Episode 29
Episode 29: Early December, 1875
Scene 1: A Belleterre hallway, morning. Julia, Grace, and Louisa, dressed in their play costumes, are walking toward John Henry's office.
At the door they knock, but do not wait for an answer before walking in. John Henry is seated at his desk, writing a letter. The puppies are no longer there.
Grace: Kisses him on the cheek. Happy birthday, Daddy.
Julia: Kisses him. Happy birthday, Daddy.
Louisa: Hangs back. Congratulation, Mr. Marshall.
Grace: We all have gifts for you, but you can't have them yet.
John Henry: And you'd leave me in suspense the entire day! All three of you are look very elegant, by the way.
Grace: Our ball dresses, for the play.
John Henry: I've noticed you don't complain as often about the dresses since your Mama's been making you wear them. You also have not shocked your aunties as of yet, though I know all the scandalous and unladylike elements to which you've been exposing Carey.
Grace: Shocked. How did you know?
John Henry: You don't think I speak with my stablehands? Don't worry, dear. I'll keep your secret.
Grace: Thank you.
Louisa: Staring at the hearth, where the puppies had been. It seems so empty in here without Princess and the little ones.
John Henry: I must admit, and none of you are permitted to repeat this to Lazarus, I do miss the little scamps. I know how much Lazarus missed Princess, though he would never admit it. He wanted to take her home long ago, but the pups were still too small. Connie will want to go into town every day now.
Julia: I hope the other children aren't being mean to her.
John Henry: Connie is too sweet for anyone to be mean to.
Julia: They were quite cruel the few times I went to the school in town.
John Henry: Were they?
Julia: A little. Maman made me wear one of my best dresses. All the other children thought I was being snobbish.
John Henry: That's unfortunate. Why didn't you mention it to anyone?
Julia: I did, just not you. You would've gone to speak with their parents.
John Henry: That is true. What was Connie wearing today?
Julia: She was very plainly clothed in a brown wool dress. She should be fine.
John Henry: I hope so. She was having so much fun up until now. Well, then, are you three off to your rehearsal?
Grace: Yes, we are, and we shouldn't keep Sally waiting long. She's been quite... fretful... lately.
John Henry: I've noticed that. By all means, go to it.
The three girls leave the room and walk through the halls chattering and giggling. When they reach the library door, they walk straight in. Standing up on the balcony in an embrace, and not immediately evident to them, are Sally and Freddie. They had been kissing, but pulled apart the second the door opened. Grace notices them first.
Grace: Rehearsing a scene, Sally? You're not even in the play.
Sally pulls away from Freddie completely, rights herself, and begins descending the narrow staircase. She says nothing, simply smiles serenely.
Freddie: Laughs. You must say something Sally. They all saw us kiss.
Grace: Surprised. You were kissing, too! We only saw you hugging.
Sally: Thank you so very much, Freddie.
Freddie: They would have figured it out eventually. Us Marshalls and our friends are very astute.
Sally: Mumbles. Your father hasn't figured it out.
Freddie: My father is barely accepted as a Marshall. Sally shoots him a dirty look. Yes, darling, I did hear you.
Louisa: Romantic endearments.
Grace: It must be serious. You've only known each other... how long? A month?
Freddie: Actually...
Sally: Freddie! If you say another word, I'll—
Grace: A lover's spat.
Sally: Gracie, please, leave it alone.
Freddie: At least for today.
Sally: Spins on her heels, hisses. Freddie!
Grace: It's all right, Sally, we won't ask anymore questions today if you don't want us to.
Sally: Thank you.
Scene 2: Christopher and Lydia's bedroom, a short time later. Lydia is fast asleep, covering her head with part of the covers as the sun shines across the bed.
The door opens and Christopher walks in with a tray of food. He sets it on the table beside Lydia's face and lifts the cover off a steaming plate of pancakes. Lydia's nose, the only visible part of her face, twitches. She slowly pushes the covers off her face, squinting at the light.
Christopher: You slept late. I made you breakfast.
Lydia: Stop humoring yourself, dear. You can't tell the difference between flour and salt, but it was nice of you to bring it up to me. I noticed you haven't dressed yet.
