Episode 3
Episode 3: July 4, 1875
Scene 1: Mid-day, the courtyard lawn of Belleterre is beginning to fill with guests--mainly Marshall family members and people from town and the surrounding farms. Tables of food and drink are set up in the shade, and families are gathered on blankets on the ground. Tess has been waiting much of the time in Marietta's bedroom waiting for the perfect time to make her appearance, under Marietta's instruction. Marietta has redone Tess's hair in a more elaborate, more modern style. She has also been lent a parasol and a folding fan.
Marietta: All right, Tess. I think now is our time. If you leave through the door in the music room you will make the best entrance.
Tess: Are you sure about this?
Marietta: I am sure. Venez.
They walk out of the room, through the halls to the other side of the house, and downstairs before entering the music room.
Tess: Mari, I feel silly.
Marietta: There is nothing for you to feel silly about. Stand up straight, lift your chin, and smile.
Tess takes a deep breath, then opens the music room door and steps into the courtyard. She finds herself just ten feet from Nick, who notices her immediately. They lock eyes, and he stops mid-sentence. The three men with whom he'd been speaking–brother Will and brothers-in-law Benjamin and Joe–all turn to see. Will lets out a low whistle.
Marietta: Appearing from behind Tess and walking towards her husband. I would beware who you whistle at, ma chèri.
Will: Smiles. I was whistling at my beautiful wife.
Benjamin: Nice try, Will. Miss Hartley, would you like a drink? Some lemonade, perhaps?
Tess: Yes, please.
Marietta: Winks as she walks away with Will. I will see you later, Tess.
Benjamin: That's a lovely dress you're wearing, Tess. New?
Tess: Yes, a gift from my friend.
Joe: The one in San Francisco?
Nick: Hey, Tess, you want to come out and see the new foal?
Tess: Maybe later. I'd like to get a little something to eat first.
Nick: Whenever. I'm gonna go talk to Dad.
Nick walks towards his father, put out as he hears Benjamin and Joe talking to a laughing Tess behind him. John Henry is standing by himself with a drink, observing the crowd.
John Henry: What's the trouble, son?
Nick: Nothing
John Henry: Ah, woman trouble. He looks around the courtyard. Let me guess, Tess is looking absolutely stunning and she's having a lively conversation with two of your two brothers-in-law instead of you.
Nick: I hadn't noticed.
John Henry: Come, come. Son, I don't pretend to know everything about women. Hell, I've raised five daughters and I still don't know what they're thinking half the time. But I've also watched men pine after those daughters and I know what jealousy is when I see it. You're jealous of two happily married men. If you want the lady, you have to stake your claim. Don't let other men get your lady her drinks like you let Benjamin do. When the music starts, make sure you're the first to ask her to dance. Most importantly, treat her like a lady. She's no cowhand.
Nick: So I've noticed. I've been thinking about her a lot, Dad.
John Henry: Oh?
Nick: Remember when I went into Boise two weeks ago? Well, I sort of visited a... jeweler.
John Henry: Now, son. You can't be proposing right out of the blue. You have to court her properly first, give her at least a hint of your feelings. Is it a good ring?
Nick: I don't know much about jewelry, but I think so.
John Henry: Good. Now, go claim your lady before someone else does.
Nick looks over to Tess again and, seeing her still laughing with Benjamin and Joe, walks determinedly over to them.
Nick: Where did you two leave Vic and Livie? I'm not sure if I like my sisters' husbands flirting with a beautiful, unmarried woman.
Benjamin stares at Nick, then smiles knowingly and puts his arm on his brother's shoulder.
Benjamin: Come on, Joseph. I suppose we should find our wives, even if they are talking about corsets or something equally unpleasant. I'll see you, Tess.
Joe: If Nick starts to bore you, just come over and join us. We're much more interesting.
Nick: You'd look quite interesting if I gave you a black eye.
Joe smiles at Nick and gives him a reassuring pat on the back. He and Benjamin walk away.
Tess: You're hostile and controlling today. Did you not sleep well last night?
Nick: Mumbles. Guess not. He pauses. Now come see the new foal. Grace'll be really disappointed if you don't.
Tess: All right.
Nick surprises Tess by linking his arm around her own and escorting her through the center of the courtyard. They walk out through the back entrance, and leisurely head towards the stables. Inside, they are told that Grace has gone back to the house. Nick leads Tess to the large stall where Grace's foal was stumbling about, exploring her new surroundings.
