All language subtitles for Belgravia.S01E02.720p.HDTV.x264-ORGANiC

Our hostess tells me that you were
at the famous ball in Brussels.

How strange
that we should be discussing a ball

when we're on the brink of war.

Nothing can happen to us.

We're the luckiest couple alive!
We're the most in love.

Did you know my son well?

He is the eldest son of an earl,
my child.

He cannot choose his wife
to suit his heart.

It must end,
before there is damaging talk.

There is another casualty that you
won't have to imagine a link with.

Viscount Bellasis.

Do you have other children?

No. When we go,
there will be nothing left of us.

I'm going to have a child.

Of course you can't tell her!
What are you talking about?

Do we have a right to hide from her
that she has a grandson?

Look after him, won't you?

Promise me, Mama.

BABY CRIES

CLASSICAL THEME TUNE PLAYS

THUNDER RUMBLES

SIGHS HEAVILY

DOOR LATCH RATTLES
DOOR CREAKS

Mrs Casson?

The undertakers are here.

The nurse has made
Mrs Blake tidy now,

if you would like to see her
before they take her away.

I understand you have made provision
for the child?

My husband has arranged
a future for the boy.

Sophia's death
will not alter the plan.

Are you quite sure?

Will you not see him?

I mean to play
no part in his life.

It may sound hard, but it...
It will be better so.

I have played a sad part
in your history, Mrs Casson,

and we will not meet again
when you have gone south.

But that emboldens me.

DOOR CREAKS,
BABY GRIZZLES

This is all you have left
of your daughter now.

Is there not some tale
you could devise

that would allow you
to raise him as your own?

The matter is settled. Mr Tren...

..Mr Casson has found a place
where he will be brought up

without stigma
and with every advantage.

Sophia knew and approved the plan,
so...

the die is cast.

I cannot alter it.

HE SNORTS

BIRDS TWEET

HE GRUNTS

Have you not slept?

Not much.

I've been back in Bakewell,
all those years ago.

A sad time.

It was sad.

Why did we not keep him?

Doctor Smiley, who attended her,
wanted us to, and he was right.

We could have thought
of a thousand explanations.

No one need have known the truth.

Why say that now? It's done.

Mr and Mrs Pope gave him a good home
and a fine education.

You did that.

But they brought him up
without a shadow of suspicion...

and he saved them
from being childless.

It was best all round.

Doesn't it trouble you
that we don't know him?

We don't know our own grandson...

any more than Lady Brockenhurst
knows hers.

Please, leave things as they are,
I beg you.

He is a man now, making his own way.

Even if we had brought him up...

our role would be done.

"Dear Lady Brockenhurst,

"I should like to call on you...

"..at a time

"that is convenient.

"I would be..."
BELL RINGS

"..grateful...

"if you could find a moment...

"..when we might be alone.

"Yours sincerely,

"Anne Trenchard."

Mrs Trenchard.
Ah.

Come in, Mrs Trenchard.

Sit by me, here.

I hope you don't mind
a fire in summer.

I'm afraid I'm always cold.

That was painted by Beechey.

On my marriage in 1792.

I was 17.

They said it was a good likeness,
but...

Of course,
no one could say that now.

It is good of you to let me come.

Your letter caught me just in time.

We leave first thing in the morning
for Lymington, in Hampshire.

Is that where you live
in the country?

It's where my husband's family
has lived for several centuries.

Lady Brockenhurst...

..it seems
I am in possession of a secret

which I have sworn to my husband
never to reveal,

and indeed, he would be very angry
if he knew I was here today.

Yes?

At the Duchess's tea,

you said that when
you and your husband go,

there will be nothing left of you.

I did.

Well, that's not quite true.

Before she died,

my daughter Sophia
was delivered of a child.

A boy.

The son of Lord Bellasis.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

The Duchess of Bedford
would be very flattered

to see her invention
celebrated elsewhere.

I liked it more than I knew.

And now I stage
an imitation of it every day.

Thank you.
We can fend for ourselves.

So, where is he now, this boy?

I only know the boy is a man.

He was 25 last birthday.

And what is he like?

I'm afraid I cannot tell you.

Mr Trenchard...

placed the baby
in the care of a clergyman,

and now he goes under the name
of Charles Pope.

We have never
made our connection public.

