Episode 44
Episode 44: Early April, 1876
Scenes 1 and 3 written by Heather
Scene 1: Liberty Creek, late afternoon. Madison is struggling against the man who has grabbed her and placed his hand over her mouth.
Man: Laughs. Always the fighter.
The man loosens his grip on Madison, and she turns to him.
Madison: Flatly, forces a smile. Jonathan, what a pleasant surprise.
Jonathan raises her hand to his lips and kisses it, not noticing the disgusted look on her face.
Jonathan: I don't know how it could be a surprise, my love. You must have known that I have been searching for you ever since you left Boston.
Madison: How would I know?
Jonathan: You had that.... friend of yours keeping tabs on me. I knew she was telling you of my actions, which is why I had each and every one of her telegrams intercepted.
Madison: Stunned. You bastard!
Jonathan: Pretends to be hurt. Maddie... such harsh words.
Madison, infuriated, clenches her hands into fists at her sides.
Madison: Through clenched teeth. You have such nerve, Jonathan. After everything you've done to me... She pauses. I have half a mind to scream right now.
Jonathan: Laughing. And I suppose your prince will hear you and come riding up on his magical steed to rescue you?
Madison: What do you want from me, Jonathan?
Jonathan: I think you know what I want, Maddie.
Madison: Well, you're not going to get it, so you're just wasting your breath.
Jonathan: Now, Madison... You do remember what happened the last time you denied me, don't you?
Madison's expression changes drastically from one of anger to one of immense fear. Jonathan begins taking steps towards her, a menacing smile spreading across his face. A gun shot rings out and he freezes, then slowly turns around. Madison looks over his shoulder to see Jack standing just a short distance away with two other men from town. The other men point rifles at Jonathan.
Jack: I don't know who you are, fella', but Miss Taylor doesn't appear to be very receptive to your advances.
Jonathan: Mutters. She never was...
Jack: You'll be held in town until the sheriff can arrive.
Jonathan: Laughing. You can't do that.
Jack: We'll see. You can either go peacefully with these men or they will take you by force. Either way...
Jonathan: I hope you realize what an injustice this is. Turns to Madison. My father will hear about this.
The two men each take one of Jonathan's arms and begin leading him down the path. Jack approaches Madison.
Madison: Shakily. I suppose I should be thanking you. What I don’t understand, however, is why you did this.
Jack: As the doctor, I've met most of the men in town. I hadn't seen him before. I saw him following you. Who was he?
Madison: No one knows of this but me and my closest friend back home. I cannot afford to tell people who are not good at keeping secrets. Can I trust you?
Jack: Of course you can. I'll imagine you gave me a penny and then I'll be bound by law to keep it a secret.
Madison: His name is Jonathan Rutherford. He and I were engaged, once. I broke off our engagement, and he's been following me ever since.
Jack: What made you break off the engagement?
Madison: Jonathan was not, by far, the ideal suitor. Of course, he comes from a very wealthy, powerful family and that is why my father chose him over all the others. But that is not what I mean when I say that he is not an ideal suitor.
Jack: What do you mean, then?
Madison: My father never saw this side of him. It did not surface until after his death. She takes a deep breath. Jonathan was abusive, manipulative... He hurt me one too many times...
Jack: Did he...
Madison: Rape me? Thinks for a while. No. God knows he tried, though.
Jack: He should go to jail. Would you like to return to your cabin to freshen up? You'll have to come back into town later and speak with the sheriff.
Madison: I don't see how that would help. I know Jonathan, and he will talk his way out of every accusation I make.
Jack: If he can be tried here my grandfather can officiate. He is a fair man.
Madison: Jonathan Rutherford will not go to jail for anything. He and his family are too powerful.
Jack: Not necessarily. He may be in the east—he is from the east? Madison nods.—but my grandfather and Mr. Marshall hold quite a bit of influence in this part of the country. Don't lose hope, and be sure to lock your door.
Scene 2: Marshall House, morning. Grace, Paul, and Johnny watch with much amusement as Scotty carries Carey away kicking and screaming. Frank is more concerned.
Frank: We cannot let him do... that.
Grace: He will only go so far as to steal a kiss if she is unreceptive.
Frank: I do not mean to be rude, Miss Marshall, but you do not know Scotty as we do.
Johnny: I think she's right. Scotty wouldn't hurt our Carey.
Grace: He told me so.
Paul: When?
Grace: When I asked if he would hurt her.
Paul: Then you missed on purpose?
Grace: Of course. I was getting bored.
Paul and Johnny chuckle. Meanwhile, out of sight, Scotty has Carey firmly trapped against a wall. He smirks with pleasure, she crosses her arms and frowns.
Carey: Don't be ridiculous, Scotty. You'll not get a thing from me.
Scotty: You made a bet, Carey. Now pay up like a gentleman.
Carey: Ah-ha! One time I'll welcome my woman's fickleness. Now, let me go, Scotty.
Carey tries to push him away and move aside, but is unsuccessful. Scotty smirks and moves closer.
Carey: Speaks forcefully, raises her voice. Get off me, MacLeod!
Scotty: Just one kiss, Carey. He moves closer and smiles. I'll collect the rest when you're married to an impotent old Englishman.
Scotty almost gets his kiss, but the two are disturbed as Johnny runs around the corner.
Carey: It's about time, Johnny! Some best friend you are!
Johnny: If it was up to me Scotty would have gotten his way, but you've just received a telegram. Grace read it and she's preparing to leave.
