01x03 - Part 3

[bunniefuu]

- I consider Adam my brother.

- He is so hostile towards you.

- Adam is hostile

toward everyone.

- Don't you even

want to see her try?

- I've seen enough

people quit in my lifetime

without witnessing

the same thing again.

- I think she'll surprise you.

- I am attempting

to find my place here

and claim a degree of

equanimity with my new husband.

- I am for Hawick

in the morning.

- Is something the

matter with Harry?

- He's taken exceedingly ill

at an inn between

here and Hawick.

- What are you intending to do?

- Go retrieve him, of course.

Why did you not allow a

physician to be summoned?

This gentleman is clearly ill.

- I ain't running

a charity, guv.

Here's hoping we can do

business again in the future.

- We will.

- He is so confusing.

- All part of his

charm, Persephone.

- What in the blazes

is wrong with me?

This has arrived

for you as well.

Persephone?

- Evander is dead.

[gentle instrumental music]

- Harry was as

impertinent as ever

when I saw him

an hour or so ago.

Take that as an indication

that he is recovering.

- I received a letter

from my sister today.

- Which one?

- Artemis.

- The youngest?

- Yes.

She dislikes her governess,

but not for any

legitimate reason.

She feels weighed down

by the continued state of

mourning around the house.

And she has asked, again, to

be able to come here to visit.

I suggested spring or summer.

Of course, nothing has

actually been planned.

- We'll have to go to

London in the spring.

After enduring Society

and the Season,

it will be good to return

here where it's quiet.

- Yes.

It is decidedly quiet.

[tender music]

- How are you feeling?

- Mm, much improved.

Being away from

the Boar and Dagger

has contributed

greatly to my welfare.

- Then you'll be pleased to know

it will not be a source

of misery any longer.

It is to be shuttered

immediately.

- Shuttered?

- Mm.

A closer look at Smith's

history and practices

made closing the place

absolutely necessary.

Any man who would withhold

food, warmth, medical aid,

even the ability

to send for help

when a person is in distress,

and has done so time and again,

ought not be running an inn.

- Mm.

First you rush to the rescue,

then you vanquish the

villain who tortured me.

Watch yourself, Adam.

People will begin

to think you care.

- Shut up, Harry.

[Harry laughs]

[birds chirping]

[Pointer chattering

indistinctly]

Barton!

What is that infernal noise?

- I believe that

would be described

as lively conversation,

Your Grace.

- And who is responsible for

such lively conversation?

- [clears throat] Mrs. Pointer.

- No doubt the

vicar is here as well.

- No doubt.

- Are you feeling quite

yourself today, Barton?

- [Barton] I assure you

I-I feel better than I

have in years, Your Grace.

- It sounds as though Falstone

is infested with birds.

[Pointer chattering

indistinctly]

A full tea?

- I believe cook was

exceptionally excited

at the prospect of preparing

a tea tray once more.

It's been a while, Your Grace.

- How is it, Barton, that

the vicar and his wife

came to be in my drawing room?

I do not recall altering

the requirement

that all guests be informed

that I am not at home.

- The vicar was quite specific

about seeing Her Grace.

When I presented the duchess

with Mr. Pointer's card,

I thought she'd actually

run down the stairs,

she was so pleased

to have callers.

- How long have the

Pointers been here?

- Only a few

minutes, Your Grace.

- Well, a few minutes

is more than most get.

[thudding echoes]

- Thank you.

- Of course.

Would you like a

cup of tea, Adam?

- No.

- It is a pleasure to see

you again, Your Grace.

- I doubt that.

What, precisely, is the

reason for your visit here?

- Social call, of course.

- Of course?

When, in the 15 years that

you've served as vicar,

has Falstone Castle

ever received visitors?

- [Mr. Pointer] Not

once, Your Grace.

- Not once.

What has led you to believe

that that has changed?

- Wishful thinking?

- There will be no callers

at Falstone Castle.

Not today, not in the future.

- Falstone Castle is not

receiving, Your Grace?

Or you are not receiving?

- It is the same.

- Forgive me, it is not.

Thank you for your

hospitality, Your Grace.

- Ah.

Do come again.

Thank you for

I will see you on Sunday.