He, himself, knows nothing.

What does he do?

We had meant him for the cloth,
like his adopted father.

But I believe
he proved to be more business-like.

I know no more than that.

Like your husband.

Well, you cannot be surprised.

Blood will out.

I hope you will not
think too badly of Sophia.

You must protect her memory,
poor child.

We will try not to blame her.

She is to be pitied.

In that atmosphere,
in Brussels, before the battle,

anyone could lose their reason
for a moment.

I do not blame her.

And she didn't lose her reason.

She believed
she was married to Lord Bellasis.

He tricked her into thinking
that her marriage had taken place.

I beg your pardon?

He tricked her.

He bamboozled her.

He persuaded a fellow officer
to pretend to be a clergyman,

and Sophia did not find out
the truth till it was too late.

I don't believe you.

That is your privilege,
but it's the truth.

I see how it is.

Your daughter was scheming
to catch my wretched son,

no doubt encouraged by her parents.

You mean Lord Bellasis
was incapable of such behaviour?

I most certainly do.

He could never even
have conceived of the very idea.

Wasn't his godfather Lord Berkeley?

How did you know that?

Lord Bellasis
spoke of him one evening,

when he joined us for dinner.

He said that when Lord Berkeley
seduced the mother of his children,

he got a friend
to pose as a clergyman,

so he might lure
the unsuspecting girl into bed.

I beg you not to tell me

that Lord Bellasis could never
have conceived of any such idea!

BELL RINGS

My son was seduced
by an ambitious girl,

who wanted to use the chaos of war

to bring about a marriage
beyond even her father's dreams.

Well, she failed.

My son took her as his mistress,
but what of that?

He was a man, and she was a slut.

It happens.

Ah, Jenkins.

Please take Mrs Trenchard down.
She's leaving.

It's funny. I thought you'd come

with some sentimental tale
to tell me of my son.

Some happy story
of his last days on earth.

You spoke so well of him
when we first met.

I spoke of him
as I knew him before that night.

But I should have been honest.

If it's any consolation,
no one was more surprised than I

to learn what he was capable of.

I must ask.

Will you keep our secret?

Can I have your word?

Of course.

Why would I publicise
my late son's degradation?

How is she today?

She's not come down.
She's still in her room.

The Master must have his luncheon
by himself.

I'm sorry.

When she came home
from Belgrave Square,

she was shaking like a jelly.

I swear she's had a headache
from that moment.

Have you tried valerian?
Tried it? I've given her that much

I'm surprised she hasn't had a fit.

And she's not sleeping.

Has she said what's wrong?
Not a word.

It was like she was in a daze.

Just hugging that dog
and rocking in her chair.

I expect you've seen her through
some hard times, eh, Miss Ellis?

I expect I have.
Much good has it done me.

You're not unhappy here, are you?

Well...

..I'm not sure
I've made the right choice.

Look at Jane Croft,
Miss Sophia's maid.

She's a housekeeper now, with
a full staff of servants under her.

Could have been me.

Yeah, but would you want that,
Miss Ellis?

I'm not sure what I want.

RUMBLE OF HOOVES

It's beginning to look like
Peel's going to win this election.

It seems that Melbourne's
on the way out.

She's not gonna like that.

I believe the Prince
favours Sir Robert Peel.

He would. He's German.

You haven't forgotten

that Stephen and Grace
will be here for dinner?

Are they bringing John?

I think so. He's staying with them.

Drat. They'll be wanting money.

Thank you, Jenkins.

Really, Peregrine.

Are we to have
no secrets of our own?

You don't worry about Jenkins,
are you?

He knows more about this family
than I ever will.

I don't worry about him, but it's...

It's rude to test him.

Whether we like it or not,

Stephen is your brother
and your heir

and should be treated with respect,
at least in public.

But not in private, by God.

Jenkins? Where is his Lordship?
He's gone for a walk, sir.

Dinner will not be
until half past four.

Ugh.
I said we were too damned early.

Nobody eats dinner in London
before six, these days.

That's why they've started
eating with their tea.

We're not in London.

Yeah, more's the pity.

Jenkins? Give me another one.

Soda water, sir?
Yes.

SIGHS

DOOR OPENS

We wondered what had become of you.

I can tell you
what will become of me,

if I can't lay my hands
on some funding.

