Episode 59
Episode 59: Mid-July, 1876
Scenes 1 and 3 written by Heather
Scene 1: Liberty Creek, night. Two wagons have just pulled up outside of Jack's clinic.
Jack steps down from the first wagon, followed by Gabe. The two of them help Robert down with Madison. At the same time, Cole steps down from the second wagon and helps Emily, Greta, and Sally down in turn. The entire party enters the small clinic.
Mrs. Pendergast: From upstairs, some time after the commotion. What's going on down there?
Greta: Madison is sick, Aunt Hedda. Dr. Hewitt and Dr. Jackson need to operate right away.
Jack: Points out a door to Robert. In there.
The women begin to follow, but Gabe stops them and points to the chairs.
Gabe: You all have to wait here.
In the operating room, meanwhile, Robert is having difficulty keeping his hold on Madison.
Robert: Awkwardly. Where should I put her?
Jack: Points to the table in the middle of the room. Right here.
Robert slowly makes his way over toward it and sets Madison down carefully. Gabe comes back into the room and hurries over to check on her.
Gabe: Places his hand on Madison's forehead. Her fever's gone up. Get a cold compress, Jack. He turns to Robert. I want you to stay here with her and keep this compress on her head until we come back. Understand? Robert nods and takes the bowl and compress when Jack gives it to him. We'd better hurry and get ready. She doesn't have much time.
Jack leads Gabe into another room. Robert sits on a stool next to the table and holds the compress on Madison's forehead. She begins to stir.
Robert: Whispers. You will be all right, Maddie.
Madison: Weakly. Nick?
Madison turns her head and looks at Robert, her eyes half-open.
Madison: Oh, Nick... I'm so glad you're here.
Robert: Maddie, it's me—
Madison: Cuts him off. Shh... We don't have much time. I know I don't know you very well, but but you seem to be close with your brother, so there's something I have to tell you. It is very important that you not tell anyone this unless... if I don't make it through this, Nick. I want you to give Robert a message for me.
Robert: Madison, I—
Madison: Please, Nick? Promise me.
Robert: Quietly. I promise. What is it you want me to tell him?
Madison: First of all I want you to know that you are not to tell him this if I make it through the surgery. I will tell him myself, in that case. She waits for Robert's nod before continuing. I'm in love with him, Nick. Robert's eyes widen in disbelief, but he quickly composes himself. I don't know how it happened, or when it began... I just know that I am. But with everything that's happened in my past... She winces in pain... I've just been afraid to let another man into my life. First my father died, then Jonathan betrayed me... She winces again... Now that I have Cole in my life again, though, I have new hope. I have finally been able to find the strength to allow my true feelings to be known. And I can't deny what I feel for your brother any longer.
Madison stops talking just as Jack and Gabe return. Robert stands, and Jack takes the compress from him and places it back in the bowl before leading him to the door.
Jack: I know this has been awkward for you. It has for me, as well. She will be fine.
Robert only half-hears. He continues to stare at Madison as the door is closed in his face.
Scene 2: London, mid-morning. Paul waits in a small, sun-lit room in the Marshall town house.
After a short time, Carey enters. She wears a rumpled breakfast gown only half- buttoned, her night dress visible underneath. Her hair hangs in a long, slept-on braid down her back. Her eyes are half-open and she does not look pleased.
Carey: Were we not at the same ball last night, Paul?
Paul: Excuse me?
Carey: Because if we were, you would know that we did not leave until two o'clock in the morning after five or so hours of dancing. I've only had slightly more than five hours of sleep, Paul, and that is not nearly enough to maintain any semblance of cheeriness. What, pray tell, do you want?
Paul: I pity the man who marries you. He waves off Carey's imminent objection. I know you've disapproved of my feelings for Grace, and I chalked it up as possessiveness until now, but... after last night...
Carey: Steps closer, causing him to back up as she pokes him in the chest. If you took advantage of my cousin, Paul Moody, I swear to God I'll—
Paul: No, Carey! What do you take me for? Your other delightful cousin came to speak with me. Carey frowns. Belinda?
Carey: Good God, you didn't take anything she said seriously, did you?
Paul: She said it with all seriousness. I don't know why, but she said it and I must know... How old is Grace?
Carey: Collapses into a chair, leans her head on one hand. Exactly what did Belinda tell you?
Paul: That Grace was not seventeen years old, but fifteen.
Carey: Mutters. Damn.
Paul: So it's true?
Carey: Yes, it's true. I'll kill the witch. Have you told anyone?
Paul: No, of course not. I didn't know if it was true or not. What am I going to do?
Carey: I don't know. This is partly my fault. I should have put a stop to it long ago. Grace can't know.
Paul: I know.
Carey: So we're in agreement that you will end this relationship?
Paul: No! Well, what I mean is... I know I have to for now, but I don't want to altogether.
Carey: What, then?