- Do not lose hope.

Happiness can be

found even in dark times.

- Persephone doesn't

get to be happy.

That is the ending of the myth,

according to my youngest sister.

- Ah, but it is the

ending of the tale

according to you

that matters most.

- You might as well stay

and finish your tea.

Cook will be offended if the

tray is sent back untouched.

- Do sit, dear, and

do try the lemon cake.

- [Mrs. Pointer] Thank you.

- Pardon.

Are you sure you wouldn't

care for some tea?

I didn't know I was

supposed to turn them away.

- They might as

well finish their tea.

- I thought no one

wanted to meet me.

- I doubt anyone

in the neighborhood

even made the attempt.

- So I could go

visit the neighbors.

- No.

No, they may attempt

to return the favor.

- [Persephone] But I-

- I will not have

Falstone Castle

overrun with people.

- Of course not.

Thank you for allowing

the Pointers to remain.

I have been

enjoying their visit.

- You, of course, will

owe Mrs. Pointer a visit.

I understand she

entertains half the county

on a regular basis.

- I could meet the

neighbors that way, then?

- If you want to.

[birds squawking]

[hooves clopping]

- [Harry] Who else

was at the vicarage?

- [Persephone] Mrs.

Milston and her daughter,

Lady Hettersham,

Miss Greenburrough.

- Mm, what did you think

of our resident spinster?

- [chuffs] She was very quiet,

so I was not able to form

much of an opinion of her.

- Persephone.

- It's for me?

- You should read it.

- "Your Grace, Lord Barham,

First Lord of the Admiralty,

has relayed to me your inquiries

regarding two midshipmen

aboard the HMS Triumphant.

Evander Lancaster, as

you have been informed,

succumbed to injuries

sustained at Trafalgar and,

as with most lost at that time,

has been buried in a

cemetery on Gibraltar

alongside his fallen shipmates."

- Go on, Persephone.

It's not bad news.

- "Midshipman Linus Lancaster

sustained only minor

wounds in that battle

and remains aboard

the Triumphant.

He will, as requested,

be granted shore leave

when we return to home port."

- The other missive

is from Linus.

- [gasps] Linus

has written to me?

- Mm-hmm.

- I don't know how you

managed this, Adam.

- You needed answers.

I simply ensured

you receive them.

- This is by far

the kindest thing

any person has ever done for me.

Adam, thank you so, so much.

[tender music]

You do that very well.

[tender music continues]

- I just kissed Persephone.

- Mm, I noticed.

And, um, [clears throat]

I think Persephone

noticed as well.

Which is a good thing, really.

If she hadn't even realized

you were kissing her,

one would begin to wonder

about your technique.

- Oh, shu-

- I know, "Shut up, Harry."

[wolves howling]

[door clicks]

- [whispers] They're

getting louder.

[wolves continue howling]

[soft music]

Thank you for my letter, Adam.

Linus sounds happy.

He didn't mention Evander,

which worries me a little.

It was always his way to avoid

topics that were upsetting.

But he did promise

to keep writing.

You don't like it

when I thank you

for the things that you do,

but I really am grateful.

If only you could do

something about the wolves.

[soft music continues]

[soft music fades]

- [Adam] Persephone?

Persephone.

- W-What happened?

- You were thrown

from your horse.

Are you hurt? Can you sit up?

- Uh, I don't know.

- Let me help you.

[Persephone groans]

Careful.

Does anything hurt?

- You asked me that already.

- A person can be k*lled

being thrown from a horse.

Until I'm certain

you are not hurt,

I'm going to keep

asking you questions.

[horse neighs]

What happened?

- I can't explain it, Yer Grace.

It's almost like something

spooked the horse.

- We are fortunate she

didn't come to serious harm.

- Yes, Yer Grace.

- Your abigail can have

a hot bath prepared.

That should help

with any stiffness.

- There really is no

need for this much fuss.

- When you're too stiff

to come down for dinner,

you'll disagree.

[Persephone groans]

Careful.

[Adam grunts]

There you are.

[Persephone sighs]

- That is very

kind of you, Adam.

- You've been thrown

from a horse, Persephone.

Any decent gentleman

would be concerned.

