Beecham House

LAURA LINNEY: This is "Masterpiece."

JOHN: This is the Star of Agra.

DANIEL: Why does he want you to sell it?

What are the funds for?

LINNEY: Previously on "Beecham House"... To raise his own army.

To challenge the Company if they do decide to try and take Delhi from him.

My injury leave is over.

I've been ordered back to my unit.

You allowed me to fall in love with you.

You have ruined me.

JOHN: I learned just who it was that I had saved-- the Maharajah of Kalyan and his two daughters.

We will call him August.

HENRIETTA: My grandson is going to be a maharajah.

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

(woman vocalizing) (birds and crickets chirping) (Chanchal gagging) (August fussing) (gagging, vomiting) (Chanchal gasping, August crying) (crying continues, Chanchal coughs) (birds chirping) (August cooing) John.

(August cooing) (cooing) Hey.

I'm relieved that you were able to tell your family the truth last night.

Our secret is no longer one to inhibit us.

I too am relieved.

The burden of it had weighed heavily on me.

Miss Osborne said that she understood.

Perhaps now you understand too.

Duty exceeds love.

I trust that Miss Osborne will now do the honorable thing and step aside, so that you and I may live the life that we must.

John, I will be a dutiful mother and wife.

My father will be very happy.

Chandrika...

I admire your strength and your convictions.

(August cooing) When my beloved wife lay dying in my arms, I thought that my heart would die with her.

Were it not for our son... (cooing) I might never have found love again.

But since coming to Delhi I have found my heart behaving in the most unexpected way.

I do not expect you to condone it, but...

I have found such comfort with Miss Osborne.

And you must find that too... (fussing) with somebody that will be your husband-- but that is not I. I cannot put duty so far above love.

John Beecham... you insult me, my family, and the memory of my sister.

(August fussing) You may have lived in India a long time, but there are some things you will never understand.

HENRIETTA: John, there must be something you can do...

I have my Company orders, Mother, I must return.

But so soon, can't you stop him?

It is a miracle he has escaped death, unlike so many young men in this cruel country.

I'll be fine, Mother.

JOHN: I have implored Daniel to stay.

It is too risky to go to Kannauj, I fear there will be a war there soon.

A war...

Financed by your misdeeds.

Have you got rid of that diamond yet?

(stammering): What diamond?

What harm should it do to Daniel in a war?

If you must go, have you at the very least resolved things with Chanchal?

She does not wish to speak with me further.

Mmm, that poor, poor girl.

DANIEL: Truth is, she deserves someone better than I.

(tapping spoon) Stay... (places spoon down) and come into the business with me.

I thank you for your generous offer, brother, truly.

I know you do not make it lightly.

And maybe there will be a day when I would accept it gladly.

But not today?

My horse is being prepared.

Mother, let's enjoy breakfast.

Where are you going, John?

Mother, please excuse me.

I have an urgent visit.

JOHN: I must see Miss Osborne.

Daniel... Godspeed.

You will always have a home here.

Come back to us safe.

Shh!

(whispering): Ram Lal.

What do we do?

(horse nickers) MURAD BEG: Mr. Beecham.

Ah.

Pleased to see you.

Apologies for coming by unannounced, but, um, I must speak with Miss Osborne.

I thought you knew, she left early this morning.

Uh... she's gone?

Where, may I ask?

Meerut.

She's taken a position as head of school for Begum Samru.

Chanchal-bhai?

You did not eat your breakfast.

I am not very hungry today.

You did not eat it yesterday, either.

Baadal... you are very kind, but please stop.

Please leave me alone.

(birds twittering) Baadal.

(birds twittering) Thank you for looking after her.

Come with me.

You should have this.

I think it's better in your hands than mine.

(birds twittering) (distant music playing) (music continues) (music playing louder, more distinctly) (music continues) What is that?

A sarod.

Ah... That is how it is intended to sound.

(playing continues) I suppose there is one consolation with you leaving.

You will forget the maid.

(August coos) (music continues) (sighs) I need a fresh horse.

Shukriya.

John!

Samuel.

I have great news from Lucknow, it could not have gone better.

