"Previously on Reign..." "Have you any news from your daughter, the queen of Spain?" "She wants Henri on the throne, not his older brother." "Leeza will allow Charles to remain king while Henri's delayed." "I feared that Mary's wedding would empower other nations." " She could invade!" " If she does, she will not find you alone." "I am here, Elizabeth, and I will not forsake you." "Since Nicole has her hands on Charles, we'd best control her." " You can do that." " I'm not sure bedding the lover of the king is a wise idea." "I can't help wishing that, at the right time," "I'd met someone like you." "Lord Moray and Mary have developed an uncanny, nearly preternatural ability to undermine me." "So I had her home watched." "You betrayed me, Emily." "James drew you in with lies and used you." "As much as I might want to, I can't call off this wedding to Darnley, because..." "I'm pregnant with his child." "Only a suggestion, but perhaps some additional percussion throughout, its strong beat a representation of the king's own mighty heart." "Aha." "More percussion throughout." "Mary!" "I'm glad you've come." "So, what do you think?" "Well, you commissioned it for your coronation." "It need only please your ear." "I need to borrow my private secretary." "You may have him back when we're finished." "David has been indispensable in planning my coronation." "Thank you for allowing him to assist me." " Of course." " Mary... um, it has been nearly a month since our wedding." "Might you at last allow me to visit your chambers tonight?" "You do still desire an heir?" "I've been traveling, Darnley..." "And a show of face to the people is always advised, but you have also been avoiding me." "Mary, we are wed..." "Which is why you need to plan your coronation." "I don't have time to discuss this." "David?" "Come with me." "Play it again." "I've invited Lord Hamilton to court in the hopes that he will stay for Lord Darnley's coronation." "As a powerful Protestant, his family's support is vital if I wish to take the English throne." "What may I do to help?" "Well, there are issues that divide us." "In addition to having a very strong claim to my throne," "Lord Hamilton sent a..." "a marriage request... before I chose Darnley." " Jealousy." " It goes beyond that." "A blood feud has long existed between the Hamiltons and Lord Darnley's family." "If I wish to gain Lord Hamilton's support, it's best accomplished without Darnley." "I've arranged a full itinerary for Lord Hamilton and his guests when they arrive." "I need you to keep Darnley occupied with... planning for his coronation," " so that their paths never cross." " I'll involve Darnley in every detail, no matter how small, so that you may focus on the larger issue of politics." "Thank you." "I'll let Darnley know when the time is right." "Good news." "Lord Hamilton has accepted your invitation." "If the Protestants of Clan Hamilton agree to stand with you, it will prove to the world that you are a tolerant queen." "And Knox would be greatly weakened." "Lord Hamilton is sure to tell his Protestant ally about our meeting." "Is it possible the Reverend Knox will just sit back and do nothing?" "You must see Emily." "If her husband has plans to interfere with our negotiations, she may know something about them." "You know, Darnley won't be happy when he learns that you've met with the Hamiltons behind his back." "My concern is for Scotland," " not for Darnley's bruised feelings." " And if his feelings interfere with your legacy, you do need to produce an heir." "Actually, James..." " I am already pregnant." " So soon?" "Mary, that's wonderful!" "No one can know." "Not even Darnley." " Not yet." " Of course." "You will be an amazing mother." "Thank you, James." "I don't know what I'd do without you." "Am I interrupting?" "Hello, James." "Hello, Greer." "I'll leave you two." "I think I've made a horrible mistake." "At your wedding, I told James how much I desired to have a man like him in my life." "I had hoped it would encourage him to express his own feelings, if he had any for me." "Instead, he now treats me with the same affection he shows the furniture." "He's respecting your circumstances." "You are still married, Greer." "So is Emily Knox." "You shouldn't take it personally." "Things aren't always as they seem." "Isn't it wonderful?" "There's something about a bathhouse that is so incredibly... sensual." "Yes." "If one enjoys the dampness of sweat." "Poor Jane." "You're overheating because you're not dressed properly." "You may go." "And see to it that I'm not disturbed." "Were you seen?" "I was not." "Would you like to hear what's being planned for your birthday celebration this evening?" "Is it you and me in