Christmas at Castle Hart (2021) Movie Script
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one horse
- Sparkling cranberry.
- Oh!
Sparkling cranberry.
Thank you.
And this is for you.
And then this
one is for her.
Oh!
Oh.
Uhh.
You.
What are these?
Oh. Uh, eclairs
with icing sugar?
I wouldn't feed
these to my dogs.
That's probably wise
even without
the extra frosting.
Paige Monaghan
events exemplify two things:
class and elegance.
These resemble neither.
Get rid of them
immediately.
Um, I'm sorry. I didn't
catch your name.
Paige Monaghan.
Oh! Ms. Monaghan,
it is an honor
to meet you.
I've... I've only worked
with you for a few months.
I'm... I'm
Brooke Bennett.
I'm not interested
at the moment.
And find some shoes.
Of course.
Oh, you want space?
Question mark?
Well, we're done.
How's that for space?
Question mark, question
mark, angry face!
Cable company again?
Derek has decided to
spend the holidays
in Colorado
with his friends
and didn't think it
was worth mentioning to me
before booking the flights!
- Ugh.
- I'm done.
- We're done. It's over.
- I'm sorry.
- What's with those?
- Well, apparently, they don't
meet Ms. Monaghan's standards
of elegance and class.
- Oh. Is that right?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, maybe I
should be the judge.
Uh, Margot...
Elegant.
Classy.
- Elegant and classy.
- No.
Paige Monaghan
wouldn't know class
- if it jumped out of a cake.
- Shh.
In fact, she can take
these eclairs and...
And what?
Question mark.
Ms. Monaghan.
Ah! Ah!
Whatever. That
job stunk, anyway.
- Yeah. Who needs it?
- Yeah.
Well, we
kind of did.
She didn't fire both of us. You
know, you could have stayed.
And what, abandon
my sister,
at Christmas? Never.
You know what? Maybe
it's a good thing.
Maybe now, we finally start
our own event planning company.
Right? I mean, we've
talked about it for years,
and plus, we're a million
times better than that hack.
- Oh, total hack.
- Yeah.
You know what? Hack central,
mayor of Hackstown, USA!
Exactly!
We'll figure it out.
We always do.
Sorry. Just, it's
part of the uniform.
We got to get
that deposit back.
Is this it?
I mean, is this all?
Well, there's another
thing of kung pow,
but I was kind of saving
it for breakfast.
No. I mean life.
There's got to
be more to life.
There's got to be
more than this.
I'm sick of
getting stepped on
by the Paige Monaghans
of the world.
Right, and the
Dereks of the world.
Dans of the world.
He didn't deserve
you, Brooke.
The divorce was not...
You're right.
It's okay.
We both deserve better.
Look at us.
Partner-less.
Family-less. Now,
we're jobless.
Well, maybe it's a
gift, you know.
Like, sometimes,
it takes hitting bottom
to find your
way back to the top.
You know, the money Dad
left us was for a rainy day,
and right now, it's a
bit of a downpour.
You know what we do?
We go to Ireland, like,
tomorrow.
Why would we
go to Ireland?
Why wouldn't we go?
I mean, if Dad had
been healthy enough to travel
when he discovered
his Irish roots,
he would have given anything
track down his relatives.
Our relatives.
We've got family
over there, Brooke.
Think about that.
How did we
lose them both?
You know what?
You're right.
You're right. Let's
do it. Let's go.
Yeah? Really?
Yes. Yes. Maybe it is time
to just shake the tree.
Yes! Yes! Oh,
my gosh! Yes!
Oh, but if you get us
thrown into an Irish prison,
I'm not going to be happy.
We need
to find a pub.
What? It's barely noon. I
mean, even Aunt Lydia
waited 'til three to
start cracking ciders.
If we're serious about
tracking down our relatives,
it's the logical place
to start.
I mean, this isn't Cheers
where everybody just
knows your name.
- It's Ireland.
- Exactly.
Exactly what? You
have to make a point
before you
say "exactly."
Exactly. Pub.
I'll even let you pick.
Fionn! You look
like you've seen a ghost.
Of course not, my lord.
I wasn't expecting...
I was only
teasing you.
Happy to see you, my friend.
Does Siobhan know of
your arrival?
Well, if it isn't
the Earl of Glaslough
gracing us with
his glorious presence.
If I had to wager...
Siobhan.
You look...
you look well,
and the renovations
are... stunning.
I'll let the staff
know the earl approves.
Uh, to what do
we owe the pleasure?
I thought you were designing
a building in Italy.
I was, but the project,
uh, hit a bump,
so I thought I'd come
home for Christmas.
Dear brother, we
both know
it's neither honor nor sense of
duty that brings you here,
and it's certainly
not Christmas,
so, what
is it really?
I've also come to address
the castle's
current financial situation.
I see. So you've come to
play hero and save the day.
- Siobhan...
- And then what?
Ride off into the
sunset again?
Well, don't expect me
to be thanking you
for it any time soon.
Your quarters are as
you left them.
Uh, but you'll want
a broom.
There's about five years' worth
of dust to be dealt with.
Oh. The Earl of Glaslough
gracing us with his presence.
It's a Christmas
miracle.
Let me help you
with those, Clara.
And, uh, Aiden,
not Earl, hmm?
Have you been
to see Siobhan yet?
I have.
- Was she...
- Happy to see me?
Over the moon.
Aiden, I've known the two
of you since you were kids.
Siobhan loves you.
She's missed you.
We all have.
Oh, I'm not so
sure about that,
but I'm happy to see all
of you and this place.
It's been too long.
Catch me up over a pint.
I suppose there's time for
one on the house.
We haven't missed you
that much.
Ah, good man.
Oh, this one is
so cute.
I pick this one.
Yay! Great! Come on!
Let's go.
I love this place.
It is so...
Irish.
Welcome to Lanighan's, ladies.
What can I get for you?
Uh, do you have
a drink menu?
Beer, whiskey,
or beer and whiskey.
Uh...
- Beer.
- Whiskey.
Please. I can't
believe we're here.
- I know.
- I feel like we've stepped
- into a movie or something.
- Yeah.
We're not from
around here.
You don't say.
Uh, we're from New York.
We're event planners.
Um, yeah. We've had a
little time off,
so we've actually come
to Ireland to look for...
Leprechauns?
Um, excuse me?
Uh, if it's leprechauns
you're after,
there's a rainbow
at the end of the street
- filled with a pot of gold.
- Oh.
Now, if you spot
one of those little devils,
don't get too close.
They're a wee bit bite-y
- this time of year.
- Don't mind him.
He's a wee bit bite-y
himself today.
What was it you girls
were looking for?
Well, before our
father passed away,
we unsealed his
adoption records,
and it turns out his
birth parents
were both born
in Ireland.
Yeah. We're looking for
our relatives.
Yeah. All we know about them is,
their last name is O'Reilly.
I'm an O'Reilly.
- Really?
- Oh.
And so is he.
In fact... O'Reilly!
Yeah?
You've certainly come to
the right part of Ireland,
but I'm afraid you might be
searching for an O'Reilly
- in a haystack.
- Oh.
But if you're looking
to pass the time,
Castle Hart is
just down the way,
and they give tours
every hour on the hour.
Isn't that right?
Yep, but there's a
dragon in that castle,
and she really
does bite.
- Event planners? Really?
- Oh, I was hardly going to say
"unemployed waitresses from
New York," was I?
Plus, we're on vacation.
We can be
whoever we want.
You're right, and
you know what?
Let's start with
happy and employed.
- Cheers to that.
- Cheers.
Although Castle Hart
was built in the 1870s,
the estate dates all the
way back to 1633.
The earl-ship,
granted centuries ago,
originated with
Charles Hart.
If this doesn't pick up a bit,
I'm scaling the wall.
Yeah. I might have
to go with you.
I mean, earl-ship, lordship,
spaceship. Who cares?
Oh, you know what we should do?
We should go check out
that Christmas market
we saw on the way here.
- Oh, yes.
- Right?
How do we... Just...
Just, like, go.
And she enjoyed
helping the peasants...
See, now,
this is fun.
This is how our ancestors
celebrated Christmas.
I feel more Irish
already.
If you start Riverdance-ing,
you're on your own.
If I start Riverdance-ing,
I won't be on my own for long.
Aw.
I need to find
the ladies' room.
Really? I'll
be here.
- Okay.
- May I get these, please?
- Thank you.
- Thank you so much.
- Okay.
- I think, uh,
Santa Claus is
that way.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Yeah. You know what?
We don't have Santa Claus
in America. No. It's
just a little elf
who drives around in
a pickup truck.
He looks like Abraham Lincoln,
and he hands out apple pies.
Oh. Sounds like it
might be worth a visit.
- How was your tour?
- Uh, it was short.
I mean, the castle
is so beautiful,
but the whole earls
and lords thing,
- I don't know.
- Care to elaborate?
Well, I get that it's a huge
part of European history,
but it's just so
un-relatable, you know?
"I'm
the Earl of such and such,
and I have a castle."
An earl that sounds
like the Queen?
Yeah. It just feels
a little out of touch.
Mm. Well, it's not just
baseless posturing.
I mean, historically,
the earl
was the governing
body for the people,
and it was a title held
with great reverence.
And nowadays?
I tell you what.
I have some connections
at the castle,
and if you're interested,
I could arrange
for a private tour, see if I
can't change your mind.
What now? Directions to a
field of four-leaf clovers?
He's offering us a private
tour of the castle.
Oh, is he now?
Yeah, for
the both of you.
Mm-hmm.
If you're interested,
meet me at
the castle at nine
and ask for my
name at the door.
Which is...
Aiden Hart.
I can't believe we agreed
to a tour with Leprechaun Guy.
It could be interesting,
and we'll give it five minutes.
If it seems dodgy,
we'll bail.
Ah, good morning.
We're guests of
Mr. Hart.
Indeed. Right this way.
Five years I've been struggling
to keep this estate afloat
while you've been off
traveling the globe
playing architect
to the stars.
Five years I've been bearing
the burden of this castle
in your name,
the Earl of Glaslough.
That title was important
to Dad. I never wanted it.
And I never wanted to
find myself on the brink
of having our
family's legacy
fall into the hands
of a greedy bank,
but... here we are.
I'm sorry.
Truly.
But look.
I'm here now.
Let me help.
After the news I
received this morning,
it's a little late
for that,
I'm afraid.
Siobhan, please.
What's going on?
What? I have to go.
Why didn't you
go earlier?
Well, because earlier,
I was at a two,
and now, I'm... I'm a 12
out of a possible 10.
- What... what are you doing?
- Find a restroom.
There must be, like,
300 in this place.
There's probably
one up here.
- Margot, I...
- Don't worry.
...don't think we're
allowed to just...
- Come on.
- Wander around.
O'Sullivan just
up and quit?
Well, citing what
reason?
Overextended,
apparently.
He hadn't arranged
a single thing.
No band, no caterers,
no decorations.
All he'd done is
send out invitations
to a party
that doesn't exist.
Well, have you tried
searching for...
A replacement?
Of course.
Everyone is booked,
along with everything
else in this town.
Aiden. Hi.
Uh, you said nine.
We... we aren't
snooping.
We need a restroom.
She's at a 12.
Oh, uh,
of course.
Uh, down the hall,
two lefts,
then another left,
then a right.
- Can't miss it.
- Thanks.
Uh, Siobhan,
this is...
I didn't even
get your names.
Oh. I'm Margot.
- Margot.
- Yeah.
Yeah. We, uh, met
yesterday,
and I promised them
a private tour.
They're vacationing
from New York.
They're, um...
Did you say you
do event planning?
Uh... yeah.
I did say that.
What sort of events?
Oh, you know,
the usual.
Uh, weddings,
inaugurations, quinceaeras,
all the fancy ones.
Big and fancy.
Uh, but I'm
just logistics.
My sister's the creative one.
It's her company, so...
Um, so, what's the heating bill
like in a place like this?
Woof!
I know this might be
a horrible imposition,
but I find myself in quite
a bind at the moment.
We host an annual Christmas gala
for the Duchess of Abercorn,
and the gentleman
in charge of planning it
has unceremoniously
quit.
We're in dire need of
a replacement.
And... you're
asking us?
We'll pay your full fee and
then some for the inconvenience,
and you're welcome to stay
in the castle for sake of ease.
This gala is...
Of great importance.
Oh. Well, um, I'll just need
to check with my sister,
but, um, really,
we'd be delighted.
Brilliant.
You're sure?
Oh, oh, yeah.
Definitely. Yes.
Oh, I can't tell you
what a relief this is.
Oh.
What's your company? I'd love
to take a look at your website,
see some
previous events.
Oh. There you are.
I got so lost I
almost ended up in Scotland.
Okay. Here's the thing.
I did something big,
something amazing for us.
- Margot, what are you talking about?
- Look. I'll explain later.
I just need you to play along,
okay? This could change
- our lives forev...
- Ladies!
Again, I can't
thank you enough
for coming on board
at such short notice.
Oh.
Turning the family castle into
a hotel was a huge gamble.
Now, five years in,
to see it all
at risk...
Your help at this point
is everything.
Assuming you're
both in agreement?
- Uh...
- We discussed it,
and we're
incredibly excited.
- Can't wait to find out more.
- Yeah.
- Wonderful.
- Yeah.
Uh, here is a folio with all
the pertinent information
for planning the gala, and
if you need anything at all,
you have, round the
clock at your disposal,
the Earl
of Glaslough.
It's truly an honor to
be working with you, Paige.
Or would you prefer
Ms. Monaghan?
I cannot believe you
told them I'm Paige Monaghan!
All I said was,
it's your company!
It's called
Paige Monaghan Events!
It's unlikely it's named
after the family pet.
Do you remember that
whole part where I said
we can't get
thrown in prison?
No. It's not like
it's illegal.
It's highly unethical.
No, it's not
unethical! It's...
Okay. Alright. Yeah. It's
a tiny bit unethical,
- but Brooke, hear me out.
- No. You have to go
back in there and
tell them the truth!
