Season 1 | Episode 2

LAURA LINNEY: This is "Masterpiece."

Welcome to Delhi, sahib.

It is an honor to meet you.

LINNEY: Previously, on "Beecham House"... VIJAY: John Beecham-- friend or foe?

JOHN: I wish only to trade honorably.

Please, grant me a license.

MURAD: I believe you are the first Englishman Miss Osborne has seen in many months.

Captain Samuel Parker!

I am in great need of a trustworthy partner.

HENRIETTA: Why are you holding that child?

JOHN: Mother, this is August, your grandson.

I should like to see Daniel.

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

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Lady sahiba, I'm going to give you a bath.

No!

(stammering): Baadal!

Come here this instant!

It will be fixed, Mrs. Beecham, I'm sure.

(sighs) What is wrong, Mrs. Beecham-sahiba?

Everything-- the water is dark brown, the towels are too thin.

What if I slip and crack my skull?

I have fresh water here, ma'am.

(water sloshing in bucket) I'll bring fresh towels right now.

Yes.

This is, this is no way for a lady to bathe.

(shooing) VIOLET: Quite, we must try.

♪ (both screaming) HENRIETTA: Baadal!

Baadal!

What, what is that?

BAADAL: Stand back, ma'am.

Be careful, it's poisonous.

A scorpion.

HENRIETTA: Get it out.

Go.

Move.

(grabs scorpion) Oh.

No.

HENRIETTA: Take it, good, good.

(moaning) (stammering): Thank you, Ram Lal, please inspect my room every hour.

I do not want to die in India from a tropical insect bite.

(moaning) RAM LAL: Yes, Mrs. Beecham-sahiba.

(soldiers chattering) (horse nickers) ♪ (soldiers chattering) SOLDIER (faintly): Come on!

JOHN (voiceover): Stop this, this is idiocy.

They do not have the taxes to pay.

(people clamoring in flashback) (civilians screaming, soldiers shouting) ♪ (clamoring continues) (woman screaming) (screaming) (clothes ripping, woman screaming) (screaming continues faintly) Sir, you must stop this, you have gone too far.

Leave!

(civilians screaming, crying) ♪ (horse nickers) (birds chirping) ♪ (hoofbeats approaching) (horse nickers) ♪ Good morning.

Good morning, General.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I had a special delivery from France.

It arrived by boat this morning, along with my cognac.

(gasps softly) This is too kind, General Castillon.

But I know you are partial for French perfume only too well.

Have you had any word from your brother?

My colleagues have had no sightings of him.

So what will you do?

Will you still return to England?

No.

I feel quite content here at present.

What has changed?

Perhaps the presence of more English people has made me feel less homesick.

I must warn you about John Beecham.

He may not be all that he appears.

I appreciate your concern, General.

But if John Beecham is a dangerous man, why would he bring his elderly mother to live with him in India?

Look, are you sure this ghastly treatment is going to work on these bites?

Bindu insists that turmeric will sooth your discomfort.

Oh!

You must try this mulligat... mulligatawny.

How can I eat when I am so worried?

When is John returning?

I need to speak to someone who understands English.

CHANCHAL: We understand English, Mrs. Beecham-sahiba.

I, I do not even know what to call you, dear.

Chanchal.

Huh?

You see, we, we need to start doing things differently now I shall be running the household.

So from now on, I shall call you... Channing.

"Channing"?

Yes.

And you, Bin, Bindaloo.

I, I shall call you... Beatrice.

Bea-trick?

HENRIETTA: No, no, Beatrice.

(making "S" sound) And you shall be... Barton.

I will be of assistance however you wish to address me, Mrs. Beecham-sahiba.

Please do not be upset, I will take care of you.

Oh, thank you, that, that is kind of you.

(speaking Hindi) The British have struck their first tentpole at Kannauj.

That's right next to the emperor's land.

Are you certain?

I am afraid so.

(soldiers shouting distantly) It is a clear provocation.

They can only be inspecting the region in order to plan an attack.

The British annexation of India marches closer to us every day.

We must inform the emperor and bring it to a halt.

