Original subtitles

Good morning.

It might be nearly five.

Exactly.

The perfect time to flee.

The perfect time to start to work before anyone else is up.

Sophie.

Last night.

You do not need your position here or the other one you're planning on taking

you want to be with me.

I have not agreed to be with you.

I... But we... We've caught up in the moment. We made a mistake, which is no

excuse, really. I know better than that. I promised myself I would never, never

fall into bed with a gentleman. And I broke that promise.

For you.

And your stupid hair and your stupid eyes and that stupid... Good

thing I'm no gentleman.

That's not a joke, Benedict.

I know.

I took what happened last night with the utmost seriousness.

I was not caught up.

I love you, Sophie.

You love me, but you could never be with me.

Not legitimately.

And now I might be with child, in which case I'll have no choice but to be your

mistress. So forgive me if I'm not convinced that love is enough.

I will show you it is.

No matter what happens.

I must get back to my post while I still have it.

And you must do whatever it is gentlemen do with their endless free time.

As it was apparent that my approach with the Queen was not well received, I

thought perhaps you might know a better way to convince her.

You are the Queen Whisperer, after all.

Yes, I believe my whisper can only be heard by Her Majesty's dogs these days.

Forgive me, Penelope, I do not know that I can be of much help.

Are you certain you wish to give up Whistledown? I'm proud of all I have

accomplished, but...

I should like to begin a new chapter.

I am afraid new chapters may not be ours to

write unless she guides the pen.

Dearest, gentle reader, there are moments in our lives when we arrive at

a crossroads. We cannot run from it. We...

cannot go around we must face it head on

unfortunately your majesty mrs mondrich tells me that miss hollis

is not mr bridgerton's mystery lady i see perhaps there is someone else

do you think there is someone else and in choosing which path to

walk a course is set that may determine one's very fate.

No.

No, I do not believe so.

You may take your place again.

At the back of the line.

Just this week, I hear the new Lord Penwood is fated to arrive at last in

Mayfair with his bride.

But their nuptials were so secretive, not even this author has found out

the particular.

And they are not the only ones who have made a long -awaited return.

He's awake.

Right, come on then.

Straight to the pow -mow pitch.

What colour mallet do you think he shall refer?

Oh, come here.

Hey.

Neither of us will be moving from this room for quite some time.

Journey back from India was arduous enough.

We are sorry for your sake that your travels are not yet over.

Well, when Mother summons, I wish you were coming with me.

But I know you both need your rest.

We will join you very soon.

Tell everyone hello from me in the meantime.

I will.

I'll miss you.

I'll miss you, too.

And Admiral.

Eh?

I keep imagining what my mother and your mother might be doing now in Scotland.

In my mind, my mother's blowing her way through an overlong story about

adventures she had with your father back when they were young.

Swashbuckling through the Highlands.

And Aunt Janet is probably sitting there, silent, pretending to listen.

Like my mother, I am blowing on now. You pretend to listen, just like your

mother. No, forgive me. My mind is on last night.

I know you and Francesca were having some difficulty.

I went to bed before she and I could speak, but I do not believe she meant

insult. Do you think there is hope of reconciliation between the two of you?

Good day.

Francesca!

I am sorry I was late to bed last night.

Michaela kept me up until midnight.

Your guests kept you up.

Lord Taylor would not leave, but you did not help things by encouraging his

nonsense about barley.

I stand by the fact that I've invented a marvellous new drinking game.

Every time Lord Taylor mentions barley, we must invite him to every party so

that we might get drunk as fish.

Please do not make me laugh anymore. Go ahead.

Did you partake in the drinking game?

I may have given it a try.

Well, forgive me, but are you two friends now?

Of course we are. Obviously.

I did not know there was so much to be said about Marley.

I do not wish to invest in the colliery. Coal seems a dirty business.

Let us make an additional investment in copper.

