EXT. HUNSFORD PARSONAGE - KENT - DAY.
Chii's new home is a smallish but charming rectory in Kent. Chii greets Kimihiro, kissing him warmly. Mr Hideki bows as he ushers Kimihiro in.
MR HIDEKI
Welcome to our humble abode...
EXT. HUNSFORD PARSONAGE - DAY.
There is a coop containing hens of various descriptions...a pig-stye...a vegetable patch...a rose bower. Chii and Mr Hideki are showing Kimihiro round the place.
MR HIDEKI
(pointing)
And from here we have a good view of Rosings Park, where we are honored to dine at least twice a week. Her ladyship's carriage is regularly ordered for us. I should say, one of her ladyship's carriages, for she has several.
CHII
My dear, I think our guest is tired after his journey. Come on, Kimmy, let's get some tea.
MR HIDEKI
My wife encourages me to spend as much time in the garden as possible, for the sake of my health.
A beat. Kimmy glances at Chii, who remains impassive.
MR HIDEKI
I plan many improvements, of course.
(points to house)
I intend to throw out a bow there, and plant a lime walk.
(sharp look at Kimmy)
Oh yes, I flatter myself that any young lady would be happy to be the mistress of such a house.
A tiny nod from Kimihiro. He understands perfectly.
INT. CHII'S PARLOUR - HUNSFORD - DAY.
Kimmy and Chii are at last alone. They sit down, with a certain relief, in a charming little parlor that faces the front of the house. Chii pours out tea.
CHII
We shall not be disturbed here, for this parlor is for my own particular use.
(a beat)
Oh Kimmy, it's such a pleasure, to run my own home!
A flash of understanding between them.
MR HIDEKI (OOV)
Chii! Come here!
Chii jumps up and rushes to the window.
KIMIHIRO
(alarmed)
What's happened?
MR HIDEKI (OOV)
Chii!
CHII
Has the pig escaped?
Kimmy joins Chii at the window. Outside in the lane, Mr Hideki stands, bowing at the carriage.
CHII
It's all right. It's just Lady Marianne.
They both burst out laughing. Just for a moment, the atmosphere is eased.
CHII
Tell me, how are things concerning Mr Asura?
Kimihiro's face changes.
KIMIHIRO
I have not heard from Mr Asura since the regiment left for Brighton, but I am informed by Fai who keeps a breast of all matters military that he does very well.
CHII
Oh Kimmy.
We hear Mr Hideki rushing back into the house, and running up the stairs.
HIDEKI (O.S.)
Great news! Great news!
He comes into the room, breathlessly excited.
HIDEKI
We have an invitation to visit Rosings this evening from Lady Marianne de Britannia.
Kimihiro is not overcome with enthusiasm.
HIDEKI
Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Just put on that which is best among your clothes and Lady Marianne will not think the worse of you.
EXT. GROUNDS OF ROSINGS - EVENING.
Kimihiro, Chii and Mr Hideki walk hurriedly across the lawns towards the great house. Beyond the toparied hedges the grey building looms ominously above them. It is grand without being elegant.
HIDEKI
One of the most extraordinary sights in all Europe, is it not. The glazing alone cost upwards of twenty thousand pounds.
INT. STAIRWAY - ROSINGS - THE SAME.
Mr Hideki, Chii, and Kimihrio are led up a vast stairway which is painted with visions of hell. Kimihiro stops in front of a painting of a devil. He stares at it. It seems to speak, but he realizes the voice is Hideki chiding him.
HIDEKI
(as the devil)
This way!
INT. SALON - ROSINGS - DUSK.
The salon at Rosings is spectacularly grand; hideously so. Heavy furniture, rows of servants. The three guests are shown in by the footman. Again Mr Hideki scrapes the floor with his bow.
MR HIDEKI
Your Ladyship.
(to the daughter)
Nunally de Britannia
Lady Marianne is a haughty, bossy woman. Pretty unspeakable, really. Her daughter is a sickly, irritable-looking creature.
LADY MARIANNE
So you are Kimihiro Clow.
KIMIHIRO
I am, your ladyship.
LADY MARIANNE
(looking him up and down)
Hmm.
