02x08 - It's Not Illegal

[bunniefuu]

I was thinking about a trip to London.

I could meet your London friends.

Are you sure about
this Northgate business?

You don't want to get yourself
laughed at.

I'd like a ceremony

- To lay the first stone.
- Of course.

Can we not have one last kiss?

God!

I missed you.

I have the deed box here,
with me, at Shibden Hall.

This... This... Ugh!

You have to be certain

that this, here, with me,
is what you want.

ANNE: Long Acre.

And tell whoever you deal with
to send a trusty person

to collect my payments for
the repairs to the carriage.

Here - Hawkins Hotel in Dover Street,

at one o'clock this afternoon.

And then tell them to send the carriage

with a pair of good horses
and a steady driver

At six o'clock tonight.
It's all in there.

- Long Acre.
- Pearce and Baxter.

Ask the porter downstairs

to give you a boy to show you the way.

What a relief it'll be
to get my own carriage back.

[SIGHS]

[IN FRENCH]

- Hmm?
- Miss...

You look ridiculous.

Let's not be small-minded
with one another.

Now, pour me some tea.

ANN: Pour your own f*cking tea.

And we were getting on
so nicely in the high-flyer.

You should never have claimed
powers you don't possess.

Nothing...

...would please me more

than to introduce you

to Lady Stuart de Rothesay and Vere

and any number of others,

- But this isn't the time.
- When we first met...

Well, when we became
reacquainted, you said,

you promised me, that you would
introduce me to people.

Yes, and I did.

The Norcliffes.

No, proper people. London society.

We're in town to find a master
for the new school,

primarily, and to visit
the doctor and the dentist

and to get our watches fixed.

And, yes, some pleasure, of course.

But... [SIGHS]

...this isn't a time
for you to meet new people,

not while you still have anxieties

about the division of the estate.

Oh! What's that got to do with anything?

[DOOR CLOSES]

You have a lot on your mind.

And until it's resolved,

you're here to relax,

not to be stared at.

- Stared at?
- I shouldn't like

to see you overwhelmed.

And believe me,
these people can overwhelm.

But you'll go and see them.

If they heard I'd been in London

and not visited them,

then they'd be surprised,
certainly, and offended, even.

And anyway, you have your...

Mrs Plowes'...friend to see, so...

The time will come.

[Kn*fe CLACKS ON PLATE]

But this isn't it.

I was trying to recall
when it was we last saw you,

- Miss Lister.
- Oh...

It was at the Jardin des Plantes.

You were there, Lady Cameron,
you remember.

- How could I forget?
- Where were you, Mama?

- I've no idea.
- No, I think you were with us.

No, my darling, I don't think I was.

- I was there.
- Oh, it was you, Grandmama!

- Mm.
- And, Charles,

you've never seen anything like it.

It was as if we'd been
swallowed by the whale.

We were sitting on chairs,
but inside the whale!

Well, Miss Lister always had
a talent for knowing

the best things to do and see.

What was the favour,

Miss Lister, you mentioned earlier?

Oh.

So, when Miss Walker and I
were in Geneva last year,

I ordered a scale model of the Alps

from Monsieur Gaudin.

And it's finally due to arrive
in England any day now,

but the problem is they'll open it,

at Customs House.

And the anxiety is they'll damage it.

It's a huge thing - it's ft square!

Good Lord!

Oh, it's wonderful!

Whatever will you do with it?

And Monsieur Gaudin emphasised

how carefully these models
are packed for shipping,

being so fragile.

But apparently, if I can get
an order from the Treasury

for it to be delivered
to Shibden unopened...

Write down the details,

send it to me first thing
in the morning.

- I'll sort it out.
- Oh.

What can I say?

How disappointing, Miss Lister,
not to conquer Mont Blanc.

Oh, I could've cried.

But I will...

...we will go back.

How lucky,

to find a travelling companion
as intrepid as you are!

It's going to be quite a day
for us tomorrow.

I'm devastated
you're in town only so briefly.

You can't imagine
how bored I've been at Richmond

with my aunt during my confinement.

Really?

We quibble about money.

Can you imagine?

I didn't pay the gardener,
but I had use of the garden.

I was giving birth!

I was never even in the garden!

Is she worried about money?

Well, I suppose she must be.

She's very fond of you.

This is all I do now, Anne.

Donald does the business and I...

...I drop babies.

Children are a blessing.

They're the cement of any marriage...

...surely.

I never thought I'd hear you say that.

Neither did I.

[BOTH LAUGH]

The carriages are ready.

- Thank you.
- [CLAPPING]

We have two carriages outside!

What're we...? Where're we...?
What're we doing?

[LAUGHTER]

You're going to Lady Gordon
for coffee, Mother.

Not me, I'm afraid.

- I've got to work.
- Nor me.

I have to get back to my...

