Only Pussies Throw Fireballs

Without knowing the actual story or characters to Emma, I was initially attracted to the series for two reasons: 1) the title was directed by Tsuneo Kobayashi (Super GALS!, Midori Days, Twelve Kingdoms); 2) it was a period piece.

Kaoru Mori, the creator of Victorian Romance Emma is a self-proclaimed Anglophile and her attempts to recreate late 1800s Victorian England have been universally praised for its accuracy and attention to detail. With that much research done, Tsuneo Kobayashi was also able to add his touch and expertise to put that vision in motion. Concerning those two factors, I was greatly satisfied. While I assumed it would be a romance story, I didn’t realize how well everything would be told and conveyed.

I like that its not only a love story that was handled well, but captured the varying mindsets of those in Victorian society; most leaning towards “this is unacceptable and wrong,” with some people becoming accepting of it. Even at the end of the show, we hear Richard Jones remark that this type of society and mindset is self-destructive and set to fail because of such arrogance like the Campbell’s.

Obviously, the biggest obstacle for the two leads, Emma and William Jones, would be the obvious class differences, so one of the big draws was to see how the love between the two would grow and play-out through the course of the show, wondering who would move first, and to see how the characters would deal with their feelings.

I really thought of Emma as a female lead that was as strong as she could be given the time period. I think she truly wanted change, not because it seemed to be natural because of her education and position within society, but because she really wanted to be with William and the differences between the two in that alone were too great for her to handle. I don’t believe she ever doubted that William did not have feelings for her; she just felt that she wasn’t worthy of him. William also didn’t feel that he was worthy of Emma and he set out to prove to himself that he was throughout the show (this is especially evident with the South American Railroad storyline, which at first I thought felt very tacked on, but when I realized that it served this purpose, I did feel that it was executed well.). In ways, I find William to be a character I can relate to in a number of ways. There is the feeling of being unsure when falling for someone, but there is also the person that lives in a world of expectations, but does things their own way.

The main item I found in their attitudes though was that they found it more important to prove themselves to be their idea of worthy to one another before proving themselves before society.

Hans was introduced in the second season and was the clear rival for Emma’s affections. Emma entertained the idea of being with him, in her moments of uncertainty and feeling that she was more on par in status with Hans, but even he ultimately realized that she never would have loved him like she loved William.

The role of Prince Hakim is interesting. Initially, you can tell he is brought in to be a rival to William; he becomes smitten with Emma immediately and doesn’t hesitate to act on those feelings. He infers that William is also interested in her and quickly takes the role of a foil. Hakim is more confident and a social butterfly (something Mr. Jones even notes), whereas William isn’t always sure of himself and is a bit childish. Hakim’s hastiness alone should make William look like a better choice to Emma to the viewer. Privately, Hakim helped serve as a motivator and someone who could urge William to take the risk and be with Emma. I think that he valued his friendship with William too much to want to complicate it by competing over Emma with him. When he took on this role, I think he also became the voice of the viewer that wanted to see the two be together in the end.

What I believe can be blanket-statement said is that these characters were portrayed and written very realistically and never came off as over-the-top (even Hakim when he would do something outlandish, it would be written off as “a foreign idea” since he was foreign himself).

There’s a level of quality that never seems to drop in the animation and overall design of the show that should be noted. Consciously using drab and muted colors in the town and using gaudy and excessive colors for the manors and balls. The intricate design in wallpaper and decorative pieces, as well as wardrobe (and its nice to see so many different clothing choices, not just because of the wide breadth of characters in the show, but specific individuals having many different pieces). Another stylistic choice that I liked was that many scenes and shots were not centered (except for some of the show’s more pivotal scenes).

Many techniques throughout the show also impressed me, such as very effective use of shadow and lighting. A short sequence involving the Joneses in front of a stained glass window is one of the most beautifully done and the fact that they were able to pan out while imitating a Victorian peep show/peep box was one of the most fascinating scenes I have ever seen in anime.

With such wonderfully written characters, beautiful animation and composition, attention to detail of the time, and a most fantastic soundtrack, it is easy for me to consider this one of my favorite shows.

William puts on his suit and heads out the door. “You’re going to meet Emma, aren’t you?” Hakim stops to ask. Before he can do that, William says that he needs to raise a staggering 1.25 million pounds; Hakim replies that he is throwing away his happiness for the sake of the company and is disappointed.

