Episode 37
Episode 37: Valentine's Day, 1876
Scene 1 designed and partly written by Heather
Scene 4 (second part) written by Heather
Scene 1: Past midnight, a field a short distance from Belleterre. Grace has just approached the horse thief, who is on the ground clutching a wrist. She has just realized the trouser-clad thief is a woman, and her long coat is actually a cloak. The latest discovery does not stop her from pointing her gun at the stranger.
Grace: Who the Hell are you?
Madison: Please, I can explain...
Grace: Who are you and why are you stealing my brother's horse?
Madison: I was just taking him out for a ride. I was planning on bringing him back in a while.
Grace: Your name, or I will shoot you.
Madison: How do I know you won’t shoot me anyway? Notices Grace still glaring at her. She sighs hopelessly. Taylor. Madison Taylor.
Grace: Aren't you...
Madison: The new schoolteacher? Yes.
Grace: Will has horses of his own and I'm sure he'd be quite willing to lend you one for riding during the day. Nick, on the other hand, doesn't take kindly to strangers riding his horses, whether they've asked him or not. I've half a mind to get him right now.
Madison: I never ride during the day, and your brother’s horses are known for their excellent breeding. I just had to see for myself. To be honest, I haven’t ridden such a fine horse in years.
Grace: I take it you pass yourself off as a lady. Why are you wearing trousers like a cheap, deceiving, two-bit whore?
Madison: Gapes at Grace. Does your mother know you talk like that?
Grace: My mother's knowledge of my language is neither here nor there. Besides, I'm not the one accused of being a horse thief. Did you know horse thieves are hanged in these parts?
Madison: At least I don’t carry a deadly weapon.
Grace: One must consider the intelligence of the person who questions she who has the upper hand. I've shot with the intent to kill before. My accuracy has improved since then. I would do it again.
Madison: You wouldn’t have the upper hand if you were not holding a gun at me as you are right now.
Grace: I would, because you're on the ground and I have control of both horses. I should leave you here to walk back to Will and Mari's by yourself, but I won't. Get on your horse and ride in front of me.
Madison: All right, but only if you give me your word that you will not breathe any of this to anybody else.
Grace: I should tell everyone, but I won't. You can take Will's horse and leave before any of the workmen wake up. I'll tend to these. If I ever catch you riding one of our horses without permission again I will tell everyone I come across just exactly who you are until someone sends you back to wherever you came from— And stay away from my brother! Get back on your horse.
Madison appears confused by Grace's last comment. She tries to mount the horse on her own, but ends up back on the ground, wincing in pain as she clutches her right wrist.
Madison: Would you mind helping me up?
Grace: You shouldn't steal horses if you don't know how to stay on one.
Madison: If it weren’t for you sticking that God-awful thing in my face like that, I wouldn't have been thrown!
Grace helps Madison onto the horse, then mounts her own before following her back to Belleterre.
Scene 2: Liberty Creek, morning, several days later. The Marshalls are again gathered to bid goodbye to more family. Everyone is bundled in warm clothing. Connie holds her little dog on a leash.
Elizabeth: I know you must leave, Charles, but can you not let some of the girls stay behind?
Charles: Connie and Camilla are too young, and Carey, Samantha, and Laura must prepare for the upcoming Season. Carey especially.
Carey: Oh, Papa, you know I don't give a fig for London seasons.
Mary: They call you an old maid, dear. We'll not have that.
Carey: Whispers to Elizabeth. I'd like to stay. I'll work on Father and see if I can't come back.
Connie: Mr. Carrol!
Connie runs from the group and meets with Lazarus, who had been walking up the street. The two sit together on a bench some distance from the hustle.
John Henry: It's such a shame you must be traveling on St. Valentine's Day.
Charles: Always the romantic, little brother. You all should come back to England for a visit. Be sure to send Julia next year. We'll see that she's properly presented and married.
Julia, standing nearby, looks to her shoes and blushes.
Charles: Are you certain you wish to stay in this town, Phil? There is still time to change your mind.
Phil: You delayed your departure to see your first grandchild born. I have the opportunity to see mine. I would not miss it. You'll see that all my interests are taken care of, won't you?
