Episode 3 of *House of Guinness* opens with Anne navigating her way through the famine-stricken village of Cloonboo. As she traverses the desolate landscape, Anne discovers the villagers' seething resentment toward Sir Benjamin and the Guinness family, whom they blame for abandoning them in their hour of need. Fear grips her as she witnesses the harrowing suffering etched across the faces of Cloonboo's inhabitants.
The journey proves arduous, and Anne suddenly finds herself bleeding. Desperate for help, she turns to a local villager named Sultan, who comes to her aid. Sultan reveals the grim truth: Anne has suffered a miscarriage and is also grappling with underlying health issues.
Stunned by the revelation of her pregnancy and its tragic end, Anne realizes that Sean would have been the father. She believes this to be divine retribution for her sins and resolves to aid the people of Cloonboo as an act of penance. Later, Anne takes a somber stroll through the village with Sultan and is heartbroken to learn of Sultan's own losses during the famine.
Meanwhile, Arthur meets with Lady Olivia, and the two engage in a candid discussion about the terms of their potential marriage. Olivia is unsurprised by Arthur's desire for a marriage of convenience, understanding that their union will serve merely to uphold the Guinness family's public facade. Impressed by Olivia's pragmatism, Arthur agrees to proceed with the marriage after finalizing the contractual details. He then instructs the steward, Potter, to commence wedding preparations.
Concurrently, Edward encounters a young man named Byron Hedges, who introduces himself as the son of Patricia Guinness, a distant relative of Edward's. Byron offers his assistance in expanding Edward's brewing business in America, leveraging his extensive network. Initially wary, Edward ultimately decides to partner with Byron.
On a different front, Ellen spearheads a protest in support of a fellow Fenian facing execution. Midway through the demonstration, she is apprehended and taken into custody. In prison, she crosses paths with Sean, who urges her to meet Edward for tea. Ellen balks at the suggestion, but Sean, using a mix of threats and persuasion, convinces her to comply.
Back at the brewery, Edward unveils pension plans and a Workers’ Health and Benefit scheme, aimed at bolstering the Guinness name. He confides in Sean that these initiatives will secure the laborers' votes in the upcoming election, ensuring Arthur's election as Mayor of Dublin, following in the footsteps of Sir Benjamin. The laborers laud Edward for his benevolence.
Christine musters the courage to propose marriage to Benjamin Jr., only to be met with yet another refusal. Benjamin Jr. explains to Christine that he has taken the bold step of enlisting in the military, determined to prove his father wrong for leaving him with nothing but a name. Meanwhile, Anne pens heartfelt letters to her brothers, Edward and Arthur, detailing the hardships faced by the villagers. She implores her siblings to donate at least 10% of the profits from their brewing business to aid the local people of Dublin and those in need around the world.
Arthur and Edward, however, find themselves hesitant about the proposed donation. The brothers engage in a deep discussion about the potential impact of pension and health benefit schemes on their business operations. During this conversation, Edward reveals that he has brought Byron Hedges on board to work for them. Despite Byron's Fenian affiliations, Edward has commissioned him to spearhead the promotion of Guinness beer in America.
Edward attempts to stir Arthur's ambition by asking him to consider the immense power he would wield if he emerged victorious in the upcoming election. Yet, Arthur appears indifferent, unmoved by his brother's words. Arthur's frustration boils over as he accuses Edward of micromanaging him and monopolizing the major decisions of their business. Edward, unyielding, justifies his actions as necessary to safeguard a secret of his own, leaving Arthur with no choice but to acquiesce to his brother's demands.
The following day, Edward arranges a meeting with Ellen at an exclusive restaurant, causing her to feel a wave of unease. In an attempt to sway her, Edward draws a parallel between Guinness beer and freedom, suggesting that the Fenians would be better served by collaborating with the Guinness family rather than opposing them. As a tangible gesture of their newfound partnership, Edward extends an invitation to Ellen and Patrick to attend Arthur's wedding.
The episode concludes with Ellen accepting the invitation, raising a glass in a toast with Edward, marking the beginning of an uneasy alliance.
