Original subtitles

�This lady has come to pay Mrs. Quigley's fine.

�You're still sucking honey from her fingers!

�Persephone, let me have you.

�I won't be your mistress.

�Lucy, the bastard that killed her.

I want so much to put my faith in you, Charlotte.

Then do so.

�You freed the devil.

�Everything we are we owe to Lydia Quigley.

Six months in jail would not have avenged that.

�lt is not money I require,

but introductions.

�I'm here to see that this establishment

does not continue trading as a bawdy house.

�How dare that insect Hunt and his constables

prevent me from doing business in my house!

I don't mind a fight,

I quite enjoy one,

but what galls me is having to retreat.

�Where are we going, Mrs. Quigley?

�To my old friend, Mrs. May.

�Mrs. Wells.

I have it on good authority that this is a bawdy house.

I'm here to conduct a search.

That was quite a spectacle you instigated

at the flogging.

�Nothing compared to yours.

My children.

�Their fathers?

�No business of yours.

Miss Lambert.

Let down by her so�called love.

And that empty bed over there

belonged to Miss Carter.

Remember her?

Poor, murdered Miss Carter.

�And equip us for the challenges

that we shall face��.

Justice Hunt.

�My newest tenants.

See? No culls here.

I let out lodgings, as you can see.

For the needy and the sick.

What drives your concern, I wonder.

Pity?

Or guilt?

�We found this in Kitty's hair.

It's from a rich man's garment.

If you find that garment,

you'll find her killer.

It is indeed a tragedy.

A young tenant slain

and then flung upon the steps of your blameless house.

It must make you doubt your business.

Good day.

He's a cunt.

Didn't even bring me any flowers.

�Tried to catch us in the act.

�Of what?

I haven't had a decent fuck since I've been here.

�You were wonderful as always.

�Thank you so much.

Um, I'll take two of those, please.

�You can have one.

�Two guineas or you're out.

�Then we'll leave.

One guinea for now and we'll see how you go.

Get up!

We need to earn.

�I'm already up.

Care to take a seat?

�I'm not giving it away anymore.

Mumma's money's gone.

�I'm going to talk to her.

�Don't go near her.

Just go and get us some girls,

some hoity�toity, tits up there,

something different.

And while you're at it,

tell the world the Duchess of Quim

is bestowing her favors again.

You're the bawd, not the whore!

No culls for you.

�Then do as Mother Lacey says,

get me some girls to boss about.

�Are you leaving?

�I want to go home.

Pick my scabs in peace.

�Who's Persephone, Nance?

�She's the stupid slut

who ate the fruit of hell.

�What happened to her?

She got trapped in hell.

Her mother tried to rescue her.

Why?

Lord Fallon keeps calling me it.

�Fancies himself as Hades, does he?

I've had a couple of them.

And a few Lucifers.

�He still wants to be my keeper.

Well, humor him or put a stop to it.

Either way, you make sure

you're the one in control.

�There's two more than you told me.

Sturdy girls too.

I'll have to charge you an extra guinea.

We agreed the price.

�But the extra coal and the candles.

I want you to be comfortable in your hour of need.

�You're so thoughtful.

�I only have a few rules, girls.

No orgies, flagellation, or bestiality.

Otherwise, you are at liberty

to entertain gentleman callers as you wish.

I'll have to play draughts with 'em then.

�You're a brazen thing, aren't you?

�You remember the dark�haired girl I cared for?

Charlotte Wells?

Wells.

Of course!

Little Maggie's girl.

�Nance? �I need a drink.

�I'm taking you home.

Come on.

�How have I come to this?

�Who is she?

�She was a special friend of my father.

I seem unable to escape her.

�I didn't think her your friend.

You have taste.

Charlotte, what would I have done without you

these past days?

You must visit Lady Isabella again.

She is the key that will reopen Golden Square,

she and her friends.

We must win them...

to our side.

�You sure you're gonna be all right?

�You fret like an old crone.