Tess: She's a darling! Has Grace given her a name yet?
Nick: She's torn between two names, Dixie Queen and Cump's Princess. Dixie Queen just because she wants to be spiteful towards Sherman and me, and Cump's princess because Sherman sired her.
Tess: Cump?
Nick: The general's nickname.
Tess: I like the first name.
Nick: I thought you would. She'll probably choose that one, too. We're going to take them outside tomorrow.
Grace: Unseen from behind Tess and Nick. Hey, Tess, how do you like my Dixie Queen?
Tess: Turns around. Hay is for the horses, Grace. She sees Grace wearing a dress Good Lord! A dress and we aren't even at church!
Nick: Reverend Harris is holding a special service from the center of the courtyard in a short while.
Tess: And I thought we were being blessed with the appearance of Grace the Lady.
Grace: No such luck.
Nick: What's with the skirts? You've got two and half good years before Dad will let you wear full length skirts. And you hate skirts!
Grace: I figure if I'm going to dress like a lady, I might as well dress like a real lady. Julia lent it to me. At least I'm smaller than Julia. I don't have to cinch myself up so tight that I can't breath She takes a deep breath after letting out the first half of her sentence so quickly. to get into this thing. I left my hat up in the loft. Could you get it for me, Nick?
Nick: What's this? Is my little sister helpless?
Grace: Just get my hat.
Nick walks a short distance away, climbs a ladder, and disappears. Grace grabs Tess by the elbow and pulls her a short distance away.
Tess: What is it!?
Grace: Shh! Whispers What did Nick say when you finally made your appearance?
Nick: Unseen Gracie, catch! The hat flies into view and Grace catches it, and we see him descending the ladder. I still can't believe it. My sister, helpless.
Grace: Perturbed at the interruption. I'm not helpless, you oaf. I could still whoop your ass if I wanted to, but I don't wanna get Julia's dress dirty.
Nick: You watch your language, little girl.
Grace: Stuff it.
Nick: Just act like a lady for one day, Gracie. You just might like it. Now let's return to the party.
Nick offers both his arms and Tess links her arm into one. After a short glare from Nick, Grace does the same. He leads the two from the stables.
Scene 2: San Francisco, California. The carriage is just pulling up in front of Gabe's home. Georgie and Gabe are still kissing, the driver is smiling ear-to-ear. Louisa is watching from a front window. Upon seeing her father with Georgie, she jumps up and runs from sight. Steven is waiting in the front hall.
Louisa: Stevie, Stevie! Look out the front window!
Steven: Why?
Louisa: Pushing aside the curtain at the window beside the door. Just come look!
Steven: Moving to stand beside his sister. Well, I'll be damned.
Louisa: There's no need to swear, Stevie.
Steven: You're not our mother and don't call me Stevie.
Louisa: You don't have to be mean, Steven. She walks around her brother and opens the front door, Georgie and Gabe are just walking up the steps. Daddy, what would people say if they saw you kissing an unmarried woman in public?
Gabe: They'd say, 'Gee, he must really love her.'
Louisa: Turning to Georgie. Did he ask you? What did you say?
Georgie: It took 'im a while to get it out, but he asked me.
Louisa: Impatient. And?
Georgie smiles and holds up her left hand to show Louisa the ring. Louisa squeals and gives Georgie a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, then does the same to her father. Steven is less flamboyant. He gives Georgie a quick hug and congratulates her. She gives him a kiss on the cheek. He congratulates his father and starts shaking his hand, but Gabe pulls his son in and gives him a big hug.
Gabe: Are you two ready to go? We don't want to be late. Georgie, unless you want the engagement known tonight, you should move the ring to another finger.
Georgie: It's all right. Besides, knowing my grandmother, everyone in California will know by tomorrow anyway.
Louisa: We're ready, Daddy.
Steven: Yeah, Pop. Let's go.
Steven and Louisa grab their wraps and all four leave.
Scene 3: Belleterre courtyard, late afternoon. Reverend Harris is just finishing his sermon. Tess and Nick are sitting together on a blanket spread on the ground surrounded by several members of his family.
Harris: ... And most of all, my parishioners, have fun. John Henry, the podium is yours.
John Henry raises himself from his blanket and walks to the podium as Reverend Harris is stepping down.
John Henry: Thank you, Reverend. Is everyone having a great Independence Day? He waits as the crowd claps and cheers. The games this year will be the same as last year. We'll start with the archery and shooting competitions, then move on to the races. First up, archery. The targets are being set now, so if you're wanting to watch you should move down towards the barn.
