Season 1 | Episode 1

♪ ♪ SOAMES: This is my family.

Wealthy.

JO: Respected.

And very much out of control.

FRANCES: As a Forsyte woman, you're expected to shine.

We all deserve our moments of madness.

♪ ♪ JOLYON: How do we maintain our supremacy?

♪ ♪ SOAMES: We can't afford to be sentimental.

♪ ♪ Can we afford to be human?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ANN: It was a momentous day when June's mother remarried and they joined our family.

The illustrious Forsytes.

Or so we like to think of ourselves.

The groom, my grandson Jolyon, newly returned from his escapades in Europe to take up his role as heir to the family firm.

Much to the frustration of his cousin Soames, an ambitious soul, unwilling to play second fiddle to anyone.

I wish your mother could have lived to see this day.

♪ ♪ (door opening) (guests murmuring) She'll be the making of you.

♪ ♪ ANN: Frances was a widow, queen of high society, hand-picked to cement our status among the London elite.

(guests murmuring) (breathes deeply) ♪ ♪ ANN: Of course, every family has its rivalries, its intrigues.

But on this great day of celebration, we put them aside.

♪ ♪ (church bells ringing) ♪ ♪ That one is my brother James's abode.

But inside, it's not a patch on ours!

♪ ♪ (champagne cork pops) (music playing) (people talking in background) You can see why my brother wanted her for Jo.

She'll steady him, put an end to all this running amok amid the fleshpots of Europe.

But you could've had her.

I'd have made an offer.

I'm obliged to you, Pa, but when the time comes, the bride will be of my choosing.

JAMES: Well, quite frankly, why would you want to burden yourself with an eight-year-old brat?

(shoes pounding) Hm.

My late husband invested with Forsyte and Co., so you might think this is a natural progression.

I'm a prime asset changing hands.

(guests chuckle) And June has long needed a father figure.

(music stops) Go and be presented.

♪ ♪ Grandmama Ann is the head of our family.

♪ ♪ (people talking in background) (whispers): Do I have to like you?

(whispers): No.

'Cause I don't like anyone.

It's a good decision.

(people talking in background) Grandmama.

This is June.

Do you know what a Forsyte is?

A Forsyte is someone who knows the value of stock.

And family, and repute.

You must never ask questions, never contradict, and never, ever fail to come up to scratch.

(Jo chuckles) Don't scare her.

She needs to know what she's letting herself in for.

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (birds chirping, bell tolling) ANN: Ten years on, as June's 18th birthday approaches, the peace and stability of the Forsyte world is about to be overturned.

(grunts softly) Explain to me why drawing is such a necessary accomplishment for cultured young ladies.

What possible use could it be?

That's exactly what your grandfather said to me when I joined the family firm.

(laughs) But you used to love drawing.

I love many things.

Will you draw me?

Please.

Just a quick sketch?

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ JUNE: That is me!

Exactly me!

Here, we'll be late for breakfast.

So, I was thinking... Hm.

...for my birthday, instead of a ball, could we just have a picnic?

(chuckles) Just... 'Cause your mother wouldn't for a moment mind canceling the event she's been planning for the last ten years.

(Frances and June chuckling) (church bell ringing, people talking in background) So, what do we think of Charlie Armstrong?

Is that Sir Roger's boy?

FRANCES: Mm-hmm.

For what?

For June.

JOLYON: Does she like him?

FRANCES: Mm, she's never met him.

But I've invited the Armstrongs to the ball.

Along with the Latimers... Tea.

...Pallisters... Railways.

...Carterets.

Land.

It's a question of who would most benefit the family.

Miles Latimer?

Horatio Carteret?

The Prince of Wales?

FRANCES (laughing): I'm serious!

Hurry with your breakfast.

We have an appointment in town.

Where?

The dressmaker.

Your gown for the ball?

♪ ♪ (talking in background) (barks softly) WINIFRED: So, Pa, well, something rather exciting... And costly?

A racehorse, Papa.

Monty's found the very thing.

And when you know the gee-gees as I do... (coughs softly, clears throat) (softly): I'd hope, as my brother, you'd want to encourage my husband.

Just as when you wed, I'll happily take your wife under my wing.

If ever there were a reason not to marry.

Who's marrying?

WINIFRED: Frances was saying she knows a dozen girls who'd make Soames a splendid wife.

EMILY: Though I'm sure I don't know who'd be good enough.

I believe she has several coming to June's ball.

Well, thanks for the warning.

I'll go in disguise.

