Episode 62
Episode 62: Early August, 1876
Scenes 1 and 3 written by Heather
Scene 1: Madison's cabin, afternoon. Madison stares at the man who has broken in, a look of shock and fear on her face.
The man laughs, and Madison's expression changed to one of anger. She turns away from him in an attempt to curb her temper.
Madison: I thought you went home.
Man: I changed my mind. I decided that maybe I'd just stick around in the background and see what kind of trouble you could get yourself into.
Madison: Turns to him. Just how long have you been following me, Jonathan?
Jonathan: Well, you see... that's just the thing. I haven't been following you, personally. I have, however, hired some of the best scum in these parts to do my dirty work for me.
Madison: It must be wonderful to have so many friends in low places.
Jonathan: I'm sure you know all about what it's like being in a low place, don't you Maddie?
Madison: What do you want, Jonathan? It's obvious you didn't come here to just chat.
Jonathan: Smiles. You are so smart, Madison! How did you ever guess?
Madison glares at him, and he starts to walk over to her. She holds her ground.
Jonathan: You see, Maddie, I have a sort of... business proposition for you.
Madison: Meaning what, exactly?
Jonathan: Well, I seem to recall a time not even a year ago when you, my love, found yourself pregnant... and with my child, no less! Now... how do you think the conservative people of Liberty Creek would react if they knew that about their beloved schoolteacher?
Madison: You wouldn't dare!
Jonathan: Raises his hand to silence her. Wait... there's more! Not only will I expose that little tidbit of information about you, but I will also tell them exactly what it was you did to my son. That is, unless you...
Madison: Through clentched teeth. Unless I what?
Jonathan: Sign a contract stating that you are giving the sum of your legal inheritance up to me, and what is past will stay that way.
Madison: And what if I don't give in to your demands?
Jonathan: Then I expose every juicy detail about the life of Madison Taylor to all the good residents of Liberty Creek.
Madison: You'll never get away with it.
Jonathan: Don't be so sure about that. You see... by the time I'm done with your wilted reputation, not even that dashing Dr. Jackson will be able to look at you the same way. And don't even think about sending your big brother Cole after me, because not even he can save you from what you've done.
Madison lowers her head in shame. Jonathan steps closer to her and cups her chin in his hand, lifting her eyes to his own.
Jonathan: I'll give you a few days to think about it. Until then...
Jonathan lowers his head some more, and Madison shudders as his lips barely brush against hers. Jonathan grins wickedly, then makes his way to the door. He tips his hat to Madison, still smiling, then leaves. Madison, too shaken up to move to the closest chair, crumbles to the floor and begins to sob.
Scene 2: A ship just off the coast of Australia, mid-morning. Olivia stands on the deck looking at the land before them, Joey at her side and the baby, now a healthy two- and-a-half months old, in her arms.
Joey: Is this it, Mama?
Olivia: Australia? Yes, dear. No more little islands to fool you.
Joey: I don't like this ship. How long before we get to Uncle Richard's house?
Olivia: I'm not sure. Uncle Richard will meet us when we reach port, but I don't know how far away he lives.
Joey: Stares at the land for a while, then looks up at his mother. Are you sure it's winter?
Olivia: Laughs. Yes, Joey. Trust me. Let's go back to our cabin and get changed, shall we?
Cut to: Nearly two hours later. Olivia, holding the baby, and Joey are standing on the deck dressed for travel.
Olivia: Come on, Joey. This way.
Olivia takes Joey by the hand and they walk off the ship. The shouts of the crowd compel Joey to take a tight hold of his mother's skirts.
Joey: Yells. Are we lost?
Olivia: No, of course not. It will take us a while to find Uncle Richard, but we will. Oh, look there. She points to a sign with her name on it. That took no time at all.
She approaches the man holding the sign.
Olivia: I am Olivia Kincaid.
Man: Nods. Ma'am. Mr. Marshall sent me to get you. He's waiting in his carriage just there. Perhaps I should carry the young man.
Olivia: Please. He keeps tripping on my skirt.
Man: Kneels. G'day, mate. My name's Bert. What's yours?
Joey: Joey.
Bert: Well, Joey, how'd you like to climb up on my shoulders?
