01x07 - Episode 7

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DR FUCHS: It is my solemn duty
to inform you

that Lady Denham's condition
is now very precarious indeed.

I fear she will not see out
the night.

Oh, poor, dear aunt.

Well, I'd better pay my respects
while there's still time.

MARY: Surely we must postpone
the Regatta out of respect.

She's gravely ill.

Everyone else can accept it.
Why not you?

Don't you see it, Mary?

She cannot die
because then I will be left

without a principal investor.

She's on her death bed

and your only concern is what
that will mean for your town?

Without her investment,
I should soon face bankruptcy.

Everything, our house, our security
would be at risk.

I...

I am just speaking frankly, Mary.

As you wished.

I see.

KNOCK AT DOOR

MRS GRIFFITHS: Georgiana!

Mr Sidney's here to see you.

Send him away!

I have no wish to speak to anyone,
least of all you.

Come, Georgiana. Is it not time
you ventured outside?

At least you...
Leave them!

I am all too aware that I have
fallen short as your guardian.

But please believe that I am
sincere in my desire to make amends.

Men like you cannot change.

Mr Stringer.
Well met, Miss Heywood!

Feels I've hardly seen you
since you got back from London.

No, we must remedy that.

Perhaps we'll have time for a more
substantial conversation tomorrow,

at the regatta?

Until tomorrow, then.

Hear that, Old Stringer?

A "substantial conversation"!

Ah, Miss Heywood.

Mr Parker.

How did you find her?

Oh... I daresay
you'll have more luck.

I, er...

I might wait for you downstairs
if you don't mind?

No.

Not at all.

Edward is taking his time.

I cannot think what is keeping him,

given conversation with our aunt
is currently somewhat one-sided.

He is showing due respect
to a dying woman.

You might consider doing likewise.

What has she done
to merit my respect?

I shan't be goaded
into another quarrel.

Our enmity is finished.
There never was a will.

There most certainly was.

But its contents
were demonstrably absurd.

Edward and I had no choice
but to burn it.

We agreed a half-share each
was a far more agreeable outcome.

Edward would never conspire
with you.

He regards you
with absolute contempt.

And yet...

there is no way to feign
the kind of fondness he showed me.

You're lying.

I was lying.

We both were.

On the drawing room floor,
if you must know.

It was a fleeting encounter,
but he was touchingly eager.

Like a little boy.

Has that been your experience too?

Oh.

Could it be that you have never
given yourself to him?

Small wonder he was so keen
to take his pleasure elsewhere.

You must be patient with Georgiana.

Every minute spent apart is...

Well...

You know how sharp
the agony of separation can be.

Yes, I expect you're right,
Miss Heywood.

Although fate has a strange way
of surprising

even the most jaded amongst us.

You are not nearly
as unfeeling as you pretend.

Well, if that is the case,

I would ask you
to keep it to yourself.

I have a reputation to uphold.

Your secret is safe with me.

Well, I am no Dr Fuchs...

MOCK GERMAN ACCENT: ..but I do not
zink she is long for zis vorld.

You should know...

there's not a single person alive

who holds you
in the least affection.

Not Edward. Not Clara.

Not me.

To my eternal shame,
we only cared for your fortune.

Realised too late what a foul,
corrupting cancer your money is.

Turned you into a cruel,
miserly old woman...

..who will die unloved

and un-mourned.

And it turned Edward...

..my Edward...

The truth is he's betrayed us both.

He betrayed us when...

he and Clara lay with each other
on your drawing room floor.

He betrayed us
when he and Clara conspired

to burn your will
and share your fortune.

SHE SOBS

I truly hope you find happiness
in heaven...

..because this earth
has become a living hell.

Then there'll be
the sandcastle competition

and after a respectable break
for luncheon,

comes fishermen's boat race.

And we end the day
with the gentlemen's amateur rowing.

Splendid. Excellent.

Something for everyone to enjoy.

All we need now are some visitors.
JENNY: Papa! Papa!

