01x02 - Tracks Less Well Trod

[bunniefuu]

[Sam] Help yourselves. Dive in.

It ain't every day a man's daughter
is back home from the dead.

[Nell] I wondered why everybody
was looking at me funny.

Today, I got held up by these highwaymen.

That ring on your finger. You might need
to donate that to the cause.

[Nell] And one of them hit me.

-What's your name?
-Billy Blind.

-What do you mean you're on my side?
-I protect you.

[upbeat music playing]

[screaming]

[groans]

I'm untouchable.

[Charles] Charles Devereux, madam.
Toff, bon viveur...

-You're Isambard Tulley.
-Lord, I should hope not.

[Charles] He's got a 20-pound reward
on his head.

[Roxy] Pa's dead.

I ran him out of town under cover
of darkness and then I k*lled him.

And now they're trying to cover it up.

I want everything now.

What stands between you and your estate?

You want me to k*ll my own father?

-[Thomas] She k*lled him!
-No. I didn't! It was him.

Get after her!

George! Roxy! We're leaving.

What's going on?

[George] Where're we going?

I'll tell you when we get there!

[upbeat music playing]

[horse neighs]

[noble lady] Lord, Papa!
How can you be so angry with me?

There's always an uproar in the family
about marrying the eldest daughter,

and now poor I must suffer in my turn!

Your Mama and I have been too fond of you!

-Papa.
-If you do not receive

Mr. Ledger as your lover...

Lover?
[scoffs]

Has he ever once so much as cast
a languishing look towards me,

or, or written me a sonnet,
or thrown himself at my feet?

Mr. Ledger is a husband
of your Papa and Mama's providing.

And aren't they the properest persons
to dispose of you?

[noble lady] Dispose of me?

Oh, Papa, your head is
so full of trade and commerce,

that you would dispose of your daughter
like a piece of merchandise!

My heart is my own property
and at no one's disposal but my own!

[noble man] Her impudence amazes me.
You undutiful trollop.

[noble lady] Not undutiful at all, Papa!

But the truth is, my heart...

[suspenseful music intensifies]

[groans]

[grunting]

[upbeat music playing]

There! It's out, it's said.

You see, gentlemen,
what a situation I am in?

No one cares.

Nonsense, I think it's generous
entertaining of them

to share their dirty linen with us.

You, sir, are drunk.

That's a very... Yes, yes, I am.

[horses neighing]

[noble lady] Have we speeded up?

-Lord, Papa! We've speeded up!
-We're off the main highway!

This isn't the road to London!

-[noble lady] Oh. Oh, really?
-What's occurring?

[noble man] Stop this machine!

[whimpering]

[all whimpering, exclaiming]

[noble man] What is going on?

[noble lady] Lord, Papa, we've stopped.

[Nell] Give me that.

Now, peel your kit off.

-What?
-Go on.

Well, you said you wouldn't help me

if I took part in random
acts of v*olence, Billy Blind!

[Billy] Someone points a g*n at you,
I have obligations.

Well, that's good to know. Hang on.

-What obligations?
-I don't know.

Where did these obligations come from?

-Now!
-That is a good question.

-And the answer is?
-Tricky.

[Billy] I can only assume
that your life is very important.

-Given that I'm here to protect it.
-Why though? Why?

And... keep going.

And who decides these things?

-Well, you must fit the bill.
-What bill?

-Like I said, I'm no wiser than you are.
-Come on.

Hurry up.

-Yeah, but you must be...
-Yeah, oh, our is not to reason why.

Ours just to get on with things, eh?

Yeah, but...

[noble lady] Papa, do something.

[murmurs]
Billy?

I want to see skin. Come on, all of it.
Let me see it.

[noble man] Well, get out then.

-You get out.
-I'm not next to a door.

Well, I'm not the only one next to a door.

[sozzled writer] Ugh.

Oh, I must beg to be excused.

On what grounds, sir?

Two things, sir. One.

We don't know what's out there. And B...

