Episode 1

LAURA LINNEY: This is "Masterpiece."

JOHN: I am surprised news of my arrival has traveled so quickly.

CASTILLON: The British never turn their back on an opportunity they can exploit.

JOHN: If anybody sees you here, it could ruin everything.

MURAD: In a garden full of beautiful flowers, I see your eyes have rested on the only English rose.

Why are you holding that child?

JOHN: I believe that India should be governed by Indians.

CASTILLON: Lieutenant Beecham is a traitor.

(men shouting) LINNEY: "Beecham House," right now on "Masterpiece."

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (man vocalizing in background music) (people shouting nearby) (guns firing) (shouting grows louder) (horse nickers) (shouting continues) (gun fires, man grunts) (shouting continues) ♪ ♪ (man grunts, woman screams) (screaming, shouting) (women shouting) (gun cocks) (fires) (woman gasps) ♪ ♪ Who are you, stranger?

(breathing heavily) John Beecham.

(leaves rustling) Beware!

(cocks gun, fires) (horse whinnying in muffled audio) ♪ ♪ (woman vocalizing) ♪ ♪ (horse nickers) ♪ ♪ (animals chittering) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (Bindu chanting in Hindi) (cooing) (men speaking Hindi) ♪ ♪ MOOL (voiceover): Is our new master a nobleman from the south or a Rajput from the north?

Is he a vegetarian or a meat eater?

I do not know, but what does it matter?

As long as this house is once again a home and your kitchen a palace.

My work is done.

The house is cleansed and blessed, and ready for our new master.

I have had a vision-- he is tall and fair, like a Kashmiri or Pathan.

You will see.

♪ ♪ (speaking Hindi) (speaking French) ♪ ♪ (people talking in background) ♪ ♪ (carriage approaching slowly) (knocking) RAM LAL: Open the gate.

Your new sahib is here.

(muttering) (metal clanging, gate opening) (carriage rattling) (Baadal shouting in Hindi) At last, he's here.

Gopal.

Unload then rest.

At dawn, you leave for Calcutta.

Sahib.

I told you he was fair.

You said Kashmiri-- he is an Englishman.

(people murmuring) BAADAL: Welcome to Delhi, sahib.

It is an honor to meet you.

I am Baadal.

Pleasure to meet you, Baadal.

(John speaking Hindi) (people murmuring) (continues speaking Hindi) (Baadal exhales, servants murmur) This is Ram Lal, trusted servant to... (baby crying) (baby fussing) ♪ ♪ (servants whispering) No one mentioned a baby is coming, sahib.

Baadal... you will learn that I am a private man.

Now...

I should like to see the house.

Of course, sir.

♪ ♪ BAADAL: Bring the trunks from the carriage.

♪ ♪ BINDU: What about the women and the baby?

We've only prepared a master's quarters.

(servants murmuring) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Sahib, we have prepared the finest bed chamber in the house for you.

Where should I take the ladies?

No, the child and his attendants shall have those quarters.

See that they do not want for anything.

♪ ♪ (cooing) BINDU (whispering): Did you see the child?

It is not fully European.

MOOL: Our English sahib is enjoying India and all her pleasures.

(chuckles) Eh?

It will make a fine nursery.

Maya and Chanchal will sleep here.

Ram Lal will attend to them.

Baadal, you will have to prepare another room for my mother.

She is traveling from England and will arrive here very soon.

See that she has all the comforts that an elderly English lady requires.

BAADAL: Traveling alone, sahib?

She must be a very brave lady.

You will discover that one cannot dissuade her once her mind is set on any course.

We will treat her like a Maharani, sahib.

JOHN: Quite.

BAADAL: Please.

MOOL: Get some more coriander.

MAN: Right away, sir.

BAADAL: Beecham-sahib, meet Mool Chand.

Most important member of staff.

Your new cook.

I am a chef.

Not a cook.

My family are all chefs, since my great-grandfather.

Previously, I used to work for an English colonel and his family in Madras.

Ah.

I make him food from his home.

He taught me.

I make you the finest English dishes and puddings.

The envy of all of Europe.

Thank you, chef.

(baby fussing) CHANCHAL: I need water.

