The Making of a Lady Page #2

Is that how he became ill?

He's no longer fit for duty.

What will he do now? Is he seeking

other employment?

The truth is my nephew is spoilt.

He's lived in the expectation of

plenty.

If Walderhurst has no children, Alec

is the heir to Polstrey.

The house, the titles, everything.

It won't do, of course, with his malaria

and this wife that he's chosen to bring home.

It seems to be a family trait,

choosing unsuitable wives.

So, you see how important it is that

you do your duty?

Gentlemen, a toast.

Sweethearts and wives.

Sweethearts and wives.

Well, that went off well.

You look... very beautiful in that

dress.

I liked your cousin and his wife.

Indeed.

And I feel for them.

Their circumstances are difficult.

Alec has brought much of it upon

himself.

When I went to deliver the medicine,

the place where they were living was

horrible.

Don't concern yourself with it,

please.

Now, I'm sure you need to rest.

I'll see you at dinner.

Mrs Litton, which way to my room?

This way, Ladyship.

I must say, I am domestic-minded,

Mrs Litton.

I'm looking forward to the challenges

of running such a large establishment.

This is you... Ladyship.

Thank you.

Poor thing. It's injured.

It's all right now. I've got you.

They get trapped in the chimney

sometimes.

I'll take him to one of the girls,

see what we can do for him.

I'm sorry. I forget the effect this house

has on people when they first come here.

The room does have its charms

though.

It's a secret priest hole.

The Walderhurst family hid in here

while parliamentary troops searched

the house during the Civil War.

The only air is from that grille.

And the priest hole links the two

bedrooms.

The air's very close in here.

Yes.

No thank you.

The water is deep in some places,

shallow in others.

The shelves are treacherous. There

are sinkholes.

I insist all my staff learn how to

swim.

I'm afraid...

I don't know how to swim.

I'll teach you.

Checkmate.

How did you learn to play like that?

Your aunt taught me.

I had to let her win.

I'm sorry.

No. I just wasn't expecting it.

We should change for dinner.

Better to not keep Mrs Litton

waiting.

You know, I've been thinking.

Perhaps we ought to ask her if she'll

do a bit of darning.

Good morning.

Ladyship!

I'm sorry to disturb. Mr Litton,

where has Lord Walderhurst gone?

Esquire.

And then he's inspecting the estate

for the rest of the day.

He said to tell you he'll be back

late afternoon.

Well, then, this is a good day for you

and I to explore the house, Mrs Litton.

Oh, not today.

It's my laundry day.

I could help you.

No need to bother yourself.

Emily! What are... What are you

doing here?

What is this place?

Come on. We should go back.

There's something important I have

to tell you.

This famine in India, the regiment

is in dire need of senior men.

You're not going back there, are you?

You are going back.

If he Indian people mutiny,

the regiment will require every

experienced officer they can find.

You've only just got back. You told

me you were seeking retirement.

This is about family honour.

You do understand, don't you?

Take me with you, then.

That's not possible.

I'm sorry.

James...

What?

Your first wife...

Do you mind if you tell me about her?

She was a childhood friend.

We grew up together.

I haven't forgotten her,

but I no longer mourn for her.

That's it.

Now, kick your legs. Kick your legs.

That's it. A little more.

I can't, James!

Isn't it beautiful?

Wonderful.

Come on, more swimming.

No! Come on.

I'm doing it!

Thank you, sir.

Are you going today?

Now? You're going now?

I'm sending this to my bank to instruct

that you can take out any money you require.

I know that we have started our

married life in an unusual fashion,

but I... I hope and I believe that

we...

we have grown to enjoy one another's

company.

You're left-handed.

Yes, I am. I write everything

upside-down and back-to-front.

Do you realise this is the first time

I've seen your handwriting.

I have a favour to ask you.

Anything.

A friend of mine from London, Jane, I would

like her to come here to be my lady's maid.

Of course. Contact her immediately.

In the meantime, let the Littons

guide you.

He knows me and the house. He's

loyal.

Will you write to me?

"Dear James, I hope this letter finds

you well in India.

All is well at Polstrey, but we miss

you.

I miss you."

Ladyship, there are visitors.

Nothing to worry about. You'll be

absolutely fine.

Please forgive the intrusion. We got the

letter and decided to come immediately.

My cousin's been worrying about you.

"Alec, while I'm away in India, can

you ensure that all is well at Polstrey

and that my new wife wants for

nothing?"

How kind of him!

How are you faring?

Well, thank you.

But we have been quiet since Lord

Walderhurst left.

It is good go have company.

The Osborns are staying for lunch.

Tell Mrs Litton, please.

Humph!

I see Litton's lost none of his

charm. Sorry.

He's rather a... rule unto himself.

He's known me since I was a child. He still

talks to me like I'm in knickerbockers.

I hope he treats you with more

respect.

Oh, yes.

I think we'll have another one of

these, Litton.

Hmm?

Mm-hm.

Oh, and Litton...

Thank you. Close the door after you,

will you?

Alec, you are awful!

If you let him get the upper hand,

you're in trouble. He's a bully.

Always has been. He was vile to me

when I first came to live here.

I messed up his precious house.

I felt the back of his hand, I can

tell you.

But I want to forget about those

times.

Here I am... with my beautiful wife,

who doesn't mind where I bring mud

in.

And you,

a wonderful addition to the family.

To us.

To us.

To us.

Oh!

Victory!

Finally. We got there in the end.

We must go.

We're staying in Ashbourne. Don't

want to risk the road at night.

Stay. It would be so lovely for me.

I'll get your suitcases collected

from the village.

One, two, three,

four... Emily, I can see you

peeking... five, six.

Last one to find me is a sardine.

Eight, nine, forty-seven,

forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty!

Beautiful.

Aren't they?

It's one of the things I miss most

about being in the regiment.

When you hold a gun, people treat you

with respect.

This is a nice piece.

Try it.

Put the cartridges

in the cylinders.

Look between the barrels.

That's how you aim.

Now all you have to do is press the

trigger.

My uncle... James's father,

taught me how to shoot when I was a

boy.

Did James warn you off me?

No.

Of course not.

I never expected to get Polstrey.

I always knew he's remarry at some

point and produce heirs.

How he expects to do it with an ocean

between you, God knows.

Jane!

Miss.

You came!

I'd almost given up on you.

So, you were a dresser in a theatre?

Yes.

At the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane.

Jane has worked for some very

well-known actresses.

I'm sure she has, but Polstrey is,

nevertheless, rather a change.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes