Episode 2

♪ ♪ TOM: We await the arrival of Colonel Lennox and his company.

ALISON: Will your family be joining you, Colonel?

I have no such attachments.

♪ ♪ CHARLES: Miss Lambe, I must confess I noticed you in the Assembly Rooms yesterday.

I wonder what it was that caught your attention.

I want to give my husband a child.

CHARLOTTE: As I am resolved not to marry, I will need an income.

ALISON: A governess?

MARY: For Mr. Colbourne, of all people?

COLBOURNE: The position is yours.

You start on Monday.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (horses approaching, seagulls cawing) ♪ ♪ LENNOX: Miss Heywood.

Colonel Lennox.

Forgive me.

The other day I spoke rashly.

You were honest.

It was refreshing.

Would that every young woman spoke with such candor.

Thank you, Colonel.

But you'll have to excuse me.

You have an appointment?

I have a job, as a governess.

Today will be my first day.

Then I wish you every success.

Though I'd venture you succeed in whatever you put your mind to, Miss Heywood.

Oh!

And you can expect an invitation.

♪ ♪ (bell tolling in distance) ARTHUR: All the agent could tell us is that Sidney was in Antigua on your behalf.

GEORGIANA: And yet he didn't think to tell me he was going?

Or for what purpose?

Well, he didn't tell any of us.

We have written to your father's employees.

But I'm afraid that it'll take weeks to get a reply.

I shall make my own enquiries.

What can this mean, Arthur?

I am certain it's of no cause for concern.

Sidney will have had your best interests at heart.

Just as I do.

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ (birds cawing) (bell ringing inside) ♪ ♪ LADY DENHAM: No, no, no!

I've never seen such a fumble-fisted effort.

You could always do it yourself, Aunt.

Well, then, what is the point in having you here?

Oh, leave them.

(knock at door) (door opens, footsteps approaching) Give it to Lady Babington.

Well?

(door closes) Colonel Lennox has invited us to a mess dinner.

Oh.

Oh, I'm not dining in a tent!

Well, he's taken the new Assembly Rooms.

And you're thinking Edward will be there.

I can't help feeling, what with his reappearance and Dr. Fuchs's prognosis, that God has taken against me.

♪ ♪ MRS. WHEATLEY: Miss Heywood, you're late.

We were expecting you at 9:00.

Mr. Colbourne has asked me to tell you you will receive your monies at the end of the month.

Although few governesses have lasted that long.

The household is making wagers as to whether you'll last the week.

But I've a shilling says you will, so for my sake... Be assured, Mrs. Wheatley, your money is safe.

Very little daunts me when my mind is made up.

When exactly did their last governess... COLBOURNE: Ah!

Miss Heywood, they haven't scared you away yet?

Miss Heywood has only just arrived, Mr. Colbourne.

Then I shall introduce you to your charges.

Brace yourself.

♪ ♪ (Leonora exclaiming) Leonora?

COLBOURNE: Girls, you have met Miss Heywood.

She is to be your new governess.

Allow me to reacquaint you.

My daughter Leonora and my niece Augusta.

Pleased to see you both again.

I trust you will show Miss Heywood more courtesy than you afforded her predecessor.

Augusta, what was your last lesson?

Embroidery.

Actually, I thought perhaps we...

Your books will have to wait, Miss Heywood, until you have taught them how to behave like young ladies.

Reading is hardly unladylike.

As you can see, Leonora is in dire need of a feminine hand, while Augusta lacks manners, civility, or any of the qualities that would make her remotely marriageable.

Good luck.

(door closes) You must learn to parry, Miss Heywood, if you want to survive this household.

♪ ♪ (seagulls cawing) (whispering indistinctly) ♪ ♪ She's a disgrace!

(sighs) You must try and be a little more restrained, my dear.

It cost no small amount to repair Lord Kingsley's carriage.

And now Mr. Hartswood... Why are you so desperate to see me married?

(sighs) Society is not as kind or as welcoming as one would hope, Georgiana.

As you know only too well.

And your fortune leaves you vulnerable.

A good marriage will offer you protection.

Acceptance.

CHARLES: Ladies.

Mr. Lockhart.

Why such a solemn demeanor on this fine day, Miss Lambe?

I was in a positively joyous mood, Mr. Lockhart, until I saw you.

Then I shall leave you to it, for fear of spoiling your mood any further.

