Beyond the Mask Page #2

Only if it is a good one.

Charlotte! Blast the devil's luck.

I'm sorry, I didn't know

if you could swim!

Thank you! I can't!

You're soaking! Let me walk you home.

Yes! I think that would be a good idea.

Good evening, Reverend.

Or is it... "parson"?

I get them confused.

Come to the fire where I can see you.

So, he sent you for me.

No.

We thought you were dead.

So imagine my surprise when I found you

back from the dead.

See, you have put me

in an awkward position, Will.

I do have my allegiance

with Charles Kemp to consider.

So, what are you offering?

I do have a few items that...

could destroy him...

- if in the right hands.

- I'm listening.

I have the Parliamentary Report

from Rajid.

Not the one Kemp doctored,

but the real one.

With all the names, dates,

financial transactions, it's all there.

So, you negotiate the deal with him,

and I'll split the amount with you.

Well, this is remarkable. I assumed a man

of the cloth would use a report like that

to expose the evil wrought by Mr. Kemp.

But you aren't a man of the cloth,

are you, Will?

I have found a new life.

A vicar?

Isn't that an absurd mask

for you to wear?

What if it's not a mask?

So, you have told her who you are.

Why don't you?

And see what the lady

thinks of you then.

Your hands are stained with blood.

I'm asking you...

please...

take the report...

and leave.

I will.

Along with your carcass...

and whatever reward he gives me.

Hell's been waiting

a very long time for you,

Will Reynolds.

You think you're better than me?

Mother.

How did you know

that Father was the right one?

Why do you ask?

Is this about our vicar?

You've grown very fond of him, I know.

He is a gentleman.

And... intelligent and...

enjoyable in conversation.

So full of surprises.

Do you love him?

I could...

I might.

But there is something

that beguiles me about him.

When I wish with all my heart

that we would move forward...

I stop.

All of his good words...

there's something missing.

Because sometimes he speaks of God

as a distant acquaintance,

not as an intimate friend.

It's times like these I...

I do miss Father terribly.

You could speak with your uncle

when he comes at Christmas.

Can't you wait until then?

There's no reason to rush.

I simply cannot make a decision

about America without...

resolving my feelings for Steven first.

But you aren't a man

of the cloth, are you, Will?

You are the same man you've always been.

Your hands are stained with...

Please. Please show me what I must do.

- Charlotte.

- Is everything all right?

No.

It's not all right.

There are things about me that...

I'm not the man that...

That is to say that in my past, I...

Before I came to Adlesbury...

I was not trained as a vicar.

The quality of your training

has been a question.

What I mean to say, though, is...

I'm not worthy of you.

I know of no man who is.

Certainly, you deserve better

than anything that I can...

I'm not a good man.

But I decided to be.

The thought of losing you,

it's more than I can bear.

You embody God's mercy for me.

It's a mercy that I'm beginning

to appreciate, though...

I don't deserve it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is...

please don't go to America.

I don't want to be separated from you.

Ms. Charlotte Holloway, I...

Will you consent to be my wife?

- Mr. Walters...

- Please don't... Don't call me that.

I'm sorry. Steven.

I... I cannot.

But... that is to say, I...

I cannot give you an answer yet.

Not because I do not wish to say yes,

because I do.

But I don't...

fully trust myself...

to make a decision

of this importance alone.

Charlotte, I... I will do anything.

Will you meet my uncle at Christmas?

Yes. Yes, of course.

I would like that.

With his approval,

I will be most happy to agree.

Thank you. Thank you. I...

I am honored.

Thank you, Steven.

Good night, Ms. Charlotte.

Good night.

Steven! Are you coming along?

Yes, of course.

My uncle can hardly wait to see you.

Now? Before the service?

- Would you rather we wait?

- No. No, now will do.

Thank you! Uncle!

Steven, this is my Uncle Charles.

Uncle Charles, Steven Walters.

Charlotte, my dear,

would you mind leaving us?

We... we need to talk man-to-man.

I'll wait.

- You astonish me, Will.

- Then we are in good company.

Oi! Form up! We're needed at the church.

You are no man of peace! Or is this a...

Not my niece!

Good heavens, man, do you really think

that you can have a life...

Charles, I beg of you.

If only for the sake of old loyalties,

- my service to you in India, all I have...

- She's not your sort!

She is a good person.

Would she be surprised if I showed her the

uncorrected Parliamentary Report I possess?

You threaten me, you dog?

Steven, Uncle Charles, Mother's worried.

What's the matter?

Charlotte, my dear,

it grieves me that this scoundrel

has lied his way into your affections.

What?

Our paths have crossed before in India!

- Charlotte, I can explain.

- He is a liar...

- And I have changed because of you.

- He is an impostor...

- And he is a murderer.

- I'm sorry, I don't understand.

I told you, Reverend Walters

had a past you didn't know of.

But you are neither Reverend

nor are you Walters.

You are the infamous scoundrel...

- William Reynolds!

- Charlotte, please.

- Guards!

- I can explain!

- Come, my dear. Come. Guards, quickly!

- Open this door!

- Come on!

- Steven!

- This is not who I am!

- No! Wait!

Hey! There he is!

Move along!

Get out of the way!

Let's go! Yeah!

Should we pursue?

No need. I have something that he wants.

He will come to me.

How did you know I needed help?

East India Company.

When I stayed with their horses, I...

I saw their weapons and I knew.

I grabbed these for you.

Escape while you can.

You can't undo the damage done.

No.

I have to.

He's taken everything from me.

Ms. Charlotte will not be moved

by revenge.

I'm so sorry...

You shouldn't have saved me.

My life wasn't worth your sacrifice.

Redemption,

not revenge.

There's only one man with the power

to make you new.

God...

if you'll help me redeem my name,

I will lay aside revenge.

Let me show Charlotte that I can change.

Because of her.

I'm so sorry, Charlotte,

but William is dead.

- It's not here.

- Keep searching.

Charlotte, your uncle's evil

made me into William Reynolds.

But now, he will be my opportunity.

I will prove to you

that I am a different man.

I will dismantle his plans

piece by piece.

I will create a new reputation

honorable enough...

to save me from my past.

- Can I help you, sir?

- Yes, please.

I'm looking for... Benjamin Franklin.

If you're looking for Mr. Franklin,

you'll find him at the shop.

Occasional incompetence

may be overlooked,

but yours persists at a level

worthy of Parliament.

No, my good man, my decision is final.

I must let you go.

- Good day, sir.

- And good day to you, sir.

And don't be a stranger...

to other establishments in town.

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