Montage: The Fourth Games: Grace, with her bow and quiver of five arrows, spreads a blanket on the ground where she is to kneel and take her shots at the archery targets. She hikes up her skirts, exposing her trousers underneath, and gets down on one knee. We see several arrows hitting their targets in various positions, and in the end see Grace's target with all five arrows in the bull's eye. She is declared the winner, but the rugged man next to her was a close second. From there, they move to skeet shooting. Nick and Grace compete against one another. Grace misses one, Nick misses two. Next is the horse races. Grace pleads her father to allow her to compete. John Henry says, "No, the rules say 'absolutely no one under fifteen.'" She pouts. Nick races with Sherman, and loses the first race of one hundred yards to a young man with a nearly-wild Mustang. The second race, the two mile, is easily won by Nick as he passes through the entrance to the Belleterre courtyard. In the excitement of his win, he jumps off Sherman, grabs Tess, and gives her a big kiss. They share a confused gaze afterward, then are pulled apart by the joyful crowd. Tess is pulled by Marietta through a door into the house, finding herself in a small salon.
Marietta: He kissed you!
Tess: I hadn't noticed.
Marietta: Do not deny that it happened, ma chèrie. It did happen, and you should be happy. Was it pleasant?
Tess: I have nothing to compare it to.
Marietta: That does not matter. Did it make you feel happy? Giddy? Faint? Repulsed? What?
Tess: Not repulsed! The first three all together. But more than that.
Marietta: It sounds as if it were a pleasant kiss.
Tess: What was your first kiss like?
Marietta: I am sorry to say that the first man I kissed was not Will. It was an ardent young man from the south of France. Well, ardent may not be the right word. He was quite forward and... rude. He nearly dragged my outside at a ball, then pushed his mouth on mine. It was very unpleasant, and I would like to forget it completely. The next man to kiss me was Will, and it was very pleasant. His first kiss was very innocent and over far before I wanted it to be. Actually, I didn't get a kiss like the one Nick gave you until after we were married. I did want will to kiss me that way.
Tess: When he kissed me it was as if all the people surrounding us weren't even there.
Marietta: That is how kisses are supposed to be. Tell me, did he put his tongue in your mouth?
Tess: Blushes. Well... I... I think he started to, but then we were pulled apart.
We scan from the small salon to a corner of the courtyard. There is a small enclosure concealed from the rest of the courtyard by two walls of grapevines and covered on top by more vines. Nick and Will, each with drinks in their hands, are sitting on two stone benches.
Will: Well?
Nick: Well what?
Will: Oh, you know what. Everyone saw it.
Nick: So I got caught in the moment. I didn't know it was going to happen. It was completely spontaneous.
Will: Don't lie to your older, wiser brother. I think you wanted people to think that, but you had it all planned, didn't you? You saw your chance, and you knew you could get away with it.
Nick: Smiles like a little boy, looking down at his drink. Well...
Will: Aha! I knew it! Let me just say it's about bloody time. And did Dad tell me right? Have you bought a ring?
Nick: He wasn't supposed to tell anyone!
Will: So you did? Let's see it. I have much better taste than you.
Nick: I left it in my room when I changed for the races. Come see it later.
Will: Don't think I won't. Oh, look. Mrs. Anders is bringing out more food. Don't eat too much, Nick. You won't be able to dance much later.
Cut to: Dusk, a small band has assembled on a balcony above the courtyard--a jumble of the various musically inclined residents of Liberty Creek. Elizabeth, Victoria, and Julia Marshall are all playing.
Montage: Everyone dancing: Nick asks Tess to dance and pulls her into a waltz. Tess dancing with another man, Marietta begins singing a French song, and Nick cuts in. Several fiddlers start playing a reel and Elizabeth, Victoria, and Julia are coaxed down to dance. When the music stops, all the dancers collapse laughing to the ground.
Scene 4: San Francisco, California. Georgie, Gabe, Steven, and Louisa are just watching the end of the fireworks over the bay. The sky is dark. When the fireworks end, they quickly say goodbye to their hosts and depart in a closed carriage. Gabe and Steven are sitting in the seat facing forward, Georgie and Louisa are seated facing them.
Louisa: Wasn't it a wonderful party? Thank you for letting me go this year, Daddy.
Gabe: Thank Georgie. It was she who convinced me to allow you to go.
