Pod Insights British Scandal The Other Virgin's Baby | Hunnish Scenes | 2 About this episode John Russell is thrilled by his wife’s immaculate conception, until his mother insists Christabel committed adultery. Forced to fight for her baby’s legitimacy in court, their divorce becomes headline news. Can Christabel come out with her reputation - and her son’s heirdom - intact?
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0:00 Alice Levine? Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of British Scandal ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. This episode contains discussion of sexual consent and might not be appropriate for all listeners.
0:19 Alice Levine? Matt, what's up?
0:20 Matt Forde? It's Mummy again. She's annoyed with me.
0:22 Alice Levine? Okay, number one, don't say Mummy. Number two, what about?
0:25 Matt Forde? She says I can't go to Forest matches anymore because I learned rude words and I'm saying them around the house.
0:29 Alice Levine? Right, okay. Well, I mean, that's no biggie, is it?
0:32 Matt Forde? Yeah, she also wants me to stop eating ham sandwiches because she says they're uncouth and that a gentleman should only eat food that's been prepared over a hot stove.
0:39 Alice Levine? I mean, I have seen you eat them and it is fairly uncouth, the way you eat it, a bit like a pig in a trough. But, I mean, you are a grown man, so surely you just get to call the shots in your life.
0:47 Matt Forde? Uh, she wants me to stop doing this podcast as well.
0:50 Alice Levine? What? Why?
0:52 Matt Forde? She says the adult themes are bad for my young mind and, um, she doesn't really like you.
0:58 Alice Levine? Me?
0:59 Matt Forde? She said you came across as a woman with low morals, that you're a bit of an oik, and that you're dirty.
1:05 Alice Levine? Dirty?
1:06 Matt Forde? Yeah, she just said a lot of it was quite mucky, mucky stuff.
1:11 Alice Levine? Oh, my God. And what did you say?
1:14 Matt Forde? I said, please let me go to Forest on Thursday.
1:20 Matt Forde? November 1921, Mayfair, London.
1:25 Matt Forde? Lady Amphil anxiously leans forward as her chauffeur races down Park Lane. You must go faster. A flower truck swerves directly in front of their Daimler.
1:39 Matt Forde? The car jolts to a stop. Lady Amphil slumps back, hits the seat in frustration. She unfolds the letter she found earlier in John's room, grimaces as she rereads Christabel's note. You must meet your son, John. He's simply divine. Lady Amphil's lip curls as she eyes the attached photograph of a plump one-month-old baby swaddled in white linen. She crumples it in her gloved fist. She spent months keeping John away from that pussy, and she has to make him see reason before it's too late.
2:17 Matt Forde? What exactly is a hussy?
2:18 Alice Levine? I know, as you said that, I was like, what is the definition? In, you know, polite a society, would you just say slag?
2:26 Matt Forde? I mean, I guess there are two types of slag.
2:29 Alice Levine? There are more, but go on.
2:30 Matt Forde? There's the pejorative hate-filled version towards a woman, and then there's the...
2:33 Alice Levine? Your preference?
2:35 Matt Forde? That's how I always use it. When I'm discussing my mother. And then there's the other type, which is the Danny Dyer, "All right, you slag."
2:46 Alice Levine? Which is just a term for dem.
2:47 Matt Forde? Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, my dad. The car pulls up on Curzon Street. Lady Anthill strides out from the passenger seat. Hammers on the door of a smart dress shop. She's greeted by Christabel's mother. Lady Anthill? Lady Anthill barges past her. Where is she? Now, look here, you can't just... But Lady Anthill is already climbing the stairs to the flat. Hearing the unmistakable sound of John's soft voice, she follows it to the nursery at the end of the landing. Lady Anthill freezes as she takes in John standing by the window, wearing a besotted
3:31 Matt Forde? expression as he gazes at the infant in his arms. She watches him flinch at the sight of her, and darkens as Christabel swiftly positions herself like a shield between them. Lady Anthill, I didn't expect... Lady Anthill pointedly ignores her, keeps her focus on her son. Step away from that whore and her bastard child this instant.
3:56 Alice Levine? Mother, it's hussy to you.
3:58 Matt Forde? She stays on John, who returns her gaze with pleading eyes. Oh, mother, if you would just meet him, he really is... She is taking you for an imbecile, John. That brat isn't yours. Lady Anthill eyeballs him. To her frustration, it's Christabel who speaks. This is John's child, your grandchild. If you cannot accept that, I must insist you leave. I'm going nowhere without my son. She grips her walking stick tighter, waiting for John to obey. She watches horrified as he edges closer to his wife, protectively pulling the baby up to his chest.
4:44 Matt Forde? Neither am I. You should go now, mother. Lady Anthill feels a wave of panic. John is the next in line for the Anthill title. If she can't convince him of Christabel's lies, then their family's bloodline, not to mention their esteemed place in society, will be irreparably damaged. She juts her chin up and folds her arms, eyeballs Christabel coldly. She is not going anywhere until she's wrenched her son from this calculating Jezebel's grip. Permanently.
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6:12 Matt Forde? From Wondery, I'm Matt Ford.
6:14 Alice Levine? And I'm Alice Levine.
6:15 Matt Forde? And this is British Scandal.
6:29 Matt Forde? So Alice, give me your thoughts so far on Christabel.
