Episode 24

Episode 24: Early November, 1875

Scene 1: Philip and Libbie's house, mid-morning. A light snow is falling on a ground already covered with four inches of snow. Inside, Libbie, Philip, Christopher, and Lydia are seated around a small table eating breakfast. A picture window gives them a good view of the beautiful scene outside, including the approaching lane.

A covered carriage approaches. Libbie notices it first, then all strain to see out the window.

Philip: Who do you suppose that is?

Libbie: It's Father's carriage. He'll let himself in.

They returned to their meal, but a maid soon knocked and entered the room

Maid: I'm sorry to be disturbin' you, Mrs. Elliot, but there be a man here sent by your father. He wishes to speak with you.

Libbie: I'll be there in a moment.

Libbie takes a moment to finished her coffee and wipe her mouth before telling her companions that she would return shortly. In the front hall, she met the maid again.

Maid: He be waitin' in the parlor, ma'am. She whispers. He's wearin' fancy clothes and he talks like he's got lots o' learnin', and Englishman, he is, but I ain't never seen him in these parts.

Libbie: Confused, she shakes away her maid's strange description and enters the parlor. Sir, I understand my father sent you.

The man puts down the magazine he'd been examining and turns to face Libbie. Her father-in-law, Uncle Phil to her, bore a striking resemblance to Lydia. He smiled at Libbie, and they embraced.

Libbie: You're all early! When did you arrive?

Phil: Just in time for dinner last evening. Let me get a good look at you, darling. He holds Libbie at arms length and examines her, spinning her once. You've grown into a beautiful woman now, and show no signs of having given me four grandsons.

Libbie: You don't look so bad yourself, Uncle Phil. She takes his hand. Come and greet everyone else. They'll just die when they see you.

Phil: I do not want them to know all at once that I'm here. That is why I wanted to see you first. I imagined you'd be stay more calm than any of them. I want to see Philip first, then that little cheat, and then Lydie. You may tell Philip and Lydie that I'm here, but I want Christopher to be surprised.

Libbie: All right, but after all that I want my sons to meet their second Grandpa.

Phil: I would insist upon it.

Libbie returns to the small breakfast room, pokes her head in the door, and beckons to Philip. He leaves, speaks with Libbie for a moment, then rushes toward the parlor while Libbie returns to the table.

Phil: Philip bursts into the room Good morning, son.

They shake hands briefly, but soon firmly hug for a long while.

Philip: It is good to see you again, Dad.

Phil: It has been far too long. He steps back and walks to the window. Leaning against the window sill, he looks out upon his son's land. You've got a fine place for yourself here, son.

Philip: You truly think so?

Phil: Of course! Why would I lie?

Philip: It's just that you never...

Phil: Complimented you before? I know, and I am sorry about that. I should have.

Philip: Where is Mother?

Phil: Still sleeping. She stayed up much of the night reminscing with Elizabeth and Mary. She would kill me if I returned without you and Lydia and her grandchildren though, so I'm expecting that you'll come back with me.

Philip: We will, of course. He pauses, then thinks to offer his father a cigar, which he declines. Are you... are you terribly mad with Lydia?

Phil: No, of course not. I was at first, but then I remembered all I'd taught her—to think for herself, make her own decisions. I never gave her the opportunity to do that and look where it got me. She married a wonderful young man and I was not able to... He chokes up and stops talking.

Philip: She is desperate for your love and forgiveness.

Phil: Rubbing his eyes She will have it. He leans against the window sill again, seemingly deep in thought. He soon pushes himself back and stands straight. Will you get Christopher now?

Philip: He chuckles. Gladly. It's too bad you weren't here to see the black eye I gave him. Libbie made me apologize several times, but I was somewhat proud of myself.

Phil: How hard did you hit him?

Philip: He beams with pride. Damn near knocked him out. The eye was swollen for several days and the bruise lasted for more than a month.

Phil: Sounds like there's nothing left for me to do. Please tell him that I am a man sent by John Henry and not myself.

Philip: I wouldn't dream of it.

Cut to: Christopher sauntering toward the parlor door while whistling a tune. He enters and finds a man with his back turned.

Christopher: How may I help you, sir?

Phil: Gruffly disguises his voice. Close the door, young man.Christopher does so, then curiously approaches the man. Phil does not turn around. Are you happily married, young man?

Christopher: Yes, sir, but I don't see how this is so important that I had to be disturbed from breakfast with my wife.

Phil: I imagine you could do with a little disturbance, young man. It greatly disturbed your wife's family when you stole her away and married her.