bed... with you feeding me cake?" "Close." "A gala in your honor." "Hundreds of nobles and dignitaries." "It's the perfect opportunity for you to peruse a number" " of potential suitors." " These suitors," " are they Catholic?" " The majority." "With Mary now wed to Darnley, your only hope of gaining the support of Catholic nations is with a Catholic union of your own." "Good." "I will need your help if I am to choose wisely." "Of course." "I have a... thorough understanding of your politics, but also your... personal tastes." "Good." "I will need to find a husband who I can not only tolerate, but who will not plot to have my head removed." "Agreed." "Your neck must be protected at all costs." "You do understand that our current relationship is only temporary." "Once a match is made, we will need to stop this." "There's no confusion." "I'm your advisor first, your lover second." "And right now..." "I'm done giving advice." "I want to thank you." "You've done wonders with Charles." "He no longer suffers night terrors," " his confidence grows daily." " Stephan." "I've been looking for you." "I see you have Nicole well in hand." "I'm turning her into a proper lady." "She wants to be a courtesan." "In return, she is guiding Charles for us," " keeping him in line." " Well, if only that were enough for Leeza, queen of Spain and of meddling in French politics." "She still wants Charles off the throne." "She believes that Henri is the man to keep France Catholic." "The Protestants have been troublesome of late." "A firm hand is needed." "Well, a firm hand will be needed to keep my sons from each other's throats." "And after agreeing to let me handle matters," "Leeza went behind my back and she wrote to Henri directly." "And he is on his way here now, fresh from his latest defeat of the Turks, aware that Spain wants him on the throne." "Toppling the Turks." "You know, I have to say, he does sound impressive." "He's ambitious." "And Charles, he's no match for his younger brother." "Nicole must get him to willingly abdicate and disappear from the world's stage." "And once he does, we must pray that the people accept it, and leave him in peace, because I cannot survive the loss of another son." "It's gorgeous." "There is another reason for my visit." "An important task for you, regarding Charles." "It won't be easy, but you will be well rewarded." "A country chateau of which you will have full control... kitchen, staff," " decor." " Go on." "It would be your new home." "Once Charles agrees to abdicate." "How is that even possible?" "Unless Charles leaves court." "Well, he would leave court." "Well, he'd have to go far away, to remove himself completely from the public eye." "You really have learned so much." "That's what the chateau is for." "He would still be a Valois, a noble of high rank." "And as for you, well, you would have your every need fulfilled." "It's more than you could possibly have dreamed of." "I dreamt that I'd be the first of my family to escape that dreary farm." "That I'd meet someone like you, who would initiate me to the excitement and intrigue of court." "I don't want to go off into hiding with some weak, fallen king." "I want to be in the thick of things." "With you." "With me?" "I've fallen for you." " I love you." " I need you to save a king's life." "You must convince Charles to abdicate." "Which means going away with him." "You don't care about me at all." "I could." "I might." "But we have an arrangement." "Which is now utterly and completely over." "Nicole..." "You hurt me." "I'm done helping you, and the monarchy, and France." "It is your country, too." "I don't care." "Lord Mortimer, I will have no excuse now for being late." "But I thank you." "It's lovely." "Your Majesty, it's time for you to dance." "Impressive turnout." "32 suitors from 16 countries." "Congratulations, Your Grace." "I will do my best to screen out anyone who holds opinions strongly opposing your own." "And if anyone shows promise, I'll take them for a stroll in the garden, so I can speak to them more privately." "Your Majesty, may I introduce." "Count Alfred Von Buren of Vienna." "My father always advised me, find a woman who can cook and clean and a woman that's fantastic in bed." "Then pray the two never meet." "Your third wife was barren?" "How very sad for you." "She appeared perfectly normal when we first met, only to find out later she was defective." "Such a disappointment." "What use is a woman if she cannot reproduce?" "Jane, have you seen Her Majesty?" "I believe she went for a stroll in the garden with the archduke of Austria." "Very handsome." "The queen seemed quite pleased with him." "Did you really say that to him?" "Is that funny to you?" "Lord