Episode 2
Episode 2
Episode 2: Early July, 1875
Scene 1: A log cabin, Liberty Creek, Idaho. It's a sunny morning on the fourth of July. Tess is just awakening.
Tess steps out of bed and into her slippers. After splashing cold water from the basin onto her face, she removes the braid from her hair and runs a comb through it before restoring the braid. She opens the bedroom door, then turns toward the kitchen. She lights the stove and sets a kettle to boil. Upon returning to her room, she dresses in an old work dress, slips into her shoes, then leaves through the front door with a pail in her hand.
Tess: Oh, Queenie, did I leave you outside all night? Come on, let's get some milk.
Tess heads towards her small barn, Queenie the cat following at her heals. Tess enters the barn and gives Shep, the horse, a pat before giving him some hay and oats. She heads for the cow, giving her some hay and oats before getting down onto the milking stool.
Tess: How you doing this morning, Belle? Isn't it a beautiful morning? Queenie, you needn't rub against my leg. I know you're there.
Tess squirts a small amount of milk into the pan she kept just for Queenie. She hums a tune in rhythm with the squirting milk, remembering...
Flashback: A warm day in early June, the woods near Liberty Creek. Tess is riding Shep and hears singing in the distance. She recognizes the voice of Nick Marshall.Tess dismounts her horse and heads towards the singing through the thick brush. When she breaks through, she finds Nick sitting chest deep in a calm part of the river. His clothes are neatly laid over a rock. Tess gasps, and quickly ducks behind a rock. Nick turns around, looks for a moment, then turns back to his bath with a smile. He switches to a livlier tune and sings a little louder. Tess remains transfixed, watching through the bushes as water glistens on Nick's tanned, muscled back. He moves forward and back, scrubbing his legs and feet with the soap. He leans completely forward and lathers his hair, setting the soap on a boulder beside him while he scrubs then rinses his hair. After picking up his soap again, Nick turns around and searches the trees behind him. Tess ducks down further, and Nick turns around, again smiling. After a short pause, he slowly raises himself from the water. Tess doesn't wait. She turns around and quickly scurries back to Shep as a faint chuckling rings in her ears...
Tess: What if he knew I was there, Queenie? I would just die of embarassment. She blushes and smiles at the same time. Maybe I should have stayed and watched, even if he did know I was there. Maybe then he would at least see that I'm attracted to him. Lord knows I've been seeing him long enough. If I wasn't attracted to him I wouldn't have spent all this time with him these past five months.
Tess finishes the milking. Before leaving the barn, she saddles Shep. Inside, Tess washes her hands before getting out the supplies for a small breakfast. She eats her breakfast at the small table in the kitchen before returning to her bedroom to change.
Tess: Georgie, you owe me five dollars if Nick doesn't notice me in this dress. Mumbling to herself. You certainly sewed the collar low enough.
Tess removes her work dress and begins putting on her layers of under clothes, then the light blue lawn dress that had been hanging on a hanger on the wall. She stands in front of the full length mirror and inspects her appearance. She's self-conscious about the low neckline that just barely conceals her cleavage. Pulling herself from the mirror, she returns to the bureau and pins on her new hat.
Tess: Chuckles. Georgie would kill me if she new I was wearing my hair down.
Tess slips into her riding boots and buttons them, then dons a pair of white gloves and heads out the door.
Scene 2: Georgie Randall's dress shop in San Francisco. From the outside, it is a quaint shop with an awning and a simple sign reading "Georgia Randall, Dressmaker." The two windows on either side of the door display various goods. Inside, in the small front room, accessories and a few dresses are displayed. A woman and her young daughter are browsing, and a young woman stands behind the counter taking care of a purchase for a middle-aged man. Behind the counter is a storage room and office. To one side is a staircase leading to the second floor.
Georgie: From upstairs, calling out loud. Nessie! Bring up a new corset string! Quickly!
Nessie: Smiling at the man. Have a nice day, Mr. Martel. Mrs. Van Doren, if you need anything, just ring the bell.
Nessie grabs a new string from the box beside the corsets and hurries up the stairs. On the second floor of the building we see much open space. There are several dressing screens, tables, and half-sewn dresses draped on female forms. Various sewing implements lay about on the tables. An elegant young lady sits waiting in a chair, and one of Georgie's assistants is tearing the broken string from a corset.
Georgie: You're a darling, Nessie. We seem to have broken Miss Dearborn's corset strings.
