As the episode opens, Frederick Trenchard (Benjamin Wainwright) has vivid flashbacks of Oliver Trenchard’s (Richard Goulding) abusing him as a child. Clara Trenchard (Harriet Slater) remains in bed after her fall. Miss Davidson (Elaine Cassidy) is at her bedside. Mr. Enright (Gerard Horan) greets Mrs. Enright (Ellie Piercy) and gets a shrewd response. Fletcher (Liam Garrigan) finds Frederick’s shattered medallion on the floor. Mr. Enright sends Mawdie (Daisy Sequerra) on an errand. Mrs. Davidson tells the servants that Clara isn’t feeling well. Mrs. Enright questions if she is pregnant. Davidson assures her that she isn’t.

Mary, the Duchess of Rochester (Sophie Winkleman) tells Percy, the Duke of Rochester (Miles Jupp) that Frederick asked for a discrete doctor recommendation. The Duke recalls how abruptly Clara and Frederick left the party. She claims Doctor Stephen Ellerby (Edward Bluemel) suggests Peter (Jonas Salmela Stratis) spend more time with Amelia (Jayda Eyles) and Randolph (Osian Salter). They briefly discuss what Peter’s epilepsy could do to their family if the public found out.

Frederick asks Ross (David Fynn) if the Abercrombie Foundry could produce steel along with the original iron. Ross says the steelworks project failed. Frederick believes the foundry would be a more profitable investment as a steel and iron producer. Ross suggests they go hand-in-hand because iron is needed to make steel before warning of the potential problems. Frederick argues that they are factors, not problems. He claims to have an investor in mind. Later, Frederick apologizes to Clara for his absurd behavior. She blames herself for speaking with Marquise d’Etagnac (Claude Perron) but he disagrees. He continues to be plagued by Oliver’s abuse.

Emily Dunn (Hannah Onslow) visits Reverend James Trenchard (Toby Regbo) to check on the girl who stepped into a horse and carriage. She asks the girl a series of questions that go unanswered. Once alone, Emily suggests the act was intentional. She asks if he visits Frederick often. He says no before changing the subject to the girl’s dire future. Later during dinner, Emily complains about the servant after getting choked on a fish bone. Mrs. Dunn (Sophie Thompson) says it is difficult to find good people in need of work. Emily agrees with her that anyone would be better suited for the position.

Clare refuses Ellerby’s visit. Elsewhere, Emily shows Mrs. Dunn the servant’s untidy room. She insists on cleaning to keep James from thinking they are taking advantage. She asks Mrs. Dunn to only greet James during his visit but she refuses.

Clara descends the stairs as Frederick is leaving. She asks to accompany him to his meeting before retracting the request. Elsewhere, the Marquise tells Percy that Frederick offered her a business proposition. He claims Frederick’s grandfather was a first-rate businessman and so is Frederick.  He assures her that Frederick has enough money.

Clara visits the servant’s hall to discuss the menu. Mr. Enright urges her to do it in the drawing room. Mrs. Davidson assures her that Clara has the right to visit every room in the house. He says it is not common practice in the Trenchard house. Fletcher warns that Frederick would not want Clara upset. Overhearing their discussion, Clara thanks Mrs. Davidson.

Emily takes a second to check her appearance before rushing down to greet James but sees Miss Hetty (Erika Poole) and Miss Constance instead. James is visiting a sick Mr. Bart. The girl identifies herself as Nell (Lauren McQueen). Thrilled, Emily leaves to share her excitement with James.

Ellerby works with Peter. Mary questions if she did something to her pregnancy to cause Peter’s seizures. He says most likely not. Percy barely acknowledges Ellerby.

Frederick tells the Marquise about the Abercrombie Foundry. She voices concern about the Bessemer steel process. Ross explains the process of converting five tons of iron into steel utilizing two Bessemer converters. Frederick stresses the need to acquire an adjacent warehouse to support the operation. She says their ambition is the same. She urges him to trust Clara because she is a “rare treasure” that may become his greatest asset. Later, Frederick invites Clara to his childhood home, Glanville.

Glanville – Clara asks to see Frederick’s nursery. He escorts her into a small room with two cribs. He tells her about James. He explains the history of the estate. She suggests raising their own children there. He has flashbacks of being beaten by Oliver. Susan Trenchard (Alice Eve) urges him to never cry. He tells Clara that James turned Oliver against him. He asks if she could ever love him. She says yes. They make love. The next day, she goes for a walk and spends time in the nursery.

The servants prepare for a special dinner. Robert (Jordan Scowen) takes a bottle of wine. Frederick introduces Clara to Ross. Later, Ross flirts with Mrs. Enright. She teasingly calls him a “Devil”. During dinner, the Marquise points out the change in Clara’s demeanor. Clara says Frederick is everything she could have asked for in a husband. The Marquise admits to urging him to trust her. Emily tells everyone about Nell’s accident and how James rushed out to save her. Frederick says James is devoted to his flock. Later, Emily tells Clara that she likes everything about James. Frederick gives the Marquise a written proposal which she vows to read with interest. Clara compliments him on how well he responded to Emily’s mentioning of James. He attributes strength to her.

Emily wakes up to Peter causing a ruckus outside. Mrs. Enright and Ross are in bed together. Emily finds Peter in the garden. She asks him to hold her hand so she is not afraid. When he takes her hand, Ellerby appears. He comments on how she looked sad on the night of her accident. She assures him that his assumption is wrong. Mr. Enright scolds her for going outside in her bedclothes. She pries into James and Frederick’s relationship. He urges her to let it go because it is irreparable. She returns to her room and retrieves a drawing from Frederick and James’ nursery. The episode ends.

 

Belgravia: The Next Chapter Review

Frederick offers the Marquise an investment proposal, involving Abercrombie Foundry. Marquise asks the Duke if Frederick is trustworthy. The Duke assures him that he is solid and trusting.

The Duchess considers permitting Peter to spend more time with his siblings. The Duke is concerned about Peter’s condition leaking to the public. Clara finds Peter in the garden. Ellerby arrives to take him back home.

Frederick takes Clara to Glanville where he grew up. He tells her about his troubling childhood. She asks Mr. Enright about James and Frederick’s relationship. He warns her against interfering.

Emily and Mrs. Dunn terminate their maid to hire Nell. Emily is becoming more attracted to James by the day. She tells Frederick about meeting James during the unfortunate accident. She later shares her feelings with Emily.

Mrs. Enright and Ross are having an affair.

The episode deserves a 5.8. Get more Belgravia: The Next Chapter recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness, click here. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest movies, TV series, celebrity gossip, scams, and sports.