�I'm worried about you on your own.

�We're born alone, die alone.

Some of us like it that way in between.

Now, piss off or fetch a glass and join me.

When are you gonna fix things with Mags?

What are you gonna do?

�That's up to her, isn't it?

�To mark the end of your ordeal.

I only wish you had called on me.

�You wouldn't have paid a penny, nor would I.

�ln truth, no.

Debts irritate friendship like fleas in a wig.

And when you have fallen as low as you have,

you need friends.

Prison, Lydia.

Charlotte has been like a daughter to me.

�But her mother,

she still thwarts you?

�Like a fly I cannot swat.

�...

�I saved her as a child

and yet she seeks to punish me

for corrupting some imagined innocence.

�But children aren't innocent.

�No!

I knew how to please Father

when I was still an infant.

It was the making of me.

�I will spare you the discomfort

of making demands of me.

Mrs. Quigley seeks powerful associates.

She is poison, you are nectar,

so you have been sent as her agent.

�You know her well.

�She is relentless.

I will not have her anywhere near my circle.

Only you.

Perhaps if you do this,

I can help you be free.

You promise the impossible.

�I meant free from Mrs. Quigley.

Do you court me as an ally?

A friend.

How forward.

But true.

�lzzy, there you are.

Miss Wells!

Becoming a habit.

�As are your intrusions.

�Now, now, Izzy.

We were always taught to share our toys,

weren't we?

I am not a toy.

�Quite so.

And I'm appalled by my discourtesy.

I prostrate myself in apology.

�Accepted.

So long as you're not trying to look up my skirts.

�Bravo.

There are not many who dare chastise

my self�exalted sibling.

Well, I can see I'm being conspired against.

I shall see you at the Pleasure Gardens, my dear.

Do I get an invite?

Pleasure is my business.

It's the last night of the season.

It would be a tragedy if you missed it.

Don't you think so, Izzy?

A calamity.

�Well, then you must join us.

You've got what you came for.

Half the peerage will be prowling

the Pleasure Gardens tonight.

Run and tell Mrs. Quigley.

�Betsey.

My Betsey.

Forgive me.

�I can be Betsey.

It's Hannah if you're looking for me again.

Will you remember, Mr. Oswald?

�I can't do business without a man on the door.

It's your job,

you need to come back and do it.

�I won't be your lackey.

�lt's your duty to provide.

For Jacob and Lucy.

� How much do you want?

Don't fret.

One man is more or less the same as another.

�You looking for new girls too?

�I might be.

I pull a peg better than anyone in London.

Culls will be queuing up,

even if it is a cursed death house.

�A what? �lt's just something I've heard.

�Nell.

You'd do well at mine.

�Sorry, Mrs. Wells,

maybe if you go a month without a murder.

�Lucky for you, I don't scare easy.

�Cherry, you're not right for me.

But I'll pay you sixpence

for every girl you send 'round.

And a shilling for talking the house up.

�I'll do that, till you see sense.

�Nancy?

That's half the cow.

�You need your strength.

You're a good girl, Charlotte.

Glad someone thinks so.

�Sit down.

Talk to me.

�I don't know what I'm doing.

�You're going to bring down Lydia Quigley.

People will talk about it for years to come.

And your mother will thank you.

Even if I have to twist her nipples to make her.

�I'm trying to act against Quigley

yet I find myself doing her bidding.

�Watch her with the men.

Find those she feeds with rape and murder.

Rich men,

who think they're untouchable.

Should I just kill her?

Kill her in the night and be done?

No, you're burning, girl.

Don't let her sniff it.

Don't let her slither into your soul.

You know you have to wait

to truly make her suffer.

�Whoa.

Miss Wells, may I tempt you out for a drive?

�I'll come.

�You may, if she does not.

�Where to?

�Wherever you wish.

I'm your servant.

�Your ma won't like it.

�My ma needn't know.

�You exalt my humble cart,

dearest Persephone.

�Don't call me that.

�Ride on.