Shall we be off, Pa?

(church bell ringing, people calling in background) (bicycle bell rings) (birds chirping) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (talking softly) LADY CARTERET: Thank you so much.

Thank you.

(door opens, bell rings) Ah, Lady Carteret.

(door closes) LADY CARTERET: Oh, dear.

We were hoping to keep Miss Louisa to ourselves.

My apologies.

Do you know Mrs.

Frances Forsyte?

And her daughter June?

(stammers softly) Good day to you.

How do you do?

FRANCES: We need a gown for June's 18th birthday ball.

I hope you received our invitation?

(chuckling) So kind.

(chuckles) Try not to let Mrs.

Forsyte monopolize you.

(footsteps retreating) ♪ ♪ (door opens, bell rings) (door closes) (stammers softly) If you'd please remove your coat?

Yes.

Obviously, this has to go.

Sadly, she's been influenced by her father, who has his own eccentric views on fashion.

Like wearing clothes which actually let you move.

FRANCES: So, a tight waistline, a bustle, potentially a train... Certainly, madam, if I may first take measurements.

Yes, of course.

♪ ♪ I've other calls to make-- I'll return.

(door opens, bell rings) (door closes) (exhales heavily) ♪ ♪ (exhales heavily) ♪ ♪ (people calling in background) (sighs) Fredericks-- thank you.

Here you are.

Here you are, lad.

♪ ♪ Ah, good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

(talking softly) ♪ ♪ JOLYON: For half a century, we have been preeminent among London's stockbroking elite.

(sighs) But lately, young upstarts have been snapping at our heels.

So how do we maintain our supremacy?

By not resting on our laurels, by seeking out new investments, new markets-- by keeping our ear to the ground for information that we may be able to turn to our advantage.

I have something.

JOLYON: Soames.

Sir Roger Armstrong-- Durham Mining Co.-- is about to croak.

Good God, he's barely 50.

(man murmurs) Of course, the family's keeping it close to their chest.

Who'll be taking over?

The young lad Charlie Armstrong.

Oh, that wastrel?

Never done a day's work in his life.

Precisely the point.

When the news breaks, the share price will plummet.

Not necessarily.

Could hold steady, provided there's no loss of confidence.

We should sell.

Our stock, clients' stock... Thus ensuring a loss of confidence.

So where do you suggest our loyalties lie?

You know as well as I a massive sale of stock will panic the markets.

And some of our clients have their entire savings invested with us.

If enough shareholders got together, they could force the company to appoint a steadier hand.

Confidence could be restored.

(men murmuring) ♪ ♪ JOLYON: Excellent-- anything else?

(men murmur) Have a good day.

Onward.

(men talking in background) Obviously, we'll sell?

Obviously.

♪ ♪ Your mother is very beautiful.

Well... (chuckles) I don't take after her.

Perhaps you favor your father?

Oh, stepfather.

Is he a good one?

Oh, the best.

Without him, I'd have ran away to sea.

(chuckles) What would you be, if you could choose?

Free.

To go where I like, meet who I want.

Choose my own gowns.

(both chuckle) And you?

Would you be anything other than the "best-kept secret in London"?

(scoffs) I'm content.

Hm.

♪ ♪ (sighs) (ship's bell ringing, waves lapping) ♪ ♪ (paper crumples) JAMES: My father was a visionary in every way, except for one fatal flaw: his insistence that the company be passed from eldest son to eldest son, regardless of merit or aptitude.

Ridiculous.

Oh, my brother's had his moments.

The company's prospered.

But as for Jo, our so-called heir apparent, well... Far inferior to you in every way.

Still, there's a long way to go before my uncle dies.

And by that time... Jo's utter unfitness for leadership will be clear.

Whereas you will have demonstrated your credentials.

(inhales deeply) (people calling in background) (piano playing) (piano continues) (piano continues) (piano continues) (exhaling) (exhales) (piano continues) (exhaling) (exhales, piece ends) (Heron clapping) (laughing) Papa!

(laughs) Oh.

You are more like your mother than you know.

(laughs) She used to tell me we had too much fire.

I almost wish I didn't.

When she died, I wanted you to have a less fraught profession, but now I think I was wrong.

Had we stayed in Paris, you would not have had to scratch about London for tuition.

(coughs softly) But then I would not have met your dear stepmother.

And then where would we be?

Lost.

(chuckles) Entirely without the sanity of an outside perspective.

My dear.

The ballet, it's simply... Not a respectable profession?

Well, you can't deny it attracts women of ill repute.