- Brooke!
- Margot!
- Brooke!
- Margot!
Brooke?
- Thank you.
- Oh.
I'm sorry I lied, but
you heard Siobhan.
Their event planner quit,
and if this gala doesn't happen,
it could ruin them. The
duchess has ties
to all of Ireland's
high society.
If this relationship goes
south, so does the business.
They need our help.
They need your help.
No, they need Paige
Monaghan's help. I'm not...
No! You're a million
times better, and nicer!
How many fairy tale balls
have you planned in your head?
The music, the decor, right down
to the color of the napkins?
I know. I know. You're right.
More times than is healthy,
- but that's not the point.
- No. The point is,
they're in trouble and
they need help.
You'll come clean
afterwards. By then,
you'll have saved the day.
You're the one who wanted to
shake the tree.
Yeah, but this isn't a tree.
This is the whole forest.
Well, then let's shake
the whole forest!
We can do this! Come on.
You know we can.
Plus, if we do it,
we get to stay in
the castle.
Available around
the clock?
I'm not a
concierge service.
That was unfair.
I should have said
you'll be with them
every step of the way
to ensure this gala is
as spectacular an affair
as the duchess expects.
Look, Siobhan, I just
really don't think that...
You don't have to.
Just make sure Paige
has what she needs
to pull the gala together
in the next two weeks.
Take her where
she needs to go,
introduce her to people,
write checks.
You want to be
the hero?
This is how you
do that.
I'll go press my cape.
Are you serious?
- This is what we're going in.
- Okay.
Ladies, your
carriage awaits.
Yes. Well, I wouldn't
have, uh, guessed
chauffeur was included in
the job description of earl.
You and I both,
but my sister... and
I thought it best for me
to accompany you at all times
to ensure our full support.
At all times?
Is that...
Yeah. No. We're fine on
our own.
- Thanks
- Yeah.
Suit yourself, but, uh,
just in case...
Is this where you
were staying?
- Yeah. Why?
- I just thought, uh...
assumed women of
your tastes
might choose somewhere
a little less, uh, quaint.
Oh. You know
the old saying:
Subtlety is the
cornerstone of class.
We're meeting the duchess
at one, so before that,
I'll get you settled
into your new quarters.
Oh, uh, we might need
some extra clothing racks,
because we didn't
exactly pack light, so...
I don't think that's going
to be an issue.
Well, will it suffice?
Uh, yeah. This
will, uh...
this will be
just fine. Thank you.
Brilliant. Uh, the
adjoining room is Margot's.
Uh, same size but
without a fireplace.
- Great.
- I'll, uh, let you guys
- get settled.
- Thank you.
Come on.
Ah, I can't believe it!
Uh, one
more thing. Um...
Hi. Yeah. Uh, we
were just looking for a...
A spider. There...
there was a... a spider.
Right, and we were going
to catch it, because...
With your bare hands?
We're from New York.
Right. Uh, well, I
just wanted to let you know,
the spa, in-room dining,
etc. is on the house.
- Oh, lovely.
- Oh. Great.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Yeah. Yeah.
Remember, you address the
duchess as Your Grace.
Oh. What am I doing?
I'm sure you've worked
with members of
the aristocracy before.
It never hurts to
be prepared.
Uh, she can be a
bit, uh... precise.
We'll be fine. Brooke's a
bit precise herself.
Who?
Oh, Brooke... Brooke
is a... It's...
It... It's
a nickname.
I used to read
a ton, and my mom
would call me
her little bookworm,
but when Margot
said it,
it came out
"Brooke-worm."
- So cute.
- Yeah. Brooke-worm.
So, it just kind of
stuck. You know.
Now, I hate to ask
you this, but...
the duchess can't know
I lost my event planner,
or she'll question whether
I'm up to the task.
We'll play along. We're fine
bending the truth.
Only when it's
for a good cause.
- Okay.
- Yes.
Your Grace, so nice to see you.
Allow me to introduce,
from New York, Paige
Monaghan and Margot Bennett.
Ladies, the Duchess
of Abercorn,
Julia Dunlevy.
Your Grace,
it's a pleasure.
Your Grace, sweet place.
My mother's third
husband was a Monaghan.
Which branch of the tree are
you descendent from?
It is Seamus or Cillian?
- Uh...
- Seamus.
- Mm.
- Seamus, right? Yeah.
For a long time, we thought
it was, uh, uh, the other one,
but, uh, no.
Seamus.
Ah. So, did
your people...
My, my. Look at
the time.
I think we really should
discuss this gala.
- Of course.
- Great.
Uh, is Mr. O'Sullivan
not joining us?
Mr. O'Sullivan
has been let go.
His efforts didn't reflect
the taste and elegance
befitting a woman
of your refinement.
This is where
Margot and I excel.
So, we'd love to
hear from you,
your vision.
Anyone can throw
a glitter and gold,
"put the royals to
shame" Christmas gala,
but what do you want?
Exactly what
you just described.
Okay. Alright. I...
I do think
there's an opportunity here
to do something really unique.
Let's create an event people
are actually excited about
and look forward
to every year.
Let's put the
moonlight to shame.
We know how
to throw a banger.
A what?
- A banger. It's, like, a...
- No.
Why don't you tell us
about the event
and what it means to
you? And then we can...
we can go from there.
Well, it is more than
just a Christmas party.
This is the social
event of the season.
My guests expect the finest
food, elegant decor,
- classical music.
- Yeah.
And money
is no object,
but it must be something
special, memorable.
Oh, I don't think anyone's
going to forget this year. Nope.
And accomplishing
that in 12 days
won't be a
problem, will it?
- Oh, Pfft.
- Twelve days? Oh, for us,
no, no. Twelve
days is a...
It's a dream.
- Totally.
- Total dream.
This is a nightmare. I mean,
all of the decorations
they used last year have
already been rented.
The two major rental
houses in Dublin,
they have zero inventory.
There are no tasteful
Christmas decorations left,
and we haven't even started
looking for a caterer.
Why can't the restaurant at
the castle just do it?
Because they're set
up for dinner for 30,
not catering
for 100!
What are
we going to do?
I don't think
we have a choice.
We're going
to call the earl?
Things are about to get
a little more complicated.
If it's decorations you're
looking for,
there's really onlyone place I
can think of, but...
But...
Every year, the whole
of Glaslough would turn out
for a massive holiday party,
the twelve pubs
of Christmas.
It would start at one end of
town and work its way
from pub to pub
to the other end.
We used to host the final stop
on the castle grounds. It
was a lavish party
- with food, drinks, music.
- Yeah.
It was a way of letting
the locals know
that the castle was as
much theirs as ours.
That's so nice.
But not anymore?
After the remodel,
Siobhan felt that hosting
the gala for the duchess
made better financial sense,
given the type of clientele we
were hoping to attract.
Mm, but why not
just do... do both?
Unfortunately, they often land
on the same evening.
Needless to say, the townsfolk
were none too pleased.
They felt shunned by their
newly appointed earl.
Ah, so I take it no
more free marshmallows
in your hot chocolate.
Precisely,
and the one fella that
might be able to help us
is the man with all
the marshmallows.
Let me see if
I got this right.
Your Lordship cancels the
community party,
turns his back
on the entire town,
and now, you're here looking
for a favor?
Mr. O'Connor... Liam, if I may,
listen. I know how you feel.
You know, sometimes, people make
incredibly selfish decisions
without considering how other
people are going to be affected.
- Who are you again?
- Paige Monaghan.
She's planning the
gala for the duchess.
Any relation to
Darragh Monaghan?
Uh... how far back do
you want to go?
The invention of fire?
It's likely.
May I ask what this
is you're working on?
It's a tree,
a Christmas tree.
This is the top
section.
Wow. That is unlike anything
I've ever seen before.
Could I see
the rest of it?
You can have a look,
but not him.
Close your eyes.
You're the first person
outside of myself
to lay eyes on this.
Oh, wow.
That is going to be
extraordinary.
I know this is
a really big ask,
but is there any way
you would consider
loaning that to
me for the night,
for the gala?
Uh...
I get it. I would
be angry, too.
I really would be.
I would be so angry,
but you know
what I've learned
about dealing with
people like him?
The best thing is just
to prove them wrong.
Prove he has
no power over you.
I mean, think about that.
Think about the look
on the duchess's face
and the earl's face
when they see your work
defiantly on display,
saying, "Not only am I here,
but I am stealing
the show."
I'll do it
for you. Not him.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much.
What has 14 letters and is
impossible to pronounce?
The town where I found the
linens, place settings,
- and glassware.
- You found the bone china?
- Yes!
- Great, and what about the, uh,
- tablecloths with the...
- With the lace scalloping?
- Yeah?
- All of it. I had to bribe
the lady with an
invite to the gala,
but she agreed to
truck everything over.
Amazing. Ten days to go.
We're making progress.
Alright. What
about catering?
No dice. I've
tried every person
with a walk-in refrigerator
within 15 miles,
but they're all booked.
But I did have one idea.
Just one?
That's unusual for you.
I worked a party for Paige
last year, a big event,
and the guest chef was
out of Dublin.
I was thinking I could find
her name online.
Wait. No, no, no. If... if she and
Paige already know each other...
That could work in
our favor, you know.
We just say that Paige
couldn't make it
and she sent you instead.
I mean, we're probably
spending the rest of our 30s
in an eight-by-10
cell anyway,
so let's just go
down swinging.
Yes! I mean, we're
not, but yay!
Okay.
Okay.
I was just on my way to see
if you needed anything.
You know, you sure do
have a lot of free time
for an earl who moonlights
as a chauffeur.
Well, I'm
in between gigs.
I noticed your card
said architect.
I assume that's a...
a day job?
- Yeah.
- Did you do this?
No. This is all
Siobhan. It's, uh...
Actually, it's the first time
I'm seeing it since completion.
Oh. Do you... do
you not live here?
I live wherever my
projects are.
I just spent the
last six months in Italy,
and before that,
Germany, China, Dubai.
That sounds so
exotic.
Jennifer Barclay!
She's based in Dublin.
She's potentially available
and wants to meet at
one to discuss.
She loved working
for Paige.
For you. Working for
you. You're Paige.
Correct, and
you're Margot.
- I'm Margot.
- Hi, Margot.
- Hey.
- Just a fun little game
we play.
- Well, I'm Aiden.
- Hey, Aiden.
Who loved working for you?
Uh, a
caterer in Dublin.
Right. So, it... it's noon.
I should probably get moving.
- Oh, I'll give you a ride.
- No! No.
- Uh-uh. No.
- Don't do that.
Uh-uh. I... I... No. I can...
I'll I'll drive myself.
- Right.
- All the way to Dublin?
- Yeah.
- Siobhan would have my head.
- Come on.
- Okay.
The car's right in front.
- Okay.
- I'm sorry.
Uh, you... you don't
need to come in.
In fact, it's probably better
that you don't.
You know, after the whole
earl thing with Liam and...
Why do I suddenly feel like
Ebenezer Scrooge?
But much better
looking.
Not that I'm looking or...
or not looking
and... and
not not looking.
I-I'll be back.
It's a pleasure
to meet you, Brooke.
I'm flattered Paige
thought of me.
You did such a great job
with the event in New York.
Oh, I appreciate that,
and a gala at the castle
sounds right up my alley.
I am committed to another
event that weekend,
so I'd have to bring
on extra help.
Well, I hear money
is no object.
In that case, let's
try a few things, eh?
Oh, let's. I mean,
this is the best part.
That's why we're here.
- May I?
- Please.
Mmm.
- Excuse me.
- Oh! Hey.
Can you tell me where
I could find Siobhan Hart?
Oh, uh, I
don't know.
I'm... I'm overseeing
the work.
The candelabras look
gorgeous.
Fiona Walsh,
Lifestyle Ireland.
I was hoping to get a few
more details about the gala.
- Perhaps you can help me.
- Uh, you know,
you're better off
speaking with my boss,
Paige or Ms. Monaghan.
Paige Monaghan?
You are kidding.
She did a few events
in London that I covered.
Oh. That's...
Small world!
Well, she's not here right now,
but she'll be really sorry
she missed you, so...
Well, I'll be here for
an hour or so.
Could you call her,
just let her
know I'm here?
Like, right now?
Yeah.
Are you hungry?
Clara makes a dangerously
good meat pie.
I'm okay. I ate at
the caterer's office.
Ah. I didn't
realize. Yeah.
If you'll recall, I was, uh,
waiting in the car.
Right.
Sorry.
Hey, there.
How's it going?
Hey, Paige!
So, fun coincidence.
Uh, the reporter,
Fiona Walsh,
that you met
in London, is here.
Really? Oh, that
is fun.
Yeah! I know!
And, um, she's going to
be here for another hour,
and she'd love
to see you.
When will you be back?
Oh. You'll be gone at
least two hours?
- Yeah.
- Oh, too bad.
You'll miss her
entirely. Okay. Bye.
Mm. Sorry.
She's not going
to be back, so...
Okay. Got it.
Well, I... I am just so glad that
you got it to stop bleeding.
- Bleeding?
- Yeah. Just a little minor...
minor injury.
You know what?
I am kind of hungry.
Are you sure?
Because...
Yeah. No. I'm
actually starving.
We should stop.
Can we stop?
Let's just stop.
Okay. Meat pies it is.
Great.
Too much meat
or not enough pie?
Oh, no, no, no. It's
delicious. I just think
my eyes were a bit
bigger than my stomach.
- Thanks, Clara. Just the check.
- No, no. No. No.
You know what we don't do
anymore as people?
We don't just sit
and chat, you know?
Like, really just take our
time and just... chat.
Right. I hear you're
helping with the gala.
I don't suppose that
leaves much time
for hunting down your
relatives. O'Reilly, wasn't it?
Yeah. We haven't even
started looking.
Well, when you do,
have a chat with
the duchess.
She has a
near-encyclopedic knowledge of
who's who
and what's what
and who went where
with who, wearing what.
Okay. I'll... I'll do
that. Thank you.
O'Reilly?
Yeah. My father's
birth parents.