I have several potential buyers for the diamond.

Samuel, that is wonderful news, but I'm afraid I have an urgent matter that I must attend to.

Of course, make haste, we have much to discuss.

Ram Lal, I must leave urgently for Meerut, I have to catch up to Miss Osborne, she is but two hours on the road.

Yes, sahib.

What is wrong?

I must inform you of some news regarding the staff.

(Baadal continues playing) Brother, I did not expect to see you again.

(stops playing) John!

No!

No!

What in God's name was that for?

I have had enough of your selfishness, Daniel.

What are you talking about?

You are to be a father.

(panting) (quietly): No... A father?

(cooing) That's impossible.

(August fusses) You cannot return to the Company now.

You have responsibilities here.

Well, if it's true, there are ways to deal with it-- herbs, mercury... DANIEL: Come now, John.

You were in the army.

Violet, what is happening?

(grunting) Daniel is to be a father.

(fighting continues) HENRIETTA: Stop that, you are... you are gentlemen, not ruffians in a Whitechapel alley.

(panting) (punching, grunting) DANIEL: What are you going to do, John?

Kill me for ruining my own life?

(breathing heavily) Think very carefully, Daniel.

You will never recover from a mistake like this.

It will haunt you for the rest of your life.

(scoffs) So says the man whose life is a model for everyone.

(breathing heavily, August coos) SERVANT: Sahib.

The army is coming!

(distant shouting) (shouting continues) General... JOHN: What in God's name is this?

Lieutenant Beecham!

You are under arrest for the theft of a diamond, belonging to His Majesty the Emperor.

HENRIETTA: Oh!

What's the meaning of this?

This is not us.

Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

(speaking French) SAMUEL: What is the meaning of this, general?

This is outrageous.

(shouting) (grunts) Samuel!

Samuel!

(punches, grunts) (punching continues) (quietly): What are you doing?

Making it convincing.

(punches, Samuel groans loudly) I think they're quite convinced!

SOLDIER: General!

General!

CASTILLON: I present you the proof.

Lieutenant Beecham is a thief and a traitor!

You are charged with conspiracy to commit treason by selling that diamond, to fund the operations of the Emperor's enemies.

(quietly): This is nonsense.

Save your whining for Shah Alam.

Shackle him!

(shrieking): Oh, my son!

Unhand my brother!

This is a misunderstanding.

Stay calm!

(shackles lock) Take him!

This is a misunderstanding!

(shouting) (wails) (gate closes) (metal clanging) (hooves clomping, carriage rattling) (horse nickers, elephant trumpets) (chain clanging) (General kicks, John groans) (John panting) I set aside everything I knew to be true about the English, and I extended the hand of friendship to you.

And you stole from me!

I stole nothing, Your Majesty.

Then, tell me, how did you happen to come by this diamond?

I cannot say.

"Cannot say"?

Have you suddenly lost your memory?

(scoffs) My treasury is well guarded.

You must have had an accomplice from within this palace.

Who was it?

(shouts): Who was it?!

Speak up!

General Castillon.

I have heard enough.

Make this man speak else keep him imprisoned till the rats leave no trace of his flesh.

But I must know how he acquired the Star of Agra!

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

(speaking French) (chains rattle) (soldiers speaking French) Keep going!

(chain rattling) (John grunts) (chain rattling) You know, Lieutenant... (chain locks) I have fought three wars on three different continents.

From the moment I met you, I sensed that you were not what you said you were.

But I could not prove it.

Until now.

What did you plan to do with the money?

Fund the East India Company in Kannauj?

I know you have been there.

Who is your accomplice?

(exhales) (inhales) Write down the name of your accomplice or you shall be here for a very long time.

(doors creak, shut loudly) (lock engaged) (chain rattles, John grunts, pants) Ram Lal... there must be someone with some influence at the palace who could help John.

Sahib, your brother was intending to go and bring back Miss Osborne before she reaches Meerut.

She knows the Empress, surely she can seek an audience to request her help.

DANIEL: Yes, Ram Lal, go at once, bring her back.

Yes, sahib.

