♪ ♪ BABINGTON: I think you've been his prisoner for too long.

Your brother is not going to make a victim out of you.

♪ ♪ What is it you want from me?

CHARLOTTE: I thought you and Mrs. Campion would be heading back to London.

SIDNEY: She's already left.

I realized I would rather be here.

I am a great deal less than perfect, but for whatever it's worth, I believe I am my best self, my truest self, when I'm with you.

♪ ♪ (bird squawks, waves crash) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (seagulls squawking, waves crashing) ♪ ♪ Splendid.

It's all coming true.

(Charlotte knocking on door) (people chattering in background) ♪ ♪ CHARLOTTE (voiceover): You judge Sidney too harshly.

Consider the kindness he showed Otis.

I believe he has a... a tenderness that few people get to see.

What has he done to make you think so?

Not what he has done, it's what he has said.

We spoke after the regatta, and then... And?

He said he felt his truest self when he was with me.

Why would he say that?

I've been asking myself the same question.

I couldn't sleep last night thinking on it.

Oh, no.

You aren't in love with him?

Please say you are not.

I... You cannot trust a word he says.

STRINGER: It's here, Fred.

Go on, then, open it.

Come on, man, put me out my misery.

They found my work to be of fine quality and have pleasure in offering me an apprenticeship.

It's everything you've ever wanted.

Aye.

Now I have to tell my father.

(birds chirping) LADY DENHAM: 15-two, 15-four, 25, seven and a pair makes nine.

You put your noddy out too soon.

You're playing like a nincompoop, what's the matter with you?

I suppose it is a grave weakness, but I cannot make myself excited about card games, Lady Denham.

Don't give yourself airs.

You haven't got my money yet.

Go over to the pianoforte and play me something jolly.

Aunt... (sets cards down) you know I cannot play.

(sighs) And stop that pouting, or I'll make you sing as well.

Something jolly, mind.

(Esther playing slow chord) Yes, what is it?

My lady, Lord Babington is here.

LADY DENHAM: Then send him in, man.

♪ ♪ Lord Babington.

Lady Denham.

Miss Denham.

I, uh, I thought to tempt Miss Denham with a carriage ride.

No, thank you.

Excellent idea!

She needs a good shaking about to jolt her out of her despondency.

Come along, up you get.

Aunt, I beg of you.

She will do what she is told.

♪ ♪ It makes me very happy to have you here with me.

I can't imagine why.

I feel the exact opposite about you.

Do you?

Truly?

Didn't I just say so?

I refuse to believe you.

Giddy up!

♪ ♪ Babington, you are the world's worst carriage driver.

Oh, would you care to take the reins?

Why not?

(carriage accelerates, Babington chuckling) (laughs) (horse snorts) ♪ ♪ (laughs) ♪ ♪ TOM: You'll never take me alive!

Vive la France!

JENNY: On my galleon there!

Enemy on the port side.

Straight to top gallon!

All right!

(groans) Children, I... Mary, do something, please.

Oh, come along children, Father's busy.

Yes, now, please.

(groans) Let me take you to the schoolroom.

That's enough.

Hard at work, Charlotte?

Ah, what a great day.

The whole world wants to come to Sanditon.

And just in time for the midsummer ball.

That's wonderful.

Yes.

(doorbell rings, outside door opens) TOM: Sidney!

SIDNEY: Ah, Tom.

(door closes) Those contracts have arrived from London.

TOM: Excellent, I'll deal with them at once.

SIDNEY: Good morning, Miss Heywood.

I'm going for a walk and was wondering if there was anything you needed in town?

Oh.

I, uh...

I have a dress fitting for the ball.

Perhaps I could walk with you?

Of course.

Be my pleasure.

Go on then-- off you go, you two.

Well?

Did you enjoy yourself?

Tolerable.

It passed the time.

Nonsense.

I may be old, but I'm not blind.

I can see the brightness in your eyes, the color in your cheeks.

You should marry that young man.

Oh, he is a fool.

He is not a fool, Esther.

He is a fool if he cannot see I am not worth having.

And he is a fool if he thinks I could ever love him as he loves me.

It is infinitely better to be loved than to love.

Especially in a marriage.

Are you speaking from your experience or someone else's?

My own.

Not with my husband, of course; it was long before that.

A man called Rowleigh.

Some people said he was the handsomest man in Somerset; but to me he was the handsomest in the world.

(chuckles) And he knew it.