♪ ♪ ALISON: He is approaching the house in his uniform!

MARY: Who?

The soldier who saved me from certain death!

I do not even know his name.

Oh, it is you?

Oh, a pleasure to see you, too, Miss Heywood.

What is your business, sir?

On behalf of Colonel Lennox, I have the honor of inviting the Parker household to a mess dinner.

And the colonel has expressly requested the honor of Miss Charlotte Heywood's company.

I'm sure she will graciously accept.

Oh, and, uh, Captain Carter sends his regards and regrets he is unable to call in person.

Captain Carter?

Is he the soldier from the beach?

Young, handsome?

He is young.

And it's not for me to say if he is handsome.

Then send him my very best regards in return.

♪ ♪ Carter!

His name is Captain Carter!

And this will be my first ever grand dinner.

I've already worn Charlotte's good dress.

I will gladly lend you one of mine.

You are a true friend!

I wish it was Captain Carter that had called.

How am I to endure an entire day without seeing his face?

I saw a pretty hat this morning.

Perhaps you'd like to come and see it with me?

Yes!

CHARLOTTE: If you gently pull the needle up and through... AUGUSTA: Miss Heywood.

Yes, Miss Markham?

It is Miss Heywood, isn't it?

Yes.

Uh, then you are not married?

No.

Nor have you ever been?

No.

Then how is that you are to ready me for a life which you yourself have quite roundly failed in?

That is like having a riding instructor who has never sat in a saddle.

(chuckles) LEONORA: Or a pirate that's never gutted a man.

Hmm.

I have never been to France, yet my French is more than passable.

LEONORA: Ouch!

Damn these needles!

Miss Colbourne.

AUGUSTA: Do not give up.

See what I have made just for Miss Heywood.

I do hope I have spelt "spinster" right.

You see it is not a word I am particularly familiar with.

Nor am I ever likely to be.

(handbell ringing) I do believe it is time for luncheon.

Come along, Leo.

The governess takes hers in the kitchen, of course.

Alone.

But then again, I suppose you are used to that, poor, dear Miss Heywood.

(footsteps retreating, Augusta and Leonora giggling) ♪ ♪ EDWARD: Esther.

Forgive me, I didn't expect to find you here.

On the promenade or in Sanditon?

Either, if I'm honest.

And yet does it not feel like fate that we should both find ourselves back here at the same time?

Fate played no part in this.

It's all a contrivance.

You're fooling no one, least of all me.

What will it take to convince you I'm truly repentant?

Try drowning yourself.

♪ ♪ MRS. WHEATLEY: Miss Markham's work, I assume?

She is very... adept.

On the contrary.

I see several dropped stitches.

You're not going to let her get away with that?

I don't want to punish her, Mrs. Wheatley.

I want to understand her.

Is it so hard to understand?

She's 18 years old and not long orphaned.

And Leonora lost her mother, too?

That was many years ago now.

We don't dwell on it.

Remember, girl, I've a shilling on you.

HANKINS: Lady Babington!

(chuckling): You appear to be our sole congregant for matins!

(chuckles) Oh, you will remember, of course, my dear sister, Miss Beatrice Hankins?

A pleasure, Lady Babington.

I cannot stay, thrilling as matins sounds.

And, uh, how is married life?

Will, uh, Lord Babington be joining us during the summer months?

I do hope so.

It is not right for husband and wife to be too long apart.

Not if they wish to bless their home with children.

As the Psalms tell us, "Children are an heritage of the Lord."

"And the fruit of the womb is his reward."

That is no concern of yours!

I forgot to mention the charity darning circle.

Oh... (bird cawing) Lady Babington?

Lady Babington.

We are not well acquainted, and I do not wish to presume... You already have, Miss Hankins.

Oh, forgive me.

But I am a Christian woman, with Christian feeling, and recognize when another of my sex is in need.

Thank you.

I am in no need of your charity.

It is not charity I am offering.

(quietly): I have heard tell of a midwife of Melmead.

A Mrs. Potter.

She helps women who have struggled, as I believe you might be struggling.

Well...

I have done my part.

The rest is in God's hands.

♪ ♪ ARTHUR: This is just a crude rendering, of course, but it gives you a sense of it.

And it would sit right here.

The Theatre Royal Sanditon!

It, it is a wonderful idea, brother.

Hm?

Oh...

But this would require a great deal of investment and we cannot afford to gamble.

Speculators speculate!