Christopher: Walks around the bed and climbs back in. I planned to rejoin you. It's cold in the rest of the house. How are you feeling?
Lydia: Just fine. She takes a large bite of pancake. I'm famished, but I was beginning to think I'm not pregnant at all. I haven't been sick once. But I know I'm pregnant for sure now.
Christopher: Really? How?
Lydia: He kicked last night, for quite some time. It woke me up.
Christopher: Why didn't you wake me? I wanted to feel it.
Lydia: I don't think you could have anyway. I couldn't with my hand. Still, it was a good assurance that he's in there
Christopher: I want you to tell me the next time it happens. And how do you know it's a boy?
Lydia: I just do. Women know these things. We shall call him Christopher Samuel Marshall, Jr.
Christopher: I've never wanted to name a child after myself. I think it's a girl, anyway. Girls are sweeter and less mischievous.
Lydia: You don't remember me as a child? Either way, you've only said why you want a girl, not why you think it's a girl.
Christopher: I think it has a lot to do with the disposition of the mother. Maggie was very irritable for her first few months and had a very hard time of it, as you will remember. She had a boy. You are nothing like that. You're having a girl.
Lydia: Laughs, talks with her mouth full. That's pure hogwash, Christopher, and you know it. Do you mean to say that Olivia is having a boy?
Christopher: Now that you mention it, yes.
Lydia: Would you like to place a friendly wager on that?
Christopher: Certainly. What sort of wager were you thinking of?
Lydia: If you're wrong about both of us, you have to... let me name our first son after you. If you're right about just one, neither of us get anything. If you're right completely, which I'm sure you aren't, you may name all of our children.
Christopher: Deal.
Cut to: Tess and Nick's house, a short time later. Nick has just entered the barn. He hears retching near the back and investigates. He finds Stuart crouching out a back door, vomitting off to the side. He leaves without her noticing and returns to he house.
Nick: Tess!
Tess comes out from the kitchen, flour half way up to her elbows.
Tess: Yes?
Nick: You remember Thanksgiving when we saw Stuart rush off with Olivia? I asked you if she was actually pregnant? You said no, she wouldn't lie?
Tess: Yes, what of it?
Nick: I found her vomitting behind the barn.
Tess: Maybe she's just ill.
Nick: Perhaps, in which case she should go to a doctor, but I would still like you to ask her about it.
Stuart: From behind, she has just walked in. Ask me about what?
Tess looks to Nick, who gestures for her to ask.
Nick: I'll be outside.
Stuart: Nick leaves. Ask me about what?
Tess: I hate to ask you this, but Nick has made a good argument. We saw you rush out at Thanksgiving as Olivia did when the food was brought in. I heard you vomitting early that morning. Just now Nick found you doing the same behind the barn. Are you ill?
Stuart: No, I don't know what it is.
Tess: Could you be pregnant, then? It's all right if you are an haven't told us. We would understand.
Stuart: I'm not pregnant. I would know.
Tess: I'm sure you would not, but I would not blame you if you were trying to hide it.
Stuart: Defensive. Well, I'm not. I'm sorry, but I just came in to get something from my room. I have a lot of work to do.
Cut to: Joe and Olivia's house, a short time later. Joe is waiting in a room facing the back fields. He moves outside when he spies Olivia and Joey swiftly riding toward the house.
Joe: Calls out. Leave the horse to Clive and come inside!
Olivia sends Joey running ahead and hands the horse over to the workman before walking swiflty up to the house. Her hair is disheveled and she is still catching her breath.
Joey: We went for a horse ride, Papa!
Joe: I see that. Why don't you go upstairs and play with your toys?
Joey: Then will you let me help you in the barn?
Joe: Of course, now run along.
Joey runs ahead as Joe follows Olivia into the house. He watches as she pours herself a glass of water, then drinks it.
Olivia: Still catches her breath. Are you angry with me, Joe?
Joe: How observant of you.
Olivia: Well? I haven't the faintest idea what I've done.
Joe: It's hardly safe for you to be out riding the way you do in your condition, not to mention endangering Joey in the process. If you fell and hurt yourself, the two of you would be stranded.
