Original subtitles

I will have her.

Don't you ever give up, Rutum.

You know she hates you.

My

father

met it. Is he still in the library?

No, Miss Serena.

Sir Giles left for London shortly after you went for your ride.

Does the Jarl stay when he'll be back?

No, miss.

He said he'd be staying with your cousin, Master Nicholas.

Please let him win.

Please. He doesn't want to let the Jarl win.

My trick, I think, and my game.

The cards love you tonight, Squire.

Another game?

Uncle, you have won back all you have lost and more.

Now is the time to quit.

On the contrary, dear boy, now is the time to ride my luck.

With respect, sir, that has never failed to bring you disaster.

Oh, just one more game, sir, just one more game.

Uncle, if you will not think of yourself, think of your daughter,

I know that discretion is death to a gamester, but prudence has been urged

me.

And I must confess, I do see the sense of it.

I will play no more.

You've paid your dues to Lady Luck in the past, Sir Giles. We will excuse you.

Your servant.

Lovely. Going so soon?

I thought you might like to take revenge on me for lightening your pockets the

last time we met.

Jules, I swear he has an impatient mistress waiting for him.

I'm at your disposal, my lord Rutum.

Uncle, you know his luck has always topped your...

Tonight he'll learn his lesson.

Do I suit you?

As you please.

Yes, would you?

Certainly.

Quick and simple, high score wins, no limit on stakes.

Agreed.

Good throw, Uncle. This could turn the game.

It's just some hot chocolate.

Don't drink it, please, Miss Serena. You've had nothing all day.

All will be well.

I'm sure.

A child here.

Well, there's always your house down there, is there not?

Rather fine house, I've always thought. Very pretty.

But, of course, if you don't care to... Well... We'll all

perfectly understand.

He's baiting him.

I'd rather face a drawn sword than a rootin' charm.

Not leaving, Stanley, my dear fellow.

There is nothing left to wager.

You've taken everything I possess.

Well, not quite everything.

That pretty daughter of yours, she's a touch high and mighty with me, I have to

say, but a girl of great spirit.

They tell me that she inherits 80 ,000 guineas from a trust on her marriage.

I'll tell you what.

Let me be fair with you.

I'll wager everything that you've lost so far against your daughter's hand in

marriage.

Uncle, he's dating you.

Well, sir, yes or no?

For God's sake, man, not your own daughter!

And root them of all people! What would you have me do?

Go back and tell Serena that I gambled away the roof over her head? Better that

than... By all the laws of chance, I have to win!

Just once!

Against this rotum.

It's my only opportunity.

Now is the time. Now!

Oh, Nicholas.

Can't you see?

My daughter's hand and her inheritance.

Against everything I have.

So, Lady Luck has her little ways.

I hope it will be convenient if I call on you tomorrow.

Do ask the adorable Serena to expect me.

Poor devil.

Never did know when to stop.

The bet should never have been allowed.

My lord, root him.

I will throw you for 100 ,000 guineas against the house and the girl.

Done.

Tonight I'm unbeatable.

Even by you, my dear Vulcan.

Serena, your father is gone.

Now it is you we have to worry about.

I don't care about myself.

You must.

We've escaped Lord Rutham, but Lord Vulcan is worse.

No one could be worse than that despicable man.

There is something inhuman about Vulcan.

He never loses at anything. He never shows any emotion.

And he is heartless to the women who love him.

And there have been many.

Rutham knew my father's weakness.

Forget about Rutham.

Serena, listen to me.

There is one way.

In which you can foil Lord Vulcan.

How?

You can marry me.

Now, by special license.

And whatever Vulcan does, he can never marry you.

Nicholas, you are a kind person.

But I know your head over heels over Lord Norton's young widow, Isabel

Gillingham. I couldn't let you make that sacrifice.

You could never make each other happy.

You have no choice.

I have a choice.

The Stableys have always paid their debts. They have never run away, and I

not be the first to do so, even if it means marriage to the devil himself.

Justin, darling, you wouldn't really consider marrying a girl you won in a

It's not as if you need the 80 ,000. My dear Isabel, I confess I've given it

very little thought.

