Episode 6: July/August 1875, The Christopher- Lydia Nuptials

Scene 1: The deck of the ship, two hours out of port, midday. Christopher is leaning on the railing, staring at the open horizon. He is soon joined by James Pitney, a man in his early- to mid-thirties.

Pitney: Allow me to congratulate you on your impending nuptials, young man. He offers a hand and Christopher shakes it. As a minister of the Lord, I am often called upon to join two people in marriage, but rarely am I able to witness the joyous proposal that started it all. Allow me to introduce myself. Reverend James Pitney. I have a small parish in upstate New York.

Christopher: Pleased to make your acquaintance. Christopher Marshall. The beautiful maiden is Lydia Elliot. She's in her cabin right now breaking the news to her maid, and asking her to be her maid of honor.

Pitney: Then her parents are not here?

Christopher: Her mother is vacationing at my uncle's estate. Our family's are old friends. Her father is working in London. He should find out in several days, we posted a letter before we left. I've been entrusted to escort Lydia to my home town, where her brother resides with my sister. They are married, of course.

Pitney: Of course. Where is home? Do you plan to marry there?

Christopher: My father owns a large ranch in Idaho Territory, near Boise. Lydia and I plan to marry on the ship. Tomorrow, actually. I was just about to seek out the captain. Am glad you approached me. Dear Lydia will be missing a traditional wedding. She says it doesn't matter to her, but I know it does. She's always been a bit of a romantic. We would be honored if you would... do the honors.

Pitney: I would be glad to, but I hope you won't mind my asking a few questions. I'm always hesitant to marry couples who wish to elope because they often make the decision in haste. Once you're married, there is no going back.

Christopher: Lydia and I couldn't be more sure about marrying. I don't mind questions.

Pitney: You may not like them. Is the lady with child?

Christopher: No! Of course not. It is a rare occasion that we are alone to even kiss, let alone more. I fell in love with Lydia when I was sixteen and she thirteen. There's never been anyone but her.

Pitney: Why don't you marry in front of your respective families? Allow them to give their blessing?

Christopher: There are several reasons Lydia's father wouldn't allow it. For one, I have yet to turn twenty-two and am just out of university. Secondly, Lydia has a young earl after her affections. Denbury's already stolen her father's heart, and it was only a matter of time before Lydia became engaged to the man. Her father has always wanted her to marry someone titled. First it was my elder brother, who will most likely inherit a dukedom some day. Now it is Lord Denbury.

Pitney: And what of your family?

Christopher: My father and Lydia's father are best friends. Dad would give us his blessing, but he wouldn't let us marry without Uncle Phil there. Neither would Philip, Lydia's brother, my brother-in-law.

Pitney: Will you be able to support yourself and a wife?

Christopher: I currently receive an adequate allowance, but I will be working with my father and my elder brother when I return home. My father has numerous holdings. And Lydia and I would be welcomed into our family home.

Pitney: Well, you've certainly shown that you're responsible. You've thought things through. Most importantly, you love your fiancée. It was evident when you proposed that she loves you. I will perform the ceremony. Name the time and the place.

Christopher: I don't know about a time yet. I suppose late afternoon would give us more time. We wanted to be married on the first of the month.

Pitney: That is tomorrow.

Christopher: As I am well aware, sir.

Scene 2: Lydia's suite, shared with Delie, the next morning. The two friends are eating a light breakfast.

Lydia: I still can't believe the people on this ship have been so generous. Mrs. Aimes with her wedding dress, Mrs. Pratt with the dried flowers, even that German photographer Mr. Reinhardt offering his services as a wedding gift.

Delie: Don't forget the captain's dinner and ball in your honor.

Lydia: That is only because we share the last name.

Delie: You are related.

Lydia: I forgot you were there during that conversation. Yes, my great- great-great-grandfather was his great-great-grandfather. That is not a close relation.

Delie: Close enough for you to ask him to give you away, and for Mr. Marshall to ask him to stand up with him.

Lydia: Who knew the man would accept both duties?

Delie: People are inspired by true love, Miss Lydia. I know I am. And thank you again for asking me to be your maid of honor.

Lydia: You are my closest friend. And from now on I want you to simply call me Lydia.

A knock sounds at the door.

Lydia: Who is it?

Voice: Laura Aimes with a porter.

Lydia: Come in, please.

