Gentleman Jack (2019) s02e08 Episode Script
It's Not Illegal
1
I was thinking about a trip to London.
I could meet your London friends.
Are you sure about this Northgate business? You don't want to get yourself laughed at.
I'd like a ceremony - To lay the first stone.
- Of course.
Can we not have one last kiss? God! I missed you.
I have the deed box here, with me, at Shibden Hall.
This This Ugh! You have to be certain that this, here, with me, is what you want.
103 Long Acre.
And tell whoever you deal with to send a trusty person to collect my payments for the repairs to the carriage.
Here - Hawkins Hotel in Dover Street, at one o'clock this afternoon.
And then tell them to send the carriage with a pair of good horses and a steady driver At six o'clock tonight.
It's all in there.
- 103 Long Acre.
- Pearce and Baxter.
Ask the porter downstairs to give you a boy to show you the way.
What a relief it'll be to get my own carriage back.
- Hmm? - Miss You look ridiculous.
Let's not be small-minded with one another.
Now, pour me some tea.
Pour your own fucking tea.
And we were getting on so nicely in the high-flyer.
You should never have claimed powers you don't possess.
Nothing would please me more than to introduce you to Lady Stuart de Rothesay and Vere and any number of others, - But this isn't the time.
- When we first met Well, when we became reacquainted, you said, you promised me, that you would introduce me to people.
Yes, and I did.
The Norcliffes.
No, proper people.
London society.
We're in town to find a master for the new school, primarily, and to visit the doctor and the dentist and to get our watches fixed.
And, yes, some pleasure, of course.
But this isn't a time for you to meet new people, not while you still have anxieties about the division of the estate.
Oh! What's that got to do with anything? You have a lot on your mind.
And until it's resolved, you're here to relax, not to be stared at.
- Stared at? - I shouldn't like to see you overwhelmed.
And believe me, these people can overwhelm.
But you'll go and see them.
If they heard I'd been in London and not visited them, then they'd be surprised, certainly, and offended, even.
And anyway, you have your Mrs Plowes'friend to see, so The time will come.
But this isn't it.
I was trying to recall when it was we last saw you, - Miss Lister.
- Oh It was at the Jardin des Plantes.
You were there, Lady Cameron, you remember.
- How could I forget? - Where were you, Mama? - I've no idea.
- No, I think you were with us.
No, my darling, I don't think I was.
- I was there.
- Oh, it was you, Grandmama! - Mm.
- And, Charles, you've never seen anything like it.
It was as if we'd been swallowed by the whale.
We were sitting on chairs, but inside the whale! Well, Miss Lister always had a talent for knowing the best things to do and see.
What was the favour, Miss Lister, you mentioned earlier? Oh.
So, when Miss Walker and I were in Geneva last year, I ordered a scale model of the Alps from Monsieur Gaudin.
And it's finally due to arrive in England any day now, but the problem is they'll open it, at Customs House.
And the anxiety is they'll damage it.
It's a huge thing - it's 7ft square! Good Lord! Oh, it's wonderful! Whatever will you do with it? And Monsieur Gaudin emphasised how carefully these models are packed for shipping, being so fragile.
But apparently, if I can get an order from the Treasury for it to be delivered to Shibden unopened Write down the details, send it to me first thing in the morning.
- I'll sort it out.
- Oh.
What can I say? How disappointing, Miss Lister, not to conquer Mont Blanc.
Oh, I could've cried.
But I will we will go back.
How lucky, to find a travelling companion as intrepid as you are! It's going to be quite a day for us tomorrow.
I'm devastated you're in town only so briefly.
You can't imagine how bored I've been at Richmond with my aunt during my confinement.
Really? We quibble about money.
Can you imagine? I didn't pay the gardener, but I had use of the garden.
I was giving birth! I was never even in the garden! Is she worried about money? Well, I suppose she must be.
She's very fond of you.
This is all I do now, Anne.
Donald does the business and I I drop babies.
Children are a blessing.
They're the cement of any marriage surely.
I never thought I'd hear you say that.
Neither did I.
The carriages are ready.
Thank you.
We have two carriages outside! What're we? Where're we? What're we doing? You're going to Lady Gordon for coffee, Mother.
Not me, I'm afraid.
- I've got to work.
- Nor me.
I have to get back to my Miss Walker and I are visiting the National School at Westminster first thing in the morning.
She's opening a school, locally.
A good one.
So we're trying to find a suitable master for it.
Miss Stuart was delighted with the wedding present we sent from Howell and James's, by the way.
Oh, was she? Oh, good.
What's the matter? Why aren't we moving? Perhaps there's been an accident.
Why did you talk so much? - Hmm? - At the school.
I couldn't get a word in edgeways.
Mr Johnson'll think - I'm some kind of half-wit.
- Well, I He didn't even look at me.
He didn't even address me, not once.
- I thought you wanted me to - I wanted you to shut up.
I'm fairly certain he'll consider someone setting up a new school and taking the time and trouble to visit other top schools in preparation for it very far from being a half-wit.
Listen, I've been thinking.
When we get back to Halifax, and I don't know how you'll feel about this, but would you do me the honour of laying the foundation stone for the casino? I imagine just a small public gathering with a few well-chosen words.
Something to dignify the occasion.
You mean make a speech? Me? Yes.
Do you think I could do that? I'm certain you could.
Huh.
When will you reach Edinburgh? Erm Is it tomorrow night? And then the train! To Manchester.
Hopefully, we should be in Halifax by Saturday or Sunday.
Poor Elizabeth! Yes, the timing is far from perfect, but Elizabeth's little sister and Miss Lister must have their holiday in London! Yet we're the ones that are being difficult.
Must you go at all? Sadly, Mother, yes.
The archaic nature of the deeds mean Elizabeth and I must sign in person.
If we sign at all.
May I take little John, ma'am? Yes, of course, Dorothy.
Thank you.
Mama You mustn't fret, Elizabeth.
Little John and the girls will be perfectly happy here, with me and Dorothy.
I'd better, erm I've just got a few bits and pieces - To sort upstairs.
- Of course, my dear.
You mustn't let her fret.
Well, it's not that.
She's, erm Well, she's worried about her sister.
So am I.
Is she struggling again? Oh, who knows? She may be, but it's not that exactly.
It's more an anxiety about this unnatural hold that Miss Lister seems to have over her.
Unnatural? Yes, we, er, we think so.
As in? You remember there was a case years ago in Edinburgh.
Two women No! Mm.
Well, anyway, that's the anxiety.
And with Ann being so vulnerable and biddable and under the spell of the woman, Lord alone knows where it might end.
And the shocking thing is Miss Lister can hide in plain sight.
Who would ever suspect a woman of being a fortune hunter and a predator? The lawyers clearly haven't a clue.
It's evil.
I've worked out that if we did want to spend the winter in a rented house in Leamington, our weekly expenses would amount to 15 pounds and 11 shillings exactly.
Mm.
Well, something to think about.
Perhaps for the future.
I can't go on like this, you do know that.
What? Me paying for everything.
Well, that's Well, when we left Shibden, we did agree that that's what what with me laying out so much capital for the casino and for the new pit and the refurbishments at Shibden, - And one thing and another - £5 here, £200 there.
It starts to add up.
The London trip was, primarily, for you, for you to find a schoolmaster, to see the dentist, to see Sir Benjamin, to see Mrs Plowes, to see Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament.
Hmm? To get away.
No, it wasn't.
It was for you to see your friends.
Oh, so none of those other things happened.
- I won't be sifted.
- Sifted? - For money.
- Sifted? We said our arrangement would be as good as a marriage.
As far as it could be, yes.
You should've taken me to meet your friends.
- As I explained - I am your wife! When it's convenient, when you need money in bed.
But when it comes to your aristocratic people, I'm an inconvenience.
As I say, one day And then there's Mrs Lawton.
Mrs Lawton? I know there was more to it, that night when you came back from Lawton Hall.
The damage is done.
I've seen you in your true colours.
My tr? I got you an appointment with the King's surgeon.
Not only because he's the King's surgeon but because he's also the leading expert in joint pain, which I bothered to find out for you! Those are my true colours.
I think you're anxious about getting back to Halifax because of the Sutherlands.
I think that's what all of this is about.
The amount of money you're spending these days terrifies me.
You're the one person who's shown any faith in my Northgate scheme.
