The Duchess of Duke Street (1976–1977): Season 1, Episode 2 - Honour and Obey - full transcript

Blanchir. Blanchir.

To whiten poultry,
fish, fruit, et cetera,

by plunging them
into boiling water,

then plunging them
into cold water. Right.

Blanquette. Blanquette.

Blanquette.

Blanquette.
A sort of fricassee, white,

whence its name. Right.

Yeah? Who is it?

It's Mary,
Miss Leyton.

Are you all right?



Yeah, of course I am.
What do you want?

I thought I heard
somebody talking.

It's only me, giving
meself a French lesson.

In the middle
of the night?

I've got to learn
sometime, haven't I?

You've got to know French
if you're going to be a cook.

Oh, I thought you was
having nightmares.

It is a nightmare,
I'll tell you.

Here. Come in.
You can make yourself useful.

You read out the English,

and I'll see if I know
the French for it.

Oh, I don't know
that I can.

Of course you can.

Look, you ask me
what is broth or stock,



and I say bouillon.

What's the matter?
Are you cold?

Here. Come on. Sit down.
Put a blanket round you.

There you are. Now.

Right. You ready?

Right. Off we go.

I can't read.

Just the English.

You can read
the English, can't you?

I never learned.

Oh, Mary.

You got to be able
to read

if you want to get on.

Will you teach me,
then?

Oh, blimey, Mary.

Sorry.

Here,
it's all right.

I'll teach you
some other time.

Not tonight, eh?

Who is it now?

Ivy, what do you want?

What's going on?

My God, it's like
a blooming market in here.

Here, come on,
both of you, get out.

Come on. I'm busy.
Go on. Off you go.

Go on.

God. Better off
on me own.

Major Farjeon, my lord.

Good morning, Henry.

No, no, no,
don't get up.

I'm sorry to
burst in so early.

Not a bit,
my dear fellow.

Come on now. I know
what you're here for,

and I apologize.

I apologize.

What for?

My behavior last night.

I offended
the Prince of Wales,

and you've come
in your official capacity

to wig me for it,
haven't you?

No. Your behavior?
What did you do?

I fell asleep
on the billiard table.

Ha ha ha!

It wasn't noticed.

Thank God for that.
It's baccarat.

Goes on so long.

Can't you get him
to play bridge?

Much more civilized game.

It's usually over
by midnight,

and then some of us poor
devils can get home to bed.

He's playing bridge
tonight,

as a matter of fact,
at Lady Saddle's.

Will you be there?

I suppose so.
I've been asked.

You know, I find
his energy quite astonishing.

I'm nearly
10 years younger,

and I can't begin
to keep pace.

All right, Trotter.

My lord.

Coffee, or would you
rather have a drink?

Oh, I think
coffee. Thank you.

A drink for you?

No, no, no. It wouldn't
do me any good.

Well, if it's not
a wigging,

what is it
you've come for?

It's a domestic matter.

A domestic matter?

Yes. A request
for the services

of your cook.

Oh, you mean my chef
Monsieur Alex.

No, your cook--
the young woman

who cooked for you
the other week

when the prince
was dining here.

Miss Leyton?

Ah, yes. She's still
with you, isn't she?

As far as I know.

The prince was most
impressed,

if you remember.

He'd like to borrow her.

He's entertaining
the kaiser privately

at Lady Markham's
next Wednesday.

Can you spare her,
do you think?

Good lord. Well, yes.

Honored, naturally,

but do you think
she's up to it?

I mean, she's very
inexperienced.

It's quite
an undertaking.

So was the other night.

Yes, but that
might have been a fluke,

mightn't it?

Is it fair on the girl?
That's all I'm saying.

The brief impression
I gained of her

was that she was
an intelligent

and rather
ambitious girl.

She's capable of
handling the situation.

Yes, well, if you're
happy about it.

I am. So I'll get on
with the arrangements,

if I may.

Yes. Please do,
my dear fellow.

Please do.

Here, where you been?

Monsieur Alex has been
looking for you.

I've been to market,
haven't I?

Got the base for
the Prince of Wales

and the kaiser.

Oh, thanks, Mary.

You can't put them
on here.

I'm making up his
lordship's breakfast.

Too bad.
I need this table.

I'm in a hurry.

Mary, fetch us
some large bowls, will you?

There's a good girl.

Excuse me.

Hey!

Monsieur Alex.
Monsieur Alex.

What's happening
here?

She come in here

and pushed me
out of the way.

Leyton, what are you
doing here?

We can't do this here.

We're preparing breakfast.

Where can I do it,
Monsieur Alex?

This is me big day.

Take them to
the scullery.

The scullery?
I can't work in the scullery.

It's cramped in there.

The scullery, Leyton,
at once, please.

MARY: Shall I help you
peel them, miss?

LEYTON: Yeah.

Come on, Mary.

ALEX: Mary,
where are you going?

You're needed
in here, girl.

I need her here,
Monsieur Alex.

I've got to have
all these prepared

and taken down
to Lady Markham's

by midday.

I've got to have
a bit of help.

Mary's duties are
to this household,

not to Lady Markham's.

She will have her own
staff to assist you.

But I want Mary.
I know Mary.

She'll do them
the way I want them.

I don't want
some stranger

mucking them up.

What shall I do,
Monsieur Alex?

You'll stay where you are
and do as you're told.

That's stupid,
that is.

What?

You don't need her.

We could have half
done them by now,

time we stood here
arguing.

Calm yourself, Leyton.

I am ruddy calm.

You are not. You are
an excitable little girl,

and if you're
in this state now,

I hate to think what
you'll be in this evening.

I'll be perfectly
all right this evening

if people will stop
mucking me about

and let me get on
with me job.

Please, Monsieur Alex.

No, Mary.

All right, Monsieur
Alex, you can have her.

Go on, take her.
I don't want her.

I'll do it meself,
and you can all go and rot.

What a sight.
Indeed.

Oh, thank you,
Mr. Trotter.

I'll go and get
these packed up now,

then get meself
ready.

I'll never do it.

Mary!

Oh, by the way,
a small tip

from the prince's equerry,
Major Fargeon.

The kaiser likes fruit
with every course.

You're teasing.

No, I'm not, no.

Moreover, he eats
with specially designed forks

on account of his arm
being damaged at birth.

Go on.

It's true,
but don't worry.

He's quite easy
to please otherwise.

In fact, he'll probably
present you with a medal.

Oh, Mr. Trotter.

Mary!

All the buttons, Mary.
Don't miss one.

I won't, miss.

Hurry up.

I'm going as fast
as I can.

Where's me boots?
Boots.

Here they are.

Ta.

Oh, my God, they're tight.

My feet must have
swollen up. Push.

Where's all me food?

All in the cabin,
safely packed.

Oh.

Leyton.

I take it
as a compliment

that my protegee
has been chosen

by the Prince of Wales,

and I wish you
bonne chance.

Good luck, miss.

Ta.

It's starting to rain.

Too late. She's gone.

Oh.

Here, you can't put that
on there, Mr. Pritchett.

I'm gonna
put this on there.

What is it anyway,
for God's sake?

It's a floral
decoration, miss.

You can't put it
on there.

Oh? And where do you
suggest I put it?

I don't know.
Put it where you like.

Not on my sideboard.

Take it away altogether,
I would.

Far be it from me
to make any suggestions

for fear of seeming
impertinent,

but it is often
the look of a table,

of a room,
that contributes

to a happy
and successful party.

Elegance might seem
old-fashioned

to a modern young woman,
but I can assure you--

I believe in elegance,
too, Mr. Pritchett.

Look at me.
Aren't I elegant?

But I also believe
in simplicity

and things
in their proper place.

The proper place
for that is a lily pond.

In truth, you are
the most amazingly

confident creature.

I can only say that
in all my years--

Oh, take the damn
thing out.

Ta.

Will you be requiring
me for anything?

No, not for the moment,
thank you, Mr. Pritchett.

Always cook the potatoes
and the beans

and the asparagus yourself,
my rule is,

not leave them
to a scullery maid

or a person with no brains,
because they're important.

I take more trouble
with a cabbage

than most people
do with a chicken.

I take trouble
with a chicken, of course,

but I don't chop it all up
and decorate it

with all that stuff
that ain't gonna be used.

If it's a chicken,
you want it

tasting like a chicken,
don't you?

Absolutely.

My rule is, leave things

with their natural
proper flavor.

Did you learn all this
from your mother?

Oh, no. She's not
interested in cooking.

No, you can't be if you can't
afford to buy good food.

It was easy tonight.
Anyone could have done it.

Have you got
a large family?

No, just me brother,
me father, and me mother.

That's all.

What does
your father do?

He's a clockmaker.

He just fiddles about
with them nowadays.

Me mother's side of
the family, they're engravers.

They made part of
the queen's coronation crown.

Really?

Yeah. Well, I think
they did.

So I've got some connection
to royalty, eh?

Oh, yes, indeed.

You're a royal cook
now, Miss Leyton.

Yeah.

And what about
your brother?

What does he do?

He's in the war
in south africa.

I wish I'd been
a boy.

Oh, you don't,
do you?

I do. Wake up every morning
hoping for a miracle.

Ha ha ha! Why?

Well, cooking,
for one thing.

How many women
are maitre chefs?

I always thought boys had
a better chance in life.

I don't agree.

Think of all the beautiful
women through history--

loved, pampered,
and doted on.

Cor, I wouldn't want that.
That's not my way of living.

You're in their power,
ain't you?

What happens when they
go off and leave you?

What's a woman
to do then, eh?

That's not happened
to you yet, has it?

No. It's not going to,
neither.

Excuse me, sir.

Do I get paid anything
for this evening?

Oh, my goodness, yes.
I'd almost forgotten.

I'm sorry for asking.

No, no, no.
You're quite right.

There you are.

Ta.

And I have here also

a small token
from the prince

which he intended
giving you personally,

but the kaiser
detained him,

so he entrusted
the task to me.

With his thanks to you

for a most successful
and enjoyable dinner.

Aren't you going
to open it?

It wouldn't be
half a sovereign, would it?

Look and see.

Cor.

May I?

Ooh. Oh, I'm cold.

Oh, my God, Mr. Trotter,
you gave me a shock.

What you been
waiting up for?

It's my job
to wait up, lock up.

Would you care for
a drink, Miss Leyton?

Oh, no. I'm famished.

I ain't eaten anything
all evening.

Went well, then,
did it?

Yeah.

Not bad. Oh.

No blunders?

No. I've got this
to prove it, ain't I?

Yes. Of course
it went well.

A clever girl
like you.

To the future, eh?

With your looks,
talent.

You ain't done
so bad yourself--

butler to his lordship.

That's true.

We make rather
a good pair, don't we?

Hmm.

Mary's been
telling us all

about your French
lessons.

Monsieur Alex was very
interested in that.

I aimed to surprise him
with it.

You did.
Very impressed, he was.

So he should be.

It's a daft
blooming language.

Bonjour,
Mademoiselle Leyton.

Comment allez-vous?

Hey, I can't speak it,
not in conversation.

I only know
cooking terms.

Miss, you are
very beautiful.

I think I am
in love with you.

What's that about?

I think that
I love you.

I love you,
Louisa.

Do you
want to marry me?

Here, Mr. Trotter, stop
babbling all that rubbish.

I'm off to bed.
Good night.

Something of
a triumph, then.

Yes, indeed. The prince
was captivated.

And so was I,
I may say.

We all were,

by the cooking
and the cook.

To think I had a pearl
under my own roof

and I never knew it.

Come now, Henry.
Surely you haven't

lost your eye
for a pretty girl.

Yes, now you come
to mention it,

she is rather pretty,
isn't she?

She's enchanting.

She must have a fair
number of admirers,

I should imagine.

I haven't
the slightest idea.

Your housekeeper would
know, wouldn't she,

if there was anyone
in particular?

Yes, I suppose so.

They always do.

Perhaps you could
ask her for me.

I'd be most grateful.

Good lord.

Are you serious?

Are you speaking
privately, Johnny,

or in your
official capacity?

My dear fellow,
you don't really

expect me to answer
that one, do you?

You should have seen
their faces

when I walked in.

"Who's this?" they said.

"What does she
know about cooking?"

You showed them.

I did. "Out me way," I said.
"I got a job to do."

What, you treated
them like that,

and you didn't get
your ears boxed?

Of course I didn't.

They couldn't do
nothing about it.

Their cook, she was a fat
old thing, she was.

She waddled off

and shut herself
in a room,

wouldn't come out
till I'd gone.

A rotten old kitchen
they had and all.

Cockroaches
leaping about.

Slimy mice with
little red eyes.

Ew!
Ew!

Oh. Morning,
Monsieur Alex.

Is it a public
holiday, Leyton?

Luncheon menu.
Dinner menu.

Now to work, all of you.
At once.

Sprouts, miss.
Shall I do them?

No, thanks, Mary.
I'll do them.

So, uh, you were
a success, hmm?

You'll have to ask
someone else that,

Monsieur Alex.

Modesty is not

one of your more
obvious traits, Leyton.

So tell me
what happened.

I'll tell you one thing,
Monsieur Alex.

When I mentioned your name
to Mr. Pritchett,

their butler, he said
no wonder I was so good,

with you teaching me.

Said you was one of
the finest chefs in London.

Did he really?

Yeah, Mary,
it's the truth.

Pritchett?
Pritchett.

Do I know him?

Well, he knew you,
all right.

Hmm. Pritchett.

Pritchett.
Ha ha ha!

And put General Murray
in the blue room.

That'll do very well.

Thank you, my lord.

Oh, by the way,
about that young cook.

What's her name?
Leyton.

Has she settled down
again

after the excitement
of the other evening?

I think so, my lord.

Good. Good.
Very pretty gal.

Yes, my lord.

Tell me, Mrs. Catchpole,
do you happen to know

if she's got anyone
interested in her romantically?

Any runners
in that department?

Do you mean has she got
any followers, my lord?

Yes. Yes. Suitors.
Has she?

Well, Trotter's
the only person

I can think of,
my lord.

Trotter.

Since you mention it,
my lord,

I have noticed he's
been rather attentive

to her lately.

Good lord.
Yes, I see.

And what about her?

Feelings reciprocated,
are they?