(stammering): I don't understand.

It's not possible that John would do those things, is it, Samuel?

SAMUEL: Course not.

I will have him freed by tomorrow; this is some sort of grotesque mistake.

VIOLET: You are injured, Samuel.

We must get the hakim.

Thank you, Violet, but it's nothing.

I don't know what I would do if anything happened to John.

CHANDRIKA: I have decided to return to Kalyan.

(footsteps approaching) I think it is best that I take Agastya with me after the events of today.

You want to take my grandson away?

Mrs. Beecham, I must protect him.

This house is no longer safe for a future maharajah.

John is innocent... and I am here in his stead.

I understand your concern, but August is safer here than he is anywhere else.

(cooing) This is his home.

(bracelets rattles) (cooing) (places stopper down) (exhales, sniffs) (exhales) (breathes heavily) (breathing heavily) Son, you must not act out of the ordinary.

You must remain calm and assured.

Mother, Castillon has been baying for Beecham's blood since he arrived in Delhi.

And now we have given him an excuse to act.

We must do something.

And risk your father's wrath?

He will be furious if he discovers we tried to raise our own army without his knowledge.

It'll put all of our plans in jeopardy.

It is better to shed an Englishman's blood than your own.

DANIEL: The general seemed to take extra-special pleasure in taking John away.

There is no excuse for French people, under any circumstances.

Put them in uniform, and they turn especially monstrous.

I will go to the Red Fort to try to reason with Castillon.

I shall come with you.

I think it better if I remedy this matter on my own.

We both know Prince Akbar asked John to sell that diamond.

But help me understand something, Captain Parker.

I cannot, for the life of me, conceive how Castillon knew the diamond was here.

Can you?

Daniel...

Listen to me.

We are on the same side here.

Don't come back without my brother, Captain Parker.

On that you have my word.

(horse hooves clomping) (horse nickers) (din of the street) (man shouting in Hindustani) (coins jingling) (elephant grunts) (elephant trumpets) (indistinct chatter) (chain rattles) (paper rustling) (soldiers marching, chanting) (horse hooves clomping) (horse nickers) (indistinct chatter) (indistinct chatter) (mutters in French) (gate unlocks, creaks, opens) (soldier shouting in French) (lock clicks) (shouting in French) (chain rattles) (people shouting nearby, chains rattling) (shouting continues) (men chanting) (chain rattles) (shouting continues) So you have decided not to cooperate.

(shouting stops) (grunts) You have disrespected the emperor, and now you disrespect me.

Do not confuse idiocy with honor.

(shoves loudly, John grunts) This is beneath us, General.

I will not fight you.

It is not me you will face.

A traitor lurks in this palace.

Tell me his name, (joints cracking) or Mr. Singh shall happily tear you limb from limb.

(breathing heavily) I will not do it.

(grunts) (shouting and chanting) (John groans) (drops with a thud) (distant shouting) (John straining, breathing heavily) (shouting continues) (John grunts) (Singh drops loudly, John roars) (chanting continues) (neck cracking) What in God's name are you doing?

(chanting continues) (distant chanting) (lands punch, John groans) Stop this at once!

(chanting continues) (knife scrapes sheath) Enough!

(guns rattling) Samuel.

Lieutenant Beecham is an honorable man!

(panting) Put the weapons down.

(guns rattling) Enough for now.

(grunts, panting) Seize the prisoner.

SAMUEL (quietly): I need to speak with him.

CASTILLON: The prisoner is not allowed visitors.

General... No visitors!

Now look here, we made a deal.

I have made arrangements to sail to England-- you need to release him to me swiftly.

When I have the information I need, he's all yours.

Alive, preferably.

(soldiers chanting in background) (footsteps approaching) Tell the general to bring me something edible.

I know what I'd like to tell the general... (whispering): Daniel!

(chain rattling) (panting): Brother... You take a great risk coming here.

I must warn you about Samuel.

Daniel...

He is in league with Castillon.

I do not know how or why, but he is somehow involved in your arrest.

Find Margaret, give her this.

Ram Lal has already gone to fetch her.

We'll be back for you, brother.

