04x12 - The Shakedown

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Previously on Reign CLAUDE: In a year I'll have an heir.

I'll never have to be with Luc again.

Leith, I won't fall in love with him, I promise.

CATHERINE: Henri, this ambition that you carry endangers not only you brother's life, but your own.

Spain wants Henri on the throne and you do not have the power to save Charles.

HENRI: It's called The Goetia, the book of black magic.

CATHERINE: And bestow my king with power to conquer all enemies.

MARY: Bothwell, I know we hardly know each other, but yet, here I am, asking you to risk everything for me.

With or without your crown, I would do anything for you.

The threats you made can never be taken back.

- We are finished.

- DARNLEY: Then, from now on, I will do nothing but drink and whore my way through Scotland.

Bothwell, arrest him.

You can't arrest me.

All I have to do is say that that child isn't mine and you and your heir will both pay the price.

MARY: You would condemn your own child?
And who would believe you?
Any man would.

Dear Lord, we thank thee for this humble offering (Rumbling)
What's happening?
What's happening?
- DAUGHTER: Father!
- Under the table!
Under the table!
- No!
- (Screaming)
MARY: The damage to the region was devastating.

Hundreds were pulled from the rubble.

The survivors are gathering wherever they can, without food or shelter.

It is a terrible tragedy.

We must pray that God has mercy on their souls.

Indeed, Lord Ruthven.

But they'll need more than God's mercy.

With winter coming, they need food, medicine and shelter immediately.

Not to mention rebuilding the villages that have been destroyed.

All of which costs money.

And what are the finances of Scotland to you?
I thought you were some sort of traveling merchant.

David Rizzio is my advisor, and as a businessman from Turin, he is an expert in accounting.

Well, I don't know how they account for their money in Turin, but in Scotland, a fund for catastrophic events has already been set aside and managed by the Crown.

But if the costs were to run higher than expected, we had hoped that we could count on the privy council for additional support.

Surely you are not suggesting that we take money from other necessary expenses?
Especially when an emergency fund has already been established.

Unless there has been some mismanagement by the Crown?
- Of course not.

- Because there are rumors that you struggle financially due to your expensive Catholic wedding and your constant maneuvers against England.

If the privy council were forced to pay - for your mistakes - They won't be.

I look forward to reporting on the relief effort at the next privy council meeting.

Thank you, Lord Ruthven.

Lord Ruthven, uh, before you go, I'd like to show you some It appears your meeting didn't go as planned.

What went wrong?
Did you ask Lord Ruthven for money?
Reverend Knox.

Are you here to bring comfort to the suffering, or merely bring suffering to me?
I came to preach the word of God to these poor people in their time of need.

This disaster is more than an emergency for Scotland.

It's an emergency for your rule.

If you can't provide for your people, it will expose your failures as a leader.

How can you call yourself a man of God when you would use the suffering of others to further your political agenda?
Letting you fall is the best thing I can do for the people of Scotland.

You scheme for power, you married a traitor (Chuckles)
You even betrayed your brother James, stripping him of his land and title, and banishing him to save yourself.

You are responsible for the deceit that led to James' involvement in Lord Hamilton's death, and we both know it.

No, you are responsible.

For all of it.

Now, either you fail your people, or you ask the privy council for extra funds and reveal your weakness.

Either way, you take one more step towards your eventual removal from the throne.

- Looks like I win again.

- (Giggles)
NICOLE: Straight through the heart.

Just like Cupid's arrow.

LUC: Well, I think that we should get another turn, Claude starts quivering every time I put my arms around her.

I do not.

And even if I did, no one ever beats Charles.

He's the best archer in the family.

We let him think so, anyway.

I'm happy to prove myself against you, Brother.

It was a joke, Charles.

Besides, I promised Mother I'd stop challenging the king of France.

Don't let my crown get in the way.

I know how much you want it.

In fact, I'll wager you for it.

If I sh**t that apple off your head, you bow to me.

If I miss, the crown is yours.

CLAUDE: If you miss, Henri could be dead.

One of us has to be.

Your Majesty, with all due respect This is between me and my brother!
Maybe some other time.

(Henri grunts, Nicole gasps)
Charles!
- Henri, you all right?
- CHARLES: He's fine.