[soft music]

I can have the

kitchen send up a tray

if you would rather not

come down for dinner.

- I really am

feeling fine already.

I think I was more startled

than anything else.

When I'm a little

more sure of myself,

might I come riding

with you and Harry?

- Atlas can't keep

pace with Zeus.

- Couldn't you

rein Zeus in a little?

Or let me join you at

the end of your ride,

when Zeus has slowed down?

- Zeus is impatient.

He might make Atlas nervous.

- Couldn't I at least try?

- I would rather you

not take that chance.

- But you would be there.

- Yes, but, but that

is no guarantee that

[tender music]

[Adam flinches]

- I'm sorry.

- No.

- I, Adam.

[sullen music]

[Persephone sighs heavily]

[wolves howling]

[Adam sighs]

- Ridiculous!

It is too blasted quiet in here.

[wolves continue howling]

[poignant music]

[wolves continue howling]

What the blazes

is taking so long?

[Persephone gasps]

So you are awake.

- Adam!

- Are you stiff from your fall?

Does it hurt to walk?

[wolves howling]

They are loud tonight.

How long do you plan

to sit at that window

and worry about wolves?

- Until they stop.

[wolves howling]

- You should've come in

when they first started.

- Come in?

- And curled up on the bed

wrapped up in that blanket.

- You knew?

I

I thought you were asleep.

- Asleep?

Oh, I can't sleep.

You've ruined the room for me.

- What do you

mean, I've ruined it?

- My bedchamber

used to be quiet.

And then you started coming in

and making all those noises

while you're sleeping.

- I make noises?

- And you move constantly.

- Loud noises?

- What, no.

No, like a puppy.

Little noises.

- And that doesn't bother you?

- I've grown used to it.

- I don't want to bother you.

- You won't.

- The wolves don't worry me

as much in your bedchamber.

- Are they quieter in here?

- No.

The way I've figured it,

if the pack ever actually

makes it into the castle,

they'll eat you first.

Good night, Adam.

- Good night, Persephone.

[distant wolves howling]

- Adam?

- Yes?

- Why did you

decide to get married?

[distant wolves

continue howling]

- [Adam] At the time it

seemed like a good idea.

- Does it now?

[distant wolves

continue howling]

Mrs. Adcock said you would.

- Said I would what?

- Regret marrying me.

When I visited the

vicarage several days ago,

Mrs. Adcock said that most

gentlemen who pay for a wife

regret the purchase in the end.

It was blatantly obvious

she was referring to

our marriage settlement.

Mrs. Adcock had mentioned

her sizable dowry at

least a dozen times,

so I happened to

ask Lady Hettersham,

loudly enough for

Mrs. Adcock to hear,

whether or not it seemed odd

that some ladies

found it necessary

to offer money to a

prospective bridegroom

in order to bring

him up to scratch.

No gentleman would accept

a horse so ill-recommended

that he had to be

bribed to accept it.

[Adam laughs]

I thought Mrs. Adcock's tea

would come flying out her ears,

she looked so livid.

- Well, you compared

her to a horse?

[Adam and Persephone laughing]

I doubt even I could produce

such a cutting retort.

Well done, Persephone. [laughs]

- I have not pulled caps

with anyone in years.

I'm not ashamed to

admit that I enjoyed it.

I felt like a regular warrior.

Perhaps before I next

call at the vicarage,

I should try on one of the

suits of armor for size.

I could check the armory

for a jousting lance

and simply unseat my adversary

as she rides up to the vicarage.

I would be the terror

of the neighborhood.

- Well, if it comes to

full combat, let me know.

I'm rather handy

with a crossbow.

- Maybe Harry could be our page,

and we could go

conquer Adcock Manor.

- Oh, Harry would

make an abysmal page.

[Adam and Persephone laughing]

But he might, he might be

trusted with a battle ax though.

[Adam and Persephone laughing]

- We would make a

wonderfully fearsome team.

You see, Adam, marriage to me

might not be such a terrible

thing for you after all.

[tender music]

[hooves trotting]

[tender music continues]

[horse snorts]

[Alibi neighing]

- [Groom] Steady.

Steady.