(French accent): Attention!

(chuckles) (chain rattles, exhales) (breathing heavily) (vomits, coughs) You must have ginger water.

(coughs) (breathless): I cannot take anything.

I want to die.

Everyone knows now.

So, what will you do?

(clicks tongue) You silly girl.

Come.

(sniffles) Good afternoon.

How is August?

He's fine.

Oh... Will his father be coming home soon?

I do not know, my dear.

You do not look at all well.

Sit down, dear.

You must rest.

(softly): Thank you.

(footsteps retreating) RAM LAL: Stop!

(speaks Hindustani) Stop the carriage!

Stop the carriage.

(horse nickers) Ram Lal?

(horse nickers) (animal howling) SAMRU: I'm happy you responded to my invitation.

It's been far too long... CASTILLON: It has, Your Highness Begum Samru, but you are always present in my dreams.

(chuckles) I thought you're too busy interrogating your new prisoner, the dashing John Beecham.

(jacket drops) You have shown the emperor your suspicions were correct.

Beecham is a traitor, and he is where he belongs.

I have always been loyal and expect that to be held in high esteem.

(inhales) (knocks) Samuel?

Samuel, it's Daniel.

Maya.

How is Chanchal?

She's sleeping, sahib.

She has not been well today.

(panting) (strained): I am feeling very tight in my stomach.

You think it is easy bearing a child?

I have had four.

The pain does not get any easier.

Your sahib will never know your pain.

(strained breathing, swallows) Or my humiliation.

(strained breathing) I wish to escape this unfortunate house.

It is not written in our destiny.

We're tied to Agastya for many more years.

(sharp exhale) Go to sleep now.

(strained breathing) Baadal.

I'm concerned about Miss Chanchal.

She's clearly unwell.

(swallows) She will not see me.

I'd like to help her.

You cannot.

Sahib... She is weak.

What she needs is love, respect, and an honorable way out of her situation.

How can you help her with that?

(Chanchal crying out) Chanchal!

She was complaining of pain in her stomach all day.

I fear she has miscarried.

She's very hot.

What can we do?

I will arrange for her to be taken care of.

Please, sahib, you can go.

(stammering): But I feel... BAADAL: We will take care of her.

Please leave.

What are you doing?

Do not speak of this to anyone.

(Chanchal whimpering) (speaks Hindustani) (man speaking Hindustani) (horse hooves clomping) (bird cooing) Mr. Beecham-sahib?

Thank you, Ram Lal.

It's good to see you.

You've been greatly missed.

How is he?

I managed to see him, he's as well as could be expected.

(paper rustling) He wanted you to have this.

It was a shock to hear of this terrible predicament.

All the way back I have been thinking about what could have happened.

Have you any idea what's behind all of this?

(quietly): Not yet, but I must tell you.

I have reason to be suspicious of Samuel.

Samuel?

But he is John's trusted friend.

I cannot prove it, we must stay vigilant.

(footsteps approaching) JOHN: Dear Margaret, I am writing to you because you must know that if these are my final moments, it is only you and my son that fill my heart and give me hope.

(pen scratching) Before I had the great fortune to meet you, I was lost and struggling.

You have given me a reason to dream again, of a future filled with joy and possibility.

In our brief time together, you have taught me more than you will ever know.

Your courage has given me courage.

Your compassion and understanding have moved me deeply.

And I promise you, that if I'm fortunate enough to leave this cell, that I will never again squander an opportunity to be by your side, to show you the love and affection that you deserve.

Yours, John.

(exhales) (sniffles) (exhales) (crickets chirping) (horse hooves clomping, carriage rattling) BAADAL: Ma... Who is she?

She works at the house with me.

Then why bring her here?

We need your help.

She was with child, but... (gasps) Your child?

Then where is her husband?

Please, enough!

What can we do to make her well?

BAADAL'S MOTHER: Take her inside.

Come.

Take her inside.

Does she have fever?

(men speaking French indistinctly) (chain rattles) (whispering): Prince Akbar!

(gate unlocks) (gate squeaking) Your Royal Highness.

I had almost given up hope.

