Welcome to Delhi, sahib, it is an honour to meet you.
Did you see the child? It is not fully European.
John Beecham, friend or foe?
He is an agent of The Company.
I wish only to trade honourably. Please, grant me a licence.
I believe you are the first Englishman
Miss Osborne has seen in many months.
Captain Samuel Parker?
I am in great need of a trustworthy partner.
Why are you holding that child?
He looks... native.
Mother, this is August Beecham...
your grandson.
I should like to see Daniel
and I pray he is still at least the son I recognise.
I did hear reports he's on a Company expedition in Kannauj.
That's only a ride away from Delhi.
Lady sahiba, I'm going to give you a bath.
No! B-Ba-Baadalal! Come here this instant!
It will be fixed, Mrs. Beecham, I'm sure. Here.
What is wrong, Mrs. Beecham sahiba?
Everything! The water is dark brown.
The towels are too thin. What if I slip and crack my skull?
I have fresh water here, ma'am.
I'll bring fresh towels right now.
Yes.
This is... This is... no way for a lady to bathe.
- [Violet] Quite. But we must try. - [shoos]
[both scream]
- [Henrietta] Baadal! Baadal! - Ma'am?
- [Henrietta] What is that? - Stand back. Be careful.
- It's poisonous. A scorpion. - [Henrietta] Well, get it out!
Go!
- Move. - [Henrietta groans]
- Oh! - No.
[Henrietta] Don't... Get it... get it...
[nervous panting] Ah...
[Henrietta] Thank you, Ramalola.
Please inspect my room every hour.
I do not want to die in India from a tropical insect bite.
- Ooh! - Yes, Mrs. Beecham sahiba.
[low chattering]
[muffled shouting in mind]
[John] Stop this! This is idiocy!
They do not have the taxes to pay!
[shouting and gunshots]
[soldier] Sit down!
[distressed yelling]
[men pleading in Hindi]
[yelling and screaming]
[women scream and men shout]
[screaming and shouting]
Sir, you must stop this!
- You've gone too far! - Leave!
[horse snorts]
[birdsong]
[clatter of horses' hooves approaching]
- Good morning. - Good morning, General.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
I had a special delivery from France.
It arrived by boat this morning, along with my cognac.
[gasps softly]
This is too kind, General Castillon.
But I know your penchant for French perfume only too well.
Have you had any word from your brother?
My colleagues have had no sightings of him.
So what will you do?
Will you still return to England?
No.
I feel quite content here at present.
What has changed?
Perhaps the presence of more English people
has made me feel less homesick.
I must warn you about John Beecham.
He may not be all that he appears.
I appreciate your concern, General,
but if John Beecham is a dangerous man,
why did he bring his elderly mother
to live with him in India?
Look, are you sure this ghastly treatment is going
to work on these bites?
Bindu insists that turmeric will soothe your discomfort.
- Oh. - You must try this Mulligat...
Mulligatawny.
How can I eat when I am so worried?
When is John returning?
I need to speak to someone who understands English.
We understand English, Mrs. Beecham sahiba.
I do not even know what to call you, dear.
Chanchal.
Hm? You see, we need to start doing things differently
now I shall be running the household.
So, from now on, I shall call you...
- Channing. - Channing?
Yes and you, Bin... Bindylou, I shall call you...
Beatrice.
Be-a-trick?
No, no, Beatrice! Iss, iss.
Yes. And, er... you shall be... Barton.
I will be of assistance however you wish to address me,
Mrs. Beecham sahiba.
Please do not be upset. I will take care of you.
Well, thank you. That is kind of you.
[speaks Hindi]
The British have struck their first tentpole at Kannauj.
That's right next to the Emperor's land.
- Are you certain? - I am afraid so.
It is a clear provocation.
They can only be inspecting the region
in order to plan an attack.
The British annexation of India marches closer to us every day.
We must inform the Emperor and bring it to a halt.
If Lieutenant Beecham is in contact with the Company...
he will pay a severe price.
[indistinct chattering]
Gentlemen. I'm Captain Parker. I need to know the whereabouts
of Ensign Daniel Beecham.
Beecham? He was shot.
At this very moment, I would wager
he has no idea of his own whereabouts.
Speak clearly, soldier. What is your meaning?
He's on sickness leave. He's recuperating.
You have a medical bay here?
[laughs] He's at his second home.
Very likely, between the thighs of an Indian dancing girl.