What happened?

He kept me dangling for a while, trembling, waiting for a look, for a smile, for a tender word... like one of his dogs.

And then he upped and married a girl from Gloucestershire with £50,000.

He had debts, of course, couldn't have afforded to marry me.

Should have been obvious to me at the time, but... you know what girls are.

♪ ♪ (birds chirping) SIDNEY: A fine, fresh day.

CHARLOTTE: Yes, indeed.

Bodes well for the ball tonight.

Yes.

Though it were, being an indoor occasion, good weather is not so much of a consideration.

No, quite.

But, uh, welcome nonetheless.

Are you, uh... (clears throat) looking forward to the ball?

Very much.

I love to dance.

(awkwardly): Are you looking forward to the ball?

Yes, yes, very much, very much.

Uh... And your family, um... have you, have you heard from them recently?

Yes, a letter from my sister came just this morning.

Ah, well, we both know nothing ever happens in Willingden.

We seem not to be walking into town.

Ah, yes, your, um, your dress fitting.

Forgive me.

(sheepishly): What a fool I am.

Should we head back, perhaps?

(chuckles) No.

There is absolutely no urgency about my dress fitting.

A walk along the clifftops is much more to my taste.

Good.

My thoughts exactly.

I, uh...

I was hoping that we might... find a moment when we could be alone together.

(quietly): Were you?

Yes.

I woke up this morning, my head full of the conversation we had last night.

So did I. Charlotte...

Yes.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ JULIA: Georgiana?

What?

What do you think, with or without?

I don't know.

With.

There, I told you.

Well, I'm going to wear Mama's emeralds.

JULIA: Oh no, you are not.

(door closes) ♪ ♪ (people talking in background) Quite ravishing, my dear.

Oh, stop it.

You'll make me nervous.

No sign of Miss Denham yet?

LADY DENHAM: You have made an effort, good.

I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

Why should it be for him?

I don't know what it is, but I find myself quite captivated.

Who else?

You want to tame her, do you?

I believe she's tamed me.

Hmm.

Yes.

I can just imagine how that might feel.

Tom asked me to marry him at a ball in Weymouth.

How did you know that he was the one?

Oh...

I think one just does.

(opening dresser drawer, object rattles) ♪ ♪ Look at you.

Not bad, eh?

(chuckles) Coming along nicely, Fred.

Aye, should have it fancy enough for the gentry.

Who's that?

FRED: Who do you think?

Now might be your moment.

All right, Father?

Could be getting home by now.

When it's done to my satisfaction.

Come on.

Leave it to one of the lads.

We'll get it done in the morning.

Work's nearly complete, son.

You should be proud.

I've had a letter, Father.

Oh, aye?

About a position in London.

With prospects.

Sanditon not good enough for you now?

What are you talking about?

It's that Miss Charlotte, isn't it?

It's got nothing to do with her.

Oh, yes, it has!

And now you're off to the dance, dressed up like one of them, get more of the same.

Well, off you go, then!

Don't you worry yourself, I am going.

And soon enough, I'll have left Sanditon, and I won't spare a moment's thought for the selfish, miserable old man I left behind.

("Bill Cheatham" playing) ("Bill Cheatham" continues) Welcome, my dears.

You look ravishing.

Please, excuse me.

("Bill Cheatham" ends, applause) My lords, ladies and gentlemen, it is my very great pleasure to welcome you to the midsummer ball.

(cheers and applause) No further introductions are necessary, so on with the dance, and let joy be unconfined!

(talking quietly) (music begins playing) Sidney, you must come and meet Mr. Naylor, he's just taken an apartment on Waterloo Terrace.

(Tom chuckles) Shall we?

(music playing) Excuse me.

(music continues) Mrs. Griffiths, here you are with your bouquet of blossoms.

(chuckles) And you look particularly bewitching this evening.

(quietly): Too kind.

Perhaps it would not be inappropriate (awkwardly): if I asked you to dance?

Oh.

I'd be delighted.

Ladies.

(chuckling) (music continues) Sidney.

Ah, Georgiana.

Have you had fun this evening?

What are you up to with Charlotte?

I don't understand your meaning.

You've done your best to ruin my happiness, how could I trust you not to ruin hers?

Nothing could be further from my mind.

ARTHUR: There you are, Miss L. Care to stand up with me and trip the light fantastic?

She would be delighted, Arthur.

Off you go.

("Bath Waltz" playing) Sidney, I've not seen you look this happy for a long time.

Yes.

Miss Heywood, might I have the pleasure?

Oh.

("Bath Waltz" continues) I wanted to tell you, Miss, I've been offered an excellent situation in London.

I plan to accept it.

To be an architect?

Well, an apprentice first.

Oh, Mr. Stringer, I'm so pleased that your talent's been recognized.

Although you'll be much missed here in Sanditon.

Thank you, Miss.

("Bath Waltz" playing faintly) (dog barks distantly) (exhales) (breathing heavily, groans) I had always thought I'd be leaving at the season's end, but now I'm not so sure.

(groans) (breathing heavily) So, you found a reason to stay?

Yes, I believe I have.

("Bath Waltz" continues) (groaning) ("Bath Waltz" concludes, applause) I hope you'll be very happy, Miss.

And I hope he'll prove worthy of you.

He's a lucky man, Miss Heywood, truly.

(groaning) ("Mrs. McLeod" playing) What are you waiting for?

You haven't taken your eyes off her all night.

I hope you receive a favorable answer, old friend.

Indeed, I hope we both do.

("Mrs. McLeod" continues) Well, Mr. Parker, it looks as though you have pulled it off after all.

Couldn't have done it without you, Lady Denham.

Oh, well, of course you couldn't.

("Mrs. McLeod" continues) (Georgiana laughs) (Stringer yelps happily) (dancers clap to the beat) (guests laughing) GEORGIANA: Higher!

Higher!

Arthur, be careful.

(laughing, out of breath) What do you think you're doing in your state of health?

(catching breath) I'm perfectly... Miss Lambe, that was most irresponsible of you.

I, I cannot believe... Arthur, I believe it's time we were leaving.

Diana, but I, I was just getting into my stride.

("Mrs. McLeod" continues) (laughter) ("Mrs. McLeod" ends, applause) ♪ ♪ At last.

I thought I'd never get you alone.

Do you remember the last conversation we had on this balcony?

(exhales) All too well.

What a brute I was.

I deserved everything you said.

No, you didn't.

I hope that I am a different man now.

No.

You're the same man.

But much improved.

If I have changed at all, it is in no small part down to you.

I have never wanted to put myself in someone else's power before.

I've never wanted to care for anyone but myself.

Miss Heywood... Charlotte... EDWARD: Get out of my way, unhand me you blackguards!

♪ ♪ Esther.

I have been such a fool, Esther.

That little vixen Clara took advantage of me, I must have been mad.

Tell me that you love me, as I still love you.

You don't know the meaning of love.

(guests whispering) EDWARD: No, no.

You don't mean that!

You should leave.

You love me!

You should leave now.

You want me, Esther!

You should leave... Only if she tells me to.

Esther?

♪ ♪ (voice breaking): Just go.

LADY DENHAM: Mr. Parker, would you be good enough to put this young man on the next coach to London?

Yes, of course.

Come on, Edward.

Please!

Come on.

Come on, come on.

She'll turn on you too.

You hear me?

She'll tear your heart out as she tore out mine!

MAN: Ladies and gentlemen, take your partners.

♪ ♪ (crying) ♪ ♪ The poor, poor girl.

Do not judge her too harshly.

I don't judge her at all.

♪ ♪ I knew as soon as I saw you dancing together, you're in love with Miss Lambe, aren't you?

And you'll marry her, and I'll be left all on my own.

(laughing) No, no, no, no, no, no!

No, we're, we're just pals, that's all.

Love and marriage, it's... it's not my style of things at all.

Wouldn't have the least idea how to go about it.

I don't really know how ladies work.

No.

(chuckles awkwardly) You have no worries about Arthur Parker on that score.

Lifelong bachelor.

(chuckles) (sniffles) Oh, Arthur, look.

Look, up in that window.

Oh, uh... Oh.

Raise the alarm!

Fire!

Fire!

("Duke of Kent Waltz" playing in ballroom) (Esther sniffles) Sidney sends his apologies.

He's making sure Sir Edward is safely dispatched.

Thank you.

Well, Babington?

Now you know the truth, are you not disgusted?

Afraid you'll be tainted by my disgrace?

I don't give a damn what anyone else thinks.

My dear girl, don't you know that I'm in love with you?

And what is that to me, since I do not love you?

I don't care.

It's enough that you like me and that you trust me.

I do not wish to be your property.