- Are you wishing to

ride today, Yer Grace?

- [Groom] Steady.

- Is Alibi still unhappy?

You said he

doesn't like the cold.

- Oh, it's not just the cold.

He was treated badly before.

Doesn't trust people.

[Alibi neighing]

Figures they treated

him bad before,

they'll treat him bad again.

[Alibi neighs]

- But no one here

would ever hurt him.

- Nah, it doesn't matter.

He'll not give

anyone a chance to.

He'll fight you 'till

holy perdition that one.

- It seems like a lost cause.

Why keep trying?

- Ah, there's no lost

causes, Yer Grace.

Every creature needs

someone who could save 'im,

if they'd only try.

There's many who're hoping

you're the sort who tries.

- This poor creature

seems so angry.

- More afraid than furious.

Been afraid for years.

- Why? What happened?

- Got torn apart

and left behind.

Decided to bite

before anyone bit first.

If nobody gets close,

nobody can hurt him.

[tender music continues]

[hooves trotting]

[horse neighs]

- Welcome back.

- Good morning to

you, Persephone.

- Good morning.

Good morning, Adam.

- Good morning.

Are you wanting to ride?

- I was thinking about it.

- If you do, I fear we'll be

forced to postpone our siege.

- You two are planning a siege?

Why do I get the feeling

my presence is not particularly

appreciated just now?

- I would think, Harry, that

you'd feel that way often.

If you go now, you'll have

plenty of time to pack.

- But you'll miss me.

- I never miss anyone.

- Mm.

[tender music continues]

[tender music fades]

[birds chirping]

- "Your name is on the lips

of every member of the ton.

Some are saying that Persephone

has left you already."

Thank you, Mother.

[knocks on door]

- Adam?

May I talk with

you for a moment?

Mrs. Smithson skipped this

room when she gave me my tour.

I haven't ever been in here.

- No one ever

comes in this room.

- I am overstepping myself?

- No. No.

[soft music]

- [Persephone] Who is this

you're standing beside, Adam?

- My father.

- I thought he must be.

You look very much like him.

- Do I?

- You have the same eyes.

And there is something

similar about your mouth

and the shape of your face.

And, of course, you

both have dark hair.

- I suppose there

is a resemblance.

- Your nose is your mother's.

I noticed that when I first

saw the two of you together.

Are you like him in other ways?

- My father?

- Mm.

- I hope so.

[soft music continues]

You wanted to speak to me about

something? [clears throat]

- Ah.

The Triumphant will make port

the last week of November.

Linus will be granted

three weeks' shore leave.

Isn't that wonderful?

- Yes.

- The Triumphant will

be docking at Newcastle.

I could be there and see him

before he departs

for Shropshire.

- Be there? In Newcastle?

- I wouldn't be gone

more than a day or two.

Of course, I would want

to see him off as well,

which would mean going back

when the Triumphant

sets out again.

- You cannot go.

[sullen music]

- Please, Adam.

It, it would only be a few days.

I, I need to see him for myself,

I need to know that

he is well and whole,

to have even a moment with

the only brother I have left.

This is important to me, Adam.

Things of importance

to me should matter.

- What if he came here?

- But you don't allow visitors.

- It makes more sense

than you journeying

to Newcastle twice.

Linus could come to Falstone

before going to see your family.

- Do you mean it?

- I don't say

anything I don't mean.

- It wouldn't be too

much of an imposition?

- No.

I'd very much like to

meet the boy myself.

- Really?

- Linus might make a great

addition to our siege.

Harry would probably

faint dead away

at the first battle cry.

[Persephone chuckles softly]

- Thank you, Adam.

[footsteps approaching]

- Why don't you ever leave?

- Good afternoon to you too.

- Answer the question.

- Is this a pointed

interrogation

or of an intellectual

discussion?

- Intellectual discussion.

- Why do I never leave?

Because I like Falstone.

- Why?

- Free food.

- I'm in earnest, I

need you to be as well.

- The food is

nothing to disregard.

Cook is a miracle worker.

Aside from that,

Falstone is familiar.

It's comfortable.

- So you feel the same way

about the house in London?

You spend a lot of

time there as well.

And you've come with

me to Kent a few times.