�My little cherub.

How handsome you've become.

�Why are you here, Charles?

�They sent me from Golden Square.

I was worried about you.

�Ha.

Your inheritance more like.

�No, it grieves me that you two quarrel.

�Might I have a word with my mother?

�Have some seed cake.

Warm, plump,

ready to eat.

Just like me.

�You should have come to stay with me, Mumma.

�And dear Emily?

�We're family.

�Who is this slut

that's come between you and your mother?

�You have need of a soldier's jacket, lady?

Saw three years' service, fighting the French.

�Don't want a jacket.

No, I have need of a soldier.

�When will you cease your teasing?

I can make another proposal

and have it sent to your mother today.

�You can negotiate with me.

�You are open to it?

�lf the terms suit.

�I agreed 400 a year before.

Five hundred.

You're a gauche girl.

I would be your first keeper.

There's much I can teach you.

Four hundred is my limit.

�Can you teach me how to drive the horse?

�Of course.

It's quite simple, here.

Take the reins in the palm of each hand, thus.

Try to get a feel for the rhythm of the horse.

�Like this?

�Here?

�Are you scared?

�Morning, Fallon!

�lmmensely aroused.

�Five hundred a year.

Five hundred.

�Fallon!

�God!

Yes.

�I'll think about it.

Walk on.

�Stop.

Ten shillings for your services

and ten for your silence.

�Yeah, but the job isn't finished.

�lt is for me.

� I am your rightful heir,

not Charlotte Wells!

�You're my son and I love you

and even though you betrayed me

and called me a monster,

I would change things in your favor in an instant

if you leave Emily Lacey.

I love her.

You're grotesque.

�They left at first light.

The house has been empty all day.

�The whole household left?

�Mrs. Quigley and her girls.

You have something to say, Miss Cross?

She'll just trade somewhere else.

You won't shut Mrs. Quigley down.

�I fear we may have done the wrong thing, Mr. Oswald.

�I think you were right to make an example, sir.

These places are steeped in sin.

The girls are wretched,

the men are brutes.

Beneath contempt.

�Miss Cross!

�You eat with a hypocrite, sir.

I saw him this very day, rutting on the street

with one of his "wretched girls."

�Do you deny this, Mr. Oswald?

He fucked my poor friend Betsey to the pox house.

�Violet, get out!

�What news, Mr. Holland?

�Miss Lacey.

You were a vision before

but now you're a dream in human form.

�Such a scribe.

Always using ten words when one would do.

�I could use actions

to show you how much I've missed you.

�Something's already stirring into action.

�Do me in.

�Oi!

Outta my seat.

�Let the man alone!

�I don't see another man here.

�More of a man than you.

�I fought in France while you were at home

scratching your bollocks.

I've missed fighting and I'll take you on.

�That's it! �Go on!

�I'll offer evens on the lad of my color.

Two�to�one on the big fella.

Come on, bring it in.

�Come on! �See that? See that?

Bad luck, gentlemen.

�Sit a moment.

How does a girl end up in a bawdy house?

I want to understand.

It's not obvious?

She needs money or food

or some bastard's coming for her with a mallet.

How does it work?

How are girls chosen?

�Cherry sent us.

�You've got to be half�decent.

Not a bunter.

�No. Sorry, no, love.

�Beyond that, each house looks for something different.

If the bawd likes the look of you,

she'll get you in...

�Out. �...look you over,

check your bits are sound...

�Sorry, my love.

No unwanted pets.

�...and then you'll be fed, clothed,

and given a bed.

Then you'll be on your back

from morning till midnight

paying for it all.

Why did you not seek such an arrangement?

'Cause I like my freedom.

�Thank God.

He keeps talking to me.

�Miss Scanwell.

�I'm here for Violet's reading lesson.

�I was surprised to see you this morning.

I would not have thought

the Wells house

a fitting place.

�Charity comes from strange places.

�lt saddens me that you're in need of charity.

May I be of help?