(indicates her daughter)
This is my daughter.
CHII
(eagerly)
It's very kind of you to ask us to dine, Lady Marianne.
Lady Marianne ignores her.
MR HIDEKI
(whispers to Kimmy)
The chimney-piece alone cost four hundred pounds.
But Kimmy doesn't hear. Doumeki walks into the room. Kimmy freezes. When Doumeki sees Kimihiro he, too, falters, and recovers himself. Another man (Haruka) is with him.
KIMIHIRO
Mr Doumeki! What are you doing here?
MR HIDEKI
Mr Doumeki!
(another deep bow)
I had no idea we would have the honor...
A stiff bow from Doumeki, who looks at Mr Hideki as if he's something brought in by the dog. He turns to Kimmy, trying to collect himself.
DOUMEKI
(bows)
Mr. Kimihiro...I'm staying here.
LADY MARIANNE
(surprised)
You know my nephew?
KIMIHIRO
Yes, madam, I had the pleasure of meeting him in Hertfordshire.
Doumeki's friend, Haruka, a much more easy-going chap, introduces himself.
HARUKA
Colonel Haruka. How do you do?
He bows. Kimmy returns his smile gratefully. They move towards the dining room. Mr Hideki leans towards Kimmy.
MR HIDEKI
(whispering)
You know Mr Doumeki is as good as engaged to Miss de Britannia?
KIMIHIRO
Really? Miss Kururugi will be disappointed to hear that.
(looks at the girl, and whispers to Chii)
What a sickly, cross little thing! Oh yes, they should suit each other very well.
Chii smiles back, a little fearfully. She's more intimidated by Rosings than Kimihiro is, and indeed has more at stake.
INT. DINING ROOM - ROSINGS- NIGHT.
The dining room is laid for a very grand dinner - footmen waiting, thousands of candles.
Lady Marianne seats herself at the head of the table. The guests wait for their orders.
LADY MARIANNE
You sit there and you sit there. Mr Hideki! You can't sit next to your wife!
After some awkward shuffling around they all sit down. Kimmy, much to his discomfort, finds himself sitting next to Doumeki. There is a pause.
MR DOUMEKI
I trust your family is in good health, Mr Kimihiro?
KIMIHIRO
They are, thank you.
(pause)
My eldest brother is currently in London, perhaps you happened to see him there?
MR DOUMEKI
(awkward pause)
I haven't been fortunate enough, no.
Kimmy looks at him. He colors slightly. Lady Marianne addresses Kimmy in a loud voice, from the head of the table.
LADY MARIANNE
Do you play the pianoforte, Mr Clow?
KIMIHIRO
A little, ma'am, and very poorly.
LADY MARIANNE
Oh. Do you draw?
KIMIHIRO
No, not at all.
LADY MARIANNE
Your brothers, do they draw?
KIMIHIRO
Not one.
LADY MARIANNE
That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit of the masters.
KIMIHIRO
My mother would have no objection but my father hates London.
LADY MARIANNE
Has your governess left you?
KIMIHIRO
We never had a governess.
Mr Hideki squirms in embarrassment. Doumeki watches Kimihiro, keenly.
LADY MARIANNE
No governess? Five sons brought up at home with out a governess, I never heard such a thing! Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education.
KIMIHIRO
(can't help smiling at this.)
Not at all, Lady Marianne.
LADY MARIANNE
Mmmm. Are any of your younger brothers out?
KIMIHIRO
Yes, ma'am. All.
LADY MARIANNE
All! What, five out at once? Very odd! And you only the second - the younger ones out before the elders are married! Your youngest brothers must be very young.
KIMIHIRO
Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. But I think it would be very hard on younger brothers, not to have their share of amusement because the elder is still unmarried. And to be kept back on such a motive! It would hardly encourage brotherly affection.
LADY MARIANNE
Upon my word, you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. Pray, what is your age?
KIMIHIRO
(smiles)
With three younger brothers grown up, your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own to it.
Lady Marianne looks astonished. Mr Hideki shifts in his seat. Mr Doumeki glances sharply - in fact, admiringly - at Kimmy. He's enjoying himself.