Baadal will bring you everything you require.

Sahib, will you be taking dinner now?

Mool Chand has been preparing.

JOHN: No.

Please take food and water for the ladies.

For my dinner, I prefer just daal chawal.

(grunts) ♪ ♪ MOOL: Daal and rice?

What kind of Englishman eats food like that?!

♪ ♪ Mm.

Mm... GOPAL: The food is very good.

(bracelets rattle) How long have you been serving the gora-sahib?

Beecham-sahib is a very good man.

This is a very blessed house.

We wish only for kind masters whose karma path is good.

So if there is anything that we should know about sahib's past, then you must tell us now.

He has told you.

Hey, will you let them eat in peace now, eh?

We are very lucky to have such a beautiful baby come here.

BAADAL: Bindu bhabhi, let them eat-- they've had a long journey.

Which of the ladies is baby's mother?

Where we come from, the staff do not ask such questions of the sahib.

You take care of your business and we will see to ours.

Come, Gopal, we must take rest.

What did I say?

(birds chirping) ♪ ♪ (bird chirping) ♪ ♪ Good morning, Baadal.

Good morning, sir.

Please, let me show you the garden.

♪ ♪ (birds chirping) ♪ ♪ We'll turn this into a chapel for my mother.

An English chapel?

Very well, sahib.

JOHN (voiceover): I have not seen my mother in 12 years.

Now she has invited herself.

A mother cannot live without her son.

That is what my mother tells me every time she sees me.

Shukriya.

It is an invitation from one... General Castillon.

Who is he?

Not a good man, sahib.

He is a French mercenary for the emperor.

BAADAL (voiceover): He has eyes and ears everywhere.

(people calling in background) ♪ ♪ (elephant trumpets) (soldiers chanting) (man shouting orders) (men shouting) (men cheering) ♪ ♪ (body drops loudly, man spits) (shouting and cheering grows louder) ♪ ♪ Vos armes, monsieur.

♪ ♪ It is a great pleasure to meet you, Mr. Beecham.

Or should I say Lieutenant Beecham?

Pleasure's mine, General Castillon.

I am surprised news of my arrival has traveled so quickly.

It is my duty to inform the emperor of any movements of British military men.

I am not who you take me to be.

CASTILLON: Oh.

But your time in the East India Company has clearly borne fruit for you to acquire the house of a grand noble.

General, I am not a representative of the East India Company, nor am I any longer a lieutenant.

I'm just John Beecham, esquire.

I left the Company years ago and set up a business... to trade.

Your East India Company also claims to trade, when the truth is, you steal.

(exhales) So the Company have their eyes on Delhi now.

Is Bengal not enough for them?

General... India belongs to neither the British nor the French.

If the French departed, there would be no one to stop the British from taking all of India, yes?

General...

I am not like my countrymen.

S'il vous plaît...

The British never turn their back on an opportunity they can exploit.

C'est dans votre sang.

Not in my blood.

And I dare to hope, not in yours.

(places cup down) That is a very fine ruby of... six carats?

From Ceylon, I believe.

Exquisite color and clarity, though, tragically, it has been cut without much regards to its structure.

That's not the sort of knowledge I would expect from a soldier.

General.

I stopped being a soldier to trade fairly, not pillage.

Only the emperor can grant foreigners a license to trade.

It has been the Mughal way for two centuries.

I would be delighted to introduce you.

JOHN: Well, that would be... very kind of you.

Of course, His Highness Shah Alam would consider your trade license more seriously if you work for him.

The emperor values loyalty above all.

Well, thank you.

I shall do my best to persuade the emperor that my intentions are honorable.

And thank you, for the cognac.

My pleasure.

♪ ♪ So... John Beecham.

Is he friend or foe?

He is an agent of the Company.

The first weed is sent to spread and take over Delhi.

The British are never more treacherous than when they espouse virtue.

(places cup down firmly) ♪ ♪ (camel grunts) (children laughing) (people calling in background) ♪ ♪ (people talking in Hindi) (children giggling) Exquisite color and craftsmanship.