The Mölders and their servants stand outside as they watch the smoke bellow from the windows. Hans and some of the other butlers run to throw water on the fire to minimize damage as much as possible, but the fire spreads quicker than they had thought it would. Ms. Wieck commands everyone to collect all the valuables, starting with the top floor. Emma returns with a bucket of ash, but is told it won’t do any good. Emma then tries to run upstairs to her room to get something important, but Hans doesn’t want her to be in any further danger. The fire engines arrive and everyone stands outside as water sprays into the windows.

“The thing that’s dear to you… is it the handkerchief that he gave you?” Tasha asks. Emma doesn’t respond.

William goes from contact to contact, but nobody is willing to help until he gets to the last person on his list. The man is willing to prepare 100,000 pounds, which William is grateful for, but know will not be enough. Not sure where to turn, he heads to the London club he frequents and orders a scotch. Lord Jedburgh from a previous conversation notes how odd it is for him to order that drink and offers to join him. “The truth is, I’ve been waiting here, hoping that you’d show up,” Jedburgh says. He heard of the dire situation his company is in and was hoping that William would ask him for some assistance; he hands over a check for the full amount. William asks why he is so willing to help now and Jedburgh says that he admired his determination and that he never let himself get down. “Simply speaking, you made me want to invest in your honest self.”

Traveling back to his home, Hakim zooms past in his motorized vehicle; William believes that Hakim asked Jedburgh to support the railroad for two reasons: one) there’s a long-standing trade agreement between both parties; two) the check was for the exact amount needed. Hakim doesn’t confirm, but only says that William can now run to Emma without hesitation. Before heading back into London, William presents all of the funding to his father.

“William, well done.”

This is most likely one of few compliments that he has given his son.

Emma is clutching the handkerchief in her room, once the fire has been extinguished. Hans appears, asking, “If you love him so much, why aren’t you going?” Hans understood how much she loved him when she went go get the handkerchief in the midst of the fire. “Even if you weren’t with him, you’d always be thinking of him. Everything will be fine. I guarantee it.”

Emma excuses herself and runs off to the Crystal Palace; Nanette tells her not to worry as everyone would like to see her with William. William has been waiting by the fountain and closing time is just around the corner; he looks disappointed and discouraged. Was this all for nothing? As people are leaving, Emma runs against the flow of traffic and nothing will stop her. As she approaches the fountain, she doesn’t see William; she’s a little confused and saddened. As she starts walking around the fountain to exit, she sees William on the other side.

“Mr. Jones…”

“Emma.”

She runs into his arms and he grabs her.

“Are you… really sure? Are you really sure you want to choose me?” she asks.

“I should be asking you. I swear I will protect you. No matter what.”

“Emma… will you marry me?”

“Yes.”

The Mölders and servants all wave goodbye to Emma as she leaves in a horse-drawn carriage. The only person to not see her off was Hans.

Viscount Campbell runs across Richard Jones at a party one night; Campbell greets him by saying “you have some nerve, showing your face here. You should be ashamed.”

“I’ve done nothing to be ashamed of;’ my son William said that to me once. I feel the same way now. No, in fact, I’m proud of my son.”

Campbell tells him that he’ll run the Joneses out of society, to which Richard replies, “If this society touts people like you as gentlemen, it’s probably destined to disappear someday,” and walks away.

Eleanor has decided to stay longer out in the country, performing piano recitals and eventually catching the eye of someone who falls in love with her. Her sister, Monica, returned to India with Hakim.

An aged Aurelia receives a note from her son which includes a photo of William, Emma, and their four children.

Writing in her journal, Emma says: “Ma’am, William and I now live a peaceful life surrounded by our four children. We spend our days happy and content. If I hadn’t met you, none of this would have been possible.”

Emma is asked to come to the garden by William.

“The lilies you planted have begun to bloom,’ William notes to Emma.

“Do you know what the lily of the valley symbolizes?”

“No.”

“Happiness will return.”

Epilogue: Al visits Kelly’s grave, speaking aloud that he didn’t imagine things would turn out like this. “Kelly, did you know this would happen from the start?”

From the heavens he hears Kelly speak to him, “Like I said… ‘She’ll be just fine.”

William starts his day out to some bad news. He is summoned to see his father in his study along with another guest, Mr. Roderick, their lawyer. The investments that William has been running around to collect for the South American railroad system has disappeared. Their in-between, Baron Wardle, ran off with the money and the government is stepping in to privatize the project, thus taking the exclusive handling rights of the stocks away from the Joneses.