[thudding on roof]

I'm a bit soft.

[creaking on roof]

You're being advised to step outside.

-By who?
-Why?

With your hands up.

[slow tense music playing]

[grunts]

[Nell clears throat]

How do?

[theme music]

-[knocking on door]
-[door opens]

Lady Wilmott. Colonel Standring's here
with another gentleman.

Ah. Yes. Bring them in here.
Tell my brother to come downstairs.

Tell him I don't want
to have to ask twice.

[door closes]

[suspenseful music playing]

[murmuring]

[Lord Blancheford] Thomas.

[Thomas] Liar!

[Lord Blancheford laughing]

Leave me alone.

[g*n sh*ts]

[gasps]

Leave me alone!

[Lord Blancheford] Thomas.

[gasps]

Mm.

[breathes shakily]

[Standring] Ah, Blancheford.

Lord Standring.
Did I keep you waiting? I'm sorry.

Your sister's been telling me

your bereavement is taking
a heavy toll on you.

Well, and it could hardly be otherwise?

Such a brutal att*ck.
And right before the boy's eyes.

I'm sorry for your loss. Your Lordship.

-This is Captain Jarrold.
-[Jarrold] How do you do?

If anybody can find your father's k*ller,
it's Jarrold.

By this time tomorrow,

we'll have eyes in every city and town
in England, Lord Blancheford.

Will you?

How?

You must offer a substantial reward.

We'll advertise it
in every newspaper in print,

with as vivid a description
of Nell Jackson that you can give

and any accomplices she may have.

We'll have news of them within the week.

Within a month,
she'll be hanging from the scaffold.

Finding her is one thing.

Pinning her down may be something else.

Thomas is right, Captain Jarrold.

We need a lot more force
than you could ever reasonably imagine.

She fights like a demon apparently.

And with the strength of 10 men.

She's unnatural.

I look forward to it.

[soft music playing]

[box clanking]

I can count the leaves from the trees.

I can see individual items.

[Roxy] I don't like going through
other people's things.

[Nell] Listen.

I'm not happy pilfering
other people's stuff.

I'm not happy to be in a position

where I have to pilfer
other people's stuff.

Cheese! Who wants some cheese?

-Can I have some cheese?
-Yes!

Of course, it's ours now.
And I did apologize to them.

I did explain that I was in a tight spot

through no fault of my own,
and with mouths to feed,

And I was just...

I was redistributing some wealth.

What did they say?

You will hang.

Not a lot.

Yeah. Well. I was never gonna die in bed.

[soft music playing]

-Shouldn't you, um...
-Yes, Miss?

Tie us up? So we can't escape, sir.

Oh, I've not got any rope.

You'll just have to pretend.

-[exclaims]
-[horses neigh]

[Rasselas] Don't waste
your sorrows on them, Roxy.

These people have more stuff
than they know what to do with.

You know what's vulgar?

Now why does one man
need 10 pairs of pants,

while another man, not three feet away,
has to walk down the streets

with his bottom cheeks
hanging out of his galligaskins?

If the world was a better place,
the world was a fairer place,

none of this would be happening.

-I know. I know that.
-I want to go home.

[Nell] I've been thinking
about what to do.

And none of yous lot have done
anything wrong,

-so in a good world...
-I have.

I've prigged this prancer
off His Lordship.

That's a one-way trip
to the three-legged mare...

[in choking voice]
...if ever there was one.

[in normal voice]
I know it's not in the same league

as what you did... Didn't do.
But. Just, saying.

I'll be doing the Tyburn Jig, same as you,
if they get ahold of me.

Yeah. and I was talking to these two.
So, I'll deal with you in a minute.

-Oh.
-Get out.

In a good world,

I'd find a magistrate
who might listen to the truth.

But in the real world,
that's not gonna happen.

So, now I've got some vittles down
my gullet and I can think straight.

What I think we should do...

is head out west

via the back lanes
and the tracks less well-trod,

then I'm gonna drop yous two off
with Uncle Jack in Abingdon.