(items clattering, men shouting) (women screaming) (speaking Hindi, items shattering) (people shouting, items shattering) Rohillas, sahib-- bandits.

They will do anyone's dirty work for payment.

(people shouting, objects shattering) (shouting in Hindi) MOOL (softly): A lieutenant?

In Bengal.

BINDU: See?

Terrible deeds of the East India Company have followed him here.

Shh!

No.

He left them behind him.

He has come here to trade.

(men shouting in Hindi) ♪ ♪ (man speaking Hindi) MOOL: Intruders!

(exclaims) ♪ ♪ (man speaking Hindi) BAADAL: They were in this area.

(leaves rustling, man shouts) (leaves rustling) ♪ ♪ (leaves rustling) Who are they?

Rohillas.

(pats back) (speaking Hindi) ♪ ♪ What is happening?

We have never had intruders in this house before.

♪ ♪ (birds chirping) (men speaking Hindi indistinctly) (Baadal speaking Hindi) Tell the mali to cut down all this greenery.

There must be no hiding place for intruders.

Yes, sahib.

Right away.

A bigger wall is needed around the house, sahib.

No.

I did not come here to build walls.

That is a strategy for fools.

We must hire more guards.

Yes, sahib.

(Chanchal humming, baby cooing) (humming) (stops humming) (chuckles softly) (baby cooing) (whispering): How is August settling in?

I will make sure he is safe and happy.

May... (whispering): Dearest August, I wish I had your peacefulness.

Sahib... We have been given a new beginning.

For Agastya's sake... We must forget the past.

(exhales) MOOL (voiceover): A man should not be eating on his own.

Where is the sahib's wife?

(quietly): I saw he has letters from London in his office.

Ah.

Maybe she's in England.

A loving wife's touch is what this empty house needs-- but what will he do with the beauty who tends the baby?

She has a face so sweet, even your kheer will need no sugar if she looks upon it.

MOOL: One haughty look from her and my kheer will curdle.

(clears throat) (places dish down) Baby has wind.

He needs ajwain.

And I need chilies for this food you are giving me.

My food does not need chilies!

If you are feeding the baby, the milk will be...

I know my job.

A cook... Not cook, chef.

No more khichri.

I expect game, chicken, fish with Mughlai spices.

That is the standard I'm used to.

Of course, Chanchal-bhai.

It will be an honor for chef to raise his standards to those of a lady who appreciates the highest quality.

(door opens) Hey.

Are you only here to serve Beecham-sahib, or his wife, too?

You must know the baby's mother.

When might she be coming?

Or maybe she is already here?

Watch your words, cook.

They are even more poisonous than your food.

♪ ♪ (chuckles) MOOL: She will learn that you cannot keep secrets in a house like this.

(hits back) (John chopping, grunting) (chopping) (speaking Hindi) (grunting) (breathing heavily) If I ask for a job to be done, Baadal, I expect it to be done.

(chopping) Sorry, sahib.

I will instruct the gardeners again.

But you must be careful in this heat.

You know?

(breathing heavily) There is not a single day that I miss being a soldier, but I miss the sweat.

(breathing heavily) What happened, sahib?

Does it pain you?

At times.

(breathing heavily) It will fade with time, and the pain, also.

(birds twittering) (shouts in Hindi) (speaking Hindi) (chopping) Good day!

My servants reported you had intruders last night.

I've come to offer help.

I'm Murad Beg, your neighbor.

I hope you do not object to me calling on you unannounced.

JOHN: No, not at all.

It's a pleasure-- John Beecham.

I can send some of my guards to watch over your estate.

An exceptionally kind offer, sir.

Thank you.

I'm hosting a party tomorrow night.

I hope you will honor us with your presence.

I would be very grateful to have an opportunity to know you better.

Until tomorrow.

(birds chirping) Baadal... Will he be a good neighbor?

He is a friend for you, sahib, and cousin to Her Highness, the emperor's wife.

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ (men speaking Hindi) (jewelry gently clinking) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ In a garden full of beautiful flowers, I see your eyes have rested on the only English rose.

I was...

I was surprised, that's all.

(chuckles) It is a rarity in Delhi.

Come, I should like to introduce you.

♪ ♪ Roshanara!

