The episode kicks off with Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips), uncovering a concealed compartment concealed behind a plaque inscribed with the Latin phrase, "Et servare secreta illorum cordibus vestris" (May hearts guard their secrets), her curiosity piqued. She retrieves a document pertaining to the Whitechapel Orphanage, accompanied by a letter, just as the caretaker (Goran Stricevic) steps into the room, prompting her swift disappearance.
Eliza proceeds to enlighten Martin Crabtree (Will Merrick) about the startling revelation that Sir Reginald Denning is his father. Martin, who believes his parents perished when he was an infant, expresses shock. Clarrisa Crabtree (Tamsin Newlands) delves further, inquiring about Martin's mother. After revealing that Reginald and his wife were childless, Eliza hints at an illicit affair, suggesting Martin's mother was an unacknowledged lovechild. She further discloses that upon Reginald's demise seven years prior, his estate, now valued at €20,000, was listed as Bona Vacantia, making Martin its rightful heir. However, she cautions, they have until the following day at 6:00 to stake their claim.
Eliza and Ivy (Cathy Belton) raise a toast to Eliza's €1,000 cut from Reginald's estate, Ivy joyfully proposing a celebration. Eliza envisions the money hiring a full-time staff for her burgeoning detective agency. Ivy curiously wonders if a rift has emerged between Eliza and William "The Duke" Wellington (Stuart Martin), noting his prolonged absence. Eliza dismisses it, preferring to savor the present moment.
As Eliza commissions a brass plaque and a sign for her door, proudly proclaiming "Miss Eliza Scarlet, Private Detective," she stands poised in front of her office, her ambition palpable. The Duke approaches, and she eagerly shares her upcoming windfall from heir-hunting endeavors. He queries if she's been avoiding him, to which she reassuringly responds that work has merely been consuming. With a final nod of reassurance, she firmly closes the door on him, leaving him curious yet respectful of her boundaries.
Detective Oliver Fitzroy, portrayed with gravitas by Evan McCabe, urgently apprises The Duke of a grim stabbing incident that has unfolded within the confines of a Pimlico residence. The Duke, inquisitive, inquires how Fitzroy came across Eliza during his absence, to which the detective replies, painting her as a beacon of positivity and cheerfulness, albeit hinting that her mind might be burdened with unspoken thoughts.
Revealing a dark twist, Fitzroy narrates that George Saracen's demise was first discovered by his maid. Prompted by curiosity, The Duke wonders if Eliza had ever broached the subject of Saracen in their conversations. Meanwhile, Clarissa imparts to Eliza a harrowing piece of news: Martin had ventured out to celebrate at the Royal Oak but failed to return, leaving behind a ransom note demanding €500 to be delivered by 4:00pm at the archway on Belmont Crescent. Eliza, concerned, queries whether they had disclosed Martin's inheritance to anyone. Clarissa reveals they had a visit from an heir hunter named James K. Elderberry, alias Eric Blunt, played with subtlety by Tristan Sturrock, after her departure.
Eliza, desperate for Martin's safe return, tasks Moses (Ansu Kabia), imbuing her plea with urgency, to uncover the identity of Martin's kidnappers and their hiding spot. Moses, revealing his current employment with the affluent Nash and Sons, cautions her that her impending wealth is contingent on Martin's survival. She counters by offering him double his current earnings if he secures Martin's freedom. Intrigued but cautious, he proposes a written agreement, contingent upon her disclosing his true name for the contract.
Further delving into the Saracen mystery, Fitzroy reveals that the maid claims Saracen had an appointment scheduled post her duty hours. Upon her return, she witnessed an elderly lady scurrying away from the premises. The Duke adds a layer of complexity, noting that Saracen was expected to meet with Maud Skelton (portrayed aptly by Liz Crowther) that very morning, setting the stage for more unraveling secrets and hidden agendas.
Royal Oak – As Eliza inquired about Martin's whereabouts to the bartender, Elderberry casually mentioned that he had left at midnight. Intrigued, she delved deeper into his intentions. The bartender, with a hint of skepticism, wondered aloud if she could manage the €500 ransom demanded for Martin's release. Eliza, determined and unaided, reassured him that she stood on her own two feet. Yet, he insisted on covering the ransom if she found herself unable to do so. As she attempted to leave, he impulsively grasped her arm, prompting an immediate warning from Eliza that such familiarity was a grave mistake.