To be honest, until your brother, my good Lord Gillingham here, brought the

matter up.

It had completely slipped my mind. Slipped your mind?

Justin, I'll be damned.

Now, me, I'd have been out there next day on the fastest horse I could clap a

saddle to.

I dare say. But you must have some curiosity.

About the house.

About the girl, damn it. After all, it's ten days since you lifted them from

Rutum.

Tell you what.

Why not go there now?

Now? All of us.

Staveley Court's just north of London.

Splendid idea, Burleigh.

Let's make a race of it.

A thousand guineas?

It would be something to do. Oh, it's ridiculous.

The girl will turn out to be a bald freak with a wooden leg and the house a

ruin. Then you may stay here.

No, no, I shall come.

That is, if I may ride with you.

She's taking her time, I must say.

Probably screwing on her wooden leg.

Tell your mistress Lord Vulcan is here to see her.

The Lord Vulcan?

At your service, Miss Tavely.

May I present Lady Isabel Gillingham, her brother, Lord Peter Gillingham, and

Lord John Burley.

Oh, you must be hungry.

I'll send to the kitchen. Miss Tavely, we will not hear of it.

A glass of wine, then.

Eudora, show our guests into the drawing room. And Meadows, will you bring out

some wine?

Miss Dave, perhaps you and I might talk.

It hadn't occurred to me you would be so young.

I was a late child.

My mother died giving birth to me.

It puts a different complexion on matters.

Why?

To begin with, you can't possibly go on living in this house.

Since it now belongs to me, people would assume you were mine.

And I understand from Nicholas that the dancer La Flamme already fills that

position.

I have ready the deeds of the estate, a list of the tenants and those who

receive pensions from my father.

You would wish to continue to pay those?

Of course.

There's also a list of the livestock on the home farm.

Now, I'm afraid the accounts are not in very good order. My estate manager will

sort them out before the house is sold.

Sold?

Naturally. Since you can't live here and I have no use for it.

I suppose so.

I hadn't considered that... Which leaves you.

What am I to do with you, Miss Stavely?

I'm in your hands, sir.

I must honour my father's debt.

And I cannot, for my reputation, cancel it. Knowing something of your

reputation, I well understand that.

I believe the best answer would be for you to stay for the time being with my

mother at Mandrake, the family home.

May I bring my maid, Eudora, and my dog?

Naturally.

I will send them on ahead to make your arrival a little less strange for you.

Thank you.

It's a long journey.

Therefore, you yourself will travel in my most comfortable coach.

You are most kind.

I shall write to my mother telling her to expect you. I will come on later.

Until some solution suggests itself, Miss Stavely, let us remain as we are,

strangers brought together by a game of chance.

Ah.

Try not to be afraid of my mother.

Why?

Miss Serena?

I know little of men.

I'm aware of what they say about him.

I've never been more baffled by a man in my life.

Let us remain as we are.

Two strangers brought together by a gaming chance.

I am informed you are my son's fiancée.

Who are you?

And where did he make your acquaintance?

Your son will doubtless explain everything to you, ma 'am. The situation

of my making.

Take Miss Stavely to her room.

This is your room. Thank you.

If you need anything, you've only to ask.

Eudora! Oh, Miss Serena.

Warrior.

Her ladyship has put you in the oldest, dampest part of the house.

I had bricks in the bed, but the fire wouldn't draw them out. Never mind.

all together again, and that's all that matters.

Oh, Miss Serena.

There is evil in this house.

Eudora.

Serena, you know I've always fenced when something's wrong.

Eudora, aren't you being a bit over -imaginative?

I mean, certainly Her Ladyship does not want me here. I tell you, there is evil.

I feel it.

His Lordship's valet told me the house is haunted.

And I will believe it.

But it's haunted by the living.

As well as the dog. No, you don't want to stop it. You're giving me the

That goes to the table.

Sleep, yes.

Most of the time he will stay with me.

That is what we're both used to.

You may leave us.

Take the animal with you.

I trust you are comfortable here.

Thank you, ma 'am.

It appears from my son's letter you are to have 80 ,000 guineas.

On my marriage, ma 'am.

It is in trust.

It is not large fortune as fortunes go.