6:32 Alice Levine? Well, what a woman, what a modern woman. She's got a job, she designs dresses, bit of a party animal, she likes to go out dancing. And she's tearing up the aristocratic marriage book, one page at a time. She's going to go head to head with the ultimate mother-in-law nightmare. She's charming though, you know, she's got this way about her that's electric. And she's confident in a way that feels anachronistic, you know, she's outspoken, she knows herself. And also there's this other side to her where she's sort of romantically and sexually ambiguous. She's not into men, or at least not into John. And it's not quite clear where she sits on that spectrum, so she's fascinating to me.
7:12 Matt Forde? So how has that approach worked for her in the marriage?
7:16 Alice Levine? Funny this, but a modern woman in 1921, dealing with the aristocracy, it's not going great for her. So she's married to John, who initially was all for this arrangement. No sex, separate bedrooms, a kind of friendship, a marriage based on love, but not in a romantic sense. And then due to pressure from his frankly, very scary mother, he really, really is demanding this heir from Chris. And not in a way that is like coercive, persuasive, toxic in modern parlance. He's being monstrous.
7:47 Matt Forde? Yes, but somehow in this sexless marriage, there is a baby on the way.
7:53 Alice Levine? I'm no doctor, but that feels impossible.
7:56 Matt Forde? Okay, you need to stop treating me then, because that's been going on for years. And I could have done with knowing that a while back.
8:03 Alice Levine? I think the results speak for themselves.
8:05 Matt Forde? Let's see how the Amptills deal with the immaculate conception. This is episode two, Hunnish Scenes.
8:17 Matt Forde? Five months earlier, June 1921, Hyde Park, London.
8:23 Matt Forde? Christabel kneels on a checkered picnic blanket. She pats down the edge as a breeze catches a napkin. She looks up as the tall, lanky silhouette of her husband comes into view. She stands and greets him stiffly. John, thank you for coming. Oh darling, I was so happy to hear from you. She takes in his hopeful expression. She feels a familiar stab of heartburn pinch her throat as he sits and reaches for a pork pie. Reminded of the cause of her discomfort, she bites her lip. She still hasn't got her head around this pregnancy emotionally, let alone physically. But the one thing it has brought into sharp focus is that her and John are over.
9:06 Alice Levine? And to be clear, they're over for good reason. They had an arrangement, it was a platonic marriage, they were friends. And then he held a gun to her head and said that she had to have sex with him. So it feels pretty cut and dry to me.
9:19 Matt Forde? Apart from that, they were good. John, I'm pregnant. Quite far along, it seems. Doctor Mackenzie confirmed it two days ago. Christabel watches John's eyes widen in shock, then disbelief. But that's impossible. She swallows. I know. I've been over and over it, but there's no question. She rests her hand on the small bump pressing against the light fabric of her sundress. I can only think that it was that night at Oakley. That maybe somehow... She watches John blush, then stare into his lap. I can't believe it.
10:01 Alice Levine? Sorry, the night that we heard about last episode, which was A, traumatic, and B, very brief. Very shallow, dare I say.
10:10 Matt Forde? We all know what you mean. I don't know why I'm finding it so awkward, but it gets, John put it himself, it was just the tip. And you can't get pregnant doing that, right?
10:18 Alice Levine? Well.
10:20 Matt Forde? Christabel quickly goes on. I expect nothing from you, John. We can still go our separate ways. She forces herself to hold his gaze. She can't let him see how scared she is. She's seen firsthand how society treats single mothers. One girl she knew at the munitions factory during the war is now in a workhouse. But John cuts in. No, don't you see? This solves everything. Mother will have her precious heir. No more lectures about succession. No more demands that we perform. Christabel's momentarily stunned. She was expecting shock, not excitement. It's as if John has forgotten everything that drove them apart.
11:04 Matt Forde? John, the last few months we were together. You were a different man. You became so insistent, so forceful. She sees a flush of embarrassment on John's face.
11:19 Matt Forde? That wasn't me. That was mother.
11:23 Alice Levine? Right, so which bit was your mother exactly? The bit where I woke up and your hand was up my nightie. Was that your mother?
11:30 Matt Forde? And there was a gun in the other hand.
11:32 Alice Levine? Mother again?
11:34 Matt Forde? Christabel blinks slowly. As she tries to muster an answer, he goes on. Now we can just be together as friends, like we always planned. A modern marriage. I just don't, I don't think. And mother will insist on a nanny. You'll be able to keep your shop, keep working. She sees him hesitate, then smile. Keep dancing. Christabel's head spins. How much easier would it be to have this baby with John's support and his family's resources? She wouldn't be alone. Thinking of the alternative. The struggle she'll endure. The judgment of others. And John appears to be so much more together now.
12:18 Alice Levine? We should dwell on that for a second because it's hard to imagine how much that taboo and that prejudice would affect your life. Because we talk a lot about where women are in society in various series of British scandal. But we haven't spent a lot of time talking about single mothers. And you were a pariah.
12:36 Matt Forde? I mean, even in my lifetime. My mum's a single mother. I remember the judgment of neighbours, of relatives. And that was eighties and nineties, let alone nineteen twenties.
12:49 Matt Forde? Chris, this miracle, I think it's happened for a reason. It could be the making of us. Christabel feels something shift within her, and before she knows it, she's nodding. A new start with John may not be what she planned, but this baby wasn't either. Now she must embrace both, and give marriage and motherhood her all.
13:17 Matt Forde? One week later, Oakley House, Bedfordshire. Lady Anthill forces a rictus grin as she hands Christabel a teacup, then picks up her sugar tongs. One lamp or two, Christabel? None. I find the taste quite repulsive these days. Lady Anthill nods with feigned empathy. I became averse to potted meats when I was expecting my third.
