Episode 3

♪ ♪ COLBOURNE: Girls, you have met Miss Heywood.

She is to be your new governess.

♪ ♪ LENNOX: Colbourne, did you say?

Yes.

Do you know him?

Only by reputation.

Would you still do me the honor?

With the greatest of pleasure, sir.

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

I already have.

CHARLOTTE: Forgive me, sir, but Miss Colbourne lacks a mother and also a father.

Clara?

I'm with child.

(exhales) It is Edward's!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ CAPTAIN: Present!

Fire!

(firing) ♪ ♪ (guns fire in distance, horse whinnies) CAPTAIN: Advance five paces!

Present... Fire!

(guns fire in distance) ♪ ♪ Present!

Fire!

(guns fire) Morning!

I lay awake all night.

Since dancing with Captain Carter, I cannot eat or sleep for thinking of him.

Then he must be a remarkable dancer, since you exchanged all of five words.

Perhaps he will call on me today!

What should I wear?

Why does it matter?

If he doesn't love you for who you are, he's hardly worthy.

So, who are you dreaming of?

Your strange new employer?

Why should I dream of him?

Or, perhaps, a certain colonel?

Alison!

♪ ♪ Not Sidney.

Still?

(birds twittering) Your aim was woeful.

I fear for the state of your eyes.

It is not my eyes that are afflicted, Fraser.

You speak of nothing else, man.

I shall be calling on her today.

You agreed you would help.

With what?

I'm a tongue-tied buffoon in her presence.

Tell me what to say.

I cannot put words in your mouth.

Just speak of what you know.

Be honest.

Then you cannot fail.

(seagulls cawing) (doorbell ringing) (thunder rumbling) (gasps) No!

Absolutely not!

I refuse to allow it!

Do you hear that, God?

Tom Parker has spoken!

(both laughing) (laughter continues) It is my very favorite day of the summer, if not the year-- as long as it doesn't rain.

It won't, my dear, I'm sure of it.

You have these doubts every year, and it has never yet rained for the Midsummer Fair.

ARTHUR: Tomorrow will see our greatest fair yet: a Parker Brothers triumph!

JENNY: There will be be pony rides!

ALICIA: And a flower crown competition!

And a pièce de résistance.

(Arthur and Tom laughing, Arthur applauding) Wow, hm.

What's an elephantus?

It's a creature bigger than a house.

Look, Charlotte.

What are you studying so intently, my dear?

I am to teach the girls French but rather overstated my ability.

ALISON: Perhaps you should give up your position with the Colbourne family.

In truth, they could hardly be called a family.

This is a family.

They seem almost strangers to each other.

But I'm not about to give up on something I've barely begun.

♪ ♪ Au revoir, tout le monde.

♪ ♪ TOM: Thank you, Arthur, thank you... (door closes) I had so hoped Charlotte would be a friend and confidante to Georgiana this summer.

I fear she's in need of her influence now more than ever.

Have no fear.

I shall look out for Georgiana.

(chuckles) BEATRICE: Do you suppose this creature is to be ridden or merely admired?

Oh, the latter, surely.

I cannot imagine there exists a saddle big enough.

And how could one possibly adopt a comfortable position astride such a beast?

BEATRICE: Miss Lambe, good morning.

HANKINS: Good morning.

BEATRICE: We were just discussing elephants.

I suppose such creatures are quite commonplace in Antigua.

Quite so.

I kept five as pets.

My word!

(chuckles) Are there any letters for me?

I'm expecting one from my father's lawyer.

This arrived early this morning.

Pushed under the door.

HANKINS: Uh... Beware Greeks bearing gifts.

♪ ♪ Perhaps she mistook my meaning.

(seagulls cawing) LENNOX: Miss Heywood!

CHARLOTTE: Colonel Lennox!

What luck to chance upon you here.

May I walk with you a moment?

By all means.

I take it you're on your way to work.

Yes.

So, what shards of wisdom shall you be imparting to your charges today?

French.

Ah, then I'm afraid I cannot be of assistance.

I was a woeful schoolboy in my day.

