Episode 23
Episode 23: Late October, 1875
Scene 1: Belleterre, dusk. Grace and Charles are stopped on the lane just outside the yard. There does not appear to be anyone outside in the yard.
Grace: Should we surprise them?
Charles: Yes, I'd like that, but how am I to get inside without being noticed?
Grace: Here, put on my hat. That's a start. Take off your collar and your tie. Hmm... and the coat. You stick out like a sore thumb in that suit. The vest has to go.
Charles: I have no where to put these things!
Grace: I'll take them for you. That shadow of a beard is a good touch.
Charles: Thank you. Are we finished?
Grace: I suppose. When we head towards the stable, keep your horse a half-length behind me. Keep the hat low on your head and don't look anyone in the eye. Nick might come outside, but I think you should meet everyone in the house. I'll tell him and the other workers that you have business with Daddy.
Charles: A good plan. Lead the way.
The two cross the yard and round the house. When they are at the stable door, Nick comes out of the house and starts heading toward them.
Grace: To a worker. Could you take care of this horse please? It needs a stall for the night.
Worker: Yes, Miss Marshall. What about your horse?
Nick: From behind. I'll take care of him.
The worker nods and leads Charles' horse away as Nick approaches.
Nick: How was he? Is he all right?
Grace: Did you expect he wouldn't be?
Nick: Perhaps. Did you bring anything back?
Grace: Tied on the other side. Two grouse and a rabbit.
Nick: Good, thank you very much. He gestures to Charles, who is some distance away patting a stalled horse, his back turned. Who's that?
Grace: Mr... um... Duke. That was it. Mr. Duke. He's come to see Daddy on business. Are you coming back inside?
Nick: Tess and I are staying for supper. It's a full moon, we'll make it back in the dark.
Grace: Good. Has everyone else gone home?
Nick: Yes, straight from Will's.
Grace: I'll see you inside then. Come this way, Mr. Duke.
Charles: Mumbles, some distance from Nick. That was quite the creative name.
Grace: Whispers, carrying Charles' things under her arm. I wanted to see if Nick would make a connection. He didn't. Come on inside. You can wait in Daddy's study.
Scene 2: The stables, a very short time later. Nick is about to send Sherman into a stall when he notices Stuart sitting on the floor in the corner, her head buried in her hands.
Leaving Sherman outside the stall, Nick slowly walks up to Stuart and sits down beside her. He tries to put an arm around her to comfort her, but she shrinks away.
Nick: Did something happen just now?
Stuart shakes her head 'no.'
Nick: Something happened between you and Joe up at that cabin, didn't it?
Stuart: In a small voice. It was my fault.
Nick: I'll kill him.
Stuart: No, you don't understand. Things started, but he stopped them. Then I started them again. She starts sobbing. What's wrong with me?
Nick: There is nothing wrong with you. He should have known better and he's going to hear from me about this.
Stuart: Oh, please, don't. I just want to forget everything.
Nick: I understand, I do, but he stepped out on my sister and he'll need to pay for that.
Stuart: Please, please don't tell Olivia. I don't want to ruin another marriage.
Nick: I'm not going to tell Livie. It would kill her.
Stuart: Quietly. He came to see me today.
Nick: Joe did?
Stuart: Nods. He asked me if I'd had my... my...
Nick: I understand. Go on.
Stuart: I told him yes so he would leave me alone, but it was a lie. I haven't yet and now I'm scared.
Nick: I don't blame you. Why don't you stay with Tess and me for a while? We have a spare bedroom.
Stuart: I can't do that to you. How would you explain it? How would it look after all that happened between us before?
Nick: We could take a few of my horses up there and say I want to start working closer to home. Just for a few days, then you can go on a business trip for me. I have to show a horse to a man in Kentucky next week. You could do it for me, get your wits about you while your gone. Maybe see a doctor.
Stuart: I think I'd like that. Thank you. I don't know what's come over me lately. I used to be so strong. I never cried, not even when my papa died. And I managed to stay away from men for twenty-three years until now.
Nick: Helps her up. You'll be all right. You realize I think of you like one of my sisters now. I'll not let anything happen to you. Collect your things and take two of the horses up to my house, and that one I'm selling, Big Ben. Put yourself to bed in our second bedroom. Tess and I will be along after supper.
Stuart: Sniffles. Will you tell her?
Nick: Only if you want me to.
Stuart: I think you should. It's only fair.
Nick: I will. Can you get Sherman settled? Gracie's going to wring my neck for taking so long.
Stuart: I will. Thank you.
Scene 3: A hallway near the library, a short time earlier. Grace has just left her father's study. Tess is walking down the hall.
Tess: Is Nick still outside?
Grace: I don't know. He was going to brush Sherman down the last time I saw him.
Tess: Who was that man I saw you ride up with?
Grace: You can be the first to know. Come into Daddy's office. There's someone you should meet.
Grace takes Tess by the arm and leads her to John Henry's office. It is apparent that someone is sitting in the chair behind the desk, but the chair is facing the window. Grace closes the door behind her.
Grace: You may turn around. This is Tess.
Charles: My heirs are outdoing each other. Each marries a more beautiful woman than the one before.
Tess: That doesn't say much for Marietta and Lydia. Are you... Nick's uncle?
Charles: Yes, my dear. Gracie needs to work on her introductions. You may call me whatever you feel most comfortable with.
Tess: It's an honor to finally meet you, sir.
Charles: Thank you, but please don't call me sir. You are family.