Yes, and I hope it succeeds, but what if it doesn't? I'm frightened that you'll ruin yourself and then me.
How could I ruin you? I'm borrowing all of the big money elsewhere.
Yes, but who are you counting on to bail you out if you can't maintain your repayments? No, I would never do that to you.
Do you think I could bear to see you in a debtors' prison? If the worst came to the worst, which it won't, I would sell Shibden.
I could live anywhere.
I could live under a stone if I had to.
And as for a debtors' prison Well, they'd have to catch me first.
No.
I'm sorry, I can't do this any more.
And I'm still not convinced that what we do is right.
Well You know what I think about that.
I've explained it often enough.
I think the sooner we part, the better.
Well, then.
You do know that my first and greatest wish has always been for your happiness.
And if I can't make you happy, then I only hope that someone else might succeed better.
There's a church here with a monument to a child that died.
I once saw it years ago when I was travelling with Mrs Lawton.
I always thought, if I passed by here again, I'd like to see it again.
Would you mind? No, of course not.
"She was in form and intellect most exquisite.
" "The unfortunate parents "ventured their all on this frail bark, "and the wreck was total.
" Five years old.
Anne, what's the matter? I just I don't know.
It was the same last time I came here.
I just "In form and intellect most exquisite.
" And she died.
Three weeks - 21 days - before I was born.
Isn't that curious? And I can't help imagining if What if that was me? What if I'm her? What do you mean? Why am I me? I was born into a fairly useless family.
No, not the Listers.
The Listers aren't useless.
Just my particular little squad of them.
Not Aunt Anne, not Uncle James.
Just My father.
My mother.
And poor Marian.
So why do I have such refined tastes and aspirations and? Where does that come from? Why is it in my bones to want to spend time with people who are so much better than myself? What if, in another life that was me? I I don't think that's how things work.
No, yes, it can.
Reincarnation.
Yes, but that doesn't really That So why does it have this effect on me? I'm a scientist, a logician.
I don't engage in fanciful nonsense.
It's either that or What if this is the child that I'll never have? The child that I can never give you.
"In form and intellect most exquisite.
" The perfect child who can never breathe.
May never have life.
I don't know.
Oh.
Oh, I'm ridiculous.
No, you're not.
We very nearly bought a sketch by Turner.
The Turner.
A tiny little thing, done before he was famous.
We were both quite taken by it.
But they were asking four guineas, which was just that bit more than either of us were willing - To pay.
- I've never liked Turner.
Oh, really? And he speaks so highly of you.
Does he? My sister and Captain Sutherland and little Sackville have arrived at Cliffe Hill.
My aunt's expecting me there in the morning.
She wants me to stay until a week on Saturday.
- When? He's never met me.
- Will you go? I'd like to see Elizabeth.
Well, then.
And will you still lay the foundation stone for me? Of course.
How did? When has Turner ever said anything about me? What foundation stone? Oh, it's for the casino.
Just a small ceremony.
I don't think I could comfortably get down to Halifax any more.
No, Aunt, and I wouldn't expect you to.
But if anyone else felt able to come and support me - us - you'd be very welcome.
Mm.
I don't think we've any other news.
Have we any other news, Jeremy? No.
Oh, Dr Jubb came last Wednesday.
Or was it Tuesday? I don't think I've seen anyone else.
The The room's sp-spinning.
I imagine so.
I'm going to I'm going to be s-sick.
There is danger in the first thought that it is possible for us to part.
She is queer and little-minded Oof! and I fear for her intellect.
I see I must make the best of it for the moment and then perhaps I shall be at large again.
So, Ann Tell me.
What are the arrangements? What arrangements? For signing the surrender of the deeds.
Oh.
Erm Well, Mr Gray, or his assistant or someone, erm, Is going to come over from York on Friday, I think, for us all to sign whatever needs signing.
As far as I understand it, that's Th-That's it.
As far as you understand it? Yes, that Yes, that's what's happening.
I expected Miss Lister to be with you.
I'm sure she'll come around this week, when she has a spare five minutes, if she has five minutes.
Can we be frank, Ann? Elizabeth and I are concerned.
Now, you are perfectly entitled to request the division of the property.
No, no, no, no, no.
You-you agreed.
You agreed the terms in your last letter.
You're here to sign.
Any more tiresome discussion about it is over.
Elizabeth and I are concerned that you have been coerced by someone.
- And if that's the case - Coerced? If that is the case, then we have a duty, a responsibility to protect you.
I'm 32 years old.
I am in excellent health, better than I've been for a long time.
I don't I don't need protecting.
I think you look pale.
Perhaps Perhaps you need protecting from yourself.
Hmm? It wouldn't be the first time.
Don't touch me.
Now, I I was more than a little alarmed to discover in your last letter that for the last however many months the deeds to the entire estate have been kept at Shibden Hall.
Alarmed? Why? Where anyone might see them.
Well, that's where I live.
Where else would I keep them? They should've been left in the vault at the bank, where I put them, where they were safe.
I needed to consult them to draw up the proposals for the division.
They're perfectly safe at Shibden.
They're locked in a block tin box in the upper kitchen chamber.
Miss Lister's very particular about security.
Oh, yes, I'm sure she is.
We know you don't write your own letters.
Too precise.
Too litigious.
Too competent.
Is it not the truth that Miss Lister is behind this whole request - For the division? - No.
I think she is.
I think she has orchestrated the whole thing.
For whatever purpose, I can't imagine.
Or maybe I can.
Only too vividly.
But Elizabeth and I have a duty I want my half of my father's estate.
You've had Elizabeth's half, you'll not keep mine from me any longer.
Does Jonathan Gray understand the exact nature of this hold Miss Lister has over you? Wh Wh-What hold? Elizabeth is just as concerned as I am.
About the nature of your relationship with Miss Lister.
Miss Lister is irrelevant.
I might not stay much longer at Shibden Hall.
But I do want my moiety of my father's estate.
I want to see the deeds and the rent books! Oh, Argus.
There's a note, ma'am.
From Cliffe Hill.
The servant brought it.
My dearest Anne, Captain Sutherland started an argument about the deeds as soon as he decently could.
He demanded to see the rent books, and so I refused.
He has gone off to York in a great flurry, hoping to see Mr Gray first thing in the morning.
It is far from clear whether he intends to sign for the division or not.
I shall stay here with Elizabeth, whose head he seems to have turned, but if you were to make arrangements for us to go to York ourselves later tomorrow to see Mr Gray, if - on Captain Sutherland's return - we deem it necessary, I would be grateful.
Please come over when you can.
I am your own, AW.
There's been no communication from the servants' registry in York about a replacement for Matthew.
I may have to go over to York later today - I'll give Mr Thomas a jolt.
I'm not happy about I'm not happy.
What's the matter? I'm thinking I'd like to move back to Market Weighton.
And take Father with me.
Post, ma'am, and a message from Mrs Bagnall.
There's a massive parcel for you down at t'sorting office, 7ft by 7ft big, and she says it's been there since Monday and it's in t'way and can you fetch it? Oh! It's my model of the Alps! Yes, of course you can.
Take the cart.
Take your brother.
Now! Go.
Go on.
Why move back to Market Weighton? Just I find the management of the household finances too much for me, and no-one listens to me, and you don't, and I just.
I don't feel there's anything much for me here any more.
What about Mr Abbott? That's all off.
Is it? When? Some time ago.
Well.
I'd miss you.
Miss Walker would miss you.
Aunt Anne would miss you.
And I do listen to you.
And if the household finances are a burden, then let me help you with them.
Hmm? Oh, good Lord.
Anne? It's Tib.
Her mother's had a stroke.
Oh First - and as I have explained to Miss Walker – I've been as keen as her to find a time where my wife and I could get down here to settle the matter, not least so that I can make provision in my own will for my children.
But it is now utterly apparent that it would be grossly irresponsible to sign for the division.
Why? Sir, my wife believes, as I do that her sister is being manipulated into making choices that are neither hers - Nor in her best interests.
- How? My sister-in-law has, in the past, had problems.
She has a weakness of mind that any knowing or unscrupulous person might take advantage of.
And that is precisely what we believe has been happening.
Are you suggesting that I have manipulated her? No! No, no, certainly not! Why would you? Do you know Miss Lister? Anne Lister.
I've known Miss Lister for some years.
It is a a difficult accusation to make against a lady.
You'll have to forgive my indelicacy, but I feel I must express what plagues my thoughts, otherwise I would never forgive myself if anything were to happen to Miss Walker.