He was adopted.
I'm Bennett.
You mean Monaghan.
Uh, right.
Yeah. No. No. Bennett
is my, um, my married name.
Yeah. Or was.
I'm divorced.
Almost a year now.
Well, I'm sorry.
Oh, it wasn't
your fault.
Unless you were
secretly advising him
to shut down emotionally
and make wildly irresponsible
financial decisions.
- Were you doing that?
- I don't recall
having those
conversations, no.
It's for the best.
I mean, starting
over is... is tough,
but, um, I guess you could say I
find myself in a bit of a...
Crisis of identity?
Yeah.
What does that mean?
That's a holiday version
of an old Irish proverb.
"May the most you wish
for this Christmas
be the least you get."
And the red one?
"Two people
shorten the road."
Well, I suppose we
should be getting back.
They'll be wondering
where we've gotten off to.
I should just check
in with Margot.
Hey! I was just, uh,
checking in
to see if the room
is free of, uh, workers.
The partridge is still
in the pear tree.
Okay. So...?
I repeat, the partridge
is still in the pear tree.
Right. What
does that mean?
The partridge is
still in the pear tree!
Okay. Great. Thanks.
Uh, yeah. So, the, um,
the ballroom is still a...
It's a work zone, and, uh,
Margot is, um, bird-watching.
Um, so it looks like
we have a little free time.
If there was one thing
that tourists never get to see,
what would it be?
Um, if we're going
to confession,
I'm going to need
to take a raincheck.
Don't worry.
Your secrets are safe.
This chapel hasn't been
used in years.
Wow. It's beautiful.
We'd just had our
Christmas Eve service
when a huge storm
came through.
We haven't had much luck
finding someone to
properly restore it.
Well, maybe this
is your next project.
I design office buildings
and hotels, apartments.
My one and only experience
with restoration
didn't exactly leave a
pleasant taste in my mouth.
How so?
The build I was
on in Italy,
we, uh, we promised
we'd preserve
the historic
buildings around it,
but financially, it
would have buried us,
so... we didn't.
Oh. Ouch.
And then being
confronted by the woman
whose family had lived
there for generations...
Oh, she
was devastated.
I quit the next day.
Really? Just
like that?
Yeah. I, uh... just
couldn't do it anymore.
You know, my mom always
said that sometimes,
you have to hit bottom
to find your way to the top.
I really miss her.
I'm sorry.
Yeah. It makes
you realize how easily
we take people for granted
when they're healthy.
Family is just the
single greatest gift
we're given. We got to...
love them as hard as we can
while we can,
flaws and all.
But the good news is,
it's never too late
to become the people...
or person of Irish
noble descent...
that we really
want to be.
Two questions.
Do you, um... do you
have any plans tonight?
And, um, how do you
feel about large crowds
and centuries-old
tree-lighting ceremonies?
Honey, I'm home!
I hope you enjoyed gallivanting
around the countryside
with Prince Charming while
I'm stuck here
like some spy
behind enemy lines.
Oh. Eating
chocolate-covered almonds.
You look like you are
really suffering.
Well, I am.
What's with the smile?
- I'm not.
- Spill it! What?
Nothing!
It's nothing.
I... It was...
it was a good day.
Yeah. The caterer
is confirmed, and, uh...
Oh, I learned the duchess is
who we should talk to
- about Dad's lineage.
- Oh.
And, uh, what
else? What else?
Oh, Aiden invited us to
the tree lighting tonight.
Us or you?
Us. You and me. Us.
Margot, it's a casual
invite to a casual event.
Mm-hmm.
Can you help me pick
out something to wear?
Alright.
Relax. You look great.
What? I'm not
trying to.
No. I... I wasn't even
looking at myself.
I was just looking
around for...
Impeccable timing.
Hi.
You look nice.
Both of you.
- Oh.
- Thanks.
Thank you. So do you.
Well, they're just about
to start. Shall we?
Okay.
Welcome,
welcome, everybody,
to the annual
lighting of the tree.
Firstly, I'd like to...
My lord.
I didn't realize you'd be
in attendance this evening.
Uh, would you care to
grace us with a few words?
- Go on.
- Go on.
- Of course.
- Yeah!
His Lordship.
Whoo-hoo!
Thank you, Mayor.
Uh, I'm as surprised
by my attendance
as you are.
But there's only
so much lounging around
with a golden scepter one
man can tolerate.
And the truth
is, I...
If you're going to throw
a snowball at someone,
you best be careful, because
that someone may be inclined...
To throw it back.
Ah!
- Oh!
- Alright.
I'd say that's a hint
to get on with it,
so let's get on
with it.
Five!
Four! Three!
Two! One!
I showed him
what's what, huh?
You kind of throw
like an earl.
You handled that very nicely.
Perhaps some of your wit and
charm is rubbing off,
Ms. Monaghan.
Shoes. Shoes.
Where are my shoes?
Did you check the spot
where we keep the shoes?
Right. Of course. Oh,
yeah. Here we are.
You seem a little
scattered this morning.
- Is everything alright?
- I'm fine.
It's just, we have four
days until the party,
and we still don't
have a band!
And it's not because you're
meeting the earl in...
well, 10
minutes ago.
Wait. Are you
serious? I'm late?
I'm messing
with you,
but you might want to keep
your cards closer to your vest.
They're
showing a bit.
Are you sure you're okay
hanging back today?
Yeah. I'm going
to hit the duchess up
for some more info
on Dad's family.
Maybe try to bond,
see if she'll adopt me.
Nice. Purse.
Where's my purse?
Uh...
- I'm fine.
- Yeah.
Yeah. Okay.
What adventure
awaits us today?
Any chance you know where to
find a string quartet?
Uh, hold on a sec.
No.
But I do know a
well-connected baron.
Perhaps we should
go say hello.
Alright.
It's been
too long, my boy,
but a wonderful
surprise nonetheless.
I'm afraid I may not be
of much help with the music.
There was a time I knew
of two or three
different string outfits
from parties I've
thrown over the years,
but, uh, those days
are long over.
Does it have
to be strings?
Well, I mean, I think we
should steer clear
of, you know,
bongos and bagpipes,
but I think we can afford to
get a little creative.
- What were you thinking?
- Well, I seem to recall you
tickling the ivories
now and again.
He puts Elton to shame.
Jazz, classical,
rock, you name it.
He exaggerates,
but I do play.
Oh, that was so beautiful.
I'm meant to appear
at the gala as a guest,
but if you can drag in a piano,
I'd be happy to
play for my supper.
Really?
Oh, that would be so great.
That... that... that
would be amazing. Thank you.
My pleasure.
I wanted to ask you
about your horses. They're...
just magnificent.
Is that an Arabian?
You have a good eye.
Do you ride?
I do. Well, I did.
It's been forever.
For me, as well.
Perhaps we could
take them for a quick spin,
stretch your legs a little bit.
You remind me a lot of my son.
He's confident, unique.
Oh.
So, you came here to ask about
lineage Monaghan, I presume?
No. O'Reilly.
Our dad was adopted.
We've got the records
but no first names.
Well, any other clues?
Pictures?
Oh, well, had a teddy bear
from when he was born
and here was a locket on it
with "freedom" written inside.
Freedom? Hmm.
It's not a lot to go on.
I know.
Sorry for wasting your time.
Oh, on the contrary, my dear.
There's nothing I love
more than a good puzzle.
Oh. Eggnog?
Thank you. Mm.
Oh!
Irish eggnog.
Cool. Nice.
To freedom.
To freedom! Ooh...
Now, tell me more a
bout your father.
Oh, well, it's a long story.
I just don't know why he'd ever
want to leave a place like this.
Yeah.
Do you ever think
about moving back?
I'm not sure it's that simple.
My father was a brilliant man,
you know, beloved, revered,
and he left behind
an immense set of shoes,
and I've always had this
nagging feeling that...
I wasn't fit to fill them.
It's funny how often
I've proven that to be true.
Maybe, but...
you know, our mistakes
don't define us;
They give us perspective.
You know? And it's likely you won't
fill your father's shoes,
but... I don't know,
it's never too late to become
the person you want to be,
and I think that person
is more than enough.
I just said it!
I don't know why!
Oh! Hey. How'd it go?
We have music! We're going to
Lanighan's for a bite.
Come join us.
Oh, uh...
You guys go ahead.
I'll catch up later.
All right.
Well, I guess it's
just the two of us.
Hmm.
Busy!
What's the celebration?
Free pint with every smile?
We'd be bankrupt
within the hour.
Word got out
that the band
were planning to
warm up their fingers.
They're playing the last stop
at the Twelve Pubs
party this year,
and apparently, they're
taking it quite seriously.
So, I hope you weren't planning
a quiet sit-down.
It's about to get a mite
livelier in here.
It's all right.
I left my knitting in the car.
I'd best pour you both a pint, so.
You'll be needing to
cool down soon enough.
You don't see this
too often in New York, huh?
I haven't seen anything
like this anywhere.
It's amazing.
The only thing
better than watching...
Hey, you two, come on.
- Oh, come on.
- Come on.
I don't know the steps.
None of us do. So, just
smile and move your feet.
- Can you manage that?
- All right.
There you go.
Oh...
Okay, you go through.
Your Irish roots are showing!
Aye. Yours are, too!
So, how are
your feet after last night?
Oh, I feel like I ran barefoot
through the Five Boroughs.
But worth it?
Oh, that was the most
fun I've had in years,
maybe... maybe ever.
Where's Margot today?
She's having lunch
with the Duchess.
- Hmm.
- Yeah. She's hard not to love.
Must run in the family.
So, why are we picking a tree?
I mean, there's almost one in
every room in the castle.
Almost every room.
Let's just say you've inspired
me the past few days.
It got me thinking
about Siobhan and I, and
how, when we were young,
Tree Day was almost as
thrilling as Christmas itself.
Dad would bundle us up
and we'd trek out
to find the biggest, fullest, most
Christmassy smelling
Douglas fir in all the land.
Most Christmassy smelling?
- Yeah.
- Yep.
Decorating the tree was...
it was one of our favorite
things to do as kids together. You know?
It's... pure joy.
And it was one of those moments,
where we just felt like
a normal family.
So, I thought this
might be something
that can mend a few fences.
Care to give us a hand?
I'd love to.
Have you
had any breakthroughs
on the O'Reilly family tree?
Oh, as much as it pains me to say,
no, not as of yet.
Oh. That's why you invited me.
Not today. Ladies,
may I to present
Miss Margot Monaghan from...
Ladies, I hope you've saved
all your juiciest
gossip for... hello.
Hi.
Margot, this is my son,
Cillian Dunlevy,
the Marquess of Castleblayney.
Please, please, call me
Cillian Dunlevy,
the Marquess of Castleblayney.
Margot is a friend
from New York.
She'll be joining us
for lunch today.
Will she now?
Indeed, she will.
Was I humming?
Oh, no.
I think I do that sometimes.
It's very charming.
I think we're about
ready for the crown.
Everything all right?
Y...
Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Sorry.
I just...
Just, for all of my husband's flaws,
Christmas was
really special for us,
especially decorating the tree.
And he was taller than me,
so he'd always did the star.
Oh, everything
just feels kind of off.
Oh, I know the feeling.
Christmas has been off for me
for the last few years, too.
Well, how would you be spending
it if you weren't here?
Room service and watching
It's a Wonderful Life.
Kind of sounds like
"It's a Lonely Life".
I suppose
I just came to accept it.
And now?
Now...
I'm starting to remember what Christmas
is supposed to feel like.
You know, it's inspiring
watching you work.
I mean, despite your setbacks,
you've... taken
something that you love
and built an entire
career that says,
"This is me.
This is who I am."
Could you do this for me?
No.
But perhaps
we can do it together.
And for the final touch...
Oh, it's gonna be perfect.
Thank you.
This is our biggest
event of the year,
so it's obviously very exciting.
I think you'll really enjoy it.
Oh.
Yeah, so, I just...
I wanted to try something
different this year,
which is why I went for
a new event planner,
just to freshen up
the old (unclear).
Aiden, have you met Fiona Walsh?
She's covering the gala
for Lifestyle Ireland.
Oh. I haven't.
It's a pleasure.
- Nice to meet you.
- Have you seen Paige?
Fiona wants to interview her.
I have.
She's right...
Oh, that's odd.
She was right here.
Indeed.
I would like to speak to her.
I think the idea of a refined
New York sensibility
meets traditional
Irish aesthetic
is a good angle for the article.
Do have her call me.
Of course.
I'll make sure she's in touch.
- Okay. Bye.
- Bye.
Bye.
- Hey.
- Hey. Hey.
- Hey.
- We were just, uh...
Looking for spiders?
No. We were just, uh,
admiring the, um, architecture.
- Architecture, right.
- There's just so much of it.
So good.
Uh, Fiona Walsh
is looking for you.
She was just here.
Oh, that's too bad.
Bad timing.
Yeah, she'd like to feature you
in an article she's writing.
Really?
In fact, if we go now, we can
probably still catch her.
Oh, no, no.
It's okay. It's okay.
I-I, um...
we've worked together before,
so I have her number;
I'll give her a ring.
Okay.
Uh... I-I just remember
I have a meeting.
It's a really boring one
about napkins and things.
So, I'm gonna just excuse
myself, please.
Right.
Um, so, architecture, right?
It's great.
Really nice. Really...
strong, sturdy
Jennifer!
What a surprise!
I was in the area and thought
I'd pop in to see the kitchen.
Is this a bad time?
Uh, no.
No, not at all.
The kitchen is just, uh...
this way.
Outside?
Medieval architecture,
am I right?
Yeah, it's just, um, this way.
Jennifer!
Don't tell me,
you're catering the gala.
I am indeed.
Fiona, what a lovely surprise.
It's been ages.
Have you met met Bro...
Broke!
Ah, I broke a nail! Oh!
A nail? Just now?
Yep.
May I have a look?
I have a nail...
No, thank you.
Thank you, thank you. No, no.
It's bad. It's...
It's a bad one,
I can feel it.
Oh, it's messy.
