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Seeking Persephone - Season 1 - Episode 01: Part 1
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00:00I don't know.
00:36Will you put that up, Artemis?
00:38I don't know why we have to do this.
00:41Because we like to eat.
00:43But we only pay pennies.
00:45Pennies that keep our family from dire straits.
00:47I do not enjoy washing the neighbourhood's laundry any more than you do,
00:50but being upset about it won't change our situation.
01:07Open the door, sweetheart.
01:09I have had an atrocious day. Now I have to open the door.
01:13I'm sorry you have suffered so much.
01:15I fear you will simply have to continue in your wretched state a bit longer.
01:19I will open the door, but do not be surprised if I lie in the front and die.
01:24I will be many things if that happens, my sweet little Artemis.
01:27But above all, I will not be surprised.
01:32She has died as far less than this in the past.
02:03Was Father wandering again?
02:15Daphne.
02:16What's Daphne? You're home.
02:18Was Father wandering again?
02:21Until a letter came. Then he went back up to his study.
02:24Did he say whom the letter was from?
02:26You know Father doesn't usually talk to me.
02:29Well, once I played the clatter he spread, sorted the laundry and started our meal,
02:34then I very much wish to talk with you about whatever you've learned today.
02:37It's ever so interesting and terribly useful.
02:41Cannot wait.
02:42Thank you, Persephone.
02:44Of course, Daphne.
02:55You did say this might happen.
02:57Yes, I did.
02:58And what has brought you to such a horrible end this time?
03:01My suffering is too great.
03:02No words can possibly describe it.
03:05Is this because I could not buy you a sweet from the confectionery shop?
03:08That was tragic.
03:09But not the reason you're expiring on the floor.
03:11I didn't see my friend.
03:13I watched for him.
03:15And he didn't come.
03:16He hasn't ever so long and it's deeply devastating.
03:20Is this the friend I can't see?
03:21The friend you don't see.
03:23Ah.
03:25Do you think your friend would visit you again if we had bread pudding tonight?
03:29Bread pudding?
03:31I have a bit of stale bread and Mrs. Sanford gave me some cream.
03:35I think we should have bread pudding tonight.
03:36It's not even my birthday.
03:38Bread pudding is quite possibly my favourite thing in all the world.
03:43Of course.
03:44If you are dead on the floor, you won't be able to have any.
03:47I'm all better.
03:48It is a miracle.
03:51Thank you, thank you, thank you.
03:54You're very welcome, my darling little otimus.
04:01How do you like the latest fashions?
04:04These are not the latest.
04:05Mrs. Upton gave me these because she received the most recent version.
04:08But they are very nearly the latest.
04:13That is gorgeous.
04:14Isn't it?
04:15I've added it to my list of dreams.
04:17That must be quite the list by now.
04:19Isn't that what dreaming is for?
04:21Believing in those things you feel you'll never have.
04:23Want to continue hoping are possible.
04:25Like having money enough and happiness, falling in love.
04:31I want you to have all of those things, Athena.
04:33You must have dreams too.
04:35Certainly, I do.
04:38Artemis' spirits not being dampened by the heaviness of life.
04:41Daphne finding a friend who helps to feel seen and cared about.
04:46Evander and Linus returning home to us whole.
04:50Far from guarantee for two midshipmen in the Navy during all time.
04:54I should have done more to keep them home and safe.
04:56There's nothing more you could have done.
04:58I could have taken in more laundry or reduced my portions at mealtimes.
05:01I could have gone without fires in my room.
05:02And it likely still would not have been enough.
05:06I suppose that is my version of hoping for impossible things.
05:12None of the hopes that you've mentioned have been of dreams for yourself.
05:16Seeing this family happy is dream enough for me.
05:21Fetch Daphne and Artemis and take them to the kitchen.
05:24I do not know how frustrating he might be this time.
05:32Have you received a letter?
05:36We
05:38have a very significant problem.
05:41What has happened, Papa?