Uncle Sidney's here!

And he's brought
a pretty lady with him!

HE CHUCKLES
TOM: Fare thee well?

MARY: How wonderful to see you.
We're all upstairs.

And you'll stay for the Regatta?
WOMAN: Yes...

SIDNEY: Ah, Tom,
you remember Mrs Campion?

Sidney has asked Eliza
to stay for the Regatta.

Isn't that a wonderful surprise?
Welcome! Welcome!

You are most kind.

I must say, the pair of you
have barely altered...

MUSIC SWELLS OVER SPEECH

BELL RINGS

SEAGULLS CRY

Hmm?

Is it over?

HE GROANS

La tante est morte?

Not yet.

HE SIGHS

If I'd known it was going to be
this drawn out,

I would have slept in my own bed.

Perhaps you'll be more comfortable
on the floor.

To meine grosse freude,

your aunt has responded
magnificently to my treatment.

A short time ago, her fever broke
and she is now able to sit up

and talk ein bischen.

It is not impossible
she may yet recover altogether.

CHARLOTTE: Come along, Henry.

CHILDREN GIGGLE

I must say, I hoped we would have...
had more visitors by now.

Perhaps some people
are already down at the river.

Yes.

Yes, I'm sure you're right, my dear.

CHILDREN LAUGH AND SQUEAL

I do wonder if we should have
done at least a little preparation

for this race.
A gentleman does not practice.

It is tantamount to cheating.

Why do you keep looking around?

Not keeping an eye out for that
miserable Denham creature, I hope?

Heavens, no.

Given up that hunt.

It was a futile pursuit.

At the last regatta I attended,
they raced Arab stallions.

The one before that featured
eight clippers in full sail.

But for sheer exhilaration,

what could compare
to a sandcastle competition?

HE CHUCKLES

Well, this is no ordinary
sandcastle competition.

Look at this one, for instance...

Miss Heywood,
what a handsome construction.

I assume you and Henry
are the architects?

Oh, no. That would be Jenny.

I'm... merely a labourer.

HE CHUCKLES
Well, it is a fine piece of work.

And if this doesn't win, there is
no justice, is there, Henry?

No.
No.

Yes, well done, children!

Right.

I shall show you
Tom's new bathing machine.

Yes.
Good day, Miss Heywood.

Who did you say that girl was?

Miss Heywood.

She's a guest of my brother
and Mary's.

And she helps with the children?

Well...

among other things, yes.

She is rather a sweet little thing.

But, Arthur, you can't possibly
join the boat race.

I've never heard
such a lunatic notion.

What choice do I have?

It is the Parker brothers rowing
team and I am a Parker brother.

You know how you
suffer with seasickness!

It is the river!
Don't split hairs!

It is an aversion
to anything that floats!

HORSE WHICKERS

HORSE SNORTS

MAN: There you go.

Arthur!

Do you realise who that is?

How are you? Nice to see you.
Lady Susan...

And the first prize
goes to Harriet and Nicholas

for their truly
magnificent castellation.

Congratulations, well done.

Marvellous.
And the runners up...

You'll never believe
who's just arrived.

No less a personage
than Lady Worcester herself.

Erm... The runners up are..

Er...

Er... sorry, you...

Jor.. I'm sorry,
would you mind handing these out?

I have to go.
There's a list, thank you.

My dear, come along!

'Her every whim must be indulged.'

If we can secure her patronage,

we shall be rendered
fashionable at a stroke.

Who is this Lady Worcester?
My dear, she's quite notorious!

London society positively
revolves around her.

It is a well-known fact that her
and the Prince Regent are...

Simpatico?

My lady!

A thousand welcomes!

I beg your forgiveness
for missing your arrival.

Mr Thomas Parker at your service.

Oh.
My wife... My wife Mary.

We are greatly honoured.

As you shall see, we have the
finest situation on the south coast.

Our seawater and our...
Oh, shush, never mind all that.

If I gave a fig about the sea,
I would have gone to Brighton!