�You do much already

by allowing me to do

the Lord's work with Violet.

�She feels me, sir, feels my sin.

�Then I will leave you in Miss Scanwell's good hands.

�What are you doing?

�I think it's time I felt your sin.

�Come and try me dumplings!

Lovely dumplings!

�Hello, little pixie.

What world did you fall from?

�Fall on your face for five shillings.

�Where'd you learn to fight like that?

�I was born fighting.

Comes natural to a black boy

raised in a white man's house.

�Here.

That's half of what I made on you.

�You didn't tell me there was a book running.

�Next time, Nell.

This young man could make a lot of money.

He's a born fighter.

�To feel firm fruit!

�Emily.

There's no one like you.

�ln here, my dear.

�Charles. �Harriet.

Meet Cherry, our new girl.

Isn't she marvelous?

�Where's Emily? �I think she's busy.

I wouldn't.

�My love, I have the most wonderful surp��

�Get out!

�I can't stop. �Not you!

It's just work.

A guinea.

�You're priceless.

And I'm late being paid, so here is five...

six shillings and a piece of cheese.

I told you I'd get culls.

�For a piece of cheese!

�Where are our girls then?

�I kept my end of the bargain.

I found a jewel.

�Cherry Dorrington?

I said different, not deflated.

�Fuck you, Emily Lacey.

You know I blow a flute better than anyone.

You'll be lucky to have me.

�That's some claim.

As Emily knows, I always try the goods.

Makes you feel better, be my guest.

�I'll make him feel much better.

Come on, Charlie.

�Don't scratch.

You're a Greek Street temptress now.

�Sorry, Mrs. Wells.

�I feel like a princess.

�You look like a peach.

All right, come on, Fanny, Lucy.

Go and get your best and brightest dresses on.

�What for?

�Pleasure Gardens.

I want to parade my new girls.

�What pleasure's to be had with Kitty's passing?

�lt's work.

So go and get ready.

�Ma?

Ma!

I need to speak to you.

Lord Fallon's made me another offer.

A better one.

It'll help you through this difficult time.

I thought you didn't like Lord Fallon.

You said you weren't ready.

That was before.

Get your dress on.

I'm gonna show you off.

�He's sending for me tonight.

You said yes?

I don't want to be touted out

like one of the girls.

I want a better life for myself.

So why are we even discussing it?

You made up your mind.

Look at you.

What a fine figure.

I can see why men want their mitts on it.

�What do you want?

�Just a quiet word, dear.

I am so happy that you and Lydia

have found each other again.

She doted on you as a child, doted.

Your mother never did.

Not the maternal kind, is she?

Ambitious.

Poor Lydia.

Her heart was broken when Little Maggie

took you away.

�You've known Mrs. Quigley a long time.

�

I remember her as a girl.

�What was she like?

�Obedient.

�How does an obedient girl become a bawd?

How do any of us, dear?

�I admire Lydia.

And you.

I want to be able to achieve your kind of success.

Be able to retire.

How do I do it?

But you're not like us...

are you, dear?

I don't know what you mean.

�You hurt Lydia...

and I'll hurt you.

�Mrs. Wells.

You've brought us to paradise.

I never knew such places like this existed.

�Heaven. �Remember, girls,

faces front, heads held high,

and imagine you're one of the fine ladies.

�Like them?

�Come on, Sukey.

�Mrs. May.

�Lydia.

Go forth.

Entice the wealthiest culls.

Charlotte, you know what to do.

�Charlotte has an admirer.

�I've guessed your business with my sister.

�So you've been thinking about me?

�lt's not Hazard you've been playing, is it?

It's a game for girls only.

A game of flats.

�What price for a taste

of your oyster, Miss Wells?

�lf you want a whore,

go and plunge on your mother.

�We should retire somewhere more quiet.

My rooms, perhaps.

�At least he asked if I was for sale.

�Miss Wells.

Let me offer you the sanctuary

of some female company.

