We start the episode with a letter from Artemis. It’s a sweet letter that lets Persephone know her sibling are happy, but that they miss each other deeply. Harry comes upon her and notes she is in good spirits. Discussing her letter leads Persephone to ask Harry about how he and Adam came to be friends if Adam is always grumpy. He admits the Adam was fierce, even at a young age and took Harry under his wing and defended him from some of the bullies at boarding school. She also discovers Adam is very intelligent and doesn’t suffer fools or cowards and there is little he is fearful of. It causes her to ask Harry why Adam won’t look at her. It surprises Harry and causes him to think that maybe there is something that Adam fears…we the audience can infer that those fears are relationship, love, romance, and a pretty wife. Harry points out that Adam values respect and courage. He doesn’t like how his mother pities him. He doesn’t respect people that are intimidated by him. Harry promises Persephone that Adam is worth sorting out. He again states his surprise that Adam doesn’t look at Persephone and says something has ruffled him, and hardly anything ever does.

At first watch, it’s easy to look at this scene and think that it’s just a little exposition scene in that gorgeous drawing room. But on subsequent watches, one really starts catching on to more of Adam’s back story than just some random facts. One, that must have been rough to be at boarding school at a young age. I know that’s the way things were back then but still. It’s no wonder there’s barely a relationship with his mother. From the books, I know his mom basically dropped him off there a month after his dad passed away. No wonder he’s got an abandonment issues and doesn’t respect her if all he gets is pity.  Also, what kid at age 8 is so fierce and intimidating that the other kids are scared of him? It probably helped that his scars were more visible back then. But he learned at a young age that it is better to have people afraid of him than to risk showing any weakness or vulnerability that people could use against him. It’s easier to push people away than risk being hurt. 

But back to the episode. Since Persephone has a little leisure time, she has decided to take up learning how to ride a horse. As she is admiring the different horses and asking the groom questions, Adam and Harry return from their morning ride. After a swooning Jamie Fraser horse dismount, Adam comes over to investigate. They rib each other over Adam giving his horses Greek mythological names and then the three discuss Persephone’s horse riding history, which is about 0. Adam is annoyed and sure Persephone will quit. Harry tries to get Adam to stay and watch. He stays only for a moment, but then we get different riding clips to let us know that Persephone hasn’t given up and keeps taking her lessons. It becomes the topic of the their dinner discussion one evening. We also see Persephone in a much fancier dress, and even some jewelry and a fancier hairstyle. Harry announces he is off to visit his aunt and the uncle the next day and will miss her riding progress. He teases that Adam will have to “gad about” without him. Adam sternly says, “I do not gad about.” Harry changes the subject to Persephone’s family, and we discover her brothers are on a ship near the tip of Trafalgar, which us history buffs know that’s a bad deal as a big battle was fought there. Adam seems to know what’s going on with the war as he mentions that’s a busy part of the war right now. Persephone admits she worries for them and her whole family. Harry says he will not need to worry about him so she will have to time to go “gadding about with Adam.” Persephone then gives the same line, “I do not gad about.” It gives Adam pause and he looks at Persephone almost in shock and the half smiles to himself. It’s a lovely moment where he looks at her, and we the audience notice he only looks at her when he thinks she isn’t looking.

Unfortunately, with Harry gone, things are very quiet and awkward. One day, Adam finds Persephone in her garden and stops by with a large package. Persephone asks him to sit. At first he refuses, but she says it is for her as she doesn’t want to hurt her neck looking up at him. He physically debates which side to sit on, as he doesn’t want her to look at his scars. It doesn’t help that the bench isn’t very big. He ends up sitting on her right so she isn’t directly looking at his scars. Again, Adam avoids looking at her while she opens the package. If avoiding looking someone in the eye was an Olympic sport, Adam would be a gold medalist. However, he has thoughtfully ordered her a riding habit and boots. One might think he is insulting her for mentioning her lack of riding habit. However, if you listen to Adam’s tone of voice, it isn’t mean. It’s almost a quiet frustration. He is being practical in providing for her and perhaps is more frustrated that no one has really taken care of Persephone. She is surprised by his kindness but is grateful and admits it is the most beautiful thing she’s ever had. It’s a reminder to the audience that she hasn’t had much and has been the one taking care of others and doing without. For the first time, someone looked to her needs without her asking. It’s good to see Persephone taken care of and to see her simple joy at feeding the horses some carrots. While she may worry about her family, I think she’s getting little bits of herself back.

We get a nice surprise when Adam admits to watching Persephone’s riding lessons, and he comments on her improvement. He says he has more time with Harry gone, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s an excuse and he’s tracked her progress the entire time. Persephone again thanks him, and while he doesn’t really acknowledge it, I think he’s secretly pleased. Before Adam leaves, he gives her a letter from her family. He intends to leave her but looks at her once more, with a tiny half smile, noticing her happiness. Quickly, her happiness turns to anguish as she discovers there had been a battle. Her brother Evander is dead, and the other brother, Linus, is missing in action.