No, no, no.

The reason I came here to continue
my conversation with Charlotte.

Susan?

Very nice to see you.

Let me introduce you
to some people.

Oh, words cannot express
our relief.

Dr Fuchs has earned
our eternal gratitude.

Why? I rallied despite him.

If anyone deserves credit,

it is the ass whose milk
restored my strength.

We have kept constant vigil.
Hmm...

Well, you can dry your eyes.

I found dying highly disagreeable

and I have no intention
of repeating the experience.

Although, it has to be said,

there is nothing like imminent death
to focus the mind.

It seems I had underestimated

the boundless depths
of your venality.

Aunt, you must rest awhile.

Your fever has clearly
left you confused.

SHE CHUCKLES
No... I am anything but.

Like a phoenix,
I am rising from the ashes.

Which is more than can be said
for my last will and testament.

Cos like your miserable souls,
that is blackened beyond redemption!

It was all Clara's idea.

Liar!
Oh, enough!

You feeble parasites!

Neither of you shall ever
darken my doors again.

And, Edward Denham, from this
moment forth, you are disowned.

And, Clara Brereton,

you shall be put on the next coach
back to London.

I suggest you start packing.

Get out!

And needless to say,

I shall be laying a new floor
in my drawing room.

It seems the old one
has been indelibly stained.

And as for you, Esther...

It appears you are now
my sole remaining heir.

Though more by luck than judgement.

LADY SUSAN: So, the lady of the town
is on her deathbed

and the heartsick heiress
has taken to her bedroom.

How thrilling!

But more importantly
than any of that,

does a certain person know yet
that you are in love with him?

I fear you're mistaken, my lady.

I was not...

I am not...
Susan.

And I am never wrong when it comes
to matters of the heart.

Even if it were true,
he is spoken for.

Oh, yes, I know all about Mrs C.

She must be the wealthiest widow
in the country,

not to mention the most elegant.

I can see why you'd find her
a dispiriting rival.

But... she will have a chink
in her armour.

We just need to find it.

Mrs Campion, I've been longing
to meet you.

I have heard so much about you.
Miss Heywood.

I wondered whether I might
persuade you to take a walk with me.

Unless, now's not a...?
Oh, no, now's the perfect time.

I need to make sure everything
stands ready at the starting line.

Perhaps you could accompany me?

TOM: You seem a different man.

And there is no doubting the cause.

The lovely Mrs Campion.

Although I doubt she will remain
Mrs Campion for long

if you have your way.
Steady on, Tom.

There's no need to rush things.
And why not?

She is beautiful, witty and rich
and you have loved her for a decade.

Why would there be
the slightest doubt in your mind?

You know, it is a strange feeling.

When you've wanting something
impossible for so long,

and suddenly it's within your grasp.

Do you know, for years,
all I knew about my brother Sidney

was that he was driven to
the West Indies with a broken heart.

Then what's your point, Arthur?

I admire your spirit of forgiveness.

That is all. If it were me,

I do not think I could bring myself
to trust her again.

Looks as though the regatta
will be a success, Miss,

and that is in large part
down to you.

In truth, I have been grateful
for the distraction.

Distraction from what?

My own thoughts, I suppose.

What kind of thoughts?

It's difficult to say.

Perhaps you might find me
a more sympathetic listener

than you might imagine.

It could be
that we share the same thoughts.

I doubt it.

You are far too sensible
to form such a...

misguided and futile attachment.

Why should it be futile,
Miss Heywood?

For all you know, your feelings
are repaid five times over.

I allowed myself to believe so
for the briefest of moments.

But I cannot deny the evidence
of my own eyes.

No matter.

There is nothing to be done.

You were right, Mr Stringer.

You are
a sympathetic listener indeed.

Good Lord...

Do you see, my dear?

It is as if London has been emptied

and the entire beau monde
transported here!

Yes. I'm pleased for you, Tom.

I know how much today means to you.

Have you seen Arthur?

It would seem
he has quite disappeared.