Uh, uh... we'll just...
we'll grab some bandages
on the way the way
to the kitchen.
Madam?
Oh, thanks.
Jennifer, always a pleasure.
And... you take care
of that finger.
Thank you.
Good evening.
Were you expecting a car,
Ms. Monaghan?
- I can explain!
- I don't want to know.
Listen, the truth is...
The truth is,
when they hired me,
they thought I was Paige
and I didn't correct them
because they were desperate.
But this party is
unbelievably important
and I'm just trying to
make sure it happens.
Please, don't say anything.
I'm... I'm... I'm
literally begging you.
Fine.
But you can find yourself
another caterer.
What? But why?
Because, one day,
I hope to work with
the real Paige Monaghan again
and I don't want to risk that
by getting in the middle
of... well, whatever this is.
You're on your own... Brooke.
Three days to go
and she backs out?
I have half a mind
to ring her up myself...
No! Don't do that!
It was... it was...
It was my fault.
I gave her the
wrong date for the gala
and she's
triple booked that day.
I'm so sorry.
You're sure the castle
restaurant can't do it?
Not for an event this big.
We could supplement,
but these caterers,
they bring in a
mobile kitchen and a full staff.
We're sunk.
No. No, not yet.
No. We'll figure it out.
We always do.
Don't we, Paige?
Paige?
I need some air.
It's all part of her process.
We'll get this all sorted.
Don't worry.
Hey, what are you doing?
What I should have
done a week ago.
Brooke, okay, I think
you're overreacting a bit.
So, we lost the caterer...
You don't get it, do you?
You don't get how ugly this is,
how just... awful I feel.
Margot, these people have
put their trust in us
and we're just
lying to their faces.
This is... it's not a game.
I know it's not.
Do you?
Because you just keep piling lie
on top of lie on top of lie,
like it's nothing.
I never should have let you
talk me into this, I knew it.
Okay, I messed up.
I know that.
I was trying to do
something good and...
I shouldn't have
gotten involved.
The point is
that they did trust us,
they trusted you.
And if you quit now,
it's them that suffers, not me.
Don't punish them
for my stupidity.
They need you, Brooke.
There's a trick I haven't seen.
You learn this from your elite
New York Academy of Design?
No, this is from my elite
academy of a childhood
spent throwing very lavish
parties for my Barbies.
I, um...
Well, this has just
always been my passion,
just started on a
slightly smaller scale.
I hadn't heard
from you this morning.
I was worried maybe you'd...
What? Quit?
No. No, no, no.
Just...
Just a little preoccupied.
Paige, what happened
with the caterer,
it wasn't your fault.
It's an honest mistake.
Um...
Aiden, there's you need to
know something about me.
Um...
I'm...
I'm, um...
I'm not p...
Perfect?
I'm happy to hear,
because frankly,
I was beginning to wonder.
Who was it who told me
that we're not defined
by our mistakes?
Aiden...
I mean, look what you've
accomplished in a week.
I believe in you.
I can fix this. I...
I'm going to fix this.
We can do it together.
Great.
Worst case scenario,
we back up a
truckload of sausages
and have the lads
fire up the grills.
You know what?
That's not entirely off base.
Are you daft? I can't cater
the Christmas gala.
Clara, we're desperate.
Oh, such flattery.
We really are desperate.
But why me?
The Duchess and her friends
aren't exactly the cottage pie
and colcannon types.
Meat and potatoes.
Oh. But it doesn't
have to be fancy.
No, it just has to be delicious,
and your food is
most definitely that.
What's your most popular dish?
Steak and onion pie
with a side of green beans.
Okay, so, we... we serve it
on very fancy plates,
we call it...
tourtire with haricots verts,
and no one knows the difference.
Well, even if I said yes,
I don't have the
space or the help.
What if we told you we
already figured that part out,
would that be a yes?
All right, this is great.
We have dinner sorted out.
Now, we just need
appetizers and desserts.
I have an idea.
Are you planning on telling me
what we bought all these
ingredients for?
No.
I'm planning on showing you.
So, plum pudding, is that
kind of like a fruitcake?
Similar.
If Christmas could be summed up
in a taste, this is be it.
And he bakes?
Oh, you've been
holding out on me.
No, I can't really.
These recipes have been
handed down for generations
and each family has a custodian
of theirs and I'm him.
Let's, as they say
in America, do this.
I think that must be enough.
Lot of butter,
lot of sugar.
I wasn't very
successful with this.
- Oh...
- Look at that, huh?
- Vey fancy.
- Ta-da.
You wanna give me that? Okay.
There we go.
- Like that?
- Mm-hmm.
That's very nice.
- Look at that.
- Perfect.
We did it.
Now what?
Now, we, uh, make ten more.
Let's do this.
I knew it.
- I knew it!
- That's an American saying,
"Let's do this."
Now, technically you're not supposed
to try it out of the oven,
but there's also something
to be said for quality control.
The recipe also says you can't
eat the first bite yourself.
Mmm. Wow.
Yup, that is...
You know, you're...
You're unexpected.
Fine. When I first met you,
I kind of thought you were...
you know...
and now I realize I was wrong.
But...
Yeah. No, I was wrong.
You're... so kind and thoughtful
and... authentic.
Paige...
I, um...
I-I just realized that
I-I don't have a...
a dress for tomorrow.
So, I mean, we should
probably get this cleaned up,
you know, so I can, um...
- Yeah.
- I can find something to wear.
- Right.
- Yeah.
[Answering machine]
You have one new message.
Paige,
this is Fiona Walsh
with Lifestyle Ireland.
I've been trying to connect
with you at Castle Hart
about the Duchess's Christmas
gala that you're planning,
but we seem to keep
missing each other.
So, if you could give me a ring
at your earliest
convenience, thanks.
Okay, appetizers
are over there, please.
And then, main courses are here.
And that's great, thank you.
Oh, desserts over there, please.
Tourtire with haricots verts.
Oh, C'est magnifique, Clara.
Thank you!
Listen, you haven't...
you haven't seen Margot,
by chance, have you?
No, I haven't.
Great. Thank you.
Everything going smoothly?
Yes, I think we're done,
other than...
other than the guests.
Then, you deserve a break.
Come on.
- Come on, where?
- Come on.
Oh, Aiden, this is so beautiful.
When did you do this?
Over the last few days.
I got inspired.
So, does this mean
you're staying?
Well, I haven't talked to
Siobhan yet, but I'd like to.
It's... starting to feel
like home again.
I'm really happy
for you, really.
If I haven't thanked you yet...
I'm just doing my job.
Well, not for the gala. It's...
It's more than that.
You've inspired me
with your wisdom,
and your heart,
for extending yourself
when you didn't have to,
and for teaching me
the value of family,
of loyalty.
You know, I see what
you have with your sister
and I want that with mine.
It's what you do,
it's who you are.
The truth is...
I've never met a woman like you.
And I'm not sure I'm ready
to say goodbye just yet.
Aiden, I...
Sorry. I'm...
I'm so sorry.
I...
I have to get ready...
Beg pardon, Miss Monaghan.
I left the packages in the room.
"For you selection...
"Aiden."
Hey.
Hey, what is it?
What happened?
It's this.
It's... all of this.
He's been so nice to me,
and all I want to do is just...
tell him how much I like him,
which I really think is a lot,
and I can't because
I'm not who I said I was,
and if I do tell him,
it's gonna ruin everything.
And then, I said all
of that stuff to you,
and I know you're
just trying to help,
and I-I could find you, and I-I
got so worried that... that you...
I had what?
Abandoned my sister?
Never. Come on. Never.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Look, and if Aiden likes you
half as much as I do,
then your name could be
Candycane McChristmas
and he wouldn't care.
We'll explain everything
when the time is right
and he'll completely understand,
I promise, I promise.
If you need a dress, there
are a few to choose from.
No, I'm good.
I went shopping this
morning with Cillian.
Oh...
Now, get your glass slippers...
which ones?
And let's blow the
doors off this thing. Yeah?
I love you.
Oh, I love you, too.
It's perfect,
beyond my expectations.
Oh, is Paige around?
I believe a
thank you is in order.
Aiden, have you seen Paige?
I haven't, but I'll go
check out and see if she's...
Excuse me.
Hi.
Do I have something on my face?
Only a smile that
lights up the room.
You look... stunning.
Thank you, and thank you
for the... the dress.
It's perfect.
Yes, it is.
Well, I suppose I'd better
let you show it off...
Not only does she throw
a truly magnificent party,
she outshines
everyone in the room.
Thank you.
I couldn't have done any of
this without my incredible...
Well, what did we miss?
...my extraordinary sister.
Well, you are quite the team.
You have outdone
yourselves, ladies.
Thank you.
Well, I suppose I'd
better go and mingle,
but please, eat, drink, enjoy.
You've earned it, all of you.
You don't have to
tell me twice. Shall we?
Yes!
- I, um...
- Yeah.
- I should...
- Yeah.
Yeah.
Oh, Clara,
the food is such a hit!
Everyone's loving it!
We can barely keep up
with seconds!
Thank you.
Oh, Liam, the tree is just...
oh, it's so beautiful.
Well, I designed it
to represent
a new beginning
in our community.
The brightness of the palace
and the strength of our people.
Oh, thank you so much, Liam.
You're welcome.
What?
We did it.
Not bad for a couple
waitresses from New York.
Event planners from New York.
Event planners
from New York.
Is it me or does she seem...
- Bored?
- Yeah.
It is a bit of a snoozer.
Well, this is what she wanted.
I think it's what
she's supposed to want.
But she's gonna love
what you've planned next.
Let's do it.
- They're amazing.
- It's so good!
Reminds me of the old community
parties we used to have.
Indeed.
And I believe it's time we got
back to doing those again.
Is she... oh!
She's dancing!
You are just full
of surprises, aren't you?
Have you been keeping
anything else from me?
Actually, can I talk
to you in private?
Hmm?
I have to
tell you something.
I know, earlier,
in the chapel,
I-I overstepped.
I'm not who you think I am.
I'm...
Brooke Bennet.
Her name is Brooke Bennett.
She's been lying to us.
This is the real Paige Monaghan.
Brooke is a waitress
she fired two weeks ago.
Is this true?
Yeah.
I trusted you.
I...
shared things.
I know.
I know.
I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.
You needed help
with the gala, and I, um...
I knew if you'd
known who I really was,
you wouldn't have hired us,
so I-I went along with it.
But...
I've... I've wanted to tell you.
I... promise.
I was... desperate to tell you.
I was trying to
tell you, I swear.
It was my fault,
not hers.
She had nothing to do with it.
I'm so sorry.
You could have told me.
Aiden...
You!
Give me one reason I shouldn't
have both of you thrown in jail.
These young ladies are among
the finest I've ever met,
regardless of what
their names are.
You breathe one word of this
and I'll make
sure you never work
in this part of the world again.
How's that for one?
Are you sure
you want to do this?
What if this is your fairytale?
If we drive away now,
you're never going to know.
- Aiden.
- Hey.
I got your note.
And the tree in the parlor...
you did that? For me?
Well, I was meaning
to wait until Christmas,
but after last night,
I figured we could both
use a little cheering up.
This is for you.
It's just a rough sketch, but...
I've added an annex
on the back for receptions,
we can do baptisms, weddings.
It should significantly
increase hotel traffic.
It's... wonderful.
But what...
I'm done,
done with running away,
done with hiding,
and most importantly,
I'm done with not having
my sister in my life.
If you're agreeable,
I'd like to come home.
When you left, I was so angry.
I blamed all
my struggles on you.
I was angry, not because
I felt betrayed;
I just...
wanted my brother back.
Your brother the Earl?
My brother the man.
Titles mean nothing.
All that matters
is what's underneath.
That goes for
someone else I could think of.
She lied to me.
Aye, she did,
but she was right.
Had we known who she was,
would we have hired her?
No, not likely.
And where would we be now?
She did it not to spite us,
but to help us.
If that doesn't
speak of character,
I don't know what does.
Thank you for this.
Welcome home, brother.
Did you forget something?
I think I did.
Aiden, I...
- Me first.
- No, me first.
I'm so sorry.
There's no excuse
for what I did.
I-I wanted nothing more than
to tell you the truth.
I mean, my whole life, I've...
I've just wanted to be seen
and here I am,
living someone else's identity,
and it just makes me sick inside
to think that you think
none of it was real,
because the truth is...
...all of those moments
of sharing, and of...
honesty and joy,
they've all been real.
And I...
I, uh...
I...
From the moment I met you,
I knew there was something
different about you.
I have waited my whole
life to meet you,
and yet, I don't think we've
properly done that yet.
Aiden Hart.
Brooke Bennett.
It's lovely to meet you, Brooke.
Very nice to meet you, too.
And if it's all right...
...I'd really like
to see more of you.
I wonder why
she called us out here.
I don't know. She just called
and said to meet here here.
I'm not sure.
Come.
It appears they're home.
Who's home?
"Freedom".
Well, at first, I thought
it was just a meaningless word.
But then, it occurred to me
that all Irish names
have a meaning,
and the name meaning
"freedom" is "Saoirse".
Oh...
Your Grace!
My lord!
Is there something wrong?
No, not in the least.
You are Patrick O'Reilly?
Mother Saoirse.
Four children.
First born in America,
then put up for adoption.
A boy, aye.
What's this about?
Do you recall the date of birth?
Aye.
We celebrate it every year.
It's the 12th January...
January 1951.
That was our father, John.
Oh, that's impossible.
That would make me your uncle...
Oh, my goodness.
Oh, my goodness! Oh!
Oh, my goodness!
Well, if that's
the case, well...
come, come in!
Now, listen!
Listen, listen, listen, listen!
Erm, this is, uh...
Brooke and Margot.
Right.
Now, you lot, you never
met your eldest uncle.
None of us did.
His name was John
and... these are his girls.
We found our family.
And this is your Aunt Clara.
What?!
What?
It's a real
Christmas miracle!
Welcome home, girls.
You're just in time for tea.
- So nice to meet you.
- Hi!
