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1 Your Grace, will your natural mother be making an appearance?

Mrs. Patricia St. George,

would you state for the court

the grounds on which you are petitioning for divorce?

Adultery.

The court may well wonder why,

after 22 years of seemingly happy and profitable marriage,

you're bringing this petition now?

May I ask what's changed?

In my marriage, nothing.

My husband has been a philanderer since the day we met,

and his infidelity continued before the wedding, after it,

and, I can only imagine, to this very day.

Objection, Your Honor.

Surely not to this very day.

So, why now, Mrs. St. George?

Because I've had enough. Finally.

Of being disregarded and lied to.

I also have two daughters.

And I believe standing up to their father sends a message to my girls

that they should never allow any man

to undervalue them the way their father has me.

And, Mr. Summers, I'm loath to sound grand,

but I am also here today for every woman in America

who questions whether she has the strength to break free.

The court will be aware that the respondent, Colonel?

Colonel Tracy St. George has been the subject of press attention

this last year.

That his infidelity has…

That his infidelity has been widely reported by newspapers

on both sides of the Atlantic…

A reminder, Mr. Summers, that in the state of New York,

the only way a claimant can be granted a divorce

is by providing proof of adultery.

In the court of law,

journalism is no substitute for hard evidence.

We will now take a short recess.

All rise.

We'll now take a short break…

Peekaboo!

Peekaboo!

Here I am.

Should we look for some daisies and make a chain?

What's that?

What is that?

You are in a good mood today.

We're home now, darling.

Yes, it's funny, isn't it?

Oh, I know. I know.

Let's get you properly dressed for the boating lake, yes?

You're back. How… How are you?

How are you doing? Can I get either of you anything?

Here are your mittens.

Here they are.

Oh, honey, you're getting so big.

- Six weeks since the funeral. - Oopsie…

She hasn't cried. She can't even look at me.

We all love you…

including her.

Conchita!

Lord and Lady Bembridge are here to pay their respects.

Minnie and I are busy.

What is it today? Dancing?

Hopscotch?

No. But those are both good thoughts for tomorrow.

Tell me she does realize

- tomorrow is the memorial. - Yes, she does.

Well, both she and the child must be in black.

- My girl. - Hi.

I'm so, so sorry I'm late.

But why are you here? I told you… I begged you not to come.

I could not have missed this.

Darling, how's Jinny?

Safe. And Freddie's settled.

Now that Seadown's behind bars, she can breathe. Everyone can.

And my poor Conchita?

She's doing astonishing on the outside.

She's living for Minnie.

What the lawyer said in there seems hopeful.

They hardly ever get women to testify.

But the amount of girls who have reached out to me

since they started covering the case…

There's any number of women who have stories about your father.

And two of them have agreed to take the stand, so…

we have a real shot.

Patti…

they're asking for you.

Well… What a surprise.

I see congratulations are in order.

Mrs. St. George…

do you consider yourself to be a good wife?

I have done my best to create a happy household.

And your greatest achievement?

Raising two wonderful daughters.

You raised them? Alone?

Tracy came home for dinner occasionally.

So, tell me, Mrs. St. George,

which of the lessons that you, alone, drilled into your children

recently inspired your eldest daughter to flee her home,

deprive her husband of his son,

lose all track of that son for over a week,

publicly assault her husband to such a degree

that she was committed to a mental facility,

and now sees her raising a baby alone in London,

with no income and her husband incarcerated for murder?

Virginia's husband hurt her! He beat her!

Lord Seadown, Your Honor,

a man of previously impeccable public standing,

who, following his wedding to the St. George girl,

was driven, in anger, to shoot dead his brother.

How fortunate Colonel St. George has no brother of his own.

And what about your husband, Mrs. St. George?

A wife has a duty to honor the man she married.

Your husband provided an extraordinary home in a very nice neighborhood.

Did you ensure his needs were met?

Your intimate life together…

Was it satisfying?

That is none of your concern.

Mrs. St. George,

the detail of your husband's intimacies is exactly

what you have brought us here to ascertain.

We were intimate.

And your husband, you claim,

was so insatiable,

he also had to seek comfort elsewhere.

So, I imagine the intimacy between the two of you

was always initiated by him.

Mrs. St. George…

a reminder you're under oath.

While you believed your husband to be sleeping with numerous other women,

who generally initiated the regular marital relations?

Who was it?

Me. I did.

Not always, but often.

In order to keep my husband coming home, I initiated it.

And what might have been…

a typical first move?

