Beecham House (2019) s01e04 Episode Script

I'm ready to give myself to you.
Kannauj? It's the ideal position for the company to mount an attack.
The British Military presence on Delhi's doorstep is a direct provocation.
Lieutenant Beecham wishes that I grant him a free trade license.
- Surely you will not grant it? - The Empress's birthday approaches.
Find the perfect gift for her, and maybe you shall have your license.
My future here is now assured.
Why would you conspire with a French devil to betray your friend? You want Beecham out of Delhi.
I want him in England.
Chandrika.
You should not have come here.
You cannot deny our connection, John.
Do you think you can leave our past behind with no feeling? When I look at you .
.
my heart .
.
it is overwhelmed.
As is mine.
Then what can I do? Oh! I came with you to India because you said John and I would be a good match.
What is wrong, dear Violet? It may be time for me to return to London.
At least there, everyone is dressed, everyone is pale, no one is exotic and I understand the rules.
Oh, whatever has happened? Mrs Beecham, I I dare not say.
Your son is a most incongruous character when it comes to matters of the heart.
Speak now, dear Violet, plainly and simply.
What has John said to you? It is not what he has said, more of his deeds.
Late last night I saw Chandrika enter his chamber.
God save us.
She's his wife's sister! I've tried to understand it.
Why Chandrika? Why does he not see me as a better prospect? And then there is Miss Osborne too.
But, but she has none of your charm and breeding.
You must be mistaken about Chandrikaka.
I mean, who could possibly endure that woman beyond a common greeting? She makes even that the most unpleasant task.
My dear .
.
you did not brave the seas for nothing.
We can use this information so you become the last woman standing.
Hm? You called for me, Mother? You've grown into a handsome young man, Prince Akbar.
You were but a boy when your father had his sight taken from him.
It is impossible to banish that horrific attack from my mind.
- Good.
- How can something so cruel be good? Because we must never allow another attack on our sovereignty.
The truth is, your father lost his vision .
.
long before he was blinded by invaders.
I have nothing but respect for father.
But I share your frustration with his inaction.
The British are in Kannauj.
It is only a matter of time before they make their way to Delhi.
I want you to have a future .
.
where you bow down to no one.
As the British approach, we must show that we have the power to defend Delhi ourselves.
Castillon cannot protect us from the British.
We must raise our own funds to build an army.
You provide the courage, my son.
I'll provide the finance.
Lady-saheba.
I fear that you will be too hot in this dress at the palace.
It is not every day one meets an Emperor.
I must make an effort to show how a proper English lady adorns herself on such an occasion.
Look at them.
They don't even try to be discreet.
Speak to her, Maya.
Or I will.
Daniel? Daniel, I trust you're not coming to the ceremony dressed like that? Not Royal enough for your new friends? - Where is mother? - I have no idea.
The Emperor waits for no one.
It is an auspicious day, my son.
And I must leave you for a little while.
But I shall return, and we will celebrate.
Good luck at the Red Fort today, John Beecham.
Thank you.
Agastya will be very proud of his father.
I know.
Shh.
Ah, Mother.
You look wonderful.
I hope the Emperor's palace is cooler than this house.
By decree of his Royal Highness, The Emperor Shah Alam the Second, King of Kings, Emperor of Emperors, Guardian of the people, Protector of the sacred traditions, Noble Lord of Kings Ironic, isn't it? Whatever do you mean, Miss Woodhouse? That a man as unscrupulous as John Beecham should receive an honour like this.
But John is not in the least unscrupulous.
Oh, Miss Osborne.
We have been naive.
I understand you admire John, just as you know I do.
But I'm afraid both of us have reason to be very disappointed.
Why would you say such a thing? Last night I saw Chandrika enter his chamber.
Surely you are mistaken.
It is difficult for me to recount this episode, but I feel I must warn you for your own protection.
I honestly believed John was an upstanding gentleman, but we have both been deceived.
I suppose one must not take it personally.
We know how British men carry on out here.
The women in India offer all the comforts, but make no demands.
I genuinely believed John was different.
So did I.
Please excuse me.
Na farman e jahan panah, nojawan, na mukarram, zille ilahi, Badshahe Ghazi, Shehnshah Mughlia wal hind .
.
grants John Beecham this licence to trade in what antiquities, gemstones and objects of art that may come to his lawful attention.
By his great hand, his mark and seal affixed this day.
Your Royal Highness, you honour me with your trust.
Trust has nothing to do with it, my English friend.
The Empress loves her gift, and I honour my word.