Hi!
I'm Margot!
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one horse
- Sparkling cranberry.
- Oh!
Sparkling cranberry.
Thank you.
And this is for you.
And then this
one is for her.
Oh!
Oh.
Uhh.
You.
What are these?
Oh. Uh, eclairs
with icing sugar?
I wouldn't feed
these to my dogs.
That's probably wise
even without
the extra frosting.
Paige Monaghan
events exemplify two things:
class and elegance.
These resemble neither.
Get rid of them
immediately.
Um, I'm sorry. I didn't
catch your name.
Paige Monaghan.
Oh! Ms. Monaghan,
it is an honor
to meet you.
I've... I've only worked
with you for a few months.
I'm... I'm
Brooke Bennett.
I'm not interested
at the moment.
And find some shoes.
Of course.
Oh, you want space?
Question mark?
Well, we're done.
How's that for space?
Question mark, question
mark, angry face!
Cable company again?
Derek has decided to
spend the holidays
in Colorado
with his friends
and didn't think it
was worth mentioning to me
before booking the flights!
- Ugh.
- I'm done.
- We're done. It's over.
- I'm sorry.
- What's with those?
- Well, apparently, they don't
meet Ms. Monaghan's standards
of elegance and class.
- Oh. Is that right?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, maybe I
should be the judge.
Uh, Margot...
Elegant.
Classy.
- Elegant and classy.
- No.
Paige Monaghan
wouldn't know class
- if it jumped out of a cake.
- Shh.
In fact, she can take
these eclairs and...
And what?
Question mark.
Ms. Monaghan.
Ah! Ah!
Whatever. That
job stunk, anyway.
- Yeah. Who needs it?
- Yeah.
Well, we
kind of did.
She didn't fire both of us. You
know, you could have stayed.
And what, abandon
my sister,
at Christmas? Never.
You know what? Maybe
it's a good thing.
Maybe now, we finally start
our own event planning company.
Right? I mean, we've
talked about it for years,
and plus, we're a million
times better than that hack.
- Oh, total hack.
- Yeah.
You know what? Hack central,
mayor of Hackstown, USA!
Exactly!
We'll figure it out.
We always do.
Sorry. Just, it's
part of the uniform.
We got to get
that deposit back.
Is this it?
I mean, is this all?
Well, there's another
thing of kung pow,
but I was kind of saving
it for breakfast.
No. I mean life.
There's got to
be more to life.
There's got to be
more than this.
I'm sick of
getting stepped on
by the Paige Monaghans
of the world.
Right, and the
Dereks of the world.
Dans of the world.
He didn't deserve
you, Brooke.
The divorce was not...
You're right.
It's okay.
We both deserve better.
Look at us.
Partner-less.
Family-less. Now,
we're jobless.
Well, maybe it's a
gift, you know.
Like, sometimes,
it takes hitting bottom
to find your
way back to the top.
You know, the money Dad
left us was for a rainy day,
and right now, it's a
bit of a downpour.
You know what we do?
We go to Ireland, like,
tomorrow.
Why would we
go to Ireland?
Why wouldn't we go?
I mean, if Dad had
been healthy enough to travel
when he discovered
his Irish roots,
he would have given anything
track down his relatives.
Our relatives.
We've got family
over there, Brooke.
Think about that.
How did we
lose them both?
You know what?
You're right.
You're right. Let's
do it. Let's go.
Yeah? Really?
Yes. Yes. Maybe it is time
to just shake the tree.
Yes! Yes! Oh,
my gosh! Yes!
Oh, but if you get us
thrown into an Irish prison,
I'm not going to be happy.
We need
to find a pub.
What? It's barely noon. I
mean, even Aunt Lydia
waited 'til three to
start cracking ciders.
If we're serious about
tracking down our relatives,
it's the logical place
to start.
I mean, this isn't Cheers
where everybody just
knows your name.
- It's Ireland.
- Exactly.
Exactly what? You
have to make a point
before you
say "exactly."
Exactly. Pub.
I'll even let you pick.
Fionn! You look
like you've seen a ghost.
Of course not, my lord.
I wasn't expecting...
I was only
teasing you.
Happy to see you, my friend.
Does Siobhan know of
your arrival?
Well, if it isn't
the Earl of Glaslough
gracing us with
his glorious presence.
If I had to wager...
Siobhan.
You look...
you look well,
and the renovations
are... stunning.
I'll let the staff
know the earl approves.
Uh, to what do
we owe the pleasure?
I thought you were designing
a building in Italy.
I was, but the project,
uh, hit a bump,
so I thought I'd come
home for Christmas.
Dear brother, we
both know
it's neither honor nor sense of
duty that brings you here,
and it's certainly
not Christmas,
so, what
is it really?
I've also come to address
the castle's
current financial situation.
I see. So you've come to
play hero and save the day.
- Siobhan...
- And then what?
Ride off into the
sunset again?
Well, don't expect me
to be thanking you
for it any time soon.
Your quarters are as
you left them.
Uh, but you'll want
a broom.
There's about five years' worth
of dust to be dealt with.
Oh. The Earl of Glaslough
gracing us with his presence.
It's a Christmas
miracle.
Let me help you
with those, Clara.
And, uh, Aiden,
not Earl, hmm?
Have you been
to see Siobhan yet?
I have.
- Was she...
- Happy to see me?
Over the moon.
Aiden, I've known the two
of you since you were kids.
Siobhan loves you.
She's missed you.
We all have.
Oh, I'm not so
sure about that,
but I'm happy to see all
of you and this place.
It's been too long.
Catch me up over a pint.
I suppose there's time for
one on the house.
We haven't missed you
that much.
Ah, good man.
Oh, this one is
so cute.
I pick this one.
Yay! Great! Come on!
Let's go.
I love this place.
It is so...
Irish.
Welcome to Lanighan's, ladies.
What can I get for you?
Uh, do you have
a drink menu?
Beer, whiskey,
or beer and whiskey.
Uh...
- Beer.
- Whiskey.
Please. I can't
believe we're here.
- I know.
- I feel like we've stepped
- into a movie or something.
- Yeah.
We're not from
around here.
You don't say.
Uh, we're from New York.
We're event planners.
Um, yeah. We've had a
little time off,
so we've actually come
to Ireland to look for...
Leprechauns?
Um, excuse me?
Uh, if it's leprechauns
you're after,
there's a rainbow
at the end of the street
- filled with a pot of gold.
- Oh.
Now, if you spot
one of those little devils,
don't get too close.
They're a wee bit bite-y
- this time of year.
- Don't mind him.
He's a wee bit bite-y
himself today.
What was it you girls
were looking for?
Well, before our
father passed away,
we unsealed his
adoption records,
and it turns out his
birth parents
were both born
in Ireland.
Yeah. We're looking for
our relatives.
Yeah. All we know about them is,
their last name is O'Reilly.
I'm an O'Reilly.
- Really?
- Oh.
And so is he.
In fact... O'Reilly!
Yeah?
You've certainly come to
the right part of Ireland,
but I'm afraid you might be
searching for an O'Reilly
- in a haystack.
- Oh.
But if you're looking
to pass the time,
Castle Hart is
just down the way,
and they give tours
every hour on the hour.
Isn't that right?
Yep, but there's a
dragon in that castle,
and she really
does bite.
- Event planners? Really?
- Oh, I was hardly going to say
"unemployed waitresses from
New York," was I?
Plus, we're on vacation.
We can be
whoever we want.
You're right, and
you know what?
Let's start with
happy and employed.
- Cheers to that.
- Cheers.
Although Castle Hart
was built in the 1870s,
the estate dates all the
way back to 1633.
The earl-ship,
granted centuries ago,
originated with
Charles Hart.
If this doesn't pick up a bit,
I'm scaling the wall.
Yeah. I might have
to go with you.
I mean, earl-ship, lordship,
spaceship. Who cares?
Oh, you know what we should do?
We should go check out
that Christmas market
we saw on the way here.
- Oh, yes.
- Right?
How do we... Just...
Just, like, go.
And she enjoyed
helping the peasants...
See, now,
this is fun.
This is how our ancestors
celebrated Christmas.
I feel more Irish
already.
If you start Riverdance-ing,
you're on your own.
If I start Riverdance-ing,
I won't be on my own for long.
Aw.
I need to find
the ladies' room.
Really? I'll
be here.
- Okay.
- May I get these, please?
- Thank you.
- Thank you so much.
- Okay.
- I think, uh,
Santa Claus is
that way.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Yeah. You know what?
We don't have Santa Claus
in America. No. It's
just a little elf
who drives around in
a pickup truck.
He looks like Abraham Lincoln,
and he hands out apple pies.
Oh. Sounds like it
might be worth a visit.
- How was your tour?
- Uh, it was short.
I mean, the castle
is so beautiful,
but the whole earls
and lords thing,
- I don't know.
- Care to elaborate?
Well, I get that it's a huge
part of European history,
but it's just so
un-relatable, you know?
"I'm
the Earl of such and such,
and I have a castle."
An earl that sounds
like the Queen?
Yeah. It just feels
a little out of touch.
Mm. Well, it's not just
baseless posturing.
I mean, historically,
the earl
was the governing
body for the people,
and it was a title held
with great reverence.
And nowadays?
I tell you what.
I have some connections
at the castle,
and if you're interested,
I could arrange
for a private tour, see if I
can't change your mind.
What now? Directions to a
field of four-leaf clovers?
He's offering us a private
tour of the castle.
Oh, is he now?
Yeah, for
the both of you.
Mm-hmm.
If you're interested,
meet me at
the castle at nine
and ask for my
name at the door.
Which is...
Aiden Hart.
I can't believe we agreed
to a tour with Leprechaun Guy.
It could be interesting,
and we'll give it five minutes.
If it seems dodgy,
we'll bail.
Ah, good morning.
We're guests of
Mr. Hart.
Indeed. Right this way.
Five years I've been struggling
to keep this estate afloat
while you've been off
traveling the globe
playing architect
to the stars.
Five years I've been bearing
the burden of this castle
in your name,
the Earl of Glaslough.
That title was important
to Dad. I never wanted it.
And I never wanted to
find myself on the brink
of having our
family's legacy
fall into the hands
of a greedy bank,
but... here we are.
I'm sorry.
Truly.
But look.
I'm here now.
Let me help.
After the news I
received this morning,
it's a little late
for that,
I'm afraid.
Siobhan, please.
What's going on?
What? I have to go.
Why didn't you
go earlier?
Well, because earlier,
I was at a two,
and now, I'm... I'm a 12
out of a possible 10.
- What... what are you doing?
- Find a restroom.
There must be, like,
300 in this place.
There's probably
one up here.
- Margot, I...
- Don't worry.
...don't think we're
allowed to just...
- Come on.
- Wander around.
O'Sullivan just
up and quit?
Well, citing what
reason?
Overextended,
apparently.
He hadn't arranged
a single thing.
No band, no caterers,
no decorations.
All he'd done is
send out invitations
to a party
that doesn't exist.
Well, have you tried
searching for...
A replacement?
Of course.
Everyone is booked,
along with everything
else in this town.
Aiden. Hi.
Uh, you said nine.
We... we aren't
snooping.
We need a restroom.
She's at a 12.
Oh, uh,
of course.
Uh, down the hall,
two lefts,
then another left,
then a right.
- Can't miss it.
- Thanks.
Uh, Siobhan,
this is...
I didn't even
get your names.
Oh. I'm Margot.
- Margot.
- Yeah.
Yeah. We, uh, met
yesterday,
and I promised them
a private tour.
They're vacationing
from New York.
They're, um...
Did you say you
do event planning?
Uh... yeah.
I did say that.
What sort of events?
Oh, you know,
the usual.
Uh, weddings,
inaugurations, quinceaeras,
all the fancy ones.
Big and fancy.
Uh, but I'm
just logistics.
My sister's the creative one.
It's her company, so...
Um, so, what's the heating bill
like in a place like this?
Woof!
I know this might be
a horrible imposition,
but I find myself in quite
a bind at the moment.
We host an annual Christmas gala
for the Duchess of Abercorn,
and the gentleman
in charge of planning it
has unceremoniously
quit.
We're in dire need of
a replacement.
And... you're
asking us?
We'll pay your full fee and
then some for the inconvenience,
and you're welcome to stay
in the castle for sake of ease.
This gala is...
Of great importance.
Oh. Well, um, I'll just need
to check with my sister,
but, um, really,
we'd be delighted.
Brilliant.
You're sure?
Oh, oh, yeah.
Definitely. Yes.
Oh, I can't tell you
what a relief this is.
Oh.
What's your company? I'd love
to take a look at your website,
see some
previous events.
Oh. There you are.
I got so lost I
almost ended up in Scotland.
Okay. Here's the thing.
I did something big,
something amazing for us.
- Margot, what are you talking about?
- Look. I'll explain later.
I just need you to play along,
okay? This could change
- our lives forev...
- Ladies!
Again, I can't
thank you enough
for coming on board
at such short notice.
Oh.
Turning the family castle into
a hotel was a huge gamble.
Now, five years in,
to see it all
at risk...
Your help at this point
is everything.
Assuming you're
both in agreement?
- Uh...
- We discussed it,
and we're
incredibly excited.
- Can't wait to find out more.
- Yeah.
- Wonderful.
- Yeah.
Uh, here is a folio with all
the pertinent information
for planning the gala, and
if you need anything at all,
you have, round the
clock at your disposal,
the Earl
of Glaslough.
It's truly an honor to
be working with you, Paige.
Or would you prefer
Ms. Monaghan?
I cannot believe you
told them I'm Paige Monaghan!
All I said was,
it's your company!
It's called
Paige Monaghan Events!
It's unlikely it's named
after the family pet.
Do you remember that
whole part where I said
we can't get
thrown in prison?
No. It's not like
it's illegal.
It's highly unethical.
No, it's not
unethical! It's...
Okay. Alright. Yeah. It's
a tiny bit unethical,
- but Brooke, hear me out.
- No. You have to go
back in there and
tell them the truth!
- Brooke!
- Margot!