And artists.

Of which my mother was one.

And so must you be.

(laughs) (Heron chuckles) Madame Lanner says there's no more she can teach me here.

Hm.

She thinks I should return to Paris, take my chance with the corps de ballet.

Mm.

If they'll have me.

Hm.

As for further securing our heritage, it's high time you were seeking an advantageous match.

Oh.

♪ ♪ (inhales) ♪ ♪ (Heron groaning) (groaning) Papa?

Papa, what is it?

Your heart again?

CLARISSA: I knew it.

I knew it!

I said we shouldn't go out-- you were told to stay indoors and keep still.

JAMES: I'll see you at home.

IRENE: Here, Papa, lean on me.

May I be of assistance?

Oh, sir!

How thoughtful-- my husband has taken a turn.

Here, permit me.

You're very kind.

May I call you a carriage?

Where do you live?

Putney-- how generous of you, Mr....?

Forsyte.

Forsyte?

Forsyte?

Yes.

Of Fitzalan Terrace?

(Heron gasps) (groaning) Clarissa Heron.

Honored to make your acquaintance.

And yours-- wait here.

I'll fetch you a carriage.

So obliging of you, sir.

SOAMES: Uh, let me give you my card, Miss...?

Uh, Heron-- Irene.

♪ ♪ Soames Forsyte.

A pleasure.

♪ ♪ Tell me about your day.

Mm.

I was measured for my gown.

And Mama told me who was coming to my ball.

Anyone you know?

A few dull cousins and a torrent of "people who matter."

(both chuckle) No doubt you'll be flounced up like a meringue and served up for dessert.

(laughs) (door opens) You guessed.

I brought you these, Grandmama.

Oh, sweet boy.

Mm.

Oh.

Show Grandmama the drawing.

(groans softly) (June inhales) JUNE: Isn't it wonderful?

(exhales) Don't encourage him.

No, seriously.

Don't.

It isn't that the Forsytes dislike art.

They understand its value, provided they can buy it and sell it.

Just they don't care for the artists.

And they certainly don't wish to be related to them.

♪ ♪ Do we really have to be thinking of a match for June?

The darling girl is an asset, to be deployed strategically.

As I was.

Hand-picked to ready you for rule.

(chuckles) If only I was the ruling type.

You are, my love.

♪ ♪ (gasping softly) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ HOLLY: Are you coming, Mama?

You said you'd read to us.

I will, my darlings, let me just finish this.

♪ ♪ (Heron breathing heavily) You must write to Madame Grasse in Montmartre.

Hopefully, she'll have a room.

(voice trembling): Yes, Papa, but my first priority is to get you well again.

Never compromise.

You hold fast to your passion.

You have the means to pursue it in my will.

♪ ♪ Why are you saying this?

♪ ♪ There, there.

Set me a place.

(Cyril barks) Frances omitted to order tripe, and I cannot abide breakfast without offal.

(James sighs) (clears throat softly) (Cyril barks) Sir Jimmy Buckland's had electric lamps installed at his house.

MONTY: Blighter must be coining it in!

I believe your brother's considering them for next door.

(inhales) Look into it, Soames.

(exhales) I'll be damned if he gets them before we do.

(conversations continue faintly) ♪ ♪ (sniffles) Well, you must be delighted.

The will is entirely weighted in your favor.

Purely to cover my expenses in Paris.

But your share amply covers the lease on this house.

With no change to your manner of living.

(sniffs) (sighs) ♪ ♪ (priest speaking in background) ♪ ♪ (sighing) ♪ ♪ My sincere condolences.

I saw the notice and felt compelled to pay my respects.

(exhales) That's so kind of you.

He was my dearest friend.

I hope family and friends will rally round.

My stepmother is my only family.

Oh.

Mr.

Forsyte!

(people talking in background) Oh, we are bereft.

I doubt we shall ever recover.

If there's anything I can do... There is.

My husband's financial affairs.

They're quite baffling.

Any light you could shed... I'm entirely at your service.

(chuckles) LOUISA: So, what I've done is create the impression of a corset, but without the whalebone structure.

Where did you learn all this?

Oh, I used to be a lady's maid and had to repair her dresses.

Mm.

Then, when I came to London, I took in mending and set up as a seamstress.

HOLLY: Are you coming, Mama?

LOUISA: Oh, uh, excuse me.

We normally have tea at this hour.

Would you like to join us?

Oh, well, yes, please.

I'm ravenous.

(chuckles) (kids chuckle) ♪ ♪ JUNE: What I'd give for your life.