Christopher: Excuse me, sir, but that is none of your business. If you are through, I'll return—

Phil: Cuts him off, speaking with authority. You'll stay right here, Christopher Samuel Marshall. He turns around to face his godson and son-in-law. How could you... how could you steal my daughter away from me without any guilt whatsoever.

Christopher: Sir, I assure you, I was guilt-ridden for quite some time. We, Lydia and I, felt that it was our only chance to marry. You did so want her to marry that Lord Denbury.

Phil: If you had only been insistent.

Christopher: I have always regretted, for Lydia's sake more than my own, that we did not have a traditional wedding. She was given away by a member of your family, though. A distant cousin and the captain of the ship. You and he would share the same great-great- great-grandfather.

Phil: Was he a good man? Kind and gracious?

Christopher: He treated Lydia as she were a favored niece. We are hoping he will be able to attend our second wedding. He gave us a wedding reception, Uncle Phil, and a nice one at that.

Phil: And Lydia was happy?

Christopher: Yes, sir, of course. Look here. He walks to the mantle and retrieves a silver-framed photograph from the mantle. A man took several photographs as a wedding gift.

Phil: He whispers.. She does look happy, so much more so than any other woman I've seen in a photograph. And what a beautiful bride she made.

Christopher: Courtesy Mrs. Aimes, a generous woman who took Lydia under her wing. They became quite good friends.

Phil: I suppose... I suppose I will be able to forgive you. If you have made Lydia happy that is all that matters.

Christopher: Thank you, sir, for your forgiveness and your daughter.

Phil: Will you take me to her now?

Cut to: Lydia sitting alone in the breakfast room. There is a knock on the door and she rights herself.

Lydia: Come in.

Her father walks in tentatively. Lydia's mouth forms a surprised "O" and her eyes well with tears.

Phil: Lydie.

Lydia slowly rises to her feet, then rushes to hug her father. He lifts her off her toes and holds her tightly. They stay like that for a goodish while, not saying a word.

Scene 2: Tess and Nick's house, morning. Nick is shovelling a narrow path from the porch to the barn while Tess leans on the porch railing watching.

Tess: Why are you doing that, Nick?

Nick: So you can get to the barn without getting your feet cold.

Tess: But it's still snowing.

Nick: I'm a little bored too, but I don't want to wake Stuart up. When I found her in the stable last night she looked like she needed a good rest.

Stuart: Standing behind in the door. You shouldn't put yourself out on my account.

Nick: It was no trouble. Tess and I slept in a little late ourselves. My uncle and his family arrived last night and we stayed on a little later at Belleterre.

Tess: Did you get something to eat?

Stuart: Not yet.

Tess: Come inside.

Tess puts her arm around Stuart and leads her to the kitchen.

Tess: You sit down, I'll make you some eggs.

Stuart: Groans. Please, anything but eggs.

Tess: All right. How about sausage?

Stuart: That would be nice, thank you.

Tess sets water to boil and heats the pan. She offers Stuart a glass of milk and Stuart accepts. After taking a sip, Stuart begins talking.

Stuart: You know, the last time I wore a dress was at my father's funeral. He was buried beside my mother in the graveyard beside the church in the little town near our ranch. I was fifteen. We didn't have many ranch hands and the ranch itself was deteriorating. It had been since the War when most of the men went off to fight. I had no idea how far in debt Papa was. I had the ranch for a little more than a year before I lost it to taxes.

Tess: That must have been very hard for you, having to give up your father's ranch.

Stuart: It was. I was born there. I had a wonderful childhood with Papa. He took charge of my education. He taught me to speak Gaelic, Spanish, and even Latin. He brought me a tutor to teach me the piano, and I could recite poetry and Shakespeare. I've forgotten most of it now. I can still speak Spanish and sing the Scottish songs my father would sing to me. Sometimes I wish... I wish I could go back to the way it was.

Tess: I think everyone does at one time or another.

Stuart: I... I've gotten used to being without my father. His death could not be prevented, but sometimes I wish I could be a girl again. A woman.

Tess: You still could.

Stuart: It would be too humiliating now.

Tess: When you go to Kentucky I'll lend you a few dresses. You can be a woman and tell everyone that you're me.

Stuart: I couldn't. I would embarrass myself.

Tess: You would not. I'm sure your father taught you how to be a lady along with all those other things. You probably had more etiquette training than me. If you put your hair up and added a few extra braids, I can get you some of those, I think you be a stunning woman. We already think you're a very pretty man.