MR HANKINS: "..be not afraid,
neither be thou dismayed.

"For the Lord thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest..."

Shall I continue, my child?

I would sooner be crucified.

I do no doubt
the depths of your suffering,

but I hardly think it compares
with the agonies of the cross!

KNOCK AT DOOR

Er... Mr Hankins.

Forgive the interruption,
but I, er...

I-I urgently need
Miss Lambe's assistance with...

with a matter
pertaining to the Regatta!

Of what nature?

With, er...

the, er...

..duck race.

May I let you into a secret,
Miss Lambe?

There is no duck race. Ha!

It was a ruse!

You can leave me now.

I have no further need
of your company.

Come, Miss Lambe!

Now that we have sprung you
from your quarters,

we might as well enjoy the regatta.

Do you suppose there will be
a cake stall?

I do hope so!

It's a little over an hour
until the race, Mr Parker.

I'm letting
all the competitors know.

Thank you.

Well, what do you think,
Miss Heywood?

Do I look ready to you?

I am no expert.

Neither am I, regrettably.

I haven't picked up an oar in years.

I'm sure it'll all come back to you.

I wonder.

Thank you.

"A man cannot step
into the same river twice."

Have you ever heard that?

"For he is not the same man
and it is not the same river."

It's Heraclitus.

Yes...

Of course you'd know that.

Well, I need a second person
to balance the boat, would you mind?

I'm not sure if I...
Come on.

Careful.

Sit down behind here.

May I ask you something,
Miss Heywood?

Why is it, when I finally have
a chance of happiness...

..can I not accept the fact?

What is it you can not accept?

I had convinced myself that
I was destined to remain alone...

..that I was ill-suited
for matrimony.

I don't believe that anybody
is truly unsuited to marriage.

Not even you.

HE CHUCKLES

I suppose it's just a question
of compatibility?

Yes.

I suppose you're right.

Now... it's your turn.

Give me your hands.

Lower your hands.

Good.

That's it.

Here.

Keep your back straight.

HE CHUCKLES

ELIZA: Sidney!

My dear Esther,

I have to hand it to you,
you played that brilliantly!

The look on Clara's face!

Do you take pleasure in this?

What? You heard her. We won.

The money, it's ours.

How?

My inheritance is far from assured.

And you're disowned.

By her, perhaps.

But that is no great loss.

You shall hardly wish to see me
flung out without a penny.

Even now that's all you care about?

No.

No, this is about us
this is about our future...

There is no us.
There is no future.

You saw to that
when you schemed with Clara...

I did what I had to.

We would have been left
with nothing.

I loved you.

LADY SUSAN: Ah, Mr Mullan!

How good of you to come.

May I introduce my new friend,
Charlotte Heywood?

Pleased to meet you.

Are all of these people here
at your invitation?

Not necessarily.

But a social circle
is like the cog of a clock.

Once you've set one in motion,
the others are bound to follow.

Ah, Lord Grasmere!

May I introduce my friend,
Charlotte Heywood?

Miss Heywood,
a pleasure to meet you.

Oh, you have made the day a success.

I hardly know how to thank you.

You have no need to thank me.

I came here to enjoy your company.

Yes, please.

SHE LAUGHS

Look who's coming our way.

I think we can safely say we have
found Mrs Campion's Achilles heel.

What is it?

You.

SIDNEY: Thank you.

May we join you?
Mm!

What is the topic of discussion?

Miss Heywood and I
were just discussing marriage.

What is your opinion of marriage,
Mr Parker?

I cannot speak of it
with any authority, I'm afraid.

Huh.
What about you, Miss Heywood?

You're of marrying age.
It must be much on your mind.

There seems little point
considering marriage

until you've found someone
you'd wish to marry.

There must be a boy in your village
that's caught your eye?

And why should Charlotte
be limited to her village?

I always think it helps to share
a common background, that's all.

Miss Heywood is hardly likely

to find a kindred spirit
in this company.

And why not?