Olivia: First of all, I rode like that when I was pregnant with Joey up until the fifth month and everything was fine. I feel fine.
Joe: You're throwing up every morning and several times during the day.
Olivia: Many pregnant women do. It's natural. I'm perfectly... She wavers slightly... fine.
Joe: No, you're not. You just swooned. Come on, I'm taking you up to bed.
Olivia: You will do no such... She collapses, but Joe catches her just before she hits her head on the counter. Put me down, I can stand myself.
Joe: You can't be independent all the time. I will not put you down. He begins walking toward the back staircase. I'm going to send for the doctor as soon as I get you settled
Olivia: The nearest doctor is at least and hour and a half away.
Joe: I'll send for Victoria, then.
Olivia: Vic has her own problems. I'll stay in bed until we have to leave for Daddy's party, but I'm not missing his birthday no matter what you say.
Joe: All day, you'll stay in bed all day?
They have reached their bedroom. Joe places Olivia on the bed and begins taking off her boots.
Olivia: Yes, but only if your bring me a pile of things to occupy my time. I want my new book, my stationery, and my letters, and don't keep Joey outside with you all day. I'll eventually need someone to talk to me.
Scene 3: The Belleterre library, late afternoon. Play practice has just ended, and many people are just leaving the room. Charles enters with a cluster of letters. He passes several out to other people and gives one thick envelope to Louisa.
Charles: You have real talent, Miss Hewitt. He examines the array of papers she has spread on a table, sketches of members of the family. Do you have plans to seriously study art?
Louisa: Oh, no, it's really just a hobby. I got the love of it from my mother and don't want to waste it. I'm going to medical school.
Charles: Really? I've never met a lady doctor.
Louisa: They are a growing group. My father works with a female doctor at his hospital.
Charles: Interesting. He leafs through more of the papers. I notice... you seem to have drawn every member of my family, but not me.
Louisa: I haven't drawn your wife yet. I'll get to you eventually.
Charles: What do you plan to do with these?
Louisa: It's a surprise. You'll see.
Charles: Leave me in suspense! He gestures to the letter. From your family? When will you being going back to visit?
Louisa: I was going to return for Christmas, but Daddy wrote me and insisted I stay and do the play. I'll be there for the new year. I miss them very much.
Charles: I can only imagine. Would you like some help carrying this upstairs?
Louisa: Yes, thank you.
Louisa and Charles collect up the papers and leave with all but Sally and Freddie.
Sally: Speaks softly. I'm getting very anxious.
Freddie: As am I. I've been imagining their reactions all day.
Sally: Whose?
Freddie: All of them, actually.
The door opens and Belinda walks in. She smiles smuggly as Freddie moves to leave. As he walks by Sally, he whispers in her ear.
Freddie: Don't let her threaten you. The girls already know and Aunt Elizabeth is too busy to be told.
Belinda: After Freddie shuts the door. Well, well. Aren't we getting closer.
Sally: We are not close and never will be.
Belinda: I meant you and Freddie.
Sally: I know what you meant.
Belinda: I suppose you want me to tell the others about you and Freddie now.
Sally: The girls already know and they weren't angry at all. Why does this interest you so much?
Belinda: Freddie is my brother, and whether you choose to believe it or not, I do love him. A relationship between you and he would never work. You're beneath him.
Sally: Not that Freddie gives a fig about social standing, but his illegitimacy puts him at the same position, if not lower, that I am at.
Belinda: His mother and father are still gentry.
Sally: The way you humor yourself with that is quite amusing. I know how things work in England. No matter how rich or well-liked Freddie may become, he will still be looked down upon because he as a bastard. Your father may be able to buy you a husband when he becomes duke, provided he doesn't die before Mr. Marshall, but you will never be accepted in polite society. Good day.
Holding her head high, Sally picks up her things and boldly walks out the door, leaving Belinda fuming behind her.
Scene 4: The large family room at Belleterre, night. Tables of food are set up along the walls and the furniture has been moved to the side. Some of the girls are playing music and some couples are dancing. A table of gifts sits to one side. Lazarus and Danielle have just entered with Connie.
Lazarus: Happy birthday, old man.
John Henry: If I'm an old man, what does that make you?