We believe Miss Lister has an unnatural hold over her and her ultimate aim is to have what money she can from her.
Your sister-in-law underwent a course of treatment here in York in the earlier part of last year with a Dr Belcombe, who, you may know, is highly regarded in his field.
And I know that he's been pleased with her progress and has been clear - we've spoken, and recently - that in his opinion, Miss Walker is in a perfectly fit and healthy state of mind to make a will.
And so, on this matter over the division of the estate, I have no anxieties whatsoever.
Your concern for your sister-in-law is of course laudable, but legally there are no grounds on which to deny her a recognised division of an estate that is already half hers.
And as for Miss Lister I've never seen her be anything other than supportive and kind to Miss Walker.
And what you call "unnatural" Well, yes, er, Miss Lister is formidably well informed and she can't always hide it.
And I know a display of too much intellect is discouraged amongst the ladies, but, really, Miss Walker is lucky to count Miss Lister among her friends.
I don't think you quite grasp what I'm rather ineptly trying to say.
You may know - it was a scandal at the time - there was a case in Edinburgh some years ago brought against two women.
Schoolteachers.
We believe, my wife and I that Miss Lister has debauched Miss Walker.
The case you refer to wasn't against the two women.
It was against the lady who accused them openly of sexual misconduct.
They sued her for attempting to destroy their reputations and the reputation of their school.
They won.
One of the presiding magistrates said of the accusations the lady made against them, "The crime here alleged does not exist.
" Miss Lister may not be the marrying kind, but if you were to suggest anything beyond that, you'd face the same problem as the Scottish lady, because, even if such a thing were possible between two highly respectable Christian Englishwomen, the fact would remain that it's not illegal.
The lady in Scotland who made the accusations appealed, and it went all the way up to the House of Lords, who ordered her to pay the two women whose lives she had destroyed with her tittle-tattle £10,000 costs and compensation.
The intention is for my assistant, Mr Shepley Watson, to come over to you in Halifax on Friday afternoon with the documents to be signed by yourself, Mrs Sutherland and Miss Walker.
Will that be convenient? Yes, if Yes.
If Yes.
I can come myself, too, - If it helps matters.
- No.
No, that, er.
That won't be Thank God you're here! What's happened? I brought your pony to give it some exercise and had a sad fight with the animal nearly all the way here.
Oh! Are we going to York? Oh, well, I don't I don't know.
Mrs Norcliffe had a stroke.
- When? - Letter from Tib this morning.
- Yesterday, apparently.
- I'm sorry.
So, if we were - Going to York, I thought - The thing is, Captain Sutherland was back here by lunchtime and he seemed thoroughly appeased.
Did he indeed? He apologised to me, said it was all Elizabeth's fault.
How? Well, apparently, it was her who wanted the rent books.
It wasn't.
He's lying.
So I don't know what your Mr Gray said to him, but something is afoot.
Gray won't have said anything against you.
You're his client.
His very wealthy client.
Well, men collude, especially when they think They're dealing with an Invalid like me.
You are not an invalid! You need to write to Gray and ascertain that everything's still on course for Friday and in the meantime cheerfully assume that it is.
Why is he suddenly blaming your sister? - Because - Because he wants you and her At odds with one another.
And why has he got a bee in his bonnet about the rent books? Because he's cross that I've had the deeds with me all these months at Shibden Hall.
Cross? Why? It's It's where you live.
"Where anyone might see them.
" Oh.
Meaning me? Because I'm so desperate to plunder your coffers, obviously.
- Anne! - Don't worry.
My weapon of choice comes in a velvet glove.
Anne! Anne! Apparently, Mr Gray said the deeds should have been left with an indifferent person such as Mr Parker until the division was settled.
Did he? Well then, show willing.
Let's go into Halifax this afternoon and give them to Parker for safekeeping until it is.
Then Captain Sutherland will have nothing to find fault with.
If it's still what you want.
The division.
Of course it is.
And to change our wills? And all of it? I want to get the division settled first.
I want the division, come what may.
What comes after that Well, let's just get this dealt with first.
Hmm? Fire! - Mrs Sutherland.
- Good Lord, how are you? - Anne's here.
- Miss Lister.
Captain Sutherland! No, don't get up.
No Miss Walker? She's upstairs.
She's having a lie down.
Oh, Adney's pony threw me.
Or did I throw him? Her.
I can't remember.
Her.
And this must be Sackville! What an elusive fellow! Yes.
Good tactics.
I can see you'd make an excellent soldier.
I can't stay long.
I shouldn't even be here, I've got so much on hand, but I'd have been sad not to see you all since you travelled all this way.
Miss Walker's laying my foundation stone for me on Saturday, I'm building a hotel with an assembly room.
Did she tell you? You should come and support us, since you're here.
Just a little ceremony.
Just a few short speeches, just for the town.
Y-y We'd be delighted.
Perfect! And then why don't you come to us for tea in the afternoon? Adney can show you our neat little upstairs wing, Mrs Sutherland, where we've been so happily and cosily ensconced.
And doesn't your sister look well, Mrs Sutherland? Yes.
Um Yes.
She She does.
Good Lord.
What has he done to Elizabeth? I talked at 19 knots and barely prised a squeak from her.
She daren't speak for fear of contradicting him.
And when he went into York all she talked about was the children, and all so inane.
Sorry if I'm a bit flat.
I have poor Mrs Norcliffe on my mind.
She was always so kind to me when I was younger.
Well, you must go over.
No, no, I'll stay here till this is dealt with, and then then I may go.
I don't trust Parker.
My advice is given in good faith - whether it's accepted or not is for the recipient to decide.
There's Mr Harper downstairs, ma'am, and a Mr Shepley Watson? He says he's from Mr Gray's office.
In York.
Imagine our surprise, Miss Lister, when Mr Watson and I got chatting in the high flyer and realised we were heading not just for Halifax but for Shibden Hall.
Are you travelling back to York tonight, Mr Watson? By the time I've been over to Lightcliffe and got Captain and Mrs Sutherland's signatures, I imagine I'd be as well spending the night in Halifax.
Well, then, I recommend the White Swan Inn on Crown Street.
Were you to be here in a few months, I should recommend the new Northgate Hotel.
Thank you.
On the subject of accommodation, Miss Lister, my landscaper, Mr Samuel Gray, will arrive during the afternoon tomorrow.
Like Mr Nelson and Mr Husband, he'll stay for the duration of the build, and he'll need somewhere to live too.
We can put him up here for a few nights.
Will he be all right sleeping with my footman - In his quarters? - Oh, yes.
Until we can find something more permanent for him.
So that's that.
And you mentioned you might be able to spare a servant, Miss Lister, to guide me over to Cliffe Hill? Of course, Mr Watson! And I must get back down to Halifax, catch up with Mr Nelson before tomorrow.
I might see you later on at the Swan, then, Mr Watson.
I'm staying there myself.
And then the big day tomorrow! Is your speech ready, Miss Walker? Yes.
I think so.
I almost have it by heart.
Anne.
Anne? Marian.
You look splendid.
I'm not coming.
Why? I did want to, but what if the crowd isn't very nice? What if they make comments or throw things? Why would they want to do that? I wasn't completely honest with you.
About Mr Abbott.
Are you still seeing him? No.
No.
Not that.
He called a halt to things between us because, well .
.
he hadn't seen it at the time, but someone taunted him with that silly marriage announcement in the paper.
About you and Miss Walker.
I think it might have been Rawdon Briggs.
And so he said he couldn't associate with me any more.
Because.
people say things.
Which, of course they do.
Is this why you want to go back to Market Weighton? I do wish you luck with it, though, Anne.
I hope the Northgate Casino will be a great success.
Wish me luck.
Let me look at you! Oh-ho! Don't forget the Sutherlands are coming to tea this afternoon, if you feel able to come downstairs when you've finished your luncheon.
Good luck.
You're making a fool of yourself! You do know that, don't you? Marian says she's thinking of moving back to Market Weighton.
And taking you with her.
Mm.
You would, of course, be more than welcome to stay here with me and Adney.
I'll think If that's what she's doing I'll probably go with her.
Oh, the carriage is here.
Excuse me.
Adney.
I'm very proud of you for doing this.
I just I wanted to say thank you.
It means more to me than perhaps you realise.
How are you this afternoon, Miss Lister? Very well.