That's what you have always said.

Yes, that does sound like me.

We shall talk more of it anon.

But now I have promised to give Colonel Lennox a tour of Sanditon.

Come on, Arthur!

We are most honored by the invitation, Colonel.

I cannot tell you the excitement it has caused amongst the women of our household.

(chuckles): We have been made so welcome by the town.

I hope the dinner will go some small way towards showing our gratitude.

(chuckling): Yes.

Now, if you look up there, Colonel, you will see we are just finishing the Seaview Apartments, and now we are considering our next expansion.

We have been discussing a theater.

I've been drawing up grand plans: a gilt proscenium, a balcony... Well, well, yes, at some future point, Arthur, perhaps.

But right now, we cannot afford to take any risks if we are to repay Sidney's investment.

Sidney?

Our dear departed brother.

It was he that secured Sanditon's future.

What a fine legacy, Mr. Parker.

Thank you, sir.

Were Sidney here, I am sure that you and he would find much in common.

ARTHUR: Some things.

(chuckling): Perhaps.

TOM: And he would want to encourage you, as I do, to consider extending your stay indefinitely.

I've been thinking further on the idea of a permanent barracks.

Which I feel could be of great mutual benefit.

With your permission, Colonel, I have a site I wish to show you.

By all means, Tom.

(chuckles) Theatre Royal Sanditon.

♪ ♪ ALISON: Are you sure this is wise, Miss Lambe?

Or appropriate?

I have had my fill of being told what is and isn't appropriate.

FRASER: Left, right... Do not betray your feelings too readily.

Try to appear aloof.

We've invaded his camp.

It is hardly aloof.

FRASER: Come on.

Ready?

Right!

Left!

Head!

Right!

Left!

Head!

Right!

Up!

Right!

Left!

Left!

Right!

(Carter groans, Alison gasps) Miss Heywood?

Ladies, this is no place for a young woman.

Let them stay a moment, Fraser.

I am unharmed.

I simply came to thank you, sir, for saving me so gallantly yesterday.

I cannot take all the credit, miss.

You have my undying gratitude.

Miss Heywood, you are to attend the mess dinner?

I would not miss it for the world.

Then I might be so bold as to request the first dance of the evening.

I would be honored to.

FRASER: I must insist you ladies leave the camp.

I shall escort you to the bridge.

Really, sir, have you no heart at all?

None.

Just a cold, hard rock in its place.

♪ ♪ (birds twittering) LEONORA: Look, there's another one!

CHARLOTTE (gasps): Well done, Miss Colbourne.

And what do we do with our specimens, Miss Heywood?

We shall examine them, like malacologists.

This silly dress!

I wish I could wear my short britches.

They would be rather more practical.

Father says it's unladylike.

My mother says a woman should dress appropriately for whatever activity she is engaged upon.

I'm not sure my father would agree with that.

Is she still alive, your mother?

Yes, she is.

I don't miss mine, before you ask.

Although Father doesn't even like us to mention her name.

What do you remember of her?

Nothing.

She died when I was a baby.

You must miss her a little.

You can't miss what you never had.

Of course you can.

For example, Miss Heywood misses the husband she doesn't have.

Don't you?

♪ ♪ (waves lapping, seagulls cawing) (yawns) Do not move!

Please!

I only have a silk handkerchief.

(laughs) Fear not, Mr. Parker.

I could not resist such a peaceful subject.

Then I am honored, sir.

Honored.

Might I be permitted to... Oh!

You have a rare talent.

Please.

I should very much like to paint your friend Miss Lambe.

But I fear she's taken against me.

Oh, that is just her manner.

(chuckles) She clearly holds you in high esteem.

Perhaps you could convince her that I am not entirely without merit.

I would forever be in your debt.

Oh, say no more, sir.

I shall make it my mission.

In the meantime, you shall have to content yourself with a much less beguiling model.

I will not hear it.

You have a rare masculine beauty, Mr. Parker.

Indeed?

Undoubtedly so.

In Paris, you would be fêted in the salons for your charm and in the Tuileries for your style.

(chuckling): Oh, I should love to be fêted in the Tuileries!

(laughs) And I am certain one day, you shall.

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ Can we really make a home for the water snails?

Of course.

Now, if we could find a magnifying glass...

I suspect there is one in your father's study.

Oh!

Miss Colbourne!

Leonora, it is customary to knock.

What is so urgent?