I think she quite
likes him, my lord,

but I wouldn't say it
was a strong interest,

not from her part.

Not at the moment,
anyway.

But from Trotter's side,
quite serious, you say?

I think he's got
his eye on her,

certainly, my lord.

Yes. Well, thank you,
Mrs. Catchpole.

Thank you, Trotter.

I'm sorry to disappoint
you, Johnny,

but I made a few inquiries
into the question

of Miss Leyton's
romantic life.

Ah, yes.

There is an interest,
quite a strong one

by all accounts,

so you'll have to look
elsewhere, I'm afraid.

But that's splendid.

I am absolutely
delighted.

Who is the lucky
fellow?

It's Trotter,
if you want to know.

Trotter?
Your butler?

Yes.

Ah.

Good chap, is he?
Reliable, discreet?

Yes. Of course he is.

Good. Push it
all you can, will you?

What?

It would be
a very great help

if they were
to get married.

Good lord!

You don't mean--

well, I'm dashed.

Not a word,
naturally.

Oh, no.
Of course not.

Good.

Well, we leave
for Balmoral in the morning.

A couple of weeks shooting.

Nice to have some news
on our return.

Put us all in a good
humor for Christmas.

Thanks, Henry.
I must be off.

What do I want to
get married for?

I want to be a cook,
not a wife.

That's the last thing
I want.

Yes, but you can't
be a cook--

I mean, you can't
go out to cook

for important people

unless you're
married.

That's the point.

Who says I can't?

Lord Henry,
for one thing.

It's not suitable
for you to go on

as Miss Leyton.

It's a question
of respectability.

Of course, if you
were married,

all doors would be
open to you then.

I ain't done
nothing wrong.

I know you haven't,

but it's generally
felt to be better

by all concerned

that you should
have a husband.

But I'm not in love,
Mrs. Catchpole,

and there ain't nobody
in love with me,

and that's an end
to it.

I think you're
a little mistaken there,

you know.

I think there's someone

more than a little
fond of you.

Who?

Mr. Trotter.

Trotter?

WOMAN: Couldn't believe
it when we heard.

Could we,
Ernest?

Our Louisa.

We were very proud
of her, too, Mrs. Leyton.

There's no telling
where it might lead,

is there?

Invitations to cook

in all the big
houses

in London society.

She might end up
marrying a lord.

You know
what they say--

the way to a man's
heart

is through
his stomach.

Yes, well, um, that's
one of the reasons

I've come to see you,
Mrs. Leyton--

to talk about
the question of marriage.

You see, if your daughter
does want to get on,

it would be
much more suitable

if she had a husband,

not to put
too fine a point of it.

Would it?

Yes, well, if you
say so, Mrs. Catchpole.

Why?

Don't be silly,
dear.

There's always been
plenty of young men

round here
keen on her.

Respectable
tradespeople,

you know.

That nice Mr. Belling
in the upholstery.

She's got no time
for him.

What I can tell you
is there's a young man

in our household--

our butler,
Mr. Trotter.

I don't know whether
she's mentioned him.

No, she hasn't.
Butler?

A very superior person,
if you take my meaning.

I say. Do you
hear that, Ernest?

ERNEST: Mmm.

CATCHPOLE: It's only
my opinion, of course,

but I think they'd make
a very handsome pair.

Might I inquire
if they love each other?

Well, they're quite shy
young people, Mr. Leyton,

but given a little
encouragement--

our girl, shy?

Uh, why don't you
leave us, dear?

Leave me
and Mrs. Catchpole

to talk about it.

Hmm.

More tea,
Mrs. Catchpole?

No, thank you.

What sort of
encouragement

did you have in mind,
Mrs. Catchpole?

Well, I was thinking
it would be quite nice

if you asked
Mr. Trotter to tea.

I'm sure he would
consider it

a great pleasure
and a privilege

to meet Louisa's parents.

For tea? On his own,
you mean?

Oh, just to get acquainted
with him, as it were.

What do you think
Louisa's gonna say to that?

If I ask Mr. Trotter
to tea,

it's no business
of Louisa's.

It's all very well,
all this, you know,

but you can't force
the girl to get married,

not if she don't
want to.

We're not forcing
nothing.

I can assure you,
from my experience

in all my years
of service,

it's most advantageous
for girls like Louisa

to get married
as fast as possible.

She may not see
the necessity herself,

but Lord Henry thinks
it's a good idea,

and so do I.

I was hoping
you would agree with us.

Lord Henry as well?

You see, Ernest?

ALEX: Married? Huh!
You're far too young.

You take my advice
and stick to cooking, my girl.

So a woman don't have
to be married

if she wants to
get on as a cook?

Of course not.
It's nonsense.

Now we shall continue
with our lesson.

Salmis d'alouettes,
crevettes ? l'indienne.

Salmis...

Now you put all that
stupid romantic stuff

out of your head.

It weren't
in my head.