13:45 Alice Levine? Is that different to a pate?
13:47 Matt Forde? Yes, you get it from your local butcher in a pot, it's got like a thick film of-
13:52 Alice Levine? Fat?
13:52 Matt Forde? White fat on top. You pierce through that with a fork and then it's a- I would say it's a thicker, more fibrous material than pate.
14:02 Alice Levine? I've never dribbled from being repulsed before, but that's actually what's happening. It's making me salivate, a bit like you do before you vomit.
14:14 Matt Forde? Lady Anthill is certain Christabel is finding this new civility as tedious as she is. But eyeing her daughter-in-law's rounded abdomen, she has no choice but to put past differences aside. So she grits her teeth. We'll need to secure a nanny. I have a few candidates in mind. Lady Anthill stays on Christabel. She's determined to choose the help herself to ensure her grandchild is raised with proper values. She sees Christabel hesitate, then catch John's eye. I intend to return to the shop as soon as I'm able to, so that sounds perfectly sensible. Lady Amphil beams. She relaxes as Christabel excuses herself to visit the lavatory.
14:59 Matt Forde? I'm so happy, mother, and Chris is more giddy about this than she herself could have imagined. I think that's why the stars are aligned to bring us this child. Lady Amphil rolls her eyes. Honestly, John, have you hurt yourself? Babies do not come courtesy of the stars. Lady Amphil can't stand the latest astrological fad that has taken London by storm. But that's just it, mother, this one did. Lady Amphil fixes him with a stare. Whatever do you mean? As she eyeballs John sternly, his face flushes as if he's been caught out. What aren't you telling me, John Hugo? She places her cup down and folds her arms, waiting.
15:44 Matt Forde? Well, I mean, the thing is, Chris and I never quite managed. I mean, we never had actual.
15:51 Alice Levine? Stop talking to your mum about your sex life, stop it.
15:54 Matt Forde? Mother, have you ever heard the phrase just the tip?
15:58 Matt Forde? Time seems to slow as Lady Amphil stays on him, grips the edge of the table. You mean you never had full relations? Lady Amphil stares at John in horror. For goodness sake, John, you're twenty-four years old. Must I explain the birds and the bees to you? This baby can't be yours. Lady Amphil trembles with anger as the colour drains from his face. But how else could?
16:29 Matt Forde? She slaps her hands on the table, utterly exasperated. She's been with another man, you cuckolded fool, and she's trying to pass off her bastard child as the Amphil heir. She jumps to her feet, paces as she thinks. You must have nothing to do with her or her illegitimate spawn. But before Lady Amphil can continue, Christabel re-enters the room. Lady Amphil stares in disbelief as her idiotic son rushes to her side like a lapdog. Lady Amphil narrows her eyes. She will not sit idly by while this harlot takes her son for a ride. From now on, she will make sure she is party to every interaction, every communication.
17:12 Matt Forde? And the minute Christabel slips up and provides the smallest proof of her deception, Lady Anthe will be ready and waiting to pounce.
17:26 Matt Forde? One week later, Harley Street, London. John eyes the door of the examination room, trying to banish his mother's cruel words from his mind. Today, he's determined to focus only on the condition of his unborn child. John jumps to his feet as the gynaecologist ushers him in. His heart flips when Christabel throws him a nervous smile. She has an undeniable glow that makes her even more beautiful, and these last few weeks, she's been so fragile, so vulnerable. You'll both be delighted to hear that everything appears quite healthy. I estimate the baby is due around mid-September. John feels his smile freeze.
18:11 Matt Forde? September? I thought it would be sooner. His mind races backward through the calendar. A September birth would mean the child was conceived in January. But he and Chris were separated then. These things aren't an exact science, but in this case, an earlier due date is unlikely. Your wife would be showing far more if she were further along.
18:34 Alice Levine? Okay, so this is very much science of the day. Obviously, people are huge, people are small, some people are so small, in fact, they don't know they're pregnant, a little bit like Christabel. So if that's our only metric, I'd say this is fairly vague.
18:49 Matt Forde? Look at her belly, mate. It's the only answer you need. John's grip on Christabel's hand loosens as the gynaecologist's voice is replaced by his mother's. With another man, you cook-holed fool. John, a- are you alright? John blinks, shakes off the memory and smiles politely, shaking the physician's hand, following his wife from the room. He takes a gulp of air as he steps outside onto the street.
19:18 Matt Forde? Whatever is the matter? Chris, if this baby's due in September, I don't see... He studies her face. September is nine months from January, when we weren't even together. I suppose... He's sure he sees her eyes switch. A hesitation. He wills her to say something that will allay his fears. Make everything fine again. I don't know what to say, John. It's a miracle.
19:50 Alice Levine? Fine, I mean, that's enough for me.
19:51 Matt Forde? John shakes his head, starts backing away. John?
19:57 Matt Forde? I can't do it, Chris. I-I'm sorry. I-I can't raise another man's child. What? You wouldn't be... I'm sorry.
20:07 Matt Forde? Before John can change his mind, he turns and walks away. Even when he hears Chris call after him, he doesn't look back. He can't risk it. He must return to Oakley and do what his mother suggested. He's been a fool, and it's time to end this marriage for good.
20:31 Matt Forde? One month later, July 1921, Oakley House, Bedfordshire.
20:38 Matt Forde? Christabel stands in the reception hall, trying to ignore the ache in her back and growing pressure on her bladder, as she glares at the butler blocking her path. I have every right to see my husband. Please, stand aside. Mr Russell is not receiving visitors, I'm afraid.