Miss Walker and I are visiting
the National School

at Westminster
first thing in the morning.

She's opening a school, locally.

A good one.

So we're trying to find
a suitable master for it.

[ARGUING AND COMMOTION]

Miss Stuart was delighted

with the wedding present we sent

from Howell and James's, by the way.

Oh, was she? Oh, good.

What's the matter?

Why aren't we moving?

Perhaps there's been an accident.

Why did you talk so much?

- Hmm?
- At the school.

I couldn't get a word in edgeways.

Mr Johnson'll think

- I'm some kind of half-wit.
- Well, I...

He didn't even look at me.

He didn't even address me, not once.

- I thought you wanted me to...
- I wanted you to shut up.

I'm fairly certain

he'll consider
someone setting up a new school

and taking the time and trouble
to visit other top schools

in preparation for it
very far from being a half-wit.

[EXHALES] Listen, I've been thinking.

When we get back to Halifax,

and I don't know
how you'll feel about this,

but...

[SIGHS]

...would you do me the honour
of laying the foundation stone

for the casino?

I imagine just a small public gathering

with a few well-chosen words.

Something to dignify the occasion.

You mean make a speech? Me?

Yes.

Do you think I could do that?

I'm certain you could.

Huh.

MRS SUTHERLAND: When will
you reach Edinburgh?

Erm... Is it tomorrow night?

And then the train!

To Manchester.

Hopefully, we should be in Halifax

by Saturday or Sunday.

Poor Elizabeth!

Yes, the timing is far from perfect,

but Elizabeth's little sister

and Miss Lister must have
their holiday in London!

[MUTTERS] Yet we're the ones
that are being difficult.

Must you go at all?

Sadly, Mother, yes.

The archaic nature of the deeds

mean Elizabeth and I
must sign in person.

If we sign at all.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

May I take little John, ma'am?

Yes, of course, Dorothy. Thank you.

Mama...

You mustn't fret, Elizabeth.

Little John and the girls
will be perfectly happy here,

with me and Dorothy.

I'd better, erm...

I've just got a few bits and pieces

- To sort upstairs.
- Of course, my dear.

You mustn't let her fret.

Well, it's not that. She's, erm...

Well, she's worried about her sister.

So am I.

Is she...

...struggling again?

Oh, who knows?

She may be, but it's not that exactly.

It's more an anxiety about this...

...unnatural hold

that Miss Lister seems to have over her.

Unnatural?

Yes, we, er, we think so.

As in?

You remember there was a case
years ago in Edinburgh.

Two women...

No!

Mm.

Well, anyway, that's the anxiety.

And with Ann being
so vulnerable and biddable

and under the spell of the woman,

Lord alone knows where it might end.

And the shocking thing is

Miss Lister can hide in plain sight.

Who would ever suspect a woman

of being a fortune hunter and...

...a predator?

The lawyers clearly haven't a clue.

It's evil.

I've worked out that if we did
want to spend the winter

in a rented house in Leamington,

our weekly expenses would amount

to pounds and shillings exactly.

Mm.

Well, something to think about.

Perhaps for the future.

I can't go on like this,
you do know that.

What?

Me paying for everything.

Well, that's...

Well, when we left Shibden,

we did agree that that's what...

...what with me laying out
so much capital

for the casino and for the new pit

and the refurbishments at Shibden,

- And one thing and another...
- £ here, £ there.

It starts to add up.

The London trip was, primarily, for you,

for you to find a schoolmaster,

to see the dentist, to see Sir Benjamin,

to see Mrs Plowes,

to see Westminster Abbey
and the Houses of Parliament.

Hmm? To get away.

No, it wasn't.

It was for you to see your friends.

Oh, so none of
those other things happened.

- I won't be sifted.
- Sifted?

- For money.
- Sifted?

We said our arrangement
would be as good as a marriage.

As far as it could be, yes.

You should've taken me
to meet your friends.

- As I explained...
- [WHISPERS] I am your wife!

When it's convenient,
when you need money...

[WHISPERS] ...in bed.

But when it comes

to your aristocratic people,
I'm an inconvenience.

As I say, one day...

And then there's Mrs Lawton.

Mrs Lawton?

I know there was more to it,

that night when you came back
from Lawton Hall.

The damage is done.

I've seen you in your true colours.

My tr...?

I got you an appointment
with the King's surgeon.

Not only because he's the King's surgeon

but because he's also

the leading expert in joint pain,

which I bothered to find out for you!

Those are my true colours.

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACH]

I think you're anxious
about getting back

to Halifax because of the Sutherlands.

I think that's what
all of this is about.

The amount of money

you're spending these days terrifies me.

You're the one person
who's shown any faith

in my Northgate scheme.

Yes, and I hope it succeeds,
but what if it doesn't?

I'm frightened that you'll ruin yourself

and then me.