But he's not the king.

- Nicole.

- (Quietly): My love.

Steady.

GIDEON: The lords of the privy council would like to throw a luncheon for you and the archduke when he returns from Austria with a marriage contract.

Add it to my schedule, Lord Blackburn.

Jane, is my tea cold?
I couldn't say, Your Majesty.

Taste it and tell me.

It's quite warm.

Oh.

Well, this one is ruined.

Take it away and have them bring me another.

(Cup rattles on plate)
Elizabeth, you are safe.

Your food is regularly tested for poison.

Perhaps I'd feel more relaxed if my court were regularly tested for traitors.

I told you, a very small group of Catholic nobles tried to engineer an insurrection against you; they failed, and they have been punished.

Your subjects support you now more than ever.

Because I am providing them with a Catholic king.

An engagement you told me must happen for my own protection.

I know.

This is difficult for both of us.

Could reassure you better if you let me come to your chambers.

How can I?
I am about to become engaged.

I must appear above reproach.

Even with the archduke gone, all eyes at court are on me.

I am surrounded by false friends who either want to throw an engagement party or have me k*lled.

It's unbearable.

Come away with me.

- Don't joke.

- I'm serious.

I have access to a remote cottage up the coast.

Slip away and meet me there.

I'm the queen of England, Gideon.

I can't slip away.

Oh, just for a day or two.

Make an excuse, say you need a sabbatical for secluded prayer and reflection.

You cannot remain under this cloud of fear and suspicion.

If you stay here, the pressure of it will drive you mad.

Just as desire will drive me mad if I can't touch more than your hand.

What part of me were you thinking of touching?
(Knocks on door, then door opens)
(Clears throat)
Uh - Your request has been noted - Mm-hmm.

Lord Blackburn.

(Door closes)
See to the arrangements immediately.

Of course, Your Majesty.

- - MARY: Inform the King Consort that his wife is here to see him.

(Darnley whispers indistinctly, woman laughs)
WOMAN: Mm.

Ah, a visit from the queen.

What an unexpected honor.

Don't expect her to bow, she's Russian.

(Whispering): Doesn't speak a word of English.

Probably doesn't know who you are.

Oh.

What do you think of her new necklace?
It really brings out her breasts, don't you think?
I need to talk to you.

Alone.

(Darnley sighs, woman giggles)
MARY: We agreed to maintain the image of a proper marriage.

Everyone at court thinks you're here managing your estate.

Don't worry, I've kept my less savory activities quiet.

Not entirely.

Lord Ruthven knows that we have been having financial difficulties.

I knew you were being indulgent with your spending, but I didn't realize how indulgent until I went to the treasury to withdraw funds for the disaster victims.

They informed me that you had taken that money, as well.

It's all our money now, darling.

You tried to strip me of everything I'm entitled to, so I have to take what I can get.

Because you want me to beg you for the money back?
No, "beg" is an ugly word, I prefer "negotiate." There is nothing to negotiate!
The disaster left thousands homeless.

You can't let the Scottish people suffer to punish me.

I need that money, or whatever is left of it, to help the victims.

Despite what you think of me, I'm not a monster.

Of course I'll help you.

I have the money right here.

Ah, ah, ah, ah.

You can have it on one condition.

I want to come home to court.

You can't want that any more that I do.

We hate each other.

True.

And you are with child, so marital relations are out of the question.

However, returning to court would give me something else.

Respect.

People can't bow to a king they don't see.

I know you want to keep me here to minimize me, but bring me home, an equal by your side, and you will have the money.

Those are my terms.

If you don't meet them, then you may as well be murdering your own people.

It's up to you, Mary.

The fate of your nation is in your hands.

You're not seriously suggesting we throw Darnley a party?
It's what he wants.

Recognition at my side as we announce the funding for the relief effort.

With so many lives at stake, I have no choice but to welcome him back to court with open arms.

He doesn't belong in the same room with you, much less at your side.

There has to be some other way.

Mary and I already spoke with Lord Ruthven.

He made it very clear that if the privy council finds out the funds have been mismanaged, Mary will look weak.

And I must appear strong if I want the council's support when I move on England.