- Brooke!
- Margot!
Brooke?
- Thank you.
- Oh.
I'm sorry I lied, but
you heard Siobhan.
Their event planner quit,
and if this gala doesn't happen,
it could ruin them. The
duchess has ties
to all of Ireland's
high society.
If this relationship goes
south, so does the business.
They need our help.
They need your help.
No, they need Paige
Monaghan's help. I'm not...
No! You're a million
times better, and nicer!
How many fairy tale balls
have you planned in your head?
The music, the decor, right down
to the color of the napkins?
I know. I know. You're right.
More times than is healthy,
- but that's not the point.
- No. The point is,
they're in trouble and
they need help.
You'll come clean
afterwards. By then,
you'll have saved the day.
You're the one who wanted to
shake the tree.
Yeah, but this isn't a tree.
This is the whole forest.
Well, then let's shake
the whole forest!
We can do this! Come on.
You know we can.
Plus, if we do it,
we get to stay in
the castle.
Available around
the clock?
I'm not a
concierge service.
That was unfair.
I should have said
you'll be with them
every step of the way
to ensure this gala is
as spectacular an affair
as the duchess expects.
Look, Siobhan, I just
really don't think that...
You don't have to.
Just make sure Paige
has what she needs
to pull the gala together
in the next two weeks.
Take her where
she needs to go,
introduce her to people,
write checks.
You want to be
the hero?
This is how you
do that.
I'll go press my cape.
Are you serious?
- This is what we're going in.
- Okay.
Ladies, your
carriage awaits.
Yes. Well, I wouldn't
have, uh, guessed
chauffeur was included in
the job description of earl.
You and I both,
but my sister... and
I thought it best for me
to accompany you at all times
to ensure our full support.
At all times?
Is that...
Yeah. No. We're fine on
our own.
- Thanks
- Yeah.
Suit yourself, but, uh,
just in case...
Is this where you
were staying?
- Yeah. Why?
- I just thought, uh...
assumed women of
your tastes
might choose somewhere
a little less, uh, quaint.
Oh. You know
the old saying:
Subtlety is the
cornerstone of class.
We're meeting the duchess
at one, so before that,
I'll get you settled
into your new quarters.
Oh, uh, we might need
some extra clothing racks,
because we didn't
exactly pack light, so...
I don't think that's going
to be an issue.
Well, will it suffice?
Uh, yeah. This
will, uh...
this will be
just fine. Thank you.
Brilliant. Uh, the
adjoining room is Margot's.
Uh, same size but
without a fireplace.
- Great.
- I'll, uh, let you guys
- get settled.
- Thank you.
Come on.
Ah, I can't believe it!
Uh, one
more thing. Um...
Hi. Yeah. Uh, we
were just looking for a...
A spider. There...
there was a... a spider.
Right, and we were going
to catch it, because...
With your bare hands?
We're from New York.
Right. Uh, well, I
just wanted to let you know,
the spa, in-room dining,
etc. is on the house.
- Oh, lovely.
- Oh. Great.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Yeah. Yeah.
Remember, you address the
duchess as Your Grace.
Oh. What am I doing?
I'm sure you've worked
with members of
the aristocracy before.
It never hurts to
be prepared.
Uh, she can be a
bit, uh... precise.
We'll be fine. Brooke's a
bit precise herself.
Who?
Oh, Brooke... Brooke
is a... It's...
It... It's
a nickname.
I used to read
a ton, and my mom
would call me
her little bookworm,
but when Margot
said it,
it came out
"Brooke-worm."
- So cute.
- Yeah. Brooke-worm.
So, it just kind of
stuck. You know.
Now, I hate to ask
you this, but...
the duchess can't know
I lost my event planner,
or she'll question whether
I'm up to the task.
We'll play along. We're fine
bending the truth.
Only when it's
for a good cause.
- Okay.
- Yes.
Your Grace, so nice to see you.
Allow me to introduce,
from New York, Paige
Monaghan and Margot Bennett.
Ladies, the Duchess
of Abercorn,
Julia Dunlevy.
Your Grace,
it's a pleasure.
Your Grace, sweet place.
My mother's third
husband was a Monaghan.
Which branch of the tree are
you descendent from?
It is Seamus or Cillian?
- Uh...
- Seamus.
- Mm.
- Seamus, right? Yeah.
For a long time, we thought
it was, uh, uh, the other one,
but, uh, no.
Seamus.
Ah. So, did
your people...
My, my. Look at
the time.
I think we really should
discuss this gala.
- Of course.
- Great.
Uh, is Mr. O'Sullivan
not joining us?
Mr. O'Sullivan
has been let go.
His efforts didn't reflect
the taste and elegance
befitting a woman
of your refinement.
This is where
Margot and I excel.
So, we'd love to
hear from you,
your vision.
Anyone can throw
a glitter and gold,
"put the royals to
shame" Christmas gala,
but what do you want?
Exactly what
you just described.
Okay. Alright. I...
I do think
there's an opportunity here
to do something really unique.
Let's create an event people
are actually excited about
and look forward
to every year.
Let's put the
moonlight to shame.
We know how
to throw a banger.
A what?
- A banger. It's, like, a...
- No.
Why don't you tell us
about the event
and what it means to
you? And then we can...
we can go from there.
Well, it is more than
just a Christmas party.
This is the social
event of the season.
My guests expect the finest
food, elegant decor,
- classical music.
- Yeah.
And money
is no object,
but it must be something
special, memorable.
Oh, I don't think anyone's
going to forget this year. Nope.
And accomplishing
that in 12 days
won't be a
problem, will it?
- Oh, Pfft.
- Twelve days? Oh, for us,
no, no. Twelve
days is a...
It's a dream.
- Totally.
- Total dream.
This is a nightmare. I mean,
all of the decorations
they used last year have
already been rented.
The two major rental
houses in Dublin,
they have zero inventory.
There are no tasteful
Christmas decorations left,
and we haven't even started
looking for a caterer.
Why can't the restaurant at
the castle just do it?
Because they're set
up for dinner for 30,
not catering
for 100!
What are
we going to do?
I don't think
we have a choice.
We're going
to call the earl?
Things are about to get
a little more complicated.
If it's decorations you're
looking for,
there's really onlyone place I
can think of, but...
But...
Every year, the whole
of Glaslough would turn out
for a massive holiday party,
the twelve pubs
of Christmas.
It would start at one end of
town and work its way
from pub to pub
to the other end.
We used to host the final stop
on the castle grounds. It
was a lavish party
- with food, drinks, music.
- Yeah.
It was a way of letting
the locals know
that the castle was as
much theirs as ours.
That's so nice.
But not anymore?
After the remodel,
Siobhan felt that hosting
the gala for the duchess
made better financial sense,
given the type of clientele we
were hoping to attract.
Mm, but why not
just do... do both?
Unfortunately, they often land
on the same evening.
Needless to say, the townsfolk
were none too pleased.
They felt shunned by their
newly appointed earl.
Ah, so I take it no
more free marshmallows
in your hot chocolate.
Precisely,
and the one fella that
might be able to help us
is the man with all
the marshmallows.
Let me see if
I got this right.
Your Lordship cancels the
community party,
turns his back
on the entire town,
and now, you're here looking
for a favor?
Mr. O'Connor... Liam, if I may,
listen. I know how you feel.
You know, sometimes, people make
incredibly selfish decisions
without considering how other
people are going to be affected.
- Who are you again?
- Paige Monaghan.
She's planning the
gala for the duchess.
Any relation to
Darragh Monaghan?
Uh... how far back do
you want to go?
The invention of fire?
It's likely.
May I ask what this
is you're working on?
It's a tree,
a Christmas tree.
This is the top
section.
Wow. That is unlike anything
I've ever seen before.
Could I see
the rest of it?
You can have a look,
but not him.
Close your eyes.
You're the first person
outside of myself
to lay eyes on this.
Oh, wow.
That is going to be
extraordinary.
I know this is
a really big ask,
but is there any way
you would consider
loaning that to
me for the night,
for the gala?
Uh...
I get it. I would
be angry, too.
I really would be.
I would be so angry,
but you know
what I've learned
about dealing with
people like him?
The best thing is just
to prove them wrong.
Prove he has
no power over you.
I mean, think about that.
Think about the look
on the duchess's face
and the earl's face
when they see your work
defiantly on display,
saying, "Not only am I here,
but I am stealing
the show."
I'll do it
for you. Not him.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much.
What has 14 letters and is
impossible to pronounce?
The town where I found the
linens, place settings,
- and glassware.
- You found the bone china?
- Yes!
- Great, and what about the, uh,
- tablecloths with the...
- With the lace scalloping?
- Yeah?
- All of it. I had to bribe
the lady with an
invite to the gala,
but she agreed to
truck everything over.
Amazing. Ten days to go.
We're making progress.
Alright. What
about catering?
No dice. I've
tried every person
with a walk-in refrigerator
within 15 miles,
but they're all booked.
But I did have one idea.
Just one?
That's unusual for you.
I worked a party for Paige
last year, a big event,
and the guest chef was
out of Dublin.
I was thinking I could find
her name online.
Wait. No, no, no. If... if she and
Paige already know each other...
That could work in
our favor, you know.
We just say that Paige
couldn't make it
and she sent you instead.
I mean, we're probably
spending the rest of our 30s
in an eight-by-10
cell anyway,
so let's just go
down swinging.
Yes! I mean, we're
not, but yay!
Okay.
Okay.
I was just on my way to see
if you needed anything.
You know, you sure do
have a lot of free time
for an earl who moonlights
as a chauffeur.
Well, I'm
in between gigs.
I noticed your card
said architect.
I assume that's a...
a day job?
- Yeah.
- Did you do this?
No. This is all
Siobhan. It's, uh...
Actually, it's the first time
I'm seeing it since completion.
Oh. Do you... do
you not live here?
I live wherever my
projects are.
I just spent the
last six months in Italy,
and before that,
Germany, China, Dubai.
That sounds so
exotic.
Jennifer Barclay!
She's based in Dublin.
She's potentially available
and wants to meet at
one to discuss.
She loved working
for Paige.
For you. Working for
you. You're Paige.
Correct, and
you're Margot.
- I'm Margot.
- Hi, Margot.
- Hey.
- Just a fun little game
we play.
- Well, I'm Aiden.
- Hey, Aiden.
Who loved working for you?
Uh, a
caterer in Dublin.
Right. So, it... it's noon.
I should probably get moving.
- Oh, I'll give you a ride.
- No! No.
- Uh-uh. No.
- Don't do that.
Uh-uh. I... I... No. I can...
I'll I'll drive myself.
- Right.
- All the way to Dublin?
- Yeah.
- Siobhan would have my head.
- Come on.
- Okay.
The car's right in front.
- Okay.
- I'm sorry.
Uh, you... you don't
need to come in.
In fact, it's probably better
that you don't.
You know, after the whole
earl thing with Liam and...
Why do I suddenly feel like
Ebenezer Scrooge?
But much better
looking.
Not that I'm looking or...
or not looking
and... and
not not looking.
I-I'll be back.
It's a pleasure
to meet you, Brooke.
I'm flattered Paige
thought of me.
You did such a great job
with the event in New York.
Oh, I appreciate that,
and a gala at the castle
sounds right up my alley.
I am committed to another
event that weekend,
so I'd have to bring
on extra help.
Well, I hear money
is no object.
In that case, let's
try a few things, eh?
Oh, let's. I mean,
this is the best part.
That's why we're here.
- May I?
- Please.
Mmm.
- Excuse me.
- Oh! Hey.
Can you tell me where
I could find Siobhan Hart?
Oh, uh, I
don't know.
I'm... I'm overseeing
the work.
The candelabras look
gorgeous.
Fiona Walsh,
Lifestyle Ireland.
I was hoping to get a few
more details about the gala.
- Perhaps you can help me.
- Uh, you know,
you're better off
speaking with my boss,
Paige or Ms. Monaghan.
Paige Monaghan?
You are kidding.
She did a few events
in London that I covered.
Oh. That's...
Small world!
Well, she's not here right now,
but she'll be really sorry
she missed you, so...
Well, I'll be here for
an hour or so.
Could you call her,
just let her
know I'm here?
Like, right now?
Yeah.
Are you hungry?
Clara makes a dangerously
good meat pie.
I'm okay. I ate at
the caterer's office.
Ah. I didn't
realize. Yeah.
If you'll recall, I was, uh,
waiting in the car.
Right.
Sorry.
Hey, there.
How's it going?
Hey, Paige!
So, fun coincidence.
Uh, the reporter,
Fiona Walsh,
that you met
in London, is here.
Really? Oh, that
is fun.
Yeah! I know!
And, um, she's going to
be here for another hour,
and she'd love
to see you.
When will you be back?
Oh. You'll be gone at
least two hours?
- Yeah.
- Oh, too bad.
You'll miss her
entirely. Okay. Bye.
Mm. Sorry.
She's not going
to be back, so...
Okay. Got it.
Well, I... I am just so glad that
you got it to stop bleeding.
- Bleeding?
- Yeah. Just a little minor...
minor injury.
You know what?
I am kind of hungry.
Are you sure?
Because...
Yeah. No. I'm
actually starving.
We should stop.
Can we stop?
Let's just stop.
Okay. Meat pies it is.
Great.
Too much meat
or not enough pie?
Oh, no, no, no. It's
delicious. I just think
my eyes were a bit
bigger than my stomach.
- Thanks, Clara. Just the check.
- No, no. No. No.
You know what we don't do
anymore as people?
We don't just sit
and chat, you know?
Like, really just take our
time and just... chat.
Right. I hear you're
helping with the gala.
I don't suppose that
leaves much time
for hunting down your
relatives. O'Reilly, wasn't it?
Yeah. We haven't even
started looking.
Well, when you do,
have a chat with
the duchess.
She has a
near-encyclopedic knowledge of
who's who
and what's what
and who went where
with who, wearing what.
Okay. I'll... I'll do
that. Thank you.
O'Reilly?
Yeah. My father's
birth parents.
He was adopted.