Well, that didn't take very long.

I thought we'd at least
get to the pudding

before you held your hand out.
Where have you been?

We've been to Lower Farm.

John? You were saying?

I'm serious.
There's nothing else for it.

Nothing else for what?

Well, a tailor's bill to pay,
and the rent on Albany.

Albany?
Doesn't your mother pay that?

And MORE tailors' bills?
Yes!

I don't know
how a man in my position

can get through the Season
without any clothes.

Your position?
Heavens, what position is that?

Peregrine!

It is not fair to expect him
to look like a ragamuffin.

Especially not now.

Why? What's happening now?

That's the reason for our coming.

That's the other reason for coming.

Go on.

John...

has reached an understanding
with Lady Maria Grey.

What? Lord Templemore's daughter?

Her father is dead.
The present Earl is her brother.

Well, yes. She's still
Lord Templemore's daughter.

Well, that's -
that's very good, John.

Well done, and congratulations. Ha!

You sound astonished.
Why shouldn't I marry Maria Grey?

Well, no reason. No reason at all.
It's a very good match.

I say again, well done.
And I mean it.

It's a good match for her.

The Templemores
have no money to speak of,

and she's marrying the future
Earl of Brockenhurst, after all.

So, what do you think of the work
of the Ecclesiastical Commission?

What do you mean?

Are its reforms working?

In placating the dissidents?
In containing the Oxford Movement?

What do I care about any of it?

Just as long as I don't have to
give any more damn sermons!

If you're not interested
in the doctrine,

why did you join the Church?
Why do you think?

Because I'm the younger son
of an Earl.

Emma is to have another child.

You'll be a grandmother
five times over.

Think of that.

They're hoping for another boy.

Well, I shall write to her.

Hugo's very keen on a second boy.
He loves the girls, of course,

but he doesn't want
to take any chances.

"I want an heir and a spare,"
he keeps saying.

HE LAUGHS

An heir and a spare.

I wonder, dear brother,

i-if I might have a little word
in private later?

Aren't we in private now?

We all know
you want to talk about money.

All right, let's have it.

We mustn't bore the ladies.

You don't mind boring me.

If - if we could...
i-if we could just...

Come on. Come on, out with it.
What my father is asking for

is a loan
against my future inheritance.

Your inheritance, or his?

Our inheritance.

You're saying he wants another loan
against your inheritance.

Very well, then, another loan.

I think my little brother
has chipped away

at his prospects
quite substantially already.

You will agree
that the family's honour

demands we keep up appearances.

No, no, no. I don't agree at all.

Any kind of show
in a man of the cloth

is neither expected, nor liked,
by the public.

What are you spending it on?
Nothing you'd disapprove of.

You've released funds in the past.
Oh, yes,

many times. Too many.

I think you should stay down here,

attend to your Church duties
and not go up to London so much.

Tell me about Maria Grey.

I thought
she'd only just been presented.

No, no.

She's quite out by now. She's 21.

How time flies.

I'm surprised Lady Templemore
said nothing to me.

Perhaps she was waiting
till things were quite settled.

And are they settled now?

They will be, soon.

And after that,
we'll announce it properly.

You must feel very proud, John.

Of what?

Of convincing such a lovely girl
to be your wife.

HE CHUCKLES
Yes.

Yes, I suppose I am.

You've been very quiet.
What's the matter?

Why does my brother,

who has never said or done anything
of the slightest value...

..live to see
his children make fine marriages

and his grandchildren
round his chair?

Oh, my dear.

A house in Harley Street and
a large rectory here in the village,

and all he does is complain.
And gamble.

And yet he is allowed
to have a family,

and I am not.

No, I'm sorry.

Well, I... I'm just a silly old man.

But sometimes I can't help
but rail at the injustice of it.

You think I don't?

Do you ever wonder
what he'd be like now?

Married, of course.

Clever sons and pretty daughters.

Or perhaps clever daughters
and pretty sons.

The point is, he's not here.

Our boy is gone.

I don't understand...

why it happened to us.

A peace offering?

I can't pretend, James.

SHE SIGHS

It's brought it all back.
My anger, along with the rest.

You persuaded her
into a false marriage,

and in the process, ruined her.

I didn't persuade her.
She persuaded me.