The Viscount Campbell receives a visitor, one that tells him that he will be going into hiding in Paris until things settle. The man is Baron Wardle. Campbell tells him that he would like him to refrain from entering his house again. Wardle doesn’t think that’s a good idea, especially since Campbell was just appointed in charge of the new company regarding railroad operations, but Campbell asks him “who is going to believe the words of a criminal?” and has him dismissed promptly.

The Joneses think of ways they can reclaim the project and head to the government to ask for assistance. They learn that they can reclaim the project from the government if they raise the hefty sum of 4 million pounds. William spends his time finding new investors and getting the old ones to contribute more money to the fund.

Viscount Campbell and associates are relaxing and smoking some cigars when the topic of the Joneses recent activity enters the conversation. Campbell becomes increasingly worried that the Joneses will be able to raise enough money. When he arrives home, his wife greets him and he greets her by saying, “Send her to the countryside. Tell her not to come back until I say so.” Monica tries to talk Eleanor out of leaving and to come with her instead, but Eleanor is looking forward to getting away from life there for even just a little while.

Emma continues to work diligently, to take her mind off of everything surrounding her. Tasha asks if she will go and Emma doesn’t respond. “Then you should go tomorrow. It’ll be lonely without you, but happiness is contagious! If you’re really happy, then we’ll all be really happy too!” Tasha hugs her as if she has already lost her to William.

Richard tells his son that they’re going to be selling the company assets to compensate the losses of their investors. He remarks that Viscount Campbell heard of how well they were doing and leaned on government to make a deadline for the Joneses of the next day. William stays awake well into the night, attempting to salvage the crisis. Arthur enters William’s room with a bundle of notes. He says that as a prefect at school, he has a lot of influence over the other students; he had gathered a list of contacts for William. For as little as Arthur wanted to be involved with the family business, he seems to be finding ways to help.

Dorothea and her husband talk about Emma; she hopes that Emma will go to the Crystal Palace to meet William, even if it would be problematic for the family if she left. As she heads out for the day, her closest friends all watch as she leaves. A couple try to follow her, but Nanette prevents them from doing so.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stop her?” a maid asks Hans, but he’s not sure that William has stolen her away yet.

“This is why men are hopeless.”

Emma still contemplates her decision to go to the Crystal Palace by walking around London. She visits Kelly’s grave; passes Martin & Sarah, the store her and William always met at; the park that her and William would walk through. She enters the backyard to her old home, the garden now filled with roses. A handyman enters and she apologizes for trespassing, but he lets her look around if she would like. She enters Kelly’s old reading room and envisions her there, reading just like before:

“What are you going to do about the proposal?” Kelly asks.

“I know I can endure any hardship as long as it affects only me. But…”

“But?”

“I don’t know if marrying me would really lead to his happiness. That doubt keeps me from making my decision. Even though I love him so much…”

“I see. Then you already know the answer.”

As she is walking down the street, many people run past her, talking of a fire. She sees smoke in the sky and begins running; it’s the Molders home.

Dorothea appears by the door and asks Emma if anything is the matter; Emma informs her that the gentleman at the door was just leaving. “My feelings won’t change. I’ll come back another time,” William says and returns home. This visit confirms to the maids that Emma is the one from the rumors.

The Viscount Campbell has some late night cigars with some business associates; one mentions the railroad venture that the Joneses are attempting to fund with outside investment. One says that the mere mention of the Jones name should offend Campbell, but he alludes to the fact that he has further information.

William has another meeting with a potential investor, but they’re beginning to turn their backs on the deal, thanks to their relations with the Campbell’s. “Let me be frank,” one begins, “I can’t have you dragging me into needless conflicts outside of business.” William gets the point and leaves. After his meeting, he walks to the Mölders’ to stand outside and hope that Emma will call down to him. Ms. Wieck thinks that his presence is a disturbance to the servants, but Dorothea doesn’t say that he should be escorted from the building.

“Everyone thinks they know how others feel, but I wonder if people are really so simple? That’s why it’s so fascinating,” she says.

William comes by everyday hoping to be acknowledged by Emma, but the only person who will stop to greet him is the Mölders’ neighbor. He sends letters daily, which Emma collects, but never reads. One day, Hans calls out to him, telling him to “get it through his thick head” that Emma doesn’t want to see him anymore.

“I knew Emma would reject me. But, I can’t just accept that and walk away. You said I was selfish, didn’t you? Well, if I don’t let my feelings be known, then Emma will never be able to make up her mind.”