If Lieutenant Beecham is in contact with the Company... he will pay a severe price.

♪ (men chattering) The water.

All right, I see.

(men chattering) (horse nickers) Gentlemen, I am Captain Parker.

I need to know the whereabouts of Ensign Daniel Beecham.

Beecham?

He was shot.

At this very moment I would wager he has no idea of his own whereabouts.

Speak clearly, soldier.

What is your meaning?

He's on sickness leave.

He's recuperating.

You have a medical bay here?

(laughing): He's at his second home, very likely between the thighs of an Indian dancing girl.

(soldiers laughing) (birds chirping) HENRIETTA: What is it about this strange land that draws my sons here instead of coming home to England and me?

Your sons are like many.

Great fortunes are here for the taking.

It was very considerate of John to prepare this chapel for you.

But now that John has made his fortune, he should marry you, return with his wealth, and bring August up as an English gentleman back home.

There is nothing to keep him in India.

(sighs) I apologize.

I do hope I am not disturbing your prayers.

It is a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Beecham.

And you, Miss Woodhouse.

(birds chirping) How well do you know my son?

Mr. Beecham and I are recently acquainted, but he was kind enough to invite me to come to the chapel whenever I wanted to pray.

And what do you know of the child's mother?

Mr. Beecham has not discussed such private matters with me.

"Private matters"?

I see.

It is better you direct your questions to Mr. Beecham himself, ma'am.

Oh.

(distant chattering) ♪ Hey, Baadal-bhai, looking very smart, huh?

But you're only going to the bazaar, no?

I'm just going to buy some provisions for the house.

How long has Chanchal kept you waiting?

Baadal, thank you.

It is so kind of you to take me to the bazaar.

BAADAL: It is my great pleasure, Chanchal-bai.

I have been dreaming of gulab jamans all night.

(scoffs): Hawker food!

Anything to take away the taste of the bland food in this house.

At least it will be edible.

(horse neighing, carriage rumbling) ♪ BAADAL: Who is this?

(quietly): Bai-sa.

Baadal, don't just stand there.

Bai-sa is an honored guest of Beecham-sahib-- go!

Of course, Chanchal-bai.

So many trunks.

Maybe this is Beecham-sahib's wife.

♪ (horse nickers) Go get the luggage.

Bow!

♪ (offering greeting in Hindi) ♪ Barton, where is... where is everybody?

Water, water.

Oh, dear.

I feel... oh.

♪ (crate clanking) HENRIETTA: My, my, my, my.

What do we have here?

♪ Oh... Take me to Agastya.

♪ Agastya?

(gasps): Could this be... could this be August's mother?

HENRIETTA (softly): Oh.

Well, she's acting like the lady of the manor already.

(gurgling) (gurgling continues, birds chirping) ♪ Precious Agastya, beautiful boy.

You've already endured so much.

♪ Bai-sa, Mr. Beecham-sahib does not let Agastya leave the nursery without his permission.

Ram Lal, I know what is best for Agastya.

He will stay with me.

Very well.

We will find you a room.

Barton!

Barton!

(teacup clatters) It's impossible to get his attention.

B... Barton!

Barton!

I have just settled Agastya.

I would appreciate it if you'd kindly keep your voices down.

(chuckling): Young lady, why do you insist on calling him by another name?

Agastya is sleeping, he requires his rest.

(scoffs) I am John Beecham's mother, Henrietta Beecham, and August's grandmother, and mistress of this house now.

This is Miss Osborne, a governess.

And Miss Woodhouse, a family friend.

Mrs. Beecham... Hmm.

I note your position.

Miss Osborne... he is not in need of an English governess.

Oh... HENRIETTA (scandalized): Have you ever...

I... Oh, perhaps you should rest, Mrs. Beecham, you look faint.

The Indian heat cannot be underestimated.

HENRIETTA: Nor could that intolerable woman!

That behavior will not do.

When my son returns, we will have words.

(chuckling sardonically) Miss Osborne, clearly, you know even less than I.

But I'm sure you have work to be getting on with, (stammering): so good day.