Still, you're sure it can only be unlocked by marriage?

Quite sure.

You cannot marry my son, of course. That is an absurdity.

Besides, he will never marry.

I mean, life.

Eighty thousand.

It is modest enough. Heaven knows.

Guineas, you say?

So I'm told.

It would be a convenient sum for your needs, were you to be able to unlock

trust. I'm afraid that is quite out of the question.

These things are so, of course, still.

Nothing is ever quite out of the question.

Something might be done.

Ma 'am?

I shall not keep you.

You must be tired after your journey and require rest.

I shall have some food sent up.

Thank you.

Tomorrow, you will join us for dinner downstairs.

I have some guests for dinner, and a number are coming in as usual afterwards

for the entertainment.

The entertainment?

That's what I said, girl.

Oh, you Doris, you.

I thought she was back.

Be careful of her, Miss Rena.

She doesn't like me.

And she lacks my money well enough.

Don't worry, I may be afraid of her, but she can't actually harm me.

She is dangerous.

This quaint little girl you sent down here.

Why on earth did you wager for her?

To prevent her falling into the hands of that man, Rutum. Oh, for shame, Justin.

You're becoming a sentimentalist. Not in the least.

I merely wanted the pleasure of frustrating him.

And you really do not intend to marry her? You know well that I do not.

In the circumstances, I marry no one.

Love boy, but you frighten me.

I thought you were interested.

One day, mother.

There will have to be an heir for Mandrake.

One day, of course.

But not yet.

I couldn't bear her to be a grandmother yet.

Until she's married, I am responsible for her.

Now there, I can be of help to you.

The girl is not entirely without possibilities.

I can put my dressmaker and hairdresser to work on her. Then trail her through

the shark pool? See who bites?

Something of that sort.

Miss Stavely has stronger metal than she shows.

And if you do succeed, what will you get out of it?

Rely upon me to work that.

Our little heiress.

Ladies are forbidden in this room, but you shall be the exception.

Come, child.

Lord John, may I present Miss Stabley?

Charming to meet you.

She used to have 80 ,000 when she married. Lord Blount, may I present?

isn't he?

Sir William.

Quite a cat. Drove tight, they say. 80 ,000. So young.

And such a pretty.

Stay with her. I'll be there. One in a wager.

A cat for someone.

Rich too, they tell me. 80 ,000, eh?

And now, you must meet your dinner companion.

I am well acquainted with Lord Rutham.

Among other things.

He murdered my father.

I was just remarking how quick the journey is from London these days.

I swear the Dover Road gets busier by the month. That man, Lord Rutan, I can't

bear to be near him. His eyes, they... I've been put next to him at dinner.

You will not be.

May I retire?

And run away?

You're right. He should be the one to run away.

Justin, my dearest.

Miss Tavely.

Miss Gillingham.

How stunning you look, Miss Tavely.

Oh, Jonathan.

Isabel.

I brought Nicholas for you.

I knew you'd be pleased.

Justin, you promised to show me how to play faro.

Nick!

Thank you.

A little livelier than Stabley Court, Miss Stabley. I must say, it has quite

taken my breath away. I mean, all that out there.

Didn't Justin tell you?

His mother's a gambler, too.

Fanatical. When London became too hot for her, she turned this place into the

biggest gaming house in Europe. She takes 2 .5 % of the stakes.

It's illegal, of course.

But if Bo Nash got away with it in Bath half a century ago, why shouldn't she?

Her trouble is, as fast as she collects it, she gambles it away herself.

I've seen her wager a thousand guineas on the turn of a card.

I guess

I haven't seen you look like a lot of the cast.

If you want her, go out and get her. She has eyes for no one but that confounded

Vulcan. You've got to let a girl know you're there.

She probably hasn't even seen you.

What the deuce do you mean, hasn't seen me?

I'm around her the whole time.

You don't understand that. You understand nothing.

The scrap of a girl is going to defy me.

Miss Stavely?

I would appreciate a word.

What is between you and Justin?

There is nothing between me and Justin.

I do not wish to wed him, and he certainly does not wish to wed me.

I hardly know what I'm doing here. I've never met people like this before, and I

would not care if I were never to meet them again.