Hans tells William that people’s feelings change and William asks if he was the one that had changed them. Hans doesn’t reply. When William leaves, Hans enters the house and apologizes to Emma; he then asks if she would like to go to the market on Sunday. Emma agrees to, but looks slightly saddened, as if she was coming to the realization that she will not be with William.

When Sunday comes, they spend all day at the market taking in a puppet show, shopping at various vendors, and eventually stopping by a pond; Emma had been smiling the whole day.

“Will you marry me?” Hans unexpectedly asks. He tells her that it is fine if she doesn’t answer right away, but since she agreed to come out today he got his hopes up. She says she is sorry and tries to run away, but Hans stops her.

“Are you running away because you feel guilty?” He lets go. “Because I feel the same. I know you still feel uncertain, so I took advantage of that and asked for your company. So you should use me, too. If that’s what you have to do, to leave him. If what you really want is to leave him, I don’t mind. Could you consider it?”

William joins Hakim for a late-night smoke, talking about how he now believes that one’s feelings can change over time. “I’ve lost confidence. I kept pushing forward no matter what the people around me would say. But it never occurred to me that Emma might not feel the same anymore.”

“Once suspicion starts, it never ends.”

The next day, William returns to the Mölders’ door and knocks. “Please, I need you to bring Emma here,” he tells Tasha, who cries “I was told not to!” and closes the door. William backs up towards the gate and sees Emma in the window. The woman from next door stops to say hello again and William gets the idea to ask her a favor.

“Emma! Please hear me out!”

William is standing on the balcony of the Mölders’ neighbor and all the maids begin staring out the windows. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you!” Ms. Wieck turns around to begin scolding the workers, but Dorothea stops her without a word to let William continue. William says it will take work to convince his family and that it’s obvious that society will disapprove right away. “But as long as I’m with you… as long as we’re together, I can overcome anything. I will never quit or abandon you halfway.” She pokes her head out the window. “Please go…”

“One week from today, at this time… I’ll be waiting for you by the Crystal Palace fountain. If you don’t come, I will accept that’s how you truly feel and give up. But… I’m sure you will come! I believe in you!”

Dorothea says “How rare to see you smile,” to Ms. Wieck, which causes her to giggle. All the maids are surprised and the neighbor invites William to stay for a cup of tea to hear how this all started.

Erich and Ilse run out to ask Emma if they will read them an afternoon story, but is quickly asked by Ms. Wieck to come inside and serve tea as she had been specifically requested. When Emma enters the room, Aurelia is there along with her maid Martha. The sight and words of Aurelia put a smile on Emma’s face. Dorothea mentions that she heard the engagement between Aurelia’s son and fiancée may have been dropped and Aurelia is a little embarrassed. However, she also mentions that that is the reason she stopped by today. “He must have realized his feelings, because he re-encountered his true love… I’m the one who brought Miss Emma to my son’s engagement party. I’d like to believe that it’s fate.”

Eleanor starts another day lying in bed and weeping, but by the afternoon, she suddenly stops. She sits up in her bed and exclaims that she is hungry for something sweet. Eleanor gets dressed and has various cakes and puddings brought for her consumption. Her mother appears and is a little confused by this sudden change. After having her fill of sweets, she excuses herself to dress to ride her horse.

“Could she have gone mad from the shock?” her mother asks her husband.

“The engagement will be called off. But it will be called off by the Campbell family. The Jones’ would have been useful financially; that’s why I agreed to this union.” He then smiles. “But now that our financial problems are solved, there is no reason to associate ourselves with such trash anymore.” On that note, he walks away.

William receives a note from the Baron Gilmour, the host of the dinner party he is to attend next, reading: “I humbly request that you refrain from attending our dinner party.” William says he will attend the other party he had been invited to that evening as he hasn’t been asked to refrain and it would be rude if he didn’t make an appearance. When he arrives with his father, the patrons are already talking about the pair, wondering why they would even show their faces. Grace is in attendance, as well, and standing alone against a wall. “Remember,” Mr. Jones starts, “you were the one that brought this upon your family.” When they arrive home, Mr. Jones is given a note from Viscount Campbell, stating that they will be calling off the engagement.

When the Joneses sit down for dinner the next night, Mr. Jones announces the contents of the note to everyone; William appears the most surprised. His brother, Arthur, chimes in: “Crossing the Campbell’s means that not only will our family be pushed out of society, but the business will be affected as well.”