It were in
Mrs. Catchpole's.

Trotter's keen,
my lord.

He's having tea
with her parents

this afternoon.

I'm sure he'll give
a good account of himself.

And the young lady
in question?

She might take a bit
of persuading, my lord.

What?

She doesn't see
the necessity.

She must be made
to see it.

What's the matter
with her?

I'm doing my best,
my lord.

I can't push her harder.

Hmm!

TROTTER:
Louisa's told me

about your clocks,
Mr. Leyton.

A very fine collection
they are, too.

This one here
is very similar

to one in Lord
Boovery's house

in Napleson Square--
Lord Boovery's library.

I wonder if the chimes
are similar.

I really don't know.

It isn't working.

He's got
hundreds more

out in the back,
ain't you, dear?

Perhaps you'd care
to look at them

after tea,
Mr. Trotter,

if you're
interested.

I would indeed,
Mr. Leyton.

I'm very interested.

Come on, dear.
Leave them now.

We're waiting.

Mr. Trotter.

I say, what a fine
sight.

You wouldn't see
many teas like this

in Mayfair, Mrs. Leyton.

Wouldn't you?

No, you wouldn't.

Well, it's nothing,
really.

Have a scone.

Go on. They're homemade.

Thank you.

Milk, Mr. Trotter?

Please.
Yes, please.

Well, tell us all about
yourself, Mr. Trotter.

You're quite young

to be a butler
in a lord's house,

if you don't mind
me saying.

Oh, yes. Well, there's
a story behind that,

Mrs. Leyton.

Oh, we'd love
to hear it,

wouldn't we, Ernest?

Mmm.

Go on.

Well, I never knew
my parents--

not for certain,
anyway.

I was--I and my sister
were brought up

on a large estate
in Yorkshire

by a lodgekeeper
and his wife.

They were childless,
so it was an arrangement

that suited us all--
my mother, too, I presume.

I was led to believe,
some years later--

you know how people talk
in a village--

that my mother
was the daughter

of the titled lady
of the house.

Mrs. Leyton:
sugar, Mr. Trotter?

Uh, two lumps,
if I may, please.

And she had formed
a romantic attachment

with one of
the young grooms.

Oh.

Yes, and run away
with him to Italy.

I was born in Naples.

And her mother went over
and brought her back

just in time for my sister
to be born,

and that was the end
of that.

Thank you very much.

What happened
to your father?

Ah, yes, well, he came
to an untimely end,

I'm led to believe.

Drink, they say,

in mourning
for his lost love.

Who can know for sure?

And your mother--
did you never see her?

It's a funny thing, that,
you know,

because I remember
a strange thing

on my 12th birthday.

I was playing in the park
with Nora--that's my sister--

and we saw this lady
on horseback, quite close by,

just watching us.

I remember her very
clearly.

She was wearing
a pale pink dress.

We didn't think much
of it at the time,

but looking back,

I think she was
my mother.

Was that the last
time you saw her?

That's right,
Mrs. Leyton,

but ever since then,

pink's been
my favorite color.

Oh.

How'd you get up
to London, then?

Ah, yes. Well,
shortly after that,

I was put into service
as a hall boy

at a colonel's house
nearby,

and he came
up to London.

I was footman with him,
footman with Lord Henry,

and very few years later,
I was made butler.

I have noticed
there's been a hidden hand

in my advancement.

Have some jam,
Mr. Trotter.

Oh, I will indeed,
Mrs. Leyton.

Thank you
very much.

Well...

It's a great comfort
to us, Mr. Trotter,

to meet you.

I mean, you hear
such stories

about young girls
like Louisa

alone in these big
London houses.

And it's nice to know

that you're
watching over her.

Yes, I'm very fond
of Louisa, Mrs. Leyton.

As a matter of fact,

it's my intention
in the very near future

to propose marriage
to her--

oh, with your
permission, that is.

Marriage?

If I might make so
bold, Mr. Trotter,

does my daughter
know of this?

Uh, no, Mr. Leyton.

I had thought it advisable

to discuss the matter
with her parents first.

I will assure you that

I will do everything
in my power

to make her happy.

Of course,
I may have difficulty

in convincing her
of that.

She'd be a fool
to turn you down,

Mr. Trotter.

Oh, it's really
a matter of whether

my feelings for her
are reciprocated or not.

She's not said
anything to me

about getting married.

Mr. Trotter hasn't
asked her yet,

has he, dear?

Are you going out,
miss?

You bet I am.

But it's not
your night off.

Who cares?
I've had a letter,

and it needs
answering in person.

But what shall
I tell them?

You can tell them

there's a conspiracy
going on.

Mrs. Leyton: who told you
he'd been here?

He did,
and he was right to.

Didn't think you could keep
it secret, did you?

Now listen, my girl--

blooming cheek, him
coming here behind my back.

What's going on?
That's what I want to know.

Nothing is going on!