Hamilton," "I'm pleased you're here." "And what of your Catholic husband, the king consort?" "Where is he?" "His absence suggests he does not share in your... pleasure." "Lord Darnley is busy with matters regarding the Crown." "But we are of one mind, to move forward, one nation," "Catholics and Protestants united." "Then perhaps you should have married me instead of a Catholic." "Imagine it." "You, Catholic, me, Protestant, both with a claim to the Scottish throne." "There is the unity you speak of." "But I'm looking beyond Scotland, to England." "And you can help me." "If you stand with me at Lord Darnley's coronation, it will show both faiths that we share a common goal." "You're asking me to turn my back on my family, ignore a hundred years of animosity that exists between Lord Darnley's family and mine." "What's in it for me?" "I am willing to restore the Hamilton family's seat on the privy council." "You would do this?" "Allow me to influence policy, knowing my hatred for Lord Darnley?" "I am interested in the future, not the past." "It is a generous offer, and one that I encourage you to accept." "I will consider it." "James?" "May I speak with you?" "I'm just heading out." " Can it wait until..." " No." "It will only take a moment." "At Mary's wedding, there were things said, by me, that I'm afraid have made you uncomfortable around me." "I'm sorry, Greer." "If I've treated you differently, it's... it's only because I've been preoccupied with my duties." "And preoccupied with Emily Knox." "Do you care for her, James?" "I only press the issue because Mary said things aren't always as they seem." "And I realize... love doesn't need to be a thing of the past for me." "Not if I am clear about what I want." "Who I want." "Greer, my life is... complicated." "I hope it will not always be, but for now, it is." "I'm sorry." "Be patient with me." "Please." "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." "See that this message reaches King Charles, or this church will become your child's grave." "Now run!" "If Charles doesn't release the Protestant prisoners listed here, they'll start killing the Catholic hostages, one by one." "Please, do as they ask." "My entire family is in that church, my baby boy." "We will speak with the king." "And he will respond." "This is worse than I feared." "The gall." "We need to crush them." "Charles has balked at this sort of military action in the past, especially against Protestants." "Well, Henri would have no such hesitation." "But as Charles is king, only he can authorize a military strike." "Has Nicole spoken with him about abdicating?" "No." "You said you had her in hand." "That was before she decided she was in love with me." "I tried to hedge my response, but..." "But now what?" "She's brokenhearted and angry." "Well, the answer is simple." "You must seduce her, convince her that you could love her." "You're very good at that." "Or you used to be." "What is holding you back?" "Charles needs guidance." "You know that he will want to give in to the Protestants' demands." "If we appear weak, we are one step closer to civil war." "Another hour passes." "It is time to show your king that our threats are to be taken seriously." "How could you invite the Hamiltons here" " knowing our history?" " I explained my reasons." "After it is done." "After they are comfortably within the walls of our home." "The very people who murdered my grandfather!" "I have heard enough about the bad blood between your families." "This feud will never end, unless somebody is willing to be the better man." "I am asking you to be that man." "Then you are asking to be disappointed." "We need their Protestant support." "It is support that they are unlikely to give." "I think they will." "I have offered Lord Hamilton a seat on the privy council." "A seat on the privy council?" "Why don't you just hand him your throne, as well?" "The same ambition that drove the Hamiltons to take my grandfather's life could drive them to take yours." "And since you refused me the Crown Matrimonial, they will stake their own claim to rule." "You are determined to paint them as murderers." "And you should have discussed this with me!" "I'm your husband, I'm your king!" "Not just some figurehead!" "What am I saying?" "Of course, that's all I am to you." "I didn't want it to be like this." "I had hoped that our marriage would be a partnership in every way." "But with your drinking, your cheating," " your blind ambition..." " I am trying to be better!" "Then try harder." "I mean it, Darnley." "If the Hamiltons stay for your coronation, you cannot let them provoke you to anger or violence." "A better partner, a better king knows that sometimes, we must