Come!

Mr. Beecham, this is my daughter, Roshanara, and her teacher, Miss Osborne.

ROSHANARA: Hello, Mr. Beecham-- are you fond of dancing?

Delhi has the prettiest dancing girls in the whole of India.

I dare say they are.

MURAD: I believe you are the first Englishman Miss Osborne has seen in many months.

Or first Englishwoman I have seen in several years.

It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Osborne.

Where are you from?

Devon.

A beautiful part of the world.

Yes, I miss the countryside and the sea air.

Oh, and the raspberry creams I long for.

(chuckles) My daughter's love for dancing exceeds all else, despite Miss Osborne's attempts to introduce her to English literature.

Miss Osborne is the finest governess in India.

(chuckles) She's transforming my daughter into an accomplished lady, and an insurrectionist.

JOHN: An English insurrectionist is the very last thing I expected to find here in Delhi.

Father, I'd like to go back to the dancing now.

MURAD: Of course, my dear-- Miss Osborne?

Miss Osborne, if I might be so bold, um... My chef considers himself an expert in the culinary arts of England.

I'm certain that he would be delighted to present you with cakes from Devon.

(exhales) CASTILLON: Good evening, Miss Osborne.

Mr. Beg, what an excellent fête.

General Castillon.

Thank you for joining us.

This is Mr. Beecham.

I've already had the pleasure of meeting Lieutenant Beecham.

Miss Osborne, you look particularly ravishing this evening.

(kisses hand) (band playing in background) So has Lieutenant Beecham told you of his wish to introduce India's treasures to the rest of the world?

Without the British East India Company.

MURAD: In the emperor's eyes, you'll be tarred with the same brush.

Why would he grant you a trade license?

JOHN: Because I also have India's interests at heart, not just my own.

Well, that is admirable for these times.

CASTILLON: The emperor is dubious about Englishmen.

This is why he prefers the French.

(chuckles softly) (band continues, people talking in background) (speaking quietly in Hindi) Miss Osborne, it seems your presence is requested by Begum Samru-sahiba.

(people talking in background) Excuse me, gentlemen.

CASTILLON: Begum Samru seems very fond of Miss Osborne.

It appears she has an interest in all things European.

She is not to be underestimated.

Begum Samru is a favorite of the emperor.

He treats her like his own daughter.

General Castillon has kindly offered to introduce me to the emperor.

MURAD: Allow me to do that.

It will be my pleasure.

SAMRU (voiceover): You seem to be possessed of great fortune.

You have two admirers.

(chuckles): I'm sure you are mistaken.

SAMRU: You must not feel like you must choose one or the other.

It's far more enjoyable to sample the delights of both.

♪ ♪ (people calling in background) (elephant trumpets) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (horse neighs softly) MURAD (voiceover): Your Imperial Highness, King of Kings.

Your Royal Highness Prince Akbar.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to a friend of the court: Lieutenant John Beecham.

Khushamdeed, Lieutenant Beecham.

I hope my kinsman has made you welcome.

It is unusual to receive an Englishman as a guest.

Normally, you arrive without an invitation.

(men in audience laugh) Your Imperial Highness, I am humbled by your presence and your land.

My ancestors have ruled it for hundreds of years.

They've shed their blood to keep what is theirs.

I will not allow the British East India Company to take what is now mine.

The Company's policy for expansion is shameful.

I have severed ties with them.

They have no concerns beyond amassing wealth for their shareholders.

Bengal was richer than all the wealth in England until Clive and Hastings plundered it.

"In a land where the hand of friendship "is taken for the sword, "I gain solace from the sighs "of the quill as it gifts its lifeblood to the page."

Ah...

I have known many an Englishman that spoke Farsi and Urdu, but never one that knew my poetry.

Your Imperial Highness, please do not see me as an enemy.

Well, General Castillon does.

JOHN: The English say "day," the French say "night."

(chuckles) JOHN: The numerous wars that we have waged over the centuries are not easily forgotten.

EMPEROR: Well, let us hope that the next war is not a battle for Delhi, for it is said that he who rules Delhi rules India.

Your Imperial Highness, I implore you, judge me not by my flag, but by my actions.

