Beecham House (2019) s01e03 Episode Script

You have any idea how hard it was to discover the brother I admired had disappeared without so much as a word? Lieutenant Beecham has been seen in Kannauj communicating with Company forces.
You've gone beyond the duty of a friend.
I owe you my life.
I am finally able to afford my passage home.
Please do not leave.
You have done nothing but disturb this house since your arrival.
You have to tell me the truth about this woman.
Who is she? Chandrika is August's aunt.
Ah This is superb! I could never have imagined anything like it.
And entertaining too.
Pull this carefully.
Amazing.
This This is craftsmanship at its most superb.
A labour of love, not yet complete.
Not for sale.
Sir, your creation will grace the halls of a royal palace.
A gentleman of taste.
When could it be completed by? I am bound to present it to the Emperor in a week.
In a week?! You ask for miracles.
Perhaps we're asking too much of the man.
It is of the utmost urgency.
I will toil night and day if it is your pleasure.
Thank you.
Gopal will accompany it by ship.
But for now, we will take our leave.
- Gopal.
- Yes, sahib.
It of the utmost importance that you deliver this gift back to Delhi on time.
Our future depends on it.
I trust you more than any man to deliver it safely back.
It is but a day's journey.
I will stay here and guard the statue myself.
Do not worry, sahib.
Safe journey.
You too, my friend.
Samuel, I'm hopeful that we have finally found a gift that will please even the most exacting taste.
Oh! Oh, good Lord, this is most unsavoury.
One can sense diseases forming.
Baadal? Mool Chand, Mrs Beecham-sahibah would like to inspect your ingredients.
English only from now on, Moonch Now, how can we turn this primitive Indian produce into proper English food? I have prepared for you English stew.
Eurgh! What in God's name is that? Buffalo.
Have I been drinking buffalos' milk, not cows'? Yes, that is our custom.
That is why my hair is so much coarser.
Welcome back, sir.
Staff are happy to see you and Captain Parker.
Thank you, Baadal.
Now please take this to the nursery for baby August.
~ Your journey, sahib.
Was it successful? Yes, I believe so.
Er Baadal, erm tell me, has has Miss Osborne been to visit? Oh, no, sahib, she has not.
Ah.
~ I shall miss you when you return to England.
I am deeply fond of you, my dear.
You know that.
But you will marry one day and then you will have no use for me.
I'm too young to marry but you are not.
I'm certain Mr Beecham would marry you if you gave him a chance.
Marriage is not something that should be left to chance.
To build a life together, one must trust their partner completely.
Mr Beecham is a mystery.
But come.
We must not keep the Empress waiting.
It's very kind of the Empress to invite me to her palace.
Don't be fooled.
She seeks your influence to persuade me to marry a prince of her choice.
Roshanara, you are more beautiful each time I see you.
Do not shrink from marriage.
Beauty is fickle.
It lingers but a short while before moving on.
Your Majesty's beauty increases with the years.
But my cousin's foreign ideas have made you headstrong.
I hope the Englishwoman will teach you the importance of having a less forceful nature.
How is it, Miss Osborne, that you are not married? I have hope that the future may bring fortune.
Begum Samru tells me you have two suitors.
Do not wait too long to choose.
There's no sadder sight than ripe fruit left to rot.
Now, to important matters.
I have a prince in mind for you, Roshanara.
I will make arrangements for him to meet your father.
He's a good prospect for a royal niece.
As his host, Vijay Singh will escort him.
Salaams to my gracious mother.
And to you, Your Highness Begum Samru.
May you live long, Jalal Zaman.
My cousin, Prince Jalal Zaman.
Roshanara says you're a scholar.
I am honoured.
You're English, not French.
I wish to learn more of your language.
When the British try to conquer our kingdom, I want to know how my enemy thinks.
She must teach the Prince.
Zaroor? You must delay your return to England.
It is treason to disobey a royal command.
Miss Osborne will be honoured to serve the prince.
Excellent.
When we get rid of .
.
this native costume, and put him in a proper suit, he would look not only very, very handsome, but very English, I think.
When we get you to England, you can go to Sunday school and learn about Jesus.
A proper little gentleman.
A proper little gentleman.
John.
It is time for Agastya's first taste of solid food.
First taste? Annaprashana.