Louisa smiles up a Georgie, then lays her head on Georgie's shoulder.
Louisa: I didn't want the night to end, but I'm (she yawns) so tired.
Gabe: It is well past your bed time.
Louisa: Oh, Daddy. It's a holiday.
Gabe: I know. He turns to Steven. So, Steven, who was that young woman you spent much of the evening with?
Steven: No one special.
Louisa: He's lying. That was Eliza James, and I caught them kissing behind a bush in the garden during the fireworks.
Gabe: Oh? Is that so? And how old is Miss James, Steven?
Steven: Mumbles. Seventeen.
Gabe: I suppose that's all right, although I should think my son could do better. When I was fifteen I kissed the seventeen year-old girl next door.
Georgie: Why are adolescent boys so attracted to older girls? More importantly, why do older girls encourage the attraction. When I was a girl, there was nothing that repulsedme more than a young, acne-faced adolescent trying to be a suitor. I think Steven made a perfect age match.
Gabe: You must admire the determination of the acne-faced adolescent. It's hard enough to muster the confidence to attempt to even talk to an older girl, let alone kiss one.
Georgie: So what happened to your seventeen year-old girl next door?
Gabe: Sheepish. She married her twenty-two year-old fiancé the next day.
Georgie: That must have been a terrible blow.
Gabe: I was mad with jealousy. I pretended to be sick and left the wedding early. I was sure she wouldn't go through with. I was sure when the minister asked her, "Do you take this man?", that she would say no. I almost stood up when he asked if there were any objections to the marriage.
The carriage slows to a stop in front of Georgie's home
Georgie: I don't think I can leave just yet. She looks down at Louisa asleep on her shoulder. She looks so peaceful.
Gabe: You can push her aside. She won't awaken.
Georgie carefully pushes Louisa aside and is then helped from the carriage by Gabe. They walk slowly up to Georgie's door. Gabe shuffles his feet for a few seconds, unsure. He then smiles, pulls Georgie in and gives her a long kiss. He whispers goodnight, then nearly skips back to the carriage. She waits for the carriage to leave, but it does not. When she enters the home and shuts the door, she look out the window just in time to see the carriage drive away. Smiling, she heads upstairs.
Scene 5: Tess's bedroom, night. It is warm, the window is open, and a breeze is blowing the curtains in.
Tess is lying in bed, picturing Nick kissing her earlier in the day. She tosses and turns several times, then gives up completely. Putting on her robe and slippers, she takes a book to a rocking chair in the sitting room. She lights the lamp and begins to read.
Cut to: Nick is lying in bed with just a sheet, both windows of his room open. He is picturing himself kissing Tess earlier in the day. He tosses and turns several times, then jumps from the bed and walks to the balcony, wrapping the sheet around his waist. It is a dark night with only a sliver of a crescent moon in the sky. He leans over the railing, taking a few deep breaths. He hears a door open, and Marietta appears from the room next to his carrying baby Anne. Upon seeing Nick she walks over to see him. They sit on a bench.
Marietta: Interesting nightwear.
Nick: Would you like me to get my robe?
Marietta: No, it is fine. You are about to see more of me than I am seeing of you.
Nick: Oh, please don't do that here.
Marietta: Do not watch if you do not want to. She pauses. Interesting day, was it not?
Nick: Sure was.
Marietta: You could not sleep?
Nick: No. I was thinking.
Marietta: About Tess.
Nick: Takes a deep breath. Yeah.
Marietta: You kissed Tess today.
Nick: Smiles. Yeah.
Marietta: You enjoyed it.
Nick: Yeah.
Marietta: So did Tess.
Nick: Yeah?
Marietta: Oh, yes. And you love her. You want to marry her. Will told me about the ring. You should ask her.
Nick: Finally looking Marietta in the eye. Yeah. He leans his head on Marietta's shoulder, making sure his eyes are closed. How'd you get so smart? I'm glad you're my sister, but you're far too wise for Will.
Marietta: I know, but you are changing the subject. You should ask Tess to marry you.
Nick: Yeah, I know. Soon.
Marietta: I mean right now.
Nick: He looks up at Marietta, eyes open. Yeah? Marietta: Eyes sparkling, looks back down at Nick. Yeah.
Nick pauses, then gets up quickly. By the time he reaches his door, the sheet gets pulled off because Marietta had been sitting on a corner. Marietta whistles, and Nick disappears into his room. Seconds later and arm reaches out and grabs the sheet back.