20:56 Alice Levine? Is there anything more cowardly than getting your butler to turn your estranged wife away?
21:02 Matt Forde? Yeah, I would never ask my butler to do that. We have clear red lines about what is in the brief and not... Just prep the meals, and obviously bathe me.
21:11 Alice Levine? What an image. He's so old, though. It must really take it out of him.
21:15 Matt Forde? It does, and I only ask him to turn away people who aren't blood relatives.
21:20 Alice Levine? I thought you were going to say turn away when you stand up to get out of the bath.
21:23 Matt Forde? Oh, he has to bathe me blindfolded.
21:26 Alice Levine? Right, so he's just guessing as his hands fumble.
21:29 Matt Forde? Yeah, but we've been doing it for years. I mean, he knows.
21:31 Alice Levine? He knows every inch of me.
21:34 Matt Forde? Cold out as a tur-. Nice of that, mate. Christabel's hand tightens around the letter she received from John Solicitor, stating his suing for divorce on the grounds of her adultery. She's certain Lady Anthill is behind this. She shouts up the stairs. John, this is ridiculous. Come down here and face me. Christabel watches as instead, Lady Anthill appears at the top of the marble staircase, her bony hands clutching her black voluminous skirt as she descends with glacial calm. John has no desire to see you, and I can't say I blame him. We want nothing more to do with you and your illegitimate child. Please leave.
22:20 Matt Forde? You have no evidence of my committing adultery, because I haven't. I never would. Christabel steps closer, straightens up to her full height. And you do well to remember what dragging this accusation through court would mean for your family's precious reputation. Christabel feels a swell of satisfaction as she sees Lady Anthill flinch. To her dismay, her mother-in-law quickly regains her composure. It would hurt you far more, my dear. Circumstances have changed. John is the innocent, wronged war hero, betrayed by his promiscuous wife. But you... Christabel's heart hammers as Lady Anthill smiles.
23:03 Matt Forde? You have a business to consider, a baby to support. How long do you think your society clientele will patronize a shop run by a known harlot? You will be a social outcast, in the Pudding Club, I believe the lower classes call it.
23:23 Alice Levine? I am potentially in the lower classes, but what is the pudding club?
23:26 Matt Forde? I don't know, I'm in them too and I like pudding.
23:29 Alice Levine? Pregnant, of course.
23:31 Matt Forde? It sounds nice.
23:32 Alice Levine? It does sound nice, and also you can imagine ye olde Cockneys from one of our series gone by going, "She's in the pudding club."
23:39 Matt Forde? "She's only gonna join the pudding club."
23:43 Alice Levine? "He's got daughter in pudding club."
23:45 Matt Forde? Cristobal's throat tightens as she watches her mother-in-law's expression shift into something more calculating. Perhaps it would be best for both sides if we came to an arrangement. Arrangement? This divorce is happening, make no mistake. But if you don't contest the adultery charge, we can keep the matter private. No messy court case, no embarrassing newspaper reports. Cristobal feels her stomach drop. Admit to adultery? No, I will not admit to something I haven't done. And in return, I will ensure you and the child receive a monthly allowance. Enough to live comfortably and maintain your little shop.
24:29 Matt Forde? If you think you can just buy your way... Cristobal stops abruptly as she feels the baby kicking inside her. She places a hand on her swollen belly, takes in the stale old paintings and faded grandeur around her, and wishes she'd never gone anywhere near these frightful people. She closes her eyes and realises that all that matters now is the life growing within. She'll give them their blasted divorce and never set foot in this house again. From now on, it's just her and her baby. John and his wretched mother can go to hell.
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26:13 Speaker 05 By 1779, Benedict Arnold had sacrificed more for the revolution than almost any other man in America. One of George Washington's most effective commanders, he had nearly lost a leg in the Second Battle of Saratoga. But in return, Arnold believed he had been humiliated by Congress and cheated of his glory by lesser men, so he decided to make them pay. Hi, I'm Lindsey Graham, the host of the podcast American Scandal. We bring to life some of the biggest controversies in U.S. history: presidential lies, environmental disasters, corporate fraud. In our latest series, Benedict Arnold turns his back on his comrades in the Continental Army and secretly defects to the British. With the help of his wife, he plots to hand over the most important colonial fortress
26:57 Speaker 05 to the enemy and doom the revolution he once served. Follow American Scandal wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of American Scandal early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.
27:22 Matt Forde? Three months later, October 1921, Queen Charlotte's Hospital, Marleybone.
27:31 Matt Forde? Christabel grips her mother's hand, digging her nails into her palm as another contraction takes hold. She sucks in her breath. Her mother dabs her forehead with a cool cloth. You're doing wonderfully darling. Christabel exhales as the pain eases. Nearly there now. Another surge of pain rips through her body. Christabel hears herself cry out. The next few minutes pass in an agonising blur. Then, Christabel feels a wave of relief as the midwife places a warm, writhing, shawl-wrapped bundle into her arms. Congratulations, Mrs Russell. He's a very healthy, very big boy.
28:13 Matt Forde? Christabel stares down in awe at the scrunched-up face screaming back at her. She touches his hand, quietly gasps as his tiny fingers curl around hers. In that instant, she feels a wave of love so powerful that everything that brought her to this moment— the embarrassment, the anger, the pain— feels utterly insignificant. He's perfect. She watches her mother lean in closer. He is. He has your eyes darling, and if he has your brains, he'll go very, very far. Christabel hears the midwife chuckle. Course he'll have brains dear, he's a Russell. You ought to get his name down for the best preschools now then.