Stuart: Giggles. I suppose I could wear a corset, too, though I'd probably faint. It was hard enough when I was accustomed to it.

Tess: You are smaller than I anyway. It would not have to be laced very tightly. And we'd have to hem the skirts, of course. You should do it. It would be good for you.

Stuart: You really think so?

Tess: Yes, I do. Very much so.

Stuart: Thank you.

Tess: You're my friend. Think nothing of it. We'll start hemming a dress tonight. Here's your breakfast.

Stuart took several bites of the sausage before clutching her stomach, running out the kitchen door, and vomiting into the snow. Tess brought her a cloth and Stuart wiped her mouth while covering her mess with snow. Then she sat on the steps, put her hands to her stomach, and burst into tears.

Scene 3: A hallway upstairs at Belleterre. Miss Mason has just left her room. She passes several doors, and one opens just after she passes. Charles appears and looks after her.

Charles: Miss Mason, I thought that was you. How are you this fine Saturday morning?

Sally: She turns around, startled, and makes a slight curtsy. Your Grace, I was not aware that you had arrived.

Charles: We did last night. They said you had gone to bed early with a cold. I hope you are feeling better?

Sally: I am, thank you.

Charles: And you are doing well? Otherwise, I mean. You enjoy working here?

Sally: Yes, very much so. Julia and Grace have been delightful, and now Louisa, too. We are planning a play, you know.

Charles: They've already told me all about it.

Sally: And your family, they are doing well? Who all has come with you?

Charles: They are all doing just fine. My wife and the five girls still at home have come with me, and Mr. and Mrs. Elliot, you remember them. Maggie had her baby just a week before we left.

Sally: Congratulations, your Grace. Grandson or granddaughter?

Charles: A handsome little grandson. They had not yet decided on a name, but they might be joining us in time for Christmas.

Sally: I would like to see Maggie again. She tries to be nonchalant. And your other family in England, they are doing well?

Charles: Smiles knowingly. As far as I know. We are not well- acquainted, as you know. They were not invited, and will not be joining us here. He offers his arm. May I escort you downstairs?

Sally: Hooks her arm into his. It would be a pleasure, your Grace, thank you.

They walk down the hall together, but Charles pauses at the top of the stairs.

Charles: Freddie is doing well at one of the larger banks in London, I hear, and I have not heard his name mentioned in gossip for at least eighteen months.

Sally: They begin to descend, she speaks quietly. Thank you, your Grace.

Scene 4: John Henry's office, twilight. He and Charles are reclining with a drink and a cigar. Red is lying before the small fireplace, warmed by the flames.

John Henry: Do you think Phil will ever grow tired of playing with his grandsons?

Charles: I doubt it. All through the trip, when he wasn't talking about Lydia, he was dreaming about finally being able to playing with his grandsons.

John Henry: I loved the look on his face when Lydia made her announcement.

Charles: Ah, yes. That was priceless. We'll have to drag him home, I suspect, or he'll be staying here till her baby comes in May.

Red suddenly jumps from his nap, runs to the door, and scratches on it. Frowning, John Henry opens the door and he and Charles follow the dog to the front hall. He looks out a front window as Mr. Patton, the butler, opens the door.

John Henry: Well, I'll be damned.

Charles: Who is it?

John Henry: Red's lover and her parents.

Charles Excuse me?

John Henry: Red has taken to an impeccably groomed debutante poodle from town. He knocked her up some time ago and her owner was not too pleased. I may have mentioned Judge Carrol to you in correspondence. He has retired now and he and his wife live in Liberty Creek.

Charles: And they are here now?

John Henry: It seems so. He goes to meet Lazarus at the door. Good evening, Lazarus.

Lazarus: The time has come John.

John Henry: For what?

Lazarus: Princess's time has come.

Charles: From behind. Princess?

John Henry: My brother, Charles. Charles, Lazarus Carrol.

Lazarus: Pleased to meet you. John, come get her.

John Henry: You brought her here?

Lazarus: I realize I shouldn't have now, but it's too late. Come get her, she won't walk.

John Henry follows Lazarus outside to the back of a wagon. Danielle is standing there holding a blanket over a panting Princess. Red is there too, looking up expectantly. John Henry carefully picks up Princess and carries her into the house.

Patton: Sir?

John Henry: Old blankets, Patton, quickly. Bring them to... my office, I suppose. And fetch Nick and Grace, they know about these things. And try to keep Red otherwise occupied.

Continue to Episode 25

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