Love & Friendship Page #8

aged parents eludes you.

- Don't tease him, father.

- It's a father's right.

- You'll have him fleeing back to London.

- No risk of that, I assure you.

London holds no charm for me.

Oh, you've realized that?

Good.

Never appealed to me at all.

Dirty, noisy, noxious gases.

Soot.

I don't see the point of towns.

Far better to live on one's own land.

Everyone should.

I'm afraid this relates

to my sister-in-law.

Yes, sister.

Congratulations on your

entire vindication.

On the contrary, I don't

seem out of danger at all.

- I assuredly am.

- What's the matter?

What's happened?

I don't understand.

Reginald, dear, Frederica

has prepared a charming piece.

Help me persuade her to sing it for us.

No, you are too kind, Lady DeCourcy.

I am not ready.

Excuse me, Miss Vernon.

Mother, as much as I'd like to, I'm afraid

I'm too tired to be a suitable audience.

If you'll excuse me.

No, you must stay. Frederica's a

song-bird. Never heard anything like it.

Don't deny us this pleasure, my dear.

Reginald, we need you to insist.

- As I said...

- No, I'm sorry. Excuse me.

You must play it, my dear.

Please.

The Kentish Nightingale, I call her.

Voice is remarkable,

even to my hearing.

She must have it

from her mother's side.

Lady Susan's voice is a clear,

natural soprano, lovely.

Beautiful.

- [ horses approaching ]

- It is, is it?

- Do you expect visitors, mother?

- No. Who would visit us?

Look who's come from London?

What an agreeable surprise.

Excuse me for arriving this way.

What a delightful family pose.

Yes, it is the season

for families to unite.

So it's especially welcome

to have you here.

Thank you, Charles.

I do hope that recognizing

a mother's anxiety

to see her child, you might

excuse my abruptness.

Nothing to excuse.

Sir Reginald, Lady DeCourcy,

might I introduce my

sister-in-law, Lady Susan Vernon.

Enchant.

Please, forgive this intrusion.

Now that I'm fixed in town, I

can't rest with Frederica away.

- Isn't such anxiety new?

- Yes, it is, I entirely agree.

But now I'm in London where the

instruction Frederica needs

can so readily be found.

Her voice has some promise.

Some? She's a veritable songbird.

The Kentish Nightingale, I call her.

Do you?

Is this really Kent?

Delightful.

You're right sir, Frederica

has the native talent

a bird might, but those few

notes can get repetitive.

But mama, couldn't I stay?

But mama, couldn't I stay?

Charming.

I thank you, dear sister, for making

Frederica feel so at home and welcome

wherever she goes.

I've secured you a lesson

with Signor Valtroni.

Where the grand affair

of education is concerned,

there's no excuse

for half-measures.

Isn't it key, sir,

to cultivate her voice?

- A nightingale, didn't you say?

- Yes, that's right.

The Kentish Nightingale, I call her.

Delightful appellation, and perhaps,

with a teacher such as Signor Valtroni,

it could even become true.

- Frederica, have you your things?

- Leave for London now?

We'd so looked forward to

having Frederica with us.

How remarkable.

Only a few weeks ago it was hard

to find anywhere for Frederica.

Now the world fights for her company.

Astonishing.

Astonishing that she was neglected

then, or is fought over now?

Excellent observation, dear sister,

but I will stop now,

because I know how my daughter

hates to be praised.

How are you, sir?

I hope well.

We should go.

Excuse me, mama.

I must collect my things.

Yes, you must.

We cannot buy a new wardrobe

for each displacement.

That poor girl.

Did you see her face?

I must talk to her and remind her that

she will always have a home with us.

Or with us.

If you are referring to the past,

I doubt her mother will

again risk misinterpretation.

Henceforth, we can rest assured that

Lady Susan will make clear to Frederica

the consideration and affection

which guide her actions.

I have not gone to

the trouble of retrieving

Frederica from Parklands

to again be thwarted.

Maria Manwaring may sob, Frederica may

whimper, and the Vernons may storm,

but Sir James will be Frederica's

husband before the winter is out.

- You brilliant creature.

- Thank you, my dear.

I am done submitting my will

to the caprices of others.

Of resigning my own

judgment and deference

to those to whom I owe no duty

and have very little respect.

Too easily have I

let my resolve weaken.

Frederica shall know the difference.

You're too indulgent with the girl.

Why let Frederica have him when

you could grab him yourself?

Sir James?

Yes, I know your unselfish nature,

but can you afford to bestow

Sir James on Frederica

while having no Sir James of your own?

Madam, Mr. Johnson sends word

he returns to dine.

Thank you.

- How insulting.

- The opposite.

I don't doubt your ability to get

DeCourcy whenever you want him.

But is he really worth having?

Isn't his father just the sort of

enraging old man who will live forever?

And how will you survive?

On the allowance that Frederica

as Lady Martin might grant you?

As guests at Churchill?

I'd rather be married to my own husband

than dependent on the

hospitality of others.

We must protect her. Not just for her

own sake, but for her dear late father's.

What can we do?

We must find the argument to persuade

her mother it's in her best interest,

which, of course, is her only guide.

That will mean a trip to London.

Fortunately, Charles must have some

business there to justify such a trip.

What a marvelous husband

you have, my dear.

Charles seems to live to oblige.

It's true.

I've been lucky.

Charles always seems to have some pretext

or other for doing just what's wanted.

[ humming ]

Dearest, I believe you have

pressing business in London.

Oh, um, yes.

Frederica?

You're so kind to visit.

Frederica will be delighted.

And how are the children?

Especially my dear Frederick.

Very well, thank you.

Frederica, come and see who's here.

I can't express my gratitude for

the hospitality you've extended us.

Not at all.

Our great pleasure.

- Hello, Frederica.

- Good afternoon, my dear.

- Hope you're well.

- Thank you.

Oh, it's so good to see you.

Frederica, why don't you

go upstairs and play a piece?

Select something charming to show your

aunt and uncle what you've studied.

With pleasure.

You'll see the strides

she's been making.

Oh, do mind your head.

Frederica plays all the new music.

Haydn, Himmel.

Bernadini.

Carabini.

Do sit down.

So you're happy with

the progress she's making?

Yes.

Only in a city such as London, I believe,

could she have had such instruction.

Well, if Frederica is making

such good progress in London,

that complicates matters.

What complication would that be?

We'd hoped that Frederica

might return to Churchill.

She's greatly missed,

especially by the little ones.

Oh, what a moving sentiment

of cousinly regard.

But my concern, my obligation,

is to see the defects in

Frederica's education repaired.

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