05:43Evander? Linus?
05:45Oh no, I haven't heard anything about your brothers.
05:48Oh.
05:52I have, however,
05:55received the most
05:57befuddling letter.
06:01You, my dear,
06:04have received an offer of marriage.
06:06A what?
06:07An offer
06:08from an incredibly wealthy gentleman
06:11with
06:12an old and
06:14prestigious title.
06:24Good heavens.
06:26Yeah.
06:29What I cannot fathom is
06:31why the Duke
06:32has settled on you.
06:35They cannot even be remotely
06:36acquainted with our family.
06:38The Duke?
06:39Of course, dear.
06:41The Duke of Kilda.
06:43The Duke of Kilda
06:44has asked for my hand in marriage.
06:47Quite specifically.
06:51I do not believe a word of it.
06:54After all, I do not know his grace.
06:56Or any grace for that matter.
07:07Mr. Lancaster,
07:09I am requesting the hand of your eldest daughter
07:11in marriage.
07:13I am prepared to settle upon your three remaining daughters
07:16twenty thousand each for their dowries
07:18and
07:20fifty thousand upon yourself
07:22for the sake of your sons.
07:23The ceremony will take place
07:25this October the 1st
07:26at the Fulston Chapel.
07:28Please reply
07:29as to your intentions.
07:31Yours.
07:32Et cetera.
07:35Kilda.
07:38It's certainly not the most romantic
07:40nor flattering of proposals
07:41to be sure.
07:43The ceremony will take place.
07:45There's not the slightest acknowledgement
07:47the unforeseen offer might be declined.
07:51This offer amounts to
07:52more than a hundred thousand pounds.
08:05What is the Duke of Kilda like?
08:08Like?
08:11Well,
08:12I couldn't say
08:13I've not met the current Duke.
08:15What was his father like?
08:18Hmm?
08:20Dull as dishwater.
08:21Dull as dishwater.
08:25Dull as dishwater.
08:25But his mother is an active soul.
08:44£100,000
08:46I can hardly comprehend such a sum
08:50It is more than 500 years worth our current income
08:55It is more than five times the income of the Duke of Sussex
08:58And he is son of the king
08:59Good heavens, we would have food enough to eat
09:03We would not need to wash laundry for pennies
09:06The boys could soon leave the navy and return home
09:11All of your impossible dreams would suddenly be entirely possible
09:15This would not merely save our family
09:17It would save generations of our family
09:20The Duke of Kilda
09:21You might be prone to anger or unkindness
09:24What if he mistreats you?
09:26What if being married to him makes you miserable for the rest of your life?
09:29It is also possible he will be kind and considerate
09:33You don't know anything about him?
09:36Only that he clearly has a tremendous amount of money
09:39And wishes to marry me
09:40He gave no indication why
09:41You needn't simply accept this offer
09:43One may yet come from someone that you at least know
09:46Won't treat you abominably
09:47There will be no other offers
09:50If I do not accept this one
09:52Our family will sink further
09:54Even the simple hopes we currently have will be out of reach
09:57Then all of your hopes will be snatched away
09:59This family's happiness is worth every sacrifice
10:02Isn't your happiness worth something as well?
10:05Artemis has always told the tale of Hades and Persephone quite accurately
10:10Persephone doesn't get to be happy
10:13And you mean to accept the Duke's offer?
10:37Who invited all of these people?
10:40I did
10:41It is not every day my poor boy takes a bride
10:45This was supposed to be a quiet ceremony
10:49I do not believe Miss Lancaster has invited anyone beyond her own immediate family
10:53I did not intend to cause awkwardness, Adam
10:57I only wish to celebrate
11:12I wonder if the chit will actually turn up
11:15Try to resist the urge to run through any of the wedding guests
11:19Who the devil is she?
11:28Another five minutes and I'll go retrieve her myself
11:45When is this going to stop?