Good.

Because I have no wish to own you.

Why else would you have me as your wife?

(chuckles) Because I want to make you happy.

I could never try to lead or constrain you, Esther.

All I ask is to walk through life by your side.

Very well, then.

You-you accept me?

Stop talking before I change my mind.

♪ ♪ (people shouting in background) ♪ ♪ Hurry!

Hurry!

♪ ♪ (distantly): Form a line!

You need to form a line!

♪ ♪ Come on!

Come!

♪ ♪ Father?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (seagulls squawking) (cart rumbling) (knock on door) Miss Heywood.

(door closes) I'm so sorry.

No one knew he was there until it was too late.

I told him to leave.

(sniffles, breathes deeply) But he insisted on staying.

Why did he have to be so stubborn?

Because that's who he was.

That's what you loved him for.

(sniffles) I should have stayed.

And the last words I spoke to him were in anger.

We parted on a quarrel, Charlotte.

(breathes shakily) (bell tolling distantly) This is not the end, Tom.

We can rebuild.

It will be even finer than it was before.

Yes.

Yes, of course we will.

I-I'm sure we will find a way, somehow, to raise the money.

What do you mean "the money"?

Surely the insurance will cover that.

Yes, I suppose it would.

Oh, for God's sake, Tom, tell me the work is insured.

Tom.

I had intended to, but the premium was so high, and I had so many other calls on my capital...

So you took a gamble?

I know, I know.

No one judges me more harshly than I judge myself, but never in my worst nightmares could I have anticipated...

There is no point in being downhearted.

We must be practical.

I have barely touched a penny of my inheritance, having no wife or property to my name.

Consider it yours, Tom.

My dear brother.

Thank you.

But all of our wealth combined would be a drop in the ocean besides what I owe.

SIDNEY: No, that cannot be true.

Whatever else you need to put this right, I'm sure that we can find it.

80.

£80,000?

There is no way anyone could repay that amount.

I'm ruined.

I am so sorry.

No.

No, I-I won't have it.

Of course this is a setback, but I refuse to let you be defeated by it.

Sanditon must not be allowed to founder and fall.

We will find a way.

We are Parkers.

We stand together.

♪ ♪ I will see you in the debtor's prison.

I will see you in the poorhouse!

Where are your promises now?

Dust and ashes.

You might as well have lost my money at the gaming tables!

You despicable man.

Lady Denham!

I am very sorry for you, Mrs. Parker, but some things can never be forgiven.

Lady Denham, if you pursue the debt now, you may be robbing yourself.

We can rebuild the terrace, bigger and better than before.

Give us a week's grace.

At least.

I'll be as quick as humanly possible.

But I have to do everything I can to help the family.

How I manage that, I have no idea.

I believe you will.

And when I return, we'll finally have the chance to finish our conversation.

♪ ♪ I'll be back in a week.

(horse nickers) ♪ ♪ HANKINS: Man that is born of woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery.

He cometh up and is cut down like a flower.

He fleeth as it were a shadow and never continueth in one stay.

We therefore commit the body of our dear brother, Isaac Stringer, to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

♪ ♪ Tom.

I don't know what to say to you, Mary.

Something made me feel that I had to make a name for myself, I had to turn Sanditon into a place of fashion.

What a silly, vainglorious fool I have been.

And now I've bankrupted myself.

I have let my investors down, I have let my friends down, my family down, and most of all, I have let you down, Mary.

What can you think of me?

Tom, stop that.

I can't bear to see you punishing yourself.

This is a misfortune, but somehow we'll come through it.

How can I face people after this?

I don't care what anyone says.

I absolutely believe in you, Tom.

And I love you.

So, there.

Oh, Mary.

(exhales) (kisses) My dear.

♪ ♪ CHARLOTTE (writing): "Dearest sister, "It has been a week since Sidney left for London "in his attempt to save Sanditon.

"There is nothing but trepidation "in the Parker family.

(flipping cards) "Tom, in particular, has been consumed with worry "as he awaits news.

"Oh, Alison, "it is possible that my future too "could rest on Sidney's swift return.

"I wish I could tell you more.

"But it may be that very soon I will have the most exciting news to share."

(door bell rings) He's here!

He's here.

He's here.

JENNY: Uncle Sidney!

TOM: This is excellent news.

ARTHUR: Job well done, Sidney!

You pulled it off.

TOM: Well done, my boy, what a brother I have.

