[shouting and screaming in background]
[gunshot in distance]
[gunshot]
[yelling and screaming]
- [man grunts] - [woman screams]
- Father? Father! - [yelling and screaming]
[women call out desperately and men yell]
[woman sobs softly]
Who are you, stranger?
John Beecham.
[woman shouts]
[gunshot]
[carriages rattling]
[monkeys chatter]
[foliage rustles]
[woman chants]
[man] Is our new master a nobleman from the south,
or a Rajput from the north?
Is he a vegetarian or a meat-eater?
I do not know, but what does it matter?
As long as this house is once again a home
and your kitchen a palace.
My work is done.
The house is cleansed and blessed
and ready for our new master.
I have had a vision.
He is tall and fair, like a Kashmiri or Pathan.
You will see.
[indistinct chattering]
[low chattering in French]
[carriages rattling]
- [knocking] - Open the gate.
- The new sahib is here. - Huh?
[bolt rattles]
[man calls out]
At last he's here.
[John] Gopal.
Unload, then rest.
At dawn, you leave for Calcutta.
- Sahib. - I told you he was fair.
You said Kashmiri? He is an Englishman.
[whispering]
Welcome to Delhi, sahib.
It is an honour to meet you. I am Baadal.
Pleasure to meet you, Baadal.
[John speaks Hindi]
Mera naam John Beecham ha.
- [gasps softly] - [low murmuring]
This is Ram Lal, trusted servant to...
[baby gurgles]
[low murmuring]
No one mentioned a baby is coming, sahib.
Baadal...
you will learn that I'm a private man.
Now, I should like to see the house.
Of course, sir.
[Baadal] Bring the trunks from the carriage.
[woman] What about the women and baby?
We've only prepared a master's quarters.
Sahib, we have prepared the finest bed chamber
in the house for you.
Where should I take the ladies?
No. The child and his attendants shall have those quarters.
See that they do not want for anything.
Did you see the child? It is not fully European.
[Mool Chand] Our English sahib is enjoying India
and all her pleasures. [chuckles]
Eh?
It will make a fine nursery.
Maya and Chanchal will sleep here.
Ram Lal will attend to them.
Baadal, you will have to prepare another room for my mother.
She is travelling from England and will arrive here very soon.
See she has all the comforts
that an elderly English lady requires.
[Baadal] Travelling alone, sahib?
She must be a very brave lady.
You will discover that one cannot dissuade her,
once her mind is set on any course.
We will treat her like a maharani, sahib.
Quite.
- Please. - [woman] Are you hungry?
Oh.
[birdsong]
[grunts softly]
Good morning, Baadal.
Good morning, sir.
Please, let me show you the garden.
[birdsong]
We'll turn this into a chapel for my mother.
An English chapel?
Very well, sahib.
[John] I have not seen my mother in 12 years.
And now she has invited herself.
A mother cannot live without her son.
That is what my mother tells me every time she see me.
Shukria.
It is an invitation from one...
General Castillon.
Who is he?
Not a good man, sahib.
He's a French mercenary for the Emperor.
He has eyes and ears everywhere.
[lively chattering]
[elephant trumpets]
[soldier shouts orders]
[lively shouting nearby]
[onlookers call out]
[cheering]
Vos armes, monsieur.
It is a great pleasure to meet you, Mr. Beecham.
Or should I say, Lieutenant Beecham?
The pleasure's mine, General Castillon.
I'm surprised...
news of my arrival has travelled so quickly.
It is my duty to inform the Emperor
of any movements of British military men.
I am not who you take me to be.
[Castillon] Oh.
But your time in the East India Company has clearly borne fruit
for you to acquire the house of a grand noble.
General, I am not a representative
of the East India Company.
Nor am I any longer a lieutenant.
I am just John Beecham Esquire.
I left the Company years ago and set up a business...
to trade.
Your East India Company also claims to trade,
when the truth is you steal.
So the Company have their eyes on Delhi now?
Is Bengal not enough for them?
General...
India belongs to neither the British nor the French.
If the French departed, there would be no one
to stop the British from taking all of India, yes?
General...
I am not like my countrymen.
S'il vous plait.
The British never turn their back on an opportunity
they can exploit.
- C'est dans votre sang. - Not in my blood.
And, I dare to hope, not in yours.
That is a very fine ruby... of six carats?
From Ceylon, I believe.
Exquisite colour and clarity, though, tragically,
it has been cut without much regards to its structure.
That's not the sort of knowledge I would expect from a soldier.
General.
I stopped being a soldier to trade fairly, not pillage.
Only the Emperor can grant foreigners a licence to trade.