Miss Dearborn: It... it isn't a sign, is it? Miss Randall, there have been so many mishaps involved in preparing for my wedding.
Georgie: It most certainly is not a sign. It just happens when the strings get too old and used.
Nessie: You've got the handsomest man in all of San Francisco marryin' you. He's been in here more'n once buyin' this an' that for you, though we can't say what. I said too much already.
A bell rings downstairs, and Nessie moves to check on Mrs. Van Doren, but a young woman in white comes running up the stairs.
Louisa: Georgie! Georgie!
Georgie: Stop yelling, Wesa. You'll scare away my customers.
Louisa: Sorry, Georgie. Oh, hello Patsy. I still can't believe one of Stevie's friends is getting married. Did you bust one of your corset strings? Happened to me this morning.
Georgie: You see, Miss Dearborn. Happens to everyone, even Miss Cheerful over there.
Miss Dearborn: I sure wish I could be cheerful. I don't know how I'll ever last till the wedding. She pauses, looking at Louisa. We should try my wedding gown on Wesa.
Louisa: Oh, no. I don't think that would be a good idea.
Georgie: I do. You don't mind, Miss Dearborn? Not the dress, we can't risk anything happening to it. Just the veil.
Miss Dearborn: I think it's a wonderful idea.
Louisa: This isn't necessary. It must be bad luck or something.
Georgie: Nonsense. She carefully rests the cap on Louisa's head and pins it on before adjusting the long layers of white lace. Besides, according to Miss Dearborn, she already has enough bad luck for three people. There, you can look now.
Georgie and Ina each take a side of the long train and follow Louisa as she walks towards the mirrors. Miss Dearborn looks on while holding tightly onto a large oak table as Nessie tightly pulls her corset strings. Louisa looks dreamily at her image in the mirror.
Georgie: Your father would absolutely die if he saw you like this. He can't stand the thought of you growing up.
Louisa: Goodness, Papa! I almost forgot why I came here. Papa sent me with a note. He wants you to let him pick you up in a carriage instead of walking to our house like you usually do. He has something to ask before we all go to the Richmond's party.
Georgie: What does he want to ask me?
Louisa: I don't know for sure, but I have a guess. And he wants your grandmother there. I think he might finally be asking you the big question.
Georgie: What big question?
Louisa: To marry you! I hope he does. He's been courting you for nearly six months already. I'd like to have you for a mother.
Georgie: That's lovely for you to say that, dear. She lifts the veil from Louisa's face and gives her a quick kiss on the cheek. But don't get your hopes up. Six months isn't a very long time, and your father isn't one to jump into things. He set in his ways, and he's been a widower for eight years.
Nessie: He does love you, Miss Randall. I can see it every time he comes in here.
Georgie: You two are jumping to conclusions.
Miss Dearborn: I think they're right, Miss Randall. When you and Dr. Hewitt came to my parents' party last month he couldn't keep his eyes off you. He also became insanely jealous whenever another man talked with you.
Georgie: Ina? Do you have anything to add?
Ina: No ma'am. I only met the doctor on that one occasion, and he was just leavin' then.
Georgie: Good, then let's get back to work. We've been dawdling too long. Ina, help Miss Dearborn on with that gown we were about to fit when we were disrupted. Nessie, help me get this dress off Louisa.
Louisa: (Staring dreamily at her image in the mirror again, then smiling slyly) I wonder how big your ring is.
Scene 3: Belleterre Ranch, Liberty Creek, Idaho. The same morning, Nick Marshall has been awake for some time and is bored. He is in the kitchen "helping" the cook.
Cook: Nicholas, the batter will never get mixed if you go that slow.
Nick: Smiles. Sorry, Mrs. Anders. He stirs more quickly.
Cook: You're thinking about Her, aren't you?
Nick: Who?
Cook: Don't play dumb with me, Nicholas. I've known you for twelve years. I've seen you chase after every girl within twenty miles, including my daughter, but you've never fallen for any of them as hard as you've fallen for this one.
Nick: I have no idea who you could possibly be talking about.
Cook: You don't need to hide yourself from me, young man. You get that same distant look in your eyes and crooked smile on your face every time she's around. Tess Hartley has you wrapped around her little finger, and you know it. You enjoy it. Oh sure, when you were after my Rilla you'd do do her chores for her when it was convenient. But you drop everything and go over to Tess's cabin to fix a door hinge, or on the off chance that one of her animals is ailing.