Charles: Yes, yes. Yours and Richard's and Freddie's and Edward's. I'm the only one with any sense of responsibility. He turns to his eldest daughter. Come home soon, Maggie. The little baron... He lightly caresses the cheek of the baby in Maggie's arms... needs to learn how to be English if he's to be an earl some day. He turns to Will. Your Annie is beautiful, William, but you need a son. Your brother is too American for the title to pass to him.
Nick: Fine gratitude, Uncle Charlie, and after I sold you two of my best horses.
Charles: I'm grateful for that, I must say. Those two will win me many a race.
Tearful goodbyes are exchanged and the ladies, Belinda included, enter John Henry's own coach. Adam and Charles ride alongside on horseback.
Scene 3: The woods near Belleterre, several hours later. Grace is riding astride somewhat uncomfortably in a skirt.
Grace arrives at the hotsprings, ties her horse near the new little cabin, and lights a fire in the fireplace inside. She strips down to her underclothes and quickly runs out to the warm, sulfury water. She sinks slowly into the water, lets down her hair, and closes her eyes.
Cut to: The cabin, some time later. Grace is sitting on a mat by the fire, her hair nearly dried. She still wears her chemise and drawers. On the tablet in her hand, she writes another poem.
Grace looks up from her writing just in time to see through the window another rider approach. She hurriedly dons her dress, and only has it half-fastened when she sees it is only Tess who approaches.
Tess: Oh, I'm sorry Grace. I didn't know you were here. You should tie your horse on the other side of the cabin so people can see that someone is here. I'll leave you alone.
Grace: It's all right. I was ready to leave anyway. Why aren't you spending today with Nick?
Tess: I plan to. I left him a note. I hope you don't mind. I know this is your special place.
Grace: Really, I was almost ready to leave anyway. My hair is dry now.
Tess: I hope you aren't angry with me for hiding all that business with Stuart.
Grace: I'm not. I suppose I understand.
Tess: I'm glad. Nick told me he explained it all to you. I'm glad you understand why Olivia mustn't know. I know you were... falling for Stuart before you found out the truth.
Grace's eyes widen in realization when she hears Olivia's name, but Tess doesn't see. She is busy braiding Grace's hair. Grace doesn't say another word to Tess, just rides away quickly when she is fully dressed.
Tess waits for Grace to disappear before stripping down to nothing. She walks to the hotsprings wrapped in a towel, looks around cautiously, then sheds it before quickly slipping into the water. A short time later, a shrill, admiring whistle echoes down. She turns quickly, fakes shyness when she sees Nick, and sinks further into the water.
Tess: Calls out. You turn around so I can cover myself.
Nick: Dismounts and ties his horse by Tess's. Such modesty, my dear, especially since you invited me here.
Tess: I didn't expect you to come so soon. I planned to be in the cabin when you arrived. Please turn around.
Nick: I don't think so.
Tess: Don't be dreadful. Have you turned around?
Nick: Perhaps.
Nick silently approaches, removing his clothes as he goes.
Nick: I certainly is cold.
Barefoot and naked, he silently runs through the snow, stopping just behind Tess. He kneels and touches her shoulders. She screams.
Nick: Such a tease you are. You planned all of this. Move over, it's cold. Nick nearly jumps into the water, then holds his wife tenderly beside him. I wish you'd been a tease those six months we weren't courting. It would have been more fun.
Tess: Perhaps, but I was still a girl then. I didn't know how. It's just as fun now.
Tess pushes herself from the side and moves to the other side of the pool, a sly smile on her face.
Scene 4: Olivia and Joe's house, a short time later. Olivia is lying in bed with a baby in her arms and Maggie sits in a chair beside her with Joey standing nearby.
Olivia: He's such a darling, Maggie. How unfortunate he looks just like Edward.
Maggie: You tease. You're lucky you're an invalid.
Olivia: I cannot thank you enough for spending this week with me.
Maggie: I spent a week at Belleterre, a week with Libbie, and a week with Vic. It's your turn. I'll got to Will's when Joe returns. How unfortunate Nicky built such a small home.
Olivia: He's working on designing one of his own. They break ground after spring planting.
There is a knock at the door and Joe enters. Maggie collects up little Peter and shuffles Joey from the room.
Joe: I feel terrible for leaving you in this condition.
Olivia: I said before, Joe. I'm feeling much better. When you planned this trip you didn't know I'd be confined to bed.
Joe: But it is Valentine's Day, as well.
Olivia: A silly holiday. You go.