Just as an example.

Mrs. St. George, what was in your arsenal?

A tender hand, perhaps?

A whispered word?

I would sit on his lap.

No further questions, Your Honor.

The petitioner calls the first witness.

The petitioner calls the second witness.

All right, get… Just go.

Mr. Summers, is there a problem?

Your Honor, it appears our two witnesses

who had agreed to give testimony

no longer wish to testify.

They're reluctant to subject themselves to the base questioning

of Colonel St. George's representatives.

So, not one of the women who Mrs. St. George claims was intimate

with her husband is prepared to give evidence?

No, Your Honor. No.

Drinks.

Nan.

Patti.

Now, in my family, when someone's had an awful day,

that calls for pie.

And I'd like to announce that the pie is the size

of a small field.

I'm hoping 20 other people might drop by to help eat it.

Arthur walked six blocks to buy us dessert.

It's the only way I can help.

Nan, this is Nell's new husband, Arthur.

I've tied myself in knots trying to decide if I ought to bow,

curtsey.

I could pretend to know nothing about you,

but I confess to having heard every detail.

And I promise I won't tell Jinny that you're Nell's favorite niece.

Nell and I spent the entire crossing

talking and laughing with each other,

paying no mind to any other passengers.

And then, when we got off the boat,

Arthur helped her with her bag,

and they laughed about his hat and, well, that was it.

It was a very unflattering hat.

You know I never… knew who my natural mother was?

I heard she passed. I'm so sorry.

I haven't really felt her loss up until now.

But surely if she was here,

she'd give some evidence, right?

I… I believe we should go open another bottle.

We'll be right back.

It's going to be a big room with lots of pretty flowers in it.

And a lot of people are going to be saying really nice things about Daddy.

Won't that be fun?

So, just this once, we're gonna wear dark colors.

But in our minds, we'll be…

thinking about wearing pink or red,

and just feeding the ducks or watching the horses in the street.

You know, a lot of people might be feeling or looking very sad tomorrow.

But what makes us feel happy, huh?

We like to dance.

We like to wave, huh?

We like to wiggle.

So, we'll just pretend that we're somewhere else,

and we'll wave our fingers at each other,

and pretend that we're far away.

And that's how we know that we're happy inside.

Has Nan said anything else?

Not yet.

Do you think she will?

Let's just get this trial over with. Let's get it done.

You know,

if it helps, I will take the stand. You know I will…

And have Arthur hear all of it?

Absolutely not. No.

- But, Patti… - Eleanor,

you have a baby on the way, and that must come first.

- Good night. - Good night.

Is Honoria with her mother?

Always.

Of course, her mother is the only person in her family

to have suffered a tragedy.

I wish Honoria could get away.

How are you?

We're managing.

Jinny, Conchita…

But how are you?

Same as I was.

You?

I'm the same too.

Lady Honoria,

you know France is still there, should it be required.

The school would be delighted to have you.

There's no chance of that now, but thank you.

Do excuse me.

Your Grace, you came.

Of course.

May you never know the pain of losing a son.

Two sons.

One lost. One…

mis… misplaced.

Unimaginable.

You're up early.

I couldn't sleep.

Nor could I.

Mother…

I know we haven't spoken

about the day that you and Nell left after my wedding,

and I've been thinking…

This is a conversation we will have.

We will, I promise.

After this wretched trial is over.

But wouldn't it change things?

They need evidence, and if my natural mother were here,

- if she weren't dead… - Nan… don't, please.

But she might help.

You saw what happened yesterday.

No one should have to be put through that.

But I've made a million mistakes.

I am so sorry.

And those mistakes will end. They will.

But until then…

your natural mother is unavailable.

Then I'll testify.

I'd… Annabel…

they don't need another reason to write about you.

I begged you to not even come.

But aren't I living proof?

And being the most famous illegitimate in New York has to have some benefits.

I have nothing to hide. I will do it happily.

There's nobody else.

There he is.

Hello.

Now, Romeo, after today,

might we start making plans for happier events?

I'm afraid I ought to be honest with you.

It's unlikely that the wedding will be rescheduled.

- Oh, Hector… - I know.

Unlike me to lose a fight.

I'd so hoped it was a temporary impediment.

No, no. Impediments I can overcome.

But the simple fact of the matter is…

bizarre as it may seem…

is Lizzy just changed her mind.

No other impediment.

She's here.

I'll just be in here, okay?

Hello, let me show you…

My lords, ladies, and gentlemen.