[soldiers laugh]
[Henrietta] What is it about this strange land
that draws my sons here
instead of coming home to England and me?
Your sons are like many.
Great fortunes are here for the taking.
It was very considerate of John to prepare this chapel for you.
But now that John has made his fortune,
he should marry you,
return with his wealth and bring August up
as an English gentleman back home.
There is nothing to keep him in India.
[sighs] I apologize. I do hope I'm not disturbing your prayers.
It's a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Beecham,
and you, Miss Woodhouse.
How well do you know my son?
Mr. Beecham and I are recently acquainted,
but he was kind enough me invite to
to come to the chapel whenever I wanted to pray.
And what do you know of the child's mother?
Mr. Beecham has not discussed such private matters with me.
Private matters. I see.
It is better you direct your questions
to Mr. Beecham himself, ma'am.
Oh.
[chattering in background]
Eh, Baadal-bai. Looking very smart, huh?
But you're only going to the bazaar, no?
I'm just going to buy some provisions for the house.
How long has Chanchal kept you waiting?
Baadal, thank you.
It is so kind of you to take me to the bazaar.
It is my great pleasure, Chanchal-bai.
I've been dreaming of gulab jamuns all night.
Huh! Hawker food!
Anything to take away the taste of the bland food in this house.
At least it will be edible.
[horse neighs loudly]
[carriage approaches]
Who is this?
[softly] Bai-sa.
Baadal, don't just stand here.
Bai-sa is an honored guest of Beecham sahib.
- Go. - Of course, Chanchal-bai.
So many trunks.
Maybe this is Beecham sahib's wife.
Go get the luggage.
Bow!
[speaking Hindi]
Barton? Where is Barton? Where is everybody?
- Water? - Oh, dear.
- Water. - I don't... Oh.
[Henrietta] My, my, my, my.
What do we have here?
Take me to Agastya.
Agastya?
[gasps]
Could this be...
Could this be August's mother?
[Henrietta sighs]
Well, she's acting like the lady of the manor already.
[gurgles]
Precious Agastya.
Beautiful boy.
You've already endured so much.
Bai-sa...
Mr. Beecham sahib does not let Agastya leave the nursery
without his permission.
Ram Lal.
I know what is best for Agastya.
He will stay with me.
Very well. I will find you a room.
Barton!
[Henrietta] Barton!
It's impossible to get his attention. B... Barton!
Barton!
I have just settled Agastya. I would appreciate it
if you'd kindly keep your voices down.
[chuckles] Young lady, why do you insist on calling him
by another name?
Agastya is sleeping.
- He requires his rest. - [Henrietta chuckles]
I am John Beecham's mother,
Henrietta Beecham, and August's grandmother...
and mistress of this house.
Now, this is Miss Osborne, a governess...
and Miss Woodhouse, a family friend.
- Mrs. Beecham. - Mm.
I note your position.
Miss Osborne...
he is not in need of an English governess.
Well...
Have you ever...
- I... - Oh.
Perhaps you should rest, Mrs. Beecham.
You look faint. The Indian heat cannot be underestimated.
Nor can that intolerable woman!
That behavior will not do.
When my son returns, we will have words!
[laughs] Oh, and, Miss Osborne,
clearly you know even less than I.
I'm sure you have work to be getting on with, so good day.
[indistinct chattering in background]
[woman and soldier chatter]
[muffled Indian music in background]
[Indian music plays]
[John] Daniel!
Daniel!
Sahib, you want women?
- We have all types. - Daniel!
You want a boy?
[man] You, come here.
Sahib, don't disturb.
- [John] Come. - [woman] Sahib...
[John] Challo! Challo!
- Challo. - Hey.
[man] Oi. Oi!
- [grunting] - [onlookers gasp]
There are enough harlots for everyone!
[murmuring]
What are you doing here?
I'm here for you.
After all this time? I thought you were dead.
I wrote to you many times, when Mother told me
you were in Calcutta, but you never responded.
I was in Mysore... in bloody battles with Tipu Sultan.
I would have appreciated a brother's concern then.
- Now it's too late. - Daniel.
- [woman gasps]
Daniel!
[pants]
I'm sorry.
You have any idea how hard it was to discover
the brother I admired had disappeared
without so much as a word?
Forgive me.
I had to get as far away from the Company as possible.
But it's different now.
Mother is here.
[chuckles]
Mother is in India?