Joe: Are you certain? Benjamin has offered.
Olivia: It's an important business deal and the fellow in Portland has only done business with you. You cannot risk losing the deal simply because he does not feel comfortable dealing with Benjamin.
Joe: I'll never forgive myself if something happens while I'm gone.
Olivia: Nothing will. Go now or you won't make it to Boise before nightfall. You should have left with Uncle Charlie. Give him my love when you meet up with them.
Joe: I will.
He gives her a light kiss on the cheek, pats her stomach, and starts walking from the room.
Olivia: Speaks somewhat desperately just as Joe is opening the door. I love you.
Joe: Smiles faintly. Me too.
Cut to: The schoolhouse at Liberty Creek, a short time later. Madison is sitting at the head of the classroom, again reading over her telegram.
Madison picks up a piece of paper and begins to write her reply. "Emily, so happy to hear from you. I miss everyone. If that bastard in Boston had not cheated me I would not be in this mess. Are you sure that Jonathan has noticed my disappearance? Don't want best detectives in New York after me. Give the baby a kiss. Maddie" She folds up the paper and returns her attention back to her students. She notices that a few have already finished their lessons.
Madison: Jacob?
A young boy, about thirteen years old, looks up from his desk, where he had been doodling absent-mindedly.
Jacob: Yes, Miss Taylor?
Madison: Your father is the town postmaster, correct?
Jacob: Yes, ma'am. I work for him after school.
Madison: Since you have finished your work, would you be so kind as to deliver this to him and have it sent out as soon as possible?
Jacob: Sure.
Jacob walks up to Madison’s desk and takes the folded paper, which he promptly places in his pocket.
Madison: Thank you. Have him send it here. She quickly writes a name and location on another slip of paper and hands it to him. Tell him I’ll pay him as soon as school is out for the day.
Jacob: I will.
Jacob leaves and Madison looks over the classroom once more before picking up a book to read.
Scene 5: A clearing in the woods, late afternoon. The canopy created by the trees is thick and there is not much snow on the ground. Grace's horse stands idly in the middle of the clearing while Grace sits on a fallen tree nearby, deep in thought and mubling to herself.
Grace: Mumbles. Nick said she was five months, and that was in January. She counts back on her fingers. October, October... the big storm! Everyone teased Joe for spending the night on the mountain with Stuart because they thought Stuart was a... well, they weren't too far off. What did Joe say... He defended her! Bloody bastard...
Grace trudges back to her horse, swings onto the saddle, and charges through the forest. She is not far from Olivia's, and reaches there shortly. She leaves her horse tied at the front of the house before charging inside where she is met by Maggie.
Maggie: Grace, what a—
Grace: Cuts her off. Where's Joe?
Maggie: He left earlier today for Portland. Come into the parlor. Edward brought Olivia downstairs. Is something wrong?
Grace: Yes.
Grace walks with Maggie into a cozy room where Olivia is curled up on a sofa by the fireplace. She and Edward stop talking when Grace enters.
Grace: I have something to tell you, Livie.
Olivia: Grace, you look terrible. What is it?
Grace: It's... She looks to Maggie and Edward. I'm sorry. It's very private.
Maggie: Of course. Come, Edward. Joey must be waking from his nap by now, and Peter will want to be fed soon.
Grace: Waits till they leave the room, then sits the chair closest to Olivia. Are you sure you and the baby are doing better?
Olivia: Yes, very much so.
Grace: I really don't want to tell you this, but it's not right for then to lie to you and I won't to it.
Olivia: Lie? Who is lying?
Grace: Nick, Tess, Joe, and... Stuart.
Olivia: Stuart? Grace, what are you talking about?
Grace: I didn't want to believe it, Livie, but I saw it with my own eyes. Stuart is a... woman, and she's pregnant. I saw her and she confessed, as did Nick to keeping the secret.
Olivia: Dumbstruck. Nick cheated on Tess?
Grace: I almost wish it were so. Tess isn't in the delicate condition you are. Remember that big storm back in October? One of Nick's horses had run off and Joe and Stuart were trapped in the hunting cabin for the night when they went to look for it?
Olivia: Yes, what of it?
Grace is silent, her eyes saying the rest. Olivia's face crumbles as she realizes the truth. She lets out a sob and lets Grace hold her as she cries her heart out.
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