Beecham House

You have any idea how hard it was to discover the brother I admired

had disappeared without so much as a word?

Lieutenant Beecham has been seen in Kannauj

communicating with Company forces.

You've gone beyond the duty of a friend.

I owe you my life.

I am finally able to afford my passage home.

Please do not leave.

You have done nothing but disturb this house since your arrival.

You have to tell me the truth about this woman. Who is she?

Chandrika is August's aunt.

Ah...

This is superb!

I could never have imagined anything like it.

And entertaining too.

Pull this carefully.

Amazing.

This...

This is craftsmanship at its most superb.

A labour of love, not yet complete. Not for sale.

Sir, your creation will grace the halls of a royal palace.

A gentleman of taste.

When could it be completed by?

I am bound to present it to the Emperor in a week.

In a week?!

You ask for miracles.

Perhaps we're asking too much of the man.

It is of the utmost urgency.

I will toil night and day if it is your pleasure.

Thank you.

Gopal will accompany it by ship.

But for now, we will take our leave.

- Gopal. - Yes, sahib.

It of the utmost importance

that you deliver this gift back to Delhi on time.

Our future depends on it.

I trust you more than any man to deliver it safely back.

It is but a day's journey.

I will stay here and guard the statue myself.

Do not worry, sahib. Safe journey.

You too, my friend.

Samuel, I'm hopeful that we have finally found a gift

that will please even the most exacting taste.

Oh!

Oh, good Lord, this is most unsavoury.

One can sense diseases forming.

Baadal?

Mool Chand,

Mrs Beecham-sahibah would like to inspect your ingredients.

English only from now on, Moonch...

Now, how can we turn this primitive Indian produce

into proper English food?

I have prepared for you...

English stew.

Eurgh!

What in God's name is that?

Buffalo.

Have I been drinking buffalos' milk, not cows'?

Yes, that is our custom.

That is why my hair is so much coarser.

Welcome back, sir.

Staff are happy to see you and Captain Parker.

Thank you, Baadal. Now please take this to the nursery for baby August.

~

Your journey, sahib. Was it successful?

Yes, I believe so.

Er... Baadal, erm...

tell me, has...

has Miss Osborne been to visit?

Oh, no, sahib, she has not.

Ah.

~

I shall miss you when you return to England.

I am deeply fond of you, my dear.

You know that.

But you will marry one day and then you will have no use for me.

I'm too young to marry...

but you are not.

I'm certain Mr Beecham would marry you if you gave him a chance.

Marriage is not something that should be left to chance.

To build a life together, one must trust their partner completely.

Mr Beecham is a mystery.

But come. We must not keep the Empress waiting.

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

Don't be fooled.

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

Roshanara, you are more beautiful each time I see you.

Do not shrink from marriage.

Beauty is fickle.

It lingers but a short while before moving on.

Your Majesty's beauty increases with the years.

But my cousin's foreign ideas have made you headstrong.

I hope the Englishwoman will teach you

the importance of having a less forceful nature.

How is it, Miss Osborne, that you are not married?

I have hope that the future may bring fortune.

Begum Samru tells me you have two suitors.

Do not wait too long to choose.

There's no sadder sight than ripe fruit left to rot.

Now, to important matters.

I have a prince in mind for you, Roshanara.

I will make arrangements for him to meet your father.

He's a good prospect for a royal niece.

As his host, Vijay Singh will escort him.

Salaams to my gracious mother.

And to you, Your Highness Begum Samru.

May you live long, Jalal Zaman.

My cousin, Prince Jalal Zaman.

Roshanara says you're a scholar.

I am honoured.

You're English, not French.

I wish to learn more of your language.

When the British try to conquer our kingdom,

I want to know how my enemy thinks.

She must teach the Prince.

Zaroor?

You must delay your return to England.

It is treason to disobey a royal command.

Miss Osborne will be honoured to serve the prince.

Excellent.

When we get rid of...

.. this native costume,

and put him in a proper suit,

he would look not only very, very handsome,

but very English, I think.

When we get you to England,

you can go to Sunday school and learn about Jesus.

A proper little gentleman.

A proper little gentleman.

John.

It is time for Agastya's first taste of solid food.

First taste?

Annaprashana. It is an ancient custom.

Then we must honour it.

I received your request, Captain.

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

A trade licence, perhaps?

Beecham is not aware of this visit.

What is it you wish to speak to me about?

Your trip to meet the Company in Kannauj?

I'm impressed with your knowledge.

But this is a more urgent matter.

A shipment is due to arrive imminently, which contains a gift.

For the Empress.

Captain Parker, why would you conspire with a "French devil"

to betray your friend?

That is not your concern.

If something were to prevent Beecham from obtaining his licence...

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

You want Beecham out of Delhi.

I want him in England.

Mrs Beecham, are you unwell?

My-my nerves are on edge, Violet.

You must help me, my dear.

- I shall call for a doctor. - No, no.

My... elixir is finished.

I need you to get me more.

I cannot survive without it.

I will, ma'am.

But I should like you to do something for me.

Well, of course. Anything at all, dear.

You did not know what John's circumstances were

when you brought me here.

But I want a future where I am not a spinster.

You must do more.

Well, I am trying.

We could not imagine that I would be competing with a baby...

and Miss Osborne.

It is most unfortunate. I wish there was more I could do.

Then you must contrive to gain me his affections,

and in return, I will procure your opium.

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

And an even more beautiful girl.

Chanchal!

- Shameless! In front of everyone! - What have you got there?

I think he likes your necklace.

Chanchal.

The baby should go inside.

He wants to stay here. Don't you, my little prince?

Chanchal! Where have you been? It's August's feeding time.

We both have a duty to this baby, Chanchal-bhai.

We are here to make sure he is safe and well,

not to use him for our own purposes.

This place is as crowded as a bazaar.

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

Good morning.

Good morning, son.

Oh, Violet was just telling me

her father's shipping company is thriving.

You should consult him for your business.

Very subtle, Mother.

He has many clever strategies

to enjoy the smoothest possible voyages to and from India.

Excellent. Well, I shall write to him

and tell him what a... gracious daughter he has.

Ladies. John, ready when you are to leave for the docks.

Thank you, Samuel.

Daniel, I saw you this morning in the garden,

dallying with the maid who minds August.

It is not kind to trifle with the affections of young servant women.