It has been the Mughal way for two centuries.
I would be delighted to introduce you.
Well, that would be...
very kind of you.
Of course, His Highness Shah Alam...
would consider your trade licence
more seriously if you work for him.
The Emperor values loyalty above all.
Well, thank you.
I shall do my best to persuade the Emperor
that my intentions...
are honourable.
And thank you for the cognac.
My pleasure.
So, John Beecham...
is he friend or foe?
He is an agent of the Company.
The first weed is sent to spread and take over Delhi.
The British are never more treacherous
than when they espouse virtue.
[crickets chirping]
[man calls out in Hindi]
[urgent chatter in Hindi]
Intruders!
[man calls out in Hindi]
They were in this area.
[bushes rustling]
[man calls out in Hindi]
[John speaks Hindi]
What is happening?
We have never had intruders in this house before.
[birdsong]
[Chanchal humming gently]
[stops humming]
[whispers] How is August settling in?
I will make sure he is safe and happy.
May I?
Come on, boy.
Oh.
Dearest August...
I wish I had your peacefulness.
Sahib.
We have been given a new beginning.
For Agastya's sake...
we must forget the past.
[exhales softly]
[Mool Chand] A man should not be eating on his own.
Where is the sahib's wife?
I saw he has letters from London in his office.
Ah.
Maybe she is in England.
A loving wife's touch is what this empty house needs.
But what will he do with the beauty who tends the baby?
She has a face so sweet
even your kheer will need no sugar if she looks upon it.
One haughty look from her and my kheer will curdle!
[clears throat]
Baby has wind.
He needs ajwain...
and I need chilies for this food you are giving me.
My food does not need chilies.
If you are feeding the baby, the milk
- will be... - I know my job.
- A cook... - Not cook, chef.
No more khichri.
I expect game, chicken, fish, with Mughlai spices.
That is the standard I'm used to.
Of course, Chanchal-bai. It will be an honour for chef
to raise his standards to those of a lady
who appreciates the highest quality.
Ey.
Are you only here to serve Beecham sahib, or his wife, too?
You must know the baby's mother.
When might she be coming?
Or maybe she is already here.
Watch your words, cook.
They are even more poisonous than your food.
Huh.
[Mool Chand] She will learn that you cannot keep secrets
in a house like this.
[grunts]
[grunting and chopping]
[speaks Hindi]
[grunts]
You must be careful in this heat.
You know...
[pants]
There is not a single day that I miss being a soldier,
but I miss the sweat. [pants]
What happened, sahib?
Does it pain you?
At times.
It will fade over time... and the pain also.
[Baadal calls out in Hindi]
[speaks Hindi]
Good day.
My servants reported you had intruders last night.
- I've come to offer help. - Baadal.
I'm Murad Beg, your neighbour.
I hope you do not object to me calling on you unannounced.
No, not at all. It's a pleasure. John Beecham.
I can send some of my guards to watch over your estate.
An exceptionally kind offer, sir. Thank you.
I'm hosting a party tomorrow night.
I hope you will honour us with your presence.
I would be very grateful
of an opportunity to know you better.
Until tomorrow, then.
Baadal...
will he be a good neighbour?
He is a friend for you, sahib...
and cousin to Her Highness, the Emperor's wife. [chuckles]
[traditional Indian music plays]
[indistinct chattering]
In a garden full of beautiful flowers,
I see your eyes have rested on the only English rose.
I was, er... I was surprised, that's all.
It is a rarity in Delhi.
Come. I should like to introduce you.
Roshanara, come.
Mr. Beecham, this is my daughter Roshanara...
and her teacher Miss Osborne.
[Roshanara] Hello, Mir Beecham. Are you fond of dancing?
Delhi has the prettiest dancing girls in the whole of India.
I dare say they are.
I believe you are the first Englishman
Miss Osborne has seen in many months.
Or first English woman I have seen in several years.
It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Osborne. Where are you from?
- Devon. - A beautiful part of the world.
Yes. I miss the countryside and the sea air.
Oh, and the raspberry creams I long for.
[chuckling]
My daughter's love for dancing exceeds all else
despite Miss Osborne's attempts
to introduce her to English literature.
Miss Osborne is the finest governess in India.
She's transforming my daughter
into an accomplished lady, and an insurrectionist.
An English insurrectionist is the very last thing
I expected to find here in Delhi.
Father, I'd like to go back to the dancing now.
Of course, my dear.
Miss Osborne.
Miss Osborne, if I might be so bold... Erm...
My chef considers himself an expert
in the culinary arts of England.
I'm certain that he would be delighted to present you
with cakes from Devon.
[exhales]
[Castillon] Good evening, Miss Osborne.