Is Uncle Jack in Abingdon a real person?

Yeah, of course. He's Dad's baby brother.

What about you, Nell?
What are you gonna do?

Chances are once word gets
out about this latest caper

they'll think we're on the north road.

So, if we was to light out west
that would put us ahead of the game.

And once I've dropped you off
in Abingdon...

I'll leg into Bristol,
sneak onboard a packet,

-and sail to America.
-America?

[shushes]
What? Yes.

Once I've got settled,
and I've made something of myself.

I'm gonna send for you.

-What about him?
-Who? Yeah, of course. Give me a minute.

I need a word with you, kid. Over here.

[clears throat]

Hurry up.

[Rasselas] 'Sup, boss?

[Nell] I ain't your boss.

Look, you need to take that horse back.

-Blame me.
-Eh?

Say I kidnapped you. Or something.

But then you managed to give me the slip.
All right?

Look, this isn't your mess. It's mine.

But I need you
to take yourself back there,

and then I don't have to worry
about you as well as everything else.

I don't wanna go back.

I'd just get bruised
by that buffoon, Thomas.

All right.
Don't go back, go where you like.

But I'm gonna drop these nippers off
where they have a roof over their heads

and then no one ain't seeing me for dust.

-Including you.
-Why?

Because that's how it is.

Where are you going?

Fill your boots,
take some of them nice warm threads.

Pinch a pair of them pops and a blade
so you can look after yourself,

and then we'll all bid one another adieu.
All right?

-Can I not just hang about with you?
-No.

Can I not be useful to you, Nelly Jackson?

-Uh-uh. No.
-Look, if...

if you'd have let me come and take
the carriage with you this morning,

you would've seen how useful I could be.

Ow.

Yeah. I ain't no double act.

I did try that with Captain Jackson,

and all I learned at the end
is that it's every man for himself.

But look, you're free.

The world is your oyster,
which you with sword may open, eh?

Yeah, grasp it.

The world is a big place,
there's lots to see and do,

so best get cracking, eh?

Chop, chop.

[door opens]

[Earl of Poynton] Where is he?

[door closes]

Ah!

-I hear congratulations are in order.
-[Thomas] I'm sorry?

You got what you wanted.
The land, the property, the title.

You're a rich man, Blancheford.
And such a simple solution. Hmm?

One that was there all along,
just waiting to be grasped, please.

And it sounds like you got away
with it beautifully

since they're all blaming this, um,
this woman, this Nelly Jackson. Yes.

-Well done.
-I...

-I got a note to come and find you.
-[Earl of Poynton] Mm.

-When's the funeral?
-Tomorrow.

I'll be there.

You didn't know my father.

Funerals aren't for the dead, Thomas.

I'll be there to support you
and your sister.

-In your hour of darkness.
-You don't know my sister.

I saw her presented at court.
A number of years ago.

Before she married Lord Wilmot,

poor fellow.

Poor girl, still in mourning
for her husband,

and now she's lost her father.

[Lord Blancheford] Thomas.

The funeral procession
leaves the house at seven.

But look, there's really no need for you...

[Earl of Poynton] I'd like to.

You see.

People like you are rare, Thomas.

I wasn't sure you had it in you.

I wasn't sure you weren't just some
spoiled little boy.

But now... oh, now I'm intrigued.

I feel a certain responsibility
for what happened.

But I do wonder
what else you're capable of?

I do wonder if you're not
cut out for great things.

What things?

There'll be a time for that.

It's a longer conversation.

I just wanted to find out
when the funeral was,

and I wanted to see you.

I have matters to attend to.

I'll see you at church.

Benning will show you out.

[door opens]

-[Nell exhales sharply]
-[door closes]

[ominous music playing]

[Nell] He needs to make
his mark on the world,

and Rasselas can't do that
if he's tiddling about with us, can he?

No. He needs to do what he can
with his life while he has an opportunity.

But I liked him.

-I liked him.
-I liked him.

Yeah, but I mean...

you know, I liked him.