What is it?

A ticket for the Horticultural
Society's new botanical gardens.

How did you get it?

The Cubitts
are among their supporters.

Am I forgiven, then?

You could take Susan.

SHE CHUCKLES

Susan dislikes flowers.

She can't see beauty in anything

she hasn't seen
in Mr Asprey's window.

Poor Oliver.
Hmm.

After the other night,
I was wondering how to help him.

What have you come up with?

Cubitt's had an interesting idea

to do something
with the Isle of Dogs.

The Isle of Dogs? Really?

The new docks
have made a big difference.

He wants to build
a solid community there.

It's exciting.

Perhaps I can bring Oliver into it.

You're welcome to try.

It doesn't sound like
his sort of thing at all.

Perhaps he should be a little less
choosy about what interests him.

Well...

..I suppose it won't hurt.

All alone, Mrs Babbage?
So I am.

Mrs Frant's gone shopping
for some bits and bobs.

Might this be a moment for us
to do a little business, I wonder?

There's two shoulders of lamb
in there, and a leg.

No doubt you can add
some bottles to it.

I can, and I'll do it now.
It's all up from Glanville,

so it needs to be eaten
straight away.

What does Mrs Frant say
when she sees the food's gone?

She knows better than to ask.

I'll take it round now.
They pay well for country meat.

That looks heavy.
It is.

So I'll get it out of your way.
I won't be too long.

No hurry, Mr Turton.
The Mistress is on her way to Kew,

and the Master
won't be back before six.

You want to watch yourself.

One day, Mistress will come down
and ask to be shown

what's been delivered
from her beloved Glanville.

Then Mrs Frant will deal with her
enquiries, won't she, Miss Ellis?

GENTLE MUSIC PLAYS

Mr Paxton, I was hoping I'd see you.

Mrs Trenchard, how are you?

Oh, I wish you could see the gardens
at Glanville.

There isn't a corner that has not
benefitted from your advice.

One day.
Oh, there you are, Paxton.

I've been looking everywhere
for you.

Have you heard the news?
What news is that, Your Grace?

They've taken all the citrus
out of the orangery.

Too dark in there.

They didn't have the advantage
of your planning.

Your Grace, Your Ladyship,

may I present
a keen and talented gardener?

Mrs Trenchard,

The Duke of Devonshire
and Lady Brockenhurst.

A pleasure, Mrs Trenchard.
Mrs Trenchard and I are old friends.

Excellent!

Shall we go and see what
they've done to the conservatory?

Are you interested in Kew?

The Duke was good enough
to ask for my help

when the Horticultural Society

first took on
the management of the garden.

Mrs Trenchard...

That man we were talking about
the other day...

Charles Pope?
The very one.

Mr Charles Pope.

What about him?

I have forgotten where he lives,
this Mr Pope.

I am not sure of the address.

What about his parents?

I remember the father
was a clergyman.

The Reverend Benjamin Pope.
And the county?

Surrey.
There we are.

That didn't hurt too much, did it?

BUSTLING STREET

Anything while I've been out,
Brodsworth?

Yes, Mr Pope.
You've got a visitor.

I wasn't expecting anyone, was I?

Well, you weren't expecting her.

It's the Countess of Brockenhurst.
What?

Lady Brockenhurst.

I' m terribly sorry
to have kept you waiting.

Since I made no appointment,
there's no need to apologise.

Are you all right?

You look as if you've seen a ghost.

EXHALES

You remind me of someone
I used to know. That's all.

Someone nice, I hope?

Very nice.

Now, what can I offer you?

I have tea. I have coffee...

No. No, thank you, nothing.

I dare say
you're surprised to see me,

but I've been curious to meet you.

Have you? Why?

How on earth
did I come to your notice?

I've heard you talked of.

People say you have a future.

Lord Brockenhurst and I like to
help young men who are on their way.

I see.

So, tell me about yourself, Mr Pope.

Who are you? Where are you from?

Where am I from?

It is not a very interesting story.

I am from Surrey,
the son of a vicar.

There's nothing wrong with that.

Well, actually, my real father
was dead when I was born.

So his cousin,
the Reverend Benjamin Pope,

brought me up.
I think of him as my father,

but, sadly, he is also gone now.

I am sorry.

What else have you heard about me?