And...

I am sorry it has come to this.

Can you ensure my release?

Have faith, I will resolve this.

The empress is against me speaking to my father.

But I will.

We just have to wait for the right time.

(sighs) (gate squeaks, locks) (chain rattles) (birds chirping) (man speaking Hindustani nearby) HENRIETTA: Miss Osborne.

It is kind of you to return.

With your son wrongly imprisoned like this, Mrs. Beecham... must be awful for you.

I hope they realize their mistake and release him soon.

I hope so too.

And I will do whatever it takes on my part to make that happen.

Thank you.

I will visit the nursery, Violet, in the hope of bringing some small comfort to little August.

I shall follow you down to breakfast.

How is baby August coping without his father?

Fine, I think.

I imagine having Chandrika here must be comforting for him.

Oh, she left yesterday.

Why did she leave?

I'm not certain.

Perhaps John asked her to.

And what news of Captain Parker?

I'm not embarrassed to tell you that Samuel and I have recently developed quite a strong friendship.

I know you and I have had... misunderstandings before, but I trust now they are firmly in the past.

(sighs) Of course.

I hope you will allow yourself to be happy for me.

(quietly): I have been sworn to secrecy, so you must not tell a soul, but I shall burst if I do not tell another.

Samuel has spoken of me joining him in London, where he is promised a fortune.

A fortune?

From where?

I did not dare ask.

A lady doesn't pry into such delicate matters.

Maya.

Maya.

How is Miss Chanchal this morning?

What is it?

Is she all right?

I do not know, sahib.

What do you mean?

She left last night.

She left?

Who has left?

Who are you talking about?

DANIEL: Chanchal, Mother.

In her state?

Where has she gone?

DANIEL: Baadal, you were there last night.

Why was Barton with her?

DANIEL: Baadal, tell me where she is.

What has happened, Mrs. Beecham?

It appears Channing has fled.

Did you speak ill of her, Daniel?

A woman carrying a child is not herself-- what have you done now?

What's to be done?

Who will tend to August?

BAADAL: She is safe and recuperating.

What do you mean recuperating?

Is the baby in trouble?

Chanchal has been very ill, Mother.

There may be complications with the child.

I'm truly sorry for you all.

I shall visit the chapel and say a prayer.

In many ways it may be a blessing.

Excuse me?

Well, now Daniel perhaps is released from what would have been a mighty burden.

Let this be a lesson to you, Daniel Beecham, not to tread so lightly on the lives of poor women.

SAMUEL: Good morning, everyone.

Oh.

(places teacup down) VIOLET: Oh, there you are Samuel.

I hope you have some good news for us.

Pleasure to see you, Miss Osborne.

It's a relief to see you are returned.

What news of John?

Unfortunately, no one is allowed to visit him, but General Castillon assures me he is well.

Oh, thank the Lord.

Is he coming home?

I am not certain, but I feel my influence with the general will soon pay dividends.

How well do you know the general, Samuel?

The way he singled you out for a beating-- perhaps you have less influence than you think.

These are trying times, Daniel.

I am doing my utmost.

We need John back in this house.

Violet, my dear, shall we take a turn in the carriage before the heat becomes unbearable?

That would be lovely.

I have no appetite.

Please excuse me.

Mrs. Beecham.

How long have Miss Woodhouse and Samuel had an association?

Well, it's all been rather sudden, really.

Miss Woodhouse is desperately fearful of a life of spinsterhood.

When she realized that John's feelings towards you are unshakeable, she turned her attentions to Captain Parker.

She informed me that he has invited her to return with him to England.

As John's partner here, that seems rather odd.

Violet has not mentioned this to me.

Life here makes less sense with every passing day.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him all creatures here below Praise Him above ye heav'nly host Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Henrietta humming tune) (score playing song) HENRIETTA: Praise God from whom all blessings flow (rat squeaking) Praise Him all creatures here below Praise Him above ye heav'nly host Praise Father, Son And Holy Ghost What is it?

(hands paper) Debts.

And notes on John's past with the East India Company.

(chuckles) (speaking Hindustani) (goat bleats) (chickens clucking) (animal bleats) BAADAL'S MOTHER: See?