Yeah, well, that kinda mush is
a luxury we can't afford right now,

and it'd be nothing but an inconvenience,
and chances are, you know.

These things.

It's not often both sides
feel the same way,

I don't wanna see you
with your heart broke.

He did. He did like me. He told me so.

Did he indeed?

That's mighty inappropriate,
he should've kept it to himself.

[Nell] Also, I suspect
he's probably about eight...

-10 years older than you.
-[Roxy] Well, three.

-Three years older than me, that's all.
-[Nell] And some.

-[Roxy] You aren't my mother!
-[Nell] And some!

No, nor would I wish to be,
I've never seen anyone move so fast!

So when have you been having
all these in-depth conversations then?

Here and there and along the way.

Mm-hmm.

Oh. And, and his father was...
is the King of Benin.

Oh, really? Yeah, that's likely.

[chuckles]

He probably says that guff
to all the silly 16-year-olds

with nothing but bits of fluff
between their ears.

So, why did he come knocking
on our door telling us what he heard

-going on up the hall then?
-I don't know.

Why would he risk life and limb doing that
if he didn't care about people, eh?

He said he'd seen me around the village
and always thought I was like...

An English rose.

[chuckles]

So, what then, have you
been kissing and that then?

-No.
-Yeah, right.

-Who's been kissing?
-We have been talking!

-She and Rasselas.
-No one.

No one's been doing nothing,
but listening to people's life stories.

-I don't know.
-And this is what I was saying.

Right, he was bought at London Docks...

[Rasselas] Age three for fifteen pounds,
eight shillings and sixpence,

by Lord Blancheford,

who took me back
to Tottenham on his horse.

And it was thundering and lightning,

and Lord Blancheford put me under
his cloak to keep me warm.

And I was washed and dressed

and given to Sofia
and that pig Thomas as a play-thing.

On account of,
they just lost their mother,

and Lord Blancheford
thought he would cheer them up.

-[scoffs]
-So he was fed...

And clothed and petted

and treated like one
of the family until one day...

When Rasselas got to being
about 9 or 11, that's when...

Thomas got sent to Eton or some such,
and I got put to work in the farmyard.

Miss Sofia and Rasselas,
they cried and cried, but...

That was it, that was
when everything changed, and...

-[g*n sh*ts]
-[horses neighing]

Stand and deliver!

[screaming]

[clamoring]

-Get out!
-George, come on. Nell, what's going on?

-[Algernon] I said get out!
-[Roxy] Nell, what's happening?

[Algernon] There ain't no one
in here, governor.

-Just a bunch of people's clothes.
-Hang about.

I know you.

You do.

So, why not go pester someone else

before I part your hair for you
like I did the last time?

And who are these two beauties?

It's that fella, Nelly?

It's that posh fella from London.

What's that poor little mite
trying to say?

It's us, Mr. Devereux.

Why you dressed up so cunningly
like a highwayman?

What she's trying to say is,
I met this fella.

The other day in London.

Who you'll never believe
has a remarkable resemblance to you.

Anyone with eyes might
think you was twins.

And, you know, he even had a scar,

which I coulda swore blind
I'd given you, him, myself.

Mm. Curious.

How came you by this handsome carriage
and these four horses?

I was obliged to borrow them.

[laughs]

-Do you know what I think?
-Mm-mm.

I think you're Nelly Jackson.

Nelly Jackson, who has a 20-pound reward
on her head for m*rder.

Took me best part of 18 months
to get a 20-pound reward on my head.

and this one does it overnight!

[laughs]
It's all over London.

This time tomorrow, it'll be up, down,
and sideways across the country.

-Twenty pounds?
-How about, governor?

We take this horse here,
and them four horses. And the carriage.

[highwayman] And these two trollops.

And we turn the gobby one in,
and get the 20 pounds?

Have you learned nothing

from the last time I duffed you all up?

[grunts]

Go.

[Algernon] Boss.

He's new.

[chuckles]

Makes sense.