How could I ruin you?

I'm borrowing all of
the big money elsewhere.

Yes, but who are you
counting on to bail you out

if you can't maintain your repayments?

No, I would never do that to you.

Do you think I could bear to see you

in a debtors' prison?

If the worst came to the worst,
which it won't,

I would sell Shibden.

I could live anywhere.

I could live under a stone if I had to.

And as for a debtors' prison...

Well, they'd have to catch me first.

No.

I'm sorry, I can't do this any more.

And I'm still not convinced that...

[WHISPERS] ...what we do is right.

Well...

You know what I think about that.

I've explained it often enough.

I think the sooner we part, the better.

Well, then.

You do know that
my first and greatest wish

has always been for your happiness.

And if I can't make you happy, then...

...I only hope

that someone else might succeed better.

There's a church here with a monument

to a child that d*ed.

I once saw it years ago
when I was travelling

with Mrs Lawton.

I always thought,

if I passed by here again,
I'd like to see it again.

Would you mind?

No, of course not.

[BELL CHIMES]

"She was in form and intellect
most exquisite."

"The unfortunate parents

"ventured their all on this frail bark,

"and the wreck was total."

Five years old.

[SOBS]

Anne, what's the matter?

[SNIFFLES] I just...

[SIGHS] I don't know.

It was the same last time I came here.

I just...

"In form and intellect most exquisite."

And she d*ed.

Three weeks - days -
before I was born.

Isn't that curious?

And I can't help imagining if...

What if... that was me?

What if I'm her?

What do you mean?

Why am I me?

I was born into a fairly useless family.

No, not the Listers.
The Listers aren't useless.

Just my particular little squad of them.

Not Aunt Anne, not Uncle James.

Just...

My father.

My mother.

And poor Marian.

So why do I have such refined tastes

and aspirations and...?

Where does that come from?

Why is it in my bones

to want to spend time with people

who are so much better than myself?

[SIGHS]

What if, in another life...

...that was me?

I...

I don't think that's how things work.

No, yes, it can.

Reincarnation.

Yes, but that doesn't really... That...

So why does it have this effect on me?

I'm a scientist, a logician.

I don't engage in fanciful nonsense.

It's either that or...

What if this is the child
that I'll never have?

The child that I can never give you.

"In form and intellect most exquisite."

The perfect child...

...who can never breathe.

May never have life.

I don't know.

Oh.

Oh, I'm ridiculous.

No, you're not.

We very nearly bought
a sketch by Turner.

The Turner.

A tiny little thing,
done before he was famous.

We were both quite taken by it.

But they were asking four guineas,

which was just that bit more
than either of us were willing

- To pay.
- I've never liked Turner.

Oh, really?

And he speaks so highly of you.

Does he?

My sister and Captain Sutherland

and little Sackville
have arrived at Cliffe Hill.

My aunt's expecting me there
in the morning.

She wants me to stay
until a week on Saturday.

- When? He's never met me.
- Will you go?

I'd like to see Elizabeth.

Well, then.

And will you still lay
the foundation stone for me?

Of course.

How did...? When has Turner
ever said anything about me?

What foundation stone?

Oh, it's for the casino.

Just a small ceremony.

I don't think I could

comfortably get down to Halifax
any more.

No, Aunt, and I wouldn't expect you to.

But if anyone else...

...felt able to come
and support me - us -

you'd be very welcome.

Mm.

I don't think we've any other news.

Have we any other news, Jeremy?

No.

Oh, Dr Jubb came last Wednesday.

Or was it Tuesday?

I don't think I've seen anyone else.

The... [CLEARS THROAT]
The room's sp-spinning.

I imagine so.

[GAGS] I'm going to...

I'm going to be s-sick.

There is danger in the first thought

that it is possible for us to part.

She is q*eer and little-minded...

Oof!

...and I fear for her intellect.

I see I must make the best
of it for the moment

and then...

...perhaps I shall be at large again.

[BAGPIPES PLAY]

[CANNONS FIRE]

[SWORDS CLASH]

[HORSE NEIGHS]

[expl*si*n ECHOES]

So, Ann...

Tell me.

What are the arrangements?

What arrangements?

For signing the surrender of the deeds.

Oh. Erm... [CLEARS THROAT]

Well, Mr Gray,

or his assistant or...

...someone, erm,

Is going to come over
from York on Friday,

I think,

for us all to sign...

...whatever needs signing.

As far as I understand it, that's...

Th-That's it.

As far as you understand it?

Yes, that...
Yes, that's what's happening.

I expected Miss Lister to be with you.

I'm sure she'll come around this week,

when she has a spare five minutes,

if she has five minutes.

Can we be frank, Ann?

Elizabeth and I are concerned.

Now, you are perfectly entitled
to request

the division of the property.

No, no, no, no, no. You-you agreed.