“Disowning William and begging for Viscount Campbell’s pardon is the only way for the Jones family to survive, seems to be the common opinion. Perhaps that is an option,” Mr. Jones replies. Arthur and Vivi show off their selfishness, saying that he isn’t ready to take on the family business and she won’t be able to “debut” as a member of high society and both point the blame at William. William says he doesn’t intend to leave the house or the business, to which Arthur says that he better go and beg Viscount Campbell and marry Eleanor.

“I can’t do that. I plan to marry Emma.”

After a silence, Vivi yells, “I hate you, brother!” and runs off.

The next morning, William goes to see his mother for the first time since she had moved away from the family. “I’d like to know where Emma is,” he asks shortly after arriving. Aurelia asks if it would be best for Emma to be left alone, but he insists.

“Although we lived apart, I never forgot about you or the others. I wondered what kind of young man you’d grow up to be and I would imagine how you had grown.”

“Am I… not the son you had imagined?”

She tilts her head, smiles, wipes a tear and says, “No, even better.”

The maids at the Mölders are discussing the Jones/Campbell engagement being called off and that the Joneses are now on the verge of being outcast from society. Nanette informs them not to say anything to Emma, but Tasha and the others still don’t believe that she is the maid from those rumors. Emma had overheard their conversation and runs off, bumping into Hans.

“Emma, you forgot your watch.”

She thought that she had lost it and is glad to see it returned to her. He had also fixed it.

“There’s no need to waste your money at the watch shop,” he says while looking off to the side.

There’s a knock at the door and she runs to answer, not expecting to see William upon opening it.

She wants to close the door, but he grabs the knob to keep it open. “Mr. Jones. What do you want?”

“Emma, will you marry me?”

Emma returns to her hometown, which has been completely abandoned. Entranced, she begins heading towards the ocean as if to drown herself. A hand grabs her arm, it’s Hans; “What good will this bring?!” Emma snaps out of it and asks him what he is doing here and not able to look her in the eyes says, “Adele told me to bring you back…”

The two stay in one of the abandoned homes for the night, lighting a fire to stay warm. Hans questions why she chose to come here. “In the end… I had no place to go but here.” Hans talks about his childhood and his father some more, how they moved town to town because he couldn’t get any work until the family eventually became homeless. “I hated the way we lived, so I swore I would find a job that I wouldn’t have to worry about my next meal or a place to sleep. It was only a guess, but I thought you might have had a similar experience.

“What do you plan to do now?”

“I don’t know.”

“Are you the maid from those rumors? Sorry, I didn’t mean to be blunt.”

“When I think of my miserable life as a child, meeting him was like a dream. That’s why I had to leave, for his sake.”

In London, a businessman appears for a luncheon with William. His name is Jedburgh and his early arrival takes William, who is also early, by surprise. Jedburgh’s approach to business is considerably more laid back, whereas William is eager to jump into discussions. No actual funding is provided from Jedburgh and William retires for the night. Stevens feels that William needs to rest, but he will not. Not until he is able to land a large investment. He’s using work as a means to take his mind off of Emma and the Campbell’s.

The Campbell’s are dining and Eleanor does not have the appetite to eat. Her mother insists, but her father says that “if she doesn’t want to, she doesn’t have to,” and immediately proceeds to tells her that the family is a laughingstock because of her. Bursting into the dining room is Monica, back from her time with Hakim. She calls her parents out on not caring for Eleanor’s feelings and takes her by the hand to bring her to William with Hakim. Eleanor asks her sister to stay behind, because she would like to speak with William alone. Hakim’s elephant arrives at the Joneses, which is William’s call to greet the two. William and Eleanor walk through the estate’s garden and stop at a pond where the silence between the two is finally broken. William apologizes and Eleanor talks about the feelings she still has. She wants to become stronger for William.

“Where did we go wrong? If there’s something you want me to change, please tell me.”

“I regret what I’ve done. How foolish could I have been? When I said you were dear to me, that wasn’t a lie. I never even considered how you would feel. I knew I wouldn’t be able to forget her. This is all because of my own selfishness. I’m sorry.”

Those words cause Eleanor to cry, as if she were finally coming to the realization that William does not love her.

Hans returns to the Mölders and closely behind is Emma. Tasha runs to welcome her back and Ms. Wieck appears to ask the two to come to the mistress’ room. Dorothea is waiting and is more stern in appearance than normal and asks for an explanation. When Emma refuses, Dorothea doesn’t know if she can accept such behavior. Ms. Wieck thinks that this may offend the other servants if they make an exception for Emma. Hans defends Emma and asks for Dorothea to forgive her; Emma also asks for forgiveness, which Dorothea does.