(birds chirping, people chattering) (woman laughing, speaking Hindi) Ma'am.

(chattering) (music playing inside) (music continues) JOHN: Daniel!

Daniel!

Sahib, you want woman?

We have all types... Daniel!

You want a boy?

DANIEL: You, come here.

Sahib, don't disturb... (woman laughing) Come.

WOMAN: Sahib you are mistaken... JOHN: Chello, chello, chello.

Chello.

Hey, oi, oi.

(Daniel groans, people gasping) There are enough harlots for every one.

(catching breath) What are you doing here?

I'm here for you.

After all this time?

I thought you were dead.

I wrote to you many times, when Mother told me you were in Calcutta, but you never responded.

I was in Mysore in bloody battles with Tipu Sultan.

I would have appreciated a brother's concern then.

Now it's too late.

Daniel.

Oi.

Daniel.

Daniel!

(breathing heavily) I'm sorry.

You have any idea how hard it was to discover the brother I admired had disappeared without so much as a word?

Forgive me.

I had to get as far away from the Company as possible.

But it's different now.

Mother is here.

(chuckles) Mother is in India?

(grunts softly) (chuckles) ♪ (horse nickering, people chattering) ♪ (speaking Hindi) (courtiers clamoring) VIJAY: Highness...

Lieutenant Beecham has been seen in Kannauj communicating with Company forces, and he has a brother serving in the camp there.

EMPEROR: And yet he claims that his connections with the Company have been severed.

CASTILLON: Indeed, and he has been joined by another colleague from the Company, a Captain Samuel Parker.

I understand Captain Parker has being discharged, but it could be a ruse.

♪ (birds chirping) Does the Company no longer tend to its soldier's wounds?

(chuckling): They spend a great deal more on gunpowder than they do on physicians.

What were you doing in Kannauj?

Exploratory expedition.

The Company must expand its territory if it wishes to grow.

You sound like a Company man.

I'm a soldier.

You are a man, your actions are your own.

(horse nickers) I'm tired of it all.

You've seen the British cemeteries in Calcutta.

They say most soldiers die before seeing two monsoons.

I've lasted three.

I'm on borrowed time, brother.

So I plan to enjoy the simpler pleasures of life while I can.

(birds chirping, horse nickers) You know, Daniel, I too have come close to death.

Which is why you will find me a changed man.

♪ BINDU: Go and put this in the madam's room.

Mrs. Beecham-sahiba changed everything in the house to be more English.

Now this bai-sa wants to change everything to be more Indian.

I never felt so humiliated.

Keep calm, my friend.

Mool Chand-ji, sahib will know what is best.

She brought her own cook.

No one has the right to come to my house, my kitchen, with their own cook.

Bai-sa is in need of a private chamber pot.

The piss pots... those pots are not kept in the kitchen.

Hmm.

(insects buzzing) (footsteps approaching) Who's there?

It is Violet, Mrs. Beecham.

What are you going to do when... when the opium runs out?

(objects clinking) Please, leave me after such a distressing afternoon, Violet.

If my son married that woman without so much as informing his mother, I...

I do not know what I will do.

(groans) ♪ Oh.

(places box down) (Henrietta breathing heavily) (insects chirping, fire crackling) Why do you suddenly care so much about your brother?

(chuckles bitterly) (exhales) Your feigned concern insults us both.

(exhales) He's quite a character.

He's irresponsible.

When I look at him, I just see our father.

God forbid he ends up like him... in some convicts' colony in Australia.

♪ (speaking Hindi) Forgive me, your sahib has built a mandir for, for his god, but he worships women, no?

(chuckling) Tell me, who is that beauty that arrived today?

I will not sleep if I do not find out.

Bhaiya, please do not ask me... Talk of her will make us sober as saints.

(grumbles) (insects chirping) (fire crackling) ♪ (sword scraping on scabbard) Hey!

Hey!

Oi!

(knives unsheathing, men shouting) (shouting continues) (bandits continue shouting) (gunshot, shouting, horse whinnying) (bandit groaning) (horse whinnying, John catching breath) ♪ (catching breath) (objects clinking) ♪ (horse hooves clomping) (man calling distantly) How does a soldier afford this?