Thank you.
- Miss Walker! - Mr Nelson.
- Miss Lister.
- Washington.
Good news, ma'am.
The license has been approved and signed.
Oh, that is good news! Did you hear that, Adney? Oh, and, ma'am, this might not be the time, but I think you should know, I mean, I think Miss Walker should know, apparently last night Captain Sutherland refused to sign the division papers.
Why? Apparently Mr Gray's man, Mr - Watson.
- Has gone back to York with the papers unsigned.
How do you know? Mr Adam told me.
Mr Parker's partner.
He was around here earlier.
Apparently Gray's man, Mr Watson, went to Mr Parker for advice this morning about what to do given that Captain Sutherland was being aggressive and nasty and making a fuss about one of his lots being missed off the itinerary.
- Which one? - Windy End at Golcar.
it wasn't.
I know it was on there, listed as being his.
It was, it was, it definitely was.
And Mr Parker told this Mr Watson it was none of his business, he shouldn't like to get involved, and advised he go back to York.
I should never have given the deeds to Parker! But it was Mr Gray's advice, was it not, to give the deeds to Parker for safe-keeping? That's what Captain Sutherland said, yes.
Perhaps Mr Gray said no such thing.
- Are the Sutherlands here? - No.
I don't think so.
Is Parker here? No.
I don't think so.
Do the speech.
- What? - Do the speech.
Do the speech.
Do the speech.
Mr Harper? Mr Nelson.
Smile.
Mr Nelson Hush, everybody, shush.
I have been requested by my friend Miss Lister to lay the first stone of a casino, which will form a spacious and commodious saloon Shh! Shush! to be annexed to the Northgate Hotel.
I will only add that I hope this undertaking will prove an accommodation to the inhabitants of this town and neighbourhood, in whose prosperity we feel interested, and that it will be an accommodation to the public at large, and that it will do credit to those individuals concerned in its erection.
- Very well said! - Quite right! - Here? - Yes.
Yes, ma'am.
Well done.
That's wonderful.
We can sort it out later.
Mr Nelson! My friend Miss Walker has done us great honour, and I trust her good wishes will not be in vain.
I earnestly hope the work we begin now will do credit to us all.
May the voice of discord be never heard within its walls, and may persons of every shade of varying opinion meet together here in amity and in charity.
Very well said.
Three cheers for t'Northgate Casino.
Hip hip - Hurray! - Hip hip.
- Hurray! - Hip hip.
Hurray! Thank you.
Trinity Road.
Quickly.
- Sackville? - Hello.
They must be in with him.
- I want to see Mr Parker.
- He's with someone.
He'll probably be half an hour or so Yes, I know exactly who he's with! We must go in.
You've got to insist that we go in.
I think we should go home.
No! I think if we confront him here, it could cause more problems than it solves.
He'll take the deeds! Parker won't give them to him.
It's more than his reputation's worth.
I don't trust Parker! We have no real evidence that Parker has colluded with him.
If we burst in there making accusations, it could make us look unhinged.
Are you still coming to us for tea today, Sackville? I think so.
Good.
I don't quite know what to say, Captain Sutherland.
It is a bizarre situation, Parker.
I've analysed it with great care, sir, and these are my considered and regrettable conclusions.
You can see how traumatised Mrs Sutherland is.
And do you see? The solution is in your hands.
If I can take the deeds, all of them, and delay the whole thing until I can show that Miss Walker has systematically, day after day, week after week, month after month, been corrupted, and isn't able to make her own choices reliably about anything any more I know the Lister family is an old and valued client of yours and they're very highly regarded.
Parker Miss Lister is a predator.
In more senses than one.
And if what she's doing isn't criminal, well, then, good heavens, I'm not at all sure what the law is for.
You surely You don't expect me to simply hand the Crow Nest deeds over to you, just, just just like that? When Miss Walker was in Scotland with us.
.
, and I presume this isn't widely known she attempted to take her own life.
And all because of this unnatural obsession she has with Miss Lister.
Do you understand, Parker? She needs protecting from herself.
So, yes, I am asking for all the deeds, and believe you me, sir, heaven and one day, I'm certain, Miss Walker and her entire family will thank you for it.
Captain and Mrs Sutherland, ma'am.
Ah! There you are.
How disappointed we were not to see you at our little ceremony.
It went very well.
This is my Swiss model.
Isn't she splendid? Adney's in the drawing room.
Do go through.
George.
Could you bring us some tea? Adney spoke beautifully.
It's a shame you missed it.
We drew quite a crowd.
The townspeople were delighted.
They gave us three cheers.
We learned this afternoon that you didn't sign for the division last night.
I'm afraid not.
We found anomalies.
Windy End at Golcar.
It's here.
It's listed as "The Plantation, Golcar", and to be fair it's in the wrong place, but it's the same lot and it's here and the matter might've been settled easily enough by taking two minutes to walk from Cliffe Hill to Crow Nest to consult Mr Washington on the matter before choosing to bully poor Mr Watson into returning to York - With the thing left unsigned.
- Shh.
Ann.
Shh.
You're getting overwrought, and this, I'm afraid, - Is part of the problem.
- The only problem is the inconvenience you'll put Mr Watson to when he has to come back over again from York for your signatures! Ann.
We're not going to sign the thing.
Why? Why? I've spoken to Mr Gray and Mr Parker, we're all excellent friends, and I have to tell you now that they both agree with me that this is not a good idea.
And - You do know why.
- Mr Gray? Why would Mr Gray agree with you after all the trouble he's gone to to write the document for the division in the first place? I think that's unlikely.
I would like to speak to Miss Walker alone.
- Of course.
- No! No! Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of my Miss Lister.
Very well, I will say it in front of your Miss Lister.
It's the same thing I said to you before.
I believe you have been bullied and coerced against your better judgment to ask for something you can't possibly manage alone.
- That's nonsense.
- And I believe that behind all this is a malicious, unnatural influence of gross self-interest No.
You won't sign it because you have some bizarre idea - That it's somehow all yours.
- That's No.
- That's - Or you're lashing out because I wouldn't marry your insipid cousin.
I'm trying to protect you, Ann.
Against against your not very good judgment.
Now, Mr Gray and Mr Parker, now that I've spoken to them, both have a much better understanding of what is going on here, and believe you me, they were both shocked.
- What are you talking about? - I urge you to come, with Elizabeth and myself, back to Cliffe Hill and away from this This this Ma'am? Mr Gray's here.
From York.
Shall I ask him to wait? No.
No, no, no.
George, don't do that.
Show him in.
I might go and wait - In another room.
- Why? If you got on with him so nicely with him in York, surely you'd be more than happy to see him.
- You You've - It isn't true! Neither Mr Gray nor Mr Parker said anything against this division.
This is wrong.
It's hers.
It's hers, and she should have it, if this is what she wants.
Mr Samuel Gray, ma'am.
Oh that Mr Gray! How do you do? Very well, ma'am.
Thank you, ma'am.
This is Mr Samuel Gray.
Mr Harper's landscape gardener from York.
George, could you take Mr Gray into the kitchen? Ask Cordingley to get him some tea.
And I'll sort you out in a few minutes, if that's all right with you, Mr Gray.
I fear you have built me up in your mind, Captain Sutherland, to be all manner of things I am not.
And some that I am.
Now, if you'll excuse me I have my own estate to run.
Mm.
Is everything perfectly clear, Captain Sutherland? Perfectly.
Well, if you'd just sign there, please.
My darling girl, I'm sure you will grieve to hear that my darling mother expired this evening at ten minutes past five, in Charlotte's arms, surrounded by all her children, and Rose and Ellen.
She went off in her sleep and I think did not suffer.
I have not time to write more now, as we are all in great affliction.
She was always so very, very fond of you, and I know you were of her, and that you above all people will share our sorrow most keenly.
God bless you, my dearest Anne.
Your own Isabella.
Should I say goodbye to him? That's up to you.
Goodbye, Captain Sutherland.
Goodbye, Ann.
My dear.
Hello.
- Miss Lister.
- Mrs Sutherland.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Write to us when you get home, so we know - You got there safely.
- I will.
When will I see you again? I don't know.
One day.
Mm.
We should go to York on Monday.
And sort out our wills.
Is that what you want? I'm sorry.
For what? Doubting it.
Don't be.
We are the only people in the whole world, on Earth, who want us to be together.
It won't be easy.
It'll never be easy.