I love your country, and I believe that India should be governed by Indians.

I wish only to trade honorably, with the beautiful objects that are made here.

Please, grant me a license.

Your Imperial Highness, I see you have met the new Englishman in Delhi.

Yes.

Lieutenant Beecham is a lover of the arts.

He wishes that I grant him a free trade license.

Surely you will not grant it, knowing the Company have Delhi in their sights.

Your Imperial Highness, I am your servant.

A British servant in my palace?

(laughs) (court laughing) Never in my life have I been more sad to be blind.

(laughs) Then serve me, Lieutenant Beecham.

The empress's birthday approaches.

Find the perfect gift for her and maybe you shall have your license.

♪ ♪ Your Highness.

♪ ♪ Surely you will not grant it.

General, General.

I know you do not trust him.

Nor do I.

Then Your Highness... Why offer to grant him a license?

EMPEROR: You forget, India gave the world chess.

My first move was decisive.

If I refuse Beecham now, the Company will proceed with their plans in secret.

We will watch Beecham closely until he makes a mistake.

♪ ♪ (birds chirping) CHANCHAL: Please can I go to the bazaars of the city tomorrow?

RAM LAL (quietly): Your only duty is to stay hidden.

Protect our identity.

Soon, maybe.

(birds chirping) Chanchal-bhai... May I bring something cool for you today?

Sherbet, nimbu pani?

I am fine.

Thank you.

If I can help you find comfort in your new home in any way, please, tell me.

(quietly): I wish you could help me leave this house so I can see some of Delhi.

Beecham-sahib would have to give permission.

Then we shall ask him.

Ram Lal will not take me.

And I would die if I cannot see the bazaars of the city for myself.

Will you take me?

Chanchal.

August needs you.

(August cooing) (chuckles softly) (chuckles softly) (Bindu gasps) What is all this?

It is English mithai, eh?

You cannot appreciate such culture.

Why is sahib going to all this trouble?

He's barely been in this city and has already found an English lady to bring home.

He is quite challu, no?

An English lady?

Here, to this house?

Our chef, Mool Chand, has spent all day making special English puddings for you.

I've heard he is an excellent chef.

So have I-- he tells me every day.

(both laugh) Beecham-sahib is on the way.

♪ ♪ (servants laying dishes) Miss Osborne.

Welcome.

Thank you for your invitation, Mr. Beecham.

This is a magnificent house.

The courtyards and carvings are exquisite.

Aye.

And how to nice it must be to sit here under the tree.

I found this swing in the bazaar.

Delhi is full of wonders.

(chuckles softly) But now prepare to be transported from Delhi back home to Devon.

(chuckling): Oh, my, how wonderful.

(clears throat): Shukriya, Baadal.

BAADAL: Mool Chand's famous bread pudding, scones, plum pudding, and raspberry creams.

Shukriya.

I have yet to see Mool Chand beam so for a guest.

(Margaret chuckles) (exhales) Please.

From Devon.

(both chuckling) So buttery.

(chuckles) BAADAL (quietly): Look how happy sahib is.

His is not the face of a man with a wife somewhere.

Or at least not a wife he likes.

(laughing) I am indebted to you for allowing me to reveal myself as a homesick lady with a sweet tooth.

I perfectly understand what it feels like to hanker for home comforts.

Murad Beg tells me that you've been building a chapel.

I should like to see it, if I may.

I would be delighted to show you.

(chuckles) (both chuckle) (birds twittering) MARGARET: I did not have an opportunity to inquire when we met, what brought you to Delhi?

I wanted a fresh start.

I worked with the East India Company for many years, but I left.

Why?

I have a conscience.

And you?

A lone woman in Calcutta is a rarity, but in Delhi, an impossibility.

My brother traveled to India to seek his fortunes.

I saw it as an opportunity to seek adventure.

That is most admirable, and brave.

Brave or foolhardy?

He left Delhi abruptly when he accrued significant debts.

He abandoned you?

I am so sorry.

One becomes accustomed to the folly of siblings.

Thankfully, Mr. Beg was in need of a governess when I was most in need of a position.