Returning to her abode, Eliza was surprised to find Ivy nurturing Moses. Ivy reported his fruitless search for anyone with knowledge of the kidnapping, suggesting that the perpetrator might have been aware of Martin's impending inheritance. Eliza was reminded of the newspaper advertisement seeking information on Martin's whereabouts.
Fitzroy speculated that Saracen's visitors might be connected to this newspaper ad, prompting The Duke to ponder why Saracen was so intent on finding Martin. Eliza revealed the harrowing news of Martin's kidnapping. Fitzroy deduced that the person who murdered Saracen had also obtained Martin's address. Eliza eagerly sought more information, but The Duke shook his head in negation. Fitzroy then recounted the sighting of Maud Skelton and the elderly lady, the maid who had seen them leaving the house. He informed them that the ransom deadline was looming at 4 pm.
Devising a plan, The Duke and Eliza decided to pay the ransom with counterfeit money. The Duke recounted the tale of Reginald, a gambler killed during a botched robbery, with his killer still unidentified by the police. Eliza admitted her familiarity with him and Arabella, and The Duke shared that their relationship had blossomed. Eliza, sincere and genuine, expressed her happiness for them.
As Eliza stands in patient vigil at the archway of Belmont Crescent, Elderberry strides up, informing her that Clarrisa has divulged the ransom's existence. Hardly has she demanded his departure when a swift hand snatches the satchel brimming with coins. With a disdainful remark about her foolishness in involving the authorities, Elderberry makes his escape. The Duke arrives on the scene, his concern evident as he inquires about her wellbeing. Reassuring him of her safety, they watch as the police give chase to the thief.
Turning to Elderberry, The Duke speculates aloud whether he orchestrated the kidnapping to seize the ransom funds, given his financial straits. Elderberry's true identity, Eric Blunt, is revealed. Fitzroy interrupts with the distressing news that their suspect has slipped away. The Duke confronts Blunt about his guise as an heir hunter, to which Blunt responds by asserting that Reginald, Martin's father, owed him a tidy sum of £10,000 from a poker match. The Duke ponders aloud if Blunt envisioned reclaiming this debt from Martin's inheritance. Blunt underscores the urgency, mentioning that Reginald's estate must be claimed by 6 pm or risk forfeiture to the state. When The Duke mentions the uncaught murderer of Reginald, Blunt vehemently denies any involvement. He further adds that Saracen, who was on the trail of Martin, has also met his demise, though Blunt claims to have been incarcerated in Bow Street cells at the time.
Elsewhere, Eliza and Clarrisa are engrossed in conversation when Martin enters, claiming he was abducted by two East London-accented men. Eliza declares their intention to visit the solicitor's office first thing tomorrow. The Duke informs Martin that a policeman will stand guard at his residence, prompting Eliza to question whether he intends to thwart Martin's claim to his inheritance. He counters by reminding her of the lingering threat of the kidnappers, which she retorts by asking if he's merely trying to deprive her of her finder's fee. He brushes it off as irrationality.
Desperate for resolution, Eliza enlists Moses to unravel the mystery behind Martin's kidnapping, teasing him about her continued doubling of his fee. Meanwhile, The Duke confides in Arabella Acaster, noting Eliza's irrational behavior. Arabella, reminding him of their long-standing friendship, offers a gentle reminder of Eliza's perpetual unpredictability. He responds by acknowledging that Eliza has always been a source of frustration, yet a cherished friend nonetheless.
Ivy sheds heartfelt tears over the heartbreaking fate that has befallen Reginald and Lady Denning, who were denied the joy of parenthood. Their pregnancy, once a beacon of hope, ended in tragedy as their child passed away during the arduous journey of childbirth. Eliza, in a bid to piece together the puzzle, speculates that Martin's mother could have once served as Reginald's maid. Ivy counters with a theory of her own, suggesting that Maud Skelton might indeed be Martin's birth mother, highlighting a letter in which Maud pleaded with Reginald for a visit.