Ain't it? What'd he
come here for, then?

Sneaky devil.

That is not a very
nice way

to talk about
your future husband.

Future husband?
Over my dead body.

Listen, will you?

Now then, he told us
he wants to marry you,

and we think it's
a very good idea.

Do you? Well, he ain't
said nothing to me about it.

He knows the proper
behavior, that's why.

He wanted to ask
our opinion first.

Your opinion,
his opinion,

the whole bloody
world's opinion.

What about my opinion?

Nobody cares
about that, do they?

Mum, look.
I don't mind him.

He's all right,

but I don't
want to marry him.

I want to be a cook,
that's all.

What do you think, dad?

You don't think
I should marry

someone I don't love,
do you?

Mrs. Leyton:
he agrees with me.

Do you?

Mrs. Leyton:
of course he does.

Now then, listen.

Dad!

Ain't you got
no sense at all?

Mr. Trotter's not
an ordinary butler.

He's a gentleman.

He's the son
of a titled lady.

He's gonna go far,
and if you've got any sense,

you'll go with him.

Come on, mum.
He's not that dazzling.

You find someone
better.

That's all I'm saying.

You ought to think
yourself lucky

that you caught his eye.

God knows what he sees
in you. I don't.

If you keep him waiting,
he'll look elsewhere.

There's plenty of girls
queuing up

to marry
someone like him.

Well, let them.
I don't need him.

I'm not marrying him

or nobody,
and that's final.

Who is it?

Louisa.

Go away.

We ought to have
a talk, Louisa.

All right. Come in.

Ain't my mother
or Mrs. Catchpole

or any of the other people
who have been shoving you at me

told you the answer
is no? No, no.

I just want
to explain.

It's about time,
I should think.

I didn't plan for it
to happen this way.

You didn't plan it at all,
if you ask me.

It's just that...

I do have sincere
feelings towards you,

and I do believe

we could be happy
together.

I don't love you,
Augustus.

So let's just forget
all about it, eh?

Oh, uh, sorry, sir.

Oh, no, no, no.
Do come in, my dear.

It was I who wanted
to see you.

How are you?

I'm very well,
thank you, sir.

You're still enjoying
your cooking?

Oh, yeah.

The prince continues
to talk

of your achievements.

I can tell you

he holds you in very
high regard.

Thank you, sir.

So much so, in fact,
that I'm sure

he will be asking
for your services again

in the very near future.

I'm very pleased
to oblige, sir.

Yes, well, please.

Come and sit down,
my dear.

Now, we do have
a problem,

one which I'm sure

we can overcome
between us.

You see, in cases
of this kind...

There are certain--
how shall I put it?--

rules which
we have to observe.

I'm sure you
appreciate that.

The prince feels--
and I must say,

I absolutely agree
with him--

that it would be in
everyone's best interest

if you were not to
remain a single lady.

Now, I understand that

the butler in this
household--

oh, not you as well,
sir.

I'm sorry?

Everyone's trying to
marry me off.

My dear.

Louisa...

May I call you Louisa?

We know each other
well enough, I think--

I hope--for me to be

absolutely frank
with you.

You see, the fact is,
the prince's interest

is not confined
to your cooking.

It extends
to you personally.

Do you understand?

To me?

You can't be that
surprised, can you?

You're an extremely
pretty young woman.

That's no secret.

And the prince has
let it be known to me

that he would very much

like to get
to know you better.

Oh, no.

That doesn't alarm you,
does it?

It is a very
great honor

that's being
bestowed on you.

When you consider
that he has the pick

of most of the beauties
in European society,

to have singled
you out?

Well...

But being, as you know,
a very busy person,

he has entrusted me

to find out your feelings
on the matter.

And I do hope that I have
your trust as well.

Oh, yeah, yeah,
of course, but...

I don't think
I could, honest.

Yes, of course.

It must all seem like
some fairy tale come true.

No. I don't know him.

My dear, I--
I can assure you,

he's the most charming
and courteous of men.

Oh, yeah, yeah,
I'm sure he is.

I just want to be
a cook, that's all.

I'll cook for him
anytime.

Yes. Well, I'm afraid

that wouldn't
be possible.

Well, there's other
people to cook for.

My dear, I don't think
you quite understand.

If you are unwilling
to comply

with his Royal
Highness' suggestion,

he will put no pressure
on you, of course.

But you can hardly expect
any further engagements

from his circle of friends,

or indeed, from anyone
else in society.

It's a question
of loyalty.

I see.

On the other hand,
if you consent,

your future
as a cook--

as anything
you wish to be--

is assured.

What if I refuse,
eh?

I'm sure the prince
will understand.

There won't be another
word spoken on the matter.

I'm sure you'll
find someone

who will employ you
in some other walk of life.

That's a sad waste
of talents,

in my own private
opinion, but--

why would I have to
be married, then?

Because, my dear,

the prince would never
seek to compromise

a single lady.

Only a married one,
eh?

After...the
interlude is over,

they always know
they can return

to the security
of their family lives.

So that's how society
carries on, is it?

Most successfully,
I assure you.

Now, Trotter's not
such a bad chap, is he?

He seems most
awfully fond of you.

Does he know
about all this?

He's been told.

No one is attempting
to deceive anyone.

I see.

You agree?

My dear Louisa,

we're all
very fond of you.

I give you my word

that no harm
will come to you.

It can only be
to your advantage.

Now let's go
and find Trotter.

There's something I'd
like to show you both--

something I hope
you'll rather like.

Here we are.

We could take in
lodgers.

Put a sign up--
apartments to rent, eh?

No, I think
for the moment,

that won't be
necessary.

Shall we go inside?

Nice looking out
from the bedroom

on that courtyard.

High walls,
sycamore tree.

Lovely.

All right?

Oh, it's lovely.
Thank you, sir.

Good. Well, I'll
leave you two together.

I'm sure you have
a lot to talk about.

Thank you, sir.

And don't worry
about a thing.

Trotter, when you've
made your decision,

perhaps we could meet
and discuss arrangements.

What a way to start
a marriage, eh?

How dare they do it
to us?

That's what I
want to know.

How dare they shove us
and push us around

as if we were sacks
of bloody coal?

And you're prepared to
go through with it,

aren't you?

Well, it has nothing
to do with us, really.

I mean, not that
side of it.

It won't last forever--

nothing to do
with us?

Don't you mind
about me?

Of course I mind.

I wouldn't be human
if I didn't mind.

Very much indeed.

But look at it
another way,

and there's honor
attached to it.

I mean, my wife,
my beautiful wife,

the envy of--

oh, don't give me
all that.

That was his line.

Look, we've got to play
their game, Louisa.

We've got no choice,
have we?

Right.

But if we've got to
play their game,

then we'll bloody well
make it our game.

That's the spirit.

Right. Let's get on
with it, then.

TROTTER: Right.
I'll go straight round

to the registrar's office
and get a marriage license.

Registrar's office?
Yes.

I'm not getting married

in no registrar's
office.

I thought
quick and simple.

Did you?

Then you can bleeding
well think again.

If I'm getting married,

I'm gonna get married
proper. Come on.

The Church of St. Savior
at Pimlico, my lord,

on Saturday morning
at 11:00.

Good. No last-minute
snags or hitches?

No, my lord. Leyton
lost all doubts

once she set eyes
on that house.

Yes, marvelous opportunity
for a young couple.

I shall be sorry
to lose Trotter, though.

Good fellow.

Will you be going
to the wedding, my lord?

What? No, I...
Must I?

I'm shooting
on Saturday.

Champagne downstairs.
That'll let me out, won't it?

I'm sure that will
be much appreciated,

my lord.

Quite so.

Thank you, my lord.

Just a minute,
Mrs. Catchpole.

A small token

for your part
in this business,

from all of us.

Thank you, my lord.

Mrs. Leyton:
well, I must say,

we were so pleased
when we heard the news,

weren't we, dear?

Mmm.

Well, of course.

It's a big moment
for a mother and father

when their daughter
announces

that she's getting
married,

and in our opinion,
Augustus,

she couldn't have made
a wiser choice.

That's a funny way
of putting it.

What's this house
you're moving into?

It's just an ordinary
little house, isn't it?

It's Lord Henry's
wedding gift to them

for gratitude
for their services,

isn't it?

He must have a very
high opinion of them

to give them a house.

Of course he's got
a high opinion of them.

If you don't mind
my asking, Mr. Trotter,

what are you going to be
doing with yourself all day,

now you'll be out of
service, so to speak?

I haven't decided yet,
Mr. Leyton.

It's all been
rather a rush.

Louisa will carry on

with her cooking,
of course.

Hmm.

I expect there are
lots of things

you've always wanted
to do, Augustus,

and now you'll get
your chance.

It's a wonderful
opportunity, certainly.

Well, before
I get the tea,

there's a little
ceremony

that we've got to
go through,

isn't there,
Ernest?

What?

The present.
Go on.

Oh, well, I, uh...

I haven't had a chance
to box it up yet.

Oh, they don't mind.
Let them see it.

It was your father's
idea.

Wanted to give you
something for the house.

Here it is. Look.

Isn't it nice?

It's the one you admired,
Augustus,

when you came
last time.

ERNEST: Yeah, well,
I've managed to get it going,

but I still need to
clean it up a bit yet.

I'll bring it round
sometime.

That's most
generous of you.

Thank you.
Thank you.

Louisa, ain't you
gonna say nothing?

Yeah. Thanks, dad.

That's right.

Well, I'll fetch
the tea in.

Are you getting married
in this, miss?

What's the matter
with it?

White, ain't it?