You agreed the terms
in your last letter.

You're here to sign.

Any more tiresome discussion
about it is over.

Elizabeth and I are concerned

that you have been coerced by someone.

- And if that's the case...
- [LAUGHS] Coerced?

If that is the case,
then we have a duty,

a responsibility to protect you.

I'm years old.

I am in excellent health,

better than I've been for a long time.

I don't... I don't need protecting.

- I think you look pale.
- [GROANS]

Perhaps...

Perhaps you need protecting
from yourself.

Hmm?

It wouldn't be the first time.

Don't touch me.

Now, I...

I was more than a little alarmed

to discover in your last letter

that for the last however many months

the deeds to the entire estate
have been kept at Shibden Hall.

Alarmed? Why?

Where anyone might see them.

Well, that's where I live.
Where else would I keep them?

They should've been left
in the vault at the bank,

where I put them,

where they were safe.

I needed to consult them

to draw up the proposals
for the division.

They're perfectly safe at Shibden.

They're locked in a block tin box

in the upper kitchen chamber.

Miss Lister's very particular
about security.

[CHUCKLES] Oh, yes, I'm sure she is.

We know you don't write
your own letters.

Too precise.

Too litigious.

Too competent.

Is it not the truth...

...that Miss Lister
is behind this whole request

- For the division?
- No.

I think she is.

I think she has orchestrated
the whole thing.

For whatever purpose, I can't imagine.

Or maybe I can.

- [SIGHS]
- Only too vividly.

But Elizabeth and I have a duty...

I want my half of my father's estate.

You've had Elizabeth's half,

you'll not keep mine from me any longer.

Does Jonathan Gray understand
the exact nature of this...

...hold Miss Lister has over you?

Wh...

Wh-What hold?

Elizabeth is just as concerned as I am.

About the nature of...

...your relationship with Miss Lister.

[SCOFFS]

Miss Lister is irrelevant.

I might not stay
much longer at Shibden Hall.

But I do want my moiety
of my father's estate.

I want to see the deeds
and the rent books!

Oh, Argus.

There's a note, ma'am.

From Cliffe Hill.

The servant brought it.

ANN: My dearest Anne,

Captain Sutherland started
an argument about the deeds

as soon as he decently could.

He demanded to see the rent books,

and so I refused.

He has gone off to York
in a great flurry,

hoping to see Mr Gray
first thing in the morning.

It is far from clear
whether he intends to sign

for the division or not.

I shall stay here with Elizabeth,

whose head he seems to have turned,

but if you were to make arrangements

for us to go to York ourselves
later tomorrow to see Mr Gray,

if - on Captain Sutherland's
return - we deem it necessary,

I would be grateful.

Please come over when you can.

I am your own, AW.

[BOTH MOAN]

[COCK CROWS]

There's been no communication

from the servants' registry in York

about a replacement for Matthew.

I may have to go over to York
later today -

I'll give Mr Thomas a jolt.

I'm not happy about...

I'm not happy.

[SIGHS]

What's the matter?

I'm thinking I'd like to move
back to Market Weighton.

And take Father with me.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Post, ma'am,
and a message from Mrs Bagnall.

There's a massive parcel for you

down at t'sorting office,
ft by ft big,

and she says it's been there
since Monday

and it's in t'way and can you fetch it?

Oh! It's my model of the Alps!

Yes, of course you can.

Take the cart. Take your brother.

Now! Go. Go on.

Why move back to Market Weighton?

[WHISPERS] Just...

I find the management
of the household finances

too much for me,
and no-one listens to me,

and you don't, and I just....

I don't feel there's anything
much for me here any more.

What about...

...Mr Abbott?

That's all off.

Is it? When?

Some time ago.

Well....

...I'd... miss you.

Miss Walker would miss you.
Aunt Anne would miss you.

And I do listen to you.

And if the household finances
are a burden,

then let me help you with them.

Hmm?

Oh, good Lord.

Anne?

It's... Tib.

Her mother's had a stroke.

Oh...

[EXHALES]

First - and as I have explained
to Miss Walker – I've been

as keen as her to find a time
where my wife and I

could get down here
to settle the matter,

not least so that I can
make provision in my own will

for my children.

But it is now utterly apparent
that it would be

grossly irresponsible
to sign for the division.

Why?

Sir, my wife believes,

as I do...

...that her sister is being manipulated

into making choices
that are neither hers

- Nor in her best interests.
- How?

My sister-in-law
has, in the past, had...

...problems.

She has a...

...weakness of mind

that any knowing or unscrupulous person

might take advantage of.

And that is precisely what
we believe has been happening.

Are you suggesting
that I have manipulated her?

No! [LAUGHS]

No, no, certainly not! Why would you?

Do you know Miss Lister? Anne Lister.

I've known Miss Lister for some years.