Tell Lord Power, no, I do not wish to go hunting with him. He will talk so much

he will scare away all the game.

and write to Mr Boyle and tell him we cannot send him any more funds to

Fence unless he hires a competent builder so as not to fall down in the

place. Mr Bridgerton, you are inspired this morning.

I am.

Would you perhaps like to visit Bridgerton House, then?

Your mother sent word again this morning.

There is simply too much to take care of at the moment. Speaking of which, I

should also like you to write to the Crabtree.

I may wish to prepare my cottage for full -time residence.

right after the other night.

You were ill, remember?

Yes, that is right.

I am much better now, thank you.

Well, that is a relief.

I do not know how Benedict found out.

His valet is rather prying. But I thought we were being so discreet.

Violet, I'm certain the younger children are none the wiser.

And we have not done anything wrong.

We are an unmarried pair conducting an affair in my family home.

Then would you like to address the matter of our being unmarried?

Uh, I... Well, I... I did not think so.

Perhaps it would be a relief to both of us if the engagement question were

beyond consideration.

Oh. If I may ask, why is it that it would be a relief exactly for you? Oh,

been... Forgive my interruption, my lady.

The Dowager Lady Penwood and her daughter are here to call on you.

For the third time this week, shall I send them away again?

Three times is rather many.

Perhaps best to get it over with.

I shall away.

Yes, yes, I shall see her.

I could use the distraction.

How are you finding Grosvenor Square, Lady Penwood?

Our new home is adequate.

Are these your only two children at home?

There.

Your second son called upon my Rosamond not so long ago.

Were you aware?

Well, that is Benedict always making new friends.

My dancing structure is Miss Madden. Did you have Miss Madden?

No.

We had Miss Hoover.

Mama will not like using a second biscuit.

Mama is distracted, looking for...

Did you enjoy your recital?

It is a relief the maid wars have calmed down now,

is it not?

How is your health?

Oh, well.

Wee.

Closy.

Apologies.

I had a bite of biscuit.

Which is delicious.

But my throat was so dry the crumbs tickled it and then I could not breathe.

And yet you still managed to talk.

I once employed a maid who baked perfectly buttered biscuits.

They were never dry.

And yet I had to dismiss her. She had aspirations above her station.

And she stole from me.

Diamond shoe clips.

Well, that is most unpleasant.

She was called Sophie Peck.

Is that so?

I should have turned her over to the justices of the peace.

Lady Bridgerton, another visitor for you.

Lady Bridgerton, I can come down to you if you need something.

May I come in?

Of course, my lady.

I wanted to make sure you were quite well.

After seeing your former employer... Oh, the look on your face when you saw her.

Lady Penwood was the employer you spoke about having a disagreement with, no

doubt.

She was.

I have always found Lady Penwood unkind.

I imagine her servants felt the brunt of her ill humour.

She even went so far as to claim you stole diamond shoe clips from her.

That is true, my lady.

Well, I did not steal them exactly, but I took them.

In seven years, she never once paid me a wage.

I thought I had no choice when she kicked me out. For what it is worth,

turned out not to be diamonds at all, but cheap paste. But that was all I

I promise.

I believe you.

A letter of introduction.

And not because I believe Lady Penwood.

Because... You asked for one.

Oh, yes.

Thank you.

Is the position you wish to take still available?

I'll have to confirm.

In fact, I might have a week or so to conclude my work here.

You know, I was hesitant to let you go at first.

But Lady Penwood is next door now and seems hell -bent on finding you,

regardless of the worth of her vulgar shoe clips.

You may take the time you need, of course, but as much as I hate to say it,

I do, I now believe that...

A position elsewhere may be in your best interest.

What was the voyage like? You must tell us everything.

Long and terrible. Anthony!

Mother.

Can you imagine being stuck that long on a ship? Can I imagine what it's like to

feel stuck?

That is the question.

You look well.

And Kate and the baby?

Everyone is healthy.

A little tired, but healthy.