11:47I'm hungry
11:48I'm hungry
11:49I'm hungry
11:59It's time to come after all
12:01I'm hungry
12:42Dearly beloved,
12:43we are gathered here together in the sight of God and the face of this congregation to join together this
12:51man and this woman in holy matrimony,
12:54an honourable estate instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union betwixt Christ
13:03and his Church.
13:05Therefore, if any man can show any just cause why they should not lawfully be joined together, let him speak,
13:14or else hereafter forever hold his peace.
13:20Do you ship lost in my game?
13:26Go on.
13:28Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?
13:42Apparently I giveth myself.
13:48Take her right hand in yours.
13:57I, Adam Richard Boyce, Duke of Kilda, Marquess of Fauston, Earl of Fauston, Vicampinus, Baron Fauston, Baron Whiteley, take thee
14:03to be my wedded wife,
14:04to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and
14:08in health,
14:09to love and to cherish till death do us part according to God's holy ordinance, and thereto I plight thee
14:13my troth.
14:22I, Persephone, I...
14:23Ridiculous.
14:28Lancaster,
14:31do...
14:36do take thee to be my wedded husband,
14:40to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse,
14:44for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health,
14:48to love and to cherish till death do us part,
14:53according to God's holy ordinance,
14:55and thereto I give thee my troth.
14:59They had everything?
15:00Not usually.
15:01Can it be?
15:03I suppose all the truly essential bits have been seen to.
15:08Those whom God hath joined together,
15:10let no man put asunder.
15:14To the castle, then.
15:17Jerry.
16:08Is your name really Persephone?
16:12It is. Do you not think to ask?
16:18What were your parents thinking, choosing a name like that?
16:23My father is a scholar. He's particularly fond of Greek mythology.
16:28Entirely too fond, if you don't seem.
16:30Are the rest of your siblings similarly afflicted?
16:33In what way afflicted?
16:35What absurd names did your parents assign the other members of your family?
16:40Athena is just younger than I, Vander is 14, Linus 13.
16:44Daphne will be 12 toward the end of the year. The youngest is Artemis.
16:49Fate save us from short-sighted scholars.
16:52Do you have a middle name?
16:54I do.
16:55I suppose it is entirely too much to hope that it is something common.
17:01Iphigenia.
17:04Persephone Iphigenia.
17:06Did no one ever call you anything else?
17:09Only Miss Lancaster.
17:11I cannot call you that.
17:13I suppose I will have to consign myself to Persephone.
17:17It would seem so.
17:21You, of course, will call me Kilda.
17:23I will not call you Kilda.
17:24Everyone calls me Kilda.
17:26Kilda?
17:27It sounds as I am accusing you of a crime.
17:32You would no doubt prefer Agamemnon, or Apollo, or something along that vein.
17:38My papa certainly would.
17:40Would you propose to call me, then?
17:42Adam?
17:43No one calls me Adam.
17:45No one?
17:46Certainly your family and closest friends would.
17:51Harry does.
17:53Who is Harry?
17:54A friend.
17:56One who allows himself far too much freedom.
18:13To be mongering.
18:41Another friend.
18:41Please.
19:05Calling me Adam will be fine, Persephone.
19:23Mrs. Barton, the butler, Mrs. Smithson, the housekeeper, Duchess of Kilder.
19:52Mrs. Smithson will see to whatever you need.
20:17I am likely meant to be shown all of the castle, but I would very much like to rest.
20:23Perhaps you could simply point out the rooms I need to know today and save the rest for tomorrow?
20:27Of course, Your Grace.
20:36The Drawn Room. A favourite of Queen Elizabeth when she stayed at Fauston Castle in 1580.
20:46Do members of the Royal Family still visit Fauston?
20:51Heavens no! They wouldn't dare!
20:56This is the Grand Banquet Hall, which has hosted feasts for some of the most significant and influential people in
21:04the kingdom over the past 500 years.
21:08I believe your family will be dining in here this evening.
21:14Is that a gibbet?