do things we hate for the sake of the Crown." "The archduke of Austria seemed like a nice fellow." "He's a little bit fancy for my taste." "Well, he was very handsome." "With a long, powerful stride." "I was practically breathless trying to keep up with him." "Stride is what one looks for in a horse, not a husband." "I prefer to match my pace to my partner's." "I may take things more slowly, but... you will still find yourself breathless." "Wait." " I forgot to bring the..." " It doesn't matter." "You are a queen looking to make a strategic marriage alliance." "You can't very well do that when you're pregnant with another man's child." "If I can get pregnant at all." "Once I am wed, I will be expected to produce an heir and blamed if I do not." "Getting pregnant before I'm married might not be the worst idea." "If I am barren, there's no reason to give up half my throne." "If you do get pregnant..." "I could be married within a week." " With my child." " No one will know." "What, and that makes it better?" "I'm just your stud horse, testing your fertility?" "I'm sorry, I just thought that..." "I know this is meant to be a relationship of convenience and nothing more, but... what we share has... has quite unexpectedly become very personal to me." "I appreciate that's not what you need right now." "Or want." "I'm sorry for that." "Are you here to lavish me with more gifts and then send me away to rot?" "You are the only one at court who has the king's heart." "That makes you very special." "Charles needs you now." "There is a very delicate situation at Vendome." "Protestants have taken hostages." "I thought I made it clear." "Our arrangement is off." "I won't do anything for a man who only seeks to use me." "Nicole..." "I need to apologize." "You have come to mean something to me." "You're just saying that now to get what you want." "It's what I want that pains me." "I had a wife who was killed." "Lola." " Yes." " Of course." "Why didn't I realize?" "Because you're young and still so innocent." "Being with you feels like a betrayal..." "Because you love me, too?" "I don't want to." "The truth is that..." "I cannot erase you from my mind." "I have deemed that immediate military action is required to quash the Protestant insurgents in Vendome, and save innocent lives." "France will not tolerate such blatant and aggressive defiance of the Crown and its laws." " Very wise, Your Majesty." " Excellent." "Well done, Nicole." "She's good in bed, and she can turn on the tears as well as the praise." "And well done you." "I was starting to think you didn't have it in you." "I played her masterfully." "And all it cost me was the desecration of Lola's memory." "But that doesn't mean anything to you, does it?" "Emily, tell me what's happened." "My husband knows about us." "And I know you were only using me." "And I hate you." "More than I thought possible." "But I need you." "My husband says he forgives me, but he treats me worse than a common whore." "I am forced to sleep and eat with the animals." "And I am beat with the same rod." "Emily, I'm sorry." "Tell me how I can help." "You took my life from me, and now you will find me another." "Away from my husband, away from you," "away from anyone who knows my shame." "Emily, that's-that's not something I can do." "Because you fear my husband, too." "But you know people in France." "Get me there." "I have information that will make it worth whatever retribution you face from him." "Something horrible is going to happen to Mary." "Tell me what it is, and I will get you away from here, I promise." "Tomorrow, before the coronation," "Lord Hamilton has plotted with my husband to kill Mary." "You must be Lord Darnley." "We have not met, Lord Hamilton." "What gave me away?" "You have the look of an Englishman." "And the face of a traitor." "I wish to apologize for not greeting you earlier." "I also wish to make it up to you personally by inviting you to stay for my coronation." "My, aren't you a good lad, doing your wife's bidding." "I can't help but think how different things would be if the queen had married me." "She'd be pregnant by now, that's for certain." "We are working on it." "Working?" "If Mary were in my bed, I assure you she would not consider it work." "Anyway, no need to feel pressure." "If you fail to produce an heir, well, my family, as next in line, is more than ready to step in." "Lord Hamilton, might we not set aside our differences?" "Think of what could accomplish if we supported our queen and country together." "Perhaps." "How long can we really resent one another for the tension that existed between our grandfathers, anyway?" "In truth, it was more than tension." "Your family murdered my