They'll be with us at the end of the week. Oh, good.

Oh, you cannot imagine how glad I am that you are back.

We received your letter at Aubrey Hall. Is everything all right? Everything is

perfect. You are home.

Tell me.

What is it?

It is your brother. He will not listen to me.

He is a man in love.

So he says.

someone who has only exchanged three words with the young lady. Well, that is

not rational.

Let Gregory have his fun. He has somehow convinced Hyacinth to ask Miss Rochelle

for ice cream next week so that he can tag along and speak with her. Smart boy.

He's clearly studied and bested after a bumbling idiot.

What of me? I'm going to bumble to find more drinks.

Slow service today.

Since when are you the brother to finish his drink last?

Ah, um...

Trying to keep a clear head of late.

And are you?

Clear -headed?

In fact, more than ever.

Is that because of your fraternisation with our younger sister's lady's maid?

Hmm.

This has come from our mother, I imagine? So it is true.

I had hoped I'd not been dragged from my wife and child for such an act of

foolishness. A maid?

Benedict, if you wish to compare apples to opera singers, we can certainly do

that. It is not the same.

And you know it.

She is in our home, around our family.

Have the good sense to end it, as I did my dalliance. No, you are right. It is

not the same.

It is not a dalliance.

Well, that is even worse.

And if you think I have not convinced myself that mine was also something

you are mistaken.

But I was wrong, as I am certain you are. Well, I know my own mind, Anthony.

You are not being rational.

Putting aside the damage this could do to our younger sisters, if it were to

come out, have you any idea of how difficult a life you're setting yourself

for?

Not being able to live your life in the open. I do not know my own mind, and I'm

not capable of difficulty.

Thank the devil you returned, and with the new air, no less.

Congratulations, by the way. Excuse me.

I have my own work to do to take care of those I care for.

What did I miss?

The new Lady Penwood has been in London for a week and Whistledown has yet to

report on her identity.

Your new housekeeper is hardly up to the mark when it comes to gossip.

That is my work, Mama.

I know and have quite the knack for gossip that Varley had.

I do not wish to speak of that woman.

You be seen around town at all.

You have a visitor, Mrs Bridgerton.

When you alert us to a visitor, Ray...

You must give us all the necessary information, such as who our visitor is.

It is the new Lady Penwood, ma 'am.

Oh.

Lady Sutherington.

Mrs Bridgerton.

Miss Casper. It is Lady Penwood now.

A most advantageous match, is it not?

What is it you want, Penelope?

Look at us.

Two unlikely heroines, now married, and married well.

One can count us down, but never fully out.

We've always been similar in that regard.

You and I similar?

Well, I may have brought some of my fate upon myself, but my tale is a

fascinating one, is it not?

Full of ruin, repair, and eventually romance.

Lord Penwood is an old friend of my Aunt Joanna's and became captivated by me

upon visiting us in Wales.

Do you not think your readers would be captivated themselves by such a tale? I

have kept the details of my return a secret all this time just so you might

benefit. So that you might benefit from me easing your transition back into

society?

My marriage protects me in certain respects, but not from the Queen.

Or anyone of higher rank.

Between the two of us, you hold all the power now.

You could make or break me with but a stroke of your pen, and it would not

change a thing about your circumstances.

If it matters at all, I would like to apologise for last season.

And the ones before that.

And I would like to give you this.

An invitation to my first ball as Lady Penwood.

Yes, it will benefit me if you attend.

But perhaps you might also enjoy yourself.

Please.

Consider it.

It will at least be a sort of gossip.

And certainly a spectacle.

See? Are you in again?

Cook's pigeon stew.

I'm certain it is delicious, but the smell of it disagrees with me. The other

night, when you said you were ill, I came to your room to see after you, but

were not there.

Oh, I was...

Well, I was... Is it someone who works here?

You are in love, are you not?

You must have sneaked out to meet someone that night, surely.