But you can't actually trust him to keep his word and give you the money.

Oh, I don't.

But Darnley's ego has given us an opportunity.

While he enjoys his victory show with the nobles, his king's guards will be here at court, leaving the Lennox estate vulnerable.

While Darnley's distracted at the party, I could take some men and retrieve the gold.

The money belongs to the Crown, David.

If you were caught with it, you'd be thrown in jail for robbery.

I need to collect the money myself.

Well, I'm going with you.

If it's Darnley's money, too, he may try to take it back.

The money will be protected once we get it to the church.

Father Quinn has agreed to set up a charity fund in my name.

It will provide for the victims for now, and it will allow me to protect my money from Darnley in the future.

Darnley's already provided a guest list.

I'll send out the invitations.

And I'll talk to the kitchen staff about a menu.

I believe roast pig is appropriate - for the occasion.

- (Rizzio laughs)
I don't like this.

Even if it's just for show, bringing Darnley back to court as your equal is dangerous.

He's a power-hungry insecure man who's capable of anything.

He is also a political necessity, so I must manage him as best I can.

And by taking his money, I will take a piece of his power.

But bringing him back into your life it opens the doors to other demands.

Not to mention how much I hate the idea of him being near you.

The truth is, I can't put my feelings for you aside.

For my safety and yours, you must.

I hate this, too, Bothwell.

But what else can I do?
(Knock on door)
Oh, um, put the bread down, and tell the baker from now on I do not wish to be disturbed.

It appears I've disturbed you already.

Not at all.

I'm just stunned.

You're unrecognizable.

- That is the point.

- Mm.

I told everyone at the castle I needed a few days at a secluded retreat.

And the moment I put on this disguise, I wasn't afraid anymore.

Gideon, it's so wonderful.

Ah, for a few days I'm not Queen Elizabeth, but Julia, the baker's daughter.

Well, allow me to introduce myself.

Captain Bernard, retired navy man.

(Chuckles)
It's a pleasure, Captain.

But now that I'm here safe, - there's no need for this disguise.

- No.

I like it.

(Chuckles)
NARCISSE: Henri, you can't expect me to believe that Charles has won your respect?
Why not?
After all, he is my older, more experienced brother.

A point he constantly enjoys making.

In fact, I'm on my way to a meeting with Charles and his generals now.

He thought it would be good for me to learn leadership at his kingly knee.

I feel a strange kind of kinship towards you, Henri, so I know that you are not the type to give up so easily.

Oh, I haven't given up.

I'm just waiting for the right moment.

And what is that moment?
I'll know it when I see it.

A delicate situation has developed here, Granville, a coastal region where several English expatriates reside.

Two English lords are refusing to pay taxes to the French Crown.

What's delicate about that?
Taking official action against foreign citizens risks a diplomatic incident.

The English lords are also Protestant.

Their refusal to pay a Catholic king has inspired the French Protestants to do the same.

It could inspire a full-on rebellion.

I see.

In my experience, Protestant rebellions need to be put down firmly.

I've done it before, and my people were grateful.

I even have a baby named after me.

That is impressive.

I wonder, Henri, what would you do in this situation?
It's not for me to say.

But in my experience, I've found it best to wait for an advantage before I strike.

Then it's a good thing you aren't the king.

Two weeks ago, when Henri challenged his throne, Charles was understandably shaken.

Now he practically sh**t his brother's hand off, and Henri does nothing.

What changed?
Perhaps nothing, and you were wrong to doubt both Charles and me.

He is a strong king.

Or you are hiding something.

You heard me, General, round up every tax offender and throw them in debtors' jail at once.

But, Your Majesty, putting English nobles in a pauper's prison is unprecedented.

Perhaps a stern warning.

I've made my decision!
I am the king, and the king's word is law.

Henri, tell me that I didn't just hear your brother order the arrest of English nobility.

I'm surprised you could hear anything over the sound of his lion-like roar.

Face it, Mother, Charles is out of control.

Whatever you've done, and whatever you are going to do, if it involves propping up Charles, you are playing a very dangerous game.

Oh, my God Mother, what in God's name are you doing?
It is none of your business.

CLAUDE: What is that?
What are you doing sneaking into my chambers?
Returning your earrings and uncovering your pact with the devil, apparently.