grandfather." " Your grandfather was a traitor." " And your grandfather was a bastard." "By birth." "Who persecuted Protestants, and then became one." "A Catholic who becomes a Protestant still serves the same God." "A Scot who becomes an Englishman loses his soul." "Like your father." "I've taken up enough of your time." "I do hope that you will accept Mary's offer of a seat on the privy council." "If I do, it will be to block your every move." "I'll turn the privy council against you and render you powerless, so everyone can see what a weak and impotent man you truly are." "And I'll laugh." "Like my grandfather must've laughed when he slit your grandfather's throat." "A gift from the future king of Scotland to one of his loyal subjects." "You've probably poisoned it." "Prince Erik, too powerful." "Duke of Savoy, too powerless." "Count Alejandro, too dull;" "Alfonso D'Este, too..." "lumpy?" "Elizabeth, these are all viable marriage candidates." "You need to take this seriously." "Gideon, about last night..." "I apologize for my outburst." "But I do believe it is best that we return to things as they once were... you, my Queen and I, your advisor." "Nothing more." "Um, what about the archduke of Austria?" "You said you liked his..." " stride." " I don't want the archduke." "He's a Catholic, a good fit both politically," " strategically..." " I don't want any of them." " Then who do you want?" " You." "What I want, and what I need, is you." "Since last night, I have done little but think about what my life would be like if we were not together." "A life where I would see you every day and know that I would not feel your touch at night." "A life where I would be unloved and unknown as only you love" "and know me." "And it is not a life I desire." "This is personal for me, as well." "No explosions from Darnley." "I know I have you to thank for that." "Well, except for a moment when he asked me to check on alterations being made to the crown," "I was with him all day." "If it all goes according to plan, by this time tomorrow, Darnley will have his crown, and the Hamiltons will have their seat on the privy council." "Here's to you taking Elizabeth's throne." "Mary, you must come with me, quickly." "There's a plot against your life." "Knox incited the Hamiltons to stage a coup." "I've sent guards to arrest the Hamiltons, but they're not in their chambers." "Until they're located, we must leave the castle." " Now." " Greer, you come with me." "David, find Darnley." "He needs to be taken to safety as well." "Stay back." "Halt." "Stand where you are and surrender your weapons." "What have we done?" "Are we not allowed to leave if we desire female companionship?" "I will ask one more time." "Remove your weapons and lay them on the floor." "You are under arrest for treason and conspiracy to assassinate the queen." "So..." "Knox was right." "You meant to kill us all along." "Is that what he told you?" "Is that why you wouldn't disarm?" "He said it was a trap." "I didn't believe him." "My God, no." "We can't let him die." "He's the only one that can prove Knox has been feeding us all lies." "Greer, fetch the physician." "No." "Mary, he won't make it." "Emily told me once she was a terrible liar." "She's quite good, actually." "I believed her." "You will never know Emily's motives." "Knox may have given her no choice." "May have threatened her very life if she refused to feed you false information about the Hamiltons." "And now, because we were unable to save Lord Hamilton," "Knox is free to say that you lured them to the castle, powerful Protestants to the slaughter." "He'll preach of your treachery." "I will lose all hope of Protestant support." "Unless someone else takes the blame." "James, no." "It is because of me that you're in this trouble, Mary." "You must hold me accountable." "But it's because of me that you slept with Emily" " in the first place." " Mary, to take England, to hold Scotland, you must say that I acted on my own." "You must ban me from Scotland." "Make me a public spectacle so that all will hear of it." "You shouldn't have to do this." "You are a good and fair queen, sister." "Your people need you." "My only regret is that I will no longer be able to serve at your side, and protect you." "Only for a time." "I will call you back, James." "What am I going to do without you?" "Summon Lord Bothwell." "I know he would rather die than see you harmed." "You can't rely on Darnley for this, it's too important." "Tell me, Mrs. Knox," "When you told James that the Hamiltons intended me harm, did you know it was a lie, even as you spoke it?" "It is no worse than lies he has told me." "Why don't you kill me now?" "You've destroyed my life anyway." "I may