♪ ♪ MARGARET: Your chapel is wonderful.

Well, you are welcome to visit and pray at your leisure.

Thank you.

I have a request.

If you will.

I know that we have just met, but I am in...

I am in great need-- my mother will be arriving in Delhi in a few days, and I would be very grateful if you could be here when she arrives.

To help her settle.

I know that it would be a great comfort to her.

And to me.

(birds chirping) I would be honored.

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ (people calling in background) BAADAL: Your mother will be well taken care of, sahib, do not worry.

Bindu will be her special maid, Miss Osborne will be her friend, and, and the baby will make her happy.

(people shouting, animals snorting) ♪ ♪ Mother.

♪ ♪ HENRIETTA: I dreamt of the time we would be together again.

I feared it would never come, I, I had lost you to India forever.

How much I have missed you!

You have turned into a fine gentleman.

Your beard sits most handsomely on your face.

And you are as strong and robust as ever.

Thank the Lord for your safe arrival.

It has been a long and trying journey, more eventful than a carriage from London to Bath, I dare say.

Oh... Violet-- oh!

Smelling salts, please.

Of course, Mrs. Beecham.

But there are bandits and highwaymen everywhere, Mrs. Beecham dear.

I for one have enjoyed every moment of our adventure.

Do you remember Violet?

Oh, you won't remember, but the last time we met was many years ago.

Violet is Katherine Woodhouse's daughter.

She traveled with me to keep me company.

I should not have survived but for her kindness.

I am very grateful to you, Miss Woodhouse.

I do remember you now, as a young girl with pigtails and rosy cheeks.

I believe you laughed a lot.

(laughs) HENRIETTA: She has a happy disposition, and kept me entertained on many a rough night.

Well, I am very grateful for you keeping my mother company.

I thank you, John, and I am looking forward to a bath and making myself presentable.

Well, please.

SAMUEL: A hand would be welcome, Lieutenant!

(Henrietta chuckles) Captain Samuel Parker, what on Earth...?

(laughs) Mother, did you know we were acquainted?

I did, indeed.

Captain Parker called on me in London last year.

London?

Yes, he was looking for you.

We met again in the port in Calcutta, and he insisted on delivering us safely to you.

My dear old friend, I could not have planned it better myself.

Come.

♪ ♪ (camel brays) (horse nickers) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (horse neighs) ♪ ♪ Shukriya.

Ooh!

Steady.

Good gracious!

This is beyond all expectation.

It is a palace fit for a queen.

All the British nabobs are buying enormous estates like this back home.

Some are even buying Parliament seats with their Indian fortunes.

Why not build a mansion such as this in Surrey?

Mother, I am not one of these nabobs that comes to India to prosper and flee.

HENRIETTA: 12 years since you left me, barely a word in the last three since you became a wandering tinkerman.

(gasps) But now my fears are all allayed.

Oh, Miss Osborne.

Thank you for coming to greet my mother.

John has been so looking forward to your arrival.

And how, pray, do you know my son?

I am his neighbor.

JOHN: Come, Mother.

We have prepared some refreshments for you.

Hm.

(exhales) (exhales) Shukriya, Baadal.

Samuel, perhaps... Something slightly stronger.

Yes, please.

Old friend, I am so grateful for your kindness towards my mother.

You cannot imagine how pleased I am to see you.

The Company was never the same after you resigned and disappeared.

I have missed you.

And I you.

Tell me, what news of England?

(exhales): It rains.

The Prince of Wales is getting married.

Warren Hastings was acquitted and the Company got off scot-free.

It's not surprising.

Parliament taking the East India Company to trial over their misdeeds was a charade.

The hypocrisy sickens me.

I was called to give evidence against the Company.

You were, too, but no one knew where to find you.

I received a dishonorable discharge.

They have spread rumors.

And they have sullied my name.

Samuel...

I am so sorry.

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ (exhales) (exhales) (exhales) Please excuse me for just a moment.

Mm.

(quietly): Do not worry, dear.

A governess is no competition for you.

John is every bit as handsome and considerate as you said he was.

(chuckles) I told you that horrific journey would pay dividends.

It will be a perfect union.