What?

No, I was... No, it could not be someone who works here. You are far too

educated. You would have nothing to talk about.

Perhaps a wealthy merchant in town, then. There is no one, Hazel.

I have work to do.

I suppose I should finish polishing the floors in the Grand Hall.

I believe Footman John is on duty there today.

What? We're not born simply to work and die.

You've been pacing all week?

I'm tired of standing still.

There's something else.

This is not simply restless pacing.

I... I know something.

Something that I should not know.

Something that the Queen would very much like to know, but that I very much

should not tell her.

What is it?

I do not wish to tell you.

Or her.

I do not wish to always be waiting.

To be told what to do, who to spy on, when to speak.

But it's not what Lady Danbury would do.

What are you doing?

Show me your best punch. Well... Show me.

No, you cannot be the wife of a boxer with a punch like that.

If you wish to get to the front of the queue, then you must take your moment

when it is least expected. You must not wait to be allowed, or you will never

catch your... There she is.

Ha ha ha ha.

Oh, well.

Just right.

Will you sit with me?

I brought you a blanket.

What is all this for?

I told you.

I am intent on showing you how serious I am about our future.

Well, we live in this conservatory.

Hiding from your family every day until night falls.

I sent word to the Crabtrees to prepare my cottage so that we might live there.

Permanently.

Away from prying eyes.

What about society, then?

I know you pretend to hate all that's conventional, but you relish a party and

your family. I will travel back and forth, and when I'm gone, the Crabtrees

be there.

I know it is not ideal or proper as you deserve.

But is it not better than not being together at all?

For us to make a life together, there is still so much we do not know of one

another.

I want to know every little thing about you.

And for you to know me.

You know, there is a reason why I bluster on about hating convention.

Oh, yes, I know. You care for the little man.

Well, yes, but... ..society's rules make little men

out of all of us. All little women, as it were.

Society should not be allowed to dictate the rules of how one lives life.

Or who one loves.

I am capable of caring for you just as I have cared for women I've known who are

of the ton, just as I have cared for some men whom

I've known intimately.

And I refuse to be at all ashamed about that.

Love is always a thing to be proud of.

The world needs more of it.

Then let me love you.

My love for you is greater than anything I have felt before.

It will not be what you deserve, but I can offer you a better life.

You will never again have to wait before dawn, or clean, or

mend.

And we'll be together.

And what if you change your mind?

Promises can be broken as easily as they are made.

Puffy, I'm not so fickle as... You have said you would never marry, but what if

a life in secret weighs on you? That there may come a day when a more

young lady will capture your heart, and I refuse to put myself or, God forbid, a

child at risk of being abandoned, left begging for scrap.

Do you truly believe that I would do that to you?

Or to a child? That I'm some heartless, mercurial rogue?

How could you possibly... Because I am illegitimate.

My mother was a maid.

And my father was... A nobleman.

Just like me.

My very existence.

in this world is a shameful secret.

You cannot imagine how that feels.

I may never be able to make you my wife, but I will be bound to you

in every way that counts.

And should we have a child, that child will feel our love magnified.

I will find a solution to that.

Please, just allow me the chance to show you that I will keep my promise.

That girl has some audacity.

Thinking I would attend her ball.

She has some nerve even arranging such a ball without coming to see me first.

She did request to see you, Your Majesty.

Her parading around as Lady Whistledown last season has not been forgotten.

I should not like anyone attending her ball.

Your Majesty.

May I speak?

What do you have to say?

Perhaps, Your Majesty, instead of forbidding anyone from attending Lady

Penwood's ball, you might tell her to host the ball in your honour.

And why would I do that?

Well, if you let her believe that you are planning to attend, Lady Penwood

surely boast about it for the entire con.

And then, perhaps, if you were to decide at the last minute not to attend, it

would convey a message to the tonne and surely to Lady Penwood about where

exactly you stand, without your having to do a thing.