28:55 Matt Forde? You'd be surprised how much competition there is, though I imagine for a Russell, his place is a given. Wait till my dear Maria's, I've delivered a Russell.
29:03 Alice Levine? Really, that should be patient midwife confidentiality, but yeah, go on, go brag about it.
29:12 Matt Forde? Also, can you just tidy me up first? Like, finish your job and then we can chat. Christabel feels her jaw tighten. She glances at her mother and sees a cloud of concern cross her face. I am doing the right thing, aren't I? Christabel watches her mother smile supportively, but she knows she has doubts. And now Christabel is starting to have them too. The minute those divorce papers are signed, she will lose the Russell name and forever be scarred as an adulteress. Her beautiful baby boy as a bastard. I always assumed he would have the best chances, but what if I've tainted him forever? She feels her mother take her hand. But he'll have...
29:58 Matt Forde? Christabel stares into the sweet, innocent face of her baby and feels a surge of injustice. Her son deserves all the privilege and social advantages his father has. It's not enough. Christabel cradles her newborn against her chest. She is going to make John meet this baby because she knows that when he does, he will have no choice but to drop this adultery nonsense, accept that the boy is John's and give him everything that is rightfully his.
30:30 Alice Levine? Also, the baby will open its mouth, sound just like John, and he'll have to.
30:34 Matt Forde? Yeah, at what point do you either accept or give up on the fact that it either does or doesn't look or sound like? You wait till he's thirty, that's when it'll really start to come through.
30:46 Matt Forde? One month later, Curzon Street, Mayfair. John stands in front of the door, fingers tight on the handle. His shoulders are stiff, every inch of him is determined. He takes a slow breath. He steps inside, his eyes adjusting in the darkened room. Chris's voice is barely audible. John, thank you for coming. John feels his breath catch at the sight of Chris. She looks different somehow, softer. He forces a firm, emotionless tone. Of course. He glances behind him. If his mother knew he were here, she'd throw a fit.
31:30 Matt Forde? But when he received Chris's letter, he knew he had to come, if only to prove to himself once and for all that this child isn't his. Geoffrey's just woken from his nap. Geoffrey? John feels a pang. Geoffrey was the name of his favourite uncle. He follows her into the nursery and stiffens with nerves as she lifts a small bundle from the bassinet by the window. Would you like to hold him? He watches Christabel smile. He won't bite. His shoulders loosen as he feels himself laugh. Sorry, yes. John tentatively takes the baby from Christabel's outstretched arms. John, meet your son.
32:15 Matt Forde? John can't stop a grin spreading across his face as the boy looks into his eyes and gurgles, then waves a tiny fist in the air.
32:25 Matt Forde? He's, uh, he's incredible. He was ten pounds at birth. The doctor thinks it's because I carried him for a month longer than average.
32:36 Alice Levine? Forty-four weeks. That baby is cooked, but that does mean that John could be the dad.
32:43 Matt Forde? Yeah, it's a big old pudding. John looks at her in astonishment. The doctor said that. Chris gives him the warmest smile he's ever seen. He turns his attention back to the child in his arms. Starts to think he does perhaps see his nose, his forehead, when... Step away from that whore and her bastard child this instant! John instinctively loosens his grip around the tiny bundle as his mother bursts in. But when Geoffrey lets out a little gurgle, he feels a surge of defiance. No, mother, I won't. His mouth goes dry as she steps closer, her furious eyes burning into his.
33:27 Matt Forde? If you do not come back with me this instant and press ahead with this divorce, you will be disinherited. John stares at his mother, disbelieving. Disinherited? He feels Christabel squeeze his arm. John, please. All that matters is our son. But the baby feels heavier in John's arms with every passing second. I mean it, John. No more money, no help. You will be dead to us, all because you chose to believe a fairy story of a common sense.
34:01 Alice Levine? She's not what you might call in the biz nice, is she?
34:05 Matt Forde? No, but is she just being a good mum in a very rude way? Because she's trying to protect her son. And from her point of view, obviously, Christabel's version of events is quite hard to believe.
34:16 Alice Levine? I just wish I knew more of the science behind Just the Tip, that's all I'll say.
34:22 Matt Forde? John's hands shake as he gently passes Geoffrey back to Christabel. He fixes his eyes on the floor. He can't bear to look at Chris, but as he nears his mother, he hears a note of steel in Chris's voice. "Then we shall go to court, because I'll be damned if you'll deny Geoffrey his birthright."
34:42 Matt Forde? John's face burns with shame, but under his mother's glare, he doubles down. "Well, then, I'll see you in court." John forces himself to turn away from Chris and the boy. He's sickened by the idea of airing his dirty laundry in open court, but there's no going back now. He must fight Christabel with everything he has, and win.
35:09 Alice Levine? John is so weak. He has no moral conviction. He just does whatever his mum tells him to. He reminds me a little bit of the husband in the April Ashley series, which you should definitely go back and listen to. The parallels are like men with mummy issues, the upper classes, but also men who have sort of double lives. They have desires and ideas of how they want to live their lives, but they're so repressed that they can't realise that. And they drag these women in and sort of drag them down with them.
35:37 Matt Forde? Yeah. My mum always says I shouldn't hang around with women like that.