But we're both still here.
Aren't we? Hmm?
I could meet your London friends.
Are you sure about this Northgate business? You don't want to get yourself laughed at.
I'd like a ceremony - To lay the first stone.
- Of course.
Can we not have one last kiss? God! I missed you.
I have the deed box here, with me, at Shibden Hall.
This This Ugh! You have to be certain that this, here, with me, is what you want.
103 Long Acre.
And tell whoever you deal with to send a trusty person to collect my payments for the repairs to the carriage.
Here - Hawkins Hotel in Dover Street, at one o'clock this afternoon.
And then tell them to send the carriage with a pair of good horses and a steady driver At six o'clock tonight.
It's all in there.
- 103 Long Acre.
- Pearce and Baxter.
Ask the porter downstairs to give you a boy to show you the way.
What a relief it'll be to get my own carriage back.
- Hmm? - Miss You look ridiculous.
Let's not be small-minded with one another.
Now, pour me some tea.
Pour your own fucking tea.
And we were getting on so nicely in the high-flyer.
You should never have claimed powers you don't possess.
Nothing would please me more than to introduce you to Lady Stuart de Rothesay and Vere and any number of others, - But this isn't the time.
- When we first met Well, when we became reacquainted, you said, you promised me, that you would introduce me to people.
Yes, and I did.
The Norcliffes.
No, proper people.
London society.
We're in town to find a master for the new school, primarily, and to visit the doctor and the dentist and to get our watches fixed.
And, yes, some pleasure, of course.
But this isn't a time for you to meet new people, not while you still have anxieties about the division of the estate.
Oh! What's that got to do with anything? You have a lot on your mind.
And until it's resolved, you're here to relax, not to be stared at.
- Stared at? - I shouldn't like to see you overwhelmed.
And believe me, these people can overwhelm.
But you'll go and see them.
If they heard I'd been in London and not visited them, then they'd be surprised, certainly, and offended, even.
And anyway, you have your Mrs Plowes'friend to see, so The time will come.
But this isn't it.
I was trying to recall when it was we last saw you, - Miss Lister.
- Oh It was at the Jardin des Plantes.
You were there, Lady Cameron, you remember.
- How could I forget? - Where were you, Mama? - I've no idea.
- No, I think you were with us.
No, my darling, I don't think I was.
- I was there.
- Oh, it was you, Grandmama! - Mm.
- And, Charles, you've never seen anything like it.
It was as if we'd been swallowed by the whale.
We were sitting on chairs, but inside the whale! Well, Miss Lister always had a talent for knowing the best things to do and see.
What was the favour, Miss Lister, you mentioned earlier? Oh.
So, when Miss Walker and I were in Geneva last year, I ordered a scale model of the Alps from Monsieur Gaudin.
And it's finally due to arrive in England any day now, but the problem is they'll open it, at Customs House.
And the anxiety is they'll damage it.
It's a huge thing - it's 7ft square! Good Lord! Oh, it's wonderful! Whatever will you do with it? And Monsieur Gaudin emphasised how carefully these models are packed for shipping, being so fragile.
But apparently, if I can get an order from the Treasury for it to be delivered to Shibden unopened Write down the details, send it to me first thing in the morning.
- I'll sort it out.
- Oh.
What can I say? How disappointing, Miss Lister, not to conquer Mont Blanc.
Oh, I could've cried.
But I will we will go back.
How lucky, to find a travelling companion as intrepid as you are! It's going to be quite a day for us tomorrow.
I'm devastated you're in town only so briefly.
You can't imagine how bored I've been at Richmond with my aunt during my confinement.
Really? We quibble about money.
Can you imagine? I didn't pay the gardener, but I had use of the garden.
I was giving birth! I was never even in the garden! Is she worried about money? Well, I suppose she must be.
She's very fond of you.
This is all I do now, Anne.
Donald does the business and I I drop babies.
Children are a blessing.
They're the cement of any marriage surely.
I never thought I'd hear you say that.
Neither did I.
The carriages are ready.
Thank you.
We have two carriages outside! What're we? Where're we? What're we doing? You're going to Lady Gordon for coffee, Mother.
Not me, I'm afraid.
- I've got to work.
- Nor me.
I have to get back to my Miss Walker and I are visiting the National School at Westminster first thing in the morning.
She's opening a school, locally.
A good one.
So we're trying to find a suitable master for it.
Miss Stuart was delighted with the wedding present we sent from Howell and James's, by the way.
Oh, was she? Oh, good.
What's the matter? Why aren't we moving? Perhaps there's been an accident.
Why did you talk so much? - Hmm? - At the school.
I couldn't get a word in edgeways.
Mr Johnson'll think - I'm some kind of half-wit.
- Well, I He didn't even look at me.
He didn't even address me, not once.
- I thought you wanted me to - I wanted you to shut up.
I'm fairly certain he'll consider someone setting up a new school and taking the time and trouble to visit other top schools in preparation for it very far from being a half-wit.
Listen, I've been thinking.
When we get back to Halifax, and I don't know how you'll feel about this, but would you do me the honour of laying the foundation stone for the casino? I imagine just a small public gathering with a few well-chosen words.
Something to dignify the occasion.
You mean make a speech? Me? Yes.
Do you think I could do that? I'm certain you could.
Huh.
When will you reach Edinburgh? Erm Is it tomorrow night? And then the train! To Manchester.
Hopefully, we should be in Halifax by Saturday or Sunday.
Poor Elizabeth! Yes, the timing is far from perfect, but Elizabeth's little sister and Miss Lister must have their holiday in London! Yet we're the ones that are being difficult.
Must you go at all? Sadly, Mother, yes.
The archaic nature of the deeds mean Elizabeth and I must sign in person.
If we sign at all.
May I take little John, ma'am? Yes, of course, Dorothy.
Thank you.
Mama You mustn't fret, Elizabeth.
Little John and the girls will be perfectly happy here, with me and Dorothy.
I'd better, erm I've just got a few bits and pieces - To sort upstairs.
- Of course, my dear.
You mustn't let her fret.
Well, it's not that.
She's, erm Well, she's worried about her sister.
So am I.
Is she struggling again? Oh, who knows? She may be, but it's not that exactly.
It's more an anxiety about this unnatural hold that Miss Lister seems to have over her.
Unnatural? Yes, we, er, we think so.
As in? You remember there was a case years ago in Edinburgh.
Two women No! Mm.
Well, anyway, that's the anxiety.
And with Ann being so vulnerable and biddable and under the spell of the woman, Lord alone knows where it might end.
And the shocking thing is Miss Lister can hide in plain sight.
Who would ever suspect a woman of being a fortune hunter and a predator? The lawyers clearly haven't a clue.
It's evil.
I've worked out that if we did want to spend the winter in a rented house in Leamington, our weekly expenses would amount to 15 pounds and 11 shillings exactly.
Mm.
Well, something to think about.
Perhaps for the future.
I can't go on like this, you do know that.
What? Me paying for everything.
Well, that's Well, when we left Shibden, we did agree that that's what what with me laying out so much capital for the casino and for the new pit and the refurbishments at Shibden, - And one thing and another - £5 here, £200 there.
It starts to add up.
The London trip was, primarily, for you, for you to find a schoolmaster, to see the dentist, to see Sir Benjamin, to see Mrs Plowes, to see Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament.
Hmm? To get away.
No, it wasn't.
It was for you to see your friends.
Oh, so none of those other things happened.
- I won't be sifted.
- Sifted? - For money.
- Sifted? We said our arrangement would be as good as a marriage.
As far as it could be, yes.
You should've taken me to meet your friends.
- As I explained - I am your wife! When it's convenient, when you need money in bed.
But when it comes to your aristocratic people, I'm an inconvenience.
As I say, one day And then there's Mrs Lawton.
Mrs Lawton? I know there was more to it, that night when you came back from Lawton Hall.
The damage is done.
I've seen you in your true colours.
My tr? I got you an appointment with the King's surgeon.
Not only because he's the King's surgeon but because he's also the leading expert in joint pain, which I bothered to find out for you! Those are my true colours.
I think you're anxious about getting back to Halifax because of the Sutherlands.
I think that's what all of this is about.
The amount of money you're spending these days terrifies me.
You're the one person who's shown any faith in my Northgate scheme.
Yes, and I hope it succeeds, but what if it doesn't? I'm frightened that you'll ruin yourself and then me.