Paul: Are you returning with Grace to America when the season is finished?
Carey: Yes.
Paul: Well... Mama has been wanting to spend some time on the Riviera. Her health, you know. I was going to send her with one of my cousins, but it will give me an excuse.
Carey: Nods. Yes, that would be best.
Paul: I will still write to her.
Carey: There is no harm in that. When will you tell Grace?
Paul: Later today. I'll have to discuss the trip with Mama. He smiles. And I wouldn't want to wake Grace. She had a long night.
Cut to: Some hours later, early afternoon. Paul and Grace have just walked into the garden and sat down together on a bench.
Paul: I suppose it is best if I just say this.
Grace: Say what?
Paul: I am not yet twenty-two years old. I have only just taken charge of my inheritance. I feel... I feel it isn't fair for me to keep you all to myself. I cannot make a committment to anyone, though please believe I would like nothing more than to do just that to you. Are you... are you terribly angry with me?
Grace: No, not all. I feel the same way.
Paul: Oh, I'm so glad.
Grace: Because I will be returning home in just over a month. I did so enjoy your letters. I hope you will still write.
Paul: Every day if you wish, but there is something else I must tell you. My mother has been wanting to spend some time on the French Riviera. She feels it would be beneficial for her health. She has asked me to escort her and I feel it is my duty to do so.
Grace: Yes, of course. When do you leave?
Paul: Mama wants to leave as soon as possible. A week, perhaps.
Grace: Oh, well! We will make the best of it. The way you were talking I assumed you'd leave tomorrow.
Paul: You really are not angry?
Grace: No, quite the contrary. It will be for the best.
Scene 3: Jack's clinic. The sun is just peaking over the horizon and more people have joined the well-wishers in the waiting room. Robert paces the room as Greta and Mrs. Pendergast serve coffee and pastries. Cole watches Robert uneasily, his arm around a very shaken Emily.
Robert: What is taking so long?
Louisa: Everything is going just as it should.
Robert: Snaps. How would you know?
Louisa: Taken aback. Daddy taught me a lot of things I probably should not know. I've watched one of these operations in San Francisco.
Robert: I apologize. I don't know why I'm so anxious.
Louisa: Smiles shyly. It's all right. I understand. You're tired and we're all worried.
Emily: Scoffs. He's worried?
John Henry: We're all worried. We all enjoy Miss Taylor's company. Hers would be a terrible loss.
Tess: Especially for the children.
Nick: Places his arm around his wife. Sit down, Robert. I'm getting nervous just looking at you.
Robert: Stops, looks Nick in the eye, speaks slowly. I don't care.
John Henry: You've got a right to be nervous, son. We'd all feel responsible if we had caught her.
Cole: I guess I should be thankful to you, Robert. If you hadn't been there in time to catch Maddie, she might have bumped her head and done even more serious damage to herself.
Nick becomes visibly annoyed by Robert's incessant movement back and forth across the room. As Robert passes by him again, he reaches out and grabs his wrist.
Nick: Stop it.
Robert: Crouches, whispers. You weren't in there with her, Nick. She was positive she was going to die, Nick.
Nick: Why do you care so much? It's certainly not only because you caught her. I know you better than that.
Robert: You don't know everything. You don't know what she said to me in there.
Nick: What?
The door opens and Gabe emerges. Louisa goes to him, giving him a hug and kiss. The other all stand and watch Gabe intently, waiting.
Robert: Impatient. Well?
Gabe turns back to look at the doorway and Jack joins him.
Gabe: She's going to be fine.
Many sighs of relief can be heard, Robert's being the loudest.
Emily: Can we see her?
Jack: Yes, but only you and Mr. Branden. She's still very weak.
Robert: Starts to step forward. Can I just—
Cole: Cuts him off. He said she'll be fine. There will be plenty of time for you to visit her later.
Emily: I'm coming with you.
As Emily and Cole walk through the rest of the crowd to go in and see Madison, Cole shoots a dirty look over his shoulder at Robert. Jack and Gabe follow them in and quietly shut the door. Robert and Nick remain standing.
Nick: You were saying before?
Robert: What?
Nick: She said something to you before the operation. You were about to tell me what it was.
Robert: Turning his attention away from the door to Madison's room and back to his brother. It was nothing. He begins to walk toward a chair. Nothing at all.
Scene 4: Late afternoon, a sunny streetside coffeehouse in London. Carey, Grace, Johnny, and Scotty sit around a table with several empty chairs.
Johnny: You would think they would make an effort to be on time. They did invite us here.
Scotty: And thanks to you we'll likely have to listen to Frank and Allie make plans for a double wedding ceremony.
Carey: You didn't tell your own brother it was a farce?
Johnny: Shush, you don't want people to hear, do you? No, of course I didn't tell him. You know Frank can't keep a secret, especially if it involves lying.