In a tender moment of reconciliation, Eliza and The Duke exchange heartfelt apologies, bridging the gap between them. Seeking clarity, The Duke instructs Fitzroy to retrieve Reginald's file, only to be informed that it has vanished, and notably, Eliza had recently visited the Records department. Adding to the intrigue, a diamond necklace and a photographic frame went missing from Reginald's abode following his untimely demise.
Maud portrays Reginald as a man of virtue yet deeply troubled. She firmly denies being Martin's mother, asserting that while Lady Denning did perish during childbirth, their baby miraculously survived. Eliza, however, insists that the child was stillborn. Maud then reveals a poignant tale, claiming Reginald coerced her into placing Martin in an orphanage due to the baby's uncanny resemblance to his late wife. Curious, Eliza inquires about Maud's meeting with Saracen, prompting Maud to confess that she sold Martin's identity to fund her ailing daughter's medical treatment with a specialist. She clarifies that Reginald had already passed when she went to collect the money, encountering a mysterious man with an orange handkerchief peeping out of his breast pocket.
As The Duke nears Martin's residence, he crosses paths with Blunt, sparking PC Jacobs' assertion that the Blunt he apprehended bore no resemblance to the man in question. Moses enlightens Eliza on another layer of Reginald's story, revealing that he lost his home to Saracen in a fateful card game. She muses that both Saracen and Blunt were desperate to uncover Reginald's heir for their own financial gain.
This narrative weaves a tapestry of emotions, secrets, and unexpected revelations, painting a vivid picture of a world riddled with complexities and hidden truths.
Blunt steadfastly denies any acquaintance with Saracen. The Duke then reads aloud a letter penned by Saracen to Blunt, unmistakably proving their collaboration in the quest to uncover Reginald's heir. Confronted with this evidence, Blunt concedes that he and Saracen had struck a deal to divide the reward once an heir was identified. Eliza, ever observant, mentions to Blunt that a witness had spotted him at Saracen's residence on the fateful day of his demise. Blunt counterclaims that Saracen had attempted to stab him, prompting him to act in self-defense. The Duke reminds Blunt of the impersonator's arrest, orchestrated to eliminate Saracen, casting further doubt on Blunt's innocence.
Granting Eliza a courtesy, the Duke allows her to use his opulent carriage to convey Martin to the solicitor's office. Eliza beams with pride as she admires her newly acquired brass door plaque, just as Martin arrives to make his first installment payment. Ivy expresses curiosity about how Mr. Potts (alias Simon Ludders) might react to her spending the evening at Dickins and Jones. Eliza reveals her plan to purchase a phonograph, aiming to record her own dictations for efficiency. However, their joy is short-lived when a policeman (Zoran Nenadic) informs them that the money used to purchase their belongings was counterfeit.
In a solemn tone, the Duke informs Martin that the police have discovered the ransom money hidden in his shed. Martin confesses that Maud had warned him about his father's gambling debts and how creditors might seek retribution through his inheritance. He admits to staging his own kidnapping out of desperation.
Eliza, turning to the Duke, inquiries whether she will still receive her finder's fee despite these revelations. The Duke, in turn, asks if she intends to press charges against Martin. With compassion, Eliza informs Clarissa and Martin that she chooses not to press charges, allowing him to retain his inheritance. As she prepares to depart, her eyes fall upon the stolen photo frame from Reginald's house, clutching a photograph of Lady Denning. Martin, sensing the gravity of the moment, approaches her and confesses to the murder of his own father.
The Duke confides in Eliza, expressing his desire that his connection with Arabella should not serve as a wedge between them. She promptly reassures him, stating that their friendship blossoms swiftly. However, he playfully retorts by calling her a dreadful liar.
Moses then inquires about the timing of Eliza hanging her brass door plaque, to which she responds that the present moment seems ill-suited. He reveals to her that his moniker is Moses Valentine, a name that holds the promise of substantial wealth.
Meanwhile, Arabella extends an invitation to Eliza for tea. As they indulge in their tea, the maid ushers The Duke into the room. Arabella, seemingly puzzled, inquires about the reason for his presence. He gently reminds her of their scheduled rendezvous at the park. Arabella feigns forgetfulness, bringing an abrupt end to that particular chapter.