And her ladyship holds me up like a slave to the hopeful bidder.

That, as best as I can explain it, is my situation.

Oh, Miss Daveley, would I like you for that.

I should hate you, but it seems we must be friends.

Serena?

Friends, Isabel.

Do you love him very much?

More than life.

But he'll have none of me.

And that is part of his deadly attraction.

I know it is absurd, but I cannot help it.

The colder he is to me, the more he makes me suffer.

The more I love him.

I do like my men to be men.

Do you know that Justin once beat England's champion prizefighter for a

What do you think of that?

I don't know what to think.

No. I had forgotten you were a little country mouse.

I will wager you do not know the half of what goes on in this house.

I have eyes.

I can see.

What about what you cannot see?

You are interested in panelling?

Yes.

Well, that is... We have something like it in the library at Stapley Court.

In this house, it really does not pay to be curious.

You must have heard Mandrake is haunted.

Well, you never know what ghost you may meet.

Well, if Mandrake is haunted, I cannot blame the ghost.

The house is so beautiful.

I like to hear you say that.

I love Mandrake.

Party, faction.

Then there is Norman, Edward the Confessor, Elizabethan, Restoration,

Anne.

Each generation has added to and improved that house.

It's a great house, and a gracious one.

Are you happy here?

It's a strange room.

You were happy when I placed you next to your cousin Nicholas at dinner.

I'm very fond of Nicholas.

You contemplate marrying him?

I do not. Any more than he wishes to marry me.

He's in love with Lady Isabel.

And you?

I'm in love with no one.

Least of all the man to whom you are betrothed.

Shall I make you fall in love with me, Serena?

Are you afraid of love or merely of me?

It's true this part of the coast is alive with smugglers. That's really your

naval patrol.

There are so many uninhabited sections we couldn't hope to cover them all.

And all the time more fast boats are being built in France.

Fast boats?

They can do nine knots.

They're simply outrunners.

And the customs men.

And what do they smuggle?

Paris' finest velvet, brandy, tobacco, silk and satin.

And the damnable thing is the gold they get for them goes straight back to

France.

Devil take you, Rutum.

Oh, Harriet, I do hope he does. I couldn't bear to be parted from him.

You shall pay for that.

To challenge me again?

To eternity.

Fifty guineas?

A hundred.

Oh, reckless lady.

My apologies, Harry. A challenge will have to wait.

Shall we go back?

They weren't supposed to be here for four days yet.

Oh, I should have foreseen it. You have the money.

Here's a wee bit light to me.

Give me that.

You have not been dipping into it.

A few guineas here, a few guineas there.

I thought I'd have time to win the money back.

What will you do?

You can hardly offer those beauties double or quid. Hold your tongue.

Give me that stick.

I shall be back directly.

Bunch of teary men.

Are you mad?

Coming on a night for the moon? Black as they are to hell's waistcoat when we

left Calais. Give me the paper.

Brandy.

Wine.

Brenton Silk.

My dear, Mr. Stately, how charming you look. I trust you're enjoying yourself.

Warn my mother that the Coast Guards are here. Get her through the door behind

the paddling.

You caught me unawares. I was not expecting you until next week. This

week, with what you make out of us, you try and tell us you're short with your

gold. You shall have your gold.

Five guineas a man, as usual.

Only it'll have to be two now and three later.

You filthy, ungrateful rabble.

Who paid for your vote?

Who made the connections?

Where would you be if it were not for me? The

ladyship's never let us down before.

And it's right. We are four days early.

It's a tidy living for all of us.

Let's not spoil it.

I say we take the two guineas now and the raft next week.

That's the best we can do. Right then.

There's no right then by me.

I'll have my five now.

Take your paw off me.

Keep your distance.

Your stench sickens me.

What do you say, lads? Don't listen, sir. We'll spoil everything.

We're agreed, lads. The excise men.

They're upstairs.

And soldiers. Ricky, back to the boat. Not till we get our five guineas. I'll

show you, you fool.

There is no more.

Right, lads. We'll have that necklace then.

I will send word when I have the rest of your gold.

See that that is removed.

Set yourself together, girl.