It wasn't a pact.

It was one tiny spell.

It was a good luck charm, really.

I was only trying to help Charles feel stronger.

Are you telling me that this heresy is the reason Charles has been so aggressive lately?
No.

Maybe.

I might have overdone the ram's horn Mother!
I promise, I promise, I will never do this again.

Clearly, Charles has gone too far.

Once I remove the spell, I will try to fix the situation - with conventional methods.

- How?
I'll write to a French lord that I know in Granville, and I'll ask him to convince the English to negotiate.

Charles can't know that I've had anything to do with this, because he'll refuse.

And Narcisse can't know either, so don't tell Luc.

I'm not going to lie for you, Mother.

That's not who I am.

Since when?
Tell me, how are you and Luc getting along?
We're not.

I don't like him at all.

I heard you were practically swooning during archery.

Admit it, you're attracted to your husband, and you're lying about it.

Because I can't have feelings for Luc.

I swore to Leith I wouldn't fall in love with him.

I know that Luc isn't the man that you wanted to spend the rest of your life with, but you've made promises to him, too.

Luc needs an heir to carry his family's name.

It's an arranged marriage, not a promise from the heart.

No, but a promise nonetheless.

So you've told Leith that you won't fall in love with anyone else, and you've promised Luc an heir.

Do you really think that you can keep both promises?
Yes.

Yes, I do.

(Door creaks)
Oh.

Claude.

- I didn't hear you - I should have knocked.

No, it's fine.

Did you want something?
Yes actually.

Are you sure about this?
(Indistinct chatter)
It's good to be back.

So many people turned out to praise our generosity.

Lord Kinloch traveled three hours to be here.

I'm surprised he came at all.

Kinloch hasn't been to court in months.

Not since I ruled against him in a property dispute.

I suppose I should attribute his presence to your popularity.

Yes.

Everyone but you seems happy to see me.

I'm smiling, aren't I?
Your doting wife sharing the limelight.

You're getting everything you want.

As will you, Mary.

I will have the money delivered as soon as this evening is a success and my things are brought back to court.

In the meantime, we should give the people what they want.

Thank you all for coming.

These have been somber times for Scotland.

When I heard of the tragedies in the Highland, I cut short my visit to my family home and rushed back to be at my wife's side.

I told Queen Mary that it is our duty to act quickly.

We vow to do everything in our power to help those victims who have lost all they have.

(Applause, cheers)
To Scotland.

GUESTS: To Scotland!
I am proud to be king of this beautiful country, as I am husband to my beautiful queen.

(Applause)
Was that really necessary?
Well, when you finally announce that we're expecting a child, you want people to believe that I'm the father, don't you?
Besides, I enjoyed it.

Although I can't say the same for Lord Bothwell.

(Mary sighs)
You can't expect everyone to be glad you're back at court, Darnley.

Some of us know you.

(Chuckles softly)
Mary, I think Rizzio needs to speak with you.

MARY: Oh.

It might be important.

The Italian ambassador was complaining about a trade agreement earlier.

If you start talking to that windbag now, you'll be gone for days.

I should handle this.

Give my apologies to our guests.

Bothwell is waiting outside with horses and queensguard.

I'll return as soon as the money is safe at the church.

Help Greer keep Darnley occupied.

Already arranged a steady flow of wine.

(Chuckles softly)
Thank you for this, Gideon.

I've never been able to forget who I am, not even for a moment.

- But you gave me a way to escape.

- Hmm.

(Laughing)
: And it's wonderful.

Julia and Bernard have a good life.

Mm-hmm.

I envy them.

- Mm.

- Although they are quite poor and powerless, and their clothes itch.

But they are free to love without fear.

And they can even do this There's something else I'd like to do.

Mm-hmm?
I've always wondered if queens can swim.

- (Shrieks)
- Yes!
Slips through your fingers Till everything is lost (Shrieks, laughter)
Can't stop the clock from running Out of time (Jane and Gideon gasp)
- Jane!
- Lord Blackburn.

What are you?
Oh, my God.

W-What are you doing here?
You left court, Your Majesty.

I-I was given time off to visit family.

Please let me go.