Mr. Beg, what an excellent fete.
General Castillon, thank you for joining us.
This is Mr. Beecham.
I've already had the pleasure of meeting Lieutenant Beecham.
Miss Osborne...
you look particularly ravishing this evening.
So, has Lieutenant Beecham told you of his wish
to introduce India's treasures to the rest of the world,
without the British East India Company?
In the Emperor's eyes, you'll be tarred with the same brush.
Why would he grant you a trade licence?
Because I also have India's interests at heart,
not just my own.
That is admirable for these times.
The Emperor is dubious about Englishmen.
- This is why he prefers the French. - [chuckling]
Miss Osborne, it seems
your presence is requested by Begum Samru-saheba.
Excuse me, gentlemen.
[Castillon] Begum Samru seems very fond of Miss Osborne.
It appears she has an interest in all things European.
She is not to be underestimated.
Begum Samru is a favourite of the Emperor.
He treats her like his own daughter.
General Castillon has kindly offered
to introduce me to the Emperor.
Allow me to do that. It would be my pleasure.
[Begum Samru] You seem to be possessed of great fortune.
- You have two admirers. - [laughs]
I'm sure you are mistaken.
[Begum Samru] You must not feel like you must choose one
or the other.
It's far more enjoyable to sample the delights of both.
[lively chattering]
Your Imperial Highness, king of kings,
[Beg] Your Royal Highness Prince Akbar.
It gives me great pleasure to introduce you
to a friend of the court. Lieutenant John Beecham.
Khush aamdeed, Lieutenant Beecham.
I hope my kinsman has made you welcome.
It is unusual to receive an Englishman as a guest.
Normally, you arrive without an invitation.
[laughter]
Your Imperial Highness,
I am humbled by your presence and your land.
My ancestors have ruled it for hundreds of years.
They've shed their blood to keep what is theirs.
I will not allow the British East India Company
to take what is now mine.
The Company's policy for expansion is shameful.
I have severed ties with them.
They have no concerns
beyond amassing wealth for their shareholders.
Bengal was richer than all the wealth in England
until Clive and Hastings plundered it.
"In a land where the hand of friendship
is taken for the sword, I gain solace from the sighs
of the quill as it gifts its lifeblood to the page."
[Shah Alam] Ah.
I have known many an Englishman that spoke Farsi and Urdu,
but never one that knew my poetry.
Your Imperial Highness, please do not see me as an enemy.
General Castillon does.
[John] The English say day.
- The French say night. - [chuckles]
The numerous wars that we have waged
over the centuries are not easily forgotten.
[Emperor] Well, let us hope
that the next war is not a battle for Delhi.
For it is said that he who rules Delhi, rules India.
Your Imperial Highness, I implore you,
judge me not by my flag, but by my actions.
I love your country
and I believe that India should be governed by Indians.
I wish only to trade honourably
with the beautiful objects that are made here.
Please... grant me a licence.
Your Imperial Highness,
I see you have met the new Englishman in Delhi.
Yes.
Lieutenant Beecham is a lover of the arts.
He wishes that I grant him a free-trade licence.
Surely you will not grant it, knowing the Company
have Delhi in their sights?
Your Imperial Highness, I am your servant.
A British servant in my palace?
[laughter]
Never in my life have I been more sad to be blind!
[chuckles] Then serve me, Lieutenant Beecham.
The Empress's birthday approaches.
Find the perfect gift for her
and maybe you shall have your licence.
Your Highness.
Surely, you will not grant it.
General, General.
I know you do not trust him.
Nor do I.
Then, Your Highness, why offer to grant him a license?
You forget, India gave the world chess.
My first move was decisive.
If I refuse Beecham now,
the Company would proceed with their plans in secret.
We will watch Beecham closely until he makes a mistake.
- [Bindu] What is all this? - It is English mithai. Huh?
You cannot appreciate such culture.
Why is sahib going to all this trouble?
He's barely been in this city
and has already found an English lady to bring home.
He is quite chalu, no?
An English lady, here to this house?
Our chef Mool Chand has spent
all day making special English puddings for you.
I've heard he is an excellent chef.
So have I.
He tells me every day.
[both laugh]
Beecham sahib is on the way.
Miss Osborne.
Welcome.
Thank you for your invitation, Mr. Beecham.
This is a magnificent house.
The courtyards and carvings are exquisite.
Aye.
And how nice it must be to sit here under the tree.
I found this swing in the bazaar.
Delhi is full of wonders.
But now prepare to be transported from Delhi
back home to Devon.
Oh, my, how wonderful!
[clears throat] Ah, shukria, Baadal.
