosmetic cream?

We all have.

It makes your complexion flawless,

- Lady Calum.
- The secret

is in the arsenic.

Or is it the lead?

I forget.

Both are so good for one's skin.

Mm.

Forgive me for interrupting,

Queen Mary, but I have
a rather urgent message.

Oh, what is it?

That is good news.

Thank you, James.

What is it? What's happened?

Can you ladies keep a secret?

The next time the English

intercept a certain shipment,

they will get a surprise in
the form of poisoned grain.

Oh.

To Scotland.

Really is a wonderful breeze.

- Try it on.
- Oh, no!

Oh, dear.

Poor Mrs. Knox,

she is straight off the farm.

I'd feel sorry for her if she
wasn't married to John Knox.

Feel sorry for her
because she's his wife.

Really? It isn't a happy marriage?

How could it be?

Alone in that house with Knox
off preaching all the time.

She must be very lonely.

I hear she drinks to excess.

I haven't seen Mrs. Knox
touch a drop all day.

Well, you don't think a
reverend's wife would dare

drink openly, do you?

But the servants say otherwise.

Oh, that's interesting.

Sad is more like it.

Yes, of course.

Speaking of which, I think I've had

a bit too much to drink myself.

- If you ladies will excuse me?
- Your Majesty.

I also hear he makes
her have "relations"

through a hole in the sheet.

That's speculation, of course.

Then why repeat it?

For God's sake, we might as well eat,

the king is clearly not on his way.

Perhaps something came up.

Like ruling a nation? Mother, please.

Charles is shirking every
responsibility imaginable.

He can't even be bothered

to find a proper
husband for poor Claude.

I'm still in mourning.

We know, Claude.

And frankly, it's embarrassing.

I'm embarrassing?!

- Uh-huh.
- That's right.

In this family, nobody
actually has feelings.

Another empty chair.

But perhaps that's best.

It gives us a chance to talk
about the lord chancellorship.

I've received word from
my husband, King Philip.

I'm aware who you married, Leeza.

You don't have to keep saying it.

Spain will pay for Narcisse's release.

- Really?
- Of course.

We want him out of
England as much as you do.

But only if he steps down

as lord chancellor permanently.

And I assume you have
a replacement in mind.

Yes. Cardinal Juan Rosales.

Ah. A Spaniard.

A true and loyal Catholic.

A fine man, I'm sure,

but he would need to be
approved by the privy council.

Well, luckily, he's
on his way as we speak.

Then he will have made
the trip for nothing,

because I will never allow a Spaniard

to gain a foothold in
the French government.

You have no authority

over the French government.

Neither do you.

You're not in charge here, Leeza.

No one is in charge here!

So now I am forced to come in

and clean up your mess.

Do not touch my mess!

I may not be queen or regent,

but I still have influence,

and I will get my lord chancellor back

without the help of Spain.

The finest Venetian glass,

and what do the English put in it?

Riesling.

I would kill for a good
French red right now.

You're in the wrong country, then.

But not by choice.

I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced.

I'm Lord Narcisse,

Queen Elizabeth's special guest.

I stabbed two of her guards
at my wife's beheading.

So, you're the Frenchman whose wife

tried to assassinate the queen.

A failure that many regret.

I know that I do.

Dangerous talk.

Which is why I made
sure that we are alone.

Elizabeth murdered my wife.

I have cause for vengeance
and nothing to lose.

But you, Reverend Knox,

if you use your time here at court well,

I believe that you
have everything to gain.

So you know who I am.

And you think you know why I'm here.

Well, I assume that you
and Elizabeth are conspiring

against Mary, a mission
I heartily approve of.

Loyalty to Mary cost my wife her life.

But once Mary is gone,

then Elizabeth will
reign over both countries,

and I do not care for that at all.

Well, neither do I, frankly.

Then why not make use of this time?

Elizabeth's inner circle must have

a few malcontents
waiting for leadership.

Of course, you would
need a safe place to meet

away from prying eyes and English ears.

And I suppose you have
such a place in mind.

The French embassy.

Technically, it's French soil.

You and your supporters would
be virtually untouchable.

Lord Narcisse?

What you propose

is a dangerous act of sedition,

and we should not speak of it further.

Tempting though it may be.

James?

I need to speak to you.

I've already assigned guards

to watch the homes of
each of the generals.

If any of their wives

attempt to contact England,

we'll know soon enough.

Good, but there's something else.

I need you to befriend Emily Knox.

Emily Knox? Why?

I hear that it's an unhappy
marriage and that she's lonely.

You don't seriously expect
me to seduce John Knox's wife?

Well, she is in his house.

She may have knowledge of his doings.

At the least, she has access

to his documents and may
provide a valuable resource.

Do you not understand how
dangerous this could be?

Not just for me, but for her, as well.

Knox cost Lola her life.

And he is after mine.

He is out of town, possibly
plotting against me,

which means you need to act now.

I am not your whore.

Oh, but you're Knox's butcher?

You were going to take action
against Clan Gordon for him.

Why not take this action for me?

I'm giving you a
chance to earn my trust.

You speak of me earning
your trust, but what of you?

You give orders, you use people.

Whatever I do, it's never enough.

Because no matter how many times I prove

to you my ability as a ruler,

you still refuse to give
me your loyalty willingly.

I am alone to defend myself and
Scotland against all enemies.

But in an effort to
take down your enemies,

you run the risk of losing
those you truly need.

Trust is given, but loyalty is earned.

And you, my queen,

have not earned mine.

I'll be leaving within
the hour for a meeting

at the French embassy.

Have my carriage ready.

Look who's still awake.

Sorry if we disturbed you, sir.

Poor boy has trouble falling asleep.

Well, I expect he misses his mother.

It's, uh, it's John,

isn't it? Lady Lola's son.

- I'm a friend of the family.
- Then you know if ever

a soul had a reason for
unrest, it's this child.

He's lost much for one so young.

His father, mother...

And his last caregiver.

I hear she ran off and
abandoned the child.

Oh, no, sir. She died, sir.

They found her with the boy
and brought them back to court.

But an infection took
her strangely quick.

Poor thing, no wonder he can't sleep.

- Also, I think he's getting a...
- Excuse me.

Do I only give orders and use people?

Mary, no, not as a friend.

But as a queen.

It's what queens do.
You can't help that.

I suppose this is why queens

find it so hard to trust people.

Why are you packing?

I thought maybe I should.

I'm not sure if I can accept your offer

to stay here at court.

Why not? Has Castleroy refused?

No. No, not at all. It's just...

something's been bothering me

since the St. Brigid's Day party.

All that gossip about
the unfortunate Mrs. Knox.

Those vultures were
laughing at the poor girl...

And I only seemed to fuel the fire.

Greer, of all the
threats that I have faced

since I came to Scotland,

John Knox is the most dangerous.

And those women, their gossip gave me

information that I can use against him.

I understand.

That is your life, and
the life here at court.

But I'm not sure it can be mine.

Not with Castleroy and Rose.

If you're afraid of people finding out

that Castleroy isn't her
father, no one needs to know.

Not a secret we can keep.

The truth is the baby is even

darker in complexion than her father.

Oh, I see.

In France, we've had
to pretend that Rose

is an orphan we've taken in.

And when I think of my
child here at court...

People can be awful.

Greer, I'm so sorry.

How can I be your lady
when even the servants

in the royal nursery would
refuse to care for her?

Even a queen cannot
change how people are.

Mary, I would love to stay,

but this is my family.

And your loyalty must
lie with your family.

If you must go, I understand.

But if you stay,

you'll be provided with the best care.

And you and your family
will be welcome in my court.

As a queen

and as your friend,
this I can guarantee.

Thank you.

I'd love to stay.

We enter the embassy
through the catacombs.

Have a man posted on the
street in case Knox runs.

He already has.

Knox is gone.

I received word from my
contact at the embassy

Knox never showed, and he's not

- at the castle, either.
- What?

He may have sensed a trap.

He was seen entering
the infirmary an hour ago

asking questions about
the death of John's nanny.

Then he knows the nanny
was never in the infirmary.

- Yeah.
- He must suspect that we hid the truth

that she was killed by the
queen's guard, but if he thinks

she told us about his association

with the assassination
attempt, he'll flee.

You, go after Knox.

You two come with me.

The French embassy is this way.

Dear God.

We're going to need more men.

50 of my own subjects
gathered against me?

I imagined he could summon a handful

of disloyal men, but 50?

Unfortunately, Knox is not amongst them.

We stopped him before
he reached the border.

He's been detained, but we
have no evidence against him.

Then we have nothing.

We have witnesses who are
willing to testify that

the men we've arrested
were conspiring against you.

Those men, at least,
will be tried for treason.

I cannot bring them to trial.

Not all 50 of them.

