Belgravia: The Next Chapter

What did he say about me?

That there was a rift with your father,

which was not of your making.

He longs to be reconciled.

- You don't know him. - You met my sister.

- I did. It was a pleasure. - She's all charm.

He didn't go to her when she was dying?

The wounds are deep.

How are you?

You seem a little sad, if you don't mind my saying.

A public gallery is one thing,

but this is a gentleman's private residence.

I've heard nothing at all about a silver mine.

Then you should have done.

I would always be open

to investment opportunities here or abroad.

Good.

Where on earth did you learn to play like that?

Sorry I haven't been in to see you for a while.

- Fathers... - This is no life for him.

Perhaps you will not accept love from those who offer it

because you choose not to.

Are you going out?

Yes, a poetry reading.

Thought it might be diverting.

But I will see you at dinner, I hope?

Yes. You will.

Good morning, sir.

Who was that?

Oh, only Mr. Snowden from across the way.

He's lost his little dog and was hoping

we might have seen it.

- What a pity. - I said we'd look out for it.

We shall.

Oh, I do beg your pardon, Vicar.

This came through the door earlier.

I put it in my apron

and clean forgot to give it to you.

Thank you.

Anything you need?

Um...

No.

Thank you.

"Alas it was sold, that trinket of gold

which my ruiner gave to me--

All the winter nights on my bosom, as cold

- It lay, as his heart might be." - Oh, God.

You should come and listen.

"...did I At thy command..."

No, thank you.

"Thou bad'st us increase and multiply--

And our tyrants bid us perish.

The child lay stiff as a frozen straw

in the woman's white cold breast--

And the parson in its dead features saw

His own to the truth expressed.

He turned from the bosom

whose heart was broke

Once it pillowed him as he slept--

He turned from the lips that no longer spoke

From the eyes that no longer wept..."

Thank you.

When was it written?

Around 1820, I think.

Good old Shelley. Still as relevant.

Courageous to attack hypocrisy in the church.

It's always the women, isn't it,

who bear the greatest burden?

Because we have the babies, and men can walk away.

Shelley himself walked away, I'm afraid,

left his wife and child.

- Did he? - He did.

This was before he met Mary.

His first wife drowned herself, I think, in the Serpentine.

No.

- I mean, is that really true? - I'm afraid so.

It all comes back to what we were saying before, I suppose.

Words are important.

But it's what we do which really counts.

Changed your mind?

About sitting for me?

Truthfully, I would love to.

I'm afraid it really isn't possible.

I could keep the likeness minimal.

Think about it.

Thank you.

It was fascinating, moving in so many ways.

I'm glad you were here.

Perhaps I'll persuade my husband to come with me next time.

Yes...

by all means.

When might we see you again?

- I don't know. - I shall have to organize

another event as quickly as possible.

Shall I hail a cab, Your Ladyship?

Yes. I'll come down with you.

Sell your interest in the foundry?

Some of it, not all. I need to raise capital.

But it's the worst possible time to sell.

The business is yet to prove itself.

It's doing better than we could've hoped.

But we're months, years away, even, from profit.

Is this because of the silver mine

you mentioned, Your Lordship?

I believe the Marquise d'Etagnac is behind it.

- What have you heard? - Whisperings, that's all.

But I'll grant you, people are saying

it's an exceptional opportunity.

How else could I raise capital... quickly?

Do you know how much we're looking at?

You can sell one of the import lines,

but they've been your family's mainstay for 50 years.

- Sell a parcel of land? - No.

The fastest solution would be to borrow, Your Lordship.

You have plenty of collateral.

I've never borrowed before, and I won't start now.

Would you like me to approach the Marquise, Your Lordship?

No.

No, she must approach us.

I won't be seen to be begging for an opportunity.

And she will approach us. Why would she not?

We've impressed her at every turn,

earned her trust.

Agreed.

Find me an investor for the foundry.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

From the Marquise.

She is to hold a ball.

I expect it will be the most glamorous affair of the year.

Something to look forward to.

Yes.

How was your afternoon? The, uh...

The poetry?

It was enjoyable.

Extremely interesting.

Where was it?

In Bloomsbury.

How was your afternoon?

Good. Productive.

I'm hoping to embark on another venture with the Marquise.

Really?

She has a silver mine, which is expanding rapidly,

and she's looking for investors.

There's nothing settled yet, but I--

- A silver mine? - In Mexico. In the Americas.

That sounds thrilling.

Well, I think so.

You shall conquer the world.

One step at a time.

You all right?

Not really.

What do you do when you think your mistress...

or your master...

is heading into trouble?

- Is she? - Perhaps.

They haven't been the same since that business with his brother.

- Hmm. - The Reverend.

Well, it's not for us to say anything, is it?

We only ever know half the story anyway.

About any of them.

Dear Lord...

I hated it...

when you didn't come to the Rochesters'.

Sorry.

The thought that you were out in the world somewhere...

living your life without me.

Where were you?

I was viewing some paintings.

That's all.

Were you really detained?

I wasn't sure you wanted me there.

Clara, if I have ever made you feel...

I hate that you could feel that.

When you're not there, I can think only of you.

We should go and see

the Rochesters again soon, don't you think?

So, they know there's no difficulty between us.

If you wish.

Is that your chief concern-- that no one should suspect

there are difficulties between us?

No. Of course not.

Of course not. You're my chief concern.

But I'm sure you would agree it's important.

I think if we see them again

it will only confirm their suspicions.

Please stop this.

Do you think this is all my doing?

I think we should endeavor to draw a line and start again.

Do you think this will all just go away?

I need to know that this is the end of it.

Or what?

Or are you thinking you'll go to the peelers?

The choices are all mine, aren't they?

Whether I have a little word with the ladies of the parish?

- Send a letter to the bishop? - What we do might be a sin,

but it needn't open the door to cruelty.

I do what it takes.

You try living my life, Vicar, then judge me.

Got your money's worth though, didn't you, hmm?

You loved it.