Have you never seen a wild boar spear before?

Come.

Let us rejoin our guests.

Move!

Mother, may I introduce Captain Jackson, who's searching the area for smugglers.

Lord, how exciting.

Have you found any yet?

No, Your Ladyship.

But we have had news of a fast boat in the area, and we wondered if we might

search your shoreline. But of course.

Perhaps you would care to take a stroll through my guests.

There are some desperate fellows among them.

That won't be necessary, Your Ladyship.

Just the shoreline. If you catch any, I want first sight of them.

I hear they're vastly terrifying.

They're less terrifying after a touch of cold steel.

So I've heard.

Your Ladyship.

My dear, I've heard many ways of running from a losing streak, but aren't you

dramatizing, rather?

My breaking off our game had nothing to do with the military intrusion.

You may recall I left some time before they arrived.

Indeed I do.

It also occurs to me that the silk that my little fancy there is wearing so

charmingly...

And she seems to have had rather startling experience recently.

That that silk could have come only from Paris.

As indeed for this.

Unhand me, sir.

You are too sharp.

Good gracious, no, Harriet, you know me dim as a poor man's candle.

Now, I simply see the puzzle piecing together.

You do.

It's not something that preoccupies me.

I should probably forget the whole thing. Were I to find myself united with

deliciously silken creature who's standing just behind us.

The ladyship.

I'm tired and would ask to be excused.

You may go.

Harriet, my dear.

I have a proposition for you.

What is it?

What's happened?

Come on, Moria, let us go.

How nice of you to visit me.

Do you know, I saw you the first night through the door from the turret room.

There hasn't been anybody there for a long, long time.

Who are you?

Oh, my name's Serena Stavely.

And I fear my story is a bit of a strange one.

I was won in a wager by the Lord Vulcan.

By the Lord Vulcan?

You were really?

Oh, what a rogue the fellow must be.

I heard voices, my Lord Vulcan.

It's all right, Stanton. We have a charming guest.

Get some tea. There's a good fellow.

Just so, my Lord.

Poor Stanton. He knows nobody should be here.

He probably thinks you came down the chimney.

But he called you the Lord Vulcan.

That means Dothan isn't the real Lord, is he? You are.

No, no, no.

I am dead.

Ah, yes.

The old story, extravagant younger wife, ruins, quiet, scholastic,

older husband.

Well, Harriet eventually bankrupted my whole family with her gambling.

But there was a huge fortune waiting in trust for my son Justin on my death.

So we waited until he went on the grand tour of Europe, and then I died.

And he became...

Lord Vulcan and a very rich man. The family was saved, and I retired down

That's dreadful.

Oh, for poor Justin, not for me.

You see, my dear, I've always been a scholar.

So here I could complete my life's work, which was the history of Mandrake from

the very beginning until the present day.

But why poor Justin?

My son is the most honorable man I know.

When he found out what had happened, he was like a crazy man.

And then he realized there was nothing he could do about it without disgracing

both me and his mother. So finally, he accepted it, but it changed him.

He used to be such a laughing, open, joyous young man. He became embittered,

cynical.

He was like a locked door, detesting the fact that he was living a lie.

A locked door.

Oh, dear, you know, I shouldn't really be telling you all this, except you'd

already guessed the important part, and I'm still vulnerable to a pretty face.

You do realise I've put myself in your hands?

They're safe hands.

Do you love my son?

No.

Mm -hm.

And does he love you?

Why should he?

what I would give to be in his shoes.

I didn't mind the occasional case of brandy. Everyone

does that.

Not only occasional, I swear.

Stop lying to me. I know everything.

You're now running a huge criminal conspiracy.

What an exaggeration.

I've let you use me.

I've always detected gambling.

Yet I've allowed myself to gain a cruel and sinister reputation by using my good

luck against any fool who'd take me on.

I thought the money was going on Mandrake.

Oh, I knew you were squandering some of it. The merest amount.

I didn't mind that too much.

But now I find that what it was really for was to finance crime, to pay for the

contraband you brought in from France.

How much did you make for it in London?

Double? Triple?

It's not enough for you. My money, your gambling, the smuggling. It's not

enough. You want more.