Why did you journey back to India?

SAMUEL: Well... (sighs) I lost any money I made in an investment.

The entire cargo sank when an Indiaman ran aground.

Future employment in England is impossible for me, so my hope is that a maharaja here will...

I don't know, ignore my past?

Or perhaps I'll go out on my own, follow your example.

John, you have done well.

When I left the Company, Samuel, I learnt so much about the trading business that existed for hundreds of years before the Europeans built their monopolies.

You always had an eye like no other Englishman.

Is there any chance you might be in need of a worker who knows the taste of the nabobs with new money to burn?

No, I do not need a worker.

Oh.

But...

I am in great need of a trustworthy partner.

A partner?

It is, I think, the very least I can do.

This house is as impressive as its owner.

Well, as we agreed, John is a fine match, yes?

(chuckles) (August crying in distance) ♪ ♪ (August crying) HENRIETTA: John?

Whose baby is that crying so?

Please, Mother.

Please.

Wait there.

(August crying) ♪ ♪ Why are you holding that child?

He looks...

Native.

♪ ♪ Are you the father?

Who is the mother?

Are you married?

Mother...

This is August.

August Beecham.

Your grandson.

♪ ♪ (people talking in background, birds twittering) (Maya speaking softly, August cooing) HENRIETTA (quietly): This is a most peculiar way to treat an infant.

(sighs) How could John make no mention of it before we set sail?

VIOLET: I must admit, Mrs. Beecham, I am shocked by the predicament your son finds himself in.

As am I, Violet.

I fear I do not know my own son.

VIOLET: Do not lose heart.

He is a kind and loving son.

There is a baby.

There does not seem to be a wife.

I will get to the bottom of this.

John may yet make a fine match for you.

JOHN (voiceover): Mother, I did advise you that now was perhaps not the best time to come to India, but you insisted.

HENRIETTA (chuckling): On the contrary, John, I wish I had come sooner.

I might have secured your personal life to be more in keeping with that of an English gentleman.

Well, now, surely Baadal can tempt you with something.

You must be so very hungry.

(groans) How can you stand to eat in this insufferable heat?

India does grow on you, Mrs. Beecham.

If you give it time.

And you, Miss Woodhouse, how did you sleep?

I trust you were comfortable.

(clears throat): Very comfortable, Mr. Beecham.

It is a pleasure to be off that boat and in the comfort of such a fine house.

It is a delight to have your cheerful disposition grace us here.

(sighs) Mother, surely there is something I can do to ease your settling in.

Mmm...

I should like to see Daniel, and I pray he is still at least a son I recognize.

I have made several inquiries of Daniel's whereabouts.

He has either left Calcutta or is indeed making it very difficult for me to find him.

HENRIETTA: Why would he not want to communicate with his own brother?

Mother, Hindustan is an enormous land.

Our paths have not yet crossed.

Daniel seems very happy serving in the East India Company.

I was not.

But now that you're here, I will write to him again imploring him to come and see you.

If you will excuse me.

Mrs. Beecham.

Miss Woodhouse.

(exhales through lips) Ma'am?

No!

No!

I didn't want to get your mother's hopes up, as she asked me to seek your brother out in Calcutta.

But...

I did hear reports he's on a Company expedition in Kannauj.

Kannauj?

That's only a ride away from Delhi.

It's the ideal position for the Company to mount an attack.

A British military presence on Delhi's doorstep is a direct provocation.

Must be on guard, John.

If General Castillon discovers your brother's with the Company in Kannauj, he will not look on it favorably.

Yes.

He would no doubt inform the emperor and advise him against granting my trade license.

Shall we?

♪ ♪ (birds twittering) ♪ ♪ (people talking in background) (man laughing) ♪ ♪ (women laughing) (hookah bubbling) LINNEY: Next time, on "Beecham House."

HENRIETTA: What do we have here?

Could this be August's mother?

MARGARET: I am finally able to afford my passage home.

England?

CASTILLON: If Lieutenant Beecham is in contact with the Company, he will pay a severe price.

(man grunts) What are you doing here?

I'm here for you.

LINNEY: "Beecham House"-- next time, on "Masterpiece."

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