Episode 3

LAURA LINNEY: This is "Masterpiece."

DANIEL: What are you doing here?

I'm here for you.

LINNEY: Previously, on "Beecham House"... VIJAY: Lieutenant Beecham has been seen communicating with Company forces.

EMPEROR: Yet he claims his connections with the Company have been severed.

(men shouting) JOHN: You have 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.

HENRIETTA: You have to tell me the truth about this woman.

Who is she?

Chandrika is August's aunt.

LINNEY: "Beecham House," right now on "Masterpiece.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (metal clanking) ♪ ♪ (objects chiming) (crank winds) (mechanical birds chirping) (chuckles) ♪ ♪ This is superb.

I could never have imagined anything like it.

And entertaining too.

Pull this, carefully.

(switch creaks) (machinery whirring) (chuckles) Amazing.

It is a thing of great beauty.

See, Samuel, each tiny fragment of gem is first embedded and then coiled with ribbons of pure gold to enhance its color and clarity.

This is workmanship at its most superb.

A labor 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?

(laughs): You ask for miracles.

Perhaps we're asking too much of the man.

It is of the utmost urgency.

Come, sir-- you are a master of your trade.

A few surface touches are all that are required.

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 is 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.

♪ ♪ HENRIETTA: Oh!

Oh, good Lord, this is most unsavory.

One can sense diseases forming.

MOOL: Baadal?

BAADAL: Mool Chand, Mrs. Beecham-sahiba would like to inspect your ingredients.

(speaking Hindustani): Ah!

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.

(sniffing) (gags) (buffalo grunts) What in God's name is that?

BAADAL: Buffalo.

Have I been drinking buffalo's milk, not cow's?

Yes.

That is our custom.

That is why my hair is so much coarser.

(buffalo lows) (laughing softly) (snorts) ♪ ♪ BAADAL: 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.

(speaking Hindustani) JOHN: Here we are.

BAADAL: And your journey, sahib?

Was it successful?

Yes, I believe so.

Uh, Baadal, um... Tell me, has... Has Miss Osborne been to visit?

Uh, no, sahib, she has not.

Ah.

(speaking Hindustani) ♪ ♪ ROSHANARA: 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.

♪ ♪ MARGARET: It's very kind of the Empress to invite me to her palace.

ROSHANARA: Don't be fooled.

She seeks your influence to persuade me to marry a prince of her choice.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ EMPRESS: Roshanara, you're 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.

(laughing): Well.

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're 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 is 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 honored.

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.

Ah.

(Empress laughs) She must teach the prince.

Zaroor!

ROSHANARA (whispers): You must delay your return to England.

It is treason to disobey a royal command.

(aloud): Miss Osborne will be honored to serve the Prince.

Excellent.

♪ ♪ (softly): 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?

Annaprashan.

It is an ancient custom.

Then we must honor it.

♪ ♪ (men calling in distance) ♪ ♪ I received your request, Captain.

Has Lieutenant Beecham sent you to discuss a matter on his behalf?

A trade license, 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.

(bird chirps) (chuckles) 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 license...

He'd have no choice but to return to England.

You want Beecham out of Delhi.

I want him in England.

(birds chirping, insects buzzing) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (speaking Hindustani) ♪ ♪ (water rushing) (Chanchal cooing to August) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Oh... (gasps, knock at door) 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'm 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.

Oh, 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.

I will do everything in my power to help you and John.

♪ ♪ (Daniel speaking in distance) (Chanchal talking in distance) (whispers): Chanchal... (August squawks) (exhales) (hisses): Shameless!

In front of everyone!

DANIEL (softly): What have you got there?

(August cooing) DANIEL: Everybody's got their kiss.

RAM LAL: Chanchal!

(August cooing) The baby should go inside.

CHANCHAL: He wants to stay here.

Don't you, my little prince?

MAYA: Chanchal!

Where have you been?

It's August's feeding time.

(August cooing) (softly): We both have a duty to this baby, Chanchal-bhai.

We're here to make sure he is safe and well, not to use him for our own purposes.

♪ ♪ DANIEL: This place is as crowded as a bazaar.

In truth, a bazaar might be a more private place to meet.

(chuckling) ♪ ♪ (birds chirping) JOHN: Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, son.

Ooh, 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.

JOHN: Excellent.

Well, I shall write to him and tell him what a... gracious daughter he has.

SAMUEL: Ladies.

SAMUEL: 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?

JOHN: 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.

JOHN: Mother is right.

I will not outstay my welcome, brother.

I'm only here till my wound heals.

Your brother is lost without a mission, John.

We endured much after they took your father away.

Involve him in your venture.

If you can do it for Samuel, you can surely do it for your brother as well.

Mother, I must proceed with the utmost caution.

Daniel could jeopardize the entire enterprise.

Well, learn to handle him, and he will be an asset.

He is in great need of you.

(birds chirping) ♪ ♪ (people calling) (elephant blares) (people calling in background) No sign of Gopal.