More, more. You're insane with greed.

You disgust me.

It's got to stop.

For the honor of the family, it's going to stop.

And if I refuse?

I shall have the underground caverns and the passages from the sea blocked up.

You could not do that to Mandrake.

It's been part of the house for centuries. I will do it.

And have you considered what I will do?

I would reveal your father is still alive and that you are an imposter.

It will bring the world crashing about your ears.

You've used that threat once too often, Mother.

I'm close to the point where you may tell and be damned.

Try me.

You will obey me.

It stops here.

Where's Justin?

He was supposed to be joining us. He will not be long.

He's on Thunderbolt, his new stallion. Fierce and brute.

Only Justin can ride him.

Oh, that's so like Justin.

I think Nicholas has a fine seat on a horse, too.

Oh, Nicholas rides well enough, but not like Justin.

Thank you kindly, madam.

I, uh, I overheard a curious exchange between Harriet and Lord Rooton.

He was guaranteeing her 10 ,000 guineas on delivery of the goods.

They seem to be looking in your direction.

It's probably one of their gambling plots.

Heavens! What a magnificent beast.

He and Justin go so well together.

My apologies for keeping you waiting.

Good evening, my lord.

Oh.

I came to see your father. My father?

Is there any secret that can be kept from you in this house?

I found it by accident.

The devil you did.

I just came to bring him these.

Ah, strawberries.

It was so early. Where did they come from?

From your own gardens, my lord.

My father has a frail heart. He's resting at the moment.

Well, will you please see that he gets these with my love?

I'm glad that you have found someone to love at Mandrake.

In the short time you've been here, you know all our most guarded secrets.

You can trust me.

Can I?

You have the hand of Stavely on it.

Such a little hand to hold the honour of Mandrake in its palm.

I confess I find Justin's silence ominous.

Since that hideous onslaught last night, he's hardly addressed a single word to

me. You have more to worry ahead about than that.

Your ladders are still waiting for the rest of their money.

And I would not say that waiting is what they are best at.

They shall have theirs as soon as I have mine.

I'm expecting gold.

I'm expecting it very soon.

I beg you, Miss Serena, not to go down tonight.

The evil I've always felt here is stronger than ever.

I'm never wrong.

Please don't go down.

Oh, Dora, don't be absurd.

I confess this house quite grows on me.

Excuse me, Miss Stapley.

A ladyship has sent me to tell you that your dog has been hurt.

Warrior?

Injured?

Where?

Come this way, ma 'am.

They will take you to him, ma 'am.

And when we return, it will be as man and wife.

Be mad.

I loathe you. You make me shudder. Oh, how it's striking. I long to make you

shudder.

Go. Repent, my soul, Serena. I offer you married.

Position, title, the finest house in Wiltshire. What are you making such a

about? Now, listen to me. It's only out of good nature that I offer you

anything. I could take you without marrying you.

Suppose I made that fact known.

Gossip, perhaps, about your enthusiasm for the sport.

Where would you be then, eh?

I'll kill you myself!

No doubt. Meanwhile, have your money, your watch, your jewels, and all the

flash you dandies dole yourselves up in.

Come on.

Take it a bit down. Thank you.

No, miss, I don't take from pretty young ladies.

So, would you help me?

You look as if somebody could.

Well, this man was carrying me off.

Would you take me back to Mandrake House?

God bless me so.

If I'd have known her to come out on me white charger.

Up you come, then.

You're insane going with a man like that.

But she'd be sane staying with a man like you.

They call me Joker.

That's because I'm always laughing to stop them crying.

Innkeeper I were, doing well.

Then the wife ran off with this villain, taking all my savings.

I caught up with him.

He laughed at me.

I hit him and he died.

That's been me on the run ever since.

There's Mandrake Miss up yonder.

I don't come no closer.

Well, I'll never be able to thank you enough.

Good day in the wicked world and all that easy boy easy easy

There we are miss yeah Come on

boy be lucky

What happened?

I can't tell you. You wouldn't believe it. Let me be the judge of that. Tell

I can't. I see.

You're just like all the rest.