It is a...

...a difficult accusation
to make against a lady.

You'll have to forgive my indelicacy,

but I feel I must express what
plagues my thoughts, otherwise

I would never forgive myself

if anything were to happen
to Miss Walker.

We believe...

...Miss Lister has...

...an unnatural hold over her

and her ultimate aim

is to have what money she can from her.

Your sister-in-law underwent
a course of treatment

here in York in the earlier
part of last year

with a Dr Belcombe, who, you may know,

is highly regarded in his field.

And I know that he's been
pleased with her progress

and has been clear -
we've spoken, and recently -

that in his opinion,

Miss Walker is in a perfectly fit

and healthy state of mind
to make a will.

And so, on this matter over
the division of the estate,

I have no anxieties whatsoever.

Your concern for your sister-in-law

is of course laudable, but legally

there are no grounds
on which to deny her

a recognised division of an estate

that is already half hers.

And as for Miss Lister...

...I've never seen her be
anything other than supportive

and kind to Miss Walker.

And what you call "unnatural"...

Well, yes, er,

Miss Lister is formidably well informed

and she can't always hide it.

And I know a display
of too much intellect

is discouraged amongst the ladies,

but, really,

Miss Walker is lucky to count
Miss Lister among her friends.

I don't think you quite grasp

what I'm rather... ineptly
trying to say.

You may know -
it was a scandal at the time -

there was a case in Edinburgh
some years ago

brought against two women.
Schoolteachers.

We believe, my wife and I...

...that Miss Lister has...

...debauched Miss Walker.

The case you refer to
wasn't against the two women.

It was against the lady

who accused them openly
of sexual misconduct.

They sued her

for attempting to destroy
their reputations

and the reputation of their school.

They won.

One of the presiding magistrates said

of the accusations
the lady made against them,

"The crime here alleged does not exist."

Miss Lister may not be
the marrying kind,

but if you were to suggest
anything beyond that,

you'd face the same problem
as the Scottish lady,

because, even if
such a thing were possible

between two highly respectable
Christian Englishwomen,

the fact would remain

that it's not illegal.

The lady in Scotland who made
the accusations appealed,

and it went all the way
up to the House of Lords,

who ordered her to pay the two women

whose lives she had destroyed
with her tittle-tattle

£ , costs and compensation.

The intention is for my
assistant, Mr Shepley Watson,

to come over to you in Halifax
on Friday afternoon

with the documents
to be signed by yourself,

Mrs Sutherland and Miss Walker.

Will that be convenient?

Yes, if...

Yes. If... Yes.

I can come myself, too,

- If it helps matters.
- No.

No, that, er....

That won't be...

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Thank God you're here! What's happened?

I brought your pony
to give it some exercise

and had a sad fight with the animal

nearly all the way here.

Oh!

- [CHATTER IN NEXT ROOM]
- Are we going to York?

Oh, well, I don't... I don't know.

Mrs Norcliffe had a stroke.

- When?
- Letter from Tib this morning.

- Yesterday, apparently.
- I'm sorry.

So, if we were

- Going to York, I thought...
- The thing is,

Captain Sutherland
was back here by lunchtime

and he seemed thoroughly appeased.

Did he indeed?

He apologised to me, said
it was all Elizabeth's fault.

How?

Well, apparently, it was her
who wanted the rent books.

It wasn't. He's lying.

So I don't know
what your Mr Gray said to him,

but something is afoot.

Gray won't have said anything
against you. You're his client.

His very wealthy client.

Well, men collude,
especially when they think

They're dealing with an...
Invalid like me.

You are not an invalid!

You need to write to Gray

and ascertain that everything's
still on course for Friday

and in the meantime
cheerfully assume that it is.

Why is he suddenly blaming your sister?

- Because...
- Because he wants you and her

At odds with one another.
And why has he got

a bee in his bonnet
about the rent books?

Because...

...he's cross that I've had
the deeds with me

all these months at Shibden Hall.

Cross? Why? It's... It's where you live.

"Where anyone might see them."

Oh.

Meaning me?

Because I'm so desperate

to plunder your coffers, obviously.

- Anne!
- Don't worry.

My w*apon of choice
comes in a velvet glove.

[WHISPERS] Anne! Anne!

Apparently, Mr Gray said
the deeds should have been

left with an indifferent person
such as Mr Parker

until the division was settled.

- Did he?
- [DOOR OPENS]

Well then, show willing.

Let's go into Halifax this afternoon

and give them to Parker
for safekeeping until it is.

Then Captain Sutherland

will have nothing to find fault with.

If it's still what you want.

The division.

Of course it is.

And to change our wills?

And all of it?

[MEN CHAT]

I want to get
the division settled first.

I want the division, come what may.

What comes after that...

Well, let's just get this
dealt with first. Hmm?

MAN: Fire!

