Episode 12: August 25, 1875; The Nick-Tess Nuptials

Scene 1: Belleterre, afternoon. Leroy is still holding Georgie around the neck. Several men have moved in closer, the women have moved further away. Grace, last in the line, is inching back towards the house.

Leroy: Nobody move any closer. And you... He points the gun to Grace... you get back over here. You already shot me once, you ain't doin' it again. Me and this pretty thing here are leavin'.

Nick: Be sensible, Jed. Or is it Leroy? You will never get far.

Leroy: We'll see. I want a horse. Someone go saddle me a horse. I want that nice-lookin' black one o' yers. He waits, but no one moves. Well?

Nick motions to one of the workmen standing at the back, who runs off towards the stables. Leroy talks as he begins inching towards the exit.

Leroy: Most o' youse prob'ly do' know about this girlie. She'd fool me if I didn't know 'er already. She sure looks like a lady, but she ain't. She's a whore. That's right, a tainted woman, a harlot, a trollop. A real bonafide prostitute. Rounds about seven months ago I recruited Tess there to come work with us. She and Belle here stole two thousands dollars o' my money and ran afore we could break 'er in. What do you think o' yer respectable wife now, Doc? What about you, Nick-o? Tess don't seem so sweet an' innocent now, do she? What about you, Louisa? What you think o' yer new mama now, darlin'?

The workman returns with a saddled Sherman. As Leroy approaches, the workman pulls out a gun and points it at him.

Workman: Let the lady go.

Leroy: Nah, I got a better idea.

He lunges for the gun. It goes off, breaking an upstairs window. Several women scream. Leroy ends up with the gun, then quickly grabs Georgie back. He looks at the new gun.

Leroy: I think I like this'un better.

Leroy casually drops his old gun in the saddlebag and points the new one to Georgie's head. He points the gun randomly at people, forcing them further away. Georgie is pushed up onto the saddle, sitting sideways, and Leroy swings up behind her. He salutes to the crowd, then starts riding off at a full gallop. Grace goes for her gun, runs through the house, and comes out the other side. Nick has followed her and tries to take the gun himself.

Grace: Nick, I'm still a better shot. If you miss, he could kill her.

Workman: From behind. I could only find one bullet. There was only one bullet in the gun.

Nick grabs the gun, aims, and fires. He misses.

Scene 2: The stagecoach driving up to Belleterre, a short time earlier.

Stuart: To Lydia. Perhaps you could wrap a cloth around your hand if you won't take the rings off. People wouldn't see them. You could say you burnt your hand.

Christopher: That is an excellent idea. You can do that in the house before anyone sees us.

Driver: Here we are, folks!

He comes to a stop directly in front of the main door. The passengers get out before he can get down, and he starts retrieving the bags.

Christopher: Leave them till later.

A shot rings out, then women scream. The five new arrivals are still for a moment, then the driver goes for his shotgun.

Christopher: The shot came from around back. He looks to Lydia and Delie. You two go in the house and stay there.

He runs after Stuart and the driver, who have already started running around the house. Just as they see the man and woman riding away on horseback, they another shot is fired. This time, they know it was fired at the rider. Stuart doesn't hesitate. He stops dead in his tracks, takes out his gun, aims, and fires.

Stuart: Damn!

He has only hit Leroy through the side. Leroy falls from the horse, gun still in hand. Georgie takes her chance as everyone starts running towards them. Sherman has already stopped. She slips to the ground and fumbles in the saddlebag till she finds the other gun. She walks to Leroy, who is lying on the ground holding his wound with one hand and his gun with another. They point the guns at each other. Leroy fires first, but only a click is heard. Georgie shoots the gun from his hand. The people running toward her pause temporarily. She shoots him several times in key places. He isn't killed, but he screams in pain. Finally, she aims at his head and fires.

Georgie is suddenly surrounded by people. Someone holds her steady and takes the gun from her shaking hand. Everyone talks at once. Gabe finally reaches Georgie and starts leading her back to the house.

Nick: Waves his arms. Everyone, be quiet. The crowd shushes. Who shot him first?

Will: Wasn't it you?

Nick: I missed. He calls out. Who shot him?

Stuart: Pushes through the crowd. I did.

Nick: Who are you?

Stuart: Stuart MacKenzie. I just came on the stage.

Nick: The stage came here?

Stuart: Yes.

Nick: Why?

Christopher: Pushes through the crowd. I heard my brother was getting married and I didn't want to miss it.

Scene 3: Inside the house, a short time later. Tess, still gowned, is sitting in Georgie's bedroom with Gabe. Georgie is lying on the bed.

Tess: Are you sure you want to go ahead with the wedding? We could postpone it.

Georgie: Sits up. Not on your life. I feel fine. We're going to have this wedding today come Hell or high water. She starts to get up.

Gabe: Darling, you've just been through a—

Georgie: Yes, yes, I know. A very traumatic event. I've wanted to do that for a very long time. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't care if they hung me from the nearest tree. I don't care about stares, glares or nasty comments. Tess is getting married today.

Gabe: You will not get any nasty comments. I already have everyone that knows it spreading the real truth. Now, I can see there's no changing your mind, so I'll leave now so you can get cleaned up.

Cut to: Christopher inside the house surrounded by his family. Elizabeth is speaking wildly in French as she hugs and examines him.

Christopher: So, Libbie, do I have a new niece or a new nephew?

Libbie: Picks up the baby. A new nephew. This is Bobby.