[dramatic music playing]

[Nell] Go on then.

[both grunting]

[screams, grunts]

-[gasps]
-Aha, ha!

-Drop the p*stol.
-Rasselas!

What do you want me
to do with this one, Nelly?

-What you doing here?
-I saved you!

[scoffs]
Sorry, you saved me?

[Nell] What are you on about
you "saved me"?

And Roxy. And George.

-Have you been following us?
-So, I was going to go my own way.

Like you suggested.

But first off,
I'll be honest with you, boss,

I felt sad, then I got to feeling lonely,

and then I came over all worried
about you three, and...

So, what shall I do with this one?

Ugh. I don't know.

It kinda depends on whatever drivel
comes out of his bunghole next.

Yeah, well, obviously, I couldn't admit
to being Charles Devereux

in front of the academicians. Could I?

[Charles] So, what happened then?

You went back and totted the scum
that m*rder*d your poor old dad, did you?

No. I never.

-But that's what everyone thinks.
-Mm. So, here's an idea.

You're going to get caught,

and I don't know what your plan is,
but based on the fact

that we're standing here in broad daylight

and having this conversation at all
leaves me assuming it's a bad one.

I hope you're not planning
on dropping the little ones off

with a favorite uncle, Nell.

Surely not that old chestnut.

Well, and what even if I was?
Which I ain't.

Because that'll be the first place
they'll look.

If you have a second cousin


who you never once
kept eyes on living in Kent.

They will be outside
his house this time tomorrow,

believe you me,


So, do you wish to hear my idea?

-Can do.
-You and me should team up, Nelly Jackson.

-No.
-I can help you.

Doubt it.

So, like I say.

This time tomorrow, all the news sheets
up and down the country

will have your description printed
all over them.

And not just yours. Hers and hers and his.

There won't be
one safe place you can hide.

So, what do you do, eh?

Where do you go?
When there's nowhere to go?

Hmm?

Did you nab any lolly
when you borrowed this bone shaker?

Few quid, maybe.

Right, well, let's you and me pretend
to be Lord and Lady So-and-So,

and hire a good set of rooms
in a nice hotel

in an indifferent little town
for a few days.

You've got the clothes for it,

-let's use them.
-What are you on about?

I'm on about hiding in plain sight,
Nelly Jackson.

Which amounts to no hiding at all.
Just changing who you appear to be.

And what about us?

Well, her Ladyship must have
a lady's maid.

And perhaps her Ladyship is traveling
with her eccentric little cousin.

and of course, Lord So-and-So
must have a fine footman.

Yeah, or you could be my footman.

Just think, hot food, ugh.

Warm beds, clean clothes,
roof over your heads.

While you and me work out your next move.

Why?

Why would you do that?
What's in it for you?

I like an adventure.

[bell tolling]

Hmm.

[bell tolling]

[tolling continues]

[somber music playing]

[horses snorting]

They're all looking at me.

No, they're not.

[bell tolling]

[priest] I am the resurrection
and the life, sayeth the Lord.

He who believeth in me,
though he were dead,

yet shall he live.

And whoever liveth
and believeth in me shall never die.

I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand
at the latter day upon the Earth.

No worms destroy this body...

-[Lord Blancheford] Thomas.
-Through my flesh shall I see God.

[crowd murmuring]

[clears throat]

Just carry on.

Um...

[door slams]

Who... Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine I shall behold.

We brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain,
we can carry nothing out.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Amen.

[all] Amen.

[indistinct chatter]

[inn owner] Lord and Lady Shankley.

[Charles] Yes, that's us.

[indistinct chatter]

How remarkably hideous.

-Is that a woman?
-[George] Of course, it is.

[Charles] Bathsheba.
Children should be seen, but not heard.

Doesn't her countenance
send chills down your spine?

Oh, on the contrary.
It's the other that unnerves me.

[Nell] See how one of his eyes is
so much smaller than the other?

Yes, ma'am. Rather grotesque.

[Charles] Well, I don't see that.