Welcome to Barton House School.

Today, we gather to celebrate and honor the life

of an alumni of the school, Lord Richard Marable.

Little Nan.

Well, I guess…

not so little anymore.

I couldn't move in the bar last night for folks telling me how grand you looked.

And how English.

How's your duke treating you?

That well, huh?

And your sister?

She wanted to come… for Mother.

Of course.

Nan, I w…

I want you to understand that all this, this circus,

I never wanted any of it.

I just want things to go back to normal. For your mother to love me.

For my girls to be able to…

look me in the eye.

That's all I ever wanted.

Anyway.

Look, I understand, Nan.

I understand why you have to do this for your mother.

I am truly sorry, Nan.

I never wanted any of this, kid.

It will surely be of comfort to Lord Brightlingsea's family

that he is honored in this,

his alma mater.

God called him home to heaven.

And now, a moment for silent prayer.

Stay where you…

Sorry.

Conchita.

It's no surprise you'd raise a child who expects constant attention,

but I'd expect one of you at least to understand how to mourn.

How dare you tell me or my daughter or anyone how to grieve?

How dare you?

You know, Richard would have hated this.

And don't tell me what a comfort it is.

There is no comfort!

Dicky's life was not some ugly plaque

in a building he loathed.

Our daughter is his memorial!

And I will make sure to tell Minnie every day

that her father was a breathtaking, big-hearted titan of a man…

who, one summer in New York,

spent all night, till dawn, dancing…

seminaked on a bandstand.

And also,

God did not call Richard back home to heaven.

No kind of God did this.

Jinny.

Conchita.

Okay, Minnie.

I mean, you're right, of course.

It wasn't God that did this to Dick.

So, who was it? Who do you blame?

You want to have this conversation?

Yes. Yes. Yes, I do because I can't…

- I can't stand it anymore, Conchita. - You can't stand it?

Well, I'm very sorry to hear that.

Do you wanna know why I can't look at you?

Because I blame you. How could I not?

No, I don't… I don't blame you like the papers do.

I don't think that you running to Italy made your husband pick up a gun.

I blame you because every time I look at you,

I'm reminded of what was stolen from me.

And I blame you for tiptoeing around me, and smiling sadly at me,

and assuming that I must want to cry.

I mean, God! Why…

Why does the world want me to cry?

I blame you. I blame you for treating me like a widow

when that's the last thing in the world that I wanna be!

All right. I love you.

I love you so much, Conchita.

Stop.

I will be here waiting every day until you're ready.

The petitioner calls the Duchess of Tintagel.

Your Grace,

how's your relationship with your father?

Well, growing up, he was my hero.

He made us laugh. He bought us gifts.

And now?

What do you feel about him now?

Shame.

You don't understand your parents or their relationship

until you're an adult yourself,

and I can now clearly see how he treats my mother.

He says he adores her.

But if you were to ask what he loves about her, it's the way she looks.

It's how people talk about her. He loves to show her off.

My mother is the one who raised me and my blameless, fearless sister.

And in the face of his regular infidelities,

she responded with nothing but love and kindness.

Shielding us from the numerous encounters he had with other women.

Which went on my whole life.

Including with the woman who gave birth to me.

Your Grace, just to be clear,

we've all heard the rumors, but…

Let me confirm them.

I know for a fact my father has been unfaithful,

because I am a product of one of his affairs.

No further questions, Your Honor.

Your Highness? Your Grace?

Your… Duchessness? Is that it?

So I read that over in England, you're a pretty big deal.

I am a duchess, if that's what you mean.

Ought we to have found you a throne?

A crown perhaps?

A little plate of cucumber sandwiches?

That was a stirring speech you gave

in praise of a woman who isn't actually your mother.

But in this courthouse, we deal in the business of facts.

Actual evidence.

So do you have anything factual to prove

you're not the daughter of Patricia St. George?

I mean, you two look a lot alike, don't you think?

You have any proof she didn't give birth to you?

She told me. As did my father.

Pardon me, Duchess.

Which one's your father?

Colonel Tracy St. George is my father.

You got any proof of that?

I mean, we're only taking your word for all of this.

Do you know who your natural mother is? Got a name?

I wasn't given a name. No.

Colonel St. George, do you know for a fact

who this young woman's natural mother is?

Were you there at her birth?

No. No, I was not.

In point of fact,

can you say for certain who her natural father is?

I cannot.

No proof of paternity? No birth certificate?

No.

No, they were destroyed.