Look!

Snails?

CHARLOTTE: Water snails, sir.

We collected them from the pond to examine them more closely.

We were in want of a magnifying glass.

COLBOURNE: Really, well, one snail... One magnifying glass.

Which I shall need back.

Thank you.

We're being malacologists.

Would you like to see our other specimens?

Tempting as that is, I shall have to decline.

CHARLOTTE: Come, Miss Colbourne, your father is busy.

Miss Heywood.

Forgive me, I must have been unclear.

I thought I engaged you to make a young lady of Leonora.

That is precisely what I'm doing.

By trawling ponds for mollusks?

I am widening her knowledge.

She has no interest in embroidery, sir.

And you see how engaged she is.

If you could just spare a moment to let her show you...

Thank you, Miss Heywood, but you are here to further the girls' education, not mine.

Then I shall leave you to your work, sir.

Planorbis carinatus.

Keeled ram's horn.

If you're going to be malacologists, you might as well use the correct terminology.

♪ ♪ Thank you.

(giggling) You don't look quite as excited as your sister.

But then, who does?

I confess I am strangely apprehensive.

The last time I danced in Sanditon... Was with Sidney.

You must try to put that from your mind.

We're going to enjoy ourselves tonight.

We shall eat and drink and dance and forget all our cares!

I insist upon it.

Ladies, it's my honor to welcome you this evening.

Miss Heywood, it's a particular pleasure to see you again.

After supper, might I claim the first dance?

Thank you, sir.

Excuse me, Colonel, but I really must greet the family Parker.

So, Miss Heywood, how are you finding your new job?

Thus far, highly rewarding.

You doubt me, sir.

You've previously spoken with such candor.

It is strange to hear you dissemble.

(sighing, quietly): I have two charges.

One I've gained some ground with, but the elder girl is... resistant.

(quietly): Gaining ground is my vocation, Miss Heywood.

We shall form a battle strategy before the night is out.

(chuckles) LADY DENHAM: Herbs?!

I should never have thought you so credulous!

Neither Fuchs nor any doctor I have consulted can help me.

Fuchs sounds positively rational besides this charlatan.

And you went to her house?

She is no charlatan.

Mrs. Potter has assisted many women.

And if nothing else, she has given me hope.

What do I have to lose?

(sighing): I knew we should not have come.

LADY DENHAM: Pay him no heed.

He is no threat to either of us.

♪ ♪ LADY DENHAM: Miss Heywood, Miss Lambe.

GEORGIANA: Lady Denham.

Lady Babington.

I understand you are behind this sugar boycott, Miss Lambe.

I take it you won't be joining us.

Life affords few enough pleasures as it is.

Forgive me, my lady.

I'd forgotten you lived a life of such deprivation.

Alison, I spy Captain Carter.

♪ ♪ Oh, oh, Miss Lambe, Miss Heywood.

I, I believe you have met my dear friend Mr. Lockhart.

I wasn't aware you were so well acquainted.

Oh, yes!

I, I cannot praise this gentleman enough.

He is a fine fellow, and, and, I might add, quite a remarkable portraitist.

I shall take your word for it.

CHARLES: Are you not inclined to make your own opinion, Miss Lambe?

I already have.

Excuse us.

♪ ♪ She is definitely warming up to you.

(chuckles): I admire your optimism.

Excuse me one moment, Mr. Lockhart.

♪ ♪ Oh, excusez-moi.

Ah.

Huh.

♪ ♪ Remember, try not to seem too eager.

♪ ♪ Miss Heywood.

Captain Carter.

How elegant you look.

Thank you.

And what a beautiful setting.

I am reminded of these lines of Cowper: "I fly to scenes romantic."

I feel as though I have flown here myself.

Indeed.

Cowper, yes.

What a genius he is.

I worship his poetry.

As do I!

Which is your favorite?

I, uh... (chuckles) I could hardly choose!

(laughs) Supper, Miss Lambe!

♪ ♪ What a fine table, Colonel.

Thank you, milady.

I'm glad it meets your approval.

♪ ♪ Where are you, Charlotte?

BEATRICE: Miss Heywood!

You're down here, with us.

Oh...

This is what comes of being a governess.

Forced to sit with the spinsters.

Cast out from society.

Hardly.

(quietly): It's only the other end of the table.

♪ ♪ Miss Heywood.

It seems we are to be seated together.

I hope you can endure my company since you are so often keen to be rid of me.