I know that you've bought a mill
in Manchester,

and that you're looking
for a regular supplier of cotton.

This is astonishing.

And I understand you've decided
on India for your suppliers.

Much more, and I'll ask you
to sit on the board!

THEY CHUCKLE

I... I won't keep you too long,
but...

I would like you to send me
whatever you think would be useful,

and then I'll come back to you
with my decision.

What decision?

As to whether or not
we should invest in your company.

Mr Pope,

I am giving an At Home on Tuesday.

I generally receive

on the second Tuesday of every month
during the season.

I wonder if you might like to come.

Me?
It starts at ten.

I wouldn't dine too heartily
beforehand,

as there will be a supper
at midnight.

I don't quite understand.
Mr Pope,

I'm asking you to a party.
Is that so very puzzling?

I should be delighted, m'lady.

NOISY, BUSTLING STREET

How did you know where to find me?
You're always here.

Who's paying for this feed?
You or me?

You. Want some of this?

No, I'll wait
until they bring my luncheon.

All right, suit yourself.

Your mother wants to invite

Lady Maria and her mother
for dinner,

and she needs you to suggest a date.

Shouldn't we just...
wait till everything's agreed?

What's the matter, John?

Why aren't you happier?

Maria seems a nice girl to me,
and very pretty.

Mm.

When a woman
is to be served up on a platter,

to do with as one likes,

it rather takes the sport out of it.
At least, it does to me.

Anyway, Uncle Peregrine is pleased,
which is all that really matters.

Well, you'll grow to like her,
I'm sure.

Really? As much as you like Mama?

CHUCKLES

This came while you were out, Ma'am.

A footman brought it
from Brockenhurst House.

Is it an invitation?

What are you doing there?

Are you invited to dinner?

No, to a reception after dinner.

Although I dare say there will
be something to eat later on.

But I'm not sure we'll go.

Not go?

We barely know her.

And it's hard
to get up much enthusiasm for...

for something that begins
so late in the evening.

But surely you...
What is it you're trying to ask?

I just hoped that Oliver and I...

might be included in the invitation.

But you're not.

Please don't make me beg, Mother.

Would it be so terribly difficult
for you to write and ask?

I suppose
they're moving up in the world,

if the Countess of Brockenhurst
deigns to know them.

That's what the Master will think,
anyway.

BELL RINGS

Why does Lady Brockenhurst
want to bother with them?

What have the Trenchards
got to give the Brockenhursts?

Why? Do you only make friends
where there's something to gain?

It's the times we live in.

New folk coming up
and overtaking the old.

Brockenhurst House again.

That's the invitation
for Mr and Mrs Oliver. You'll see.

DOOR KNOCKS

I think I have everything I need.

They brought this round just now,
from Brockenhurst House.

I see.

You may go.
Goodnight, Ellis, and thank you.

DOOR OPENS

CLEARS HIS THROAT

Well, well. Susan will be pleased.

We shouldn't go.
Of course we should go.

Why do you think we've been asked?

Did she take a shine to you
when you met?

Whether she did or not,

it seems awkward and wrong
to accept, knowing what we know.

Well, I don't agree.

And besides, Lady Brockenhurst
doesn't know what we know.

HORSES' HOOVES CLATTER

Quirk! Be back here by one o'clock.

We won't leave before then.
Very good, sir.

I wonder how many people dined here
before the crowd arrived.

STRING ORCHESTRA
PLAYS BRIGHT MUSIC

Mr and Mrs James Trenchard.

Mr and Mrs Oliver Trenchard.

How good of you to come.

What beautiful flowers!
And what a heavenly scent.

Yes, they were brought up
from Lymington this morning.

I don't believe
I've met your husband.

Lady Brockenhurst,
may I present Mr Trenchard.

Lady Brockenhurst,

it is very gracious of you
to invite us to your charming home.

Not at all.

I doubt the house holds
many secrets for you, Mr Trenchard,

since you built it.
THEY CHUCKLE

May I present my son,
Mr Oliver Trenchard, and his wife.

Countess,
what a beautiful drawing room.

So, Mr Trenchard, tell me,

do you share the same interests
as your father?

Oliver works for me.
Or, should I say, works with me.

At the moment,
we are engaged on a new project,

developing the Isle of Dogs.
The Isle of Dogs?