Taking the moonlight, I believe it's called. It was Nicholas, I suppose, or

Peter Dillingham. Was he your fancy?

Dare you?

You must know I was lured outside in your mother's name by one of your

My mother's?

Then I was seized and carried off by the man I hate more than anyone else in the

world. Then he tried to force himself on me.

It didn't work.

What? Rutum and Miss Daverley. Your nasty little plot.

It failed.

Have you lost your wits? You arranged to have him doctor.

What an absurd fancy.

She's escaped.

She's back in the house.

I've spoken to her.

Whatever happened, I played no part in it. What did he offer you?

I don't know what you mean. Your price.

Heavens above.

That simpering creature.

Where else would she find such a good match?

One day she would have thanked me for it. How much? I declare your question is

indecent. If Harry Rutum felt pleased to give me a modest present for the

introduction.

I want the truth.

Very well, then, devil take you. He was giving me 10 ,000 guineas.

Little enough when you consider she was bringing him a dowry of 80.

Besides, I will not have that chit marrying you and you zapping my place.

Ten thousand.

That is your price for selling one of my guests out of my house to a lecher.

It was not like that.

It's a stain on the honour of the Vulcans of Mandrake that we will never

down. That is all life means to you, the Vulcans of Mandrake. Ah, the

tedium of listening to it all my life.

First from my husband and now from my son.

Your father married me to set a jewel in Mandrake. He didn't want flesh and

blood. Well, my desires far surpass bricks and stone.

Mandrake may be your mistress, but it is not my master.

Well, have I silenced you at last?

The house will be closed.

The tunnels will be blocked.

You will be sent abroad.

You cannot mean to banish me.

Justin, you cannot.

But first, there is something I must do.

Back to back, if you please, gentlemen.

On the word commence, you will each take ten paces.

On my timing, turn and fire.

Commence.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

Justin!

And

his

lordship said beforehand that if anything was to happen to him... I was

and tell your ladyship immediate.

You.

You killed him.

He fought this duel for you.

A paltry scrap of a thing.

It bloodied on your head.

Saddle Thunderbolt. Only his Lordship can handle him, Miss. He's not properly

broken. He's a killer. He's the fastest horse in the stables and I must get to

London. Saddle him.

I said saddle him!

Do you love my son?

Does he love you?

Shall I make you fall in love with me, sir?

Set your little hand to hold the honor of Mandrake.

You cannot marry my son, of course.

Your blood is on your hair.

He will never marry.

He fought this evil for you.

You killed him.

Do not die, Justin.

Please do not die. Please.

The Lord Vulcan cannot receive, Miss... David Lee.

Leflamme, I swear you are the most amusing woman in London.

Justin... Miss David Lee, my lord!

Come in.

I prepared your bath, Miss Stavely. I'm keen to have it.

Aye, you wasn't a mess.

Cleaned? What time is it?

Noon, Miss. Noon?

His Lordship awaits you in the drawing room. When are you ready, Miss?

He isn't much injured.

Oh, Lord bless you, no, Miss. Just a graze, they tell me.

And Lord Rutham?

Fled to France.

He'll not show his face in England again.

I trust you slept well.

Yes, thank you, I did.

Well, that is, I'm sorry I slept so late.

Do sit down.

When a young lady has been brave enough to do what you did, she's entitled to

sleep late.

Unfortunately, she must also be prepared to face certain consequences.

I don't understand.

Are you sure you feel strong enough to face such matters?

I feel quite all right.

Your epic ride to my aid on the most fearsome animal in my stables is already

being acclaimed in every club in London.

And the talk of the club?

A young lady arriving in that dramatic fashion, unaccompanied into the house of

a bachelor.

You must see that you've compromised yourself.

Oh.

Is that all you have to say?

Well, actually, it was for your... Yes.

Go on.

My... Nothing, my lord.

What it amounts to is that a decision in my affairs has been thrust upon us.

We can no longer go on drifting.

No. I suppose not.

I therefore have the very great honour to ask you to be my wife.

Your wife?

No.

No, I'm sorry, I can't. I mean, I will not allow you to marry me out of a sense

of beauty.

Come here, Serena.

No.

You're going to have to swear to obey me when we marry.