Lazarus: He sounds like someone who doesn't want his present, doesn't he, Lady Connie?
Connie: Giggles. Yes.
Charles: Walks up and lifts Connie onto his hip. Did you have a good time, darling?
Connie: Oh, yes. I want to go back, too, Daddy. I never get to play with other children.
John Henry: They didn't give you a hard time of it?
Connie: No, why would they? They were very nice and taught me lots of games. I even learned about the Civil War they had here and got to tell the class about our Civil War.
Mary: Walks up. Sounds like you had a very nice time, dear.
Connie: I did, Mummy! Please let me go back.
Mary: Only if Mrs. Carrol says you may.
Danielle: Of course, she may. She was delightful.
Mary: All right, then. Connie, you'd better go upstairs and change your dress. Find one of the maids to help you.
Connie: Slides down to the floor. I'll be quick. Happy birthday, Uncle John.
John Henry: Thank you, Connie.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the room, Joe has just mentioned Olivia's faint spell to several of her sister.
Victoria: Olivia! How could you be so careless?
Olivia: It wasn't carelessness. I hadn't had much to eat for breakfast, that is all.
Libbie: That doesn't excuse the danger in which you put yourself. You should not even be here tonight.
Olivia: It's Daddy's fiftieth birthday. I had to be here. If it will make you feel better, I promised Joe I wouldn't dance. That should ruin much of my evening.
Victoria: It would ruin everyone's evening if you lost the baby. No more riding for you!
Olivia: I'm married now. You can't tell me what to do anymore.
Victoria: I can and I will, and if you don't listen to me I'll tell Daddy and Maman. You know what their reaction will be.
Olivia: You're wretched.
Victoria: Stop acting like a child. It's not an unreasonable request.
Cut to: Later that evening. More people are seated, some are getting ready to leave. John Henry's presents have been opened, evident in the smoking jacket, new hat, and pipe he now sports. Freddie spies Lazarus and Danielle say goodbye to John Henry. He waits for them to leave the room, then follows them to the front hall.
Freddie: Mr. Carrol, may I speak with you for a moment?
Danielle: I will go out and wait in the buggy.
Freddie: Thank you, Mrs. Carrol.
Danielle leaves as Freddie pulls Lazarus into the nearest room, closing the door.
Lazarus: This seems serious, young man. What is it? Would you like to sue your sister? I can take care of that for you.
Freddie: That sounds enticing, but it is not what I have on my mind at the moment.
Lazarus: Get to it, boy. My wife's waiting in the cold.
Freddie: Sally told me that she heard you tell Belinda that you still had all your judicial powers.
Lazarus: Contemplates what Freddie said for a moment, then understands. Yes, that's right.
Freddie: Would you marry me?
Lazarus: Three reasons why not, young man. I cannot marry myself to anyone. Bigamy is illegal, as is marriage between two men.
Freddie: I don't want to marry you!
Lazarus: Why not? I'm a pretty nice guy, I think.
Freddie: Frustrated. Mr. Carrol!
Lazarus: Calm down, boy, I was just teasing you. You want to marry that delightful Miss Mason, don't you?
Freddie: How could you tell?
Lazarus: The way the two of you look at each other, for one. She's also the only lady eligible and able to marry you.
Freddie: Will you do it?
Lazarus: Yes, because I think you love her. I will do it right now, if that is what you wish, to annoy your father and sister.
Freddie: The seconds a good enough reason for me. We wanted to do it tonight, would that be all right?
Lazarus: Yes, but you'll need witnesses. Do you want all your family to know right away?
Freddie: No, which is why we wanted to do it at your home.
Lazarus: That would be fine, but how would you get there. No, I have it. If you can get away right now, I'll wait for you some distance down the drive with the buggy. All the family that leave that way have already left.
Freddie: That is perfect. I'll go tell Sally. She already went up to her room.
Lazarus: Just wait, young man. What of witnesses? Danielle will be one, do you want to get the other from the saloon?
Freddie: By all means no! What about Grace?
Lazarus: Too young.
Freddie: Carey would do it. She's twenty-two.
Lazarus: All right. Have her come out with you, then. Good luck, man.
Continue to Episode 30
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