The Duchess Page #2

It's hardly the end of the world.

- Are you expecting me to look after her?

- We have a house full of vacant rooms.

She needn't bother you.

In fact, she may even be of use to you.

You can practice your mothering skills,

until our son arrives.

No, this doesn't taste

like normal mutton.

I'm sure there is something the matter

with it. Could you take it away?

Does it taste like normal mutton?

Does it taste like normal mutton?

Come here.

Think it tastes like normal mutton,

fussy dog?

Who's a fussy mutton dog?

Does your doll have a name?

I bet you

she loves being in her new bedroom.

You'll have to think of a name

and let me know tomorrow.

Do you think

you'll be able to do that, Charlotte?

I...

- Would you leave us, please?

- Your Grace.

Hello, Charlotte.

My name is Georgiana.

- Good evening.

- Thank you.

Good evening, ladies.

An inch more and I do believe

Your Grace will explode.

Sheridan always knows

how to pay a compliment.

Still a few more weeks to wait.

A huge belly has never been

more becoming on anyone.

Well, Fox, here, offers an expert opinion

seeing, as he does, a giant belly

every time he passes a mirror.

If your belly were on a woman, well,

we'd all know what to think.

My dear Sheridan,

an hour ago my belly was on a woman.

Now what do you think?

That will teach you to insult Mr. Fox

before the gaming has begun.

It's very good.

No more bets, please.

Seven.

Her Grace wins again.

Another wager?

- Are you all right, Your Grace?

- Your Grace!

Are those labor pains?

My wife is in labor.

Come along.

I think this calls for a toast.

I may have an heir

before the night is out.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I give you the sixth Duke of Devonshire.

The sixth Duke of Devonshire!

- Your Grace.

- I am in no mood for a conversation.

But, pray tell me, is my daughter...

Is your daughter at all able

to give me a son?

Take heart, Your Grace.

As long as the mother is in good health,

consider this mishap a draft,

a promise of what is soon to come.

- In our family, we...

- Yes, I know, in your family,

in your family.

Your Grace.

Can you see the light? Can you see it?

- Darling, how are you?

- Quite well.

- Is she strong and healthy?

- She's perfect.

- Did William receive you?

- Yes.

Is he upset that she's not a son?

He just glanced at her and then left.

I've hardly seen him since.

It's been a difficult time for His Grace,

my dear.

Many eyes are upon him

and not all of them kind.

She is the loveliest.

- Nurse?

- No, I will feed her.

- Are you sure, darling?

- Yes.

I am her mother, after all,

even if she is only a girl.

There.

Hell and damnation!

It is always a pleasure

when one is on holiday

to request a few words of wisdom.

And so without further ado,

it is a great honor to hand over

to our most distinguished guest.

When she arrives,

all eyes are upon her.

When absent, she is the subject

of universal conversation.

And what we see her wearing tonight,

I look forward to seeing

the rest of you wearing tomorrow!

The empress of fashion herself,

the Duchess of Devonshire.

We come away to Bath

to get away from London,

and all of London

has come away to Bath.

Somebody did indeed ask me

what kind of feather it is

that I'm wearing.

Well, there are only two specimens

of this rare bird known to man.

One of them has clearly ended up

on top of my head.

And the other, rumor has it,

is running for office in the Tory Party.

Bess Foster.

Excuse me.

- I don't believe we've been introduced.

- No, we haven't. Lady Elizabeth Foster.

- I saw you talking with my husband.

- Yes. He wanted to dance.

That's not usually considered his forte.

And you declined?

I'm ill at ease with male company

for the moment.

Thank you.

So what brings you to Bath?

My husband, Mr. Foster,

is enjoying his mistress in Bournemouth

and I wanted some diversion. And you?

The Duke is taking the waters

for his gout.

- And I for my health.

- Really?

I heard you were here

because you could not conceive a son.

I beg your pardon,

that was an awful thing to say.

It was the truth, at least.

Trust me to say something silly.

I always do, you know.

Then perhaps you should

have accepted the Duke's offer.

You have much in common.

Home, I think, Georgiana.

- Where are you staying?

- I've rented some rooms in town.

- We must meet again.

- We must.

Harryo. Come here. Come here.

Did that hurt?

- Mama.

- My angel.

Are you sore? Was that sore?

Let me have a look. Was it this knee?

I think you shall live.

Right. First to the bridge on my count.

One, two, three. Go.

Come on, Harryo.

- No, I'm gonna catch her!

- I'm gonna catch you!

Up and down. Up and down.

Why can't we recover like that?

It's too far to fall now.

- Hello again.

- Hello. Your girls are lovely.

- Thank you. Do you have any children?

- I do. Three boys.

Three boys.

What the Duke wouldn't give

for one of them.

- She is least like you, your eldest.

- Yes. I'm sure you know the story.

My husband's daughter was born

before we married.

Her mother was a maid.

The maid died, and we took the child.

- I'm sorry. Have I spoken out of turn?

- No.

It's the worst-kept secret in London.

She's nine years old now.

And you love her?

Of course I do.

The same as all my children.

Come and meet them.

Girls. Come and meet my new friend,

Lady Elizabeth.

- Your Grace.

- Thank you. Thermal water.

It's the sulfur

that makes it smell so bad.

- And you really have to drink it?

- Twice a day for four weeks.

Do you have any reason to believe

you cannot birth a male?

No. Except miscarriages.

Two stillbirths, both sons.

But two healthy girls.

Everybody is staring at you.

What's that on your neck? Bess?

It's not illegal for a man

to beat his wife with a stick

unless the stick is thicker

than his thumb.

Mr. Foster? But he can't have done that!

Well, considering what else

he's done to me, that's not the worst.

What could possibly be worse?

He's taken my children.

He won't let me see them.

- And what do you propose to do?

- Really, I'm at my wits' end.

The law supports Mr. Foster.

In the meantime, where shall you stay?

Continue lodging,

till the money runs out.

Well, there, at least, I think I can help.

William? We leave tomorrow.

And Lady Elizabeth doesn't have

to meet her parents on the continent

for some time.

- She hardly ever visits London at all.

- It's a pity, that.

You see,

she doesn't have anywhere to stay.

Problem there.

Well, why doesn't she stay with us?

For a while, at least.

Thank you.

- This is incredible.

- There's the castle in Ireland.

Bolton Abbey, Chiswick, Burlington

and, why, in Chatsworth, of course.

- Of course.

- Which is much bigger.

But this is more like home.

I'm so glad you're here.

I've arranged a wonderful start

to the season.

May all the plagues of marriage

be doubled on me

if ever I try to be friends

with you anymore!

So much the better.

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