Nick: I loved Rilla.
Cook: I know you did, dear, but that was puppy love. You were fifteen and she was eighteen, for goodness sake. Now this stuff with Tess, it's for real.
Nick: How is Rilla doing, Mrs. Anders? And the new baby?
Cook: They're all fine, but don't try to change the subject on me. You've fallen for Tess and you've fallen hard. Just admit it so you can get on to the more important things—like admitting it to her.
Nick: But I don't think she even likes me. One minute she'll be nice and friendly and the next she'll be short and distant. Of course, last month...
Cook: Last month?
Nick: Just between you and me? Promise? He waits for agreement. I was washing up in the creek like I always do when I heard a rustling behind me. I turned around and saw a flash of blue dashing behind the bushes. It was Tess, and she wasn't all that well hidden. She doesn't know I saw her, though. I thought she would leave, but I turned around a while later and she was still there. She'd kill me if she knew that I knew she was there. Anyway, I thought I'd give her something real to look at, so I started to stand up. She ran away.
Cook: Chuckling. Well, she missed her chance then. I watched a boy bathing once when I was seventeen. I wasn't running away for anything.
Nick: Mrs. Anders!
Cook: Oh, don't be such a prude, Nicholas. Besides, it was Mr. Anders. And he knew I was there. Rilla spied on your brother once on one of his summers home from university.
Nick: I know, I watched her do it. I was mad with jealousy.
Cook: So you stripped off all your clothes and jumped in the creek, too. I know, Rilla told me that evening.
Nick: The little rat!
Cook: Tess is an early riser, Nicholas. She's probably already on her way here. Why don't you go have a talk with her.
Cut to: Nick tears out of the barn on his black Thoroughbred like a bat out of Hell and heads towards a path in the woods.
Scene 4: Tess riding along a path, sitting sidesaddle on Shep. Thundering hooves can be heard in the distance.
Tess slows down as she comes to the corner, not knowing what's coming her way. Suddenly, a horse bolts into view. Shep rears and begins racing in the other direction, taking Tess with him. She almost has him under control when she is plucked from the saddle. Light headed, she begins to sway. Nick brigns Sherman to a complete stop. Shep, missing his rider, turns around to retrieve her.
Nick: You're okay now, Tess. I've got you.
Tess: I'm okay now? I was perfectly fine until you came along. As was Shep. You've frightened him and now he's worried about me.
Nick: You could have been thrown from your horse, that's why I went after you. I know I spooked Shep, and I'm sorry. You almost fainted.
Tess: Because you knocked the air out of me. I can ride my own horse now, thank you.
Nick: No, Shep is still skittish. Make yourself comfortable. We've still got two miles to go.
Tess: But Nick, this isn't exactly a respectable situation for a lady to be in. What if someone saw us?
Nick: Like who? My sisters? Stop arguing about it because you're not going to win.
Tess: You don't have to be rude about it.
Nick holds onto Sherman's reins with one hand while leading Shep with the other. Tess fidgets and tries to appear uncomfortable while sitting with her legs flung over one of Nick's and one of his arms around her waist. They say nothing as they ride towards Belleterre, staring straight ahead for much of the ride. Nick occasionally looks down at Tess examining her features–a few hairs curling around her ear, her chin, her lips, her neck and the locket, the low cut of her dress. They finally break through the trees and enter the yard surrounding the house at Belleterre. Nick hurries Sherman and helps Tess down at one of the doors before leaving to take the horses to the stables. Tess stares after him until he disappears through the stable door, then turns and walks into the house. As she has done many mornings, Tess walks through the familiar halls, upstairs to the second floor, and enters the sun-filled morning room. Marietta is there feeding baby Anne.
Marietta: Good morning, chèrie. I saw you riding up with Nick.
Tess: Looks out the window at the clear view of the path she and Nick had taken. He spooked my horse and insisted I ride with him the rest of the way.
Marietta: He must want you very much if he would resort to such devious measures to get close to you.
Tess: He didn't say a word to me the entire time.
Marietta: There is no doubt that he was left without words upon seeing you in that revealing dress. From your friend in San Francisco? She waits for Tess's nod. It is very becoming. Your friend has a true talent. She watches Tess watch Nick as he leaves the stables. You really love him?
Tess: Mm-hmm. Realizing what she has just admitted, she tears herself from the window and sits across from Marietta. How is Annie this morning?
Marietta: You are changing the subject, Tess. There is no shame in loving a man. I love my husband very much, and I tell him so every day.