Mm.
[chuckles softly]
[indistinct chattering]
[horse snorts]
[speaking Urdu]
Your Highness.
Lieutenant Beecham has been seen in Kannauj,
communicating with Company forces.
And he has a brother serving in the camp there.
And yet he claims that his connections
with the Company have been severed.
Indeed. And he has been joined by another colleague
from the Company, a Captain Samuel Parker.
I understand Captain Parker has been discharged,
but it could be a ruse.
Does the Company no longer tend to its soldiers' wounds?
They spend a great deal more on gunpowder
than they do on physicians.
What were you doing in Kannauj?
Exploratory expedition.
The Company must expand its territory
if it wishes to grow.
You sound like a Company man.
I'm a soldier.
You are a man. Your actions are your own.
I'm tired of it all.
You've seen the British cemeteries in Calcutta.
They say most soldiers die before seeing two monsoons.
I've lasted three.
I'm on borrowed time, brother.
So I plan to enjoy
the simpler pleasures of life while I can.
[footsteps approaching]
Who's there?
It is Violet, Mrs. Beecham.
What are you going to do when...
when the opium runs out?
Please leave me
after such a distressing afternoon, Violet.
If my son married that woman
without so much as informing his mother,
I... I do not know what I will do.
Oh.
[sighs]
Oh.
[sighs]
Ah.
Oh.
Why do you suddenly care so much about your brother?
[dismissive chuckle]
[soft sigh]
Your feigned concern insults us both.
[grunts]
He's quite a character.
He's irresponsible.
When I look at him...
I just see our father.
God forbid he ends up like him.
In some...
convicts' colony in Australia.
[scrape of metal]
[indistinct yelling]
[indistinct shouting and yelling]
[shouting and yelling]
Stop! Stop!
- [man screams] - [horse neighs]
[man screams in pain]
- [footsteps receding] - [pants]
[approaching clatter of horses' hooves]
How does a soldier afford this?
[Baadal] Sahib has returned!
It seems you've prospered since leaving the Company.
Sahib! Mrs. Beecham sahiba is most upset.
Oh, what has happened now?
Baadal, this is my brother Daniel.
Brother?
Please take him upstairs to my chambers
and bring some hot water.
He has a wound that needs attending to.
We must make him presentable before he meets Mother.
Please send for the hakim.
- Make haste. - [Baadal] Please.
Samuel...
you have gone beyond the duty of a friend.
I owe you my life.
[chattering in background]
John Beecham, I forbid you to leave this house again.
Who is this woman?
Her... Her rudeness knows no bounds.
- Mother... - I cannot live like this.
Is she August's mother?
Mother, what are you talking about?
She was rude to Miss Osborne as well.
Mr. Beecham, your, er, mother has had a trying time
since your departure.
She acts like a princess who's ruling the roost.
This bai saab's airs and graces have made me most ill at ease.
- Where is she? - Sahib.
I cannot challenge her authority without you, sir.
I understand, Ram Lal.
Where is August?
Agastya is safe with me.
We must speak in private.
Miss Woodhouse, please escort my mother to her room.
Mother, I will speak with you shortly.
[door closes]
[August gurgles]
[whispers] Chandrika...
why have you come here?
If anybody sees you, or knows you're here,
it could ruin everything.
I took the utmost care not to be seen.
You know you shouldn't have come.
- I needed to see him. - You're putting him in danger.
I am simply carrying out my duty.
I had to know he is safe.
You know his safety is all that matters to me!
[August gurgles softly]
I wish Agastya to sleep with me.
August will sleep in the nursery.
Ram Lal, Chanchal and Maya are serving him very well.
It was agreed.
- My intention is... - We had intruders here...
a few nights ago.
[August gurgles]
How...
How have you been?
It has not been easy.
I did not come only for Agastya.
I wanted to see you too.
[knocking at door]
- [John] Mother. - Oh.
How is she?
I have done my best,
but the challenges are proving difficult for her.
I, on the other hand, am adapting well...
and intend to bring her to see Hindustan as you do.
I am very grateful.
Mother...
Mother, your eyes, they appear to be irritated.
Are you feeling unwell?
Well, how can you blame me?
My last home was full of secrets.
I fear my nerves will not tolerate the same here.
Mother, I understand this is very...
Who is that woman, son?
You cannot expect me to share a home with a stranger.
Mother, she has August's best interests at heart.