21:18Unstocks.
21:19Was there no room in the dark-forboding dungeon?
21:21There's ample room, Your Grace, but the Duke says displaying weapons makes them more effective.
21:34All of the family bedchambers are on this floor.
21:39This is your bedchamber, Your Grace.
21:43Is there anything else you wish for me to do, Your Grace?
21:46Not at the moment.
21:47The bell pull is beside the fireplace, should you require anything.
22:16No.
22:42This is never going to work.
23:02I just saw your man of business leaving the castle.
23:06What did you do to him?
23:08I fired him.
23:10Again.
23:12How many times have you fired the poor man?
23:14Six.
23:16Seven.
23:17Every time he sulks away like a lily-livered coward.
23:24You didn't pull your pistol on him this time, did you?
23:26I have never pulled a pistol on Josiah Jones.
23:30I may have held an epee to his throat once or twice, but he's never in any real danger.
23:36Well, perhaps his fear has something to do with your less-than-pristine reputation, Adam.
23:40Rumor has it you've run through a few men in your time.
23:43Rumor has it I've done quite a few things.
23:47And you wonder why Jones thinks the worst whenever you're angry with him.
23:50I always reinstate his employment and he never makes the same mistake twice.
24:03Sir, what was his transgression this time?
24:05Hmm?
24:06No, no, don't tell me.
24:08He smiled too much while discussing the estate investments.
24:12No.
24:14Did not include enough threats in the business correspondence he sent on your behalf.
24:18He recommended a means of preventing my distant cousin from one day inheriting Fauston.
24:24Ah, Jones was the one who suggested you marry.
24:29He knew of a penniless family in Shropshire with an eldest daughter of the appropriate age who had no other
24:36prospects.
24:37His enthusiastic recommendation has proven intolerably stupid.
24:42The stupidest sitting in one's book room with one's friend on one's wedding night.
24:48Because that, Adam, is a level of idiocy far and above ordinary stupidity.
24:54I stood through the wedding and just spent an interminable dinner with my flock of new sisters-in-law.
25:02Did they stare at you?
25:06It would have been understandable, you know, having not been warned.
25:08I ought to have written then.
25:10Hmm?
25:11Perhaps I could have included a postscript with the proposal.
25:14By the way, I have a mutilated face you'll be forced to look at day in and day out for
25:20the rest of your life.
25:22Hope that's not a problem.
25:26Hmm.
25:27Perhaps not those precise words.
25:30She wasn't exactly forthcoming either.
25:32I will have you know.
25:33I forgot to mention something important.
25:36Another husband, perhaps.
25:39Extraneous limb.
25:40Her name is Persephone.
25:45A man ought to know a thing like that about his future wife.
25:49Persephone Iphigenia.
25:51What an inexcusably ridiculous thing to call a child.
26:05I had the chance to speak briefly with your new bride, Adam.
26:10She was...
26:12delightful.
26:15Perhaps a little quiet, but that is to be expected considering the upheaval in her life.
26:21I'll confess, I had expected someone rather long in the tooth.
26:28Rather long in the face.
26:30In all honesty.
26:32So had I.
26:34But she's a fetching thing.
26:36Young and...
26:38quite pretty.
26:43Oh.
26:47You...
26:48expected someone desperate.
26:52And...
26:53ugly.
26:54And undesirable.
26:57Instead, your bride turned out to be a vast deal more than possible.
27:03Not quite what you'd bargain for, I guess.
27:07A lady who was too intolerable to have any other options would be...
27:10content with...
27:11a curmudgeon in a draughty castle in the wilds of Northumberland.
27:16And now...
27:17because she is young...
27:19and fine-looking...
27:20seems to be good-natured and potentially...
27:23enjoyable company...
27:25the poor girl is upstairs.
27:28Alone.
27:29Probably wondering what she's done wrong.
27:32While you...
27:33are down here brooding.
27:36Adam.
27:38You are completely bacon-brained.