After leaving the room, Hans says: “You said you had no place to go back to, but you do. That place is here. Don’t you agree?”

Yes, that place is here. I couldn’t ask for more.

(Apologies now; the next few entries may not have screencaps as I’m not sure what is going on with the video playback on my recently-formatted computer. So, until I can figure it out: barrage of text)

William informs his father that he will be going to speak with the Campbells that afternoon, but Mr. Jones doesn’t want him to be rash and jump into this discussion. William believes he needs to speak with them, even if it causes troubles for both families. “If you already know the consequences, then don’t call off the engagement.” He can’t do that. “Are you prepared to leave this house?” Eleanor has read the letter that William will be arriving today and while she was panicking about the news at first, her spirits pick up because she will able to see him for the first time since the engagement party.

William doesn’t waste a lot of time once entering the Campbell’s home and announces that he would like to call off the engagement. Eleanor is surprised to hear this, whereas her father is not and asks Eleanor to leave. “If we call off the engagement after the party, the Campbell’s will be a laughingstock.” He thinks that this engagement is a contract and cannot be broken.

“What is the reason? Is it a woman?”

“I don’t appreciate such language…”

“It happens all the time.”

With that, the rumors begin spreading through town.

The Mölders will be attending a party later this night and Mr. Mölders tells his wife that he will not be able to attend. Thinking of what she had done with Ms. Trollope, she invites Emma to come with her to the party. “Why not? You’re intelligent, refined, and quite beautiful when you take off your glasses.”

“It’s rare to see you praise someone so highly,” Mr. Mölders says.

Emma pleads not to go and is asked to come as her attendant instead.

Mrs. Campbell is also attending the party and enters a sulking Eleanor’s bedroom, telling her to get ready. “Sitting in your room all day won’t solve anything.”

The attendants all sit in a room away from the party to converse, drink tea, and play card games. Annie has been called for and she leaves to see Eleanor and Mrs. Campbell walking towards the exit. Mrs. Campbell is trying to stop Eleanor from leaving the party, saying that “as long as you have your head up, people will lose interest in the rumors.” Eleanor lashes back at her mother saying that she isn’t even worried about how she feels and is more concerned for the family name; her mother agrees. “But that’s not my only concern. I also want you to be happy. Of course I wish for that; I’m your mother. If you really love him you need to be strong and mustn’t let anything faze you.”

Emma had been walking down the hallway towards the arguing Campbell’s and stops after recognizing Annie. When she sees Eleanor behind her, she remembers her as William’s fiancée at the previous party. After staring for some time, she takes her leave.

“The image of Miss Eleanor refuses to leave me, as if it’s seared into my mind. Would I be wrong to think that I am the cause of her grief? I’m just overreacting… is what I’d like to believe…

All of the Mölders’ servants have the day off; Emma is going to use her time to take the pocket watch she was given by Kelly for repairs. Some of the maids are gossiping in the hallway about William.

“Well, his lover is a maid apparently!”

Tasha tries to recall who it is and then remembers that he is a member of the Jones family.

Someone asks Emma what is wrong, as she standing at a distance from everyone else and she runs out of the house.

“Could she be the maid from those rumors? Hans, bring Emma back.”

Hans catches up to her and tells her that she is wanted at the home; he then says to himself that he isn’t an errand boy and decides to sit next to her. When he notices Emma cradling the watch in her hand, he offers to take a look and talks about his father, who was a traveling clocksman back in Germany. As he finishes talking, Emma stands up to run off. She keeps thinking about that night she and William were together and not sure where to turn, runs to the train station to head to the village where she grew up.

William awakes, a blanket wrapped around him, and Emma has already left the manor. Emma appears at Aurelia’s out of breath in the early morning. “What happened? I’m sorry if I’m mistaken, but are you and William…” Emma looks up. “I knew it… the way you both acted at the party was… You can tell me.”

William asks Grace which hotel their mother is staying at during their meal as he wants to visit her suddenly. Mr. Jones says that they’re meeting the Campbell’s to discuss wedding preparations after the meal, but William wants to postpone. Mr. Jones asks for an explanation, but William evades the request. He still wants to hear one.

“I want to… call off the engagement.”

William arrives at the hotel, looking for Emma, but Aurelia tells her that she has already gone home.

“She asked me not to tell you her whereabouts… Let’s take a walk.”

1872, Wiltshire:

Richard Jones shows up to a party. The rumors are that he is one of the ‘nouveau riche,’ and is only there to make connections; most of the talk about him is negative. A young Aurelia says the seat next to her is empty and he can sit next to her. He refuses and then asks if she would care to dance. Without even giving her time to reply, he excuses himself, when really she was hesitant as she doesn’t believe she is good at dancing.