35:43 Matt Forde? Seven months later, June 1922, The Strand, London. Christabel pushes past the crowds on the strand as she makes her way towards the Royal Courts of Justice. She lowers her cloche hat as she spots a gaggle of journalists camped out at the steps of the law courts. "Mrs Russell, is this child the result of your late-night dancing at Murphy's? Your neighbours claim you hadly spent a night at home, Mrs Russell."
36:12 Matt Forde? Christabel ignores the men's jibes and strides confidently into the grey Gothic building. Her solicitor is waiting in the reception. "Mrs Russell, good morning." Before we go into court, could we, um? He gestures towards a small office. Christabel dutifully follows him in. There have been some rather worrying developments. Firstly, the judge assigned is a close friend of Lady Anthill. Are you joking? How can that be allowed? This isn't justice, is it? This is the Royal Courts of Injustice more like. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Christabel rolls her eyes. What a surprise. And the only female juror asked to step down owing to the press attention and salacious nature of the case.
36:58 Matt Forde? You will be facing an all-male jury. Christabel feels a prickling of unease, but she waves her hand dismissively. I don't see how that matters. Once I go through what's happened that night at Oakley. To Christabel's alarm, her solicitor cuts her off. Mrs Russell, that won't prove you were faithful. The adultery charge is what your husband's counsel will be focused on. Christabel feels a surge of frustration. She glares at him. I am paying you every penny I have to defend me. And only last week you said... We had a decent chance, I know. But the odds now seem very much stacked against us. Lady Anthill has been... Busy.
37:44 Matt Forde? Christabel pulls out a chair and slumps into it. And when you throw in the fact that Mr Russell is an ex-serviceman, from one of England's finest families. So that's it? I've already lost? She watches him place his hands on the table. I hate to be so defeatist, but unless you can somehow discredit your husband, prove him to be dishonest, I'm afraid our chances of winning are very slim. Oh, wait a minute, something's just occurred to me. Likewise. Is she gonna go there? Would she? She should. Do it, Christabel. Christabel bites her lip. She desperately wants to fight this case fairly. But she knows with Lady Anthill pulling the strings, John's side won't extend her the same courtesy.
38:30 Matt Forde? She rests her eyes on a small statue of Lady Justice. If she's going to have any hope of securing Geoffrey's title, she'll need to use everything in her armoury. Well, there is something I hadn't mentioned.
38:45 Matt Forde? She pauses, but it's too late to play nice.
38:50 Matt Forde? Something that will show that the only liar in our marriage is John Russell.
39:03 Matt Forde? One hour later, law courts, the Strand. John takes a sip of water in the witness box, fixes his eyes on his barrister as he moves on to his next question. So each night when Mrs Russell returned from dancing, did you have the chance to be intimate as every man and wife should? No, most nights she wouldn't come home until the very early hours. I don't know the exact time. She insisted we had separate rooms. John's eyes dart towards Christabel, whose cheeks flush. His heart sinks. It wasn't his intention to embarrass her, but feeling his mother's eyes bore into him,
39:47 Matt Forde? he's reminded of his duty to protect the anthill title and secure this divorce at any cost. John tries to concentrate as the barrister raises his eyebrows dramatically at the jury. Separate rooms, even as newlyweds? Yes, Christabel refused to share a bed. So you can be certain that sexual intercourse never took place between the two of you? John swallows hard, pushing any residual loyalty to his wife aside. Absolutely certain. John watches his KC sit down. Christabel's barrister stands up and approaches.
40:29 Speaker 06 Mr Russell, you give the impression of a loyal, devoted husband, who was saddened to find Mrs Russell was more independent than you.
40:38 Matt Forde? A more accurate description than independent would be willful and rather spoiled. John feels a frisson of triumph as he notes a few jurors nodding.
40:47 Speaker 06 But wouldn't it be fair to say the complications you brought to the marriage were far more unsavoury?
40:55 Matt Forde? I don't understand.
40:57 Speaker 06 Do you enjoy costumes, Mr Russell? And role play?
41:03 Matt Forde? John glances anxiously across at his mother.
41:07 Speaker 06 Do you, for example, enjoy wearing?
41:10 Matt Forde? Women's clothing.
41:14 Matt Forde? Couldn't John just say, "Look, women's clothing is more comfy. I don't wear it for kicks. It just feels nicer against the skin."
41:20 Alice Levine? Your chiffons, your silks.
41:22 Matt Forde? Also, don't you then, if you're in the witness spots, go, "Doesn't it, Your Honour?" And you hope that one of the other senior legal people goes, "That's verboine, actually, there is precedent. Beseed."
41:36 Matt Forde? John feels his stomach drop. His eyes return to his mother, who stares at him open-mouthed. He feels himself start to sweat as he turns back to the barrister.
41:47 Speaker 06 I, I don't see. Did you or did you not regularly dress up as a woman?
41:56 Matt Forde? He squirms, stares at his feet.
42:00 Matt Forde? For a fancy dress ball.
42:02 Speaker 06 And at other times, Mr Russell?
42:05 Matt Forde? John's eyes stay fixed on the floor. On occasion. But it was perfectly innocent. John feels nauseous as he looks from the stunned jury to the press gallery, where the reporters are practically salivating.
42:19 Speaker 06 And did you keep this a secret from everyone in your life? Your parents, your naval colleagues? Everyone, in fact, except Mrs Russell?
42:31 Matt Forde? John's heart hammers as a hush descends.
42:36 Matt Forde? Y-yes.
42:37 Speaker 06 You publicly presented yourself as one thing, when behind closed doors, you were quite another.