�I have every faith Charlotte will secure me

the friends I need

to prevail over Justice Hunt

and reopen Golden Square.

�You still here?

�I'm waiting to discuss my terms.

�Go away, Cherry. �Give her a chance.

This could be a house where men come

precisely for something different.

�I'll work hard.

Please, Emily.

It's not safe out there.

Five shillings for every turn.

Rest goes to me for your bawd.

�I'd expect ten shillings in a house like this.

�Half the size, half the money.

And you, Harriet,

you know you're on a good deal,

so you'll do my books.

No questions asked.

Very well.

�My girls.

I'm sorry.

I probably shouldn't touch your...

No one else plays it.

What are your ma's hopes for you, then?

�I never thought.

She'd want me to rest in God's favor.

And what do you want?

�I don't know.

You?

Money.

�I felt I must speak to you after this morning.

We are upstanding people, Amelia and I.

I hope you will not judge us

by our current sanctuary.

�Mrs. Wells does not strike me as a...

Godly woman.

She is not as bad as you think.

There are worse,

like the bawd Quigley.

What dealings have you had with her?

�Enough to know that she is evil.

A kidnapper of young girls.

Who is the real monster, Mrs. Scanwell?

The kidnapper or the one

who seeks to devour her prey?

�Both are inexcusable.

You must pursue them with equal vigor.

Miss Cross,

will you accompany Mrs. Scanwell home?

�You need come no further.

I'm used to finding my way in the dark.

�Mr. Hunt asked me to.

�I have no desire for your company.

I don't know what hold you have over Amelia,

but I do not like it.

Or you.

�I've done you a favor this evening.

What will you do for me?

�What would you have me do?

It's quite simple, really.

I want to destroy Lydia Quigley.

�So do I.

�So how do you propose to do it?

Why do you think I'm living with her?

I'm waiting for my moment.

�Then we'll be allies.

On one condition.

Name it.

�That you have nothing to do with my brother.

Got the pox, does he?

As you wish.

�They're having fun.

�And you?

It's an empty place.

It's a trick of the lights.

To part shallow people from their money.

�You all right, Mrs. Wells?

�Lucy's leaving.

�lsn't that what you wanted?

�Sort 'em out, Fanny.

�Little Maggie Wells.

�Now there's a face I thought

would be rotting in hell by now.

�How you've grown such lovely bosoms.

�Little Maggie.

Never knew when to keep quiet, did you?

Blabbing to Hunt,

slandering me for the murder of your whore.

�She was quiet as a mouse

when she had a cock in her mouth.

Do you still lick 'em like lollipops?

No, she gets her daughters to do it now.

� Say one more word

and I'll rip your fucking head off.

�Ma, what are you doing?

For God's sake, Ma, you'll ruin everything.

�Eviscerate her.

Do you hear?

For all of us.

�Are you all right? I'm so sorry.

�Gather the girls.

This never happened.

We must be seen to be having fun.

�There's a carriage outside.

Didn't want to go without saying goodbye.

You remember you're a Wells woman.

Don't be cowed by him.

You'll be London's finest.

Thank you, Ma.

If he hurts you, in any way,

I'll come for him.

�Charlotte!

Anne will take care of your friend.

You have another visitor.

�I don't like my sister having all the fun.

�Your Lordship.

You know I choose my own culls.

�I would consider it a great favor.

His patronage will re�establish Golden Square.

He offers 50 guineas.

�I'm afraid I was undersold, sir.

A night here with me cannot be bought

for less than 100 guineas.

�

The greater the cost,

the greater the anticipation.

Would you be so kind as to open an account for me?

�I'd consider it an honor.

�Good girl.

�lt seems like only yesterday

Amelia was this small.

And mine.

How do you protect them when you can't hold them anymore?

We cannot.

We can only trust them, and pray for their souls

to tread a righteous path, of course.

�I punched Lydia Quigley tonight.

I hope you punched her hard.

I knocked her down.

There will be hell to pay.

I will pray for you, Mrs. Wells.