Wait to be called upon next time.

We are so glad you recovered so well.

Much better than Anthony, I must say.

What have I missed, then? What is the latest gossip?

That is the fire counter.

Little? What about Cressida's return to society?

She's married and is hosting a ball.

We're not attending, are we? Oh, I wish I could go. I'm certain it will be

grand. Have you seen the way she has her hair done? I do have trouble imagining

us attending.

Can we all stay home, then, as a sign of disapproval? You would always prefer to

stay home.

If I may.

I know the new Lady Penwood was rather cruel in the past, but does every young

woman not deserve a chance to reform?

I should not like to imagine what might befall me if I were judged only on the

mistakes I made in my early years.

Oh, Kate, you are saintly. But you were not there to witness the way the woman

handles a refreshment.

Directly onto my dress.

No. Well, that is fair enough.

Perhaps I've gone soft since becoming a mother.

Oh, Edward!

My grandson.

Oh, hello, little one.

Don't quarrel with your old son.

Benedict Bridgerton, why are

you loitering here?

Lady Danbury, I went away to meet the baby.

Mm -hm.

And you?

So, yes, I was called in for that purpose as well.

But I... I'm avoiding my mother.

We had a rather thorny encounter last week.

You're certain it is not because you have always been the spare, but now

you've been put out to pasture by that small, wriggling child.

It is a strange feeling.

In fact, I have dreaded this moment most of my life.

Meeting the infant who would make me purposeless.

One more so than usual, anyway.

But seeing him now, I am struck with a different feeling.

Love.

I cannot love him yet, Lady Danbury. I haven't even met the man.

Perhaps it is love.

Perhaps it is envy.

Seeing the way such a small creature has brought so much joy to all of my family

and brought them all together.

There is no need for envy.

One day, you will surely bring the very same joy to everyone in that room.

Forgive me, Lady Danbury. I have left my gift for the baby at home.

I cannot believe Cressida turned up on your doorstep.

It was certainly a shock.

Does all seem right with her?

I did hear her husband is rather handsome, but do you think she was

her marriage?

You are kind -hearted.

Eloise Bridgerton.

Have you forgotten how she tried to ruin you and your entire family last year?

Surprisingly, I think about it much less than I think about her stealing the

spotlight at your engagement party to announce herself as Whistledown.

Can you imagine what she was thinking?

I cannot.

Perhaps I should have let her take the name then.

The Queen will never let me give it up.

The Queen lives in a very gilded cage.

And Whistledown may be her only way to travel to the outside world.

Since when have you had sympathy for the Queen?

Everyone in my life took a husband.

I am in my own gilded, unmarried Bridgerton cage.

She must be lonely, the Queen.

Perhaps it is time I appealed to her better angels.

Worth a try.

She is ready for you, Mrs. Bridgerton.

I hope you return with something of value this time, Mrs. Bridgerton.

I do.

An apology.

Last time I was here, I spoke at length about feeling trapped by Whistledown.

But it was thoughtless of me to say that to you of all people, Your Majesty.

I do not need... An apology, Mrs Bridgerton.

I want gossip.

I want to know what is going on with Benedict Bridgerton. The truth is, I do

know. Now that I am known publicly, I'm avoided like the plague by anyone with

any real gossip.

Because for everyone in the ton, Whistledown functions just as this

for you.

It keeps them trapped, watched, scrutinised.

I'm certain for you that Whistledown is one of your only ways of living in the

outside world.

But knowing what it feels like to be so confined, would it not be pleasant to

give society a reprieve?

To allow them to simply live their lives the way they wish, without fear.

Good evening, Sophie.

I may need your help with something. Sophie's helping me at the moment.

I can see that.

But what if she helped you get ready for Cressida's ball tonight instead?

I would get into too much trouble.

Not if I were to sneak you in in some kind of a disguise.

It would, of course, until you're having to speak to me again, though.

You're quite serious.