42:43 Matt Forde? John's legs seem to weaken.
42:45 Speaker 06 So perhaps Mrs Russell was not the cold, scheming woman you describe? Perhaps she was a long-suffering wife, who tried her best to provide an heir, despite her husband's deviant behaviour?
43:00 Matt Forde? Order, order, order in court! John almost collapses with relief when the court is dismissed. He follows his solicitor into the corridor where Lady Amthill is waiting, her expression thunderous. Mother, I... She holds up a hand to silence him. Not another word. This will dominate the papers for days, you stupid pathetic boy. Just when John thinks it can't get any worse, she turns to their solicitor. When that harlot takes the stand tomorrow, I want you to make clear she drove John to these perversions, both outside the bedroom and in. I want every pitiful detail aired.
43:44 Matt Forde? John feels the blood drain from his cheeks. Chris's description of their bedroom antics will only humiliate him further. But his wife has gone low, so he will have to go lower if he is to win and leave both their reputations in tatters.
44:10 Speaker 06 Hi, I'm Kenya Barris.
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46:06 Matt Forde? The following day, Law Courts, The Strand. Christabel steps into the witness box, trying not to linger on the public gallery. She wincers at the sight of a girl giggling with her neighbor at the Daily Mirror's front page, a fully dragged-up John taken at the party they attended when they first dated. She feels a pang of regret, but as her barrister stands, she reminds herself she was forced into this. Now she must finish what John started with as much dignity as possible.
46:40 Speaker 06 Mrs. Russell, when do you believe your son was conceived?
46:46 Matt Forde? Twenty ninth of December, nineteen twenty, at Oakley House.
46:51 Speaker 06 I realize it's delicate, but can you describe what occurred?
46:56 Matt Forde? Christabel takes a breath.
47:00 Matt Forde? My husband attempted relations. He employed what he called the tip method.
47:10 Alice Levine? This is causing laughter in the gallery, but I mean, this was assault.
47:15 Matt Forde? This is the problem with the mob, is that details like this, that are, in reality, heartbreaking, when aired in public, become other people's entertainment.
47:28 Speaker 06 Can you talk me through what you mean by "the tip method"?
47:33 Matt Forde? Christabel feels her cheeks burn. He... he tried to penetrate me a little, but I... I didn't like it, and it got rather fraught. They were quite honey-sense scenes.
47:48 Speaker 06 Honey-sense?
47:49 Matt Forde? Depraved.
47:52 Matt Forde? I pushed him off, but he must have done enough.
47:57 Speaker 06 Because you had never, and still have never, been intimate with any other man?
48:04 Matt Forde? That's right. I loved my husband deeply.
48:09 Matt Forde? Christabel steals herself, as her barrister sits, and John's counsel rises to his feet.
48:16 Matt Forde? Mrs. Russell, are you seeing that your husband assaulted you? Christabel's thrown. John? No, that would be quite ridiculous. Yet you talk of "honey-sense scenes"? That would imply violence.
48:36 Alice Levine? It was violent.
48:37 Matt Forde? It's a word I often use to describe things I find nightmarish. Nightmarish? Even though he barely penetrated you, did he even ejaculate? Christabel grips the witness box, feeling faint. I don't know. I... I couldn't bear to... Hardly honey-sense, then? In fact, is it not true that your ongoing refusal to consummate your marriage had driven Mr. Russell to contemplate suicide?
49:06 Matt Forde? I, I, I, no, not seriously. Holding a loaded shotgun to his head and threatening to blow his brains out was not something you considered serious. Christabel bites her lip, mortified.
49:21 Alice Levine? It's so heartbreaking and depressing. She's so conditioned and socialised by the patriarchy and by the era that she can't even see how much she's been abused, oppressed, coerced. And so when she's being pressed in this way, which in and of itself is just so intimidating and scary, she actually can't come back with the examples, even though this should be cut and dry.
49:46 Matt Forde? Is it not true that throughout your marriage to Mr Russell, you have focused only on your own pleasure? You displayed no aversion to the male touch when dancing with other men.
49:59 Matt Forde? Christabel's throat seems to tighten. It's different. And John. You sought solace in the arms of other men. Tears prick Christabel's eyes. Geoffrey is John's child. But how can he be, when he could only have been conceived amidst scenes you yourself described as so punished, that you refused to let your husband complete intercourse to the point of emission? Christabel stands in the witness box, speechless. She came here to fight for what's right, for what her son deserves. But instead of securing his future, she fears she's lost every last piece of credibility and condemned her son to being labelled a bastard forever.
50:44 Matt Forde? Christabel knows she's got one last card to play, and all she can do is hope that it works.
50:58 Matt Forde? The next day. Law courts, the Strand.
51:03 Matt Forde? Lady Amphil scans The Times on her way into the courtroom, taking in the headline, "Mr Russell Denied Full Married Rights." She smiles, looking forward to the damage today's witness will add to Christabel's reputation.
51:17 Alice Levine? Married rights is such a disgusting phrase and concept.
51:22 Matt Forde? Yeah, and rape in marriage was only outlawed in the United Kingdom in the 1990s.
51:27 Alice Levine? Which is completely insane, like I just can't compute that.
51:32 Matt Forde? Lady Amphil looks up to see John Solicitor running towards her. Lydian Amphil, I've been informed that King George has serious concerns about the intimate details of this trial being aired so publicly. Lady Amphil feels her stomach churn. The king! The thought of upsetting the palace appals her. But seeing Christabel enter, she simply can't help herself. No, her humiliation must be complete.