27:41I should call you out for that.
27:43I do.
27:45But not tonight.
27:46I'm tired.
27:51Call me out tomorrow, would you?
27:53I ought to lock you in the dungeon.
27:55You should.
27:57No point having a dungeon if no one's ever consigned to suffer in it.
28:01Good night, Adam.
28:03Good night.
28:04Your assumption is loud.
28:09And Adam!
28:10What?!
28:12Give the poor girl a chance.
28:15It's not her fault you've ended up with every man's idea of a perfect wife.
28:22What?
28:28I don't know.
28:29I don't know.
28:30I don't know.
28:31I don't know.
28:31Oh.
29:12Are you going to be lonely without us, Persephone?
29:15I will miss you terribly.
29:19But you will have each other.
29:22So you are unlikely to be lonely.
29:24I do not know that anyone will remember to talk to me when you're not here.
29:30I'm certain everything will be fine.
29:33You don't need to worry about us.
29:37Write and tell me about all the things you're reading.
29:48I love you.
29:49Me too.
29:52Hey, please.
29:54I do not want to go.
29:56Let me speak with her.
30:03Oh, my dear girl, you're crying.
30:05He cannot make you stay here.
30:08No one is making me stay here, dearest.
30:11Forsten Castle is my home now.
30:13I will send you letters.
30:15Perhaps with a gimme under the seal.
30:18You could come here.
30:19We could explore the castle together.
30:22He won't let me.
30:23Of course you will.
30:25We will have grand adventures.
30:28Perhaps there is a tower room where we can imagine all sorts of wonderful stories, the way we always did
30:35at home.
30:36Do you promise?
30:37I promise.
30:39You will take care of me when you're gone.
30:42Papa will engage a governess for both you and Daphne.
30:47A companion for Athena when you're all in town.
30:50Will you visit us there?
30:53Of course.
30:54Daphne?
30:55Yes, my dear?
30:57We will take care of you.
30:59We'll be happy even though we're gone.
31:07I will win.
31:11When have you known me to be unhappy?
31:13Then I will be happy too, but if I don't leave now, I will cry again and I do not
31:18want to cry anymore.
31:20Then let us promise each other not to cry.
31:24Yes.
31:26Good.
31:27I will see you soon.
31:28Be good for Papa.
31:29I will.
31:31I love you, dearest.
31:33I love you too, Persephone.
31:35You're the best mama I've ever had.
31:49I love you, dearest.
31:50I love you, dearest.
31:52I love you, dearest.
31:55I love you, dearest.
31:56I love you, dearest.
31:57I love you, dearest.
31:58I love you, dearest.
31:58I love you, dearest.
31:58I love you, dearest.
31:59I love you, dearest.
32:01I love you, dearest.
32:02I love you, dearest.
32:14I thought you weren't supposed to cry.
32:19Artemis is crying as well.
32:20I'm certain of it.
32:22Then why make the promise?
32:25To lessen her pain.
32:28If my sister knew I was crying, it would break her heart.
32:33But you know she is crying.
32:38I know her better than she knows me.
32:47Best mama she ever had.
33:13But the baby!
33:13How dare you?
33:19Oh, my God.
34:00Twenty-four hours into this ill-conceived marriage, and my wife is already in the back of a garden sobbing.
34:19How long into your marriage did Mother start crying?
34:29And when did that stop making you feel like a monster?
34:37Mother.
34:39Mother.
34:41Mother.
34:41Mother.
34:42Mother.
34:53Mother.
34:55The moon goes out.
34:56Touching.
34:57Let's go.
35:01Let's go.
35:32Good evening.
35:34Are you feeling well, child?
35:37I am excessively tired.
35:41Do not fret yourself over dinner, dear.
35:44I'll have a tray sent to your room.
35:46You rest.
36:01I have a tray.
36:05Good evening.
36:11I have a tray.
36:17I have a tray.
36:18I have a tray.
36:19I have a tray.