Carey: But he makes you feel so guilty, even without trying. I suppose this means you haven't told Edwin.
Johnny: Eddie's worse than Frank when it comes to keeping a secret.
Carey: Why didn't you tell me about not letting Frank in on the secret before?
Johnny: Because you would be angry. They just drove up. Be quiet.
Scotty: And it seems they've brought your favorite cousin with them.
Carey and Grace quickly turn in their chairs, but they have no time to react to Belinda's unexpected appearance before they are charged upon by Frank and Allie.
Allie: Pulls Carey from her chair and hugs her. It's so good to see you! I've been so excited ever since I heard the news. We'll be sisters, isn't it wonderful?
Carey: Oh, quite.
Frank: Yes, Carey, I always considered you a sister, but now it's going to be official.
Edwin: My most sincere, however belated congratulations to you both.
Johnny: Thank you, Eddie. Sit, all of you.
Carey takes her seat again, and kicks Scotty under the table as he continues to snicker at her.
Frank: I must say, I always thought it would be you and Scotty, but I certainly am pleased with this match-up.
Belinda: However did you get the courage to ask him yourself, Carey?
Carey: Shoots a questioning look at Johnny. Is that what you told them?
Scotty: It is true.
Frank: When Carey wants something, she's always gotten it herself.
Carey: Turns to Belinda. I am surprised to see you here, Belinda.
Belinda: Oh, I hope you don't mind. I recognized your friends coming out of their hotel and said hello.
Allie: My mother was going to come with me as my chaperone. Miss Marshall noticed that Mama was tired and kindly offered to come in her place.
Carey: Quite frankly, I didn't think you enjoyed my company, Belinda.
Belinda: That's not true at all, and I do apologize if I have been rude in the past.
Edwin: I say, where is Paul? I had hoped we could all get together.
Carey: Paul has finally consented to taking Mrs. Moody to the Riviera. She insists upon leaving as soon as possible. He's taking care of some of the arrangements.
Belinda: But he will be at your uncle's party this evening? I've had the opportunity to converse with him on several occasions and enjoy his company.
Carey: Eyes her suspiciously. Yes, Belinda, I'm sure you do. And, yes, he will be there. He's been very attentive on Grace of late and I'm sure he'll want to spend more time with her before he leaves.
Edwin: Really? Paul and Miss Grace?
Carey: Oh, yes. You're quite behind up there, aren't you?
Scene 5: Liberty Creek, the lake, some days later. Tess and Rilla sit on a blanket some distance from the house, where construction is in full swing. Tess watches a group of children by the water closely, while Rilla watches Tess. David Windham and Hildy sit together by the shore while Ada plays in the shallow portion of the water with Philly Elliot and Benji Kincaid. Other schoolchildren swim and play about.
Rilla: Do you ever tire of the children?
Tess: Oh, no! I enjoy watching them play. I used to teach at the school.
Rilla: So I've been told. They're just so frustrating sometimes.
Tess: Sometimes, but you still love them.
Rilla: Oh, I do. You wouldn't understand it fully, not being a mother.
Tess: I suppose not... How old are your girls exactly?
Rilla: Hildy is nine in December and Ada was five in February.
Tess: Wonderful ages.
Rilla: I suppose. She looks out at the children for a short time before turning back to Tess. So, you and Nick have been married almost a year now?
Tess: August 25, yes.
Rilla: Really? Are you not planning to have children right away then, or are you just not able? I know Nick is the kind of man who will want a legacy to leave.
Tess: Slightly taken aback. I'm surprised Nick hasn't told you. He's so proud. We're expecting in November.
Rilla: Dismissive. Oh, well, he hadn't mentioned it. I suppose I just assumed you were naturally plump.
Tess: No, this is definitely a baby. It's beginning to kick.
Rilla: Well, you'd just better hope it's a boy. When Nick was infatuated with me he would quite often spend an hour or more talking about the sons we would have together. I'd amuse him sometimes and go along with his little fantasy and suggest that it might be a girl. "Oh, no!" he'd say. "Only boys, especially the first one." Oh, don't look so worried. I'm sure Nick would be civil to a daughter, it was just so important to him I'm afraid of what he might begin to think of you.
Tess: Surprised, slightly worried. Don't be silly.
Rilla: I'm only concerned for you, dear. I do so want us to be friends. It's just... well, don't the men in Nick's family have a tendency to produce more daughters than sons? She looks at the children in time to see Ada fall down in the water, completely soaking herself. Ada, I told you to be careful! She turns to Tess. You, see? Children can be so frustrating.
Rilla gets up and walks toward her laughing, wet daughter. Tess, though, is left stunned, confused, and more than a little concerned on the blanket as she turns her head to watch Nick working on the second floor of their home. He waves to her, but her wave in return is less than enthusiastic.
What will come of Madison's feverish
confession? Is there any truth to Rilla's concerns? Belinda's true intentions begin to show
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