[grunts softly]
Come with me.
- Oh. - I have something to show you
that I think will cheer your spirits immensely.
Where are you taking me, John?
My heart may not withstand another revelation.
[Henrietta screams]
Daniel?
G...
Oh, my... my poor boy!
What has become of you?
I am a soldier, Mother.
I've survived much worse.
But it is a blessing to feel your arms after such an age.
[whimpers] Oh, no.
- Mother... - [John] Mother.
[Henrietta sobs]
Is it?
It cannot be.
Violet Woodhouse.
I came as a companion to your mother.
It is gratifying to see
that you are still getting into trouble.
A kiss would help take the pain away.
- [laughs] - Certainly not!
I would have hoped you'd become a gentleman by now.
Well, what fun would that be?
The world is not in need of another dry sponge.
Oh, I dreamt of this moment. I...
I never imagined it would be in a place like this.
My two handsome, brave sons... may God bless you!
And my poor grandson.
Grandson?
[speaks Hindi]
[August gurgles]
This is August... my son.
Your son?
You married without telling us?
No one can know he has fathered a native child.
Mother, stop.
[August gurgles]
August Daniel Beecham...
this is your uncle.
You named him after me?
I have but one brother...
and here is the first
of the next generation of Beechams.
[Henrietta] John.
Do you have an association with this Margaret Osborne?
For a governess, she appears to think very highly of herself.
She seems to have made herself very much at home in your house.
- Miss Osborne was here? - Mm.
Mother...
did you offend her in any way?
Not at all.
It is her, your Indian ladyship,
who addressed her in a most ill-mannered way.
Mother, I must leave you and attend to her.
Daniel, I'm sure you have much to catch up on.
[August gurgles]
An English governess,
an Indian ladyship and a native baby?
John, you are a rogue after all.
It is not as you think.
I am beginning to understand your abandonment of me now.
[giggling]
[Beg] Have you decided on a gift for the Empress?
I must admit I am perplexed as to what to offer an empress
who has everything.
You appreciate art and craftsmanship.
She appreciates wonder.
Choose an item that will excite her imagination.
[giggling]
Ah, the insurrectionists!
Good day, Miss Roshanara.
Miss Osborne.
Hello, Mr. Beecham.
Forgive my boldness, Miss Osborne,
but I took these from my library.
I thought that you might find them interesting.
Thank you, Mr. Beecham.
That is...
most thoughtful of you.
I came to ensure that you had not been...
offended, at my house.
I had an unfortunate encounter
with a disrespectful guest at your residence.
She made it clear
she considers me far beneath her.
Chandrika.
She has taken full ownership of your son.
Is she his mother?
I apologize... for her rudeness.
Well, she was not alone.
Your mother made it clear she disapproves of me.
Well, she does not know you.
That is of no consequence to her.
Apparently, she looks down on women who are in employment.
I am sure that you have misunderstood her.
She has a blunt manner, but she... possesses no malice.
Mr. Beecham, I may not have riches or name,
but I feel most ill at ease.
Your mother has made me feel unwelcome in your house.
Miss Osborne...
you are always welcome in my house.
You have my word.
Until you can be completely honest with me,
I don't know what your word counts for.
I bid you good day.
[grunts in pain]
Good morning.
It is Chanchal, yes?
Yes, sahib.
Chanchal, I wonder if you could help me.
I have an injury,
which is giving me a lot of pain.
Could you please assist me with the stairs?
It's like climbing the Himalayas on my own.
Of course, sahib.
[groans softly]
[exhales deeply]
Thank you.
[groans softly]
[August gurgles]
Thank you, Chanchal.
You are a saver of lives.
I must go, sahib.
[Bindu] Oh. Shoo, flies.
Daniel sahib! Uh...
Breakfast will be served. Uh...
Mrs. Beecham sahib is on her way.
- I'll be there in a minute. - Oh.
[bellows]
[chattering in background]
I would like some fresh milk.
Thank you, Baadal.
Compliments to chef Mool Chand.
Barton, get me the marmalade I brought from London.
Yes, Mrs. Beecham sahiba.
Barton?
Indian names are impossible to pronounce.
That is insulting, Mother. You wouldn't much care for it
if someone suddenly changed your name.
I wouldn't mind if I had a name that made no sense. [chuckles]
How long are you allowed to stay on leave?
Yes, how long are you with us?
I have never wanted a wound to heal slower.