The door is opened and a young woman just a few years older than Lydia enters, followed by a uniformed porter carrying several gowns. He laid them gently on a chair and left before Laura Aimes could pay him for his troubles.

Lydia: I can't thank you enough, Mrs. Aimes.

Laura: Laura, please. I have brought my wedding gown, plus a few gowns that your friend might wish to borrow for the ceremony. She and I are closer in build. When I married two years ago, however, I was incredibly slender as you are now, so the gown should fit. I have since had a child, so I have filled out to a more desirable shape.

Delie: That is very kind of you, Mrs. Aimes.

Laura: Laura, please. I still feel I am too young to be a Mrs. Besides, whenever I here "Mrs. Aimes" I picture my husband's mother. She was mean and she didn't like me. When you are finished your meal we can try the gowns on to see if any adjustments are needed.

Lydia: Care to join us?

Laura: Thank you, no. After losing my supper thanks to those cursed waves last night, I stuffed myself with plain crackers this morning to settle my stomach.

Lydia: How is your baby surviving the voyage?

Laura: Billy is invincible like his father. He slept throughout the entire night.

Lydia: Smiles. I've a nephew named Billy. I have yet to meet him, or his brothers. Neither has Christopher, actually. They're his nephews, too.

Laura: How does that come about?

Lydia: My brother married Christopher's sister. Christopher has been at school in Scotland and England for eight years. He's eager to meet his nieces and nephews. He's only seen one nephew, and has an advantage on me because Philly happens to be my nephew, too. Actually, my brother and Libbie were expecting a fourth child when last I heard from them. They should have had it by now.

Lydia finished off the last slice of toast and marmalade, then took a small drink of milk.

Laura: Are you ready to try on the gown.

Lydia: Ready as I'll ever be.

Laura: I was nervous whenever I wore it, for fittings and for the wedding itself. You have nothing to be nervous about. It is just a dress.

Cut to: Lydia and Delie standing before a full-length mirror. Lydia is dressed in the gown, but we see only the back of her shoulder and her unveiled head as we look over her shoulder at Delie and Laura. Delie is wearing a stately, light blue silk gown.

Laura: Clasping her hands under her chin, examining the two. Those dresses fit perfectly on you. It is as if it were meant to be. Now, the gown is two years old, but it doesn't not seem the least out of fashion. The train, of course, is detachable and will allow you to dance quite unencumbered. And, Delie, you look stunning.

Delie: Looks down at the dress, unsure. I've never worn such finery before. I'm afraid I'll soil it.

Laura: It is just a dress. Besides, it is better suited on you than it is me. I would give it to you, but my mother had it especially made for me and sent to England. I'm traveling to New York to visit her now. She'll expect to see me in it. But, Lydia, you must be very careful with the gown. My cousin is marrying in three months and she's been wanting to wear my wedding gown since she was a member of my wedding party.

Lydia: I wouldn't forgive myself if I stain or ripped it. It would almost seem like sacrilege.

Laura: My mother would think so, another reason nothing can happen to it. She would hunt you down if she found out. She laughs. Now, let's see how that veil looks.

Scene 3: A small, windowless room on the upper deck of the ship. Lydia is sitting in a chair behind a large potted plant with only the hem of the dress and a pair of white kid shoes. Laura Aimes is supervising three other young women–Jane, about seventeen; Dora, about eighteen; and Alice, also about eighteen–as three other women arrange their hair. Delie, already fully dressed, is one of the women doing hair. Mrs. Pitney, Reverend Pitney's wife, is giving last-minute instructions to her seven year-old daughter, Ruthie, who will be the flower girl.

Sally: I can't thank you enough, Miss Elliot. I've always wanted to be part of a wedding.

Lydia: You're welcome, Sally, but I should be the one thanking you.

Dora: I, too, must thank you, Miss Elliot. And thank you for lending me the gown.

Lydia: It is nothing, Dora. I have many, and I am glad you're wearing it because I likely won't. The gowns my mother had sewn for me are hardly suited for Christopher's home.

Alice: Elopements are so romantic. My sister eloped and she is very happy now.

Lydia: I'd much rather marry with my family there to witness it. It is not something you should do if you have other choices.

Mrs. Pitney: Well said. Ruthie and I are going to wait outside.

Laura: We'll come with you. I think we're all finished.

The hairdressers make a few last-minute pats and adjustments, then follow the three girls out onto the deck.

Laura: I'll send Captain Elliot in straight-away. It's going to go wonderfully, Lydia. You just wait and see.

Laura leaves and gently closes the door behind her. A few seconds later, Captain Elliot, a man in his mid-thirties, walks into the room wearing his starched white uniform. He walks over to Lydia and looks down at her.

Lydia: You look dashing.

Captain E: Don't tell me, Cousin, tell Christopher. Never have I seen a groom look so at ease. I imagine it's hard, not only is he about to marry, but he is also forced to hear most of the ladies tittering and commenting to each other about how dashing he looks.

Lydia: He has always been incredibly handsome in formal wear. He never admits it, but I think he prefers formal wear to anything else.

Captain E: To each his own. Are you ready, Cousin? You are by far the most beautiful bride I've ever laid eyes upon.

Lydia: Thank you. And, yes, I'm ready.

Captain Elliot offers his hand. Lydia, still hidden by the plant, takes it and rises to her feet.

Cut to: Christopher and Reverend Pitney standing before a crowd of well-dressed passengers seated in chairs. To one side, a man is playing the piano. Christopher is smiling from ear to ear. Fresh and dried flowers line the aisle at the end of each row of chairs.

Ruthie Pitney appears at the end of the aisle and begins walking forward. Several women "ooh" at the sight of the little girl in her lacy white dress as she spreads her dried rose petals. Lydia's three attendants follow, with Delie behind them. Then Lydia appears on the arm of Captain Elliot. Her silk gown trails seven feet behind her, adorned with lace and brocade. Her mother's lace veil hides her face completely. When she reached Christopher's side, Captain Elliot stepped aside and took his place beside Christopher.

Pitney: Dearly beloved, we are gathered her today to witness...

His words are drowned out by soft music and images of Lydia and Christopher's shared time together. Their first kiss, Lydia thirteen and Christopher sixteen, shared while riding on the beach at Stancliff Manor. Their first "I love you" shared the following Christmas. Their shared enjoyment upon hearing of the coming of their first shared nephew. Their first discussion of marriage shortly after Christopher's commencement ceremony at his boarding school in Scotland. Their first dance together at Lydia's debut ball when she was seventeen. Christopher's first proposal after Lydia's father asked him to escort her to visit her brother. Their last ride on the beach at Stancliff Manor. The proposal on the deck of the ship.

Pitney: I know pronounce you man and wife.

Christopher turned to Lydia, lifted the veil over her head, and kissed her.

Scene 4: Late at night. The ship's dining room has been cleared of the tables and the last dance has just finished. Christopher starts to lead Lydia away, but Laura Aimes stops him.

Laura: Not so fast, Christopher. I want to say a few private words to Lydia first. You wait out on the deck, and I'll come fetch you in a bit.

Christopher: Don't be too long.

Laura: We won't be. Come, Lydia.

Laura led Lydia down to Lydia's suite, where Christopher's things waited in the front room

Laura: I thought you might need a little help getting out of that dress.

Lydia: Thank you. I didn't want to say anything when Delie retired to Christopher's old room an hour ago. She looked so tired.

Laura: Removes Lydia's veil. I also wanted to talk with you before you were left alone with Christopher.

Lydia: Pulls the hairpins free and lets her hair fall. Oh? What about?

Laura: Begins to undo the row of buttons down Lydia's back. About... relations with men. Has anyone spoken to you before?

Lydia: Well, not exactly. Christopher's cousin, a good friend of mine, married last year. She hinted when she returned from her honeymoon that it had been... enjoyable.

Laura: Helps Lydia step out of the dress. That's good, and it can be. Especially when the man and woman love each other. You and Christopher do. You have nothing to worry about.

Lydia: Thank you, Laura. For everything.

Laura: It was nothing. I enjoyed planning a wedding, even if I was only twenty-four hours in which to do it. Are you going to be all right now? Do you need anymore help?

Lydia: No, I can manage. Thank you for letting me borrow the gown. It was beautiful. You should take it with you now. I'm afraid it would be pushing things for me to keep it longer. Something's bound to happen to it.

Laura: I will take it with me if it will save you the worrying. Laura carefully hangs the dress over the hanger and slings the train over her arm. Goodnight, Lydia.

Lydia opens the door for Laura, making sure she's hidden behind it. Laura pauses just before she leaves the room, leans down, and kisses Lydia on the cheek.

Lydia: Goodnight.

Lydia closes the door behind her new friend, takes a deep breath and heads back to the bedroom to finish changing.

Continue to Episode 7

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