BAADAL: Sahib has returned.

It seems you've prospered since leaving the Company.

BAADAL: Sahib, Mrs. Beecham-sahiba is most upset.

(tensely): Oh, what has happened now?

Baadal, this is my brother, Daniel.

Brother?

Please take him upstairs to my chambers and bring some hot water-- he has a wound that needs attending to.

We must make him presentable before he meets Mother.

Please send for the hakim, make haste.

BAADAL: Of course.

Please.

Samuel.

You have gone beyond the duty of a friend.

I owe you my life.

(grunts) (servant calling distantly) (birds chirping) HENRIETTA: John Beecham, I forbid you to leave this house again.

Who is this woman?

Her, her rudeness knows no bounds.

Mother... No, I cannot live like this.

Is she August's mother?

Mother, what are you talking about?

She was rude to Miss Osborne as well.

Mr. Beecham, your mother has had a trying time since your departure.

She acts like a princess who's ruling the roost...

This bai-sahib's airs and graces have made me most ill at ease.

(birds chirping) Where is she?

Sahib, I cannot challenge her authority without you, sir.

I understand, Ram Lal.

♪ Where is August?

Agastya is safe with me.

We must speak in private.

Miss Woodhouse, please escort my mother to her room.

Mother, I will speak with you shortly.

♪ (August gurgling) Chandrika, why have you come here?

If anybody sees you or knows you're here, it could ruin everything.

I took the utmost care not to be seen.

You know you shouldn't have come.

I needed to see him.

You're putting him in danger.

I am simply carrying out my duty.

I had to know he is safe.

You know his safety is all that matters to me.

(baby gurgling) I wish Agastya to sleep with me.

August will sleep in the nursery.

Ram Lal, Chanchal, and Maya are serving him very well.

It was agreed.

My intention is... We had intruders here.

A few nights ago.

(August fussing) How... how have you been?

It has not been easy.

I did not come only for Agastya.

I wanted to see you too.

(August gurgling) (knock on door) Mother.

Oh.

How is she?

I have done my best, but the challenges are proving difficult for her.

Mmm.

I, on the other hand, am adapting well and intend to bring her to see Hindustan as you do.

I am very grateful.

Mother...

Mother, your eyes, they appear to be irritated.

Are you feeling unwell?

Well, how can you blame me?

My last home was full of secrets, I fear my nerves will not tolerate the same here.

Mother, I understand this is very... Who is that woman, son?

You cannot expect me to share a home with a stranger.

Mother, she has August's best interests at heart.

(sighs) Come with me.

Oh.

I have something to show you that I think will cheer your spirits immensely.

Where are you taking me, John?

My heart may not withstand another revelation.

(tools clinking) ♪ (Henrietta screams) Daniel?

(blubbers) Oh, my... my poor boy, what has become of you?

I am a soldier, Mother.

I have survived much worse.

But it is a blessing to feel your arms after such an age.

(crying): Oh, no.

Mother... JOHN: Mother.

(blubbers) Is it...?

It cannot be.

Violet Woodhouse.

I came as a companion to your mother.

It is gratifying to see that you are still getting into trouble.

A kiss would help take the pain away.

Certainly not!

I would have hoped you'd become a gentleman by now.

(Henrietta sniffles) What fun would that be?

The world is not in need of another dry sponge.

Oh, I dreamt of this moment, but I, I never imagined it would be in a place like this.

My two handsome, brave sons, may God bless you... (voice breaking): ...and my poor grandson.

Grandson?

(Chanchal cooing in Hindi, August gurgling) ♪ (August gurgles) This is August, my son.

Your son?

(August fussing) You were married without telling us?

HENRIETTA: No one can know he has fathered a native child.

Mother, stop.

(August gurgles) August Daniel Beecham, this is your uncle.

(August gurgles) You named him after me?

JOHN: I have but one brother.

And here is the first of the next generation of Beechams.

(August fussing) HENRIETTA: John, do you have an association with this Margaret Osborne?