- This is a pointed

interrogation, isn't it?

Look, if you were

trying to tell me

to make myself scarce

now that you're married,

I completely understand.

- No, it's not that at all.

- Then what is it?

- I want to know

why you've stayed

around all these years.

- We're friends, Adam.

Friends don't just jump ship.

- I think your answer about

the food was more honest.

- Did it ever occur to you

that I sincerely

consider you a friend?

My

Best friend, in fact.

- Because of Harrow?

- It may have started that way.

You saved my skin,

so I worshiped you for a while,

like an idol who could ward

off evil spirits, I suppose.

But then [chuckles],

then you landed me a facer

for something

stupid I did or said.

- I remember that fight well

but not what we

were scuffling over.

- And we were sent down.

My parents were

away, so we came here.

[sighs] In those two

weeks of our expulsion,

I met Adam Boyce,

the Duke of Kielder.

Still scared the guts out of me.

But Adam Boyce

was just a boy like me.

Why this sudden interest

in our colorful childhood?

[Adam breathes heavily]

[tender music]

Looks frigid out

there, doesn't it?

- It does.

- Persephone looks cold, Adam.

You should go and keep her warm.

- Keep her-

- The fact that my

suggestion confuses you

does not bode well,

my friend.

- It didn't

It didn't confuse me.

[tender music continues]

She is lonely in

this empty castle.

Just as mother was.

[wolves howling]

Persephone.

[Persephone panting]

- I heard them, Adam!

The wolves, they're

inside Falstone!

- [Adam] They are still

outside the castle walls.

- But they're so loud.

They sound so much closer.

- [Adam] They are not inside

the castle walls, Persephone.

- Are you certain?

- Absolutely.

Have tea sent up

to my book room.

- Yes, Your Grace.

[Persephone breathing heavily]

- I know I shouldn't

be so afraid of them,

but the howling sends

chills through me.

- I will have my steward

check on the pack,

so you can breathe more easily.

- I had always been told

that there were no

more wolves in England.

- Our pack is descended

from the last of the

wolves that roamed the area

and the wild dogs that

called the forest home.

- Are they less vicious

than true wolves, then?

- They are more wolf

than anything else.

But they always give

the castle a wide berth.

[Persephone shudders]

I think,

[sighs heavily] I think

we should hold a ball.

- A ball?

- Unless you don't want to.

- I assumed you

wouldn't want to.

It would mean a lot of

people in the castle.

- Every bride

should have a ball.

- We are still in mourning.

- I think a wedding ball

would be permissible.

- Do you mean

You don't say things

you don't mean.

- No.

No, I don't.

- Yes, Adam.

We should host

a ball at Falstone.

- Adam suggested it?

Adam?

As in the Adam I know?

- I am as surprised as you are.

- He's been doing a lot of

uncharacteristic things lately.

- Barton says Cook is in tears.

- What did you do to her?

- I didn't do anything to her.

She's informed about

the upcoming ball.

- She's that upset about it?

- She's that pleased about it.

She's been reduced to weeping

at the kitchen work table.

- How has the rest

of the staff reacted?

- Mrs. Smithson is rushing about

as though the

ball is this evening

instead of three weeks from now.

And Barton has

simply begun grinning

when he thinks I'm not looking.

- Three weeks from now?

But, Adam, Linus is coming

in three weeks' time.

Please tell me you

haven't changed your mind

about his visit.

- Of course not, Persephone.

He can be here for the ball.

- Why the sudden

urge to entertain, Adam?

First you invite

Persephone's brother.

And the ball will bring

every family of consequence

in the northern half of England

to Falstone at the same time.

That is precisely

the sort of thing

that makes you miserable.

- I don't want you

to be miserable.

- I will not be miserable.

- You'll simply make the

rest of us miserable.

Perhaps you should put an

end to the entire thing

and save us the suffering.

- Shut up, Harry.

- Harry is not nearly

persuasive enough

to convince me to

cancel Linus's visit.

There's no need

to worry over that.

- But there is.

You tell me to trust you,

but I don't know that I can.

There is so much I don't

know about you, Adam.

So much I don't understand.

And that frightens me.

- I frighten you?