It is an ancient custom.
Then we must honour it.
I received your request, Captain.
Has Lieutenant Beecham sent you to discuss a matter on his behalf? A trade licence, perhaps? Beecham is not aware of this visit.
What is it you wish to speak to me about? Your trip to meet the Company in Kannauj? I'm impressed with your knowledge.
But this is a more urgent matter.
A shipment is due to arrive imminently, which contains a gift.
For the Empress.
Captain Parker, why would you conspire with a "French devil" to betray your friend? That is not your concern.
If something were to prevent Beecham from obtaining his licence .
.
he'd have no choice but to return to England.
You want Beecham out of Delhi.
I want him in England.
Mrs Beecham, are you unwell? My-my nerves are on edge, Violet.
You must help me, my dear.
- I shall call for a doctor.
- No, no.
My elixir is finished.
I need you to get me more.
I cannot survive without it.
I will, ma'am.
But I should like you to do something for me.
Well, of course.
Anything at all, dear.
You did not know what John's circumstances were when you brought me here.
But I want a future where I am not a spinster.
You must do more.
Well, I am trying.
We could not imagine that I would be competing with a baby and Miss Osborne.
It is most unfortunate.
I wish there was more I could do.
Then you must contrive to gain me his affections, and in return, I will procure your opium.
Well, I will do everything in my power to help you and John.
And an even more beautiful girl.
Chanchal! - Shameless! In front of everyone! - What have you got there? I think he likes your necklace.
Chanchal.
The baby should go inside.
He wants to stay here.
Don't you, my little prince? Chanchal! Where have you been? It's August's feeding time.
We both have a duty to this baby, Chanchal-bhai.
We are here to make sure he is safe and well, not to use him for our own purposes.
This place is as crowded as a bazaar.
In truth, a bazaar might be a more private place to meet.
Good morning.
Good morning, son.
Oh, Violet was just telling me her father's shipping company is thriving.
You should consult him for your business.
Very subtle, Mother.
He has many clever strategies to enjoy the smoothest possible voyages to and from India.
Excellent.
Well, I shall write to him and tell him what a gracious daughter he has.
Ladies.
John, ready when you are to leave for the docks.
Thank you, Samuel.
Daniel, I saw you this morning in the garden, dallying with the maid who minds August.
It is not kind to trifle with the affections of young servant women.
Is there nothing that escapes your gaze, Mother? Daniel, the relationship with servants in this house is kind but formal.
It is disrespectful to become too friendly with them.
You are in no position to advise me on how to behave.
You should find a suitable scheme to engage yourself in, Daniel.
- Idle hands are the devil's workshop.
- Mother is right.
I will not outstay my welcome, brother.
I'm only here till my wound heals.
No sign of Gopal.
It's hard to see in this crowd.
Perhaps he's still on board.
That's the last of the cargo.
I'm looking for my man, Gopal.
Just a moment.
- What name? - Gopal.
Gopal is not on my list, sir.
Well, he was delivering a package for me.
Please check again.
Too many storms, sahib.
Maybe next boat.
When is the next boat? Let's go and check those boxes.
Gopal wrote to tell me that he would be on that boat.
Something's wrong.
Thank you so much for taking me to the bazaar, Baadal.
I know the best merchant for August's ceremonial dress.
Ah, Baadal-bhai.
It's been a long time.
Are you so comfortable with your English master, you forget us humble people, eh? It is not like that, brother.
I have been busy, but life is good.
You are famous in this city, Baadal.
- Show me your finest fabric.
- Yeah.
This one.
And that.
Baadal, Chandrika Bhaisa will tell the tailor at home how to make this up.
But the rice-tasting is such an important ceremony, you should choose the headwear for August.
OK.
Maybe show me that one.
It's beautiful.
Any more like That.
That also.
You escaped.
Not quite.
Come.
Alone at last.
Whatever would your family say? It is my life, and I want to make the most of it.
That is the beautiful sound of the sarod.
I learned to love it when I .
.
where I lived before.
If you love it I'll learn to play it for you.
Chanchal? Chanchal-bhai? Captain, can anybody have boarded this ship before it docked in the morning? There are very strict rules.
No vessel stops till it reaches the docks.
There must be some record of thefts on board these ships.
Every shipment that comes on and off of each vessel is rigorously logged.