For a governess, she appears to think very highly of herself.

She seems to have made herself very much at home in your house.

Miss Osborne was here?

Hmm.

Mother, did you offend her in any way?

Not at all.

It is her, your Indian ladyship, who addressed her in a most ill-mannered way.

Mother, I must leave you and attend to her.

Daniel, I am sure you have much to catch up on.

(August fussing) An English governess, an Indian ladyship, and a native baby.

John, you are a rogue after all.

It is not as you think it.

I am beginning to understand your abandonment of me now.

(birds chirping) ♪ (laughter) MURAD BEG (voiceover): Have you decided on a gift for the empress?

I must admit I am perplexed as to what to offer an empress who has everything.

You appreciate art and craftsmanship, she appreciates wonder.

Choose an item that will excite her imagination.

(Margaret and Roshanara laughing) Ah, the insurrectionists.

Good day, Miss Roshanara.

Miss Osborne.

Hello, Mr. Beecham.

JOHN (voiceover): Forgive my boldness, Miss Osborne, but I took these from my library.

I thought you might find them interesting.

Thank you, Mr. Beecham, that is... most thoughtful of you.

I came to ensure that you had not been offended at my house.

I had an unfortunate encounter with a disrespectful guest at your residence.

She made it clear she considers me far beneath her.

Chandrika.

She has taken full ownership of your son.

Is she his mother?

I apologize for her rudeness.

She was not alone.

Your mother made it clear she disapproves of me.

Well, she does not know you.

That is of no consequence to her.

Apparently she looks down on women who are in employment.

I am sure that you have misunderstood her.

(words catching) She has a blunt manner, but she possesses no malice.

Mr. Beecham, I may not have riches or name, but I feel most ill at ease.

Your mother has made me feel unwelcome in your house.

Miss Osborne, you are always welcome in my house, you have my word.

Until you can be completely honest with me, I don't know what your word counts for.

I bid you good day.

♪ (birds chirping) (stone splashing in water) (splashing continues) ♪ (August cooing) ♪ (August babbling) (groans) (breathing deeply) Good morning.

It is Chanchal, yes?

Yes, sahib.

Chanchal, I wonder if you could help me.

I have an injury which is giving me a lot of pain.

Could you please assist me with the stairs?

It is like climbing the Himalayas on my own.

(tentatively): Of course, sahib.

♪ (groans) (exhales): Thank you.

(exhales in pain) ♪ (August fussing) Thank you, Chanchal.

You are a saver of lives.

I must go, sahib.

♪ (August fusses) (groans): Too many flies.

Daniel-sahib.

(nervously): Breakfast will be served.

Mrs. Beecham-sahiba is on her way.

I'll be there in a minute.

(words catching) (groaning) (men chattering, animals bleating) I would like some fresh milk.

(men chattering, animal bleating) (animal grunts) ♪ Thank you, Baadal.

Compliments to chef Mool Chand.

Barton, get me the marmalade I brought from London.

Yes, Mrs. Beecham-sahiba.

Barton?

Indian names are impossible to pronounce.

That is insulting, Mother.

You wouldn't much care for it if someone suddenly changed your name.

I wouldn't mind if I had a name that made no sense.

(Henrietta chuckles, utensils scraping) How long are you allowed to stay on leave?

Yes, how long are you with us?

I have never wanted a wound to heal slower.

(inhales sharply) But I am a Company man.

(fork scraping) They own me.

The decision is out of my hands.

I wish you would wear proper clothing, son.

You look like a native.

These pajamas are comfortable.

You really should try some, Mother, you'll be much cooler.

Mmm.

A sensible dress is all I need.

What the ladies wear here is appalling.

Mmm.

Look, they feel no shame in showing off their midriffs.

But that is what makes them so alluring.

There is nothing more beautiful than the almond eyes and delicate, bare waist of an Indian woman.

HENRIETTA: Daniel Beecham, you are in the company of a lady.

VIOLET: Daniel only knows one way to speak-- from his heart.

His honesty is refreshing.

Thank you, Miss Woodhouse.