- That isn't what I said.

- It really isn't.

- [Adam And Persephone]

Shut up, Harry!

- I am happy to see

I'm a unifying force.

- At the moment, Harry Windover,

you are a frustrating force.

- Harry, now would be

a perfect opportunity

for a timely exit.

- Hint taken.

[footsteps retreating]

[door clicks]

- I have faults, Persephone,

like any other man,

but I am not a liar.

I was raised by a man

who valued honesty and loyalty

and keeping one's word.

Now I've promised you

that your brother

will visit you here

and that Falstone

Castle will host a ball,

and no one, not

Harry, not anyone else,

will browbeat me into going

back on that promise to you.

On any promise to you.

- I want to believe that.

- And your happiness

does matter.

You should believe that too.

- I'm beginning to.

[tender music]

[door clicks]

- [Adam] Afternoon.

- You look a bit

unwell, poor boy.

- I'm fine.

- I was just telling Persephone

of all the wonderful ba*ls

we used to have

here at the castle.

Even the London papers

were full of every

detail of the evening;

who attended, the

decorations, the menu.

Falstone ba*ls were

positively legendary.

- I am certain our ball

will be far less elaborate.

- But that's why I rushed back.

It could be extraordinary.

A few changes to the menu,

perhaps a more dramatic

decorating scheme.

- It is enough that there

will be people here.

That should be plenty to

fill the London papers

with pages of

shocked commentary.

- The castle's always

been more pleasant

when it's been festive.

- Mrs. Smithson and I

have discussed the menu

and the preparations.

I am quite satisfied

with what we've chosen.

- Mm, satisfied and pleased

are not the same thing.

You'll be desperate

to leave before long

if something's not done

to liven the place.

- We are holding a ball, mother.

That has always been

enough festiveness

for you to return to Falstone.

- It sounds to me like it's

hardly a ball. [scoffs]

- I, [clears throat] I

suppose the arrangements

could be made a

little more extensive.

Oh, I sound just like father.

- I assure you both,

I am satisfied and pleased

with our current arrangements.

They suit my preferences.

- You really must let me help

with future entertainments.

We could hold ever so many,

both here and in London.

You'll have far too

much fun to be unhappy.

- Will you please excuse me?

[footsteps retreating]

[door thuds]

All of the ba*ls

you held for mother

weren't enough to keep her here,

so why the blasted blazes am

I trying the same approach?

[fist pounds]

Dukes don't need

people, you said.

We're better off without her.

Persephone will leave too

in the end. Everyone does.

[fist pounds]

[knocks on door]

[door creaks]

- [Persephone] You

will hurt your hand

if you keep doing that.

- Go eat your

dinner, Persephone.

- I intend to.

[door creaks]

On the desk will be fine.

- I'm not hungry.

- Perhaps not, but I am.

Thank you.

- Mother-

- Is taking her meal with Harry.

I am eating here.

- No one eats in this room.

- You would rather I starve?

- If you are truly on

the verge of expiring,

then by all means,

take some nourishment.

[silverware clatters]

Blast it.

- It does smell

good, doesn't it?

What a shame you aren't hungry.

- [Adam] Is that a

hint, Persephone?

- [Persephone] A hint?

- [Adam] You are trying to

convince me to join you.

- This is for me.

If you want something,

you will have to send to

the kitchen for it yourself.

- You plan to eat

an entire chicken?

- It is not an entire chicken.

And not such a very

large one, at that.

In fact, it is a very good thing

there is plenty to go with it.

Otherwise I would be in very

real danger of wasting away.

You didn't expect me to eat

an entire chicken, did you?

- Thank you for the

dinner, Persephone.

- Thank you for

allowing the ball.

For inviting Linus to visit.

It is nice having something

to look forward to.

[tender music]

Would you like having more

ba*ls and entertainments?

- I would, now and then.

But I miss my family

more than I miss company.

They are so very far away.

It sometimes feels as though

I'll never see them again.

- They may very well go

to London for the Season.

You could see them there.

You could see a

lot of people there.

That should tide

you over for a while.

- I will have to get my

fill then, I suppose.

[gentle music]

[gentle music swells]

[gentle music fades]