It's in East London.

East London?

We're creating a new embankment,
with business properties

and workers' cottages, and, indeed,
houses for management, and so on.

And we're expanding the docks.

James...
It's true.

The ships have run out of room.

They need new places
to load and unload,

with all the trade that's coming in
from all over the world.

The further the Empire expands...
How exciting you make it sound.

Would you excuse me?

Mr and Mrs John Grant.

CHATTER

What sort of person
has their fires lit in high summer?

It's stifling in here.

Oliver, let's go through.

I'd rather we stay here,
to watch the arrivals.

There may be someone we know
who can lend us face.

Mr Trenchard? I'm Stephen Bellasis.

The Reverend Mr Bellasis
is the brother of our host.

Just so.
I gather you're Cubitt's man?

Responsible
for turning the streets of London

into a white colonnade overnight.

What we do seems to be popular,
Reverend.

Riot is popular, sir.
Revolution is popular.

What sort of test is that?

We understand from Lady Brockenhurst

that you knew our poor nephew,
Lord Bellasis.

Yes. We knew him well.

But I'm afraid
it was a long time ago.

Now there's only my son John

between this family and extinction.

That's him over there,
talking to the pretty woman in pink.

That pretty woman
is my daughter-in-law.

He looks to be entertaining her
rather well.

John is about to announce
his engagement.

The Countess of Templemore
and Lady Maria Grey.

Oh, here they are!

MUTED CHATTER

We've been looking for you.
Good evening, to both of you.

Say "Good evening" to John, dear.
Good evening.

Did you have a pleasant journey?
We should have walked.

It took twice as long in a carriage.
Ah!

The Isle of Dogs
may not seem so inspiring a place,

but I can assure you
that when we are finished,

the whole area
will be transformed...

Mr Charles Pope.

CATCHES HER BREATH

You came!

Let me introduce you to some people,
come with me.

Mrs Trenchard...

may I present a new acquaintance?
Mr Charles Pope.

Mr Trenchard?
What are you doing here?

GLASS SMASHES

Well, this is amusing.

There was I,
thinking Mr Pope was my secret,

only to find
that you're well acquainted.

How funny.
How long have you known each other?

Not long.
A while.

Not long? A while?
Yes, dear, do tell me.

How long have you known Mr Pope?

Well, I knew his father. And, erm,
when Charles came to London,

I felt it my duty to lend a hand,
if I could.

And did you?
Did I what?

Lend a hand.

Very much so.

I'd gained a place in a bank,
but when I got to London,

it didn't take me long to realise
I was playing the wrong game.

Mr Trenchard rescued me.

He helped get my own business
up and running.

I couldn't have managed without him.

It is the same venture you're
interested in, Lady Brockenhurst.

In what way are you...

interested?

Isn't London a tiny place?

THEY LAUGH

Forgive me,
but I-I don't understand.

Are you and Mr Trenchard...

In business together?
We are, in a way, I'm glad to say.

How long has this been going on?

Er, Mr Pope's father
asked for my help.

He has since died,
and so, naturally,

I take his request very seriously.

And I'm glad to do so.
There is Lord Brockenhurst.

I... I want you to meet Mr Pope.

Ah, Mr Pope.

Lovely to meet you.
Come.

Anne, I...
I can't talk to you.

You knew he was coming here,
didn't you?

Why didn't you tell me?

You have disobeyed my orders
and told our hostess everything.

Keep your voice down.
I thought we had an agreement.

You are in no position
to lecture me.

You have built and enjoyed
a friendship with our grandson

that you have denied me,
most cruelly.

I invested in his business.

I gave him advice.

Do you not think
that Sophia would have wanted that?

LAUGHTER, CHATTER

Really, Mr Bellasis.

You've made me offend
nice Baron whatever-his-name-was.

Hmm.
Honestly.

And I was on my best behaviour, too.

Yes, I bet your behaviour's
always pretty good, worse luck.

Oh, quickly!

That frightful old bore
was headed straight towards us.

It took me half an hour
to shake him off the last time.

That old bore was my father-in-law.

Ha-ha-ha! Poor you.

I know your type.
You're just the sort of man

to make me say all manner of things
I don't want to say in the least.

Yes, and I hope I can make you
do all manner of things

you don't want to do in the least.