Unless, of course, you wish to teach your students a dozen different ways to say "surrender."

(chuckles): Alas, I fear there is little chance of them surrendering to me any time soon, despite your advice on strategy.

There's no shame in beating a retreat, Miss Heywood, if the position is not for you.

Do you doubt my ability?

Oh, not for a moment.

You deserve a position in which you are afforded the respect you are due.

It speaks ill of your employer that you're not.

In truth, I hardly see my employer.

He keeps his own counsel.

But from what I have seen, I'm determined to keep my distance.

Sounds wise, Miss Heywood.

♪ ♪ ESTHER: Does it not strike you as coincidence that she should arrive just days after Edward?

Oh, it smells to high heaven!

But if Edward and Clara have been conspiring together, then where has she been for the past nine months?

Traveling with his company while they concocted this scheme?

Esther, what's the matter?

Perhaps we should call the doctor.

(inhales sharply) Your ears must be burning.

(exhales) You are so kind, Aunt, to show me such mercy.

Don't get too comfortable.

You're not staying.

I understand why you'd be suspicious.

Were I in your place, I would feel the same way.

Why are you here, Clara?

Seeking shelter.

That is all.

You have other family.

None worthy of the name.

My uncle disowned me when he heard I was unwed and with child.

ESTHER: And you claim Edward is the father?

You know he is.

You were there the night...

The night he took advantage of me.

Even while you lay gravely ill, Aunt.

Every day, I regret succumbing to his charm.

(exhales): Although Esther knows how persuasive he can be.

Then why not pursue him for shelter?

You think I have not?

I have written constantly.

Begging him for support.

But they all went unanswered.

Well, then, I shall summon him here this morning.

Let us see what he has to say for himself.

Edward is here?

In Sanditon?

(knock at door) How dare you?

It is not even a good likeness!

Forgive me.

I drew it from memory.

It was an act of gross presumption to do so without my permission.

Do I need permission to admire you, Miss Lambe?

And if you're so grievously offended, then why are you here?

What do you want from me?

(chuckling): Isn't that obvious?

I wish to know you better.

♪ ♪ That is how I see you.

Doubtless it differs from how you see yourself.

But maybe you could tell me how you'd like to be seen.

(breathing heavily) (breathlessly): Miss Lambe!

There you are!

(breathing heavily) ♪ ♪ Good morning, Miss Markham.

Where's Leo?

Disparu.

What do you mean, "disappeared"?

Nous avons pas l'envie d'étudier aujourd'hui.

Nevertheless, your uncle has employed me to teach you.

Mon oncle vous a employée pour nous tenir hors de son chemin.

Il me voit comme un fardeau insupportable.

"Fardeau"?

It means burden.

(scoffs): You're supposed to be teaching me.

Have you any idea where she might be?

(sighs) The careless governess has lost the child.

Leo?

The careless governess will be punished.

Leo?

Leo?

MRS. WHEATLEY: She'll be out in the grounds, Miss Heywood.

Well, it shouldn't take long to find her, then.

It's only a thousand acres.

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ Leonora!

♪ ♪ Leo?

Leo!

(horse neighing) COLBOURNE: Easy.

Whoa!

(horse neighing) (neighs loudly) Hey!

Hey, hey... (snorting) (neighing loudly) Careful.

Keep your distance.

(neighing loudly) (grunts) ♪ ♪ (neighing loudly) CHARLOTTE: What's his name?

Hannibal.

He took fright earlier at the sound of gunfire.

I cannot seem to calm him.

(Hannibal neighs loudly) (snorting softly) Miss Heywood... Miss Heywood!

(Hannibal snorting) (shushing) Shh... (softly): Shh, Hannibal.

♪ ♪ (shushing) (clips) ♪ ♪ (shushing) Come on.

♪ ♪ (knocks) (door opens) (Tom muttering angrily) We've lost the elephant!

(shouts) What if we raised our offer?

Brinshore have outbid us by 30 pounds, Arthur!

We do not have that kind of money.

Least of all when every penny must be accounted for and subjected to the scrutiny of both Lady Denham and our sister-in-law.