“I thought you were being modest.”

“I always speak the truth.”

“Then, I will show you.”

On another day soon after the party, Aurelia goes to walk around her family’s estate and Richard is there to see her. They walk around their pond and she mentions that she is disappointed to see that he’ll be leaving for London so soon. They talk about the birds and how they like to chirp, but Richard remarks that at least they don’t gossip.

“Mr. Jones isn’t the type of person everyone says he is.” she says.

“Is that what they’re saying?”

“I don’t know if that’s what they’re saying, but at least I think so.”

He takes off his hat. “Miss Hartwick, will you marry me?”

She’s a little shocked to hear it so suddenly, but she clearly says yes to him.

Various events in their relationship together are outlined: the painting of the portrait of Aurelia that still hangs above the main stairwell of the Joneses; the gifts they receive after the birth of their first baby, William; their rise in society through the increasing number of invites they are receiving. The more parties they attend, the more visibly ill she appears. After a home visit from a doctor, he recommends that she goes on some “resort therapy:” to go someplace where the air will be good for her and she won’t need to be around so many people. Richard also believes this may be best for her and that was the last time she lived in the home with everyone.

Emma has returned to the Mölders where they are celebrating Weihnachten. A number of servants are receiving cards and candy while Emma diligently works around everyone. When another maid comes in asking for someone to help cook, she volunteers. Tasha and Hans recognize that she’s been acting differently since coming back from London and wonder if something happened.

When the days rush by, our encounter in London seemed like a dream. In fact, I wanted it to be a dream. That’s what I wished.

The family has Weihnachten dinner with Ilse dressed as the Christkind. Dorothea suggests that they all move into the town house in London, since she had such a great time there during her last visit. Her husband doesn’t object, and she’ll make preparations for the whole family to move there after the New Year.

The maids and butlers all share the plum pudding they had been baking and Emma comes across a ring in her piece. According to legend, the ring foretells a lover and they ask if she has anyone in mind. Hans’ piece contained the church bell which foretold marriage.

During their first day in London, Emma escorts Dorothea for some “light” shopping at Harrod’s where Ms. Trollope also happens to be. She mentions that her eldest son has just proposed and she is in town to attend the engagement party. Ms. Trollope says she will be attending alone, which is a social faux pas, and one that her personal maid would like to see prevented. Dorothea offers that Emma accompanies her and Ms. Trollope would be happy for her to accept.

As Eleanor is having her wedding dress fitted, William walks in and appears disinterested. Before leaving to prepare for the engagement party, he looks at her and says, “It looks lovely on you,” which is enough to ease her heart and mind. The Jones siblings are arguing over what to order the soon-to-be newlyweds for their wedding gift, of which, William says isn’t necessary. Arthur insists that William doesn’t understand and this is a formality to welcome Eleanor into the family. To lighten tension, Grace says that she has a surprise for the party and that she had invited their mother.

The Mölders leave for the afternoon, therefore Emma and the butlers have the day off. Jan and another butler dress up their attire by wearing a top hat and ask Emma to come with to show them around town. She says she will just stay home, but we find out that she had planned to visit Kelly’s grave to pay her respect and leave a small arrangement of flowers. Al comes by the gravesite, perhaps a daily occurrence, and sees the flowers and wonders who could have left them.

Emma arrives at Ms. Trollope’s hotel alongside Dorothea; some tailors are following closely behind. Aurelia’s maid, Martha, helps Emma with the fittings for the party, which they remark are some of the top designs and fashions of the era. She becomes their personal dress-up doll for this moment in time. The pair decides on a light-blue dress for Emma, but don’t think her glasses make a good accessory. “But, I can’t see anything with them…” The two remark on her beauty some more before Aurelia asks if Emma can attend the party as her guest. Emma doesn’t think she should go, but Dorothea asks her to.

The party has begun and two members aren’t in attendance: Prince Hakim and Monica. Hakim had returned to India and Monica had decided to join him.

“Are you sure you don’t mind missing your little sister’s engagement party?”

“What about you? He’s your friend. You’re fine with not attending?”

“I’m not in the mood to celebrate either.”

It’s most likely that they hadn’t attended as they didn’t feel the love between them was real.