While Persephone is weeping in her room, we see Adam talking to his father’s portrait, trying to sort out what to do, how to help. He admits he hasn’t a clue what to do, as his mother just left when she was unhappy. Adam doesn’t want Persephone to be unhappy or miserable. But he catches himself and says something that sounds like a mantra that was taught to him by his father or at least he overheard his father say it many times, “dukes don’t need people,” which is quite sad. He has resigned himself that at some point Persephone will leave, just like his mother did. Again, this is a very hurt person that thinks it’s only a matter of time before rejection happens.

We start to hear howling as Adam is getting ready for bed. It scares Persephone and forces her to sneak into Adam’s room. He pretends to be asleep when she comes to him. She’s scared and doesn’t want to be alone. Thinking Adam is asleep, she blows out her candle and crawls on top of the bed and falls asleep, not wanting to be alone. At first light, she sneaks out and goes back to her room. Adam seems to wake up after she leaves but I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t sleep a wink.

Next we get a scene of Persephone outside in her garden, struggling with her grief and homesickness. Adam awkwardly comes up behind her with her coat, trying to look out for her. He is doing his best to be kind but is very gruff about it. He tries to put her jacket on her and tries to comfort her by saying the house is quiet, it’s ok if she cries in some quiet corner of the castle.  It’s not really helpful, along with his comments about how she’ll get sick and society will blame it all on him. The coat falls down and Adam, who has barely looked at her or touched her, tries to put it back on her to keep her warm. Poor Persephone is in such grief, it isn’t really helpful and she heads inside while Adam struggles with the right words to say or right things to do. 

However that evening, the wolves start howling and Persephone sneaks into Adam’s room again so she won’t be alone. Adam continues to fake being asleep. Next we see Persephone in the breakfast room with a cup of tea. Adam comes in to inquire about how she is doing and if she needs to get medicine for headaches. He’s doing his best to be kind and careful. He’s also trying to encourage her to keep riding, even if it’s at a difficult time. However, Persephone is understandably in low spirits. 

Things change when Adam gets a note that Harry is ill and needs help. As Adam waits for the carriage to get ready, Persephone tries to find out Adam’s rescue plans. She asks him to promise he will be careful as the weather doesn’t look good and she will worry about him. That stops him in his tracks and for the first time, he truly looks at Persephone and asks why would she worry. She says “Why wouldn’t I?”, to which Adam replies and says “No one worries about me Persephone.” But before he leaves, he promises he will be cautious. Adam makes it safely to the inn, where Harry is ill and the innkeeper is an extortionist. Adam gets Harry out of there and heads home, as he has promises to keep. Adam makes it through the door of the castle, and there is Persephone, worrying still. She encourages him to get changed as the doctor will see to Harry. Adam reaches out and touches Persephone’s face as he asks if she is to be his voice of reason. Who knew that worry was a turn-on? It’s definitely a surprise for Persephone and Adam mistakes surprise for disgust and pulls away. Persephone realizes this and tries to triage the situation but Adam walks away in a huff.

Later we see Persephone visiting with Harry’s valet. After a while, Adam comes in to check on Harry but he is asleep. Persephone encourages Adam to let Harry rest and for him to get some rest. She takes a chance and grabs his hand and leads Adam back to his room, where she says she will have the kitchen prepare a dinner tray so he can warm-up and rest. If only they could figure out there are other ways they could warm-up and not with room service.

At bedtime, we get more wolves howling but this time Adam is looking to see if she’ll come. Once the door opens, he again pretends to be asleep. However this time, she gets even closer and faces Adam. She admits she is a coward before falling asleep. He tries to gently move away from her before admitting that at least she doesn’t snore. We then cut to a dream sequence where the wolves are everywhere, and Adam is calling for Persephone except her horse is standing there riderless. He wakes up in a panic and rushes to her her room to make sure she is safe before calling himself ridiculous. He feels silly for overreacting. Persephone is ready for a ride but is very confused by Adam’s behavior. He demands/asks that she doesn’t go for her ride. She agrees  but is very confused.  She instead checks on Harry.  She asks why Adam calls her ridiculous. He tells her it’s his favorite word, and that he even called the king’s palace “ridiculous.” Persephone finally asks about the scarring. She finds out Adam wasn’t born with an ear and that the scars are from the doctors trying to fix it. The episode ends with Persephone telling Harry’s valet that anything he needs will be taken care of. Again, it’s an odd spot the end the episode. Personally, I think Episode 1 should have ended with Persephone getting the letter about her brothers. Then Episode 2 could start with her grief, as well as them getting closer as difficulties arise. The acting on Adam’s part (Jake Stormeon) is wonderful, especially his is deliberating what to do, what to say, and how to help. Things are amping up and hearts are starting to melt.

Til next time! Slainte!

Dram: Hot Toddy, perfect for when it’s cold. I like to use Dewar’s in mine.

Comfort Food: Brownie Pudding Cake. It’s like Lava Cakes, but easier. Perfect comfort food when upset or when hearts are melting and people are warming up to each other. I will also add a little vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream when serving.

Song: Crush by Jennifer Page. 90’s classic.