Tess: All right, Uncle. We didn't expect you until next week at least. Did you come ahead of the rest of your family?
Charles: Yes, well, not really. Grace came upon us while we were traveling here and I decided to ride ahead. The rest should be along shortly.
Grace: Tess, can you go keep Daddy occupied? He's reading in the library. I want to surprise him last.
Tess: That sounds like a good idea. I'll see you at supper, Uncle, or sooner.
Cut to: A short time later, Grace is leading Julia from the foot of a flight of stairs.
Julia: Why does Daddy want to see me?
Grace: I'm not sure, Jule, but I know he's angry with you. They reach the office door. Just go inside.
Grace stays outside, closing the door behind Julia. A delighted squeal is heard shortly thereafter. Grace smiles and walks off in search of her mother, who appears from the library quite quickly.
Elizabeth: Did I hear a scream?
Grace: Yes, from Papa's study I think. Come with me. I was just about to look in.
Elizabeth: I should get you father maybe...
Grace: No! One of the maids probably saw a mouse. You know how Daddy feels about mice.
Grace lets her mother walk into the room first, but does not follow her. She closes the door and returns to the library. John Henry is suggesting a book to Tess.
Grace: Daddy, there's a man waiting in your office for you.
John Henry: Thank you, Gracie. To Tess. I'll explain more later.
Tess: After John Henry has left the room. Has Nick returned?
Grace: I don't think so. It's his own fault for being so slow.
Cut to: John Henry's office, a short time later. Elizabeth is sitting contentedly on her brother-in-law's lap, smiling and laughing. When John Henry enters the room, her expression turns serious.
Elizabeth: I am sorry, Jean Henri, but I am leaving you. Charles is far more charming, and I have tired of waiting to become duchess.
John Henry: If that's what you wish. Mary and I have always preferred each other anyway. Elizabeth moves to allow Charles to stand, Charles and John Henry embrace heartily. You weren't supposed to come until next week.
Charles: You are the fourth person to say that. I am considering leaving and returning later.
John Henry: We're just not prepared. Mrs. Anders will have a fit.
Charles: Mrs. Anders?
John Henry: The cook. At least it is only you.
Charles: The rest of the family is still on its way. Gracie and I just rode ahead.
John Henry: You came in with Gracie?
Charles: Yes, she was disguised as a young man and pretended to a farm hand. She was going to charge me two dollars for leading me here.
John Henry: Laughs. That will teach you to be gullible. Gracie always dresses like that, she just decided to play a trick on you.
Charles: Mary will have a fit if she sees Gracie like that.
John Henry: I guessed as much. Gracie has already agreed to wear a dress most of the time. I imagine she will eventually try to make Mary faint.
Charles: I would like to see that, actually.
Grace and Tess enter the room
Grace: Were you terribly surprised, Daddy?
Charles: Yes, you little schemer, but it was a nice surprise.
Grace: You should come up and meet Louisa, Uncle Charlie.
Charles: Who is Louisa?
Grace: You mean Daddy hasn't written you about her? Shame on you, Daddy. Julia and I will tell you all about her on our way upstairs.
Charles: To John Henry. She's piqued my curiosity. I suppose I must go.
John Henry: As Charles is leaving with Julia and Grace on his arms. That's some hat you have there.
Charles: Thank you, I quite like it myself. Perhaps I could make it all the rage when we return to England.
Scene 4: Just outside Tess and Nick's house, night. Nick and Tess are just returning home. Tess follows Nick into the barn while he puts Sherman up for the night. Several new horses occupy the stalls, but Tess doesn't notice them at first.
Tess: Your family is wonderful. All of them.
Nick: I thought you'd like them. He pauses, chuckles. It's only a matter of days before Gracie completely corrupts Carey. The fact that Carey is twenty-two and unmarried is taxing enough on Aunt Mary. Gracie will have her wearing trousers and roping cattle before they go home.
Tess: Laughs. I like Connie. Full of fire and so smart for an eight year-old.
Nick: She'll break hearts with those dimples of hers.
Tess: What about Sam? Has she broken many hearts? She certainly has the face for it.
Nick: I hate to say it, but she's dull. At least that's what I interpreted from Christopher's letters. He's a terrible gossip, by the way. Never tell him anything you want kept secret. Sam always ruined conversations with men by bringing up a topic no one had interest in. Laura, on the other hand, she's perfect. She'll probably catch a husband in her first Season, though I think she's destined to marry some boring heir like Will.
Tess: Camilla seemed nice enough, though I feel sorry for her. Too old to be a girl, too young to be an woman. I hated being thirteen. It was so—where did these horses come from?
Nick: Damn. I planned to tell you on our ride here, but I completely forgot. I found Stuart crying in the stables. Something did happen between her and Joe up on that mountain and now she's afraid she may be pregnant. To make matters worse, it seems that she prompted the affair in the first place. She's very confused.
Tess: Oh, no...
Nick: Exactly. Anyway, I thought she'd have a better time of it if she stayed with us for a while. She should be sleeping in our other bedroom right now. The horses are a ruse so others won't be suspicious. I'm sending her to Kentucky in a few days to sell a horse for me. She can see a doctor there.
Tess: I feel so sorry for her.
Nick: Feel sorry for Joe. His face will be introduced to my fist tomorrow.
Tess: But you said Stuart claims it was her fault.
Nick: Joe still stepped out on my sister. Livie doesn't know, and I hope she never finds out, but Joe still has to pay.
Tess: Just don't leave him with anything he'll have to explain. We don't want him revealing anything.
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