It's so simple.

Thank you.

Straightforward.

(chuckles) Honestly, you don't know how lucky you are.

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ Signature here.

And have you had chance to look over the contracts for the Blackfriars purchase?

Remind me.

Land adjacent to the river acquired by the company with a view to development.

Oh, yes, canny piece of business.

This is your doing, Jo tells me.

Well, I can't take all the credit.

As the firm's attorney, your judgment is highly regarded, Mr.

Cole.

(talking in background) SOAMES: Please come in.

Oh, thank you.

♪ ♪ Any savings?

Property?

My father's wealth was largely in shares.

He was retired and lived off the dividends.

SOAMES: Ah, yes.

Yes, I see.

(sighs) ♪ ♪ Would you excuse me for a moment?

(men talking in background) ♪ ♪ Any update on the Durham share price?

Uh, yes, as a matter of fact.

Congratulations.

You did it.

You offloaded every share.

You went behind my back, knowing we had agreed to try and save the company.

I considered it the best course of action.

Did you?

Leaving no time to finalize a rescue package.

So the company has collapsed.

It has.

JO: Which you knew would happen, and still you went ahead with it, disregarding all the consequences.

The consequences are that I've succeeded in protecting the bulk of our clients.

♪ ♪ Do you have a moment to look at some contracts?

(exhales) (door closes) (exhales) So, I see that the majority of Professor Heron's estate was invested in a mining company.

The Durham Mining Company?

Yes.

Hm.

(smacks lips) ♪ ♪ Ruined, utterly.

(hissing): How could your father let this happen?

As Mr.

Forsyte explained, stock rises and falls-- it's no one's fault.

But how are we to live?

We cannot entertain, pay calls, even leave the house without risking ignominy.

And I cannot go to Paris.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (inhales) ♪ ♪ (grunting) (exhales) Well.

Shall we go and pay our weekly homage to the emperor?

JAMES: Hm.

I'd pay a fortune not to endure my brother's wittering.

(chuckles) All smiles for Grandmama?

Mm.

(chuckles) (door opens) I was thinking to go to Bath next month.

What nonsense-- Harrogate's far superior, if you really know your waters.

Hm, is this... (knife tapping) Sure this is real Old Worcester?

(Jolyon chuckles) (softly): Think my brother's been diddled.

(both chuckle) ♪ ♪ FRANCES: The Carterets and Latimers have confirmed.

Yeah.

But for some reason, the Armstrongs have sent their regrets.

JO: I can think of a few reasons.

Four pits, 2,000 jobs, and a family in mourning.

Need we revisit this?

Oh!

I realize it's, uh, inconvenient to be reminded.

We can't afford to be sentimental.

Can we afford to be human?

♪ ♪ (footsteps retreating) (breathes deeply) Do excuse us.

♪ ♪ (footsteps retreating) Disagreement at the office.

Yes-- usual story.

Soames the pragmatist, Jo the hothead.

Most unseemly.

Sets a very poor example to the clerks.

♪ ♪ (exhales) Will you ever learn?

(chuckles) I shouldn't think so.

(piano playing Bach's Prelude No.

1) (piano stops) Dear boy.

(inhales) Just can't help himself.

He's too impulsive by half.

For the firm or the world in general?

Both.

Ours is a cutthroat business.

And Soames, you see, and James, they are hardheaded, whereas Jo is... Led by the heart?

But to prosper, truly, as we have done, one has to be cold, unsentimental.

(breathes deeply) As I have been my whole life.

And yet, lately, I have regretted sometimes.

(exhales) Well... Easy to say when one has amassed a great fortune.

I believe the boy has the makings of a fine leader.

Once he has acquired a little more... Ruthlessness?

(chuckles) Yes.

Of course, I know little of business, but might there ever be a circumstance or a need for Jolyon to step up, would he then not see the necessity of acquiring a little more steel?

Quite possibly.

Whilst absolutely retaining his principles.

So, what would this circumstance be?

♪ ♪ (horse nickers) ♪ ♪ The sheer extravagance of this ball.

Of my life, of, of this place... I'm glad you're aware of the advantages you've been given.

But I wish we were poor.

My dressmaker in Soho, her life, it's simple.

She works hard, she's an artist, but she answers to no one.

No strictures, no rules, no obligation to marry well.

There's no obligation to marry at all.

Isn't there?

In this family?

(sighs) (footsteps retreating) Grandmama.

Uncanny, how like you she is.

And not even a Forsyte born.