Perhaps we could find another animal.

With less than a day to go until the fair?

I shall be a laughingstock.

No, you will not!

And, and as your right-hand man, I, I shan't allow it!

Oh, they say there is a cow in Mudeford that can moo "God Save the King."

I shall make urgent inquiries!

(birds twittering) Miss Heywood!

Thank you.

That was bravely done.

I was raised around horses.

Perhaps you can use those same skills in taming my wayward niece and daughter.

The skills required are not so different.

Half the battle is winning their trust.

Indeed.

Where are they now, anyway?

♪ ♪ So what are your passions, Miss Heywood?

Besides poetry, of course.

Cowper and, uh, the, the other greats.

(chuckles): I like to dance and sing.

We keep a pianoforte at home.

I have always longed to travel.

France, Italy-- India.

(seagulls cawing) Have you traveled, Captain?

Well, uh... (chuckles) But, of course, the war.

You must have shown great courage.

I would not claim that.

(chuckles) You are too modest.

Unless perhaps you cannot bear to speak of it.

♪ ♪ There was one battle in particular.

We'd built a bridge to cross the Bidassoa.

But it wasn't strong enough.

I had to swim my comrades to safety.

I tried to save as many as I could.

It must have been terrifying.

MARY: Some more gentlemen have written requesting an audience, Georgiana.

I'm sure you'd prefer me to decline, but...

If you wouldn't mind.

Unless you would rather I dispatch them in my own fashion?

Mr. Lockhart has also thrown his hat into the ring, if his drawing is any measure.

Mr. Lockhart has drawn you?

When did you sit for him?

He drew me from memory.

We cannot consider him a potential suitor, Miss Hankins.

An artist cannot offer the security and position Georgiana needs.

And we all witnessed his behavior at the mess dinner.

Speaking of the mess dinner, I am not one to gossip, but my housemaid tells me that no one has yet been paid for it.

Mrs. Wilkinson says the Army are running up vast amounts of credit.

The shopkeepers are up in arms.

(seagulls cawing) ♪ ♪ (door opens) Aunt, Esther.

I cannot tell you how heartened I was that you wished to see me again.

ESTHER: Be under no illusions.

You have not been summoned because we wish to enjoy your company.

(door closes) You are here to provide an unconvincing explanation for whatever this woeful trick is that you and Clara are attempting.

Clara?

Edward.

LADY DENHAM: Clara tells us that she has written to you repeatedly, asking you to accept your responsibilities as the child's father.

Father?

But her entreaties have been ignored.

How do you plead?

You cannot think I'm responsible for Miss Brereton's condition.

It is nine months exactly since the night we burned the will.

EDWARD: And who knows how many men you've been acquainted with since?

(exhales) Edward!

Why have you not answered my letters?

Because I never received any!

My dear aunt, you must see this for what it is: merely an attempt to extort money from our family.

Miss Brereton has, has compromised herself, and now she's looking to me as scapegoat.

For a moment, you'd almost convinced me that you'd become a man of honor.

But now it seems that, for once, Clara is telling the truth.

Aunt... Oh, get out of my sight!

♪ ♪ (sighs) And as for you, Clara, Dr. Fuchs is expected shortly.

(door opens) And we cannot risk anyone, not even him, learning of our family shame.

Go and hide yourself in the garden until I send for you.

♪ ♪ (door closes in distance) ♪ ♪ (door closes in distance) ♪ ♪ (birds twittering) CLARA: Are you not a little old to be playing at soldiers?

Whatever scheme you're plotting, it will not succeed.

I have no scheme, Edward, besides seeing that our child is taken care of.

"Our" child?

You will tell my aunt that the child is not mine.

I've gone to great lengths to convince her I'm a changed man.

I spent five months sleeping in a stinking tent, for God's sake!

I will not let you destroy my reputation.

I'm not here to destroy you.

I had no expectation of finding you here.

It is a complication I could well do without.

What do you want from me?

Dear Edward, I have already taken everything I need from you.

What else do you have to give?

Nothing.