Then I'm not sure what relevance the duchess has in this divorce case,

or why we're wasting the court's time.

Couldn't stand the thought of you doing this alone.

So I just…

wanted to be nearby.

As a friend.

Okay. Well, I'm just going to go in there and…

- Ask a question. - Ask a question.

Okay.

Your mother will be so relieved. We looked everywhere for you.

Am I right? Is it you?

What my mother was trying to say before you left England?

- Your mother's resting. I'll… - This isn't about her.

- Arthur will be back from… - Are you my mother?

Well?

Yes.

Yes, it's me. I'm your mother.

It should be no surprise that you are a coward.

You've stayed away my whole life, not daring to come near me.

- Well, I wanted to. I tried… - I'm not interested

in what you wanted. Why aren't you testifying?

After everything my mother did for you, taking me in, protecting you,

allowing you to live your life unencumbered,

and now you're just going to let her face all of this on her own?

You're the only person, the one person in this whole world

who can make a difference.

How come you get off scot-free in all of this?

How dare you?

- You don't know the first thing about me. - I don't. You made sure of that.

Where do you get off throwing about words like that?

As if you know the first thing about the world.

Growing up in your mansion, married to your duke,

never feeling cold, or hungry, or unloved.

- You do not understand me. - Why?

Because you're so complicated?

I have lived a hell of a lot longer and a lot harder than you, Annabel.

I promise you.

My parents were a dead loss.

My sister abandoned me.

I was treated like a whore by my sister's husband

and after that, by plenty of other people's husbands.

And the only thing that I had any chance

of getting unconditional love from, my baby,

was taken from me and taught to hate me.

Then, just as I got to an age

where I thought it was completely impossible,

I met a good man.

Arthur loves me and he's giving me a chance

at what everybody took for granted decades ago.

A family. A life.

And for your information, Patti has forbidden me from testifying.

If I testify…

Nan, if my name is out there,

not only will Arthur leave me,

but before it has even been born, my baby will be the child of a slut.

And I cannot let that happen.

Well, that would be a new feeling for you.

Putting your baby first.

What did you ever do for me?

I kept you from being the child of a slut.

What is that?

What is that?

Take that out of your mouth, Freddie.

What is that?

- Hi. - Hi.

Hi, Freddie.

I brought some cakes to say sorry to your mommy.

No…

Look what she did.

I just had my first ever argument with my mother.

Is it quite the achievement to have lost a father

and gained a mother in the same day?

I have always said you can do anything.

And I'm proud of you. How do you feel?

Different.

The same. At least I'm getting some answers.

Well, answers are good. They're always good.

They're useful.

Yes. They are useful.

Useful like…

plates.

- Plates? - Plates.

Is that the only useful thing you can think of?

Plates are useful. They are.

Otherwise food would be all over your lap.

Yes, that is right. I suppose plates are useful.

All right then. Useful like… hands.

Hands are useful?

Hands are useful.

Did you just say that so you can hold my hand?

Excuse me, are you the duchess?

- No. No. No. - No. She gets that a lot.

I'm also…

She's far more miserable than I am.

And a much better dresser.

All well?

I think there's something you should know.

Come in.

Jinny said you might be awake.

Minnie's downstairs putting toast on Freddie's head.

Very adorable together.

We're all family now.

I just wanted to show you this.

God, Honoria. That's hideous.

It was Dick's.

When he was a little boy.

And I thought Minnie might like to have it.

Thank you. I love him.

I meant it.

We're family now.

You are Minnie's favorite aunt.

- Don't tell any of the other girls that. - I won't.

And you will always have this place as your home.

But you have sisters now. And having sisters means

that you don't have to manage mothers on your own.

I don't promise to agree with her. Ever.

But I will take care of her so you can live a little.

Dick always wanted you to be free of this place.

If he believed in anyone, he believed in you.

Thank you, Conchita.

Thank you.

I also found this.

It's from Dick. The summer that he was in New York.

I think you should read it.

Thank you.

My dear Honoria.

I have met the most extraordinary woman.

Conchita Closson is as different from anyone in our family

as a circus is from a library.

And I can only imagine you'd find her both mystifying

and, to be honest, a little horrifying.

I first met her at the Madison Square Ballrooms.

Her head thrown back, laughing

as if nothing in the world had ever been so funny.

So unselfconscious. So fearless.

Honoria, she makes me feel that the sun has risen.

Conchita is luminous.

When she dances, the world watches.

And when she looks at me, it's as though I've run down a mountain.