- Your Royal Highness - General, please.
Vijay Singh, give John Beecham his license.
Use it well, Lieutenant Beecham.
Your Royal Highness I shall.
Congratulations, John To the Beechams and friends -- may we all live long in Delhi and flourish, so that our children know nothing but joy and prosperity.
- The Beechams.
- The Beechams.
Why so downcast, brother? I noticed that Miss Osborne left midway through the ceremony.
I'm sure there's an innocent explanation.
Perhaps, like me, she was wilting in the heat.
You'd think in an Emperor's Palace they would've devised a system to make their guests more comfortable.
Mother, amidst all the splendour of the palace, is that all you can say? I found the place to be exquisite and a perfect example of Mughal design, Mr Beecham.
This morning with the Emperor was an experience I shall never forget.
I am very glad to hear it.
If you'll excuse me, I do have to inquire on Miss Osborne's health.
Mr Beecham-saheb.
Forgive me, but you have a visitor.
- Now? - Yes.
His name is Mr Ishpreet Virk.
He's waiting on the veranda.
He says he has some tax business to discuss.
Very well, Baadal.
Sir.
Your Highness.
- This is most unexpected.
- Nobody knows I'm here.
- It was necessary.
- How may I be of service? I would like to put your trading licence to immediate good use.
What is this? It is one of Shah Alam's royal jewels.
This is the Star of Agra.
I would like you to sell it for us.
Taking your standard commission, of course.
Sell it? The sale will have one condition.
That the stone be removed from India.
Were word to spread that the royal family has been reduced to selling its jewels, our power and prestige would be gone.
This must have been in your family for 250 years.
Your Highness it tears my conscience, to go behind the Emperor's back.
And at mine.
But I must put my love of country before my love of king.
If Delhi is your home now, Mr Beecham .
.
then so must you.
So where did your father trade? Well, my father was originally from the North.
- Before moving to London.
- Indeed.
Excellent.
Miss Woodhouse.
Excuse me, Samuel.
- A word.
- John.
- Will you excuse me? - Of course.
Where in heaven's name did you acquire that? From the royal treasury.
Prince Akbar has asked me to sell it.
This is an incredible opportunity.
The commission will assure your family's security for a generation.
It will.
Then in God's name, John, why aren't you dancing around this room? Because I have no desire to betray the Emperor.
How would you betray him? The Emperor does not know that his son has asked me to sell it.
The Prince needs to raise finances to bolster the Emperor's army.
He has had enough of people seeing his father as a puppet.
He wants to stand up against the Company.
Well, good on him.
You will make a huge profit and know you did all you could to help the Emperor defend his kingdom.
Everything you say is true.
You have no choice.
The Prince has given you an order.
Whatever palace intrigue there may be, it is neither your problem nor your business.
But that does not absolve me, Samuel Is everything all right? We're discussing an important matter.
It's not for your ears.
It is all right, Samuel.
This is as much a family matter as it is a business decision.
To what are you referring? Prince Akbar has asked for me to sell this royal diamond without his father's consent.
This is not a precious jewel, this is an incendiary weapon.
Royal property being sold without the Emperor's consent? Stolen goods Why does he want you to sell it? What are the funds for? To raise his own army, to challenge the Company if they do decide to try and take Delhi from him.
The Company will wage war for Delhi.
Which is one of the many reasons you should not return to them.
Thank you, Daniel.
Kindly leave the thinking to the adults Should anyone be indiscreet Should the Emperor somehow find out Heaven knows what could happen.
And what would you have John do? Tell the Emperor his son has betrayed him? Do you imagine that ending well for your brother? John, you must refuse.
Get the diamond out of this house, and back to the Prince as quickly as possible.
At which point the Prince will do what? Find someone else to do his fencing.
The Prince will know that John has sided against him.
At best, he'll lose his trading licence.
At worst, he'll be killed where he stands.
- Why are you so adamant? - Please, Daniel! You are out of your depth regarding this matter.
John.
John, we've no time for indecision.
I'll set up meetings with prospective buyers.
Ride to Lucknow.
Meet only with merchants you know can keep their counsel.
This must be sold with the utmost discretion.
- How well do you know Captain Parker? - We were soldiers together.
You know what it is to fight for the man next to you.
- That bond never wavers.
- I never fought next to him.
I don't trust him.
You don't know me as a soldier, but my instincts are sound.
I'm sure they are.
But misplaced in this instance.
Very well, older brother.
You know best .
.
as always.
Mm-mm-mm.
Why must you distrust Daniel-saheb so? Because he's an Englishman.