I shall have to endure it as stoically as I can.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ARTHUR: Good gracious!

(chuckles) What luck!

♪ ♪ (drums pounding) (applauding) ♪ ♪ ARTHUR: Is not this repast delicious, Mr. Lockhart?

I thought the lamb was a little tough.

And somewhat cold.

If it is so unpalatable, why don't you leave it?

I am sure it would not miss you.

I'm waiting for it to surprise me.

Why should it?

Well, I think it's jolly well delightful.

(chuckles) FRASER: Shall I ask Captain Carter if we might exchange places?

Forgive me, I do not mean to be rude.

I'm not in the least offended.

I cannot blame you for seeking his company over mine.

He is unforgivably handsome, after all.

Are you mocking me?

I wouldn't dream of it.

Yes, I, uh... (clears throat) I considered the Army myself.

But ultimately, uh, I felt that my gift for oratory was better suited to the church.

(chuckles) Besides, one of my legs is a full inch shorter than the other, which might have proved disadvantageous in battle.

But now you serve the King of all kings, brother!

Yes.

(people talking in background) (quietly): I notice the other ladies are enthralled by the soldiers in our midst, yet you seem quite indifferent.

It takes a good deal more than a red coat and some brass buttons to impress me.

Likewise.

I find our island's veneration for the military vaguely repulsive.

And yet you accepted the colonel's invitation.

Is that not rather hypocritical?

I accepted out of curiosity and boredom.

What's your excuse?

I had little choice.

It would have been considered very ill-mannered of me to decline.

You didn't strike me as someone overly concerned with winning the approval of others.

I must admit I'm quite disappointed.

Then it is a good thing your opinion means nothing to me.

LENNOX: Gentlemen.

(chairs shifting) The king.

MEN: The king!

♪ ♪ CHARLES: I should like to make a toast of my own.

♪ ♪ In 1814, Emperor Napoleon abolished slavery.

He was not just a soldier, but a man of vision.

A man who recognized that ideas... ....rule the world.

Not might alone.

(chuckles) To Napoleon Bonaparte.

(soldiers pounding table) SOLDIERS (chanting): Out!

Out!

Out!

Out!

Thank you.

(pounding and chanting continue) (pounding and chanting stop) LADY DENHAM: Ignore him.

He's just an artist.

♪ ♪ (people talking softly, instruments tuning) I am sorry we could not be seated together.

You might have saved me from my infuriating dinner companion.

He certainly caused quite a scandal.

Did I notice you smile?

Certainly not!

It was a grimace.

Although I have a feeling you'll shortly have cause to smile yourself.

LENNOX: Miss Heywood.

CHARLOTTE: Colonel Lennox.

(people talking in background) ARTHUR: Miss Lambe, you should be dancing.

I insist upon it.

I have been waiting for you.

(both giggling) (people talking in background) Miss Heywood, would you still do me the honor?

With the greatest of pleasure, sir.

(music playing) Given you profess to loathe the man, you do seem rather fascinated by him.

As do you, Arthur.

(Arthur chuckles) (music continues) I must apologize for the seating arrangements at dinner.

If it weren't for convention, I would have...

It's all right.

I know my place as a lowly governess.

There's nothing lowly about you, Miss Heywood.

(music continues) (music continues) (music continues) Do you remember the first time we danced together?

The day my father married your mother.

It took me an hour to find the courage to ask you.

I was in awe of you then.

I still am.

♪ ♪ (Schubert's Marche Militaire No.

1 playing) That one doesn't let the grass grow.

In battle, we defeated our enemy by holding fire until he was very close, then charging with bayonets and firing a single volley.

A rather extreme strategy for educating an 18-year-old girl, wouldn't you say?

My meaning is, wait till your enemy's close, then you may take your best shot.

Let her see you, you may best see her.

(piece ends) (applauding) Perhaps that's true.

I should be more open with her.

Then hopefully I shall have no need to employ the bayonet.

(chuckles) (people talking in background) TOM: Colonel.

ARTHUR: Oh, excuse me.

Arthur.

Yes, brother, I'm here.

At supper, Colonel Lennox was highly complimentary about your stepbrother.

I didn't recognize the man he described.

Apologies for the Lockhart fellow's outburst.

Believe me, he does not represent Sanditon.

ARTHUR: It's just his sense of humor.

Please, gentlemen.