- May I see them? - No! That is official property.
John, maybe we should reconvene.
Who is your superior? I answer to the harbourmaster.
And who does he answer to? General Castillon, who answers to the Emperor.
Gopal knows how important this shipment was.
Something untoward has happened, I am sure of it.
~ Move back.
Back.
Hold them.
Hold them.
Excuse me, excuse me.
Excuse me.
~ Where is Chanchal? She's coming.
She's missing Agastya's special day.
Agastya! Namaste.
Oh, dear.
John.
The father has to feed him.
~ He looked quite dashing until she put that smear on his face.
I shall ask her to remove it.
I beg you, Mrs Beecham, since John has said we are to settle here, we must respect local customs.
We must ensure he understands the Christian way.
It is to avert the evil eye.
This seems to be nothing but superstition.
These objects will determine the sort of person Agastya will become.
If he chooses the book, he will be learned.
The pen, he'll be full of wisdom.
The pitcher, property.
And the jewels, full of riches.
Agastya will be surrounded by loving friends and family.
A wonderful future to look forward to.
She can tell all that from a banana? Such a blessing.
Such a blessing.
Maya.
Sahib.
We cannot bring back Gopal .
.
but your family will want for nothing.
Gopal Bhaiyya's soul will be in torment because he has failed you.
He did not fail me.
It is I who failed him.
I will not rest until I've uncovered who is responsible.
I have a question for you, General.
You wish to question me? What can you tell me about my consignment at the docks? What exactly do you accuse me of, Lieutenant? Accuse, no.
I merely seek information regarding my property.
And who told you about it? What Lieutenant Beecham means is Here is my question.
By what authority do you receive a consignment without a licence? You are in possession, General, of a gift that was not intended for you.
And I will have it back.
Be warned.
Unlike colonies, accusations cannot be taken back.
Lieutenant Beecham, Captain Parker.
I do not know what game the two of you are engaged in.
If you value your lives, I suggest you hold your tongues and leave this palace.
Your shipment is lost.
And you have lost.
I advise you to leave Delhi whilst you're still able.
When my shipment was stolen .
.
my friend's life was taken from him.
His death will not be forgotten.
My return to England has been delayed.
John? John, whatever is the matter? A man A friend sacrificed his life for me today.
Oh, John, I'm so sorry.
I asked him to accompany a shipment, something I had crafted for the Empress's birthday.
He was attacked and the shipment was stolen.
Who would do such a thing? I have reason to believe that General Castillon is behind it.
But I know the general.
Surely he is not capable of murdering an innocent.
He knows that my future here is tied to the success of that gift.
Without it, my hopes for a life here in Delhi are dashed.
I must find out where he's hidden it.
I have to go to the palace tomorrow to tutor Prince Jalal.
Let me speak to Castillon.
I very much doubt Castillon would admit to anything.
But I am grateful for your help.
I have little time.
Hypothecary? ~ Good God.
Miss Woodhouse.
Violet, what happened? A carriage brought her.
She was attacked in the medical quarter.
Why was she there alone? I could not stand to see Mrs Beecham suffer so.
She, she must have gone to get medicine for my headaches whilst I was sleeping.
Miss Woodhouse.
It was foolhardy of you to put yourself in danger.
Baadal, call the hakim.
~ Baadal.
I cannot believe that I will never see Gopal again.
Life can be over at any moment.
I do not want my life to be one of regrets.
Mine has been nothing but.
And John Beecham's face! General Castillon.
Vous pouvez y aller.
Hello, Miss Osborne.
What a delightful surprise.
Miss Osborne, you are governess to Murad Beg's daughter, are you not? Roshanara.
Yes, I am.
The Empress has asked me to introduce Prince Sohrab as a marriage prospect to your ward.
Have you taken my advice against pursuing a friendship with Lieutenant Beecham? Since you shared your concerns with me, I have been most wary of him.
Dear Benoit, is there something more I should be warned of? I am glad you have been able to resist his charms, and since he has lost his shipment, without a gift for the Empress, I doubt he will remain in Delhi for much longer.
What shipment? Put him out of your mind, Miss Osbourne, and leave the matter to Vijay Singh.
Beecham will soon be gone, and will never bother you or I again.
Perhaps you are right, General.
