Maxton Hall Season 2 Episode 4 Ending Explained: Mortimer’s Comeback Threatens to Tear James and Ruby Apart

Episode 4 of Maxton Hall Season 2, fittingly titled 'Secrets,' takes the simmering tension between James and Mortimer and turns the heat way up. It also throws Ruby a life-changing opportunity, torpedoes Elaine's social plotting, and puts Lydia in an impossible spot. And then, just when James and Ruby finally grab a little happiness, the show yanks the rug. Of course it does.

Mortimer tightens the screws, James picks Ruby anyway

The episode opens with Mortimer doing what Mortimer does: tearing into James for that gala speech and pounding the same drum he always does — stay away from Ruby, stick to the path, no surprises. He is still dismissive of Ruby despite her pulling off the event. He is also micromanaging James's future like a to-do list: push the Oxford interview, float reconciling with Elaine, keep the family brand spotless.

James hears all that... and then does the opposite. He goes to Ruby, apologizes, and tells her he does not want anything coming between them anymore. The two reconnect in Ruby's bedroom with a conversation that actually feels like a restart. Things get intimate, then pause; they decide to take it at their own pace. Because Mortimer is Mortimer, James also lays out his dad's plans, and they agree to keep their relationship quiet for now — at least until they have a shot at building it without interference. They head downstairs and do something normal: lunch with her family.

Elaine plans a picnic, it goes about as well as you'd expect

Meanwhile, Elaine and her friends are rehashing James's speech and whispering about Ruby. Elaine clearly senses there is more going on and refuses to accept it, so she stages a glossy picnic and invites Ruby, because public set pieces are how she solves problems. She even tries to humiliate Ruby by spiking her drink — and Cyril accidentally downs it instead. That does not stop the party from spinning out. Elaine unravels, snaps at Alistair, and invokes their older brother Frederick, who then shows up and proceeds to poison the vibe with elitist barbs and casual homophobia. He mocks Alistair and Ruby until James steps in, takes Ruby's hand, and makes their relationship visible in one clean move. Elaine does not take it well.

Ruby's Oxford moment

The next day, Ruby heads to the London headquarters of the Campbell Foundation after getting a call from Alice Campbell. It's a big-deal meeting at a very polished address, and Alice is all warmth. When Ruby comes out, James is waiting. She tells him the news: Alice has offered her a full Oxford scholarship plus a part-time role at the foundation. They celebrate with a kiss. James then whisks her away for a quiet, romantic day that ends back at his house. He believes Mortimer has already flown to New York, and for once, the place feels like theirs.

Lydia hits her breaking point

Lydia tries to repair things with Mortimer after missing a board meeting, but he is ice cold. He tells her he never expected better and dismisses her outright. She pushes back, reminding him she made one mistake in the past. He does not budge. He claims he has been watching closely, that she has learned nothing, that she has had chance after chance and shown no desire to improve. Then he lands the parting shot that sums up his whole worldview:

'Trust must be earned.'

The encounter rattles her. Later, during Elaine's chaotic picnic, Lydia opens up to James. He gently asks if she has told Sutton about the pregnancy. She says no — and that she intends to keep it that way for now. After seeing his promotion in Episode 3, she refuses to jeopardize his career or reputation. She knows she cannot hide a pregnancy forever, but she is determined to protect Sutton by keeping the father's identity to herself.

The storm, the U-turn, the cliffhanger

Just when it seems like James and Ruby might have carved out a tiny safe zone, Mortimer's travel plans go sideways. In the car, he hears a storm warning for London and learns all flights are canceled. He does not hesitate; he tells the driver to turn around and head home. Which means he is on a collision course with the very relationship he tried to ban. Given his rigid expectations, elitist disdain, and need to control every choice, this is not going to be a calm conversation.

Episode 4 in one glance

• Title: 'Secrets' — the show means it.
• Mortimer unloads on James for the gala speech and orders him to avoid Ruby; pushes an Oxford interview and suggests making up with Elaine.
• James apologizes to Ruby; they reconcile, decide to date quietly, and share an intimate but measured restart.
• Elaine's picnic backfires: a spiked drink lands with Cyril, Frederick shows up and spouts elitist and homophobic digs, and James publicly takes Ruby's hand, confirming the relationship.
• Ruby meets Alice Campbell at the Campbell Foundation and lands a full Oxford scholarship plus a part-time job.
• James celebrates with a romantic day and brings Ruby home, thinking Mortimer is in New York.
• Lydia confronts Mortimer, gets shut down with 'Trust must be earned,' and decides not to tell Sutton about her pregnancy to protect his freshly minted promotion.
• Mortimer hears storm alerts, flights are canceled, and he heads back home — cue the cliffhanger.

Where this leaves everyone

James and Ruby finally choose each other — and now have to survive Mortimer finding out. Ruby has the Oxford scholarship and a foot in the door at the Campbell Foundation, which is huge, but it will also put her squarely in the path Mortimer wanted for James, not her. Lydia's secret will not stay secret, and Mortimer is already suspicious. The fallout is coming from multiple directions.

How do you think Mortimer is going to react when he walks into James's house and sees Ruby there? And when he eventually learns about Lydia's pregnancy? Tell me your theories.

Maxton Hall Season 2 is streaming now on Prime Video.