Enchanted April Page #4

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Frederick. "

That's a beautiful dress.

No. I've had it a hundred years.

But you must be very cold in it.

It's easy to catch

a chill here after dark.

You look as though you have

nothing on underneath.

I haven't.

That's very imprudent

and very improper.

There are no men here,

so how can it be improper?

Have you noticed how difficult it is to

be improper when there are no men about.

That's sad, but true.

I've had a wonderful day.

I've decided to invite

someone to stay here.

- What?

- I think he'll like it.

- Who?

- Wilkins.

- Well, that's your name.

- And his.

A relation?

A husband.

I thought you were

a war widow.

Why?

There are so many of them about.

When we were in London,

we agreed that we could invite

one guest each, didn't we?

I don't remember that.

I do, but it's incredible

you should want to.

I thought the whole idea was

to get away from one's friends...

- and husbands.

- And family affection.

- And lack of family affection.

- Really...

It wouldn't be so bad. It would give

a person room to breathe.

No. It would be terrible,

like having no clothes on.

- I like that.

- Really!

It's a good feeling,

getting rid of things.

But it's so cold having

nothing on,

and knowing that you'll never

have anything on again.

You're going to get colder

and colder

until, at last, you die of it.

That's what it's like living with

someone who doesn't love you.

Would you pass me the cream?

But doesn't he love you?

Mellersh? He shows no signs of it.

Delicious.

Oh, really.

I didn't think it was delicious.

I was miserable, and then,

today, I got well.

I can't ever be happy

shutting him out.

I must share.

Now I know exactly what

the blessed damozel felt like.

- Who's the blessed damozel?

- It's a poem.

I'll lend you a copy.

Please, don't.

And the author, Mr. Rosetti,

though not all one would wish,

was frequently invited to

my father's house.

How terrible for you.

That's what my mother's always

doing, inviting authors.

I hate authors, don't you?

Me?

- Well, sometimes.

- I wouldn't mind them so much

if they didn't write books.

Do go on about Mellersh.

Oh, really.

Well, it's all these beds.

Eight beds and only four people.

That's dreadful.

I want Rose to invite

her husband here, too.

- Really.

- Really!

Sorry.

You do realize, of course,

there is only one spare

bedroom in the house.

One?

Who's in all the others?

We are.

There are six rooms.

We have four.

Francesca has the fifth,

and the sixth is empty.

Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

I want to love Mellersh, but

not necessarily spend

every night with him.

Where am I going to put him?

- Isn't one room enough for him?

- Yes, but...

then there won't be room for

anyone that you want to invite.

Well, I shan't want to.

No?

And Rose doesn't count.

She'd want to share

her room with her husband.

It's written all over her.

Lottie!

Really!

Really, what?

Just, really,

Am I to understand

you propose to reserve

the only spare bedroom

for the exclusive use

of your family?

Mellersh isn't my family.

He's my husband.

Well, as nobody seems to want

the room, Mellersh must have it.

I have a friend.

Kate Lumley.

Perhaps you know her?

I wish to invite her to join me.

That settles Mellersh, then.

Afraid you're in for it, Lottie,

unless, of course, he can't come.

No, no.

I... I see him here.

Why am I so restless?

I haven't felt this restless

since I was a child.

It's too absurd for

someone my age.

But look at me.

I can't keep still.

I feel... something is

going to happen.

But I won't let it.

I won't let it.

It's odd how one's mind slips

sideways in a place like this.

I walked without my stick today.

It's very strange.

If you knew me,

you'd know how strange it was.

You can talk to your Kate Lumley

about that when she comes.

Oh, no.

Kate would only look at me

and suggest a cup of tea.

I'm starving.

I've had another wonderful day.

Has the letter gone?

What letter's that?

Inviting her husband here.

Oh, Lottie, don't.

Another one?

Who is her husband?

Mr. Arbuthnot, of course.

I mean what is Mr. Arbuthnot?

My husband.

They bring tra-la,

a summer of roses and wine,

a summer of roses and wine.

And that's what we mean

when we say that the thing

is welcome as flowers

that bloom in the spring...

Caroline's right.

Minds slip sideways.

How could I invite him?

What would we talk about?

The truth is...

I bore him.

And there's no way back.

No. If you bore somebody,

it's almost impossible

to unbore him.

Is that Lady Caroline Dester?

No.

Rose. Mrs. Arbuthnot.

Caroline'll still be in bed.

Caroline?

You call her Caroline?

I must say, Lottie, when

I got your letter

and found you were on holiday

with Lady Caroline Dester

I was impressed.

Isn't it beautiful here,

Mellersh?

You know the Desters are one

of the richest families in England?

For once, Lottie,

you're being really useful.

The air is golden.

Now, first I think

I'll have a bath,

then a shave, then change my clothes,

have a sleep, and then I'll lunch.

Then you can introduce me

to Lady Caroline Dester.

I've planned exactly

what I'm going to say.

Mellersh, I do believe you came

all this way just to see Lady Caroline

and not me.

No. No, my dear.

No, no, no.

No. I came here to see you.

Oh, yes.

If, however, in so doing,

I can improve our business

prospects,

well...

Oh, I don't mind.

You're here.

That's the important thing.

And you'll change.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Out. Out.

I can wash myself,

Thank you very much indeed.

That'll be all.

Thank you.

There you are.

Thank you.

That'll be all.

Blast that bloody bath!

- Oh, my god.

- How do you do?

How do you do?

I'm Caroline Dester.

A.. allow me

to introduce myself.

My name's Mellersh Wilkins.

I'm... I'm afraid I used

unpardonable language.

I thought it most appropriate

in the circumstances.

Mrs. Fisher,

allow me to introduce

Mr. Mellersh Wilkins.

This is Mrs. Fisher.

Always a pleasure to meet

a friend of my wife's.

I... I was just taking a bath.

Oh, I didn't know

'pericoloso' meant explosion.

Otherwise, I would've

remained dirty.

Oh, but now, Mellersh,

you look absolutely spotless.

You look clean enough

to eat dinner off.

Lady Caroline acted with true grace.

And Mrs. Fisher is remarkable,

too, in her way.

A woman of parts

and property, if I'm not mistaken,

who may need my counseling.

Lottie, your friends are splendid.

Splendid.

Why you kept them

a secret is beyond me.

Signora, signora.

Does this good Lady

want something?

- Money.

- Money?

I think she's talking about

the housekeeping bills.

You've nothing to do with

those. You're a guest here.

I'm afraid I'm not.

The four of us are sharing

the expense of this holiday.

I'm paying for my share

out of my nest egg.

You've every right

to be angry with me.

Nonsense.

Well... it's your money,

after all.

And you needed

a holiday like this.

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