You're disinherited.

Is that not curious?

Your unborn child will likely be a good deal richer than you.

♪ ♪ Excuse me.

LENNOX: Mr. Parker.

Are you quite all right?

Actually, no.

I have lost an elephant.

So now I will look like a man who cannot deliver on his promises.

An unfortunate situation, indeed, sir.

But from what I've seen, there'll be plenty else on offer.

Nothing to rival an elephant.

The posters are, are on display all over the county.

And, to make things worse, it looks like it may rain.

Mr. Parker, I cannot provide an elephant, but I do have a rather unusual item which could offer some excitement.

I... (Arthur panting) ARTHUR (breathlessly): Splendid news, Tom!

The day is saved!

Don't ask me how I managed it, but I have secured for us Danvers the Giant Horse for our fair tomorrow.

20 hands high!

Not quite an elephant, I suppose, but surely the next best thing.

(chuckling) Thank you, Arthur.

That is much appreciated, but, uh...

Colonel Lennox has already come to the rescue.

Ah.

Is that not right, Colonel?

Indeed.

Oh.

(chuckles) (gasps) LADY DENHAM: She's been wincing in agony all morning.

And, against my advice, insisted that we call for you.

I believe you have a severe inflammation of the intestines, Lady Babington.

Oh, poppycock!

It's those preposterous herbs!

Herbs, meine Dame?

They came from some spurious crone in Melmead.

She drinks them in tea.

May I see?

(sniffs, gasps) Ja.

This is certainly the cause of the discomfort.

I suggest you stop at once-- this will only make things worse.

ESTHER: I cannot stop.

They're the only hope I have.

Nein.

Nein!

Not the only hope.

Perhaps I can prepare a tincture, hm?

It is no guarantee, but it has the advantage over your herbs that it will not kill you.

Hm.

So you say.

I'll try it.

I'll try anything.

♪ ♪ (chuckling): I am certain Mr. Lockhart meant no offense by it.

You don't know what it's like, Arthur.

To spend your whole life being gazed at.

As a child, I was seen as a curiosity.

Never allowed to forget I was neither one thing nor the other.

Then I came to England, my father's country, only to see my difference reflected in the eyes of every person I have since met.

So, it's simply the stare I am used to, rendered palpable.

Oh, my dear Miss Lambe.

I cannot speak to your experience.

I have spent my entire life being... overlooked.

Even by those closest to me.

But yet, when I saw his drawing of me, I...

I felt, well...

I felt seen for who I am, or... Perhaps for who I'd like to be.

He asked me how I would like to be seen.

I didn't know how to answer.

In my experience, people see the world through a particular set of views and... ...prejudices.

But not Mr. Lockhart.

He sees things with a rare clarity.

Perhaps this is what it means to be an artist.

Mary thinks he is not to be trusted.

Well... Maybe Mary doesn't know you or Mr. Lockhart like I do.

(chuckles) (chuckles) (birds twittering) Honestly, Mr. Colbourne, I can look for Leonora myself.

I don't wish to put you in any trouble.

It's a little late for that.

(thunder rumbling) Besides, I grew up on this land.

I know all the best hiding places.

You've no hope of finding her on your own.

(horse whinnies) FRASER: Miss Heywood!

ALISON: Captain Fraser.

It seems there is no escaping you.

What brings you to this spot?

I'm gathering flowers to make a crown for the fair.

Ah, what a coincidence.

You do not strike me as a man who would be interested in flowers.

And what kind of man do I strike you as, Miss Heywood?

Typical soldier.

Spartan.

Coarse.

Unrefined.

And who would not seem unrefined beside you, Miss Heywood?

I am glad you know your place, Captain.

Forever your humble servant, Miss Heywood.

(thunder claps) (rain pelting) (gasps) This way, Miss Heywood.

(chuckles) I suggest you go back to the house, Miss Heywood.

There's no need to stay out here.

It's only a little rain!

It'd be a pity for you to be struck by lightning.

Governesses, as we know, are not easy to come by.

Mr. Colbourne?

Might I make an observation?