So, she might still escape.

(chuckling): Will you?

♪ ♪ On my wedding day, I stood in this very room, brimming with hope, my whole life ahead of me.

(chuckles) And then?

I became a Forsyte.

♪ ♪ (horse nickers) You won't be content till we haven't a stick to sit on.

What choice do we have?

How else do you propose to shore up our future?

♪ ♪ There are other ways that don't involve beggaring ourselves.

Especially when one is in one's prime.

(clears throat) (humming) (men exclaiming) (horses snorting) ♪ ♪ (panting): Have we some appointment?

I wasn't aware... Oh, good heavens.

(men shouting) Is that... It's... Mr.

Forsyte.

Did he invite us?

♪ ♪ (grunts, mallet hits ball) (men exclaiming) ♪ ♪ (horses snorting) (grunts) (mallet hits) ♪ ♪ (men laughing and exclaiming) ♪ ♪ (laughing) (clears throat) (calling): Hello?

Take this.

Huh.

Mrs.

Heron.

Miss Heron.

So good of you to come.

Marvelous sport, polo.

I've long been a fan.

I like to keep active.

Desk work is stifling.

Yes.

Do you enjoy sports, Miss Heron?

Tennis and archery are my favorites.

Hm.

Mm-hmm.

May I offer you some tea?

How delightful.

(exhales) So, tonight.

At what hour?

Leave it to me.

I know how to time things for maximum effect.

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ (June sighs) (footsteps approaching) Well?

Show me.

I realize it's the function of youth to aggravate its elders, but could you occasionally resist the impulse and allow me to take some pleasure in my child?

Can you?

Do you?

Contrary to what you might think, often.

And if I seem to dictate, that is only because I was also once your age and I thought I knew best.

And did you?

I did not.

So, humor me.

And allow me sometimes to offer you the benefit of hindsight.

As long as you allow me to make my own mistakes.

I will try.

And now may I see?

♪ ♪ (laughs) (gasps) (wine spilling) (exhales) LOUISA: Oh, no, Hannah, it's impossible.

I, I can't.

There's a carriage here waiting to take you.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (door opens) It will take time-- I must replace the entire panel.

Please be as quick as you can.

The guests will soon be arriving.

(footsteps retreating) (piano playing) (talking in background) SERVANT: Sir Stanley and Lady Carteret.

Miss Olivia and the Honorable Horatio Carteret.

Mr.

and Mrs.

Isaac Cole.

(piano continues) (Olivia laughs) And what are Horatio's plans after Cambridge?

I hope we'll see more of him in London.

My grandson and his sister have a very full calendar, as I'm sure you'll appreciate.

OLIVIA: Mr.

Forsyte.

She'd do very well for you.

Elevate us no end.

Not wishing to upstage June's occasion, but Mrs.

Cole and I have some news.

(laughs) The Cole dynasty is about to produce an heir.

That's tremendous.

(both chuckling) Any advice?

On fatherhood?

I hardly think I'm the expert.

June might disagree.

SERVANT: Sir, Miss June is on her way.

Would you excuse me?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (laughs) SERVANT: Miss June Forsyte.

(guests cooing and applauding) (dance tune playing) (piece continues) (piece continues faintly) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (guests applauding) Lord, he was dull as ditchwater.

(chuckling) Will you dance with me?

Oh, I don't think I should.

Your mother has a whole list of eligibles lined up.

Please!

Come on!

(dance tune begins) (piece continues) (guests talking and laughing) (piece continues) (guests laugh and exclaim) (piece continues) (piece ends, champagne cork pops) (guests cheer, applaud) (guests talking in background) (glass ringing) (conversations stop) My dear friends and family... ...we are here to celebrate our beloved June.

(guests applaud, June chuckles) Her entry into society.

For what is life but a series of entrances and exits?

(sighs softly) As one steps out, another steps aside.

As chairman of Forsyte and Co., I have labored long for the greater glory in our little empire.

But now I am wondering, has the time come for me to pass over the reins to my son Jo?

(guests murmuring) I tell you this now not to distract from your special day, but to rather augment it.

A double celebration, if you will.

To my son and granddaughter, both stepping up.

♪ ♪ (guests applauding) ♪ ♪ Mrs.

Byrne?

Mrs.

Byrne, a moment.

There's someone I want you to meet.

Papa-- Papa.

(breathes deeply) May I introduce you to a new friend... (voice fading): ...the most wonderful dressmaker, Mrs.

Louisa Byrne.