Tess: But you're married.
Marietta: Love does not care about marriage. I told Will that I loved him long before we were married. Nick has deep feelings for you, I can tell just by watching him around you. He hides his feelings very well. Would you like I should speak to him?
Tess: I don't know anymore. She pauses for a long time, then speaks quietly. Maybe.
Marietta: I will today. Hold the baby for a moment? She passes the baby to Tess and adjusts her clothing, then takes the baby on the other side. She leans forward and whispers to Tess. He does love you, Tess. I am almost certain. He and Will are very much alike, and Will behaved just like this before we were engaged to be married.
The door flings open as Grace Marshall enters. She is wearing a loose-fitting white work shirt tucked loosely into brown trousers.
Marietta: Did not your mother ever tell you that young ladies of fourteen years wear skirts and walk lightly, gracefully.
Grace: I have no interest in being a young lady. Olivia turned out just fine, thank you, and she wore trousers.
Tess: I thought you'd have been up earlier than this, Grace. You're usually up making noise outside my bedroom window earlier than this.
Grace: I was up late last night. One of Nick's horses foaled and he let me deliver it.
Tess: Congratulations.
Grace: It's a filly. She's all black, healthy and strong, and Nick says she's mine. I can raise her and train her and even race her.
Tess: That's wonderful, Grace.
Grace: Grins slyly. I saw you riding up with Nick earlier.
Tess: Groans. Did everyone see that?
Grace: He's seen you in dozens of dresses before, and he's still too dumb to notice you. You should try something else.
Marietta: She can't go naked, dear. At least not yet.
Tess: Mari!
Grace: You should wear trousers and shovel slop in the barn. It would show a new side.
Marietta: Yes, her backside.
Tess: Whines. What did I ever do to you two?
Marietta: We just want you to be happy, Tess.
Tess: You're trying to dress me as a man!
Grace: Simultaneously with Marietta. Nothin' wrong with that.
Marietta: Simultaneously with Grace. Whatever works.
Tess: You two are crazy.
Marietta: Leave everything to us, chèrie. You will be engaged by the end of the month. I've got a new plan. Be the perfect lady today, charm him, make him a little jealous—you have my permission to use Will for that. Pull that dress lower, show some cleavage. If that does not work, try what Grace suggested.
Tess: What if I don't like this plan?
Grace: Too bad. I'll see you both later. I have to go see to my horse. Come out and see her, Tess.
Grace grabs some bisquits and an apple from the table and leaves the room.
Scene 5: The Hewitt home, San Francisco, California. Gabe Hewitt, dressed for a party, is about leave his home. Steven is waiting till the last minute to do up his collar, and Louisa is anxiously awaiting her father's departure.
Gabe: Darling, should I be insulted with you so anxious for me to leave?
Louisa: Of course not, Papa. Are you really going to do it? Are you really going to ask Georgie to marry you?
Gabe: My relationship with Miss Randall is none of your concern, young lady. Winking At least not yet. Now, how do I look?
Louisa: Dashing, Papa. You'll sweep her off her feet.
Gabe: That's my intention. I won't be too long, sweetness. If things go well, Miss Randall and I will be back here to collect the two of you within a half hour. Steven, please be ready to go by then.
Steven: Sure, Pop.
Gabe: Kisses his daughter, then whispers in her ear. Wish me luck.
Gabe walks out the front door of his home and steps into the awaiting carriage. The top is open. He gives the driver directions, then drives out of sight.
Cut to: Gabe pulling up in the carriage in front of a small but stately home. He hops out and walks briskly up to the door. His knock is quickly answered by the housemaid.
Housemaid: Dr. Hewitt, please come in. Miss Randall will be down in just a minute.
Gabe: Thank you, but I would like to have a private word with Mrs. Arens first, if I may.
Housemaid: Of course. Please, follow me.
Gabe is lead through the house to a small sitting room where Georgie's grandmother is reading a book.
Grandmother: Dr. Hewitt, a pleasure to see you this evening. Georgie mentioned that you'd be stopping by. To what do I owe this pleasure.
Gabe: I don't know quite how to say this. Your granddaughter is a grown woman of thirty-three years, but she is still unmarried. As her closest relation, I feel obilgated to ask you for your permission to... ask for her hand... in marriage.
Pausing for a long time, Georgie's grandmother closes her book, then looks up at Gabe. Smiling, she takes his hand in her own.