You've already made the observation.

You might as well share it.

It strikes me as curious that a man might take such care of his horse while taking pains to avoid his children.

Augusta's not my child.

She's all too aware of that.

She thinks you consider her presence here an intolerable burden.

Those were her exact words?

Well, she spoke them in French, but yes.

There is no man alive I admire as much as my father.

And yet the girls hardly know you.

Perhaps in time, you'll come to realize that's for the best.

Leonora.

You are discovered.

I shall leave her in your hands.

Try not to lose her again.

♪ ♪ (sighs) ♪ ♪ (laughs): We're soaking wet.

How observant you are, Miss Heywood.

It is a rare gift.

If only wars were won on wit alone, Captain Fraser.

(chuckles) May I ask who you are gathering flowers for?

If you must know, they are for Colonel Lennox.

And I'm sure he will be quite swept off his feet.

(chuckles) Tell my brave Captain Carter I will write to him.

Aye.

He will be glad to hear it.

(birds chirping) CHARLOTTE (softly): And there's still no word on what Sidney was doing in Antigua?

Tom and I have both made inquiries.

But no one can shed any light, except that it concerned my interests.

I cannot understand it.

The plantation was sold on my father's death, and I own nothing besides my inheritance.

And your family?

My father was all the family I had.

What of your mother, Georgiana?

She died giving me life.

♪ ♪ All I know is from my father's account.

She was a woman of beauty and grace, and he loved her.

It is all I have of her.

(Alison groans) I do not know what to put.

Nothing I write expresses the depths of my feelings.

MARY: Look what just arrived.

They must be from him.

Actually, they're for Charlotte.

They're from Colonel Lennox.

He requests my company at the fair tomorrow.

ALISON: Well, your attempts to deter him have clearly been a resounding failure.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (men shouting and cheering) (shouting and cheering) (Carter yelps) (men shouting and clapping) (fighters grunting) (Carter grunts, men applaud) (jeering) (cheering and applauding) What's the matter, man?

Couldn't sleep again?

(panting): Alison Heywood has sent a letter of soaring eloquence.

And worse still, she's enclosed a poem.

And?

She will expect me to reciprocate.

The only poet I know is Handel.

Handel's a composer.

(groans) I cannot have her thinking me a fool, Fraser.

All I want to do is prove myself worthy of her.

(panting) Here.

These are my favorites-- I carried them with me throughout my time on the battlefield.

How did this assist you on the battlefield?

It is not like you to lend credence to idle gossip, Mary.

I'm only telling you what she said.

She was very emphatic.

There is no smoke without at least an ember of truth, Tom.

If the Army have run up debts, it'll be an oversight.

Their company's presence can only enrich Sanditon.

Also, a permanent barracks will mean a yearly government annuity of five-and-a-half thousand pounds.

(doorbell ringing) (exhales) What are a few unpaid bills beside that?

ARTHUR: Don't you think we should put the barracks on hold until we've got a clearer sense of who we are dealing with?

Nonsense, Arthur.

Really, I've no idea why you've taken so against the colonel.

(door opens) He's one of the noblest men I've ever met.

Forgive me, brother, I am sure you're right.

(birds chirping) What do we call these ones?

Ooh, let me see.

Those are... AUGUSTA: Agrostemma githago.

Corn cockle.

It's a common weed.

What about this?

Aquilegia vulgaris.

Columbine.

As you see, Miss Heywood, there is little you can teach me.

Where did you learn that?

My mother.

What was she like?

Pretty.

Kind.

Sad.

Why sad?

She had a twin.

Leonora's mother.

But after Aunt Lucy died...

It was as if my mother lost half of herself.

Especially given the circumstances.

What happened?

Nobody ever seems to speak of her.

That is because my uncle cannot bear to hear her name.

LEONORA: Father!

Look, it's Father!

Mr. Colbourne.

I won't disturb you.

How is Hannibal, sir?

Recovering.

Thank you.

He sends his regards.

Be sure to send him mine in return.

LEONORA: We are having a picnic, Father.

And learning about wildflowers.

Say you will join us.