How could I ruin you? I'm borrowing all of the big money elsewhere.
Yes, but who are you counting on to bail you out if you can't maintain your repayments? No, I would never do that to you.
Do you think I could bear to see you in a debtors' prison? If the worst came to the worst, which it won't, I would sell Shibden.
I could live anywhere.
I could live under a stone if I had to.
And as for a debtors' prison Well, they'd have to catch me first.
No.
I'm sorry, I can't do this any more.
And I'm still not convinced that what we do is right.
Well You know what I think about that.
I've explained it often enough.
I think the sooner we part, the better.
Well, then.
You do know that my first and greatest wish has always been for your happiness.
And if I can't make you happy, then I only hope that someone else might succeed better.
There's a church here with a monument to a child that died.
I once saw it years ago when I was travelling with Mrs Lawton.
I always thought, if I passed by here again, I'd like to see it again.
Would you mind? No, of course not.
"She was in form and intellect most exquisite.
" "The unfortunate parents "ventured their all on this frail bark, "and the wreck was total.
" Five years old.
Anne, what's the matter? I just I don't know.
It was the same last time I came here.
I just "In form and intellect most exquisite.
" And she died.
Three weeks - 21 days - before I was born.
Isn't that curious? And I can't help imagining if What if that was me? What if I'm her? What do you mean? Why am I me? I was born into a fairly useless family.
No, not the Listers.
The Listers aren't useless.
Just my particular little squad of them.
Not Aunt Anne, not Uncle James.
Just My father.
My mother.
And poor Marian.
So why do I have such refined tastes and aspirations and? Where does that come from? Why is it in my bones to want to spend time with people who are so much better than myself? What if, in another life that was me? I I don't think that's how things work.
No, yes, it can.
Reincarnation.
Yes, but that doesn't really That So why does it have this effect on me? I'm a scientist, a logician.
I don't engage in fanciful nonsense.
It's either that or What if this is the child that I'll never have? The child that I can never give you.
"In form and intellect most exquisite.
" The perfect child who can never breathe.
May never have life.
I don't know.
Oh.
Oh, I'm ridiculous.
No, you're not.
We very nearly bought a sketch by Turner.
The Turner.
A tiny little thing, done before he was famous.
We were both quite taken by it.
But they were asking four guineas, which was just that bit more than either of us were willing - To pay.
- I've never liked Turner.
Oh, really? And he speaks so highly of you.
Does he? My sister and Captain Sutherland and little Sackville have arrived at Cliffe Hill.
My aunt's expecting me there in the morning.
She wants me to stay until a week on Saturday.
- When? He's never met me.
- Will you go? I'd like to see Elizabeth.
Well, then.
And will you still lay the foundation stone for me? Of course.
How did? When has Turner ever said anything about me? What foundation stone? Oh, it's for the casino.
Just a small ceremony.
I don't think I could comfortably get down to Halifax any more.
No, Aunt, and I wouldn't expect you to.
But if anyone else felt able to come and support me - us - you'd be very welcome.
Mm.
I don't think we've any other news.
Have we any other news, Jeremy? No.
Oh, Dr Jubb came last Wednesday.
Or was it Tuesday? I don't think I've seen anyone else.
The The room's sp-spinning.
I imagine so.
I'm going to I'm going to be s-sick.
There is danger in the first thought that it is possible for us to part.
She is queer and little-minded Oof! and I fear for her intellect.
I see I must make the best of it for the moment and then perhaps I shall be at large again.
So, Ann Tell me.
What are the arrangements? What arrangements? For signing the surrender of the deeds.
Oh.
Erm Well, Mr Gray, or his assistant or someone, erm, Is going to come over from York on Friday, I think, for us all to sign whatever needs signing.
As far as I understand it, that's Th-That's it.
As far as you understand it? Yes, that Yes, that's what's happening.
I expected Miss Lister to be with you.
I'm sure she'll come around this week, when she has a spare five minutes, if she has five minutes.
Can we be frank, Ann? Elizabeth and I are concerned.
Now, you are perfectly entitled to request the division of the property.
No, no, no, no, no.
You-you agreed.
You agreed the terms in your last letter.
You're here to sign.
Any more tiresome discussion about it is over.
Elizabeth and I are concerned that you have been coerced by someone.
- And if that's the case - Coerced? If that is the case, then we have a duty, a responsibility to protect you.
I'm 32 years old.
I am in excellent health, better than I've been for a long time.
I don't I don't need protecting.
I think you look pale.
Perhaps Perhaps you need protecting from yourself.
Hmm? It wouldn't be the first time.
Don't touch me.
Now, I I was more than a little alarmed to discover in your last letter that for the last however many months the deeds to the entire estate have been kept at Shibden Hall.
Alarmed? Why? Where anyone might see them.
Well, that's where I live.
Where else would I keep them? They should've been left in the vault at the bank, where I put them, where they were safe.
I needed to consult them to draw up the proposals for the division.
They're perfectly safe at Shibden.
They're locked in a block tin box in the upper kitchen chamber.
Miss Lister's very particular about security.
Oh, yes, I'm sure she is.
We know you don't write your own letters.
Too precise.
Too litigious.
Too competent.
Is it not the truth that Miss Lister is behind this whole request - For the division? - No.
I think she is.
I think she has orchestrated the whole thing.
For whatever purpose, I can't imagine.
Or maybe I can.
Only too vividly.
But Elizabeth and I have a duty I want my half of my father's estate.
You've had Elizabeth's half, you'll not keep mine from me any longer.
Does Jonathan Gray understand the exact nature of this hold Miss Lister has over you? Wh Wh-What hold? Elizabeth is just as concerned as I am.
About the nature of your relationship with Miss Lister.
Miss Lister is irrelevant.
I might not stay much longer at Shibden Hall.
But I do want my moiety of my father's estate.
I want to see the deeds and the rent books! Oh, Argus.
There's a note, ma'am.
From Cliffe Hill.
The servant brought it.
My dearest Anne, Captain Sutherland started an argument about the deeds as soon as he decently could.
He demanded to see the rent books, and so I refused.
He has gone off to York in a great flurry, hoping to see Mr Gray first thing in the morning.
It is far from clear whether he intends to sign for the division or not.
I shall stay here with Elizabeth, whose head he seems to have turned, but if you were to make arrangements for us to go to York ourselves later tomorrow to see Mr Gray, if - on Captain Sutherland's return - we deem it necessary, I would be grateful.
Please come over when you can.
I am your own, AW.
There's been no communication from the servants' registry in York about a replacement for Matthew.
I may have to go over to York later today - I'll give Mr Thomas a jolt.
I'm not happy about I'm not happy.
What's the matter? I'm thinking I'd like to move back to Market Weighton.
And take Father with me.
Post, ma'am, and a message from Mrs Bagnall.
There's a massive parcel for you down at t'sorting office, 7ft by 7ft big, and she says it's been there since Monday and it's in t'way and can you fetch it? Oh! It's my model of the Alps! Yes, of course you can.
Take the cart.
Take your brother.
Now! Go.
Go on.
Why move back to Market Weighton? Just I find the management of the household finances too much for me, and no-one listens to me, and you don't, and I just.
I don't feel there's anything much for me here any more.
What about Mr Abbott? That's all off.
Is it? When? Some time ago.
Well.
I'd miss you.
Miss Walker would miss you.
Aunt Anne would miss you.
And I do listen to you.
And if the household finances are a burden, then let me help you with them.
Hmm? Oh, good Lord.
Anne? It's Tib.
Her mother's had a stroke.
Oh First - and as I have explained to Miss Walker – I've been as keen as her to find a time where my wife and I could get down here to settle the matter, not least so that I can make provision in my own will for my children.
But it is now utterly apparent that it would be grossly irresponsible to sign for the division.
Why? Sir, my wife believes, as I do that her sister is being manipulated into making choices that are neither hers - Nor in her best interests.
- How? My sister-in-law has, in the past, had problems.
She has a weakness of mind that any knowing or unscrupulous person might take advantage of.
And that is precisely what we believe has been happening.
Are you suggesting that I have manipulated her? No! No, no, certainly not! Why would you? Do you know Miss Lister? Anne Lister.
I've known Miss Lister for some years.
It is a a difficult accusation to make against a lady.
You'll have to forgive my indelicacy, but I feel I must express what plagues my thoughts, otherwise I would never forgive myself if anything were to happen to Miss Walker.