I'm Bennett.
You mean Monaghan.
Uh, right.
Yeah. No. No. Bennett
is my, um, my married name.
Yeah. Or was.
I'm divorced.
Almost a year now.
Well, I'm sorry.
Oh, it wasn't
your fault.
Unless you were
secretly advising him
to shut down emotionally
and make wildly irresponsible
financial decisions.
- Were you doing that?
- I don't recall
having those
conversations, no.
It's for the best.
I mean, starting
over is... is tough,
but, um, I guess you could say I
find myself in a bit of a...
Crisis of identity?
Yeah.
What does that mean?
That's a holiday version
of an old Irish proverb.
"May the most you wish
for this Christmas
be the least you get."
And the red one?
"Two people
shorten the road."
Well, I suppose we
should be getting back.
They'll be wondering
where we've gotten off to.
I should just check
in with Margot.
Hey! I was just, uh,
checking in
to see if the room
is free of, uh, workers.
The partridge is still
in the pear tree.
Okay. So...?
I repeat, the partridge
is still in the pear tree.
Right. What
does that mean?
The partridge is
still in the pear tree!
Okay. Great. Thanks.
Uh, yeah. So, the, um,
the ballroom is still a...
It's a work zone, and, uh,
Margot is, um, bird-watching.
Um, so it looks like
we have a little free time.
If there was one thing
that tourists never get to see,
what would it be?
Um, if we're going
to confession,
I'm going to need
to take a raincheck.
Don't worry.
Your secrets are safe.
This chapel hasn't been
used in years.
Wow. It's beautiful.
We'd just had our
Christmas Eve service
when a huge storm
came through.
We haven't had much luck
finding someone to
properly restore it.
Well, maybe this
is your next project.
I design office buildings
and hotels, apartments.
My one and only experience
with restoration
didn't exactly leave a
pleasant taste in my mouth.
How so?
The build I was
on in Italy,
we, uh, we promised
we'd preserve
the historic
buildings around it,
but financially, it
would have buried us,
so... we didn't.
Oh. Ouch.
And then being
confronted by the woman
whose family had lived
there for generations...
Oh, she
was devastated.
I quit the next day.
Really? Just
like that?
Yeah. I, uh... just
couldn't do it anymore.
You know, my mom always
said that sometimes,
you have to hit bottom
to find your way to the top.
I really miss her.
I'm sorry.
Yeah. It makes
you realize how easily
we take people for granted
when they're healthy.
Family is just the
single greatest gift
we're given. We got to...
love them as hard as we can
while we can,
flaws and all.
But the good news is,
it's never too late
to become the people...
or person of Irish
noble descent...
that we really
want to be.
Two questions.
Do you, um... do you
have any plans tonight?
And, um, how do you
feel about large crowds
and centuries-old
tree-lighting ceremonies?
Honey, I'm home!
I hope you enjoyed gallivanting
around the countryside
with Prince Charming while
I'm stuck here
like some spy
behind enemy lines.
Oh. Eating
chocolate-covered almonds.
You look like you are
really suffering.
Well, I am.
What's with the smile?
- I'm not.
- Spill it! What?
Nothing!
It's nothing.
I... It was...
it was a good day.
Yeah. The caterer
is confirmed, and, uh...
Oh, I learned the duchess is
who we should talk to
- about Dad's lineage.
- Oh.
And, uh, what
else? What else?
Oh, Aiden invited us to
the tree lighting tonight.
Us or you?
Us. You and me. Us.
Margot, it's a casual
invite to a casual event.
Mm-hmm.
Can you help me pick
out something to wear?
Alright.
Relax. You look great.
What? I'm not
trying to.
No. I... I wasn't even
looking at myself.
I was just looking
around for...
Impeccable timing.
Hi.
You look nice.
Both of you.
- Oh.
- Thanks.
Thank you. So do you.
Well, they're just about
to start. Shall we?
Okay.
Welcome,
welcome, everybody,
to the annual
lighting of the tree.
Firstly, I'd like to...
My lord.
I didn't realize you'd be
in attendance this evening.
Uh, would you care to
grace us with a few words?
- Go on.
- Go on.
- Of course.
- Yeah!
His Lordship.
Whoo-hoo!
Thank you, Mayor.
Uh, I'm as surprised
by my attendance
as you are.
But there's only
so much lounging around
with a golden scepter one
man can tolerate.
And the truth
is, I...
If you're going to throw
a snowball at someone,
you best be careful, because
that someone may be inclined...
To throw it back.
Ah!
- Oh!
- Alright.
I'd say that's a hint
to get on with it,
so let's get on
with it.
Five!
Four! Three!
Two! One!
I showed him
what's what, huh?
You kind of throw
like an earl.
You handled that very nicely.
Perhaps some of your wit and
charm is rubbing off,
Ms. Monaghan.
Shoes. Shoes.
Where are my shoes?
Did you check the spot
where we keep the shoes?
Right. Of course. Oh,
yeah. Here we are.
You seem a little
scattered this morning.
- Is everything alright?
- I'm fine.
It's just, we have four
days until the party,
and we still don't
have a band!
And it's not because you're
meeting the earl in...
well, 10
minutes ago.
Wait. Are you
serious? I'm late?
I'm messing
with you,
but you might want to keep
your cards closer to your vest.
They're
showing a bit.
Are you sure you're okay
hanging back today?
Yeah. I'm going
to hit the duchess up
for some more info
on Dad's family.
Maybe try to bond,
see if she'll adopt me.
Nice. Purse.
Where's my purse?
Uh...
- I'm fine.
- Yeah.
Yeah. Okay.
What adventure
awaits us today?
Any chance you know where to
find a string quartet?
Uh, hold on a sec.
No.
But I do know a
well-connected baron.
Perhaps we should
go say hello.
Alright.
It's been
too long, my boy,
but a wonderful
surprise nonetheless.
I'm afraid I may not be
of much help with the music.
There was a time I knew
of two or three
different string outfits
from parties I've
thrown over the years,
but, uh, those days
are long over.
Does it have
to be strings?
Well, I mean, I think we
should steer clear
of, you know,
bongos and bagpipes,
but I think we can afford to
get a little creative.
- What were you thinking?
- Well, I seem to recall you
tickling the ivories
now and again.
He puts Elton to shame.
Jazz, classical,
rock, you name it.
He exaggerates,
but I do play.
Oh, that was so beautiful.
I'm meant to appear
at the gala as a guest,
but if you can drag in a piano,
I'd be happy to
play for my supper.
Really?
Oh, that would be so great.
That... that... that
would be amazing. Thank you.
My pleasure.
I wanted to ask you
about your horses. They're...
just magnificent.
Is that an Arabian?
You have a good eye.
Do you ride?
I do. Well, I did.
It's been forever.
For me, as well.
Perhaps we could
take them for a quick spin,
stretch your legs a little bit.
You remind me a lot of my son.
He's confident, unique.
Oh.
So, you came here to ask about
lineage Monaghan, I presume?
No. O'Reilly.
Our dad was adopted.
We've got the records
but no first names.
Well, any other clues?
Pictures?
Oh, well, had a teddy bear
from when he was born
and here was a locket on it
with "freedom" written inside.
Freedom? Hmm.
It's not a lot to go on.
I know.
Sorry for wasting your time.
Oh, on the contrary, my dear.
There's nothing I love
more than a good puzzle.
Oh. Eggnog?
Thank you. Mm.
Oh!
Irish eggnog.
Cool. Nice.
To freedom.
To freedom! Ooh...
Now, tell me more a
bout your father.
Oh, well, it's a long story.
I just don't know why he'd ever
want to leave a place like this.
Yeah.
Do you ever think
about moving back?
I'm not sure it's that simple.
My father was a brilliant man,
you know, beloved, revered,
and he left behind
an immense set of shoes,
and I've always had this
nagging feeling that...
I wasn't fit to fill them.
It's funny how often
I've proven that to be true.
Maybe, but...
you know, our mistakes
don't define us;
They give us perspective.
You know? And it's likely you won't
fill your father's shoes,
but... I don't know,
it's never too late to become
the person you want to be,
and I think that person
is more than enough.
I just said it!
I don't know why!
Oh! Hey. How'd it go?
We have music! We're going to
Lanighan's for a bite.
Come join us.
Oh, uh...
You guys go ahead.
I'll catch up later.
All right.
Well, I guess it's
just the two of us.
Hmm.
Busy!
What's the celebration?
Free pint with every smile?
We'd be bankrupt
within the hour.
Word got out
that the band
were planning to
warm up their fingers.
They're playing the last stop
at the Twelve Pubs
party this year,
and apparently, they're
taking it quite seriously.
So, I hope you weren't planning
a quiet sit-down.
It's about to get a mite
livelier in here.
It's all right.
I left my knitting in the car.
I'd best pour you both a pint, so.
You'll be needing to
cool down soon enough.
You don't see this
too often in New York, huh?
I haven't seen anything
like this anywhere.
It's amazing.
The only thing
better than watching...
Hey, you two, come on.
- Oh, come on.
- Come on.
I don't know the steps.
None of us do. So, just
smile and move your feet.
- Can you manage that?
- All right.
There you go.
Oh...
Okay, you go through.
Your Irish roots are showing!
Aye. Yours are, too!
So, how are
your feet after last night?
Oh, I feel like I ran barefoot
through the Five Boroughs.
But worth it?
Oh, that was the most
fun I've had in years,
maybe... maybe ever.
Where's Margot today?
She's having lunch
with the Duchess.
- Hmm.
- Yeah. She's hard not to love.
Must run in the family.
So, why are we picking a tree?
I mean, there's almost one in
every room in the castle.
Almost every room.
Let's just say you've inspired
me the past few days.
It got me thinking
about Siobhan and I, and
how, when we were young,
Tree Day was almost as
thrilling as Christmas itself.
Dad would bundle us up
and we'd trek out
to find the biggest, fullest, most
Christmassy smelling
Douglas fir in all the land.
Most Christmassy smelling?
- Yeah.
- Yep.
Decorating the tree was...
it was one of our favorite
things to do as kids together. You know?
It's... pure joy.
And it was one of those moments,
where we just felt like
a normal family.
So, I thought this
might be something
that can mend a few fences.
Care to give us a hand?
I'd love to.
Have you
had any breakthroughs
on the O'Reilly family tree?
Oh, as much as it pains me to say,
no, not as of yet.
Oh. That's why you invited me.
Not today. Ladies,
may I to present
Miss Margot Monaghan from...
Ladies, I hope you've saved
all your juiciest
gossip for... hello.
Hi.
Margot, this is my son,
Cillian Dunlevy,
the Marquess of Castleblayney.
Please, please, call me
Cillian Dunlevy,
the Marquess of Castleblayney.
Margot is a friend
from New York.
She'll be joining us
for lunch today.
Will she now?
Indeed, she will.
Was I humming?
Oh, no.
I think I do that sometimes.
It's very charming.
I think we're about
ready for the crown.
Everything all right?
Y...
Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Sorry.
I just...
Just, for all of my husband's flaws,
Christmas was
really special for us,
especially decorating the tree.
And he was taller than me,
so he'd always did the star.
Oh, everything
just feels kind of off.
Oh, I know the feeling.
Christmas has been off for me
for the last few years, too.
Well, how would you be spending
it if you weren't here?
Room service and watching
It's a Wonderful Life.
Kind of sounds like
"It's a Lonely Life".
I suppose
I just came to accept it.
And now?
Now...
I'm starting to remember what Christmas
is supposed to feel like.
You know, it's inspiring
watching you work.
I mean, despite your setbacks,
you've... taken
something that you love
and built an entire
career that says,
"This is me.
This is who I am."
Could you do this for me?
No.
But perhaps
we can do it together.
And for the final touch...
Oh, it's gonna be perfect.
Thank you.
This is our biggest
event of the year,
so it's obviously very exciting.
I think you'll really enjoy it.
Oh.
Yeah, so, I just...
I wanted to try something
different this year,
which is why I went for
a new event planner,
just to freshen up
the old (unclear).
Aiden, have you met Fiona Walsh?
She's covering the gala
for Lifestyle Ireland.
Oh. I haven't.
It's a pleasure.
- Nice to meet you.
- Have you seen Paige?
Fiona wants to interview her.
I have.
She's right...
Oh, that's odd.
She was right here.
Indeed.
I would like to speak to her.
I think the idea of a refined
New York sensibility
meets traditional
Irish aesthetic
is a good angle for the article.
Do have her call me.
Of course.
I'll make sure she's in touch.
- Okay. Bye.
- Bye.
Bye.
- Hey.
- Hey. Hey.
- Hey.
- We were just, uh...
Looking for spiders?
No. We were just, uh,
admiring the, um, architecture.
- Architecture, right.
- There's just so much of it.
So good.
Uh, Fiona Walsh
is looking for you.
She was just here.
Oh, that's too bad.
Bad timing.
Yeah, she'd like to feature you
in an article she's writing.
Really?
In fact, if we go now, we can
probably still catch her.
Oh, no, no.
It's okay. It's okay.
I-I, um...
we've worked together before,
so I have her number;
I'll give her a ring.
Okay.
Uh... I-I just remember
I have a meeting.
It's a really boring one
about napkins and things.
So, I'm gonna just excuse
myself, please.
Right.
Um, so, architecture, right?
It's great.
Really nice. Really...
strong, sturdy
Jennifer!
What a surprise!
I was in the area and thought
I'd pop in to see the kitchen.
Is this a bad time?
Uh, no.
No, not at all.
The kitchen is just, uh...
this way.
Outside?
Medieval architecture,
am I right?
Yeah, it's just, um, this way.
Jennifer!
Don't tell me,
you're catering the gala.
I am indeed.
Fiona, what a lovely surprise.
It's been ages.
Have you met met Bro...
Broke!
Ah, I broke a nail! Oh!
A nail? Just now?
Yep.
May I have a look?
I have a nail...
No, thank you.
Thank you, thank you. No, no.
It's bad. It's...
It's a bad one,
I can feel it.
Oh, it's messy.
Uh, uh... we'll just...
we'll grab some bandages
on the way the way
to the kitchen.
Madam?
Oh, thanks.
Jennifer, always a pleasure.
And... you take care
of that finger.
Thank you.
Good evening.
Were you expecting a car,
Ms. Monaghan?
- I can explain!
- I don't want to know.
Listen, the truth is...
The truth is,
when they hired me,
they thought I was Paige
and I didn't correct them
because they were desperate.
But this party is
unbelievably important
and I'm just trying to
make sure it happens.
Please, don't say anything.
I'm... I'm... I'm
literally begging you.
Fine.
But you can find yourself
another caterer.
What? But why?
Because, one day,
I hope to work with
the real Paige Monaghan again
and I don't want to risk that
by getting in the middle
of... well, whatever this is.
You're on your own... Brooke.
Three days to go
and she backs out?
I have half a mind
to ring her up myself...
No! Don't do that!
It was... it was...
It was my fault.
I gave her the
wrong date for the gala
and she's
triple booked that day.
I'm so sorry.
You're sure the castle
restaurant can't do it?
Not for an event this big.
We could supplement,
but these caterers,
they bring in a
mobile kitchen and a full staff.
We're sunk.
No. No, not yet.
No. We'll figure it out.
We always do.
Don't we, Paige?
Paige?
I need some air.
It's all part of her process.
We'll get this all sorted.
Don't worry.
Hey, what are you doing?
What I should have
done a week ago.
Brooke, okay, I think
you're overreacting a bit.
So, we lost the caterer...
You don't get it, do you?
You don't get how ugly this is,
how just... awful I feel.
Margot, these people have
put their trust in us
and we're just
lying to their faces.
This is... it's not a game.
I know it's not.
Do you?
Because you just keep piling lie
on top of lie on top of lie,
like it's nothing.
I never should have let you
talk me into this, I knew it.
Okay, I messed up.
I know that.
I was trying to do
something good and...
I shouldn't have
gotten involved.
The point is
that they did trust us,
they trusted you.
And if you quit now,
it's them that suffers, not me.
Don't punish them
for my stupidity.
They need you, Brooke.
There's a trick I haven't seen.
You learn this from your elite
New York Academy of Design?
No, this is from my elite
academy of a childhood
spent throwing very lavish
parties for my Barbies.
I, um...
Well, this has just
always been my passion,
just started on a
slightly smaller scale.
I hadn't heard
from you this morning.
I was worried maybe you'd...
What? Quit?
No. No, no, no.
Just...
Just a little preoccupied.
Paige, what happened
with the caterer,
it wasn't your fault.
It's an honest mistake.
Um...
Aiden, there's you need to
know something about me.
Um...
I'm...
I'm, um...
I'm not p...
Perfect?
I'm happy to hear,
because frankly,
I was beginning to wonder.
Who was it who told me
that we're not defined
by our mistakes?
Aiden...
I mean, look what you've
accomplished in a week.
I believe in you.
I can fix this. I...
I'm going to fix this.
We can do it together.
Great.
Worst case scenario,
we back up a
truckload of sausages
and have the lads
fire up the grills.
You know what?
That's not entirely off base.
Are you daft? I can't cater
the Christmas gala.
Clara, we're desperate.
Oh, such flattery.
We really are desperate.
But why me?
The Duchess and her friends
aren't exactly the cottage pie
and colcannon types.
Meat and potatoes.
Oh. But it doesn't
have to be fancy.
No, it just has to be delicious,
and your food is
most definitely that.
What's your most popular dish?
Steak and onion pie
with a side of green beans.
Okay, so, we... we serve it
on very fancy plates,
we call it...
tourtire with haricots verts,
and no one knows the difference.
Well, even if I said yes,
I don't have the
space or the help.
What if we told you we
already figured that part out,
would that be a yes?
All right, this is great.
We have dinner sorted out.
Now, we just need
appetizers and desserts.
I have an idea.
Are you planning on telling me
what we bought all these
ingredients for?
No.
I'm planning on showing you.
So, plum pudding, is that
kind of like a fruitcake?
Similar.
If Christmas could be summed up
in a taste, this is be it.
And he bakes?
Oh, you've been
holding out on me.
No, I can't really.
These recipes have been
handed down for generations
and each family has a custodian
of theirs and I'm him.
Let's, as they say
in America, do this.
I think that must be enough.
Lot of butter,
lot of sugar.
I wasn't very
successful with this.
- Oh...
- Look at that, huh?
- Vey fancy.
- Ta-da.
You wanna give me that? Okay.
There we go.
- Like that?
- Mm-hmm.
That's very nice.
- Look at that.
- Perfect.
We did it.
Now what?
Now, we, uh, make ten more.
Let's do this.
I knew it.
- I knew it!
- That's an American saying,
"Let's do this."
Now, technically you're not supposed
to try it out of the oven,
but there's also something
to be said for quality control.
The recipe also says you can't
eat the first bite yourself.
Mmm. Wow.
Yup, that is...
You know, you're...
You're unexpected.
Fine. When I first met you,
I kind of thought you were...
you know...
and now I realize I was wrong.
But...
Yeah. No, I was wrong.
You're... so kind and thoughtful
and... authentic.
Paige...
I, um...
I-I just realized that
I-I don't have a...
a dress for tomorrow.
So, I mean, we should
probably get this cleaned up,
you know, so I can, um...
- Yeah.
- I can find something to wear.
- Right.
- Yeah.
[Answering machine]
You have one new message.
Paige,
this is Fiona Walsh
with Lifestyle Ireland.
I've been trying to connect
with you at Castle Hart
about the Duchess's Christmas
gala that you're planning,
but we seem to keep
missing each other.
So, if you could give me a ring
at your earliest
convenience, thanks.
Okay, appetizers
are over there, please.
And then, main courses are here.
And that's great, thank you.
Oh, desserts over there, please.
Tourtire with haricots verts.
Oh, C'est magnifique, Clara.
Thank you!
Listen, you haven't...
you haven't seen Margot,
by chance, have you?
No, I haven't.
Great. Thank you.
Everything going smoothly?
Yes, I think we're done,
other than...
other than the guests.
Then, you deserve a break.
Come on.
- Come on, where?
- Come on.
Oh, Aiden, this is so beautiful.
When did you do this?
Over the last few days.
I got inspired.
So, does this mean
you're staying?
Well, I haven't talked to
Siobhan yet, but I'd like to.
It's... starting to feel
like home again.
I'm really happy
for you, really.
If I haven't thanked you yet...
I'm just doing my job.
Well, not for the gala. It's...
It's more than that.
You've inspired me
with your wisdom,
and your heart,
for extending yourself
when you didn't have to,
and for teaching me
the value of family,
of loyalty.
You know, I see what
you have with your sister
and I want that with mine.
It's what you do,
it's who you are.
The truth is...
I've never met a woman like you.
And I'm not sure I'm ready
to say goodbye just yet.
Aiden, I...
Sorry. I'm...
I'm so sorry.
I...
I have to get ready...
Beg pardon, Miss Monaghan.
I left the packages in the room.
"For you selection...
"Aiden."
Hey.
Hey, what is it?
What happened?
It's this.
It's... all of this.
He's been so nice to me,
and all I want to do is just...
tell him how much I like him,
which I really think is a lot,
and I can't because
I'm not who I said I was,
and if I do tell him,
it's gonna ruin everything.
And then, I said all
of that stuff to you,
and I know you're
just trying to help,
and I-I could find you, and I-I
got so worried that... that you...
I had what?
Abandoned my sister?
Never. Come on. Never.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Look, and if Aiden likes you
half as much as I do,
then your name could be
Candycane McChristmas
and he wouldn't care.
We'll explain everything
when the time is right
and he'll completely understand,
I promise, I promise.
If you need a dress, there
are a few to choose from.
No, I'm good.
I went shopping this
morning with Cillian.
Oh...
Now, get your glass slippers...
which ones?
And let's blow the
doors off this thing. Yeah?
I love you.
Oh, I love you, too.
It's perfect,
beyond my expectations.
Oh, is Paige around?
I believe a
thank you is in order.
Aiden, have you seen Paige?
I haven't, but I'll go
check out and see if she's...
Excuse me.
Hi.
Do I have something on my face?
Only a smile that
lights up the room.
You look... stunning.
Thank you, and thank you
for the... the dress.
It's perfect.
Yes, it is.
Well, I suppose I'd better
let you show it off...
Not only does she throw
a truly magnificent party,
she outshines
everyone in the room.
Thank you.
I couldn't have done any of
this without my incredible...
Well, what did we miss?
...my extraordinary sister.
Well, you are quite the team.
You have outdone
yourselves, ladies.
Thank you.
Well, I suppose I'd
better go and mingle,
but please, eat, drink, enjoy.
You've earned it, all of you.
You don't have to
tell me twice. Shall we?
Yes!
- I, um...
- Yeah.
- I should...
- Yeah.
Yeah.
Oh, Clara,
the food is such a hit!
Everyone's loving it!
We can barely keep up
with seconds!
Thank you.
Oh, Liam, the tree is just...
oh, it's so beautiful.
Well, I designed it
to represent
a new beginning
in our community.
The brightness of the palace
and the strength of our people.
Oh, thank you so much, Liam.
You're welcome.
What?
We did it.
Not bad for a couple
waitresses from New York.
Event planners from New York.
Event planners
from New York.
Is it me or does she seem...
- Bored?
- Yeah.
It is a bit of a snoozer.
Well, this is what she wanted.
I think it's what
she's supposed to want.
But she's gonna love
what you've planned next.
Let's do it.
- They're amazing.
- It's so good!
Reminds me of the old community
parties we used to have.
Indeed.
And I believe it's time we got
back to doing those again.
Is she... oh!
She's dancing!
You are just full
of surprises, aren't you?
Have you been keeping
anything else from me?
Actually, can I talk
to you in private?
Hmm?
I have to
tell you something.
I know, earlier,
in the chapel,
I-I overstepped.
I'm not who you think I am.
I'm...
Brooke Bennet.
Her name is Brooke Bennett.
She's been lying to us.
This is the real Paige Monaghan.
Brooke is a waitress
she fired two weeks ago.
Is this true?
Yeah.
I trusted you.
I...
shared things.
I know.
I know.
I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.
You needed help
with the gala, and I, um...
I knew if you'd
known who I really was,
you wouldn't have hired us,
so I-I went along with it.
But...
I've... I've wanted to tell you.
I... promise.
I was... desperate to tell you.
I was trying to
tell you, I swear.
It was my fault,
not hers.
She had nothing to do with it.
I'm so sorry.
You could have told me.
Aiden...
You!
Give me one reason I shouldn't
have both of you thrown in jail.
These young ladies are among
the finest I've ever met,
regardless of what
their names are.
You breathe one word of this
and I'll make
sure you never work
in this part of the world again.
How's that for one?
Are you sure
you want to do this?
What if this is your fairytale?
If we drive away now,
you're never going to know.
- Aiden.
- Hey.
I got your note.
And the tree in the parlor...
you did that? For me?
Well, I was meaning
to wait until Christmas,
but after last night,
I figured we could both
use a little cheering up.
This is for you.
It's just a rough sketch, but...
I've added an annex
on the back for receptions,
we can do baptisms, weddings.
It should significantly
increase hotel traffic.
It's... wonderful.
But what...
I'm done,
done with running away,
done with hiding,
and most importantly,
I'm done with not having
my sister in my life.
If you're agreeable,
I'd like to come home.
When you left, I was so angry.
I blamed all
my struggles on you.
I was angry, not because
I felt betrayed;
I just...
wanted my brother back.
Your brother the Earl?
My brother the man.
Titles mean nothing.
All that matters
is what's underneath.
That goes for
someone else I could think of.
She lied to me.
Aye, she did,
but she was right.
Had we known who she was,
would we have hired her?
No, not likely.
And where would we be now?
She did it not to spite us,
but to help us.
If that doesn't
speak of character,
I don't know what does.
Thank you for this.
Welcome home, brother.
Did you forget something?
I think I did.
Aiden, I...
- Me first.
- No, me first.
I'm so sorry.
There's no excuse
for what I did.
I-I wanted nothing more than
to tell you the truth.
I mean, my whole life, I've...
I've just wanted to be seen
and here I am,
living someone else's identity,
and it just makes me sick inside
to think that you think
none of it was real,
because the truth is...
...all of those moments
of sharing, and of...
honesty and joy,
they've all been real.
And I...
I, uh...
I...
From the moment I met you,
I knew there was something
different about you.
I have waited my whole
life to meet you,
and yet, I don't think we've
properly done that yet.
Aiden Hart.
Brooke Bennett.
It's lovely to meet you, Brooke.
Very nice to meet you, too.
And if it's all right...
...I'd really like
to see more of you.
I wonder why
she called us out here.
I don't know. She just called
and said to meet here here.
I'm not sure.
Come.
It appears they're home.
Who's home?
"Freedom".
Well, at first, I thought
it was just a meaningless word.
But then, it occurred to me
that all Irish names
have a meaning,
and the name meaning
"freedom" is "Saoirse".
Oh...
Your Grace!
My lord!
Is there something wrong?
No, not in the least.
You are Patrick O'Reilly?
Mother Saoirse.
Four children.
First born in America,
then put up for adoption.
A boy, aye.
What's this about?
Do you recall the date of birth?
Aye.
We celebrate it every year.
It's the 12th January...
January 1951.
That was our father, John.
Oh, that's impossible.
That would make me your uncle...
Oh, my goodness.
Oh, my goodness! Oh!
Oh, my goodness!
Well, if that's
the case, well...
come, come in!
Now, listen!
Listen, listen, listen, listen!
Erm, this is, uh...
Brooke and Margot.
Right.
Now, you lot, you never
met your eldest uncle.
None of us did.
His name was John
and... these are his girls.
We found our family.
And this is your Aunt Clara.
What?!
What?
It's a real
Christmas miracle!
Welcome home, girls.
You're just in time for tea.
- So nice to meet you.
- Hi!
Hi!
I'm Margot!