Cut to: Nick, wearing trousers, an untucked shirt, and no shoes, rides quickly from the stable on an unsaddled Sherman and trots towards the path.
Cut to: Tess curled up in her chair, still reading her book. Queenie is curled up beside the chair. Outside, a horse can be heard approaching.
Tess looks up slightly worried, then gets out of the chair and goes to look out the window. She sees a shoeless man entering the clearing. Her mouth drops open and she hurries to her bedroom to retrieve the pistol John Henry had her keep under her bed. She returns to the window just as the man starts approaching the cabin. She cannot see his face. She opens the window and, hands shaking, points the gun directly at the dark figure.
Tess: Voice shakes. S-stop where you are. I have a gun and I'll use it if you have to. Now, mister, I don't know what you want, but I have nothing for you. I suggest you turn around right now and leave.
The figure stops in his tracks, unmoving and breathing heavily.
Tess: Leave now, mister.
Nick: I would, but I'm afraid you'll shoot me when I move.
Tess: Nick?
Nick: Put the gun down, Tess.
Tess moves from the window, leaving the pistol on a table, and unlocks and opens her door to. Nick is standing there, hands in his pockets.
Nick: It's good that you're on your guard, but never point a gun at me again.
Tess: How was I to know it was you? A dark figure with no shoes arrives in the middle of the night on a horse with no saddle. I thought you were a robber... Or worse.
Nick: Well, I'm sorry I scared you. Are you going to invite me in?
Tess: I don't know if I should. It certainly wouldn't be prudent.
Nick: Please? I couldn't sleep. Mari suggested I come talk to you.
Tess: You were talking with Mari in the middle of the night?
Nick: She happened to come out on the balcony with Anne while I was there. We had a talk.
Tess: I suppose you may come in. She steps out of the way and allows Nick to enter, then closes the door. Why aren't you wearing shoes?
Nick: I dressed quickly. I didn't even think about shoes.
Tess: I couldn't sleep either. I've been reading for nearly and hour.
Nick: Oh? What were you reading?
Tess: Poetry, Browning.
Nick: Which one?
Tess: Elizabeth. Sonnets from the Portuguese. Was there something specific you wanted to talk about?
Nick: Um, yeah. Let's sit.
Nick pulls up a straight chair and sits in it just as Tess sits in her rocking chair.
Nick: It was an interesting day, wasn't it?
Tess: Mm, quite.
Nick: You're a good dancer.
Tess: Your sisters taught me.
Nick: They taught me, too. Libbie and Vic, at least. They made me practice with them endlessly. I hated it.
Tess: Is this what you came to talk about?
Nick: No, sorry. I seem to be avoiding this subject everywhere I turn. He pauses, takes a deep breath, rests his elbows on his knees, cocks his head, and looks up at Tess. I kissed you today.
Tess: I hadn't noticed.
Nick: Very funny. The truth is, I took advantage of the situation. I've wanted to do that for quite some time.
Tess: Trys to remain calm. Oh?
Nick: Takes a deep breath. Yeah. He sits up. The truth is, I've had strong feelings for you almost since you arrived in town. You've changed a lot since then, and my feelings have only grown stronger. I'm not sure exactly how you feel about me, but I know you must feel some attraction towards me.
Tess: How do you know?
Nick: Smiles. That day last month, when I was bathing in the creek?
Tess: Blushes and looks down at her hands. How did you know I was there?
Nick: You weren't making a great effort to conceal yourself.
Tess: I was!
Nick: You weren't very good at it then.
Tess: If you're going to insult me you can leave.
Nick: I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be insulting.
Tess: That makes it worse, then, doesn't it?
Nick: Thinks a moment. I suppose it does. But now you've gotten me off topic. I did a lot of thinking while I was riding over here. Now, do you have any plans for August 25?
Tess: Confused. No, I don't think so.
Nick: Ah, good. Nick leans on his elbows again and thinks for a long time, then looks up at Tess and speaks quickly. I love you.
Tess: Sits back in her chair, shocked. Wh-what did you say?
Nick: I love you. I've known it for quite some time. And... there's something I've wanted to ask you for quite some time. He looks up at Tess and stares at her face for a long time.
Tess: Is something wrong?
Nick: No, it's just... this isn't how I planned this. He digs around in his pocket.
Tess: Planned what?
Nick: This. He removes his hand from his pocket, the ring concealed, and gets down on his knees in front of Tess.
Tess: I don't know wh— She's cut off.
Nick: Marry me.
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