[Baadal] Mool Chand's famous bread pudding,
scones, plum pudding and raspberry creams.
Shukria.
I have yet to see Mool Chand beam so for a guest.
- Um, please. - [sighs]
- From Devon. [chuckles] - Mm.
- It's so buttery. - [chuckles]
[Baadal] Look how happy sahib is.
His is not the face of a man with a wife somewhere.
At least, not a wife he likes.
[both chuckle softly]
I am indebted to you for allowing me to reveal myself
as a homesick lady with a sweet tooth.
I perfectly understand
what it feels like to hanker for home comforts.
Hm.
Murad Beg tells me that you've been building a chapel.
I should like to see it, if I may.
I would be delighted to show you.
Hm.
[both chuckle]
[birdsong]
[Margaret] I did not have an opportunity to enquire
when we met, what brought you to Delhi.
[John] I wanted a fresh start.
I worked with the East India Company for many years.
- But I left. - Why?
[John] I have a conscience.
And you?
A lone woman in Calcutta is a rarity,
but in Delhi, an impossibility.
My brother travelled to India to seek his fortunes.
I saw it as an opportunity to seek adventure.
That is most admirable and brave.
Brave or foolhardy?
He left Delhi abruptly when he accrued significant debts.
He abandoned you?
I am so sorry.
One becomes accustomed to the folly of siblings.
Thankfully, Mr. Beg was in need of a governess
when I was most in need of a position.
Your chapel is wonderful.
Well, you are welcome to visit and pray at your leisure.
Thank you.
I have a request...
if you will...
I know that we've just met, but I am in...
I am in great need.
My mother will be arriving in Delhi in a few days...
and I would be very grateful if you could be here
when she arrives...
to help her settle.
I know that it would be a great comfort to her.
And to me.
I would be honoured.
[indistinct chattering]
[Baadal] Your mother will be well taken care of, sahib.
Do not worry.
Bindu will be her special maid. Miss Osborne will be her friend.
And... and the baby will make her happy.
[lively chattering and shouting]
[man] Move it!
Mother.
I dreamt of the time we would be together again.
I feared it would never come.
I... I had lost you to India forever.
How much I have missed you!
You have turned into a fine gentleman.
Your beard sits most handsomely on your face.
You are as strong and robust as ever.
Thank the Lord for your safe arrival.
It has been a long and trying journey,
more eventful than a carriage from London to Bath, I dare say.
Oh. Violet! Oh! Smelling salts, please.
Of course, Mrs. Beecham.
But there are bandits and highwaymen everywhere,
Mrs. Beecham, dear.
I for one have enjoyed every moment of our adventure.
Do you remember Violet?
Oh, you won't remember,
but the last time we met was many years ago.
Violet is Katherine Woodhouse's daughter.
She travelled with me to keep me company.
I should not have survived, but for her kindness.
I'm very grateful to you, Miss Woodhouse.
I do remember you now,
as a young girl with pigtails and rosy cheeks.
I believe you laughed a lot.
She has a happy disposition and kept me entertained
on many a rough night.
I'm very grateful, for you keeping my mother company.
I thank you, John,
and I am looking forward to a bath
and making myself presentable.
Well, please.
[Samuel] A hand would be welcome, Lieutenant!
[Henrietta] Oh. [laughs]
Captain Samuel Parker? What on earth...? [laughs]
Mother, did you know we were acquainted?
I did, indeed.
Captain Parker called on me in London last year.
- London? - [Henrietta] Yes.
He was looking for you,
we met again in the port in Calcutta
and he insisted on delivering us safely to you.
My dear old friend, I could not have planned it better myself.
Come.
[horse neighs]
Shukria.
- Oh. - Steady.
Oh. Good gracious!
This is beyond all expectation.
It is a palace fit for a queen!
All the British nabobs are buying
enormous estates like this back home.
Some are even buying Parliament seats
with their Indian fortunes.
Why not build a mansion such as this in Surrey?
Mother, I am not one of these nabobs
that comes to India to prosper and flee.
[birdsong]
[Henrietta] Twelve years since you left me.
Barely a word in the last three,
since you became a wandering tinker-man...
[gasps]
But now my fears are all allayed.
Oh, Miss Osborne, thank you for coming to greet my mother.
John has been so looking forward to your arrival.
And how, pray, do you know my son?
I am his neighbour.
Come, Mother. We have prepared some refreshments for you.
Mm. Ah.
[John] I am so grateful for your kindness towards my mother.
You cannot imagine how pleased I am to see you.
The Company was never the same
after you resigned and disappeared.
- I have missed you. - And I you.
- Tell me, what news of England? - [exhales] It rains.