If you will excuse me, I must attend to Prince Jalal.
The Empress' birthday is almost upon us.
We must find another gift.
But what? I do not know.
But we cannot give up.
I'll ride east, you look west, and we'll search every workshop and import establishment within reach.
Agreed? Oh.
Oh, my dear Violet, I have passed the night in the throes of guilt.
Had I known the risks Hush now, Mrs Beecham, do not upset yourself.
I should not like to be attacked again, but I was most appreciative of John's concern.
When he lifted me in his arms, well, I was all but right as rain! I have come to ask after my favourite ladies.
Violet, I intend to teach your attacker a lesson he shall remember.
I am quite recovered from the incident.
I am curious as to why you came to be in such a place.
I longed to be free for a moment, to explore.
And what was it you wanted to explore, exactly? I I wanted I needed an antidote for Mrs Beecham's Do not hector her so, Daniel.
John! Miss Osborne.
What an unexpected pleasure.
I must speak to you.
So, Vijay Singh is involved? He and Castillon share a close bond.
I witnessed them rejoicing in your departure from India.
They are responsible for your missing shipment, I am certain of it.
I understand that Vijay Singh does not live at the palace.
His house is along the river, near the port.
Perhaps they could have hidden the gift there.
You have certainly been busy, Margaret.
Indeed.
And what is more, this Friday, while his servants are at prayers, Vijay Singh will be at Murad Beg's house, introducing a prospective husband to Roshanara.
Roshanara, it is nearly time for Vijay Singh's arrival.
You must make haste.
You know my answer already.
I'm in no hurry to marry.
We've made an agreement, my dear.
You must honour it.
You know how angry the Empress will be if she discovers her efforts were not respected.
~ You search upstairs.
We must hurry, sahib.
We do not have much time before the prayers finish.
Welcome to my home.
It is my honour to introduce Prince Sohrab of Alanur.
Please.
Now.
What do you desire in a bride? As Crown Prince of Alanur, I accept the choice of my father's council.
But it is not the State Council who my daughter will marry.
John, I found him upstairs.
I have only one child.
I look forward to entrusting her to the care of a husband one day.
But first, I will ensure he matches her intelligence and values her talents.
It is important my daughter is seen as an equal, even if she marries a prince.
~ What do you think you're doing? What is the meaning of this? Huh? Who are you? What is this? That was for Gopal.
From Lucknow.
Samuel! It's not much but it is all I could find in the time.
What are you going to wear this evening, my friend? Do you think my gift will satisfy the Empress? No.
But I have one that will.
What is it? A gold automaton.
Where in the name of God did you find it? Steady on, Captain.
If I didn't know better, I'd think you were afraid of something.
Relieved.
Greatly relieved.
The consequences of losing the Empress' gift would have been disastrous for all our futures.
It's It's a miracle, John.
How on earth did you find it? You'll have to ask Miss Osborne.
By order of the Emperor, Shah Alam II, let John Beecham present his offering.
Begum Samru tells me you know this man John Beecham? I do, Your Highness.
And what do you make of him? I think he is a good man.
I believe the Empress approves.
Miss Osbourne.
I should like an introduction to the man with exquisite taste.
John Beecham, may I present Her Highness Begum Samru.
Your Highness requires no introduction.
I am told that the army you rule is most formidable.
Every woman must have an army to guard her against profiteers and deceivers.
I can assure you that I am neither.
I hope that you will see for yourself in time.
I certainly hope I do.
You have a powerful protector in her.
Do you think that she might permit me to whisk you away from these ceremonies? Now? Come.
This is scandalous! I trust I have not offended anyone.
I hope I have not pressed you into acting against your rules.
Well, my instinct serves me better than rules and conventions, or I should not be in this country at all.
My future here is now assured.
I could not have done it without you.
Well, it would be untruthful to say I did it all for you, John.
What do you mean? I did not want to lose a good neighbour.
Ah! So your motives were selfish after all.
A neighbour who has brought new light into my life.
Do you think we may have misjudged him? His present was most impressive.
Perhaps more extravagant than a mere Englishman with no trade businesses.
I wonder how he could afford such a gift.
I am ready to give myself to you .
.
if you are willing to give yourself to me.
I have longed for you since the moment my eyes set upon you.
Stop it.
No.
Stop.