still need you, to connect your husband to the slaughter." "His followers believe he is God's messenger." "Anything you do to him will only make him a martyr." "You have cost me much, Emily." "But something tells me there is some truth in your lies about the way you live?" "Go home to the powerful man who knows that you betrayed him." "Enjoy the living hell that is your marriage." "That is your punishment." "Your Majesty." "It has just been confirmed... the attack on the rebels has been executed." " And the hostages?" " Thanks to your quick action, they are saved." "But at what cost?" "How many gallant soldiers did I send to their deaths?" "Charles, come with me, please." "There's something you need to see." "You helped Charles find the strength to do the right thing." "You saved lives today." "I did it for you." "Charles, the savior of France!" "It's all right, you are their hero." "They're calling me their savior." "They love you." " Is that..." " My son." "What's his name?" "Charles." "Named after the king who saved his life." "I wish Leeza were here to see this." "Charles, a Catholic king embraced by his people." "I'll make sure she knows." "And perhaps this turn of events will get her to stop interfering in French affairs, and let us live in peace." "I wouldn't go that far." "She is your daughter, after all." "Perhaps this will buy us some room." "Yes, giving us time to secure Charles' reign." "If we can keep his hand steady, he won't need to abdicate." "Henri might not be too happy about that." "We can't have him contesting the throne." "Not when his brother is finally embracing being king." "And as long as Nicole thinks she has your love," "We can use her to control Charles." "For the good of France, of course." "For the good of France." "Lord James Stuart, Earl of Moray, for your egregious crimes, you are hereby banished from Scotland." "Furthermore, your lands and titles are forfeits to the Crown, your wealth stripped from your person as you leave in disgrace." "Wait." "How many more people will you sacrifice?" "Was there no other way?" "Don't go." "I have work." "Or should I tell the privy council that the queen's needs are more pressing?" "Fine." "You're released." "Shall I write to the archduke to officially initiate courtship proceedings?" "It's all right." "For England's sake, you still need a husband." "I understand that." "But I don't want to lose you." "You won't." "I've traveled this path before." "It won't be easy standing on the sidelines, seeing me with someone else." "You will want a love of your own." "It's very complicated." "I'm not Dudley." "I expect no more than what we enjoy now." " It will not be enough for you." " It is." "If our love must be secret, and our child, so long that it is loved, never know its father, then... so be it." "At least I'll be a part of your life." "The most precious part." "You're getting good at this." "Well, I'll have to be a great swordsman if I want to lead France to victory on the battlefield." "And you're no longer afraid of that responsibility?" "Not anymore." "I understand that sometimes a king must wield a sword to protect his people." "And your people will honor you for it, as they did today." "They loved me." "I can still hear the crowd chanting my name." "I want it, Mother." "To be king." "I am so proud of you." "Mother." "Looking lovely, as always." "Not exactly the welcome reception" "I was hoping for." "Henri, you must not have received my letter." "There's been a change of plan." "Leeza said Charles is unwell, and I was needed immediately." "Well, I had hoped to save you the journey." "Your brother is quite recovered." "So he's not going to be abdicating?" "No." "Good." "That's a relief." "You're not disappointed?" "Charles is my brother, and the lawful king of France." "And I'm a prince who gets to do whatever he wants." "Welcome home, my son." "I think we should keep my coronation a small, private affair." "This does not feel like the time for pomp or pageantry." "I know how much you were looking forward to it." "I appreciate your understanding and sacrifice." "Sometimes a ruler must do things they hate for the sake of the Crown." "I know his death is a terrible complication, but so you know," "I refused to let Lord Hamilton provoke me." "Though I was tempted," "I found strength in your challenge to be a better man." "That is what I hope to be." "I can take care of you, Mary, and I can protect you," "if you will only allow me." "I will consider it." "Might you also consider, at last, starting a family with me?" "Actually... we have already started." "I am pregnant with your child." "I will be a good father and a good husband." "On that you have my oath." "All hail the king!"