DOOR OPENS

Oh, er, sorry. Do I disturb you?

Not at all. I'm afraid
it's I who am disturbing you.

If you'd rather be alone...?
No.

I suspect your mother
would prefer you to be alone,

or at least not with a strange man
to whom you haven't been introduced.

My mother is deep in conversation
with an aged great aunt,

who will not release her
without a fight.

THEY LAUGH

Then perhaps
we had better introduce ourselves.

Charles Pope.

Maria Grey.

So, why are you hiding out here?

Is it that obvious?

CHUCKLES
I felt so sorry for you

when you were being
paraded around by our hostess.

How do you know them?
Are you related?

Heavens, no.

This isn't my natural habitat
at all.

I'm a very ordinary sort of fellow.

Well, Lady Brockenhurst
doesn't seem to think so.

I've never seen her so animated.

She's not a woman
known for her enthusiasms.

You're right that she's
taken an interest in my work,

although I couldn't tell you why.

Lady Brockenhurst has taken
an interest in a business venture?

You sound surprised.

I should be less surprised
if she wanted to walk on the moon!

I don't understand it, either.

She seems enthused
by the whole idea.

What is the idea?

I have bought a mill in Manchester.

Now I need a better supply
of raw cotton from India,

and for that, I must have funding.

But I'm determined that anyone who
invests in me will not regret it.

Of course you are.

I don't know why I said all that.

I seem to have told you everything
there is to know about me.

Not quite.

I thought Indian cotton production
was in disarray.

Surely the shipping
is too expensive to be worth it?

How in heaven do you know that?

CHUCKLES
India interests me.

I have an uncle who served
as Governor of Bombay.

I've never been,

but I believe it is a country
with a great future.

Ruled by the British...

For now, but not forever.

Do you know which part of India
you'll be dealing with?

Well, I have an agent in Agra,
in the north.

Then you must visit the Taj Mahal.

It's said to be the most beautiful
monument to love ever built.

The marble changes colour,
from a blush pink in the morning

to a milky white in the evening,

to a gold when lit by the moon.

The legend is, the shade reflects
the mood of any woman who sees it.

What about the men who see it?

What does it tell us about them?

That when they lose the right woman,

they find her much harder to replace
than they expected.

THEY LAUGH

Maria?
Mama.

They're calling us to supper.
And we must find John.

We've hardly spoken to him
all evening.

CHATTER
CUTLERY CLATTERS

Mr Pope.

Come and sit with me.

What on earth
is my sister-in-law up to?

Why is she making such a fuss
of that dreary little man?

Do you think him dreary?

I don't.

There are at least
three dukes in the room,

but when they look across

at the seat on the right hand
of our hostess,

they see it occupied by...

..by whom exactly? Who is he?

His name is Charles Pope.

He was talking to your husband
earlier, Mrs Trenchard.

Does this Mr Pope work for him?

No, he doesn't work for him.
He works for himself.

They know each other.

They may have some project
in common.

But that's all.

So you can't explain
Lady Brockenhurst's fascination?

I'm afraid not.

I think my father
seems to be annoyed.

Why?

My aunt has chosen
to honour that curious young man

she's been making such a fuss of
all evening.

Yes, she has, hasn't she?
Hmm.

Who is he?

His name is Charles Pope.

He deals in cotton.

Oh.

Come, my dear. John is not
interested in cotton merchants.

Are you?

I'm interested to know
why my aunt is so taken with him.

How do you all know this?

I was talking to him earlier.
We were discussing India.

Oh, poor you.
Well, I should love to see India.

Really?

You don't like to travel?

Hmm.

Paris, perhaps, or Rome.

I could even see myself in Madrid,
as long as it's not too hot.

But I doubt I should survive
a trip to... India.

DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS

What are you doing?

I'm getting to know the grandson
who's been concealed from me

for a quarter of a century.

But why so publicly?

Can't you see that half the room

is asking who
this strange young man could be?

Of course, that must worry you.

Sophia's memory, your reputation.

You want them to guess.

You want them to guess
he's Edmund's child,

and you wanted us to witness it.

Then you will not
have broken your word,

but the secret will be out.

I think the Derbys are just leaving.

Would you forgive me
if I go down and say goodbye?

MUSIC BUILDS