(men cheering, laughing raucously) So... To friendship.

To friendship.

♪ ♪ Now, let's forget any troubles we have with a game.

This is not the time to gamble.

My brother is right.

I do not wish to lose my money.

Then I'll stake you.

(men cheering) Captain Carter, the dice.

I'm staking Mr. Parker five pounds.

Tom?

Well, Tom?

Are you in or out?

♪ ♪ Knock.

(knocks) Now you throw for main point.

Which means you need the five, six, seven, eight, or nine.

Of course-- main point.

(dice rattling) (dice clatter) CARTER: Seven!

Hey!

Very good.

♪ ♪ (music playing) I suppose that toast was for my benefit.

Don't flatter yourself.

It was for my own amusement.

And was it worth it, given it has earned you the contempt of almost everyone in the room?

Almost everyone?

Who's the exception?

I made a decision not so long ago not to care what anyone thinks of me.

It was enormously liberating.

I prefer to live my life on my own terms, outside the narrow confines of polite society.

I highly recommend it.

Then again, it takes a brave lamb to wander from the flock.

♪ ♪ (men groan) You need to roll a four to win.

(dice rattling) (men groaning loudly) TOM: Wait, what just happened?

You threw a four.

They lost, you won.

(exhales) And if I'd not thrown a four?

You'd have paid back double the stakes.

I need to sit down.

You played admirably, Tom.

You're a worthy opponent, indeed.

Get this man a bottle of wine!

(music playing) ALISON: I am trying to follow Georgiana's advice and be more reserved, but it is so hard when I am with him.

Try not to fall too fast, Alison.

Can't you feel from my heartbeat that it's just too late for such advice?

(piece ends, applauding) LADY DENHAM: Edward.

I intend to ask your colonel to join me for tea tomorrow.

I wish to show him my brother's medals.

I'm sure he'd be delighted, Aunt.

Hmm... And it would also provide an opportunity for him to give his unvarnished impression of you.

Edward... Might I persuade you to dance?

Sister, I would gladly... Not with me.

I'd rather dance barefoot on broken glass.

Miss Hankins.

(people talking in background) (music playing) (music continues) Which of them is this designed to humiliate?

Neither.

It's to repay Miss Hankins for her kindness.

And to see how far Edward would go to prove he's a human being.

(music continues) ♪ ♪ (people talking in background) (chuckles) Can I interest you in a nightcap, Mr. Parker?

I have a rather good port wine in my studio.

Oh, well, I adore port wine.

♪ ♪ Alison?

Thank you, Captain.

I have had the most wonderful evening.

As have I.

Worthy of Cowper.

Thank you.

Fraser, you must help me.

Miss Heywood, she is a woman of refinement, poetry.

You know such things.

Please.

Why?

As a friend and fellow officer, Declan.

(sighs) (chuckles) Thank you.

I'll be forever in your debt.

♪ ♪ Miss Heywood.

Thank you for your advice on military strategy.

I hope it proves useful.

Let me know if you wish to borrow a cannon.

(laughs): I'm not sure Mr. Colbourne would sanction that.

Colbourne, did you say?

Yes.

Why?

Do you know him?

Only by reputation.

I bid you a good evening.

Good evening.

♪ ♪ (seagulls squawking) I wondered if there was anyone who caught your eye at dinner last night.

Unlike Alison, I don't swoon at the sight of a soldier.

It was not a soldier you were sitting next to.

I maintain my first impression of Mr. Lockhart: he's all conceit and affectation.

I'd hoped you'd find yourself sitting next to someone handsome and eligible... No more talk of marriage.

I beg you.

I've had my fill of suitors.

If any man is to request an audience, you are to decline.

If and when I marry, it will be on my terms.

Mine and mine alone.

LENNOX: I hope you didn't mind my asking Captain Denham to join us, milady.

He was as keen to hear about his late uncle as I am.

Yes, well, Edward has always taken a very keen interest in family matters.

LENNOX: I'm not surprised your nephew is from such a distinguished lineage.

These past months, he has proved himself an exemplary officer.

Honorable, courageous, disciplined.

LADY DENHAM: Yes, so you said, at the mess dinner.

If I may... (places cup and saucer down) I know familial relations between you have been strained in the past.

But when he joined up, Captain Denham spoke of a desire to atone.

And nothing I've seen since has caused me to doubt his sincerity.

LADY DENHAM: Colonel Lennox, let me show you Maximilian's portrait.