Carey: Ignores Scotty completely as he lets her go, she appears worried. Olivia?
Johnny: I'm afraid so.
Carey: What news?
Johnny: The telegram didn't say much, just that the baby is coming and it is too early. They have sent for your coach. Do you want me to come with you?
Carey: Please.
The three start walking around to a door inside, but are just in time to see Grace run out, trouser-clad, and head toward the barn. Carey's words are ignored.
Carey: Grace! You'll get lost!
Scene 3: Madison's cabin, night.
Madison rushes around her bedroom, pulling clothes and other items out of drawers and stuffing them into a few bags sitting on the bed. Her hair is disheveled, her hands trembling as she struggles to pack her belongings.
Madison: Talks to herself. I can't stay here any longer. It's too dangerous. Not only for me, but that poor Dr. Jackson as well. Jonathan already hates him. I cannot let any harm come to an innocent man. Not when I can prevent it.
Having finished her packing, Madison stands at the side of her bed, saring at her bags. After a while, she sits down next to them, running her hands back through her hair as she lets out a deep sigh.
Madison: This is impossible. No matter what I do, no matter where I go, he’ll always find me. She sighs again. I can't keep running for the rest of my life...
Madison closes her eyes as voices fill her head.
Woman: Maddie, you can't let him do this to you any longer...
Madison: And what do you suggest I do, Emily?
Emily: You have to leave. Before he kills you, Madison...
Madison raises her right hand up to her face and gently runs it along the back of her jaw. She then stands up and walks over to the dressing table. Sitting down, she pulls her hair back and looks in the mirror to examine a scar running from just behind her ear halfway down her neck.
Madison: Whispers. I swear, you will never hurt another person as long as you live, Jonathan Rutherford.
Scene 4: Stancliff, England, late at night. Carey and Johnny have just arrive by coach and are met at in the great front hall by Paul.
Carey: Did Grace arrive safely?
Paul: Yes. It was all I could do to keep up with her. She never missed a turn.
Carey: And Olivia?
Paul: They haven't told me anything.
Carey: Turns to Johnny. Thank you for coming with me, but I must— She gestures up the grand staircase.
Paul: Of course.
Carey picks up her skirts and runs up the stairs and through the halls before finally stopping at Olivia's door. Her father is waiting.
Charles: Hugs her. I'm glad you're home. She's been asking for you.
Carey: How long has she been this way?
Charles: Close to eighteen hours now. Dr. Earlen has summoned the surgeon, and the midwife has been here longer than Dr. Earlen. They'll not need to take the baby, but it will be hard on Olivia. You should go in. Your mother and Maggie need some rest.
Carey: Where is Grace?
Charles: Olivia hasn't let her leave, much to your mother's displeasure.
Carey gives her father a kiss before hurrying into the room. It isnot well-lit at all, and the air is stuffy and thick. Upon seeing her, Olivia reaches out and Maggie leaves the bedside to greet her sister. Grace stays put holding Olivia's hand.
Maggie: I'm glad you're here.
Carey: Father was right, you need to rest.
Maggie: Sit down, perhaps, but I'm not leaving.
Mary: Darling, I'm glad you're here. Please take Grace out. Neither of you should witness this.
Carey: Grace helps birth horses and cattle, Mama. She knows more about the process than most married women. As for me, spinsters have no need for virginal innocence.
Mary is about to respond, but Olivia lets out a painful moan.
Midwife: It's too late for the surgeon, Dr. Earlen. The baby is coming, within twenty minutes I suspect.
Olivia: Moans, cries. It's too early. The baby... the baby was always weak. It's too early.
Carey brushes past her mother and Maggie to sit beside Olivia, opposite Grace. She brushes a strand of hair from Olivia's face. Olivia rests her head on her cousin's hand and weeps.
Scene 5: Lazarus Carrol's house, early afternoon, the next day. Lazarus, Jack, and Sheriff Gowan are gathered in the parlor.
Gowan: I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner, judge.
Lazarus: Understandable, Abe. The bastard deserved to stay locked in a cold barn for the night. This is my grandson, Dr. Jackson. Jack, this is Sheriff Gowan.
Jack: Gives a polite nod. Sir.
Gowan: I understand you witnessed the attack?
Jack: Only the latter portion of it. I saw Mr. Rutherford following Miss Taylor. I found Mr. Schumacher and Mr. Howell and the three of us went after him. the three of us witnessed Mr. Rutherford grab Miss Taylor. He has followed her here from back east and she seems to be genuinely afraid of him. I believe he has tried something like this before.
Gowan: Well, I've spoken with him. He seems like a well-off fellow.
Jack: I know plenty of rich men in Philadelphia like him or worse.
Gowan: Yes, true. I must say, though, if this were anywhere else it doesn't seem to be enough to have him convicted of anything. Your grandfather is fair, though.
Lazarus: His grandfather is retired. I still do some things, but nothing like this. I wouldn't do it anyway. I would not want to disappoint Jack if I made the decision he wasn't looking for.
Gowan: Are you attracted to this young woman, doctor?
Jack: Smiles sheepishly. She is pretty.
Gowan: Yes, I'll admit that.
Jack: You've met with her already?
Gowan: Yes, on my way here. I believe she was sending a telegram. She does not seem distraught.
Jack: I believe she knows him too well to be distraught.
Olivia's baby comes, but it is
premature. John Henry and Elizabeth are still up
on the mountain. Hmm... What's the deal with Madison and her ex?
© 1998, all rights reserved.
Get your own Free Home Page