He's different.
Last words of many a ruined Indian girl.
- You do not understand.
- The second-to-last words.
I want my own saheb.
When you lie with Beecham-saheb, you demean every servant in this house.
You announce that they own us, body and soul.
That is not true.
Do you value your friendships among the staff? Of course.
You're risking that, in addition to your own happiness.
At least try to hide your envy.
This is a story with a bad ending.
Stop it now.
He loves me.
Chanchal, I knew you were ambitious.
But until now, I never thought you were a fool.
I came to see how you were feeling.
You left in the middle of the ceremony this morning, and you did not come to the house afterwards.
Does Chandrika come to your rooms in the night? What on earth are you talking about? It's a simple question.
It saddens me to see that you hold me in such low esteem.
Chandrika did come to my room.
"But there is a perfectly reasonable explanation.
" There is.
Mr Beecham, I have no one here I can trust.
- You can trust me.
- Not any longer.
You are the first man I trusted since my brother left, - you have let me down.
- Margaret, please I had a fiance who couldn't control himself.
I do not claim to understand the urges of men.
You all seem to be able to go from woman to woman - as if from meal to meal - Margaret.
.
.
consuming whatever you desire.
But I believed you respected me.
- I do! - I admired your commitment to making a good life.
But I was wrong.
I will not be one of your vanquished.
I am either bold or naive enough to demand better.
Margaret, this is a grotesque misunderstanding .
.
and it must end.
Come with me now.
And I will explain everything to you.
General, if you would just listen to me I can assure you it will be worth your while.
It has been an irritating day.
I believe your fortunes are about to change.
Someone betrayed me, Captain Parker.
You can thank Miss Osborne But why waste your energies on a past failure? I have information that will cause John Beecham to fall from the Emperor's grace.
What is this information? That knowledge comes with a price.
I'm shocked.
- How much? - The price will be the man himself.
Placed in my custody for transport to England.
You will never see John Beecham again.
Or Samuel Parker, for that matter.
I don't know which one of you I shall miss less.
So, we're agreed? Only if I believe what you have to say.
Beecham has stolen a diamond from the royal treasury.
The Star of Agra.
And how did he possibly do that? Perhaps the palace has a traitor of its own.
It wouldn't be the first time.
Beecham intends to sell the diamond, to fund the British East India Company's military operation at Kannauj.
Do you like this? Oh, Agastya.
- Dearest Daniel.
- Chanchal! Am I so irresistible that you must be with me morning and night? And soon it shall be so, no? Is something wrong? Chanchal What has happened? My injury leave is over.
I've been ordered back to my unit in Kannauj.
But, you must tell them that your circumstances have changed.
What is your meaning? That you no longer wish to be in their employ.
That now, your life and future are here with me.
With you? Chanchal, you're a very sweet girl Girl? I am to be your wife? My wife? Why else would you have taken me? Do you not love me? I do not know what love is.
- Is it because I'm not English? - No, of course not - It was a trick.
- No, Chanchal You knew you would be leaving eventually, yet you said nothing.
- Instead, you charmed me - I am a Company soldier.
I have no option, whether I like it or not.
You allowed me to fall in love with you.
Just to play with my heart.
You have ruined me.
Chanchal, August is crying.
I'm sorry, Chanchal.
They were right.
- Who? - I am a fool.
I have never felt so shamed in my life.
- August is hungry.
- Fine.
Is there something else? Or are you here to complain about tonight's dinner, which you haven't even eaten yet? Are you all right, Chanchal-bai? Do I look like I'm all right? Is there anything I can do? Can you make time go backwards? Mother the Company have called for my return.
Oh! Oh, I shall be so sad to see you leave.
Before I am to go anywhere - .
.
we have to talk - Hm .
.
about the opium.
I beg your pardon? Mother, I know you take it.
That was in evidence last night as you danced your way through the Hindustani play.
I didn't know you were such an expert.
I'm in the army, Mother.
Soldiers drink the stuff as though it's water.
The company profits by trading it from Bengal to China.
Please save us both the ignominy of my rifling your room.
I have never taken opium in my life.
Oh, Daniel.
Daniel, please.
Daniel.
Daniel, stop doing that.
Stop it right now All right.
I have taken it for some years.
Ever since your father disappeared.
Your brother left.
You left.
What else is one meant to do when her life is over and yet she still lives? Until last night I had no idea.
Well, I'm very good at controlling how little I need to survive.
And this opium was obtained here.
That is why Violet was in the medical quarter.
Let us not bring her into it.