HENRIETTA: Honesty?

That is scandalous talk from one who is old enough to know better.

The truth is, there are so few British women here, Englishman are forced to take Indian wives and mistresses.

It is the modern way.

Well, it is not God's way.

It is high time for you and your brother to marry decent, English women at once.

Thankfully, Violet is an excellent marriage prospect for John; she has the qualities of a good wife and mother to August.

And are you agreeable to this notion, Miss Woodhouse?

Why on earth would you wish to marry the dullest man in Delhi?

I should be delighted.

Should I be asked.

♪ (birds chirping) JOHN: What a precious thing to sleep so soundly.

♪ He has not a care in the world.

He is blessed with so many praying for his safety and good health.

Do you ever miss home?

Yes, sahib, very much.

Do you think that it is wrong for one to wish to let go of the past?

If I may say, sahib, sometimes we must let go of the memory of those we hold dear.

I find that I am not able to do that.

♪ ♪ Good afternoon, Miss Osborne.

Mr. Beecham.

You must excuse my appearance.

Roshanara and I have been swimming in the river.

You look... You look enchanting.

Since our last meeting, I have been able to think of little else.

I cannot bear to think that you would not feel welcome in my house, because your very presence there would make me very happy indeed.

I cannot speak of August's mother.

It would... compromise his safety.

But I can swear before you now that I am all he has.

And I would very much like you to be a friend to our family.

I have longed for you to speak openly since we met.

But I am finally able to afford my passage home.

England?

Why do you stay here, John?

Why not come back home?

I cannot return home.

Everything I live for is here now.

Your past seems to invade your present in a most unsettling way.

Delhi will give me the break from the past and its heartache.

And you... your friendship, gives me hope of a brighter future.

Please do not leave.

ROSHANARA: Miss Osborne, come, you promised to hear my piano recital.

Yes, of course, Roshanara.

Mr. Beecham, you will have to excuse me.

♪ (insects chirping) We must proceed urgently with the trading license.

There will be no future for us here if I cannot provide for my family.

As soon as the license is secure, there's many a hungry nabob back home drooling to gobble up Eastern treasures.

If we reward the artisans well, they will reserve their finest items for us.

Our business will flourish.

I have made a decision about the offering for the empress.

Excellent.

Is it the perfect gift?

(chuckles softly) Leonardo da Vinci made a mechanical lion and presented it to the king of France.

We will present an automaton.

But what are they, exactly?

(papers rustling) Moving sculptures.

(women singing in Hindi) (singing continues) What is happening?

What in heaven's name are you doing?

It is late.

Prayers will settle him.

Yes, but he likes hymns.

So I shall sing to him in my chamber.

I think it is best he remain with me.

Are you saying you know what is better for the child than his own grandmother?

Please, Mrs. Beecham.

(shushing) I know an Arab artist who knows the secret of automata.

We could persuade him to cast one in silver.

Better still, gold.

No cost is to be spared for the empress.

(footsteps approaching) Sir, I think you should come upstairs.

Excuse me, Sam.

CHANDRIKA: You are disturbing Agastya.

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

She has the baby, sahib.

You do not even know him.

You are rude and deceitful.

I will not have you take charge of my grandson...

Mother.

What is happening?

HENRIETTA: I cannot remain in this house with someone so disrespectful.

You have to tell me the truth about this woman.

Who is she?

(sighs) Chandrika... is August's aunt.

But no one can know that she is here.

I am a widower.

And I know that August's mother would have wanted her sister to help raise him.

But son... No.

No, Mother.

♪ (August gurgles) Hey.

(August fusses) (whispering): Now, now.

All of the people that I love in the world are in this room.

We will stay here in Delhi and make a life together.

We have no other choice.

♪ (grumbles quietly) LINNEY: Next time, on "Beecham House"... John, whatever is the matter?

JOHN: A friend sacrificed his life for me today.

CASTILLON: Why would you conspire with a French devil to betray your friend?

That is not your concern.

I saw you this morning in the garden dallying with the maid.

CHANCHAL: I do not want my life to be one of regrets.

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

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