It's hard to see in this crowd.

Perhaps he's still on board.

(people talking in background) That's the last of the cargo.

(people talking in background) (people calling, animals grunting) (speaking Hindustani) I'm looking for my man, Gopal.

Huh?

Just a moment.

What name?

Gopal.

Gopal is not on my list, sir.

Well, he was delivering a package for me.

Please check again.

Well.

Too many storms, sahib-- maybe next boat.

Well, when is the next boat?

Couple of days.

Let's go and check those boxes.

(people calling) JOHN: Gopal wrote to tell me that he would be on that boat.

Something's wrong.

(children laughing) ♪ ♪ (people calling, animals grunting) (horse nickers) (Chanchal exhales) Thank you so much for taking me to the bazaar, Baadal.

I know the best merchant for August's ceremonial dress.

(people talking in background) MAN: Adaab, Baadal-ji.

SHOPKEEPER: Adaab, Baadal-bhai.

It's been a long time.

Are you so comfortable with your English master you forget us humble people, ah?

(chuckles) It is not like that, brother.

I have been busy, but life is good.

You are famous in the city, Baadal.

(both chuckle) Show me your finest fabric.

Yeah, this one.

BAADAL: And that.

♪ ♪ Baadal, Chandrika Bai-sa 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.

(chuckles) Okay.

Maybe show me that one.

(shopkeeper speaks quietly) 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.

(both chuckling) (stringed instrument playing) 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.

(chuckles softly) BAADAL: Chanchal?

Chanchal?!

Chanchal-bhai?

(people talking in background) ♪ ♪ 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 dock.

There must be some record of thefts on board these ships.

Every shipment that comes on and off the vessel is rigorously logged.

May I see them?

No!

This is official property.

John, maybe we should reconvene.

Who is your superior?

CAPTAIN: I answer to harbormaster.

And who does he answer to?

General Castillon, who answers to the Emperor.

(camel groans) JOHN: Gopal knows how important this shipment was.

Something untoward has happened, I am sure of it.

(man shouting) (people talking excitedly) ♪ ♪ Back, back!

Hold them out!

Hold them!

(people murmuring in background) JOHN: Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me.

♪ ♪ (exhales) ♪ ♪ (pandit chanting, bell chiming) Where is Chanchal?

She's coming.

She's missing Agastya's special day.

(speaking Hindustani) (pandit speaking Hindustani) MAYA: Agastya.

(cooing to August) Namaste.

(women talking to August) MAYA: Agastya!

(under breath): Oh, dear.

(pandit chanting) CHANDRIKA: John.

The father has to feed him.

(speaking Hindustani) (people cooing to August) (August squawks) (people cooing to August) 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.

CHANDRIKA: 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 picture, property.

And the jewels, full of riches.

(cooing at August) (all exclaiming) CHANDRIKA: Agastya will be surrounded by loving friends and family.

A wonderful future to look forward to.

She can tell all that from a banana?

(pandit chanting) ♪ ♪ Such a blessing, huh?

Such a blessing.

JOHN: Maya.

MAYA: Sahib.

(Chandrika cooing at August) (pandit speaking Hindustani) (sobbing) I shall miss him too, Maya.

Our poor mother.

How will our family survive?

Maya.

We cannot bring Gopal back.

But your family will want for nothing.

Gopal Bhaiya's soul will be in torment because he has failed you.

(sobbing) He did not fail me.

It is I who failed him.

I will not rest until I've uncovered who is responsible.

(birds chirping) My hat and coat.

I'm truly sorry, John.

I know he meant a great deal to you.

I will not allow him to die in vain.

I am determined to expose Castillon's involvement in this.

How can you be so certain it's him?

He is the only one with anything to gain if the automaton does not reach the Empress.

Tread carefully, John.

Your license and our future is at stake.

A man has been murdered, Samuel!

Castillon's hatred for the British is so great, he would do anything to force me out of Delhi.

Gopal was stabbed in the same manner I have seen French soldiers take many lives in battle.

I will not allow Castillon to get away with it.

♪ ♪ (men shouting and chanting) (cheering and chanting) (grunts) (grunting) (men cheer) ♪ ♪ (grunts) (chanting) (Castillon grunts) (men cheer) ♪ ♪ (Castillon continues sloshing water) 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... (Castillon clicking tongue) Here is my question.

By what authority do you receive a consignment without a license?

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.

♪ ♪ CASTILLON: 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 are still able.

When my shipment was stolen, my friend's life was taken from him.

His death will not be forgotten.

♪ ♪ (birds chirping) ♪ ♪ My return to England has been delayed.

John?

John, whatever is the matter?

(sighs): Yeah.

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.

♪ ♪ (exhales) (people talking in background, goat bleating) (goat bleats) (whispers): Apothecary?