Please?

AUGUSTA: There is no need, Uncle.

I am certain that you would rather do almost anything else.

I could spare a few moments.

(chuckles softly) (exhales) (sniffs) ♪ ♪ LADY DENHAM: Esther, it's time to leave.

I think it better I remain behind.

Oh, I understand your reluctance.

A fair by its nature is a distraction for the lower orders.

Against my better judgment, I've given all my servants the afternoon off.

It's not that, Aunt.

I hardly think it wise to leave Clara on her own.

LADY DENHAM: Oh, as you wish.

(breathing heavily) Dear Esther, are you concerned for my condition?

Not in the least.

I am concerned for my aunt's silver.

♪ ♪ So, what has Miss Heywood been teaching you this morning, Augusta?

Not a great deal.

As you arrived, she was asking about Aunt Lucy.

Miss Markham was saying her mother and your late wife were close.

Yes, inseparable.

AUGUSTA: Aunt Lucy often used to stay with us.

Somehow, she always felt happier in London... You were just a child, Augusta.

Your memories cannot be relied upon.

Perhaps she felt as I do.

Trapped.

We have discussed this.

You will be introduced to society when you are ready.

AUGUSTA: When will that be, Uncle?

Since you seem so determined to avoid the company of those around you?

When I'm 30?

CHARLOTTE: Miss Markham, I'm sure your uncle only has your best interests at heart.

Look, Father.

I found knapweed and... Cornflowers.

Centaurea.

Centaurea?

That is a peculiar name.

They're named after Chiron the centaur.

In the myth, he used them to heal his wounds from the poisoned arrows.

LEONORA: Do you really think that would work?

COLBOURNE: I don't know.

Should we find some poisoned arrows and put it to the test?

I would sooner not.

(Colbourne laughs) Cornflowers are my favorite.

Then you should have them, Miss Heywood.

Thank you, sir.

♪ ♪ (Clara exhales) (panting) I confess I cannot understand why you see me as a threat, Esther.

You have a wealthy husband who loves you.

(breathing heavily) You have a vast estate.

And you have everything a woman could want.

Whereas I am... (panting) ...penniless, friendless, and carrying the child of a man who despises me.

Oh, stop, you'll bring me to tears.

It is the truth.

You don't know the meaning of the word.

You are duplicitous to your bones, always have been.

You are incapable of empathy or love.

Nothing will convince me otherwise.

I shall be watching you like a hawk.

And as soon as this child is born, I will see to it that you are thrown out.

I am sorry you think so little of... (yelps) (panting) (gasping) I am not prepared!

No!

No, I am not prepared!

(panting) Thank you for your letter.

Thank you for your letter.

(both laugh) It was...

Overwhelming.

Yes.

The very word I was going to employ.

"I ne'er was struck before that hour, With love so sudden and so sweet."

Will you not complete the verse you sent?

I could not do it justice as you have, Miss Heywood.

Or, if I may... Alison.

William.

LENNOX: Miss Heywood.

Is your sister not able to join you?

I fear her employer has kept her back.

We may have to delay the ascent.

Captain Carter, follow me.

Captain Fraser.

Miss Heywood.

Do I gather you are pleased with Captain Carter's letter?

It is as if he can see into my soul.

He is both a hero and a poet.

A hero?

He spoke of his brave actions at Bidassoa.

Did he now?

(brass band playing) HANKINS: Ah, Mr. Parker!

Boycott sugar?

No, thank you, Reverend, uh... HANKINS: Free our brothers and sisters... Well, Mr. Parker, where is this fabled elephant?

(stammers): I confess there's been a slight change of plan, Lady Denham.

Do you mean to say you have lured us here under false pretenses?

I assure you, milady, you are about to see the eighth wonder of the world.

(stammers): Allow me to, uh, escort you?

One moment.

Miss Lambe.

Still persisting with your misguided sugar boycott, I see.

Hardly misguided.

The movement is gathering pace across the country, Lady Denham.

(chuckles): It will change nothing.

Such decisions are made in Parliament.

Not by naive young women.