(door opens) I trust you two can be civil with each other if I leave you alone.

LADY DENHAM (in distance): Now, this portrait was painted when he was 17.

Miss Colbourne and I are going to look for food for her snails this afternoon.

Will you join us?

The charms of a simple farm girl may work on a child, but they do little to enchant me.

Nor any potential suitor, I should imagine.

Hmm, maybe that is why you are condemned to such a loveless and lonely life, Miss Heywood.

(inhales): Well, one of the reasons.

I have known love, Miss Markham.

Hmm.

And let me guess, he ignored your every simpering advance.

(turns page) No.

I was loved in return.

But circumstances conspired against us.

Then he died.

♪ ♪ Miss Markham, our lives may seem worlds apart, but I know what it means to grieve.

♪ ♪ (exhales sharply) We are nothing alike, Miss Heywood.

Tell me something.

Your parents.

A happy memory, perhaps.

I...

I used to play for them.

Lively tunes that would make everyone laugh.

They would sing.

(exhales) I could play for you.

If you'd like.

My Aunt Lucy's spinet in the drawing room.

We can unlock it.

I should very much like that.

♪ ♪ Esther, if our aunt can forgive me... Well, that remains very much in question.

I'm sorry, desperately sorry, for how I wronged you.

But ever since my return to Sanditon, I've done my best to prove to you that I am reformed.

Does the colonel's word count for nothing?

I barely know the man.

I know you all too well.

But you're not the same woman that you once were.

Marriage has transformed you.

You carry yourself differently.

You have an assurance that you never had before.

That's because I escaped your influence.

I don't doubt it.

But the point is, if you can be so utterly changed, is it not possible that I might be, too?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (fallboard clatters, remains shut) Why is it kept locked?

You know Leonora.

She will have it destroyed in an instant.

(lock turns) (shutter opens) (playing tune) (out-of-tune note playing) Seems it hasn't been played in some time.

It's a bit out of tune.

My ear is not refined enough to say.

Perhaps you could play something.

(begins piece) (out-of-tune chord plays) (plays notes hesitantly) I'm a bit out of practice.

(piece continues slowly) Louder.

(spinet playing in distance) (piece continues) Stop.

(stops playing) Forgive me, sir, I...

This is locked for a reason.

Who told you you could play it?

Augusta, this has your name written all over it.

No, sir-- it was I. I asked one of the servants for the key.

What is the point in a spinet if not to be played?

(Leonora shouting) COLBOURNE: Leonora, what are you wearing?!

Miss Heywood said a woman can dress for whatever suits her purpose.

She says a girl can be whatever she wants to be.

(door closes) CHARLOTTE: I have tried, Mr. Colbourne.

And like those before you, you have failed.

No, sir.

I shall not shoulder that burden alone.

You told me I'm not here to educate you, but there is much you have to learn.

Miss Colbourne lacks a mother and also a father.

She lost the former to the grave and the latter to his work.

And Miss Markham, were she to let anyone in, might become a woman of lively intellect, ready to step into society, as you desire.

But who listens to her?

Who even speaks in this house of silence, this mausoleum?

So, this may be the last lesson I teach in this house, but it is decidedly the most pertinent!

You wish to leave?

No, but I assumed...

Tomorrow, then.

Same time.

♪ ♪ It seems you owe me a shilling, sir.

(birds twittering) Why did you lie for me?

Why did you lie to me?

I wanted you gone.

To be replaced by another governess?

Then another?

My parents have been replaced.

My home.

My whole life.

Then forge a new life.

A new path.

That is what I'm trying to do.

I didn't lie to you.

I did use to play for my parents.

We did laugh.

And you shall again.

♪ ♪ (knock at door) (door opens) What is it?

♪ ♪ Clara?

♪ ♪ I thought I'd made it perfectly clear that you were never to darken my doors again!

Throw her out!

No!

Aunt...

I have nowhere else to turn.

I have been used and abandoned.

That is no concern of ours.

Please!

I am with child!

Oh!

It is Edward's!

♪ ♪ (exhales) ♪ ♪ ALISON: So, who are you dreaming of?

Your strange new employer?

Or a certain colonel?

(sighing): Alison.

GEORGIANA: What do you want from me?

Isn't it obvious?

ALISON: He's both a hero and a poet.

LENNOX: Be on your guard against Mr. Colbourne.

Just take my word.

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