No one has to know I was here, we could just pretend it never happened.

I swear on my life, I will say nothing.

Of course you won't.

You're a loyal servant, Jane.

Her Majesty knows this isn't your fault.

It's just an unfortunate misunderstand (Grunts)
Elizabeth.

She saw too much.

Lord Kinloch, I hope to see more of you in court from now on.

(Chuckles softly)
I doubt your wife feels the same way.

Clearly, she was avoiding at least one of us tonight.

But I look forward to seeing more of the king.

Despite the weather, your evening looks like quite the success.

Yes.

It was.

No thanks to Mary.

She's not even here to say good-bye to our guests.

The Italian situation must have become complicated.

Still, it's odd.

There are a lot of politically important people here.

It's not like Mary to risk offending them and Unless she had something to gain.

Now that I think about it, Lord Bothwell has also been missing for most of the evening.

I hadn't noticed.

I wasn't supposed to notice either, was I?
Any chance you're going to tell me what he and Mary are up to?
How silly of me, I accidentally opened another bottle.

Care for some wine, Your Majesty?
Never mind.

I think I know exactly where they've gone.

CATHERINE: Charles.

It's late.

Is something wrong?
Uh, just the opposite, actually.

I received a letter from a French lord in Granville who says the English would like to negotiate.

That's wonderful.

You can tell General LeCroix to hold off on their arrest.

If you think that's what should be done.

Well - Suppose it's worth reconsidering.

- Mm.

But I don't want to appear weak.

Well, avoiding conflict isn't weak, it's smart.

Sending a man to debtor's prison makes it harder for him to pay.

I think this meeting is a chance to show them how strong and confident you really are.

Maybe you're right.

I'll send word and meet with the two English lords immediately.

Thank you, Mother.

Of course.

Anything I can do to help my son, the king.

(Muffled whimpering)
She saw us.

Gideon.

I cannot risk my reputation.

I am the "Virgin Queen"!
Not to mention, my marriage to the archduke is my best protection against my enemies.

That engagement will be undone if this girl lives to speak.

Because you and I spent a carefree moment together, an innocent girl, a loyal servant, must lose her life?
Yes.

She is a danger!
What are innocence and loyalty to me?
Lola was both, and she conspired to have me k*lled.

Lola actively betrayed you, you had no choice, and still her death haunts you.

Jane has done nothing.

She's only guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

How will you feel with her blood - on your hands?
- Safe.

And when you are the queen of England, that is the only feeling that matters.

(Sighs)
Guards are still searching, but they've found no money hidden anywhere.

There has to be.

This chest was full.

You can't wait any longer.

Take what money you have and we'll find the rest later.

Your Majesty, kingsguard are approaching.

I've been gone for too long, and Darnley must have suspected why I left.

Take the queen and the gold and get to Father Quinn.

You must secure what money you have in the church fund.

Bothwell, you can't stay.

If Darnley finds you here and the money gone Your only chance is if I slow him down.

Go.

Search the house.

Where's my wife?
Dealing with urgent business.

Meaning she stole my money and left you here to deal with me.

I believe what she said was "Clean up my mess.

" Then Mary has left me in a very interesting situation.

On the one hand, I finally have you alone without your royal protector.

On the other hand, she has taken my money and I should probably go and get it back.

Luckily, I have kingsguard.

We'll divide and conquer.

I can't let you do that.

You think you can stop me?
I'm the king of Scotland.

I could have you k*lled for just touching me.

You make good on the thr*at, lest you're just hollow words.

You're actually willing to die for her.

I thought you just hated me, but you love her.

Oh, that's gonna make this feel even better.

(Grunting)
Guards!
That was a mistake.

Give him a b*ating.

(Grunting)
It's dark enough now.

I'll take Jane to the woods and when I return, we can return to court.

You've k*lled for me before.

This is no different.

And when it's done, you will feel no safer.

- Gideon.

- No, can you really tell me that when Lola d*ed, you felt safer?
Or just more alone?
It's my fault this is happening.

I asked you to come here as an escape, but but you feel there is danger around every corner, doubt that you can trust anyone because of who you are.

And I can't help you escape that.

(Knocking on door)
(Muffled screaming)
What's this about?
- We're searching for a missing girl.

