Captain Carter (Maxim Ays) proposes to Alison (Rosie Graham) after getting the consent of Colonel Lennox (Tom Weston-Jones). Alison gets in deeper with him but he doesn’t admit that he didn’t save his company and Captain Fraser (Frank Blake) is disappointed with him. Until Carter's true colours are revealed when he proposes to her in a boat on the river and she tumbles in. Pretty stupid thing to go boating if you can’t swim and are that cowardly. So ITV went on an ad break here and when we returned she’d been rescued by Fraser. She can’t hide her disappointment and being lied to. However Fraser too is disappointed as clearly he has unreciprocated feelings towards Alison too and doesn't have a hope in her eyes, though he is the better suited to her and the better man too. Charlotte (Rose Williams) also points out how quickly she's fallen for him and states that people rarely turn out to be as they appear. Well all I can add is she's one to talk, especially when she seems to be more inclined to side with Lennox and everything he told her about Lucy and how Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) took her away from him.
Tom (Kris Marshall) can’t get the army to pay the debts amassed by them in the town but is easily talked into a bout of gambling by same Lennox (Tom Weston-James). Wonder why he’s just doing the same thing he did in series 1 all over again and can’t put his foot down. Not having Sidney around to help him. Though Arthur (Turlough Convery) tries and is much more in control of his life and other events than Tom, who is lost without having Sidney to fall back on. Having lost another £100 to Lennox, he can't tell Mary (Kate Ashfield) he's resolved the money situation with him.
Georgiana (Crystal Clarke) finds out that Sidney was protecting her fortune from a man who was planning to take it from her. With the use of her being 'unfit' to inherit using racist and other means to do so. Who was said man and could it possibly be Charles. Well I had to ask considering he did get in her face quickly. Mary (Kate Ashfield) tells her she must be well behaved so she doesn't add more ammunition to whoever that man is. Which wasn't very helpful. She also finds out Sydney was in Antigua cos of her and people wanted to take away her inheritance. Mary tells her people will always be against her and she’s got to be weary. Georgiana (Crystal Clarke) agrees to having her portrait painted by Charles (Alex Vlahos) but not a nude. He says he wants to know her and paint her soul and her chaperone, Miss Hankin (Sandy McDade) is taken aback by his paintings.
Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) agrees for his niece, Augusta (Eloise Webb) to come out at the garden party and make her debut at the party. After he spies Charlotte teach Augusta and Leo (Flora Mitchell) to dance. More sultry looks exchanged between them. Augusta tries one of her Aunt Lucy's dresses prompting Leo to hug her, as she's the nearest she'll get to her mother in her dress. A poignant scene as she never knew her mother and it appears Colbourne isn't really one to talk about her. After he finds out Charlotte will also be at the party he is somewhat relieved. Admitting he dreads the occasion even less now. Augusta faints here as her corset is too tight and Lennox rushes to help her, adding that h feels he has Lucy in his arms again.
Elsewhere we get the Darcy/Wickam storyline with Lennox and Rochester wannabee, Colbourne. As he tells of his rivalry and his love being taken by Colbourne. Where obviously it's apparent that Colbourne is the put-upon one as opposed to Lennox who can’t believe Charlotte is still in his employ. Even if we haven't had much character development and background on his part. Tempers flare at Lady Denham's (Anne Reid) garden party where no one eats the cake cos of sugar and slavery and many leave. But also at the archery contest where Charlotte gets the better of both of them. Yet is still in favour of accepting Lennox's version of events as Colbourne walks off in a huff.
Edward (Jack Fox) continues on his plight to get his inheritance by wanting to see the baby and schemes with the butler into getting all of Esther's (Charlotte Spencer) mail from her husband. As Clara (Lucy Sacofsky) realizes Easter wants her baby or at least look after him. Cos of her own baby problems. She tells Edward she doesn’t want to do it, drug her with the laudanum as shes been good to her, but he talks her round by saying the inheritance will be George's. Thus ensuring she too is a a victim of his evil scheming.