They are English nobles,
your own subjects.

What would you have me do?

Let their hatred of me be
heard in a court of law?

Parade their treason
through the streets, so that

the vast number of them can
inspire others to do the same?

Your Majesty...

We must kill them.

Kill them all.

Mother, is that what you're
wearing to afternoon mass?

I'm not going to afternoon mass.

Not today or ever again.

Leeza can take her false humility

and Spanish aggression,
and she can choke on it.

I'm getting Narcisse back today.

Your sister may have the power of Spain

and the church, but
I still have friends.

I have invited the nobles to a banquet

where I will remind them
of the liberal extravagance

of the Valois, and
what they stand to lose

if Leeza and Spain take over.

They will be begging
for Narcisse's return,

a French lord chancellor,
not a puppet of Spain.

Queen Mother,

- you're looking well.
- Am I,

Lord Dennard? I thought I might be

pale at the shock of betrayal.

Where is everyone?

Of the ten nobles I've invited,

only you have deigned to appear.

Well, I believe many
had a change in schedule

considering the crops,

and, uh, holidays upon us.

You mean the nobles

discussed it and determined

that Spain is strong
while the Valois seem weak.

Everyone but you has deserted me.

And you just came for the food.

And your charming company.

Get out!

You left rather quickly in the night.

Was it something I said?

When I found a nanny at your court

died suddenly of infection,

without the infirmary having
any record of her illness,

I decided to return home.

Suddenly, I felt... unsafe.

Oh, I imagine you did.

Especially when you found out

the nanny did not die of
a mysterious infection.

She was killed moments after confessing

you were the one who organized

the assassination attempt on my life.

How troubling.

And yet you seem so untroubled.

People say things,

but without proof, they're just words.

That's why you tried to catch
me in the act of sedition.

You have no proof against me.

Otherwise, I'd be in
the Tower right now.

The Tower is too good for you.

I'll be handing you to
Lord Narcisse, instead.

No, you're not.

Your rule is tenuous,
it always has been.

Despite your years on the throne,

50 of your Protestant subjects

gathered against you just last night.

And yet none of them have
been heard from since.

Because you killed them.

See, you think that's a show of power,

but we both know the truth.

You're afraid.

That's why you did it quietly,
hoping no one would know.

But the rumors are
already starting to spread.

Now, if you give me to Lord
Narcisse and I go missing...

those 50 will be replaced by 100,

those 100 will raise 1,000 more.

Soon you'll have an
uprising on your hands.

You think your life is worth that much?

You're just a man.

And you are a woman
of questionable birth

that no one really wants on the throne.

Even Mary. Returned,
as queen of Scotland,

she's a greater threat than
ever, yet... you do nothing.

Why not send assassins?

Because you know that
killing another queen

only opens the door
to someone killing you.

Someone like you?

You tried to have me
killed and you failed.

So take your anti-monarchist

poison back to Scotland

and direct it towards Mary...

where it might actually do me some good.

Mary?

Is everything all right?

I just received word
that the English soldiers

did not stop our latest shipment.

The grain got to Canonbie.

I needed to find the leak

and get food to the villagers.

I knew that if the
English forces believed

that the grain was poisoned,

they'd allow the
shipment to pass through.

But then that's good news.

You supplied the village
and found the leak.

Not quite.

I still don't know which of the
generals' wives is responsible.

But you had all four women followed.

And none of them did
anything suspicious.

Lady Calum and Lady McEwan

spent all day in their chambers;

Lady Innes, all day at church.

Yes, well, according to Lady McEwan,

Lady Innes takes confession
daily for "impure thoughts."

And Lady Donal went into the
village, saw her dressmaker,

and then stopped at the
blacksmith for some reason.

Because she doesn't trust
her servants to do anything,

not even sharpen her husband's swords.

That doesn't make sense.

The Royal Armory takes
care of weapon maintenance.

Then what was she
doing at the blacksmith?

Faster, faster!

Use the crop!

First tell me,

when is the next shipment to Canonbie?

Lady Donal,

on behalf of Queen Mary and Scotland,

you are under arrest for treason.

No! I didn't mean to commit treason!

I was seduced! Oh, please, kill me now!

I can't be beheaded in
front of my children!

Good day.

Lord James, do you have a moment?

Uh... of course,

Lady Knox.

Thank you.

I beg your pardon?

The belt I admired at the party arrived,

with a note that was so caring.

"It looks lovely no
matter how you wear it."