Sophie, can you do my hair up?

In fact, I have an idea about how to make you nearly invisible.

If your sister approves.

Does Mama know? No, of course not. We will take the second carrot, so she will

not see us.

Are you ready, my love?

Did you hear? The ball is in the Queen's honour.

And where is she?

I like the pink.

There is no accounting for taste.

Are you certain you wish to be here, Penelope, and for all of us to be here

well? I'm grateful you've come along.

I promise.

I'll be with you a while.

Where is Eloise?

She has been delayed.

She should be here shortly.

Is it everything you dreamed?

It's more.

Louise.

Good evening.

I have a feeling the Queen is not going to attend at all.

I think you might be right.

She did not even look twice at me.

I really am invisible as a maid.

That, or invisible to someone who cares only about rank.

Lady Bridgerton.

Lord Anderson.

You look exceptional tonight.

That is most kind.

When can I see you next?

We can meet at mine, as we discussed.

I... In fact, could we meet for tea?

Actual tea.

I have been thinking about our discussion earlier in the week, and I

to conclude it.

Of course.

Look at me.

Mother.

So you will avoid me for nearly a fortnight, but not crest a cowper's

I'm here because I have failed in my duties to my family lately, and it has

taken a toll.

It will continue taking a toll if you carry on as you are.

I hope you being here tonight means you have decided to let her be.

For her sake.

Christa may have our heads if she catches us sleeping in her garden.

John, surely we should get back to the ball as Penelope are.

Shall we then?

In fact, I do not think I can be silent.

No? Forgive me. I am moved beyond silence to tell you what an exquisite

you are.

The perfect wife. And I know you'll be the perfect mother on the time's right.

I love you, Francesca.

I love you, Charles, darling.

Always.

If even were truly in her honour, would she not be here ready?

How humiliating for the new Lady Penwood.

I've got my own pair of shoes now.

I shall have to make a speech to distract them.

Ladies and gentlemen.

What is this?

Did you allow this?

Dearest, gentle reader, if there is anything that unites us all, it

is our secrets.

As the keeper of yours these past years, it is time at last for this author

to tell you a few of her own.

For one, I must tell you, reader, that I have felt a fondness for each and every

person I have ever written about.

There is a comfort in knowing that we are all human, all fallible,

and also all capable of great change.

And I come with the secret tonight of great change indeed.

For tonight, I am resting my pen.

The issue you hold in your hands will be my last.

She'll not write about tonight.

Perhaps that is the best.

I thank you, each one of you, for your readership.

Knowing you has been one of the... great pleasures of my life.

It is done.

I could not be more proud.

It is nearly done.

Who will be Lady Whistledown now?

I expect that Tom will have to get their gossip the old -fashioned way. Those

tawdry scandal sheets Penelope wants put out of business.

But who were right of my debut?

Who were right to sign the Diamond of the Sea?

I'm sure someone will take on that mantle.

Please do not tell Mama.

Your secret is safe.

As long as we leave immediately before Mother catches me too.

That maid Mr. Bridgerton is speaking with.

Is it Sophie?

Well, we know she doesn't work here.

If she did, surely we would have heard about it from the old Penwood servants.

Was that not the most magical evening of her entire life?

Anything?

You have been sitting at my desk, planning a life with her at my cottage.

No.

At my cottage, brother.

I see my valet does not know where his loyalty lies. He let me intimidate him,

as should you.

If you had thought it through, even for a moment... I have thought it through.

I've thought every inch of it through.

You've been gone longer than you realised.

You do not know me now.

I know that you mean well, always.

But if you were choosing a life with her, you cannot have thought it all

through. I will not stand here. Have you thought about how she'll feel when you

eventually marry? I do not need to marry!

What about when you decide you want a family?

I know you'll want one one day, and you cannot do that with her. Can I not? No.

Not in the way that you would like.