♪ ♪ JUNE (audio resuming): I have to speak with my cousins.

♪ ♪ Uh... I... I hope June is pleased with her gown.

How are you here?

Your wife came to my shop.

How long have you been... In Soho?

A long time.

And are you married?

Widowed.

Since when?

Many years.

And you didn't think to tell me?

(exhales softly) Our lives are very different now.

I... I must go.

(footsteps retreating) ♪ ♪ (panting) Louisa.

After I left Venice, you, you promised to write.

It was a difficult time, we were traveling.

I had no way of reaching you.

Nothing could ever have come of it.

I was a lady's maid.

You were the heir to a dynasty.

I loved you.

You would not have been allowed to love me.

I must go.

God bless you, Jo.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ An interesting decision.

But you approve?

Are you prepared?

Is he?

My brother would never have come to this alone.

It's her doing.

And hats off to her.

A man needs an ambitious wife if he's to scale the heights.

Wasted mission, of course.

The firm will go to the dogs with him in charge.

He's simply never had the killer instinct.

No matter.

Others do.

Hm.

♪ ♪ (door opens) (footsteps approaching) So... Had you the least idea?

Your father's announcement.

Oh, yes.

What on earth possessed him?

I never knew him to be so impulsive.

One wonders what he was like in his youth.

(chuckles) Quite feral, I should imagine.

Not unlike yourself.

Me?

Well, rumor has it, on your Grand Tour, you blazed across Europe, leaving a trail of broken hearts.

And why not?

We all deserve our moments of madness.

♪ ♪ And then we grow up.

And then we grow up.

♪ ♪ (gasps softly) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Don't move.

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ (birds chirping) (carriage stopping) (door opens) (church bell ringing in distance) (horse nickers) (knocks) SOAMES: My apologies for calling unannounced.

I'm afraid my stepmother's out.

May I tell her you called?

By all means.

Forgive my presumption, but since I first met you and Mrs.

Heron, well, I suspect you've noticed where my attentions have been directed.

I have.

(both chuckle) And may I just say my stepmother is an admirable woman.

(stammering): Your stepmother?

Yes.

(both chuckle) I, I sense perhaps a, a slight confusion.

Admirable as Mrs.

Heron is... (chuckles) ...she is not in fact the primary motivation for my visit.

Ah.

Miss Heron, I'm aware that your life must be in turmoil.

The loss of your father, your financial difficulties.

All I ask is to be considered a friend, a... a companion.

To me?

To you.

(exhales) Will you allow that?

A friend would be most welcome.

(both chuckle) Hm.

(people calling in background) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ LOUISA: And, if you do your lessons well, perhaps when I've finished Miss Carteret's gown, we might go to the park and eat ices.

(gasps) Oh, may we, please?

(laughs) (knock at door) Oh, that'll be the laundress.

I'll get it.

Thank you, Hannah.

♪ ♪ (door opens, bell rings) FRANCES: Forgive me.

(door closes) I was passing and I wanted to thank Miss Byrne for saving the day last night.

HANNAH: Absolutely, Mrs.

Forsyte.

LOUISA: Oh!

You're more than welcome.

So... You've been in London for ten years now.

And before that?

Ireland, as a lady's maid.

And Europe?

Did you ever travel?

Italy, perhaps?

Uh, well, I, um... HOLLY: Mama, look at this picture.

Oh, who are these charming persons?

I'm Holly.

I'm Jos.

We're twins.

JOS: But I'm the oldest.

Only just.

And the tallest.

HOLLY: Nobody cares.

(Jos scoffs) Jos?

Is that... JOS: It's what Mama calls me.

Although my proper name's Jolyon.

♪ ♪ Well, I'm delighted to meet you both.

And thank you again for last night.

Turned out to be quite the occasion.

♪ ♪ (door opens) (panting softly) (door closes) JUNE: How can anyone not marry for love?

Because love is only part of what makes a marriage.

You have luxury, the chance to make your mark on London society.

I take calculated risks.

Ah, like chancing your happiness with someone you barely know.

JO: I could have gone on living a comfortable, privileged life if you hadn't walked into that room.

Was I supposed to be your guilty secret?

♪ ♪ The thing to tip the scales against him.

Just as we're in touching distance of everything we've worked for.

Trust me, I have a plan.

You must do what you think best.

♪ ♪ Am I permitted a mind of my own?

Wild things should never be kept in cages.

June, what are you doing?

Following my heart.

Oh, dear.

So, the hunt is on.

Will it be a chase or a trap?

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♪ ♪