Mm.
But I'm a Company man.
They own me. The decision is out of my hands.
I wish you would wear proper clothing, son.
You look like a native.
These pajamas are comfortable.
Mm.
You really should try some, Mother.
- [laughs] - You'd be much cooler.
Mm. A sensible dress is all I need.
What the ladies wear here is appalling. Hm?
Look, they feel no shame in showing off their midriffs.
But that is what makes them so alluring.
There is nothing more beautiful than the almond eyes
and delicate bare waist of an Indian woman.
Daniel Beecham, you are in the company of a lady!
[Violet] Daniel only knows one way to speak,
from his heart.
- His honesty is refreshing. - Thank you, Miss Woodhouse.
Honesty?
That is scandalous talk from one
who is old enough to know better.
The truth is...
there are so few British women here,
Englishmen are forced to take Indian wives and mistresses.
It is the modern way.
Well, it is not God's way.
It is high time for you and your brother
to marry decent English women at once.
Thankfully,
Violet is an excellent marriage prospect for John.
She has the qualities of a good wife
and mother to August.
And are you agreeable to this notion, Miss Woodhouse?
Why on earth would you wish to marry
the dullest man in Delhi?
I should be delighted...
should I be asked.
[John] What a precious thing to sleep so soundly.
He has not a care in the world.
He is blessed...
with so many praying for his safety and good health.
Do you ever miss home?
Yes, sahib, very much.
Do you think that it is wrong
for one to wish to let go of the past?
If I may say, sahib...
sometimes we must let go
of the memory of those we hold dear.
I find that I am not able to do that.
Good afternoon, Miss Osborne.
Mr. Beecham.
You must excuse my appearance.
Roshanara and I have been swimming in the river.
You look, er...
You look enchanting.
Since our last meeting,
I've been able to think of little else.
I cannot bear to think...
that you would not feel welcome in my house,
because your very presence there...
would make me very happy indeed.
I cannot speak of August's mother. It would...
compromise his safety.
But I can swear before you now that I am all he has.
And I would very much like you...
to be a friend to our family.
I have longed for you to speak openly since we met.
But I am finally able to afford my passage home.
England?
Why do you stay here, John?
Why not come back home?
I cannot return home.
Everything I lived for is here now.
Your past seems to invade your present
in a most unsettling way.
Delhi will give me the break from the past and its heartache.
You...
Your friendship gives me hope of a brighter future.
Please do not leave.
[Roshanara] Miss Osborne, come!
You promised to hear my piano recital.
Yes, of course, Roshanara.
Mr. Beecham, you'll have to excuse me.
[crickets chirp]
We must proceed urgently with the trading license.
There will be no future for us here
if I cannot provide for my family.
As soon as the license is secure,
there's many a hungry Nabob back home,
drooling to gobble up Eastern treasures.
If we reward the artisans well,
they will reserve their finest items for us.
Our business will flourish.
I have made a decision
about the offering for the Empress.
Excellent. Is it the perfect gift?
[chuckles] Leonardo da Vinci made a mechanical lion
and presented it to the king of France.
We will present an automaton.
But what are they exactly?
Moving sculptures.
[women singing prayer]
[Henrietta] What is happening?
What in heaven's name are you doing?
It is late.
Prayers will settle him.
Yes, but he likes hymns.
So I shall sing to him in my chamber.
I think it is best he remain with me.
Are you saying you know what is better
for the child than his own grandmother?
- Please, Mrs. Beecham. - Shush!
I know an Arab artist who knows the secret of automata.
We could persuade him to cast one in silver.
Better still... gold.
No cost is to be spared for the Empress.
Sahib, I think you should come upstairs.
Excuse me, Samuel.
[Chandrika] You are disturbing Agastya.
[Henrietta] You have done nothing but disturb this house since your arrival.
She has the baby, sahib.
- You do not even know him. - You are rude and deceitful.
I will not have you
- take charge of my grandson! - Mother.
What is happening?
I cannot remain in this house with someone so disrespectful!
You have to tell me the truth about this woman.
Who is she?
Chandrika...
is August's aunt.
But no one can know that she is here.
I am a widower.
And I know that August's mother...
would have wanted her sister to help raise him.
- But, son... - No. No, Mother.
- Hey. - [August gurgles]
Hello.
All of the people...
that I love in the world are in this room.
We will stay here, in Delhi...
and make a life together.
We have no other choice.