You may as well start now.

Come here.

Why?

What do you see?

I see the famous dancer, La Flamme.

You see, my good friend John Burleigh handing a flam into a coach which he

bought her, which will take her to a charming little house in Chelsea, which

also bought her, where later, no doubt, he will join her, as he does most days

and nights, unless, of course, he happens to be taking her out to visit

friends.

But I thought she was... No.

She has not been for some time.

Not since after I met you.

Now, will you marry me?

We shall be married in the private chapel of Mandrake.

You can go back there and make your arrangements.

I will stay here and arrange for a special license and follow you.

I've sent for your maid, Eudora, to bring you fresh clothes and travel back

you.

Why did I cancel this evening's entertainment?

It would be easy to rearrange it, ma 'am.

Yet what do I want with those half -wits?

Grasping ill -bred scavengers God in heaven.

You're still upset from yesterday, ma 'am.

Now that we know dear Justin is safe, why not go and rest? I cannot rest.

I must be alone.

Alone with my thoughts.

Oh, I am mad as fire with myself.

It should have been I who wrote to darling Justin.

On Thunderbolt, sister dear, you would never have got out of the stable yard.

The coach in four is more your style.

I would have taken something faster than that.

Nicholas would have driven me. No, I would not.

As it is, I'm surprised at my cousin's indiscretion. I should be obliged if it

went no further. I adore the child.

I wouldn't dream of gossiping about her.

I cannot be alone.

It feels as though my brain were on fire.

Something somewhere is monstrously wrong. Oh, it is just fancy, ma 'am.

Come and sit down, do.

I knew it.

It isn't Justin.

They are to be married.

Who? Why, Justin and that sly -faced maggot, Serena.

Serena? Serena?

What more does he say? I have...

Matters to rain.

She's about to have the vapours. I'll take odds on it.

Serena, the milk -faced little snake.

She squirmed her way into my favour so that she could betray me. I'm sure she

did nothing of the sort. And you probably helped her.

Yes, that was it. It was a plot between you and that stupid child.

Isabel, I swear.

You can swear your head off and I'll not believe you.

The lying, cheating, conniving, Judas -faced little man! Inna Bell, I beg of

you! Yes, go on, beg!

That is all I have ever heard you do!

I'm sick of your whining after me like a ripped dog!

I have lost a real man, and all you can do is beg!

You are pathetic!

Stop it! Do you hear me? Let go of me! Stop it! Stop it!

Stop it!

You're nothing but a foiled little brat!

Justin never loved you! That's why you wanted him!

You have no time for people who really care!

Well, I've had enough. I'm leaving.

You will never see me again.

Before I go, let's just say this for old time's sake.

My ladyship regrets that she's indisposed, but she's instructed me,

your new status, miss, that you were to be given the queen's room.

I had Yvette prepare this for you for your wedding tomorrow.

I trust it is to your taste. Harriet.

I thought she'd be ready to kill me.

Come to her senses at last.

She needs her son, and she knows her son needs you.

It is exquisite.

You look like a princess.

His lordship will be so proud of his bride.

But you have a big day tomorrow.

You need your bed.

You, Dora, I'm so excited. I know I shouldn't sleep a wink.

This will help.

Now, drink this and get undressed and then I'll tuck you in.

No. I've got such a wonderful feeling. I don't want to lose it in sleep just

yet.

Oh, well. Waste not, want not.

Eudora!

Why could you not oblige me by being asleep like your maid?

I love you.

Where is Mrs.

Tavely? Her ladyship put Mrs. Tavely in the queen's room, my lord.

Thought you could escape me.

You know, my dear, I was coming to fetch you. Several of you to meet me halfway.

Do something.

Well, Mac, I've come to take our little girl to France.

The fast boat is waiting. Not before I get my 10 ,000 guineas.

I know you, Harriet. It would be 10 ,000 now and another 10 next month.

Ten after that.

Twenty.

Now then, dear girl.

Root him.

Face to face this time.

You're fighting above yourself, Rutum. One tries to do one's best.

Your choice, Duncan.

That's better.

Come along now, Serena. The long belt is wicked.

And I love you from the first moment I saw you.