Do for a wedding
dress.

I'm sorry you're going.

This house won't be
the same without you,

or Mr. Trotter.

And you won't be teaching
me to read, neither.

It's not what
I want, Mary.

It's other people.

You love Mr. Trotter,
though, don't you?

He's all right.
He's kind.

He's done well
for himself.

It's not him.

It's marriage
I don't fancy.

But it gets you
out of service.

What do you think--
scrubbing, cleaning,

keeping things tidy--

that's service,
isn't it?

Don't get paid
for it, either.

Oh, well, I wouldn't mind.

Nice kind man
looking after me,

having his children.

Cor, don't want them.
Ain't got time for them.

Too much I want to do.

Anyway, they always
disappoint you.

You're bound to
have them, aren't you?

Not if I can
help it.

My mother had 14.

There you are, then.

That's terrible,
that is.

I'd rather die than
have that happen.

ALEX: Attention, everybody,
please. Attention.

Today is a happy day.

It is also a sad day.

Louisa, my little protegee,

who was like
a daughter to me,

today she is taken
into the holy state

of matrimony,
a most solemn state.

Lucky is the man
who wooed and won her heart.

ALEX: Lucky is our friend
Mr. Augustus Trotter.

Thank you,
Monsieur Alex.

ALEX: Louisa is
a beautiful young woman.

No one can dispute that.

She is also a princess
of the culinary arts,

born with a delicate
and rare touch

for a cabbage, a chicken,
or for what you want.

I can say that because
I, too, possess these gifts.

But rarely have I seen them
in one so young,

and a woman, too.

She can, if she so wishes,

become une reine de cuisine--
a queen among cooks.

I bestow now
on her and her husband

my most...

Tender and deep-felt
blessings

for a long and fruitful
life together.

I ask you to drink
to Mr. And Mrs. Trotter.

ALL: Mr. And Mrs. Trotter.

Just admiring
your brooch, Mrs. Catchpole.

Special for
the occasion, is it?

That's right,
Mrs. Leyton.

Very becoming.

Oh, say!
Oh!

LOUISA: Oh, Monsieur Alex.
Oh, thanks ever so much.

You had to bake it
in secret,

didn't you,
Monsieur Alex?

I knew about it.

Though I say it myself,

it is a cake fit
for a princess--

and a prince, of course.

Now you take
the knife together...

You hold it together...

You cut, and all
of us close our eyes

and wish.

Mrs. Leyton: Oh, yes.
We must have a wish.

Wish for me, dad.

Bravo.

Right. Well, that's done.
I've got to go now.

I'm afraid I've
got to get home.

So soon?

Yeah. I'm cooking dinner
tonight for Lady Margaret Duff.

ALEX: Tonight
is your wedding night.

It's her way of
keeping her at it,

Monsieur Alex,
not letting

your teaching
go to waste.

There's plenty of other
nights for us--

a whole bloody
lifetime.

Bye, all.
Thanks for everything.

ALEX: A piece of cake.

Oh. Ta.

It's all adjusted
and working.

Should be all right.
It's a good one.

But if you have
any trouble with it,

let me know, eh?

LOUISA: Yeah,
I will, dad. Thanks.

Oh, don't it look
nice there?

Yeah. That's a good
place for it.

Louisa, this house.

LOUISA: What about it?

Well, I wasn't
expecting it.

Yeah, we've been lucky,
ain't we?

Everything's
all right, is it?

Oh, yeah. Lovely.

Marriage suits you,
then.

Well, give us a chance.

I only been married
a week.

Yeah.

Well, I better
be going.

Get me bus.

Well, you and mum
must come and visit us

when we're
settled in, like.

We'd like that.

And don't forget--
any trouble, you know,

with the clock
or anything,

you'll let us know,
won't you?

Oh, yeah, I will.

Molly, show me father
out, please.

Bye, dad.

Hello, Mr. Leyton.
Not leaving, are you?

Yeah, well, I only come
to bring the clock.

Oh, no. I've just
been admiring it.

It's very impressive.

I thank you again
for it.

Yeah. Well, uh,
good-bye.

Good-bye, Mr. Leyton.

Come and see us again,
won't you?

Nice man,
your father.

What are you doing?

Menus. You're in me light.

Sorry.

Going to be long?

No, I don't
expect so. Why?

Nice day.

I thought we might
take a walk

by the serpentine,

possibly go to
a music hall later.

After all, it is
still our honeymoon.

Yeah. All right.
I don't mind if I do.

Louisa, dearest--

here we are, then.
That's done.

I'll go and get
me coat, shall I?

Excuse me, madam.

There's a gentleman
at the door

to see Mr. Trotter.

Well, don't just
stand there, girl.

Go and let him in,
for God's sake.

He's Major Fargeon,
sir.

All right,
thank you, Molly.

It's all right,
Molly.

I'll get it.

You're looking
very beautiful tonight.