36:36you told me you'd call me out today never did I've decided to shoot you first thing in the
36:42morning go to sleep so I can load my pistols in peace your mother
36:49said the new Duchess was indisposed this evening any idea what you meant by that as mother said
36:56she was indisposed she wouldn't be the first person to hide from you she you mean Persephone well I
37:03certainly don't mean your mother you could shoot a man dead in the drawing room and she'd just smile
37:08indulgently and say my poor boy yes and the woman will still be calling me that when I'm 80 when
37:12you're 80 she'll be dead oh shut up Harry is there any chance Persephone is locked in the dungeon I
37:22am
37:22not a monster and she chose to accept me ah yes but without the benefit of the rather ingenious
37:28postscript you composed last night I don't think she realized I think I've made her miserable already
37:35she took this morning's farewells particularly hard you ought to have insisted her family stay
37:41longer so I am the villain am I I wouldn't be surprised if you never saw the poor woman again
37:48as long as you lived in a place as enormous as this pile of rock she could avoid you for
37:54years
37:59where are you going my wife is indisposed I'm going to see for myself that she is well
38:08Adam I am not going to hurt the blasted woman you know me better than that
38:42that she was trying to hide but I'm going to be fine and he was trying to lose my
38:45this morning she told her mom the girl who died and she was the girl who died and she was
38:55the girl
39:00I don't know.
39:36Oh, forgive me, Your Grace.
39:38I'm attempting to find the breakfast room.
39:42Please tell me you know how to reach it from here.
39:44I got lost a few times when I first started working here.
39:48Fauston Castle is quite a big place.
39:51Enormous.
39:52New arrivals really ought to be provided with a map.
39:55This way, Your Grace, and I'll not tell anyone you were lost.
40:01Mother explained to Harry that you're not leaving Fauston Castle because I forced you to do so.
40:05He seems to think that I drive every person who ever comes here away with a scythe in one hand
40:10and a flaming torch in the other.
40:13A regular one-person blood-dusty mob.
40:15That's what you are.
40:18You really ought to think about employing pitchforks when you...
40:22Persephone.
40:24Come.
40:25Break your fast, dear.
40:27Kidneys.
40:28Eggs.
40:29Yes, please.
40:30Harry, will you please...
40:31I will prepare a plate for her mother.
40:33You need an inconvenience yourself.
40:37Please.
41:04Should I sit somewhere else?
41:06No.
41:06You can stay where you are.
41:10Will you be coming to town at Christmas time?
41:13I never go to town until absolutely necessary.
41:16You must convince my poor boy of the delights of London.
41:20I have never been to London.
41:22Well, then you absolutely must come as soon as possible.
41:27I should positively love taking you round town and introducing you to just everyone.
41:34I'm certain you can pack quickly, Adam, and I could delay my departure by a day or so, and we
41:39could all...
41:40I shall be forced to take her in the spring as it is.
41:43Forced?
41:45The season is such fun.
41:47How can you say forced?
41:49I despise London.
41:52But the Queen will be vexed if Persephone is not presented, and there is one bother I could do without.
41:56Thus, I shall be forced to town.
41:59Now, do not let him burden you with even the tiniest amount of guilt, Your Grace.
42:03By spring, he will have gone months without insulting members of the Cabinet or any of the Royal Family, and
42:09will be itching for the opportunity.
42:13That is good to know.
42:14I suppose, as a good friend of the family, I ought to remain here indefinitely, and offer my insights into
42:20your grumbly husband.
42:21That is simply the sort of selfless person I am.
42:26Even selfless people can be thrown from the south parapet.
42:33I am beginning to suspect, Adam, that you do not like me very much.
42:37I will simply have to ponder the sorrow of this realisation.
42:41Your Grace.
42:45Your Grace.
42:49Your Grace.
42:53This could get confusing.
42:57We really ought to think of names for the three of you.
43:13I have a strategic follow.
43:16My Grace.
43:35It could get confused.
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