- Mrs Sutherland.
- Good Lord, how are you?

- Anne's here.
- Miss Lister.

Captain Sutherland!

No, don't get up.

No Miss Walker?

She's upstairs. She's having a lie down.

Oh, Adney's pony threw me.
Or did I throw him?

Her. I can't remember.

Her.

And this must be Sackville!

What an elusive fellow!

Yes. Good tactics.

I can see you'd make
an excellent soldier.

I can't stay long.

I shouldn't even be here,
I've got so much on hand,

but I'd have been sad not to see you all

since you travelled all this way.

Miss Walker's laying

my foundation stone for me on Saturday,

I'm building a hotel
with an assembly room.

Did she tell you?

You should come and support us,
since you're here.

Just a little ceremony.

Just a few short speeches,
just for the town.

Y-y...

We'd be delighted.

Perfect! And then why don't
you come to us for tea

in the afternoon? Adney can show you

our neat little upstairs wing,
Mrs Sutherland,

where we've been so happily
and cosily ensconced.

And doesn't your sister
look well, Mrs Sutherland?

Yes. Um...

Yes. She...

She does.

Good Lord.
What has he done to Elizabeth?

I talked at knots and barely
prised a squeak from her.

She daren't speak
for fear of contradicting him.

And when he went into York

all she talked about was
the children, and all so inane.

Sorry if I'm a bit flat.

I have poor Mrs Norcliffe on my mind.

She was always so kind to me
when I was younger.

Well, you must go over.

No, no, I'll stay here
till this is dealt with,

and then... then I may go.

I don't trust Parker.

My advice is given in good faith -

whether it's accepted or not
is for the recipient to decide.

There's Mr Harper downstairs, ma'am,

and a Mr Shepley Watson?

He says he's from
Mr Gray's office. In York.

Imagine our surprise, Miss Lister,

when Mr Watson and I
got chatting in the high flyer

and realised we were heading
not just for Halifax

but for Shibden Hall.

ANNE: Are you travelling back
to York tonight, Mr Watson?

WATSON: By the time
I've been over to Lightcliffe

and got Captain and
Mrs Sutherland's signatures,

I imagine I'd be as well
spending the night in Halifax.

ANNE: Well, then, I recommend
the White Swan Inn

on Crown Street. Were you to
be here in a few months,

I should recommend
the new Northgate Hotel.

Thank you.

On the subject of
accommodation, Miss Lister,

my landscaper, Mr Samuel Gray,

will arrive
during the afternoon tomorrow.

Like Mr Nelson and Mr Husband,

he'll stay for
the duration of the build,

and he'll need somewhere to live too.

We can put him up here for a few nights.

Will he be all right sleeping
with my footman

- In his quarters?
- Oh, yes.

Until we can find something
more permanent for him.

So... that's that.

And you mentioned you might be
able to spare a servant,

Miss Lister, to guide me
over to Cliffe Hill?

Of course, Mr Watson!

[BELL RINGS]

And I must get back down to Halifax,

catch up with Mr Nelson before tomorrow.

I might see you later on
at the Swan, then, Mr Watson.

I'm staying there myself.

And then the big day tomorrow!

Is your speech ready, Miss Walker?

Yes. I think so.

I almost have it by heart.

Anne.

Anne?

Marian.

You look splendid.

I'm not coming.

Why?

I did want to, but...

...what if the crowd isn't very nice?

What if they make comments
or throw things?

Why would they want to do that?

I wasn't completely honest with you.

About Mr Abbott.

Are you still seeing him?

No. No.

Not that.

He called a halt to things
between us because, well...

..he hadn't seen it at the time, but...

...someone taunted him with

that silly marriage
announcement in the paper.

About you and Miss Walker.

I think it might
have been Rawdon Briggs.

And so...

...he said he couldn't
associate with me any more.

Because....

...people say things.

Which, of course...

...they do.

Is this why you want to go back
to Market Weighton?

I do wish you luck
with it, though, Anne.

I hope the Northgate Casino
will be a great success.

Wish me luck.

Let me look at you!

Oh-ho!

Don't forget the Sutherlands are coming

to tea this afternoon, if you
feel able to come downstairs

when you've finished your luncheon.

Good luck.

[EXHALES]

You're making a fool of yourself!

You do know that, don't you?

Marian says she's thinking of
moving back to Market Weighton.

And taking you with her.

Mm.

You would, of course,

be more than welcome to
stay here with me and Adney.

I'll think...

If that's what she's doing...

...I'll probably go with her.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[CROWD CHATTERING]

Oh, the carriage is here. Excuse me.

[CHATTERING CONTINUES]

Adney.

I'm very proud of you for doing this.

I just...

I wanted to say thank you.

It means more to me
than perhaps you realise.

[CARRIAGE DOOR OPENS]

How are you this afternoon, Miss Lister?