We believe Miss Lister has an unnatural hold over her and her ultimate aim is to have what money she can from her.
Your sister-in-law underwent a course of treatment here in York in the earlier part of last year with a Dr Belcombe, who, you may know, is highly regarded in his field.
And I know that he's been pleased with her progress and has been clear - we've spoken, and recently - that in his opinion, Miss Walker is in a perfectly fit and healthy state of mind to make a will.
And so, on this matter over the division of the estate, I have no anxieties whatsoever.
Your concern for your sister-in-law is of course laudable, but legally there are no grounds on which to deny her a recognised division of an estate that is already half hers.
And as for Miss Lister I've never seen her be anything other than supportive and kind to Miss Walker.
And what you call "unnatural" Well, yes, er, Miss Lister is formidably well informed and she can't always hide it.
And I know a display of too much intellect is discouraged amongst the ladies, but, really, Miss Walker is lucky to count Miss Lister among her friends.
I don't think you quite grasp what I'm rather ineptly trying to say.
You may know - it was a scandal at the time - there was a case in Edinburgh some years ago brought against two women.
Schoolteachers.
We believe, my wife and I that Miss Lister has debauched Miss Walker.
The case you refer to wasn't against the two women.
It was against the lady who accused them openly of sexual misconduct.
They sued her for attempting to destroy their reputations and the reputation of their school.
They won.
One of the presiding magistrates said of the accusations the lady made against them, "The crime here alleged does not exist.
" Miss Lister may not be the marrying kind, but if you were to suggest anything beyond that, you'd face the same problem as the Scottish lady, because, even if such a thing were possible between two highly respectable Christian Englishwomen, the fact would remain that it's not illegal.
The lady in Scotland who made the accusations appealed, and it went all the way up to the House of Lords, who ordered her to pay the two women whose lives she had destroyed with her tittle-tattle £10,000 costs and compensation.
The intention is for my assistant, Mr Shepley Watson, to come over to you in Halifax on Friday afternoon with the documents to be signed by yourself, Mrs Sutherland and Miss Walker.
Will that be convenient? Yes, if Yes.
If Yes.
I can come myself, too, - If it helps matters.
- No.
No, that, er.
That won't be Thank God you're here! What's happened? I brought your pony to give it some exercise and had a sad fight with the animal nearly all the way here.
Oh! Are we going to York? Oh, well, I don't I don't know.
Mrs Norcliffe had a stroke.
- When? - Letter from Tib this morning.
- Yesterday, apparently.
- I'm sorry.
So, if we were - Going to York, I thought - The thing is, Captain Sutherland was back here by lunchtime and he seemed thoroughly appeased.
Did he indeed? He apologised to me, said it was all Elizabeth's fault.
How? Well, apparently, it was her who wanted the rent books.
It wasn't.
He's lying.
So I don't know what your Mr Gray said to him, but something is afoot.
Gray won't have said anything against you.
You're his client.
His very wealthy client.
Well, men collude, especially when they think They're dealing with an Invalid like me.
You are not an invalid! You need to write to Gray and ascertain that everything's still on course for Friday and in the meantime cheerfully assume that it is.
Why is he suddenly blaming your sister? - Because - Because he wants you and her At odds with one another.
And why has he got a bee in his bonnet about the rent books? Because he's cross that I've had the deeds with me all these months at Shibden Hall.
Cross? Why? It's It's where you live.
"Where anyone might see them.
" Oh.
Meaning me? Because I'm so desperate to plunder your coffers, obviously.
- Anne! - Don't worry.
My weapon of choice comes in a velvet glove.
Anne! Anne! Apparently, Mr Gray said the deeds should have been left with an indifferent person such as Mr Parker until the division was settled.
Did he? Well then, show willing.
Let's go into Halifax this afternoon and give them to Parker for safekeeping until it is.
Then Captain Sutherland will have nothing to find fault with.
If it's still what you want.
The division.
Of course it is.
And to change our wills? And all of it? I want to get the division settled first.
I want the division, come what may.
What comes after that Well, let's just get this dealt with first.
Hmm? Fire! - Mrs Sutherland.
- Good Lord, how are you? - Anne's here.
- Miss Lister.
Captain Sutherland! No, don't get up.
No Miss Walker? She's upstairs.
She's having a lie down.
Oh, Adney's pony threw me.
Or did I throw him? Her.
I can't remember.
Her.
And this must be Sackville! What an elusive fellow! Yes.
Good tactics.
I can see you'd make an excellent soldier.
I can't stay long.
I shouldn't even be here, I've got so much on hand, but I'd have been sad not to see you all since you travelled all this way.
Miss Walker's laying my foundation stone for me on Saturday, I'm building a hotel with an assembly room.
Did she tell you? You should come and support us, since you're here.
Just a little ceremony.
Just a few short speeches, just for the town.
Y-y We'd be delighted.
Perfect! And then why don't you come to us for tea in the afternoon? Adney can show you our neat little upstairs wing, Mrs Sutherland, where we've been so happily and cosily ensconced.
And doesn't your sister look well, Mrs Sutherland? Yes.
Um Yes.
She She does.
Good Lord.
What has he done to Elizabeth? I talked at 19 knots and barely prised a squeak from her.
She daren't speak for fear of contradicting him.
And when he went into York all she talked about was the children, and all so inane.
Sorry if I'm a bit flat.
I have poor Mrs Norcliffe on my mind.
She was always so kind to me when I was younger.
Well, you must go over.
No, no, I'll stay here till this is dealt with, and then then I may go.
I don't trust Parker.
My advice is given in good faith - whether it's accepted or not is for the recipient to decide.
There's Mr Harper downstairs, ma'am, and a Mr Shepley Watson? He says he's from Mr Gray's office.
In York.
Imagine our surprise, Miss Lister, when Mr Watson and I got chatting in the high flyer and realised we were heading not just for Halifax but for Shibden Hall.
Are you travelling back to York tonight, Mr Watson? By the time I've been over to Lightcliffe and got Captain and Mrs Sutherland's signatures, I imagine I'd be as well spending the night in Halifax.
Well, then, I recommend the White Swan Inn on Crown Street.
Were you to be here in a few months, I should recommend the new Northgate Hotel.
Thank you.
On the subject of accommodation, Miss Lister, my landscaper, Mr Samuel Gray, will arrive during the afternoon tomorrow.
Like Mr Nelson and Mr Husband, he'll stay for the duration of the build, and he'll need somewhere to live too.
We can put him up here for a few nights.
Will he be all right sleeping with my footman - In his quarters? - Oh, yes.
Until we can find something more permanent for him.
So that's that.
And you mentioned you might be able to spare a servant, Miss Lister, to guide me over to Cliffe Hill? Of course, Mr Watson! And I must get back down to Halifax, catch up with Mr Nelson before tomorrow.
I might see you later on at the Swan, then, Mr Watson.
I'm staying there myself.
And then the big day tomorrow! Is your speech ready, Miss Walker? Yes.
I think so.
I almost have it by heart.
Anne.
Anne? Marian.
You look splendid.
I'm not coming.
Why? I did want to, but what if the crowd isn't very nice? What if they make comments or throw things? Why would they want to do that? I wasn't completely honest with you.
About Mr Abbott.
Are you still seeing him? No.
No.
Not that.
He called a halt to things between us because, well .
.
he hadn't seen it at the time, but someone taunted him with that silly marriage announcement in the paper.
About you and Miss Walker.
I think it might have been Rawdon Briggs.
And so he said he couldn't associate with me any more.
Because.
people say things.
Which, of course they do.
Is this why you want to go back to Market Weighton? I do wish you luck with it, though, Anne.
I hope the Northgate Casino will be a great success.
Wish me luck.
Let me look at you! Oh-ho! Don't forget the Sutherlands are coming to tea this afternoon, if you feel able to come downstairs when you've finished your luncheon.
Good luck.
You're making a fool of yourself! You do know that, don't you? Marian says she's thinking of moving back to Market Weighton.
And taking you with her.
Mm.
You would, of course, be more than welcome to stay here with me and Adney.
I'll think If that's what she's doing I'll probably go with her.
Oh, the carriage is here.
Excuse me.
Adney.
I'm very proud of you for doing this.
I just I wanted to say thank you.
It means more to me than perhaps you realise.
How are you this afternoon, Miss Lister? Very well.
Thank you.
- Miss Walker! - Mr Nelson.