Oh, yes.

Oh, Charlotte, glorious news.

Sanditon is saved!

Oh, that's wonderful.

Come along, everyone.

We must go and tell Lady Denham immediately.

TOM: Sidney!

(door opens) (door closes) What is it?

Charlotte.

(breathes deeply) My dear Charlotte.

(breathes deeply) I had hoped that when I returned, I would be able to make you a proposal of marriage.

But that cannot be.

(exhales) The fact is I have been obliged to engage myself to Mrs. Eliza Campion.

Please believe me that if there were any other way to resolve Tom's situation, I would...

I understand.

(inhales sharply) (voice breaking): I wish you every happiness.

Excuse me.

(stifling cries) (crying softly) (sobbing) ♪ ♪ (bell tolling) ♪ ♪ (birds chirping, talking in background) ♪ ♪ I lent her that tiara, you know.

Well, it did very well for my wedding.

Of course, I shall want it back after the ceremony.

(chuckles softly) ♪ ♪ (crowd cheers) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Well, Miss Heywood.

(Lady Denham chuckles) You still proclaiming your independence?

Or is it that none of our young men have taken your fancy?

I wager we'll see you walk down the aisle very soon.

What do you say, Mr. Parker?

MAN: Ah, Lady Denham.

Oh.

(man chuckles) How do you do, Miss Heywood?

Very well, thank you.

SIDNEY: And your family, are they well?

Very well.

Ah.

How are your own wedding preparations?

Elaborate.

ELIZA: Well, who would have thought planning a London wedding could be so exhausting?

Perhaps we should have a simple, country affair like this one, dear.

Hmm.

Though, I don't think it would be quite our sort of thing, do you?

(chuckles) Men, what do they know?

Good day, Miss Heywood.

♪ ♪ (birds chirping) Lady Babington.

Good morning.

You know, I'd completely forgotten where I was.

Not unhappy to find yourself here, I hope?

Come here, Lord Babington.

♪ ♪ ARTHUR: I do feel a certain wrench in parting with Tom and Mary, but the seaside can be such a treacherous place.

Much better to be snug in one's own home, toasting crumpets by a roaring fire.

Mmm, home's best, you're so right, brother.

And I've heard that Dr. Mafuse from Wiesbaden has set up his own practice at Harley Street.

Oh.

Specializing in glandular stimulation.

Well, my glands have been yearning for a little stimulation.

Mm-hmm.

Now wrap that rug around your knees, Arthur, and hold on tight.

(both chuckle softly) (knock on door) It's open.

(door opens, footsteps approaching) Miss Heywood.

(door closes) I just came to say goodbye.

I appreciate you taking the trouble, Miss.

Do you expect to return to Sanditon again?

I hope so.

But I cannot say for certain.

Well, when do you leave for London?

I'm not leaving.

I've decided I owe it to my father's memory to stay here, at least until the new works are completed.

I gather Mr. Sidney Parker is engaged.

Yes.

And I-I wish them both every happiness.

She's not half the woman you are, Charlotte.

If he can't see that, he doesn't deserve you.

Thank you, Mr. Stringer.

JENNY: Goodbye, Charlotte.

(Charlotte chuckling) Now, you be good, and don't forget to write to me.

And you write to us?

Of course I will.

Come, children.

Goodbye, Tom.

I hope the rebuilding goes well.

Don't you worry, my dear.

Sanditon will rise from the ashes, as sure as eggs are eggs.

Goodbye, Mary.

I cannot thank you enough for your kindness.

You've been such a good friend to me.

I'm only sorry that Sidney couldn't be here to say goodbye.

He has other commitments.

I do understand.

Despite everything, I do hope you don't regret coming to Sanditon.

How could I?

It's been the greatest adventure of my life.

We'll miss you.

You're welcome anytime.

(horse nickers) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ DRIVER: Whoa, whoa, steady now, steady.

(carriage stops) (horse whinnying) ♪ ♪ (horse nickers) (catching breath) I couldn't let you go without... (catching breath) Tell me you don't think too badly of me.

(quietly): I don't think badly of you.

I don't love her, you know.

(voice breaking): You must not speak like that.

She loves you, and you've agreed to marry her.

You must try to make her happy.

Yes.

Yes, you're right.

(breathes deeply) I have to fulfill my side of the bargain.

Goodbye, Charlotte.

I wish you every happiness.

(voice breaking): Goodbye.

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