Very well. Thank you.

- Miss Walker!
- Mr Nelson.

- Miss Lister.
- Washington.

Good news, ma'am. The license
has been approved and signed.

Oh, that is good news!
Did you hear that, Adney?

Oh, and, ma'am,
this might not be the time,

but I think you should know,

I mean, I think Miss Walker should know,

apparently last night

Captain Sutherland refused to
sign the division papers.

Why?

Apparently Mr Gray's man, Mr...

- Watson.
- ...Has gone back to York

with the papers unsigned.

How do you know?

Mr Adam told me. Mr Parker's partner.

He was around here earlier.

Apparently Gray's man,
Mr Watson, went to Mr Parker

for advice this morning about what to do

given that Captain Sutherland
was being aggressive and nasty

and making a fuss
about one of his lots being

missed off the itinerary.

- Which one?
- Windy End at Golcar.

it wasn't. I know it was on
there, listed as being his.

It was, it was, it definitely was.

And Mr Parker told this Mr Watson

it was none of his business, he
shouldn't like to get involved,

and advised he go back to York.

I should never have
given the deeds to Parker!

But it was Mr Gray's advice,

was it not, to give the deeds
to Parker for safe-keeping?

That's what
Captain Sutherland said, yes.

Perhaps Mr Gray said no such thing.

- Are the Sutherlands here?
- No. I don't think so.

Is Parker here?

No. I don't think so.

Do the speech.

- What?
- Do the speech.

Do the speech. Do the speech.

Mr Harper?

Mr Nelson.

Smile.

[CROWD CHATTERING]

[CLEARS THROAT] Mr Nelson...

Hush, everybody, shush.

[CLEARS THROAT]

I have been requested
by my friend Miss Lister...

[DOG BARKS]

...to lay the first stone of a casino,

which will form a spacious
and commodious saloon...

- [DOG BARKS]
- Shh! Shush!

...to be annexed to the Northgate Hotel.

I will only add that I hope
this undertaking will prove

an accommodation to
the inhabitants of this town

and neighbourhood, in whose
prosperity we feel interested,

and that it will be
an accommodation to the public

at large, and that it will do
credit to those individuals

concerned in its erection.

- Very well said!
- Quite right!

- Here?
- Yes. Yes, ma'am.

ANNE: Well done.

That's wonderful.

We can sort it out later.

Mr Nelson!

My friend Miss Walker
has done us great honour,

and I trust her good wishes
will not be in vain.

I earnestly hope the work we begin now

will do credit to us all.

May the voice of discord be
never heard within its walls,

and may persons of
every shade of varying opinion

meet together here
in amity and in charity.

Very well said.

Three cheers for
t'Northgate Casino. Hip hip...

- ALL: Hurray!
- Hip hip.

- Hurray!
- Hip hip.

Hurray!

[APPLAUSE]

Thank you.

Trinity Road. Quickly.

[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]

- Sackville?
- Hello.

They must be in with him.

- I want to see Mr Parker.
- He's with someone.

He'll probably be half an hour or so...

Yes, I know exactly who he's with!

We must go in. You've got
to insist that we go in.

I think we should go home.

No!

[QUIETLY] I think
if we confront him here,

it could cause
more problems than it solves.

He'll take the deeds!

Parker won't give them to him.

It's more than his reputation's worth.

I don't trust Parker!

We have no real evidence that
Parker has colluded with him.

If we burst in there making
accusations, it could

make us look...

...unhinged.

Are you still coming to us
for tea today, Sackville?

I think so.

Good.

I don't quite know what to say,
Captain Sutherland.

It is a bizarre situation, Parker.

I've analysed it with great care, sir,

and these are my considered
and regrettable conclusions.

You can see how traumatised
Mrs Sutherland is.

And do you see?

The solution is in your hands.

If I can take the deeds, all of them,

and delay the whole thing

until I can show that
Miss Walker has systematically,

day after day, week after week,
month after month,

been corrupted,

and isn't able to make
her own choices reliably

about anything any more...

I know the Lister family is an
old and valued client of yours

and they're very highly regarded.

Parker...

...Miss Lister is a predator.

In more senses than one.

And if what she's doing
isn't criminal, well, then,

good heavens, I'm not at all
sure what the law is for.

You surely...

You don't expect me to
simply hand the Crow Nest deeds

over to you, just, just...

...just like that?

When Miss Walker
was in Scotland with us..,

...and I presume
this isn't widely known...

...she attempted to take her own life.

And all because
of this unnatural obsession

she has with Miss Lister.

Do you understand, Parker?

She needs protecting from herself.

So, yes, I am asking for all the deeds,

and believe you me, sir, heaven...

...and one day, I'm certain,

Miss Walker and her entire family...

...will thank you for it.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Captain and Mrs Sutherland, ma'am.