Joey contemplates the suggestion, then runs around behind Bert and squirms into positions.
Bert: This way, ma'am.
Olivia follows Bert through the crowd and doesn't recognize Richard as they approach him. He has shaved his facial hair and appears much younger.
Richard: Olivia, my dear! He moves to hug her, but notices the baby. Baby?
Olivia: I will explain later, Uncle. This is Carey.
Richard: After my niece?
Olivia: Somewhat. Like I said. I'll explain later.
Bert: Sets Joey on the ground. If you'll give me your luggage ticket, ma'am, I'll fetch it straight away.
Olivia: Pulls a slip of paper from her coat pocket. Are Flora and Jamie with you, Uncle?
Richard: Flora doesn't like coming to Melbourne, especially when I have business.
Olivia: We're business?
Richard: No, I have a meeting this afternoon.
Olivia: So we won't be leaving today?
Richard: Sorry, no. I have the best hotel suite for us, and I can hire a woman to watch the children so you can get plenty of rest. We'll leave early tomorrow and reach my property about sundown. You'll enjoy that. It's just beautiful. But let's wait inside the carriage and talk. I'm glad you decided to come.
Scene 3: A room at the Smithson Inn, mid-afternoon. Madison is sitting on the bed, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. Cole angrily paces the floor before her.
Cole: That bastard! How dare he try to blackmail you!
Madison: Cole, Please... Keep your voice down.
Cole: Kneels before her. Madison, I have to know. What is it that he has against you? What information is he trying to pull this off with?
Madison: She takes a deep breath. Last year, when I was in love with Jonathan, we had a few romantic... liasions together. Had father known, he would have been furious. So we decided to keep our affairs a secret from him. It was working quite well, until... She starts sobbing again, and Cole raises himself up off the floor and sits next to her on the bed, placing a protective arm around her.
Cole: What happened, Maddie?
Madison: Oh, Cole... I got pregnant. And when I told Jonathan, the only thing he was afraid for was his own life! Father had threatened to kill any man who had any relations with me. So, in his desperate state, he... She swallows hard, forcing back tears.
Cole: What did he do, Madison?
Madison: Speaks barely above a whisper. He threatened to kill me if I didn't have an abortion. I had no choice. I couldn't let him... murder me! God knows he probably would have gotten away with it, too!
Cole: Something will have to be done about this, you know. I can't just stand around and let Jonathan Rutherford get away with hurting the most important person in my life again.
Madison: I knew you'd feel that way, Cole. But please don't do anything too drastic. I wouldn't want you to be punished for his sins.
Cole: All right. I will remember that. I wouldn't want anything to happen to tear us apart again, after all.
Madison: Exactly. She glances at a clock next to the bed, then stands. I really should be going. It's a fairly long ride back to my cabin, and it is starting to get dark already.
Cole walks Madison to the door of his room. She turns around and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
Madison: Don't worry about me, Cole. I can take of Jonathan myself. He won't be seeing a dime of Father's money.
She leaves, and Cole closes the door behind her, leaning against it for support. After a while, he turns around and sighs deeply, then starts toward the bed. He sist down on the egde of the matress and opens a drawer in the night table, taking an envelope out. He open the envelop and pulls out a letter, which he then unfolds and silently begins to read. His mouth soundlessly forms out the words written on the piece of paper. As he nears the end, he starts to read aloud to himself.
Cole: Speaks quietly to himself. It is a great regert of mine that I should have to do this to you, but I see nothing else that could possibly be done. I feel that both you and I will benefit from this proposition. You complete this final task, and your past will never be known to anyone, save you and I. Otherwise, I will expose you and everything you have ever done, and cause immense grief to fall upon your family name for generations to come.
Cole sighs, then carefully folds up the letter and places it back in the drawer.
Cole: Oh, Maddie... I never wanted you to have to suffer like this. But this is just one thing that must be done, no matter what the consequences are.
Cole lies down on the bed, still fully dressed, and silently turns out the light.
Scene 4: Australia, late afternoon. The sun is just preparing to set as Richard's coach pulls through the main gates of his ranch.
Richard: Looks as if the trip finally took its toll on Joey.