I'm quite certain I will love Conchita my entire life.

And if that life were to end tomorrow,

well, I'd die delirious and uplifted.

To have basked in her glorious and gentle light…

to have held her hand.

Do send my regards to the dogs.

Love, Dick.

I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached.

Can you imagine if I'd have brought you up?

Would we have had fights like that every night?

Worse.

It would have been a disaster.

I don't know if I'd have ruined you or kicked you into shape.

I wasn't ready to be the mother you deserved.

I was just a girl.

I can't explain why it hurt so much, and so unexpectedly,

that you're having a baby.

Is it because you have a human heart and soul?

Finally ready. Is Arthur coming?

He… He wasn't sure.

I should have come before.

But you were too busy?

- With Reede Robinson? - No.

I was scared.

I have a great many things to apologize for.

And…

- I know you'll never fully forgive me… - You think that saying sorry is enough?

Without your interference, Nan would've just disappeared with Guy

before the wedding, and yes, my heart would've been broken.

But I'd have been free for it to mend and love again.

And now I love Lizzy Elmsworth. Did you know that?

And she loves me.

Elizabeth? Hector's Elizabeth?

No.

My Elizabeth. My Lizzy.

The woman I could've devoted my life to making happy,

if you hadn't stepped in the way.

Why didn't you find him?

Why didn't you go straight to Reede after Father died?

Because by then, I had another man.

You.

And you were all that mattered.

I missed you.

I missed you too.

All right, stand back. Get back.

You know I could make this…

whole thing go away, Patti.

We could both walk out of here and have this… whole thing forgotten.

- All rise. - You won't win.

I may not be granted this divorce,

but every time a woman rejects your advances,

or a wife stands up for herself, or a mistress walks away,

I will have won.

Please be seated.

As there is no further evidence to present,

- I will begin my summoning… - Your Honor.

The petitioner would like to call a final witness.

I am Mrs. Eleanor Brookes.

Younger sister of Patti St. George.

And I know her husband had affairs…

because I am Nan's natural mother.

Order. Order in the court.

I will have silence in this courtroom.

Not only letters, written and signed by Tracy

outlining what we did.

Also receipts, hotel checks.

What else do you need?

Wonderful!

- Mrs. George! Over here! - Thank you.

Thank you.

Well played, Patti.

Well played.

You joined forces, huh?

Well, good for you.

But don't any of you expect to get another dime from me,

let alone seeing me.

Well, we will endeavor to work through the pain.

You are incredible.

So what do you want to do now?

Talk with you. All night perhaps.

- And then, please, I want to see Jinny. - Of course.

Oh, Guy!

There you are. Thank you.

You took care of both my girls.

There you are.

Could you see about some tea?

No.

No. I can't. I'm sorry.

Actually, no, I'm not sorry.

I can't get tea for you, Mother, because I'm going to France.

- Don't be silly, Honoria. - I'm not being silly.

I'm hardly ever silly. In fact, I think that might be the problem.

Or at least one of them.

I'd like to be silly. And impetuous. And brave.

And more than anything in the world, I'd like for Richard to still be here.

And I know that you want that too. And I am sorry about that.

But what I'm not sorry for is wanting to live my life.

I can't live my life saying sorry, Mother.

I'd like to try being silly and impetuous and brave for a little while.

Well, good luck with that.

I expect I'll see you in a few hours

when you've got scared and changed your mind.

I'm not going to change my mind.

I'm not the same person that I used to be.

And in the future, who knows, I might be an entirely different person.

I might surprise you, Mother.

Honoria, I don't believe you've ever surprised me in your life.

- Pick up a card. - We were lit… Okay.

Stop coming for me!

I love you guys.

- 'Cause that's the only sister you have. - Can I borrow you for a second?

What's going on?

I can't believe…

Wait, did you know? Wait, Mabel…

No, stop.

I think I might go to France now.

I'm so proud of you.

It's always been under your noses.

Mabel.

That boat seemed to take an age.

Do you think Freddie will be awake when we arrive?

If he's asleep, I'm sure Jinny won't mind if I wake him.

Well, if you don't, I will.

Freddie will have grown.

He grows so fast.

You know, Jinny was the same.

Oh, my gosh. They're here!

- Hey, Mabel. - Nan!

- Welcome home. - Thank you!

Hello!

Mabel.

Whose is this?

Lizzy's.

She's been tearing the place up for the other one.

Nan, it is so nice to have you back home.

Pardon.

Nan.

This is Paloma.

I'm Guy's wife.