-She's rather ratty.
-[Nell] Hmm.

[chitters]

Do you think he looks a bit smelly
from the left?

[George] Oh, yeah.

Guarantee you that's the first time
she's been wanted.

[laughs]

Very good. No, honestly
I just want to punch him in the face.

[Charles] Oh, to be a highwaywoman.

[Nell] Do you think, you know,
like, she's rather beautiful?

-[Charles] Rather a hag.
-[Nell] Stupid hat.

[Charles] Face like a weasel.

Do you think his nose looks like a,
a dog's tallywhacker?

[Nell] Do you agree?

What do you think?

Both as vile as each other, sir.

Oh. Our rooms?

This way, Lord Shankley.

[Charles] Luggage, Jacques!

Onwards!

Jacques.

[birds cawing]

[indistinct chatter]

[Earl of Poynton] Excuse me, gentlemen.

Excuse me, my good man,
where might I find the lady of the house?

Through here, sir.

[suspenseful music playing]

[knocking on door]

[Sofia] Yes.

[door opens]

Lady Wilmot.

-May I offer my condolences.
-Have we met?

I'm Robert Hennessey. Earl of Poynton.

Oh.

I didn't know my father knew
anyone on the Queen's Privy Council.

Oh, he didn't. Well, not me at least.

Some time ago, your father sent
your brother up to London,

to your Uncle James Ogilvy,
your late mother's...

-My mother's brother, yes.
-Yes, to see if he could, uh...

do anything with Thomas.

Ogilvy roped me in.

I rather famously had something
of a misspent youth myself.

I suppose Ogilvy thought
I could be some sort of guide.

-Or mentor to Thomas.
-I didn't know that. How kind of you.

Ah, I've interrupted you.

I'm trying to familiarize myself
with estate matters.

Thomas won't do it.
But I shan't let it go to rack and ruin.

If there is anything I can do
to be of use to you,

please ask.

The only way anyone can be
of any use to me

is in helping to bring to justice
the mindless, depraved,

non-entity that m*rder*d my father.

[thrilling music playing]

Uh, Nell Jackson?

[knocking on door]

Ma'am. Mr. Jarrold's here.

He says he's aware it might not be
the right moment, but...

Show him in.

I've taken on this man, Jarrold,
to track her down.

Apparently, he's very good. But...

I think it's going to take more
than mere mortals to capture her.

Has Thomas told you?

She fights as though...

she's possessed by a demon.

And you saw this?
You saw her k*ll your father?

Yes.

She sh*t him.

Right in front of us.

The cook and some of the men ran in
when Thomas shouted and it...

It was extraordinary.

The way she stopped b*ll*ts
with her bare hands.

Have you...

heard of such a thing?

[chuckles softly]

There are more things in this world
than most people ever begin to imagine.

-Really?
-Yes.

It sounds to me
as if this Nell Jackson may have,

whether she's aware of it or not,

accessed some spirit.

Some entity.

And if she has,
like must be fought with like,

because as you've observed,
no mortal will touch her.

Can you help us?

Possibly.

Lady Wilmot.

-Ah, shall I...
-No. Stay. Would you?

[Jarrold] I'll be brief.

This morning, we had news
of a carriage held up by a woman

just south of Potters Bar.

And from her appearance

and the extraordinary way
she conducted herself,

it was her.

There will be other sightings,

and as soon as there are,
the net will tighten.

Was she alone?

Mm-hm.

And the guard and the driver
were both heavily armed.

Both former soldiers.

Place more adverts in more news sheets.

And raise the reward to 40 pounds.

Very good.

-[indistinct chatter]
-[bell tolling]

-Good, that's very good.
-Oh, Lady Shankley, look.

[chuckles]

Yeah.

Oh, I could've been in Bristol now.
I could've been on a ship.

Well, you see, the thing is,

even then,
I shouldn't feel obliged to run off.

I should be able to find a magistrate
who will listen to the truth.

[chuckles]

Won't happen.