I just imagine she must find all
our London talk unspeakably tedious.

Wouldn't you agree, Sidney?

I have no doubt that Charlotte

would rather be sat somewhere
quietly reading Heraclitus...

LAUGHTER

Sidney, you are wicked!

That will certainly
not help her find a husband.

You are quite right, Mrs Campion.

I'm a farmer's daughter
who reads books.

What could I possibly have in common
with anyone here?

Excuse me.

Miss Heywood.
Would you excuse me?

The race is about to start...
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

I only ask for a moment.

Well?

I hope you were not too offended
by Mrs Campion.

It was only meant in jest.

Is that all I am to you?

A source of amusement?

No, of course not, you're...

Forgive me...

On the contrary,
you have done me a great service.

I'm no longer in any doubt
as to how you regard me.

Miss Heywood...
What?

What is it you want from me?

Please...

be kind enough to leave me alone.

Excuse me.

Sir Edward.

Tell me, how is your aunt?
Alive, if that's what you're asking.

She's risen, Lazarus-like
from her deathbed.

But that is wonderful news!

Is it not?

I am quite beside myself.

HE CHUCKLES

I hate you for dragging me here.
Everyone is staring at me.

Judging me. The ruined woman.

To be fair, Miss Lambe,
people have always stared at you.

I thought you'd be used to it
by now.

And you are far from ruined.

You have your whole life
ahead of you.

I think you might be the most
infuriating man I have ever met.

HE CHUCKLES

I shall take that as a compliment.

Miss Lambe!

Sir Edward!

Word to the wise, Babington.

You should know my sister
is utterly deluded.

She's been making the most
preposterous slurs against my name.

All in some cynical bid to steal
my share of an inheritance.

It breaks my heart to say it,
but she's dead to me.

You're welcome to her.

What did he mean, Crowe?

"Utterly deluded."
That's not the Esther Denham I know.

Who cares, man?

Focus on the matter at hand.

I have five pounds
on us taking first place.

Here he is!

How did you fare, then?

Was the conversation as substantial
as you'd hoped?

Let's just focus on the race,
shall we?

I'm damned if I'll lose to him
twice in a day.

My lords, ladies and gentlemen!

The Men's Race is about to begin!

CHATTERING

LAUGHTER

Yes, this is such a good view
from here.

Well, brothers...

I trust we're feeling confident?

That's not the word I would choose.

Especially now
that I've seen the opposition.

I wonder
if we should have a strategy?

My strategy principally
revolves around not drowning.

Sidney? What do you think?

How the hell should I know?

I'm going to wish them luck.

Good luck, the Parkers!

Good luck, Mr Stringer!

Thank you, Miss.

Push off.

BLOWS WHISTLES

Oarsmen, move into line.

Hold station, four.

Move up, three.

Number four, move up.

Ready...

Attention...

Good luck, gentlemen.

Go!
Find your rhythm, here we go!

Come on, Sidney! Come on, Tom!

HE GROANS

Row...
Together!

Pull! Together!

Pull! Together!

Come on, Parkers!
We're inches in it, come on.

In. Out. In...
Come on!

Well done, men.
You're doing very well!

Looking good!

In... out!

In...
Come on!

Here we go now.
Come on, men, push through!

BOTH GIGGLING

MARY: Excuse us....

Miss Heywood.

Mrs Campion.

COXES YELL

They're gaining on us!

Bugger that.

Easy, Crowe! Easy!

Trust me. I am in complete control.

Easy!

Hard left, man! Hard left!

Crowe!

COXES YELL

I do hope Sidney wins.

I have never seen the point of
entering a race unless you win it.

Here they come!

Is not that my brothers'
boat in the lead?

Oh, go on, the Parkers!

COXES YELL

Go on, son!

Pull!
They're gaining!

Together!

Pull!

Come on, Tom! Come on, Sidney!

In. Out.

Come on, Arthur!

Lads! We got them, lads!

Come on! Pull!

Come on, Sidney!
Come on, Tom!