52:05 Alice Levine? On decree of the king, she's been asked to cease to pursue this and she's like, "No, I want this kind of ritual sacrifice to continue, thanks."
52:16 Matt Forde? She feels on edge as the family's gynecologist is sworn in. Doctor Dodd, what did your examination in June 1921 reveal? Lady Amphil watches the doctor's eyes flick down to his notes. That Mrs Russell was approximately six months pregnant, placing the conception in late January 1921. Rather later than Mrs Russell's own testimony that they had partial relations only in late December 1920. In fact, Geoffrey Russell was born on 15th of October 1921, over 10 months after the date Mrs Russell gave. Lady Amphil relaxes.
53:01 Matt Forde? There it is, incontrovertible truth. She nods gratefully to John's barrister as he sits, barely registering Christabel's counsel as he takes over. Doctor Dodd, Geoffrey Russell weighed over 10 pounds at birth. That's quite substantial, wouldn't you say? Yes, rather large. Is it not possible?
53:27 Speaker 06 But Mrs Russell carried the child for longer than is typical, as long as ten months.
53:34 Matt Forde? In extremely rare cases, but...
53:36 Speaker 06 So she could have conceived in late December, as she testified, and simply had a longer-than-average pregnancy.
53:43 Matt Forde? It's practically unheard of.
53:46 Speaker 06 It's practically unheard of for a pregnant woman to show physical signs of fertility. But you found this to be the case, did you not?
53:54 Matt Forde? Lady Amphil feels her body stiffen as Dr Dodds face drains of colour. I beg your pardon?
54:02 Speaker 06 Yes, here it is. As your own notes say, and I quote: "Russell baby gestation approximately six months. Note: Mother's hymen fully intact, most unusual."
54:18 Matt Forde? Dr Dodds struggles to get his words out. If that's what I wrote.
54:26 Matt Forde? Lady Amphil grips the bar in front of her as he goes on.
54:29 Speaker 06 Dr Dodds, in your opinion, would it be highly unlikely for a woman to maintain such physical characteristics if she had been, as my learned colleague suggested, conducting affairs with multiple men?
54:45 Matt Forde? Lady Amphil stares at Dr Dodds. Her heart sinks as his shoulders slump. Yes, yes, it would be highly unlikely.
55:01 Matt Forde? Two hours later, Lady Amphil holds her breath as the judge addresses the jury. Have you reached a unanimous decision as to whether the respondent committed adultery? No, we have been unable to agree. Lady Amphil stares at the jury, her heart pounding. Then the petition for divorce must be denied. Mr Russell remains married to Mrs Russell, and the child Jeffrey is recognised as the legitimate heir. Lady Amphil clutches her pearls, her hands tremble with rage. And then, to her abject horror, she sees Christabel heading towards her.
55:44 Matt Forde? Lady Amphil, I have taken no pleasure in any of this. I would so like John to be part of his son's life, even if we're married in name only. And I— Lady Amphil practically spits her reply. "I will never welcome you and your bastard back into my family. Never." She watches, aghast, as Christabel's expression turns from hope to pity. She looks across the courtroom, hears snippets of the gossip. Tomorrow, every paper will be talking about her loss. The king will be enraged further. And for what? Unable to stand it any longer, she sweeps from the room.
56:28 Matt Forde? But soon, her humiliation is replaced by a determination. Christabel may have won this battle, but she will not win the war. Lady Amphil will bide her time before making her next move. But she will eject that Jezebel from her family, and see to it she and her mewling infant are left with exactly what they deserve: nothing.
57:05 Matt Forde? From Wondery and Samistat Audio, this is the second episode in our series, "The Other Virgin Baby."
57:11 Alice Levine? A quick note about our dialogue: in most cases, we can't know exactly what was said, but all of our dramatizations are based on historical research.
57:19 Matt Forde? If you'd like to know more about this story, you can read "Christabel: The Russell Case After" by Eileen Hunter, "The Virgin's Baby: The Battle of the Amphil Succession" by Bevis Hillier, and "Modern Women on Trial" by Lucy Bland.
57:32 Alice Levine? And we love hearing from you with comments and suggestions. Please keep them coming, [email protected] .
57:39 Matt Forde? "British Scandal" is hosted by me, Matt Ford.
57:41 Alice Levine? And me, Alice Levine.
57:43 Matt Forde? Written by Wendy Granditer. Additional writing by Alice Levine and Matt Ford. Our story editor is James Maniac. Sound design and engineered by Rich Evans. For Samistat, our producer is Chika Ayers. Our assistant producer is Louise Mason. Our senior producers are Joe Sykes and Dasha Lissiksen. Executive producers for Wondery are Theodora Leludis, Estelle Doyle, and Marshall Lilly.
58:17 Speaker 07 I'm Gemma Whelan, and in the new season of The Spy Who, we tell the story of the original femme fatale, the spy who was Mata Hari. A famous dancer turned World War I secret agent, accused of seducing Allied officers to uncover their plans. But was she a temptress or a scapegoat for French failures? Follow The Spy Who now, wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also listen to the full season of The Spy Who Was Mata Hari, early and ad-free on Audible. Journalist Tristan Redman goes where no son-in-law should ever go. Deep into his wife's family history, digging up the cold case of who murdered her great-grandmother. Because, I should mention, he thinks the murderer might actually be the beloved family patriarch.
59:01 Speaker 07 For the best binge-watch series like Ghost Story, listen to the Audible True Crime Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
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