The law is made by the toffs,
for the toffs.

-the truth is either irrelevant...
-Yeah, right.

...or whatever they want it to be.

But it shouldn't be.

But that's just how
they all think, tiddler.

You won't find one that doesn't.

Why do you live like this?
If you're a toff in real life?

You assume I have a choice.
I have no money.

You're a liar.

No.

It's true.

My old man liked
the gambling tables too much.

Left me next to nothing.

Just the title and my address in Mayfair,
which I'm very fond of.

Except it's full of tenants.
I just have two rooms in the attic.

But, so what?

It's an address in Mayfair.

That's all that matters.

If people can have confidence in you,

in who you say you are,

well, it makes 'em feel comfortable.

Then you can get away
with almost anything.

[laughs]

Brilliant.

[Roxy] Nelly didn't believe me when I said
your dad was the King of Benin.

[Rasselas] I don't believe it myself
most days.

-Don't you feel cheated?
-[Rasselas] Yup.

And my name too.

Rasselas isn't my real name.
Lord Blancheford gave it to me.

My real name's lost. Like my family.

Ain't you ever tempted to go back there
and find them?

I would.

More than anything.

But how?

I wouldn't know where to start
even if I saved up for the passage.

And chances are,
with everything that's happened,

if I went anywhere near the docks,
someone'd just clapped me in irons

and I could end up sent to the colonies.

There must be a way.

[knocking on door]

Jacques?

A note come for your governor.

[upbeat music playing]

[grunts]

[indistinct chatter]

[Charles] And then up.
I'm up, I'm up. I'm up. I'm up.

And I'm up. I'm up, I'm up,
I'm up, I'm up.

-And I'm one, two...
-[knocking on door]

Go on then.

Ah. Thank you, footman.

I'm not your footman,
you jumped-up pickpocket.

I am pretending to be your footman.

Why? 'Tis an invitation
to Lord and Lady Shankley

to go playing cards tomorrow afternoon
over at Widdicombe Manor

with Lord and Lady Springbourne.

Who's that?

We met him in church, yesterday.
We were talking to him. Well, I was.

I said we were just passing through
on our way up to London,

and well, they've gone and done
the civil thing and invited us

to drink tea with them and play cards.

Well, you must write back
and say we can't go.

Why?

Because as soon as I open my cake hole,
they'll probably gonna smoke the fact

that I don't know one end of a fork
from the other.

Nelly. You are such a disappointment.

[Charles] We can fleece them
at the card table.

-I can't.
-I can!

We'll be quids in and it'll be a riot.

You were surprisingly convincing
as Lady Shankley when we arrived, Nelly.

George is right. You do have a natural...

something or other about you.

I brought this as well,

just in case there was anything
about you in it.

[Charles] Think of it like this.

The more you practice pretending
to be other than you are,

the better you're going to get at it.

Plus, Nelly, this Lord Springbourne,
he might be a magistrate.

You can fathom what sort of cove he is,

and if he seems like the sort
that might listen...

-What time are they expecting us?
-[Charles] Four o'clock.

Listen to this.

"The villain who held up
and stole a carriage outside

Potters Bar three days ago

is believed to be none other
than the same Nelly Jackson,

who committed the foul m*rder
of Lord Blancheford."

Why do they call me Nelly?

"If it was, it might be assumed
that the fiend..." Is that you?"

-Yeah, it is.
-[George] "...is heading north."

Ha! Well, they've got that wrong.
If everyone thinks we're heading north.

We might be all right here
in Slough for a good week.

"The reward for information leading
to the capture of Jackson

has been raised to 40 pounds."

[light music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[Earl of Jersey] Poynton. Poynton.

[clears throat]

This Nell Jackson,
have you been keeping up?

By all accounts, she's something
of the supernatural about her.

Does she?

See, I thought, rather,
your area of expertise.

I, I wondered if she might be useful
to the cause, perhaps.

[suspenseful music playing]

I'd hope that would be for me to decide.

Yes, of course, of course.