- Ah.

A fisherman was bringing his boat in just before sundown, saw a scuffle down the shore.

There's no girl here.

I can't.

Run.

And don't let anyone hear you.

Go out the back.

And if you tell anyone about this, I will hunt you down and k*ll your entire family.

Do you understand?
Yes.

Yes Try not to worry.

Rizzio is out looking for what Darnley did with that money.

Hopefully there will be a way to reclaim it.

I'm more concerned about leaving Bothwell with Darnley.

Every minute that passes with neither one of them returning Bothwell had to buy time to allow you to deliver the money to the church.

But he would never harm Darnley, knowing the risk it would bring to you.

And what's to stop Darnley from harming Bothwell?
Darnley's back.

He's brought Bothwell with him.

Is Bothwell all right?
I didn't see.

The kingsguard put him under arrest.

The privy council meeting is tomorrow morning.

Did you find the missing money?
Darnley spent it.

He's been buying property, including the disputed land you took from Lord Kinloch.

But for what purpose?
He's been buying influence with my enemies.

He's been actively working against me, bleeding Scotland to gain power for himself.

(Door opens)
This is what you planned all along.

You forced me to bring you back to court, not just for your ego, but so you could use my money to buy yourself influence.

And Lord Kinloch is now a loyal ally.

How low will you sink?
Your desire for power is no surprise, but you've taken it a step too far.

You are now actively working against me and the Scottish people.

And what have you done, Mary?
You lied to me, stole from me, and have betrayed me with another man.

What are you talking about?
Your Lord Bothwell all but told me to my face that he is in love with you.

But don't worry, darling.

I defended your honor by b*ating him within an inch of his life.

What have you done?
If Bothwell dies, I swear to you He won't die.

k*lling Bothwell would've made it look like I care.

Just as fearing him dead has revealed your true feelings about him, which puts you in a precarious position, given that child you're carrying.

It is your child.

Nothing has ever happened between Bothwell and me.

The only reason he returned to court was to protect me from you.

Tell him I said "Good luck." NARCISSE: Luc, I need to talk to you about Claude.

If you're going to ask me to spy on my wife to get information about Charles or Henri, the answer is no, especially not now that Claude and I have decided to pursue a real marriage.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, especially as I found this.

The pursuit of information on Charles led my spies at court to intercept this letter.

(Sighs)
Claude hired investigators to locate Leith and deliver it to him.

Leith?
But he's been gone for months.

According to this letter, Claude promises to join him once she has provided you with an heir.

I am sorry, Luc, but there are factions forming within the Valois family, and our survival depends on using every resource we have, including your marriage, to ensure we ally ourselves with the winning side.

That's not the kind of marriage I wanted.

But apparently it's the kind you have.

Oh, God, there you are.

I've just learned that His Majesty is returning from Granville, so we are all here to congratulate him.

You seem awfully confident of Charles' success.

Too confident.

What did you do?
(Laughing): Nothing.

Charles just made a very reasonable decision to negotiate with the tax offenders.

- (Horns trumpeting)
- Not much glory in that.

CATHERINE: A true king doesn't seek glory, he seeks peace.

Spoken like a queen.

- (Woman shouts)
- CATHERINE: Dear God.

(Gasps)
The Englishmen.

I can't believe Charles took their heads.

NARCISSE: Arresting them would've been bad enough, this is the act of a madman leading us to w*r.

CATHERINE: Charles.

(Whispering): Charles.

Charles.

What are we going to do?
We have to find a way to help Charles.

We can't or at least I can't.

I can't help you because I can't be with you, not anymore.

(Laughing): What are you talking about?
Oh, where did you get that?
(Sighs)
I would have told you eventually.

When?
After you left me to raise our child alone?
Look, Luc, you don't understand.

You promised another man that you would never love me.

And I wanted to keep that promise more than anything, but it may already be too late.

I think I could grow to love you, too, Luc, and that makes me feel terrible.

Why?
Because I made a vow to Leith.

I grew up in this house, surrounded by lies and betrayal.

If I break my promise, my vow I'm no better than my mother or your father or anyone here at court.

Don't you see?
I don't want to become one of them.

You won't.