Ah! There you are.

How disappointed we were

not to see you at our little ceremony.

It went very well.

This is my Swiss model.
Isn't she splendid?

Adney's in the drawing room.
Do go through.

George. Could you bring us some tea?

Adney spoke beautifully.

It's a shame you missed it.

We drew quite a crowd.

The townspeople were delighted.
They gave us three cheers.

We learned this afternoon
that you didn't sign

for the division last night.

I'm afraid not. We found anomalies.

Windy End at Golcar. It's here.

It's listed as "The Plantation,
Golcar", and to be fair

it's in the wrong place,
but it's the same lot

and it's here and the matter
might've been settled

easily enough by taking two minutes

to walk from Cliffe Hill to Crow Nest to

consult Mr Washington on
the matter before choosing

to bully poor Mr Watson
into returning to York

- With the thing left unsigned.
- Shh. Ann.

Shh. You're getting overwrought,

and this, I'm afraid,

- Is part of the problem.
- The only problem

is the inconvenience
you'll put Mr Watson to when

he has to come back over again

from York for your signatures!

Ann. We're not going to sign the thing.

Why? Why?

I've spoken to Mr Gray and Mr Parker,

we're all excellent friends,
and I have to tell you now

that they both agree with me

that this is not a good idea. And...

- ...You do know why.
- Mr Gray?

Why would Mr Gray agree
with you after all the trouble

he's gone to to write the document

for the division in the first place?

I think that's unlikely.

I would like to speak to
Miss Walker alone.

- Of course.
- No!

No! Anything you have to say
to me, you can say

in front of my... Miss Lister.

Very well, I will say it
in front of your Miss Lister.

It's the same thing
I said to you before.

I believe you have been bullied

and coerced against your better judgment

to ask for something you can't
possibly manage alone.

- That's nonsense.
- And I believe

that behind all this is
a malicious, unnatural

influence of gross self-interest...

No. You won't sign it because
you have some bizarre idea

- That it's somehow all yours.
- That's... No.

- That's...
- Or you're lashing out

because I wouldn't marry
your insipid cousin.

I'm trying to protect you, Ann.

Against...

...against your not very good judgment.

Now, Mr Gray and Mr Parker,
now that I've spoken to them,

both have a much better
understanding of what is

going on here, and believe you
me, they were both shocked.

- What are you talking about?
- I urge you

to come, with Elizabeth
and myself, back to Cliffe Hill

and away from this...

- ...This... this...
- [KNOCK ON DOOR]

Ma'am? Mr Gray's here. From York.

Shall I ask him to wait?

No.

No, no, no. George,
don't do that. Show him in.

I might go and wait

- In another room.
- Why?

If you got on with him
so nicely with him in York,

surely you'd be more than happy
to see him.

- You... You've...
- It isn't true!

Neither Mr Gray nor
Mr Parker said anything

against this division.

This is wrong.

It's hers.

It's hers, and she should have it,

if this is what she wants.

- [KNOCK ON DOOR]
- Mr Samuel Gray, ma'am.

Oh...

...that Mr Gray!

How do you do?

Very well, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am.

This is Mr Samuel Gray.

Mr Harper's landscape gardener
from York.

George, could you take Mr Gray

into the kitchen? Ask
Cordingley to get him some tea.

And I'll sort you out in a few minutes,

if that's all right with you, Mr Gray.

I fear you have built me up in
your mind, Captain Sutherland,

to be all manner of things I am not.

And some that I am.

Now, if you'll excuse me...

...I have my own estate to run.

Mm.

Is everything perfectly clear,
Captain Sutherland?

Perfectly.

Well, if you'd just sign there, please.

[SIGNS DOCUMENT]

ISABELLA: My darling girl,

I'm sure you will grieve
to hear that my darling mother

expired this evening
at ten minutes past five,

in Charlotte's arms,

surrounded by all her children,
and Rose and Ellen.

She went off in her sleep
and I think did not suffer.

I have not time to write more now,

as we are all in great affliction.

She was always
so very, very fond of you,

and I know you were of her,

and that you above all people

will share our sorrow most keenly.

God bless you, my dearest Anne.

Your own Isabella.

[CARRIAGE ARRIVES]

Should I say goodbye to him?

That's up to you.

Goodbye, Captain Sutherland.

Goodbye, Ann.

My dear.

Hello.

- Miss Lister.
- Mrs Sutherland.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Write to us when you get home,
so we know

- You got there safely.
- I will.

When will I see you again?

I don't know.

One day.

Mm.

We should go to York on Monday.

And sort out our wills.

Is that what you want?

I'm sorry.

For what?

Doubting it.

Don't be.

We...

...are the only people in
the whole world, on Earth,

who want us to be together.

It won't be easy.

It'll never be easy.

But we're both still here.

Aren't we? Hmm?