- Miss Lister.
- Washington.
Good news, ma'am.
The license has been approved and signed.
Oh, that is good news! Did you hear that, Adney? Oh, and, ma'am, this might not be the time, but I think you should know, I mean, I think Miss Walker should know, apparently last night Captain Sutherland refused to sign the division papers.
Why? Apparently Mr Gray's man, Mr - Watson.
- Has gone back to York with the papers unsigned.
How do you know? Mr Adam told me.
Mr Parker's partner.
He was around here earlier.
Apparently Gray's man, Mr Watson, went to Mr Parker for advice this morning about what to do given that Captain Sutherland was being aggressive and nasty and making a fuss about one of his lots being missed off the itinerary.
- Which one? - Windy End at Golcar.
it wasn't.
I know it was on there, listed as being his.
It was, it was, it definitely was.
And Mr Parker told this Mr Watson it was none of his business, he shouldn't like to get involved, and advised he go back to York.
I should never have given the deeds to Parker! But it was Mr Gray's advice, was it not, to give the deeds to Parker for safe-keeping? That's what Captain Sutherland said, yes.
Perhaps Mr Gray said no such thing.
- Are the Sutherlands here? - No.
I don't think so.
Is Parker here? No.
I don't think so.
Do the speech.
- What? - Do the speech.
Do the speech.
Do the speech.
Mr Harper? Mr Nelson.
Smile.
Mr Nelson Hush, everybody, shush.
I have been requested by my friend Miss Lister to lay the first stone of a casino, which will form a spacious and commodious saloon Shh! Shush! to be annexed to the Northgate Hotel.
I will only add that I hope this undertaking will prove an accommodation to the inhabitants of this town and neighbourhood, in whose prosperity we feel interested, and that it will be an accommodation to the public at large, and that it will do credit to those individuals concerned in its erection.
- Very well said! - Quite right! - Here? - Yes.
Yes, ma'am.
Well done.
That's wonderful.
We can sort it out later.
Mr Nelson! My friend Miss Walker has done us great honour, and I trust her good wishes will not be in vain.
I earnestly hope the work we begin now will do credit to us all.
May the voice of discord be never heard within its walls, and may persons of every shade of varying opinion meet together here in amity and in charity.
Very well said.
Three cheers for t'Northgate Casino.
Hip hip - Hurray! - Hip hip.
- Hurray! - Hip hip.
Hurray! Thank you.
Trinity Road.
Quickly.
- Sackville? - Hello.
They must be in with him.
- I want to see Mr Parker.
- He's with someone.
He'll probably be half an hour or so Yes, I know exactly who he's with! We must go in.
You've got to insist that we go in.
I think we should go home.
No! I think if we confront him here, it could cause more problems than it solves.
He'll take the deeds! Parker won't give them to him.
It's more than his reputation's worth.
I don't trust Parker! We have no real evidence that Parker has colluded with him.
If we burst in there making accusations, it could make us look unhinged.
Are you still coming to us for tea today, Sackville? I think so.
Good.
I don't quite know what to say, Captain Sutherland.
It is a bizarre situation, Parker.
I've analysed it with great care, sir, and these are my considered and regrettable conclusions.
You can see how traumatised Mrs Sutherland is.
And do you see? The solution is in your hands.
If I can take the deeds, all of them, and delay the whole thing until I can show that Miss Walker has systematically, day after day, week after week, month after month, been corrupted, and isn't able to make her own choices reliably about anything any more I know the Lister family is an old and valued client of yours and they're very highly regarded.
Parker Miss Lister is a predator.
In more senses than one.
And if what she's doing isn't criminal, well, then, good heavens, I'm not at all sure what the law is for.
You surely You don't expect me to simply hand the Crow Nest deeds over to you, just, just just like that? When Miss Walker was in Scotland with us.
.
, and I presume this isn't widely known she attempted to take her own life.
And all because of this unnatural obsession she has with Miss Lister.
Do you understand, Parker? She needs protecting from herself.
So, yes, I am asking for all the deeds, and believe you me, sir, heaven and one day, I'm certain, Miss Walker and her entire family will thank you for it.
Captain and Mrs Sutherland, ma'am.
Ah! There you are.
How disappointed we were not to see you at our little ceremony.
It went very well.
This is my Swiss model.
Isn't she splendid? Adney's in the drawing room.
Do go through.
George.
Could you bring us some tea? Adney spoke beautifully.
It's a shame you missed it.
We drew quite a crowd.
The townspeople were delighted.
They gave us three cheers.
We learned this afternoon that you didn't sign for the division last night.
I'm afraid not.
We found anomalies.
Windy End at Golcar.
It's here.
It's listed as "The Plantation, Golcar", and to be fair it's in the wrong place, but it's the same lot and it's here and the matter might've been settled easily enough by taking two minutes to walk from Cliffe Hill to Crow Nest to consult Mr Washington on the matter before choosing to bully poor Mr Watson into returning to York - With the thing left unsigned.
- Shh.
Ann.
Shh.
You're getting overwrought, and this, I'm afraid, - Is part of the problem.
- The only problem is the inconvenience you'll put Mr Watson to when he has to come back over again from York for your signatures! Ann.
We're not going to sign the thing.
Why? Why? I've spoken to Mr Gray and Mr Parker, we're all excellent friends, and I have to tell you now that they both agree with me that this is not a good idea.
And - You do know why.
- Mr Gray? Why would Mr Gray agree with you after all the trouble he's gone to to write the document for the division in the first place? I think that's unlikely.
I would like to speak to Miss Walker alone.
- Of course.
- No! No! Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of my Miss Lister.
Very well, I will say it in front of your Miss Lister.
It's the same thing I said to you before.
I believe you have been bullied and coerced against your better judgment to ask for something you can't possibly manage alone.
- That's nonsense.
- And I believe that behind all this is a malicious, unnatural influence of gross self-interest No.
You won't sign it because you have some bizarre idea - That it's somehow all yours.
- That's No.
- That's - Or you're lashing out because I wouldn't marry your insipid cousin.
I'm trying to protect you, Ann.
Against against your not very good judgment.
Now, Mr Gray and Mr Parker, now that I've spoken to them, both have a much better understanding of what is going on here, and believe you me, they were both shocked.
- What are you talking about? - I urge you to come, with Elizabeth and myself, back to Cliffe Hill and away from this This this Ma'am? Mr Gray's here.
From York.
Shall I ask him to wait? No.
No, no, no.
George, don't do that.
Show him in.
I might go and wait - In another room.
- Why? If you got on with him so nicely with him in York, surely you'd be more than happy to see him.
- You You've - It isn't true! Neither Mr Gray nor Mr Parker said anything against this division.
This is wrong.
It's hers.
It's hers, and she should have it, if this is what she wants.
Mr Samuel Gray, ma'am.
Oh that Mr Gray! How do you do? Very well, ma'am.
Thank you, ma'am.
This is Mr Samuel Gray.
Mr Harper's landscape gardener from York.
George, could you take Mr Gray into the kitchen? Ask Cordingley to get him some tea.
And I'll sort you out in a few minutes, if that's all right with you, Mr Gray.
I fear you have built me up in your mind, Captain Sutherland, to be all manner of things I am not.
And some that I am.
Now, if you'll excuse me I have my own estate to run.
Mm.
Is everything perfectly clear, Captain Sutherland? Perfectly.
Well, if you'd just sign there, please.
My darling girl, I'm sure you will grieve to hear that my darling mother expired this evening at ten minutes past five, in Charlotte's arms, surrounded by all her children, and Rose and Ellen.
She went off in her sleep and I think did not suffer.
I have not time to write more now, as we are all in great affliction.
She was always so very, very fond of you, and I know you were of her, and that you above all people will share our sorrow most keenly.
God bless you, my dearest Anne.
Your own Isabella.
Should I say goodbye to him? That's up to you.
Goodbye, Captain Sutherland.
Goodbye, Ann.
My dear.
Hello.
- Miss Lister.
- Mrs Sutherland.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Write to us when you get home, so we know - You got there safely.
- I will.
When will I see you again? I don't know.
One day.
Mm.
We should go to York on Monday.
And sort out our wills.
Is that what you want? I'm sorry.
For what? Doubting it.
Don't be.
We are the only people in the whole world, on Earth, who want us to be together.
It won't be easy.
It'll never be easy.
But we're both still here.
Aren't we? Hmm?