I'll make sure you keep your promise.

I'm done asking for your heart and offering you mine.

From now on, our marriage will be a political formality, nothing more.

What in God's name did you do?
I ordered their heads cut off.

There was so much blood.

(Whispering): Charles, what happened?
The plan was to talk to the English lords, to negotiate.

That was my plan.

I felt so confident and powerful, and then suddenly it all went away.

I realized, what if it was a trap?
What if the French Protestants found out about the meeting and used it to spark a rebellion?
No, I had to do something to prove myself.

- Wha - I constantly have to prove myself or people will rise against me!
My dearest boy, this is all my fault.

I've made you like this.

Charles, please forgive me.

I just wanted to protect you by making you strong.

Strong?
I am not strong; I am weak, and everyone can see it but you.

First Leeza, then Henri.

I couldn't let England see that, or my own people.

That's why I ordered those heads cut off, to hide the truth about what I really am.

I'm afraid.

GIDEON: Several nobles are waiting to welcome you back.

They trust your sabbatical was rejuvenating.

In a way, it was.

You were right about Lola's death haunting me, Gideon.

When she was brought to execution, she had a look in her eyes I will never forget.

Jane had that same look.

Elizabeth, I know you may not feel any safer, but you did the right thing, letting her flee.

Or maybe I just made the biggest mistake of my life.

ELIZABETH: Jane.

What are you doing here?
I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I had nowhere else to go.

You must know you're signing your own death warrant.

Would it be any different if I hadn't returned?
Knowing I was alive, you would always have reason to fear me.

This way, I have a chance to convince you I was telling the truth.

I swore I would keep your secret and I will.

You don't know me well enough to trust me, but I know you.

I grew up in this court; I have watched you all my life.

I knew about Lord Dudley, and I never said a thing.

Please, I need this work.

JANE: Her Majesty agreed to let me stay.

The terrible coincidence of our encounter brought some good, after all.

Elizabeth trusts me, despite what I know that could be used against her, and now, because of her trust, we will be able to learn so much more.

What happened?
I was told that the court ambassador to England was waiting in the throne room, insisting on speaking with the king.

He was, as were our own nobles.

They were up in arms, as well, but Henri took charge.

He used the situation to his own advantage.

His speech was quite stirring, something about Englishmen being swine and how France would never back down.

Our French nobles, they were cheering, but the ambassador, well, he didn't take it quite so well.

I suppose he's returned to England to report to Elizabeth.

On the very next ship.

You have to admit, I was right about Henri.

That boy has talent.

Unfortunately, it's a talent for going after what doesn't belong to him.

You're wasting your time with the wrong man.

Excuse me?
Your brother is the king of France.

Not Charles we both know you don't care about him.

I'm talking about Narcisse.

He's not the man for you.

And who is?
It's not as bad as it looks.

- I imagine it's worse.

- (Chuckles)
Darnley could've k*lled you.

Next time, he won't hold back.

But now he knows that while he's the father of your child, he'll never be the man that you love.

No.

That is someone else.

(Grunts)
If Darnley is no longer motivated to share your power, he's gonna try and take it.

He's a thr*at to your throne and to your life, Mary.

You need to get rid of him.

I'm not ready to talk about k*lling a king or to have my child without a father.

There has to be another way, and I will find it, as long as I have you by my side.

DARNLEY: That bitch.

I am her Catholic husband, and she uses the Church against me.

She thinks that she can refuse me the Crown Matrimonial, cut me off financially, and I will just sit quietly like a beaten dog.

KNOX: You were on the right track, winning Lord Kinloch to your side.

Now you must win the privy council.

They blame Mary for mishandling the money for the disaster relief.

You could win them over with a few targeted payments.

As you pointed out, I have no money.

I can raise all we need.

With the right people on our side, I could convince the council to override Mary and grant you the Crown Matrimonial.

Why would you do that for me?
Our mutual distaste of Mary doesn't exactly make us friends, and I am a Catholic.

You are a man, a man whose strength and leadership cannot be cast aside.

Now, I am more than willing to make an investment in Scotland's future, if that future is free of the queen.

As for your religious convictions, there is such a thing as conversion.

Perhaps I should keep an open mind.