(speaks Hindustani) (goat bleats) ♪ ♪ (sniffs) ♪ ♪ (coins jingle) ♪ ♪ (man murmurs) ♪ ♪ (gasps and yelps) (grunting) (Violet gasps) (screaming) (groaning) (man grunts, Violet gasps) (yelps and grunts) (panting) (grunting) (moaning) (panting) (Baadal speaking Hindustani) Sahib, sahib, Beecham sahib!

JOHN: Good God.

Beecham sahib!

Miss Woodhouse.

Violet, what happened?

A carriage brought her back.

She was attacked in the Medical Quarter.

JOHN: What was she doing there alone?

(trembling): I could not stand to see Mrs. Beecham suffer so.

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.

(gasping) Baadal, call the hakim.

Right.

(Baadal speaking Hindustani) (speaking Hindustani) ♪ ♪ Baadal?

(crickets chirping) CHANCHAL: 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.

♪ ♪ (kissing) VIJAY: And John Beecham's face!

(laughing) MARGARET: General Castillon!

(Castillon speaking French) Hello, Miss Osborne.

What a delightful surprise.

VIJAY: 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?

Well, since you shared your concerns with me, I've 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... (snorts) 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 Osborne, 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's 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'll look west, and we'll search every workshop and import establishment within reach.

Agreed?

(slaps back) 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.

(knock at door) DANIEL: I have come to ask after my favorite ladies.

Violet, I intend to teach your attacker a lesson he shall remember.

Describe him to me.

Oh, my, how gallant.

But 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.

Hmm.

♪ ♪ Hmm.

♪ ♪ MARGARET: 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.

♪ ♪ (horse snorts) MARGARET: 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 honor it.

You know how angry the Empress will be if she discovers her efforts were not respected.

♪ ♪ (man speaking Hindustani) (groaning) You search upstairs.

You must hurry, sahib.

We don't have that much time before the prayers finish.

Right.

♪ ♪ Welcome to my home.

VIJAY: It is an honor to introduce Prince Sohrab of Alanur.

Please.

♪ ♪ MURAD: 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.

DANIEL: 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.

♪ ♪ (laughing softly) ♪ ♪ (muttering) ♪ ♪ (picks up rock) (pounds door) (panting) ♪ ♪ Ruko!

VIJAY: What do you think you're doing?

What is the meaning of this?

Huh?

Who are you?

What is this?

(grunts) That was for Gopal.

♪ ♪ SAMUEL: From Lucknow!

JOHN: Samuel!

It's not much, but it is all I could find in the time.

Hmm.

What are you going to wear this evening, my friend?

Do you think my gift will satisfy the Empress?

No.

JOHN: But I have one that will.

What is it?

A gold automaton.

Where in the name of God did you find it?

DANIEL: 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's 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.

(birds chirping) JOHN: Now that the gift has been safely retrieved, I feel that Gopal's soul can finally rest.

All thanks to your ingenuity and daring.

I thought all was lost.

I cannot thank you enough, Margaret.

I'm glad I could be of help.

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ By order of the Emperor, Shah Alam II, let John Beecham present his offering.

EMPRESS: Begum Samru tells me you know this man, John Beecham.

I do, Your Highness.

EMPRESS: And what do you make of him?

I think he is a good man.

Hmm.

♪ ♪ (courtiers murmuring) (creaks) (machinery whirring, mechanical birds chirping) (courtiers murmuring) (growls) (chirping) (mechanical elephant trumpets softly) (water running, Empress laughs) (courtiers murmuring) (chuckles): I believe the Empress approves.

♪ ♪ SAMRU: Miss Osborne.

I should like an introduction to the man with exquisite taste.

John Beecham, may I present Her Highness Begum Samru?

JOHN: Your Royal 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.

MARGARET: I hope you will see for yourself in time.

I certainly hope I do.

(people talking in distance) You have a powerful protector in her.

Do you think that she might permit me to whisk you away from these ceremonies?

Now?

Come.

(laughs softly) ♪ ♪ (laughing): This is scandalous!

I trust I have not offended anyone.

Well, 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.

(chuckles) 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 neighbor.

(laughing) So your motives were selfish after all.

(chuckles) A neighbor who has brought new light into my life.

♪ ♪ SAMRU: Do you think we may have misjudged him?

His present was most impressive.

Perhaps more extravagant than a mere Englishman with no trade businesses.

Hmm.

I wonder how he could afford such a gift.

♪ ♪ (birds chirping, water rushing) ♪ ♪ (kissing) I'm 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.

♪ ♪ (crickets chirping) ♪ ♪ (kiss) HENRIETTA (in distance): No, no.

(murmuring) Stop it!

Stop it!

No!

No!

(moaning) Stop.

♪ ♪ (gasps) LINNEY: Next time, on "Beecham House"... Am I so irresistible that you must be with me morning and night?

I've been ordered back to my unit in Kannauj.

We have been naïve.

I saw Chandrika enter his chamber.

We have both been deceived.

I have no one here I can trust.

JOHN: I must divulge a part of my life that I have kept from you.

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

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