Olivia: He hasn't been sleeping much.
Richard: I was thinking of putting him in Jamie's room. Jamie seems to like the idea. He doesn't get many playmates out here.
Olivia: Joey would like that, too, but I think for tonight he should be with me. If he were to wake up in a strange place, and with a strange boy, he would be awfully scared.
Richard: Yes, you're right. I'll have your trunks put in the adjoining room for now, so he won't be disturbed. I'll have to have a crib set up, and get one of the hands' wives to care for the baby.
Olivia: I'm not a society wife, Uncle. I cared for Joey without help, and I haven't had any help with Carey, either.
Richard: And I'm sure you don't need it, but you are on vacation. Ah, here we are. I'll put Joey to bed. I'm sure Flora would love to dote on the baby.
Cut to: Sunset, some time later. Olivia stands with Richard and Flora at the porch rail looking out at the sunset.
Olivia: It's beautiful here, and not incredibly cold for winter.
Richard: Yes, it's been nice.
Flora: How long will you and the wee ones be stayin' wi' us, Olivia?
Olivia: Oh, I don't know. A few months at least. Enough to clear my head, set my thoughts straight.
Richard: Figure out what it is you want to do?
Olivia: Yes, that. Time to forgive and forget, too. Maybe become the person I was before I married, or a little bit anyway. I don't know where that went.
Flora: What's yer meanin', dearie?
Olivia: I never do any of the things I used to anymore, and I haven't for a long time. I want to start riding again, and work with the stock.
Flora: You canna be serious? Like the men?
Olivia: Laughs. Yes. You weren't at Belleterre before I married. I wasn't as bad as Grace, I don't think, but then I didn't have the talent for shooting and riding that she has.
Richard: And what do you plan to do when you go back home?
Olivia: I don't know. Maybe whatever it is Daddy has Will and Christopher doing.
Richard: Business, eh? I suppose I could teach you a thing or two.
Scene 5: Northern England, mid-morning. Frank and Johnny Pritchett and Edwin Graham sit in Sir Roger Johnston's study.
Frank: Where's Carey?
Johnny: Carey and Grace went on to Marshall House. Scotty's with them. Carey didn't think Allie would appreciate her being here, with us being engaged.
Frank: We'll have to do something about the two of them before something like this happens and they can't ever be together.
Edwin: Both of them determined long ago that they would never marry. They're merely being stubborn. He looks at his watch, then at the door. I say, I wish Johnston would hurry. Who do you have looking after the parish, Frank?
Frank: A young fellow, just ordained. He was going to be my curate, but now I think I'll just let him take over as vicar.
The door opens and Sir Roger, appearing very stern, enters. The three men stand, but he does not shake their hands.
Johnston: Sorry to keep you waiting. I was talking things over with Allie. Let's just get down to it, shall we? It is my opinion that she is being far to forgiving in this situation. First of all, she insisted I return this to you. He produces a ring and gives it to Frank. She feels she has no right to it, even if it was you who broke the engagement, since it was a family heirloom. She also does not want a monetary settlement, but I must insist, because it is of my opinion that you should be punished for this and severely, that you reimburse me for funds already spent on the wedding.
Frank: Certainly, without question. I just wish I could speak with her, try to explain...
Johnston: My daughter does not wish to see you.
Frank: And I realize that, but since our families have been friends for such a long time I want you to know that I do love your daughter. I will regret what I did for a long time, quite possibly for the rest of my life, but I must do the right thing.
Johnston: Are you here to make this all legal, Graham?
Edwin: Yes, sir.
Johnston: Well, let's get that done. I have other things to do.
As Edwin sorts through various papers, Frank can only sit in his chair with the same ashamed expression.
Frank: You will probably be pleased to know that I will be leaving England upon my marriage to Miss Marshall.
Johnston: Oh?
Frank: I'm to be an army chaplain. I've been offered the post before, but I had no desire to leave. India should be far enough away to please you and Allie.
Will Nick see through Rilla's attempts to gain
his sympathies by appealing to his kind heart Madison turns to Robert for comfort Frank and Belinda are ready to marry, but will
Freddie bring a stop to things when he returns?
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