The Prince of Wales is getting married.
Warren Hastings was acquitted
and the Company got off scot-free.
It's not surprising.
Parliament taking the East India Company to trial
over their misdeeds was a charade.
The hypocrisy sickens me.
I was called to give evidence against the Company.
You were, too, but no one knew where to find you.
I received a dishonourable discharge.
They have spread rumours and they have sullied my name.
Samuel...
I am so sorry.
Hm.
Ooh.
Please excuse me for just a moment.
Do not worry, dear.
A governess is no competition for you.
John is every bit as handsome and considerate
as you said he was.
[chuckles]
I told you that horrific journey would pay dividends.
It will be a perfect union.
Why did you journey back to India?
Well... [sighs]
I lost any money I made in an investment.
The entire cargo sank when an Indiaman ran aground.
Future employment in England is impossible for me.
So my hope is that a maharaja here will...
I don't know, ignore my past.
Or perhaps I'll go out on my own, follow your example.
John, you have done well.
When I left the Company, Samuel, I learned so much
about the trading business that existed for hundreds of years
before the Europeans built their monopolies.
You always had an eye like no other Englishman.
Is there any chance
you might be in need of a worker who knows the taste
of the nabobs with new money to burn?
No, I do not need a worker.
Hm.
But...
I am in great need of a trustworthy partner.
A partner?
It is, I think, the very least I can do.
This house is as impressive as its owner.
Well, as we agreed, John is a fine match, yes?
- [chuckles] - [baby starts crying]
John, whose baby is that crying so?
Please, Mother.
Please wait there.
[baby continues crying]
Why are you holding that child?
He looks...
native.
Are you the father?
Well, who is the mother?
Are... Are you married?
[John] Mother...
this is August.
August Beecham.
Your grandson.
[indistinct chattering]
Up. Down.
This is a most peculiar way to treat an infant. [sighs]
How could John make no mention of it before we set sail?
I must admit, Mrs. Beecham,
I am shocked by the predicament your son finds himself in.
As am I, Violet.
I fear I do not know my own son.
[Violet] Do not lose heart.
He is a kind and loving son.
There is a baby. There does not seem to be a wife.
I will get to the bottom of this.
John may yet make a fine match for you.
[August gurgles]
Mother, I did advise you that now was perhaps
not the best time to come to India, but you insisted.
[laughs] On the contrary, John. I wish I had come sooner.
I might have secured your personal life
to be more in keeping with that of an English gentleman.
Well, now, surely Baadal can tempt you with something.
- You must be so very hungry. - Oh.
How can you stand to eat in this insufferable heat?
India does grow on you, Mrs. Beecham...
if you give it time.
And you, Miss Woodhouse, how did you sleep? I trust you were comfortable.
[clears throat] Very comfortable, Mr. Beecham.
It is a pleasure to be off that boat
and in the comfort of such a fine house.
It is a delight to have your cheerful disposition grace us here.
[Henrietta sighs]
Mother, surely there is something I can do
to ease your settling in.
Mm. I should like to see Daniel.
And I pray he is still, at least, the son I recognise.
I have made several enquiries of Daniel's whereabouts.
He has either left Calcutta, or is indeed
making it very difficult for me to find him.
Why would he not want to communicate with his own brother?
Mother, Hindustan is an enormous land.
Our paths have not yet crossed.
Daniel seems very happy...
serving in the East India Company.
I was not.
But now that you are here...
I will write to him again, imploring him
to come and see you. If you will excuse me.
Mrs. Beecham. Miss Woodhouse.
- [exhales noisily] - Ma'am?
No. No.
I didn't want to get your mother's hopes up, and she asked me
to seek your brother out in Calcutta.
But...
I did hear reports he's on a Company expedition
in Kannauj.
Kannauj?
That's only a ride away from Delhi.
It's the ideal position for the Company to mount an attack.
A British military presence on Delhi's doorstep
is a direct provocation.
We must be on guard, John.
If General Castillon discovers
your brother's with the Company in Kannauj,
he will not look on it favourably.
Yes.
He would no doubt inform the Emperor
and advise him against granting my trade licence.
Shall we?
[lively chattering]
[Indian music plays]
[laughter and chattering]
Maybe this is Beecham Saheb's wife.
My, my, my, my.
What do we have here?
I am finally able to afford my passage home.
England.
What are you going to do when the opium runs out?
If Lieutenant Beecham is in contact with the Company,
he will pay a severe price.
Daniel!
I have just settled Agastya.
I would appreciate it if you'd kindly keep your voices down.
I am mistress of this house.
I cannot live like this.
Is she August's mother?