In this matter, Parliament has failed.

That is why we have taken matters into our own hands.

I suppose you would support such a cause, given your origins.

And yet here I am, the wealthiest woman in Sanditon.

And where did the wealth come from?

Are you not biting the hand that feeds you?

♪ ♪ LEONORA: This has been the best afternoon I can remember!

What a tragically dull life you must have led, child.

You've enjoyed yourself, too.

At one point, I almost saw you smile.

That is quite impossible-- Augusta is incapable of smiling.

(bell tolling) Oh, I must go.

I'm expected at the fair.

I wish we could go to the fair.

We've kept you too long.

Not at all.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Bye.

Until tomorrow, then.

Until tomorrow.

♪ ♪ (groaning) Stop being so dramatic-- you've proved your point.

Come on!

Oh, you would have to do this while the staff are absent, just to spite me!

I can go no further.

You cannot bear this child on the stairs.

Given it was conceived on the floor, that would hardly be an auspicious beginning.

Will you release my hand?

(groans) Oh, God, I hate you.

You are such a cold, unyielding shrew.

And you are a scheming vixen.

My hand, you're hurting.

You do not know the meaning of pain!

Oh, will you move?

(wailing) Fine, if you refuse to move, I shall leave you to it.

(groaning) No, Esther!

Stay!

I cannot do this alone.

You do not know what you're asking.

Esther, please.

♪ ♪ (groaning) ♪ ♪ TOM: Ladies and gentlemen!

May I bid you all the warmest of Sanditon welcomes to this, our Midsummer Fair!

(applauding) It is our tradition each year to have a special event.

But what you see before you this afternoon surpasses any attraction in our long history.

What is that?

That, Miss Heywood, is a military observation balloon, intended, I believe, to identify enemy positions from aloft.

Mr. Parker is trying to convince everyone it is a circus attraction.

One can only be reminded of the ambitions of Icarus.

Oh, dear.

TOM: Maestro!

(drumroll playing) (drumroll stops, audience applauds and cheers) ♪ ♪ TOM: Direct from the battlefields of Europe, a brilliant example of British ingenuity and skill, brought to you through the generosity of Colonel Lennox and his brave soldiers, here is your chance to experience God's own view of Sanditon.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Who would like to take the maiden voyage?

I am not standing in a basket tethered to a rope.

I'm agreeing with you.

I shall pass on the flying hamper.

Charlotte, here at last.

(laughs) Oh, it's incredible.

Poor Tom.

The colonel has lent him this observation balloon, but no one's brave enough to go up in it.

What about you, sir?

Can I not persuade you to be the first to make an ascent?

(crowd murmuring) You, sir?

What about you, sir?

I'll make the ascent!

MARY: My dear, you couldn't possibly.

It's too dangerous.

Don't worry, Mary.

Let the young lady pass.

Miss Heywood.

Welcome.

Colonel, do I have your permission to go up?

I assure you it will give me the greatest pleasure.

Well, it's true, a woman has made the ascent before.

Two, in fact, by my knowledge.

Then let me be the third.

TOM: My, my dear girl, I could not possibly allow it.

Absolutely not.

If Miss Heywood is first, it's certain others will follow.

Private Markland, I'll accompany her.

She'll be safe in my hands.

(audience applauding and cheering) Are you not tempted, Miss Lambe?

I prefer to keep my feet on the ground.

Oh, I don't believe that.

I think you would soar to the heavens.

It's your jailers that keep you tethered.

Mary is not my jailer, she's my friend.

Really?

Seems to me like you're hemmed in on all sides.

I don't know how you can bear it.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (gulls cawing, Charlotte laughing) ♪ ♪ It's like a dream.

I feel as if I were flying.

Is it too late to mention I am not enamored of heights?

Fears are there to be conquered.

You are quite unlike any woman I've ever met, Miss Heywood.

♪ ♪ (grunting) (rope snaps) ♪ ♪ (audience gasps) (breath trembling) (crowd murmuring) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (wind blowing) (soldiers calling) Mr. Parker?

(gasps) Ooh!

(yelps) ♪ ♪ (screaming) ♪ ♪ Arthur?

Arthur!

(yelping) ♪ ♪ It's Arthur!

(Arthur gasping and panting) Well done, Arthur!

Thank God for you!

(laughing) (applauding) You're a hero, Arthur!

It was bravely done!

(applauding) I should tell you.

I think I have agreed a truce with my charges.

And perhaps even with their father.

Their father?

It seems Mr. Colbourne's a better man than I had given him credit for.

I believe he is just grieving his late wife.

♪ ♪ (crowd applauding, Arthur laughing) (Arthur whooping) ♪ ♪ Well done.

♪ ♪ (applause continues) Miss Heywood!

TOM: Gentlemen... And even ladies!

Who would like a ride to the skies?

Come along!

(crowd talking excitedly) Oh, oh, now, now, one at a time, please-- you, sir.

From the moment we met, you have spoken to me with candor.

I fear I have not repaid the courtesy.

It's against my nature to impugn another man's character, but I must warn you to be on your guard against Mr. Colbourne.

Why?

Please, just take my word.

With respect, you cannot warn me on such strong terms without evidence.

Some years ago, there was a young lady who meant a very great deal to me.

She had a fierce, bright spirit, not unlike your own.

Her name was Lucy.

His wife.

Colbourne stole her from me, Miss Heywood.

And then, for reasons I do not comprehend, he destroyed her.

♪ ♪ I believe he needs his mother.

Will you take him?

Later, perhaps.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (chuckles excitedly) (exhales): Yes!

(knock at door) (exhales) (knock at door) (exhales) ♪ ♪ You will paint my portrait, on my terms.

If I am satisfied, you may name your price.

I shall not rest until we are both satisfied, Miss Lambe.

Are you alone?

Yes.

Would you like to come in?

Good evening, Mr. Lockhart.

TOM: Dare I say it, the best Midsummer Fair yet.

And you were the hero of the hour, Arthur.

Ah, glad to be of service, Tom.

But for you, I might be halfway to France by now!

Quite, although I have to say, Colonel Lennox saved the day.

MARY: What are the shopkeepers doing there?

MAN: There he is!

Look!

(all exclaiming) TOM: Yes!

(shopkeepers exclaiming) Gentlemen, madam, I have the situation in hand-- yes.

Mr. Parker will talk to the colonel on your behalf at the first opportunity.

All will be resolved.

(stammering): Yeah, yeah... TOM: Please-- this has been a great day for Sanditon.

And I can assure you that all of your problems will be solved when you understand one simple fact, which, uh, and, and I, I give you my word, I will explain in great detail, uh, tomorrow.

(all shouting) (pounding on door, shouting) ♪ ♪ Mr. Tom Parker!

What a triumph!

Edward.

May we speak apart for a moment?

Of course.

But first, can I tempt you into another game of hazard?

(chuckles) You must give me the chance to recoup my losses.

It is a tempting proposition... Come, let's celebrate the success of the day, Parker.

We make a good team, do we not?

♪ ♪ (dice rattle) (knocks twice) (dice rattling) (men exclaim) What is the matter, Denham?

You are not yourself.

It seems I am to be a father.

That is surely cause for celebration!

It may yet be.

♪ ♪ I'm told you showed great courage at Bidassoa.

Remarkable, given how... ...young you must have been.

Fraser... She deserves better.

Set her straight.

♪ ♪ I really thought your numbers would come up, Parker.

I do not have a hundred pounds to hand, Colonel.

Don't worry, I know you're good for it.

Now, what was it you wished to discuss?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ A personal tribute from the colonel himself.

I'm not sure you've come down to Earth since.

I'm still trying to make sense of it.

ALISON: Cornflowers?

Where did you find them?

Mr. Colbourne's estate.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I would presume Miss Heywood to be a friend.

Would you, indeed?

ALISON: I believe the right person is out there for all of us.

Happily, I've found mine.

EDWARD: Is that my child?

GEORGIANA: I've had word from my lawyer.

He's discovered what Sidney was doing in Antigua.

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