How thoughtful of you
to ease my embarrassment,

but I cannot accept your gift.

- Mrs. Knox, I don't know...
- I am married.

A gift,

even one given out of pity,

sympathy...

I just can't accept it.

But you...

you are so kind.

I'll have the gift returned to you.

We need not speak of this again.

James? What's wrong?

Mary. She's scheming, manipulative...

Whatever Mary has done, I'm
sure she has her reasons.

She has one reason for
everything she does,

she is the queen.

Which is a burden neither
of us can truly understand.

You don't know what she's been through.

And while I know it's not easy

being in her circle,
it's usually worth it,

because she has a good heart

and she protects those closest to her.

She let Knox go.

Elizabeth couldn't hold him,

and his disappearance
would have caused a scandal.

The only scandal I care about

is justice left undone.

Are you sure what you seek
is justice and not vengeance?

Against Knox, but
against Elizabeth, too.

Your hatred of her must
have been convincing

if it satisfied Knox.

Hating Elizabeth was not
a difficult role to play,

I'll grant you that.

But as much as it pains me to say,

Lola was part of an
assassination attempt.

Elizabeth had no choice...

she had to punish her.

She had no choice with
Knox, either, Lord Narcisse.

Then it appears justice

- will have to wait.
- There's a boat

ready to take you and Lady
Lola's child back to France.

I'll instruct the captain
to leave immediately.

Lord Narcisse, what a surprise.

I would have thought you'd
be halfway back to France

the moment you got your freedom.

And yet, I felt oddly compelled

to seek you out, Lady Lennox.

To offer my congratulations

on your son, Lord
Darnley's, imminent marriage

to Lady Keira.

You've made a mistake.

Lady Keira is engaged to Lord White.

She was.

But one hears many
things at English court.

And what I hear

is the queen made a
financial arrangement

with Lord White to
cancel the engagement.

- Really?
- Yes. Quite a large sum, too.

To be delivered in secret
by a single horseman...

today.

Why are you telling me this?

'Cause you don't want
Elizabeth to get her way,

and neither do I.

She murdered my wife and I despise her.

Well, then, we can
only hope that the money

arrives there safely.

The roads are rife with danger.

It would be such a shame
if that money went missing.

I daresay it would undo

all of Elizabeth's hard work.

You sent Knox's wife

a note and a gift from me,

even after I made it clear

that I do not wish to form
a relationship with her.

Because I made it clear

that we needed to move now,

before Knox returned.

And if I don't agree to
pursue this "friendship"?

Then you will have, once
again, chosen Knox over me.

And I won't be able
to protect you from him

when he returns and finds that
you've given his wife a gift.

- Now you're threatening me!
- You leave me no other choice!

And you, once again,

are forcing my hand!

Lady Greer wants me to believe

that you only do what you must

in order to protect
those closest to you,

but she's wrong.

Ever since you returned to Scotland,

you have sought to
destroy every alliance

I worked so hard to build.

The only alliance you
should have is with me!

I have spies in my own court,

my Protestants are against me,

my Catholic supporters had me kidnapped.

I said I could do this alone,

James, but I can't.

I need your help. Not
just as your queen,

but as your sister.

I spent my childhood
isolated in a foreign land

and now the only family I have left

is standing in front of me

and I'm afraid he's
beginning to hate me.

I don't want to hate you, Mary.

Then don't!

Aren't you tired

of playing both sides

and trusting neither?

Aren't you tired of being alone?

More than you know.

Then I beg of you,

let us take a leap of faith

and end our pattern of lies and deceit

and instead trust one another,

be loyal to one another,

protect one another.

Because we are the only
family we have left.

Pick a side, James...

and let it be mine.

Because unlike Knox,

I will never betray you.

You're right.

We are all the family we have.

And I am on your side.

Charles.

We need to talk.

- I can't. I'm tired.
- I'm sorry.

But I can't just let
you take to your bed,

or whatever else it is you
choose to do rather than be king.

Not when your sister is determined

to sink her claws into France.

I cannot stop her, I cannot save France.

I have tried and I have failed.

I know that I am not regent,

but I am your mother

and I am not going to sit by and watch

while both my son

and my country slip away.

Let me help you.

Please. Tell me, what is wrong?

Is that the paperwork
to bring Narcisse home?

- Yes, it is, but...
- Leave it.

I'll sign it.

That's what you want, isn't it?

- Charles, what I want...
- Put it down and go.

Please, Mother.