Only a mother's love and food can do such magic.

CHANCHAL: I am very grateful to you both.

But I must get back to my duties.

You must fully recover, Chanchal-bhai.

(goat bleats) Sahib has not been released, but August is being well cared for.

(goat bleats) I'm happy to hear that.

But I miss him.

BAADAL'S MOTHER: Do not worry, son, you have done the right thing.

We'll continue to pray and do whatever we can for the baby.

There's still hope.

You must tell the father.

I'm sure he'll be very happy.

(goat bleats) Make sure the plate is clean.

(murmuring assent) Pour some oil.

(murmuring assent) RAM LAL: Hey, where is Chanchal?

Pour.

She is my responsibility.

She is not.

Chalo!

Sahib has put me in charge of his son, and therefore his ayahs too.

You must tell me where she is, so I can bring her back.

She must get well, then she can decide if she wishes to return.

It's not your decision.

And you cannot make her care for you by holding her prisoner.

Now I demand you tell me where you are hiding her.

You do not give me orders!

In this house I am in charge.

Chalo!

And you have heard nothing from Baadal of Chanchal's whereabouts?

He is stubborn.

(clicks tongue) (crickets chirping) Can I join you?

Please, sit.

Daniel-sahib, I may be being too forward, but brothers should not hurt each other the way you and John-sahib did yesterday.

I deserved it.

(slams cup down, exhales) It's been a hell of a day.

Be so kind as to pour me another, good sir.

(pours drink) I am happy that Miss Osborne has returned.

But she is not eating.

The only one eating in the house is Samuel-sahib.

And how can he eat when his closest friend is in prison?

It appears John has more enemies than you had previously imagined.

Even in this house.

Miss Osborne.

I thought you were now calling Meerut home.

General, I had to return to Delhi after I was told that a friend of mine is in need of assistance.

You are deluded if you believe Lieutenant Beecham is your friend.

He left the Company.

Why insist on making him pay for their crimes?

I have proof he is an agent of the Company.

You couldn't be further from the truth.

John is innocent.

You and I have a friendship, General, trust me.

(exhales) (birds twittering) You speak of friendship, Miss Osborne, but you have betrayed me.

Perhaps I should arrest you also for being an accomplice.

Me?!

Please do not act the innocent!

Beecham has an accomplice in the palace.

If you know who it is, you must tell me at once.

It is John that has been betrayed by your accomplice.

Whom do you refer to?

Captain Parker.

(scoffs) You think I would waste my breath on someone as lowly as Captain Parker?

He is lying to you.

Captain Parker is desperate and in crippling debt.

If the truth is revealed to the emperor that you have been deceived, then you will look very foolish indeed.

(birds twittering) Miss Osborne, there are larger forces at play here than you and I.

If you continue, you may feel the rage of others less fond of you than myself.

(rat squeaking) (squeaking) (squeaking) DANIEL (voiceover): I must warn you about Samuel-- I do not know how or why, but he is somehow involved in your arrest.

JOHN (voiceover): Mother... did you know we were acquainted?

I did indeed.

Captain Parker called on me in London last year.

London?

Yes.

And he insisted on delivering us safely to you.

SAMUEL (voiceover): I received a dishonorable discharge from the Company.

They have spread rumors.

They have sullied my name.

JOHN (voiceover): Gopal, I trust you more than any man to deliver it safely back.

John, maybe we should reconvene.

(exhales sharply) SAMUEL (voiceover): Do you think my gift will satisfy the empress?

JOHN: No, 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.

SAMUEL: This is an incredible opportunity.

You will make a huge profit and know you did all you could to help the emperor defend his kingdom.

Everything you say is true.

You have no choice.

LINNEY: Next time, on "Beecham House"... John is in great danger.

I'm aware, Miss Osborne.

I'm not sure what we can do.

BAADAL: They're coming to take you back.

You must hide if you do not want to go.

EMPRESS: Sometimes, a pawn has to be sacrificed to protect a king.

John Beecham would give his life for a cause he believes is worth fighting for.

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

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