I'm told the Indian product is especially strong.
Well, there you have it.
I shall know for next time.
There cannot be a next time, Mother.
Opium destroys those soldiers, and they are young, strapping men.
You must not tell your brother, Daniel.
This isn't about John.
You have a grandchild.
You have a new life.
Let the pain of the past be in the past.
Yes, well .
.
that's the funny thing about pain.
It always stays with one, come what may.
Like a limp, or a scar.
For example, your maid.
Channing, is it? Chanchal, Mother.
Must everyone in this house know about my private affairs? People in Liverpool probably know your business, because you made no effort whatsoever to hide it.
You've broke that poor girl's heart the way one might snap a piece of kindling.
Do you think, for one moment, she will ever forget how she feels right now, even if she lives to 100 or marries someone else? No, she won't.
Now I take what I need, just like you do.
When you stop, I shall stop.
But until then, since you have no claim on the moral high ground, you will kindly stay out of my business.
Very well.
Thank you all for coming.
I feel the time has come when I must divulge a part of my life, that I've kept from you.
I had wished for this matter to remain a secret .
.
for August's safety.
And so I ask you all for your complete confidence.
As many of you know I left the East India Company because I could no longer bear the horrors that I witnessed.
- You have gone too far! - Leave! I left Calcutta in search of a new life.
I found peace as I travelled India, discovering her beauty, learning new skills from her artisans.
Three years ago, my journey took a different path.
- Bhaag, bhaag! - Bhaag! Ghutane meh, Ghutane meh.
Kaminey, kya kar rehe ho? Kya? Neeche aa jao.
Who are you, stranger? John Beecham.
Beware! - Put him in the carriage.
- He's still breathing.
Put him in the carriage.
He's alive -- Father, help me.
Come on, come on.
Hold on, stranger.
We're here.
Your bravery is commendable, John Beecham.
You saved our lives.
'It was there that I learnt just who it was that I had saved.
'The Maharaja of Kalyan, and his two daughters, 'Chandrika and Kamlavati.
' We are forever in your debt.
Your family's safety is my reward.
Was the adversary known to you? Only too well -- it was my brother, Devji Rao, who sent two bandits.
Your brother? What cause could he have to wish you harm? I did him the greatest wrong of all -- I was born before he was.
Thus, to me did power and riches fall, and to him only shadow.
I had a handsome son and heir .
.
whom they killed in cold blood.
Now if I were to die, all of my princely state would become his.
- Rest.
- Ah! Rest, John Beecham.
Rest well.
You shall be looked after.
I thank you.
I am ashamed to be a constant burden to your family.
Oh, don't be.
The diary of a Maharaja's daughter is rarely filled.
Still I would not wish to outstay my welcome.
You will have to stay a long, long time, John.
We will call him August.
- "August"? - Mm.
That's a month on the calendar.
It means "distinguished".
"Respectable".
And is a month on the calendar.
It is also my uncle's name.
And is the second name to my brother.
Then August it shall be.
But I'll call him "Agastya", unofficially.
I'll be right back.
What is the matter, Father? I know my brother will come for my grandson.
- You cannot stay here.
- But, Father This palace is known to Devji Rao, but I know of a summer retreat which is not.
You, Kamlavati and Chandrika will take guards and attendants and raise the child on the shores of Barvi Lake.
Sir, sir.
No mother should be without her father, or a grandchild without its patriarch.
Nor a father without his daughters, John.
Do you imagine I take this decision lightly? Shh, shh.
Gopal, Gopal! What's happening? Gopal, what is happening? - Bhaisa.
Bhaisa! - Kamlavati? Ram Lal! Where is my wife? A doctor? A doctor! My love! My love, my love, my love.
We had been betrayed.
We had to send the message that August had been killed in the attack.
This child is the future of my kingdom.
If he lives, it lives.
People will ask questions.
You will say you seek your fortune in trade.
You will acknowledge you are the boy's father, but nothing more.
Never divulge the secret of his identity.
Yes, Your Highness.
We have an unbreakable bond, John Beecham.
I could not have imagined such a tie between myself and an Englishman.
I will not fail you.
You have been more a father to me than was my own.
And I will not fail my son.
Margaret I hope this has answered your questions.
John, I'm so sorry.
For your loss.
For all you've been through.
- And for having misjudged you.
- No.
It is I who must apologise.
I should have told you the whole truth much sooner.
You were sworn not to.
I hope now that you understand.
I understand.
So, my grandson is going to be a Maharaja? Yes, Mrs Beecham.
He will.