Mr. Jones and Mr. Campbell are finally able to meet face-to-face; Richard being the more excited of the two. All Mr. Campbell can say is that he heard Aurelia will be in attendance this evening. The parties part and as the Campbell’s walk down a quiet corridor, Mr. Campbell looks at his glove with disdain, peels it off, and flings it to the floor. Emma and Aurelia arrive, however, Emma cannot see too well in front of her as she isn’t wearing her glasses; everybody stares as they enter. Aurelia suggests that Emma go to the balcony for some fresh air, as she appears uncomfortable. When Emma walks back towards Aurelia, she is already talking with Grace and William. Neither recognize each other immediately. After Aurelia introduces Emma to her son, she figures out who he is and looks horrified and shocked to see him again. Grace reappears with Eleanor this time which is enough for Emma to faint. Aurelia arranges to have a carriage bring her home in the morning as she is sound asleep.

After the party, William stays awake with his friends and drinking fine liquors. After his friends pass out, he immediately runs to the door of the room that Emma is sleeping in, yelling her name. She doesn’t and won’t open the door. All she says is that she is fine, but never expected this to happen and that when morning comes, she will leave as soon as possible. This doesn’t stop William and he enters the room. His presence is enough for her to cry and they embrace.

“I missed you,” Emma says; William begins crying.

“I know.”

“I’m so sorry.”

The relationship between Eleanor and William has become closer. The pair walk through a garden of roses: red, pink, white. Eleanor wraps her arms around his; she look up at him coyly, his reaction is indifferent. They stop for a spot of tea and then continue their day with horseback riding.

The maids at the Mölders are gossiping over who they think will be escorting the mistress during her visit to London. One thinks it could be Emma, but Polly, who eagerly wants to go, rules out anyone but herself. Ms. Wieck walks through the foyer and calls for Emma, which means everyone already knows who will be going. Hans is already waiting in the housekeepers room and the two are told that the Madam specifically requested that they both accompany her to London. Emma hesitates and asks if it would be possible to send someone else in her place; she’s essentially declining.

“This isn’t a request; it is an order!”

“I didn’t know you hated me so much,” Hans says after they exit. He says that he would slip up a few times so he would be pulled from the duty and she could still go, but Emma says it has nothing to do with him.

Eleanor, Grace, and Vivi head to the beach on the hot summer day, changing in their family covered dressing rooms into their bathing dresses. Eleanor hears that William will not be there to join, but she is fine upon hearing the news since she knows that he is working hard. Meanwhile, William had presented a list of pending loans and payments to his father. Mr. Jones mentions that he hears that William has been seeing Eleanor a lot more recently. William doesn’t say anything and leaves the office. As they are wading, an extravagant bathing machine rolls onto the beach. Inside: Monica, Eleanor’s sister. Monica and Eleanor talk for a little while and Eleanor admits that she is in love with someone. “This man, he must surely love and cherish you with all his heart?” Monica asks.

“I’m the only one… who’s in love,” she’s able to say with a smile; Monica is becoming upset, but trying not to show.

At the Mölders, Emma considers breaking a vase, thinking back to what Hans said. Polly, passes by the room, grabs it from her hands and breaks it for her without asking. She says that she’ll let Emma take the credit in breaking it. After hearing the crashing noise, the maids begin to run upstairs, which prompts Ms. Wieck to further investigate. Ms. Wieck asks if Emma really broke it and Emma replies that she did. “We will have to re-evaluate our decision to let you go to London.” She doesn’t say anything in response. Polly runs into the room, pleading her case in being able to go. In the hallway afterwards, she confides in one of the butlers that she is going because of a house hiring for servants in London and she wants to move. Hans sees the ad and recognizes the address as being part of the worst slums in the city. Polly runs to the dining room to grab Emma and brings her to Ms. Wieck’s office where she immediately blurts out that she had actually broken the vase. Ms. Wieck asks Emma if this is true. Emma admits that she thought of breaking it so she would not have to go to London, but then asks if it would still be possible for her to go.

Monica has since taken a horse from the family’s stable and headed to Hampstead, the Jones’ estate. Eleanor learns of this and immediately has a carriage drawn for her. Monica makes her presence known by barging into the home and asks to see William. She meets him and immediately states her intentions to talk about his relationship with Eleanor. “The only man that will love my dear Eleanor is one that will love and cherish her more than I ever could. She eases your loneliness? That’s not love! How more disrespectful can you be?!” Eleanor has appeared and asks Monica to stop. William admits that he did use her to ease his loneliness and that he had once said he would never see her again. However, he also says that she is dear to him and his heart.

“Will you marry me, Miss Eleanor Campbell?”