[Earl of Jersey clears throat]

[indistinct chatter]

[clears throat]

Yeah.
[Earl of Jersey clears throat]

My governor thought
there was something fishy about them

as soon as they turned up.

Well, soon as her Ladyship
starts opening her chops

and trying to talk like a toff.

They said they were
from Thunderbridge Hall in Totnes,

but Mrs. Blewitt,
who works down in the kitchens,

she hails from down that way,

and she says she ain't never heard
of no Thunderbridge Hall.

Nor of any Lord and Lady Shankley neither.

I've no idea
who this Lord Shankley might be.

But the description
of the four others fits perfectly,

including your runaway, Rasselas.

The boy saw a note
inviting them to tea this afternoon

at a Lord Springbourne's house.

Well, what are you waiting for?

You better set off now
if you want to catch them there.

[slow tense music playing]

Come on, lad.

Um, will I get some of the reward, mister?

[growls]

How can I contact your friend,
the Earl of Poynton?

Why?

Because we have to look like
we're doing everything we can

to hunt Nell Jackson down

because of the idiotic mess
you've got us into.

-Yes, but...
-If you're hanged for m*rder,

the estate will go to our cousin
in Northumberland.

And he'll move in with his family,

and I'll be dependent on him
for every crumb.

So, be strong.

Hmm?

Resolute.

For my sake.

I can only help you if you help me.

Mr. Jarrold!

I need to write a note quickly
to the Earl of Poynton,

but then I would like very much
to come with you and your men to Slough.

[sighs deeply]

[Jarrold] Get ready.

Come on.

[indistinct chatter]

[grunts]

[suspenseful music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[guard exclaiming]

[Jarrold] Come on.

How long have we been married?

-Six months.
-Six months, three weeks, three days.

The devil's in the detail.
What's my favorite food?

-Jellied eels? Custard?
-Candied apple. Quince.

Plum. And gourd. And spiced dainties
from silken Samarkand.

Seriously, you think
I'm gonna remember all of that?

I have every faith in you, Lady Shankley.

[snorts, laughs]

[horses neighing]

[Charles] From the top, please, my dear.

[knocking on door]

-[door opens]
-[servant clears throat]

[servant] A letter for you, sir.

[door closes]

[tense music playing]

[rumbling]

[door closes]

[George] It isn't all bad
being on the run.

[Roxy] I don't miss working
in that hot sweaty laundry all day.

I wonder how Nelly
got to fighting like that?

Do you think it is Captain Jackson,
looking after her from beyond?

It's something.

I've seen it.

How?

I don't know.

Oh? What's it look like?

-[Roxy] I don't know.
-Well, what've you seen?

Well, it's like...

An aura. And it's good.
Well, it feels good.

And I don't know
that Captain Jackson was any good.

[Jarrold's men exclaiming]

Isn't that, Lady Wilmot?

-They must know we're here.
-How?

They're not stopping.

[Roxy] They must know Nell
is gone to Widdicombe Manor!

How?

There's too many of them!
What are we gonna do?

Pocket diver.

-What's my favorite color?
-Sort of brown, eh, sort of dung color?

Aquamarine.

[Nell groans]

[exhales deeply]

[bell rings]

I'm thinking this is a mistake,
Nelly Jackson.

Chin up, don't look at the floor.
Look people in the eyes and smile.

Um...

I'm not sure we should be doing this.

Nonsense.

If in doubt just gaze at me.

Like you're in love with me
and I'll think of something.

I'm telling you, Nelly.
Something weird this way comes.

[mutters]

Ah! Good afternoon.
And what a splendid afternoon it is.

[gasps]

[breathing nervously]

-[Charles] Kitten cake.
-[gasps]

[fake laughing]

[suspenseful music playing]

[grunts]

[g*n sh*ts]

[animals clamoring]

[cawing]

[creaking]

[grunts]

[rumbling]

[breathing heavily]

[growls]

[suspenseful music playing]

[grunts]

[gasping]

[closing theme music playing]