I understand you may have convinced yourself that she is reason enough to

everything, but think, if you ever have a family, what the reality of life would

be like for those children.

They'll never be able to join our family.

Not truly. They'll be shunned by society.

Cast out.

Not even our mother is saintly enough to allow such a thing.

I could not live with myself if I looked into Edmund's eyes, knowing I had

brought him into this world under those conditions.

Could you?

I have thought of that.

All of it.

But I cannot walk away from her.

To make the right decision in the end.

Please.

Do not make me the fool.

How did they react?

The news certainly put the ball into disarray, Your Majesty.

Just as I hoped.

You have upstaged Lady Penwood.

Very well.

I look forward to seeing what you will write next, Mrs Bridgerton.

And you will bring me any gossip you might hear from time to time?

Of course, Your Majesty.

I am most grateful for your blessing, thank you.

Thank you.

You may go.

Lady Danbury.

Your Majesty.

Another blue piece? That goes in the sky.

That is an awful lot of sky.

And you do not like an awful lot of anything.

I like a moderate amount of sky.

Some clouds and trees to pen it in is a much more comfortable view.

Oh, I should like to see the whole sky at once.

This is the last piece.

As you have both been exceptionally helpful, I think one of you should do

honours. Well, I think it should be me.

I put together so much of the ground. And I completed the sky. You cannot have

one without the other.

Shall we place it together?

Well, with that, I think I shall lie down for a nap.

Are you feeling well? Only a small headache.

Parliament again, surely. I shall be revived by dinner time.

Will you wake me?

Of course.

Hmm. What number is this in your drinks or collection?

Nineteen. Shall we start the other one? I knew you would enjoy it.

Lord Anderson.

Thank you, Mrs. Olsen.

Good day, Lady Bridgeton.

Are you wishing to end this?

Far from it.

Is there a reason you ask?

Well, our conversation the other day, you made it quite apparent that you do

wish to formalise anything.

Is there... Why is that?

Violet...

Because you have been so distressed by what the children might or might not

know. I felt distressed for you.

And I thought it would put you at ease to know that there is no need to

formalize anything.

Oh, I... Yes, yes.

That was very kind of you.

But you should know, if you did wish to formalize our attachment, there is

nothing in the world that would bring me greater joy.

I know your children are your whole life, and I know I can never replace the

late Lord Bridgerton in your heart.

As I will always hold a special affection for Nessa, I would never wish

your affection for your family, ever.

But to join them, it would be a remarkable thing.

It would be rather a relief not to have to sneak around anymore.

You are a practical woman.

I love that about you.

I love you, in fact.

What?

If you would have me, I would very

much like to marry you.

Thank you.

Thank you for coming.

I have an interview tomorrow at Penwood House under the new lady of the house.

You were taking the other position?

If it is offered to me, yes.

Tonight would be my last night here.

I wanted to say goodbye.

But what about... I'm not with child.

I never was, apparently. My courses returned last night.

I see.

You still do not have to take a new position, though.

I promised I would take care of you.

And that remains true whether or not you're a child.

That is kind of you.

Most gentlemanly, but you do not owe me anything.

This was never to do with owing you something, Sophie.

And you know that.

It was about... Love.

I thought it could be enough. I...

I wanted it to be enough, but we both know it is not.

What is love in the face of generations of established practice?

In the face of society, of this strong line drawn to divide us? I do not wish

fight against all of that any more than you do.

But more importantly, family.

I have never before seen such mutual love.

I could not live with myself if I took you away from them.

I could still take care of you.

I could get you an apartment in the city. Or you could stay on the bridge

if that is what you wish. The more closely we remain connected, the more

we will be.

And eventually we will make the same mistake we already made once.

Please do not call what happened between us a mistake.

Please.

John, dinner is almost ready. You wanted me to wake you.

That was enjoyable, was it not?

The three of us completing that jigsaw together.

I'm delighted we all shall be such great friends.

John?

John?

John, wake up.