Belgravia Season 1, Episode 2 recap: Anne tells Caroline the truth

Meeting more of the Brockenhurst family

Since her trip to the Brockenhurst residence, Anne has remained cooped up in her bedroom. The servants can’t help but gossip about what might be keeping her so subdued. Ellis complains she is held back by her servitude at the Trenchard’s. Despite her years of work for the family, it seems she isn’t necessarily loyal to them.

Later in the episode, we learn that several of the Trenchard servants are part of a marketing scheme that involves selling food from their stores. Ellis catches on to this ploy.

Back at the Brockenhurst residence, Peregrine and Caroline host the Earl’s brother, Reverend Stephen Bellasis, his wife Grace, and their pompous son John. The entire family affair is awkward and pointed; it seems the Earl’s brother has a  penchant for wanting handouts despite spending his inheritance.

Their real reason for calling upon Peregrine is to ask for more money so they can keep up appearances. John makes the surprising announcement that he has successfully courted Lady Maria Grey of the Templemores.

However, I got the feeling that his wedding may hinge on them getting more money out of the Brockenhursts since Maria’s the daughter of an Earl without much money.

During a luncheon with his father, John admits he isn’t thrilled with his pending nuptials since Maria was all but presented to him with a bow, and he enjoys more of a chase. A real charming guy, that John.

Peregrine’s frustration over his brother’s greed and stupidity presents itself during a fireside chat with his wife. He’s angry at the injustice of it all, that his brother, foolish as he may be, gets to grow old with a prospering family around him while he lost his only son. The secret of Edmund’s love child weighs heavy between the husband and wife, but Caroline says nothing of it.

On the opposite side of town, Anne and James Trenchard also enjoy a fireside chat, and they, too, discuss their son, although theirs is very much alive. James wonders if Oliver might be of interest in a new construction project on the Isle of Dogs. Anne doesn’t believe Oliver would like the idea, but his spoiled self isn’t in much of a place to be picky.

James also manages to earn his wife’s forgiveness for allowing Sophia to get involved in the sham wedding all those years ago with a highly sought-after ticket to the botanical gardens.

Anne and Caroline meet up yet again at the gardens and have a tense conversation wherein Caroline attempts to learn where Charles Pope lives. Anne unwillingly fesses up, perhaps regretting her decision to divulge the long-kept secret.