Come on!

Come on, pull!

Together!

Come on, boys, together!

Come on, Sidney!

Come on, boys, together! Together!

Come on, young 'un!
Come on, young 'un!

Yes! Yes!
OLD STRINGER LAUGHS

Yes!

APPLAUSE
FRED LAUGHS

EXCITED CHATTER

Thank you.

Not a bad effort, young 'un.

The winner of the First Annual
Sanditon Gentlemen's Race

is the boat captained
by Mr James Stringer!

APPLAUSE

Not bad, eh?

Well done, Mr Stringer.
Thank you, Sir.

Not the prize I was after.

Well rowed.
TOM: Well done, Stringer.

Well coxed.
Well rowed.

LADY SUSAN: Well, Mr Parker,

I must thank you
for a most invigorating day.

It is I who must thank you, ma'am.

And if I might presume, I hope that
we might see you in Sanditon again,

perhaps for longer next time?
There is a distinct likelihood.

I have one friend in particular

who would be rather taken
with the place.

He would be most welcome,
of course...

Or... or she.

Goodbye, Charlotte.

You must not lose heart.

The race is not yet run.

Thank you, but, I am more or less
resigned to its outcome.

Ah, my dear girl,

when it comes to love, there is no
such thing as a foregone conclusion.

"One particular friend."

She must surely be talking
about the Prince Regent himself!

Goodbye.

Your regatta was a huge triumph!

Come, Mary.

We can hardly call it "my" regatta.

It was our regatta.

It wouldn't have happened
without Charlotte...

Couldn't have happened without you.

Why did I ever think
to hide a thing from you...

When you... you are my strength,
my inspiration.

What a fool I was.

I promise you this much.

I'll never hide the smallest worry
from you again.

Starting with the fact that right
now my entire body is in spasm.

Come on, old man. Let's get you home
and into a hot bath.

BOTH CHUCKLE

Yes, please.

You know you didn't have
to wait for me.

I've waited ten years.
What's another quarter of an hour?

The truth is
now that I've found you again,

I can scarcely bring myself
to let you out of my sight.

Eliza, I...
You know, I never lost hope

that we would stand
beside each other once more.

Here we are.

Fate has gifted us a second chance.

EDWARD: The vanquished enemy
retreats.

I was never your enemy.

Poor Edward.

What is to become of you now?

I have no need of your sympathy.

I am still a gentleman.

I have a title.

Everything that you own
is in those pathetic little bags.

Yes, but I had nothing to lose.

You've lost everything.

Look at you.

Alone and unloved.

Trust me, that is not an easy place
to find yourself.

I will spare you a thought
now and then.

I know you will think of me.

BELL RINGS

DOOR OPENING

APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS

Sir! I am quite capable
of finding my own way there,

thank you very much!
I told you to refuse all visitors!

Wait!

I ask only for a moment.

Miss Denham, I have done all I can
to forget about you,

but it is quite impossible.

I feel I could spend
a thousand years in your company

and still not fathom you out.

And yet, when I heard
your brother speak of you today

in the most derogatory terms,

I felt I finally began
to understand...

You know nothing!

I think you've been his prisoner
for too long.

He alone has had the power
to determine your self-worth

and he has abused that power
in ways I can barely even guess at.

SHE SOBS

I do not know what has transpired.

But I only hope this means
you are free at last of his...

..pernicious influence.

And I know you don't hold me
in much esteem,

but I came here without expectation

and in the spirit of friendship
to make you a promise.

Your brother is not going
to make a victim out of you.

I will not allow it.

DOOR CLOSES

If you're looking
for your brother...

I'm not.

As a matter of fact,
I was looking for you.

I thought you and Mrs Campion
would be heading back to London.

She's already left.

I decided against joining her.

On reflection, I realised...

I would rather be here.

I, er...

I am a great deal less than perfect.

You've made me
all too aware of that.

But for whatever it is worth...

..I believe I am my best self...

..my truest self...

..when I'm with you.

That is all.