Libbie places the baby in Christopher's arms just as Christopher notices Lydia at the door.

Christopher: He's beautiful, Libbs. He looks up at Philip, standing behind Libbie. I have a gift for you.

Philip: For me?

Christopher: Yes. Well, it's not so much from me. It's from your father. He trusted me to deliver it to you personally. You are to take very good care of it and make sure he sees it again.

Philip: What is it?

Christopher: Not what, but who.

Philip just frowns. Lydia taps him on the shoulder. He turns around. His shock doesn't last long. He grabs his sister around the waist and spins her around.

Philip: Lydie, why didn't you tell us you were coming? I would have met you in New York.

Lydia: The surprise was better. She looks over to Libbie. Hello, sister.

Libbie smiles and pulls Lydia into a hug. Christopher steps in and taps Lydia on the shoulder.

Christopher: I believe you said the one thing you most wanted to do was hug your nephews. This one seems a good start. He hands the baby to Lydia. I believe his name is Bobby.

As Lydia smiles down at her little nephew, Philip notices the bandage she has wrapped on her left hand

Philip: Lydie! What have you done to your hand?

Lydia: I, um... It was silly. I... I burned my hand on the train.

Philip: How?

Christopher: It was my fault. I bumped into a waiter carrying a steaming hot pot of coffee. He stumbled and Lydia put her hand right on the pot when she tried to steady him.

Gabe enters the room.

Gabe: I hate to disturb your family reunion, and it does look like a good one, but Georgie has insisted that the wedding go on as planned and Tess seems to agree with her. But (he looks around) where's the groom?

Christopher: Cleaning up. He insisted on helping with the body.

Will: That will give you the opportunity to surprise him. The two of you were always closer. You should be his best man, not me.

Christopher: I have no suit. Not one fit for a wedding.

Will: You may have this one. We're the same height. I'll change.

Christopher: If you insist.

Scene 4: The courtyard, a short time later. The guests are once again seated. Nick as standing at the front with Reverend Harris.

Harris: Nervous?

Nick: Not anymore. I've been through the nervous part twice today. I'm just worried something else is going to happen.

Harris: Nah, it couldn't now. Not with guards at all the entrances and all the weapons confiscated. You may have a problem if your best man doesn't show up soon.

Nick looks back just as Christopher walks from the house. Neither say a word until Christopher stands beside his brother.

Christopher: Will thought I would be better suited for this. He looks over to Reverend Harris. Lovely afternoon, isn't Reverend?

Harris: That it is. Good to have you home, son.

Christopher: It's good to be home. To think, I thought I'd be several hours late for the ceremony.

Harris: God has a funny way of working things out.

Nick: You'll have to tell Georgie that.

Harris: Christopher, do you have the rings?

Christopher: Thinks. Hmm, I'm not sure. He starts patting himself down.

Nick: Wonderful, Chris. My first best man knew where the rings were.

Christopher: I have more experience up here than you think, Nick. And look, they're right here.

The music starts and Lizzie begins her walk again.

Christopher: Whispers. In case I forget, I want to talk to you in private before you leave for your honeymoon.

Nick: Talk about what?

Christopher: Can't talk now, you're busy.

Scene 5: Late that evening. The sun is beginning to set, most of the guests have gone home. Christopher is sitting to one side with Tess.

Christopher: Nick wrote me about you. I kept the letters so you could read them if the two of you got hitched. Unfortunately, they'll be arrive with the rest of my things tomorrow.

Tess: That's all right. It's nice to finally to see you in the flesh. That photograph of you when you were fourteen hardly does you justice.

Christopher: Laughs. I wasn't an attractive fellow back then, was I?

Tess: I wouldn't say that...

Christopher: Then you must be blind. I'm glad Nick caught you. Finally, something beautiful to detract the stares.

Tess: Are you flirting with me?

Christopher: I would, but I'm not allowed to anymore. (He stands up) Listen, can you find Lydia and have her meet Nick and me in the library in fifteen minutes. You come, too.

Tess: Of course, but what's this all about?

Christopher: You'll see.

Cut to: Nick, Tess, Christopher, and Lydia gathered in the library. Both Nick and Tess have changed clothes.

Nick: So, Chrissy, I suppose it's your turn now.

Christopher: Well, no, and don't call me Chrissy.

Nick: What do you mean 'no'? And why can't we hear this when we get back?

Christopher: I suppose you could, but everyone else is going to hear it pretty soon. He glances at Lydia who gives him a reassuring nod. It is not my turn to marry because I already beat you to it.

Nick: What do you mean?

Christopher: Gestures to Lydia. Meet your new sister-in-law.

Nick: You're not serious? He looks at Lydia, who is showing him her newly unbandaged left hand Well, welcome to the family, Lyd. He gives her a hug When did this happen?

Christopher: On the ship on the first of the month, but that's another story.

Nick: No one knew you were doing it, did they?

Christopher shakes his head.

Nick: Chuckles I'm glad I'll be gone when you tell the family. Philip is going to kill you.

Christopher: We'll see. You two had better go now. If you wait too long, you'll be too tired once you get up to the cabin.

Tess: Shocked We're going to the hunting cabin!

Nick: Thanks a lot, Chrissy.

Tess: I thought we were going to our new house! Now we have to ride in the dark for three hours?

Christopher: I think now would be a good time for Lydia and me to leave you two alone.

Continue to Episode 13

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