Grandmother: You've made an old woman very happy. To be truthful, I thought my Georgie was destined to be an old maid. Now she's marrying the finest doctor in all of California.
Gabe: That is only if she agrees to marry me, Mrs. Arens.
Grandmother: You must call me Granny now, my dear. Of course she'll agree to marry you. You're everything a woman would want. Do you have a ring?
Gabe: No, I thought we'd pick one out together.
Grandmother: That will not do, my dear. That simply will not do. You must have a ring when you ask her to marry you. Nothing but the best for my Georgie. She slips a ring from her own ring finger. My Henry gave this to me when I was sixteen years old. I was my engagement ring, and I was never given the chance to give it to my Mary, Georgie's mother. She eloped.
Gabe: Mrs. Arens, Granny, I couldn't. It wouldn't seem right.
Grandmother: It most certainly is right. Georgie has nothing left of her mother. Her father was saving Mary's jewelry for her, but the Yankees stole it all in the war. Even the wedding and engagement rings. I insist.
Gabe nods and slips the ring into his pocket just as Georgie enters the room.
Grandmother: My dear, you look stunning.
Gabe: As always, your grandmother is absolutely correct. He walks to Georgie, takes her hand, and kisses it. I apologize, Mrs. Arens, we really must be going. My children are waiting. Are you sure you wouldn't like to come along?
Grandmother: Parties aren't for old women, doctor. Two of my friends will be visiting for a short time, and I have my book.
Gabe: As you wish. Georgie, shall we go?
Georgie's grandmother winks to Gabe as he leads Georgie from the room. Georgie dons an embroidered white cashmere paletot over her light pink gown trimmed with white fabric shaped into roses. Gabe offers his arms and Georgie slips hers through as he leads her through the door held open by the maid. He helps her into the carriage, then sits across from her. They begin to drive away.
Gabe: You are probably wondering why I wanted to come around to get you.
Georgie: I was. Is there something wrong?
Gabe: No, no, not at all. There is a matter of great importance I need to discuss with you. He moves and sits beside her, taking one of her hands in his own. I've known you for nearly six months. I feel I know you more than anyone, or perhaps I'm tied with your friend in Montana. And you know me, too. I have no secrets from you. Steven adores you, Louisa makes it no secret that she loves you.
Georgie: What are you saying, Gabe?
Gabe: I'm getting to that. I think perhaps I've known my feelings for you ever since we had that talk in the recovery room after your operation. But I can't pinpoint exactly what it is about you, and that bothers me. I'm able to pinpoint injuries and ailments, but matters of the heart... it's not an exact science. Perhaps it's your heart, your intelligence, your strong will. Of course, your sheer physical beauty doesn't hurt. What I'm saying, Georgie, is that I... I love you. The one thing I don't know about you is how you feel about me. But, I'm willing to take a chance. If you hate me after this, fine. If you want, I'll have the driver turn around and take you home. I have to ask, though. I can't wait any longer. Please, don't feel obligated to answer right away. As long as—
Georgie: Cuts him off. Just say it!
Gabe: Takes a deep breath, fiddles around in his pocket, and gets down on one knee. He waits till Georgie is looking him in the eye. Darling, will you marry me? He produces the ring.
Georgie: Oh! She begins to cry. Are you... I mean... are you sure? You want to marry me? Even though I used to—
Gabe: Cuts her off. Even though you used to. I don't care. Well, I do, it just doesn't affect my feelings for you.
Georgie: Oh, Gabe. I... Is this my grandmother's ring? It is! When did you get this?
Gabe: Shortly before you came down. When I asked her if I could marry you she insisted I take her engagement ring.
Georgie: You asked my grandmother first?
Gabe: You don't mind do you?
Georgie: No. In fact, I think it was a gallant gesture.
Gabe: Do you have an answer, or do you need a few days to think about it?
Georgie: Think about what?
Gabe: Whether or not you'll marry me!
Georgie: I don't need to think about it. I have my answer. She pauses.
Gabe: Impatient. Well?!
Georgie: Yes. I'll marry you.
There is sheer joy in Gabe's eyes as he pushes himself up quickly, wraps Georgie in his arms, and kisses her passionately. They fall back onto the other seat, still kissing. The driver smiles, tips his hat at two well-dressed ladies on the road who are staring on, and urges the horses forward. Georgie and Gabe still kiss behind him.
© 1999, all rights reserved.
Get your own Free Home Page